Homicide Co-Defendants Accept Plea Deal

Two homicide co-defendants accepted plea deals extended by the prosecution on Feb. 9 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.

Justin Borum, 36 and Jerome Dukes, 35 were originally charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for their involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jayvon Jones. The incident occurred on Feb. 21, 2023 on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE. Two additional individuals sustained injuries.

The defendants accepted an offer extended by the prosecution, which required them to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of 108 months of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Borum and Dukes caused the death of Jones, and acted in conscious disregard for his well being, and not in self-defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 17.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Jail Stabbing Case

DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a jail stabbing on Feb. 4.

Darryl Vest, 22, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on July 12, 2025 at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.

According to court documents, an individual identified as Vest and two other inmates got into a fight which resulted in the victim and Vest’s getting stabbed. The victim sustained a collapsed lung and was transported to the hospital.

The prosecution called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who wrote the arrest warrant to testify. The witness stated that he viewed pictures and additional surveillance footage of the fight when he responded to the scene.

The detective identified Vest in court as allegedly one of the people in the footage of the fight. The victim was not able to identify Vest when officers attempted to interview him, stating he didn’t know what happened.

The detective stated that he didn’t interview anyone else when he reported to the scene and did not talk to correctional officers about potential eyewitnesses. He stated that Vest was holding a sharp object in the surveillance footage, but was unable to describe the object when asked. The weapon from was recovered, but investigators were unable to confirm who possessed it.

Prosecutors asked Judge Jones to find probable cause, stating that despite their inability to prove the ownership of the knife, Vest had it during the incident.

Susan Ellis, Vest’s attorney, argued that in addition to the detective’s failure to describe the weapon, no other witnesses saw what happened and there was a third person involved in the fight. As a result, there was nothing proving Vest was the one who injured the victim.

Judge Jones disagreed. He stated that because Vest could be seen in footage holding a sharp object in his right hand and making a swinging motion towards the victim’s back, there was enough evidence for probable cause.

Ellis requested release with whatever conditions the judge saw fit, stating that Vest would agree to GPS monitoring and having a curfew. She also suggested that Vest would be required to visit pretrial services on a regular basis.

The prosecution maintained Vest should remain detained pending trial. Judge Jones declared that Vest would remain detained and would be held without bond.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 23.

Witnesses Testify Murder Victim Was Followed, Shot 8 Times

DC Superior Court Judge Neal E Kravitz heard testimony on Feb. 9 about a victim who was fatally shot eight times in broad daylight.

Khalid Claggett, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of greater than one year. All charges face an aggravating factor of allegedly being committed during Claggett’s release for another offense. The charges stem from Claggett’s alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Isaac Aull Jr., 30, on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE, on June 11, 2021.

The prosecution called two eyewitnesses who were in their respective vehicles during the shooting.

One eyewitness, driving a vehicle, testified that they saw the shooter chase an individual down the street on foot. The individual was “ducking between the cars” in order to avoid getting shot, said the eyewitness.

The eyewitness said he fled the scene in his vehicle before returning later, feeling compelled to discuss his account to police.

On cross-examination, the eyewitness told defense attorney Howard McEachern they saw the shooter run back towards a Walgreens pharmacy after shooting the victim.

Another eyewitness, who drove an ambulance at the time of the shooting, testified that a pedestrian approached him and said someone had been shot and needed assistance. The ambulance driver said that he saw an individual hunched over in the street, but was unsure if the scene was safe, and therefore hesitant to leave his vehicle.

According to the ambulance driver, someone holding a gun ran towards the person who was hunched over in the street. The eyewitness claimed that the person running began shooting at the person hunched over, and then stopped to fix their gun that had jammed.

The ambulance driver described his memory as “a little fuzzy,” and was unsure about some details of the shooting. For example, whether or not the victim had asked him for assistance.

On cross-examination, McEachern pressed the eyewitness for details about the pause they claimed the shooter took while fixing his weapon. The ambulance driver described that the person “was shooting, then messed with the gun a little bit, then went back to shooting,” but wasn’t sure of the reason they had stopped to fiddle with the gun.

Prosecutors also called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who reviewed security camera footage that showed the shooting from multiple angles. The footage depicted two individuals walking down Franklin Street and entering a parking lot. Upon entering the lot, the video showed a person in a gold car shooting at one of the individuals and chasing him down Rhode Island Avenue onto Franklin Street.

The footage showed the shooter running back down Rhode Island into the parking lot moments later.

In addition, prosecutors called another witness who testified that her husband’s gold GMC Yukon had been stolen. She said she attempted to contact police about the vehicle, but police told her that it was being held in connection with an MPD investigation.

An forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Aull confirmed his manner of death was a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.

The prosecution showed the jury the expert’s autopsy report and she confirmed the locations of the bullet wounds. According to the expert, Aull sustained eight gunshot wounds: two to his neck, four to his back, one to his hip, and another to his shin.

The expert said the wounds to Aull’s neck were the most fatal and estimated they could cause a victim to die within a minute. The expert described, one shot to the neck would cause the victim “dropping to the ground then dying shortly thereafter.”

According to the expert, projectile fragments were recovered from Aull’s wounds and blue and copper pieces of metal were recovered from his brain.

The jury is scheduled to return Feb. 11 and parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 10 to discuss jury instructions.

Shooting Defendant’s Case Dismissed

The prosecution dismissed a case against a shooting defendant in a motion hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Feb. 9.

Quentin Hill, 36, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on April 18, 2023. No injuries were reported.

During the hearing, the prosecution motioned to dismiss the case against Hill. Hill’s attorney, Kavya Naini, asked for a dismissal with prejudice, which would prohibit the prosecution from re-opening the case.

However, the prosecution’s motion to dismiss the case without prejudice was granted by Judge Salerno and all charges against Hill were dropped for now.

Hill’s jury trial, originally set for Feb. 17, was canceled and no further hearings were scheduled.

Judge Sentences Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant to 7 Years After Previous Crimes

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to seven years in prison for his latest crime during a hearing on Feb. 6.

Thurman Williams, 55, pleaded guilty on Nov. 3, 2025 to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 17, 2025, on the 1100 block of First Street, NW.

According to court documents, Williams was walking along the sidewalk when he pulled a silver handgun from his coat and fired in the vicinity of two people. No injuries were reported.

At sentencing, the prosecution read the victim impact statement to the court. The victim said they were shaken by the shooting and emphasized the proximity to a school where children and crossing guards are often present. The victim said they were walking to work, did not know why the shooting occurred, and hoped the sentence would allow Williams time to reflect but also allow him a chance to live his life.

The prosecution requested a stay-away order from the victim and the school. Judge Pipe declined, stating she lacked authority to impose the condition under terms of supervised release.

The prosecution summarized their case against Williams, stating they would have proven Williams randomly fired a silver pistol while walking on the sidewalk near two people. They asked Judge Pipe to sentence Williams to seven years in prison.

Williams’ attorney, Gemma Stevens, asked the court to consider Williams’ health issues and personal history, saying he was not a bad person and accepted responsibility for his actions through the plea deal. Stevens also asked for a sentence of seven years in prison.

Williams briefly addressed the court, apologized, and said he was done with guns.

Before imposing the sentence, Judge Pipe emphasized the victim’s statement asking the court to “consider if the prior time spent convinced him of the impermissibility of his actions.” The judge noted Williams previously served more than three decades in prison for a homicide offense and committed another offense during that sentence. Given Williams’ history and the random nature of the shooting, Judge Pipe said Williams posed a clear danger to the community.

Judge Pipe sentenced Williams to three years in prison for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and seven years for unlawful possession of a firearm, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. Williams will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon release.

No further dates were set.

‘I’m Proud of You,’ Judge Tells Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard a probation show cause hearing for a convicted stabbing defendant to monitor his release compliance on Feb. 4.

William Johnson, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing. The incident occurred on Dec. 23, 2021 on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. Johnson was convicted for this offense on Feb. 23, 2022.

He appeared in front of Judge Brandt for a probation show cause hearing. During the proceeding, the Judge heard from a community supervision officer (CSO) from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA)

The officer explained that Johnson is “making moves in a positive direction.” He testified that Johnson is currently searching for employment, living in transitional housing, and is enrolled in a DC Central Kitchen program, which allows individuals to get culinary experience.

“I’m proud of you,” Judge Brandt said to Johnson.

The CSO suggested that another hearing be scheduled to continue monitoring Johnson’s compliance with sobriety, search for employment, and his enrollment in DC Central Kitchen. There were no objections from the prosecution or Johnson’s defense attorney, Wole Falodun.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 24.

Victim Testifies Shooting Stemmed from a Parking Argument

A defendant’s neighbor, who was the victim to a shooting, testified before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno’s courtroom on Feb. 3.

Juwan Russell, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, endangerment with a firearm, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition and destruction of property. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on the 1000 block of 16th Street, NE on June 25, 2025. No injuries were reported.

Prosecutors called on the person who Russell allegedly targeted. In their opening statements, the prosecution claimed the disagreement that led to the shooting stemmed from a parking dispute.

After multiple heated encounters the day of the incident, the victim testified that Russell pointed a handgun towards the victim’s vehicle after which the victim heard rapid gunfire.

Living in the apartment complex directly behind the defendant, the victim claimed that he would encounter Russell several times a week. While the victim initially described their encounters as being “neighborly,” they turned into “mean mugs and stares.”

The relationship was further strained by ongoing disputes over parking. According to the victim, Russell would not permit the victim to park any of his vehicles in a parking lot adjacent to Russell’s apartment building.

The victim explained a conversation he had with Russell about this dispute stating, “we’re all neighbors, we’re all trying to park our cars.” He also expressed concerns about not wanting to get ticketed by parking his car on the street. After the victim mentioned this, Russell responded by saying “I own this,” referring to the lot and told him that “you don’t need to park your motherf*****g car back here.”

According to the victim, on the day of the incident, he was being followed by Russell and another individual, who he referred to as “young man.” He reportedly went inside a nearby building to try and find another person to provide safety. He stated he had no intention of fighting anyone.

When returning to his car, he alleged, Russell told him “I’ll f*****g kill you.” Later that same day, the victim drove past the alley and ran into Russell, who reportedly stopped him in his car, took out his gun and shot at his vehicle.

Lisbeth Sapirstein, Russell’s attorney, questioned the victim if anyone else was present in the vehicle when the shooting happened. According to the victim, his stepson was in the passenger seat. However, this was not shared in the initial police interview.

Sapirstein mentioned that the day of the incident, the victim had a BB Gun with a compressor in his car. The victim stated that the BB gun, which he described as “like an air gun,” was not visible in the car and that it didn’t belong to him. Sapirstein argued that the gun was in fact seen and that his stepson allegedly pointed the BB gun at the young man that was with the shooter.

When the victim was unable to recall his flight path after the shooting he stated, “Every intricate detail is hard to remember when bullets are coming your way.”

“It’s a lot, you know? Four, five bullets coming your way,” he stated.

The prosecution also called another neighbor who testified that her “vehicle was shot.” The neighbor affirmed this after being presented with a recording of her parking her car on the street of the incident and a later photograph of her damaged vehicle.

According to court documents, four cartridge casings were recovered on the scene by law enforcement. Parked on the same street, this neighbor’s car was found to have sustained two defects that align with the trajectory suggested by the location of the casings.

Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 4.

2010 Shooting Defendant Won’t Go to Court

DC Superior Court Judge Park delayed a preliminary hearing on Feb. 4 for a non-fatal shooting defendant who refused to be transported from the DC Jail.

Terry Greene, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a June 7, 2010, non-fatal shooting on the 5800 block of Fields Place NE, where one person was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

According to court documents, a witness who had known the suspect for five years reported seeing the victim walking with three others near the incident location, including a man known as “Terry,” who appeared to have a handgun under his shirt. Minutes after the group left the witness’s view, the witness heard gunshots and allegedly saw Terry running between buildings holding a gun. The witness later found the victim shot in an alley behind the building.

Since he refused to be transported, parties agreed they could not hear an officer’s testimony at the hearing without the defendant’s presence.

Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 12.

Suspect Held in Dirty Water Stabbing Dispute

DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause in a stabbing case apparently resulting from a backyard argument during a preliminary hearing on Feb. 2.

Odalis Cisneros, 27, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 500 block of Columbia Road, NW on Jan. 26. The victim sustained lacerations to his hand and face.

According to court documents, Cisneros allegedly forced her way into the victim’s apartment and stabbed him with a knife.

Prior to the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer to Cisneros that would require her to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and second-degree burglary. The prosecution stated that the assault charge carried a sentence of six-to-24 months and 12-to-36 months for burglary. In exchange, prosecutors would not seek an indictment with additional charges.

Theodore Shaw, Cisneros’ attorney, said his client rejected the offer and proceed with her preliminary hearing.

Prosecutors called an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who wrote the arrest warrant for Cisneros to testify. He said that he responded to a call for someone banging violently banging on the victim’s door, which escalated to a stabbing.

The officer also said that upon arriving at the scene, he recovered a knife covered in blood. The prosecutor showed photos of the knife and the victim’s injuries, which the officer confirmed were consistent with being stabbed.

Through interviews with witnesses, the officer said he learned Cisneros and the victim had previous negative encounters. According to court documents, the victim reportedly threw dirty water into their shared backyard on multiple occasions angering Cisneros and causing tension between the two.

After the officer’s testimony, Judge Jones found probable cause that Cisneros committed the charges against her and ordered she remain held at the DC Jail pending her trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 13.

Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A murder defendant pleaded not guilty after he was formally arraigned on the charges against him before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Feb. 6.

Dione Dorn, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jaydon Parson. The incident occurred on Feb. 18, 2025, on the 700 block of H Street, NW. Parson sustained five gunshot wounds.

During the arraignment, Dorn’s attorney, Megan Allburn entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, asserted his right to a speedy trial, and requested evidence favorable to the defense from the prosecution.

Dorn appeared at the hearing remotely because he was in the hospital with an injury. The prosecutor requested an update on Dorn’s health from Allburn.

Allburn responded that she would check on Dorn as soon as possible and send an email to the prosecution and Judge Kravitz with an update.

Parties are set to reconvene on May 15.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Virgina Avenue Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in a homicide that occurred on Feb. 5 in Northwest. An adult male was found with fatal stab wounds inside a building on the 2400 block of Virginia Ave, NW. The suspect, 40-year-old Jose Perez, was arrested nearby and charged with Second-Degree Murder While Armed. The victim’s identity is pending notification of next of kin.

Document: MPD Investigating DC-295 Fatal Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal crash on DC-295 that occurred on Jan. 22. Clarence Lemons, 38, was identified as the deceased motorcyclist who succumbed to his injuries on Feb. 6. The crash involved Lemons’ motorcycle striking a Mini Cooper and subsequently a Ford Edge, with both drivers remaining at the scene.

Document: MPD Makes Two Arrests in Massachusetts Avenue Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with a shooting on Feb. 6 on Massachusetts Ave, NE. A 15-year-old male was injured and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 17-year-old male from Northeast and a 16-year-old male from Southeast were arrested and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun).

January Homicides Consist of Two Vehicular Deaths and a Shooting

According to D.C. Witness data, there were three reported homicide incidents and four victims in January – one of the victims was originally injured in December, but died in January. Two of these incidents were vehicular deaths, and the third was a shooting.

As of Feb. 5, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified one suspect among the three incidents.

Santana Matthews, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a vehicular homicide on Jan. 7 on the 1100 block of 16th Street, NW, which resulted in the death of 26-year-old Aaron Williams.

According to court documents, Matthews was reportedly driving at a high speed when he struck another vehicle, then ricocheted and hit Williams, who was walking across the street. Matthews is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 27.

Additionally, on Jan. 7, 32-year-old MPD Officer Terry Bennett succumbed to his injuries, following an incident on Dec. 23, 2025 on the eastbound lanes of I-695 where he was struck by a high-speed vehicle. Jerrold Coates, 47, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in Officer Bennett’s death and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 10.

MPD has not identified a suspect for the other vehicular death or fatal shooting reported in January. William Gardner, 60, was struck and killed by a black 2000 Chevy Silverado while walking in the roadway on Jan. 3 in the northbound lanes of DC-295.

The first fatal shooting of the year resulted in the death of 18-year-old Malik Moore on Jan. 21 on the 1300 block of Varnum Street, NE.

MPD is currently offering a reward for information on the unsolved cases.

January 2026 Homicides in Washington, D.C (Symbol map)

Inmate Stabbed by Three Suspects, Judge Finds Probable Cause

DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker found probable cause on Feb. 6 for the stabbing of a fellow inmate at DC Jail by three co-defendants.

Ernest Cleveland, 32, Nathaniel Patten, 31, and Antoine Turner, 33, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for their alleged involvement in the stabbing of an inmate at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Dec. 30, 2025. The victim sustained injuries to the upper torso and head but survived the incident.

In court, Judge Jackson Parker heard arguments for and against probable cause. The prosecution brought forward an investigator for the Department of Corrections (DoC) to testify on the facts of the case.

According to the investigator, he reviewed court surveillance (CCTV) and compiled reports from correction officers. The courtroom viewed the footage.

The footage depicted the altercation where an individual identified as Patton who was seen engaging first with the victim. Individuals identified as Cleveland and Turner were alleged filmed joining the stabbing shortly after.

The investigator said the defendants were all assaulting the victim with “stabbing like motions.”

The investigator claimed he distinctly saw Cleveland, Patten, and Turner reach into their waistbands and pull out, what he assumed to be, a sharp object resembling a “shank,” a homemade knife. He apparently knew they had weapons based on previous experience, noting that inmates often carry homemade weapons in their waistbands.

According to the investigative reports and surveillance footage, the three suspects fled the scene following the assault. According to the witness, Cleveland was reportedly observed flushing an object down a toilet in an open jail cell.

Patten’s defense attorney, Ferguson Evans, implied the investigators assumptions were not clearly based because there was no strong evidence that Patten had a sharp object in his hand.

Evans criticized the investigator’s assertion, saying just “because [Patten] has his hands in his pants” does not mean he holds a weapon.

The investigator was questioned on his interpretation of the surveillance. He continuously repeated that he could not recall the specifics, especially who possessed a weapon and who stabbed the victim from the video alone.

It was clear to the investigator, however, that Cleveland swung at the victim with stabbing motions but failed to make contact.

The prosecution argued for probable cause citing the placement of the victim’s injuries and the contact allegedly made by Patten and Turner.

Judge Jackson Parker agreed with the prosecution that there was obvious evidence pointing to assault with a sharp object by one of the defendants. She found probable cause for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge for Patten, Turner, and Cleveland.

Cleveland’s initial charge of assault with significant bodily injury was dropped due to the lack of contact between his movements and the victim. The charge remains for Patten and Turner.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 9.

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