Judge Orders Mental Competency Evaluation for Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond ordered a stabbing defendant undergo a mental competency evaluation, delaying a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31.

Kelly Williams, 52, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the intersection of Independence Avenue and L’Enfant Plaza, SW on Jan. 12.

During the hearing, Judge Raymond alerted the parties that the court had received a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) which recommended Williams receive a full competency evaluation.

Darryl Daniels, Williams’ attorney, and the prosecution did not object.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 10.

Judge Sentences Co-Defendants in a 2015 Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a homicide defendant to 37 years of incarceration and an obstruction of justice defendant to seven years of probation on Jan. 31.

Eugene Burns, 32, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on Nov. 14, 2015 on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns and co-defendant Tyre Allen, 24, were also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of justice for their alleged attempts to persuade a witness to redact testimony of an alleged confession to the murder made by Burns to the witness.

Burns was initially convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020 on a technicality.

The prosecution said that, while there would be a strong argument for applying the original sentence which was the mandatory minimum of 360 months of imprisonment, they believe an increased sentence of 648 months would be more appropriate.

The prosecution said the victim impact statement highlights effect of a crime motivated by greed and self-enrichment. During the trial, the prosecution told the jury that Burns murdered Osuchukwu, his best friend, because he didn’t feel he was getting a fair share of the money from their joint drug business.

The prosecution also spoke of the importance of preserving the integrity and legitimacy of judicial proceedings and the fair administration of justice while highlighting that Burns had not accepted responsibility.

“Instead of defending himself, he tried to cheat and undermine the judicial process,” the prosecution said. “The deception and manipulation Burns has committed is the common thread through this case.”

Burns’ defense attorney, Rosemary Szanyi, argued that a person should not receive a larger punishment because he has been convicted upon retrial. She also stated that Burns did not engage in violence or financial coercion. Furthermore, Szanyi argued that recidivism decreases with age, so a lengthy sentence wouldn’t be appropriate.

Initially, the prosecution requested that Allen receive jail time due to the nature and gravity of the offenses, arguing that probation, which they deemed an “extraordinary benefit,” should not be granted to someone who doesn’t respect rule of law.

“Most of my friends I grew up with are at DC Jail,” Allen stated.

Allen shared that he grew up around friends who were a bad influence and promoted behaviors that got him trouble.

“I just ask for another chance, Your honor,” he stated.

After Allen’s statement, the prosecution \asked to revise their recommendation against probation.

The court denied the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) for Allen, which would seal the defendant’s conviction if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements. He has a suspended sentence, a concurrent 12 months probation for each count followed by five years supervision.

Burns was sentenced to 37 years of imprisonment.

No further dates were set.

Shooting Defendant’s Detention in Maryland Impedes Case

A shooting defendant’s attorney alerted DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro that the suspect is currently held in another jurisdiction in a hearing on Feb. 3.

Donte Evans, 36, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting on April 23, 2023 on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. One victim sustained a gunshot wound.

According to court documents, a notice of non-compliance was filed on Jan. 30.

In the hearing, Brandon Burrell, Evans’ attorney, alerted Judge Di Toro that he remains detained in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and requested additional time to access information regarding the case.

Judge Di Toro noted that Evans was arrested on a probation violation warrant and taken into custody.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 18.

Judge Orders Prosecution to Turn Over Audio Recordings in Shooting Case

During a hearing on Feb. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered the prosecution to turn over audio recordings of witnesses for the defense.

Keith Williams, 24, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the death of 17-year-old Brendan Ofori on the 300 block of M Street, SW. The incident occurred on May 28, 2023.

According to court documents, Ofori was shot and killed in a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train car, and his body was recovered at the Navy Yard Metro Station.

At the status hearing, discovery of evidence issues were raised by the defense in particular that certain transcripts of interviews conducted with witnesses were not useful because of non-verbal responses. The defense was unable to make sense of the inaudible answers and requested the audio be turned over. The prosecution initially withheld the recordings but later agreed, requesting a week to submit the evidence to the defense. Judge Park obliged, making the deadline for turnover Feb. 11.

Jude Park said he had “never had a case where the [prosecution] refuses to turn over [evidence] like this,” calling it “odd.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 10.

Shooting Trial Opens With Conflicting Testimony About A Suspect’s Identity

Trial began in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 3 for two co-defendants accused in a shooting.

Chantel Stewart, 33, and Daniel Cary, 30, are charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on July 22, 2020. A gunshot wound to the back caused a collapsed lung for one individual at the scene.

In their opening statement, the prosecution mentioned cell phone records, collected fingerprints, witness identifications, security camera footage, and shell casings as evidence that will be brought before the court to prove the defendants’ involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.

Stewart’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, provided some background into the relationship Stewart has with the victim, explaining that Stewart is the ex-partner of the victim’s sister’s ex-boyfriend and had previously lived with them. He also stated there was no physical evidence Stewart possessed the gun, gave the gun to the shooter, or had any prior knowledge of the shooting.

Winograd highlighted that Stewart warned the victim to “move he’s about to shoot you” prior to any shots being fired, contradicting the notion of Stewart’s intending to kill the victim.

Cary’s defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, argued Cary was not only not present, but there is no evidence linking Cary to the shooting. Thomas also raised concern about the accuracy of the prosecution’s witnesses who initially stated they could not see the shooter at the time of the incident.

The prosecution called two witnesses, including a close friend of the victim who was present during the crime and an analyst from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS).

The victim’s friend provided a detailed timeline of events surrounding the shooting. She testified that she was in the car with the victim when the shooting occurred, realized her friend had been shot, and took control of the vehicle, steering it into the entrance of United Medical Center (UMC) after the victim lost consciousness.

In an interview with police in the hospital immediately following the shooting, the witness was unable to identify the shooter by name but later picked Cary’s photo out of a lineup.

Thomas challenged the witness’ testimony by pointing out the inconsistency of initially telling detectives she couldn’t see the shooter, but nearly ten months later, testifying in front of the grand jury that she caught a glimpse. It was revealed she had discussed the shooting with the victim in the gap between her initial interview and her testimony.

Winograd focused on the moments leading up to the shooting and the warning issued by Stewart. The witness admitted she wasn’t paying attention until after the warning and acknowledged that without it, she may not have survived.

A crime scene witness, forensic scientist at processed a vehicle associated with the shooter, recovering nine latent fingerprints and paperwork allegedly addressed to the defendants inside.

During cross-examination, the witness confirmed her forensic analysis could not determine when the fingerprints were left, who had been inside the vehicle, or when the paperwork was put in the car.

Trial is set to resume Feb. 4.

Document: MPD Arrests Second Suspect in Southeast Triple Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a second suspect in connection with a triple shooting that occurred on July 23 in the 2900 block of Nelson Place, Southeast. Three women were injured in the incident and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A 17-year-old male from Northwest has been charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, following the earlier arrest of a 16-year-old male from Southeast, whose charge was upgraded to the same offense.

Document: MPD Investigating 2024 Assault as a Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an update on the investigation of an assault from Aug. 6, 2024, now ruled a homicide. Maurice Rowe, 70, succumbed to injuries from being struck with a pole, and the cause of death was determined as blunt force trauma. Morris Stokes, 70, was previously arrested and charged with Assault With A Dangerous Weapon, and authorities are considering additional charges.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Northwest Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 30-year-old Leonard Hampton in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on Jan. 11 in the 1700 block of Euclid Street, Northwest. The victim, an adult male, was found with multiple stab wounds and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Hampton has been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Stabbing Defendant Pleads Guilty in Lieu of Trial

A stabbing defendant unexpectedly accepted a plea deal instead of heading to trial before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow on Feb. 4.

Christopher Cary, 36, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his involvement in the stabbing of an individual in the lower back on Feb. 29, 2024 at the 3600 block of 16th Street, NW. The victim suffered a spinal fracture and puncture wounds to both her kidneys.

Cary’s attorney, Janai Reed, informed the court of the plea deal requiring him to plead guilty to aggravated assault in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges.

Judge Pasichow accepted Cary’s guilty plea.

Parties will reconvene for sentencing on April 18.

Murder Trial Resumes with Phone Data Testimony

The trial of two homicide defendants continued on Jan. 31, with three additional witnesses testifying in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.

Ronald Wallace, 48, and DeAngelo Glover, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Tyrone Wright on Jan. 19, 2021 on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE.

Wallace is additionally charged with carrying a pistol outside of home or business. The incident occurred in an apartment complex on the 3700 Block of Hayes Street, NE, on Jan. 19, 2021.

The prosecution called three witnesses, including a T-Mobile employee, an FBI agent, and an investigator at the US Attorneys Office, review two cellphone numbers connected to the case.

The T-Mobile employee reviewed the cell phone data and subscriber account information for the phone numbers associated with Wallace and Glover and admitted that the company has no way of definitively knowing who was using the devices at the time.

The FBI special agent testified that Glover and Wallace’s phones were in the general area of the incident at the time of the homicide, but stated he could not pinpoint the exact location of their phones.

In a cross examination, the defense counsel argued that these data logs do not include a record of who was using the device, the transcripts or contexts of the calls.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb 3.

document: MPD Makes Arrest in Northwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in a fatal stabbing incident in Northwest. On Jan. 17, officers found 83-year-old Sandra Mundle deceased in an apartment on the 1300 block of Missouri Ave, NW. Christopher Holness, 31, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed, with the incident determined to be domestic in nature.

Document: MPD Investigating Homicide in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 18 in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers responded to a shooting on the 1300 block of Congress Street and found 21-year-old Raymont Owens deceased from gunshot wounds inside an apartment.

Documents: Suspects Sought in Sheridan Road Armed Carjacking

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking suspects involved in an armed carjacking that occurred on Jul. 18 in the 2700 block of Sheridan Road, Southeast. The suspects approached the victim, brandished handguns, and demanded the victim's vehicle, which they then fled in. The vehicle has since been recovered, and the suspects were captured on nearby surveillance cameras.

Stabbing Defendant Pleads Guilty

A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal on Feb. 3 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.

Ray Stover, 45, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill for his involvement in a stabbing on June 5, 2024 at the 1100 block of 45th Street, NE.

The victim suffered seven wounds to his back and legs.

During court, Quo Mieko Judkins, Stover’s attorney, shared Stover’s plan to plead guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill, with a maximum penalty of 15 years or a $37,500 fine, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 28.

document: UPDATE MPD Investigating Homicide in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 16 in Northwest. Terell Cortez West, 32, was found deceased from gunshot wounds in an apartment on Ridge Square. An adult female was also assaulted and treated for minor injuries. The incident is believed to have stemmed from a domestic dispute.

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