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Murder Defendant in Decade Long Case Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A homicide defendant charged in connection to a decade-long incident pleaded not guilty during an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Dec. 10. 

Angel Monge, 51, also known as Alex Lobos, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 49-year-old Matias Molina on Sept. 2, 2013  at the intersection of Beach Drive and Joyce Road, NW. 

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) the United States Park Police were notified of a body found on the bank of Rock Creek, where they located Molina suffering from multiple stab wounds. 

During the hearing, Joseph Yarbough, Monge’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to his indictment charge, and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. 

Parties scheduled a trial for Oct. 26, 2026. 

They are slated to reconvene March 27, 2025. 

Suspect in Convenience Store Stabbing Pleads Not Guilty

A suspect in a stabbing case pled not guilty to all charges in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Dec. 9. 

James Petticolas, 40, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree burglary while armed and destruction of property less than $1000 for allegedly stabbing a male victim in the back on the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW on May 10.

According to court documents, Petticolas entered a store and got into an argument with the victim, who was a cashier. He allegedly left and returned with a knife, chasing the victim around the store and stabbing him in his back before attempting to flee. 

Marnitta King, Petticolas’ attorney, asked to be heard on the conditions of his release. Judge Brandt requested a formal bond review motion be submitted in writing before the next hearing. 

Judge Brandt also acknowledged the prosecution’s submitted motion to continue Petticolas’ hold, but did not address it. 

Judge Brandt vacated the original trial date of Dec. 10, due to having just received the case after it was moved from DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Jan. 11, 2025 to set new dates for trial.

‘There’s More to Life Than Violence,’ Teen Says as He’s Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Shooting 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a teen defendant to six-and-a-half years in connection to a shooting during a Dec. 10 hearing. 

On Aug. 30, Thomas Leach, 18, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting that injured three individuals at the Benning Road Metro Station on the 4000 block of Central Avenue, NE, on Dec. 8, 2022. 

Leach also pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license for his illegal possession of a firearm on Dec. 9, 2022, when he was arrested after triggering a metal detector at a school on the 3200 block of 16th Street, NW. 

Leach was charged as an adult under Title 16. 

During the hearing, the prosecution requested Judge Demeo sentence him to 78 months of incarceration with three years of supervised release for the “egregiousness” of his conduct during the incident. The prosecutor argued that the intended target was a juvenile, who sustained life-threatening injuries, adding that two additional individuals took fire from stray bullets. 

“Leach brought a gun to a fist fight,” the prosecutor insisted, stating that one of the mitigating factors for the plea deal was the fact that the victim was the initial aggressor, as he attempted to punch Leach before he was shot. 

The prosecutor argued the plea deal was a “large departure” from what Leach would have been sentenced to had the case gone to trial and he had been convicted. 

Terrence Austin, Leach’s attorney, stated Leach had “dark and harsh times” in his childhood, which caused a lot of trauma for Leach, which he argued had “lasting effects” on the defendant. 

“He was just 16-years-old when he was brought in… but he was treated like a hardened adult man,” Austin insisted. 

“He was a child then, and he is very much a child now,” he added, stating that Leach recognizes how much room for improvement he has. 

Austin argued Leach is a “young man experiencing grief, potential post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health needs and bullying. He never received any support,” but he is resilient and confident in his future. 

“I truly and sincerely apologize to the victims,” Leach told Judge Demeo, arguing that “incarceration takes a toll on the mind and body” of an individual. 

Leach argued he is committed to becoming a youth advocate, in order to show kids in similar situations that “there’s more to life than violence.”

“He wants to use his story to give back,” Austin highlighted, claiming that “a 60 month sentence is appropriate for this case.” He requested Leach be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements – the prosecution vehemently opposed the request, stating that Leach was charged with two additional assault cases while he was incarcerated. 

Judge Demeo denied the defense’s request for a YRA sentencing, stating that she has “great concern about his decision making,” and cited the nature and circumstances of the offenses. 

She sentenced him to 34 months each for the aggravated assault and assault with a dangerous weapon charges, as well as 10 months for carrying a pistol without a license. The sentences will be served consecutively, totaling 78 months of incarceration. 

She cited his “excessive force,” and continuous dangerousness to the community as part of the reason why she sentenced him as the prosecution requested. 

However, Judge Demeo argued she is optimistic that he can be rehabilitated, but remains concerned given where he is now.

She deemed the plea deal “fairly lenient,” adding that he will be required to get mental health assessments and treatment, as well as trauma therapy, anger management counseling, and is required to get his GED. 

No further dates were set.

Son Says He Was Defending His Mother in Shooting Case

Mother and son co-defendants say their violent actions were justified given the threat posed by the victim in an assault case argued before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian on Dec. 10.

Ralph Price, 20, and his mother, Wilinda Barron, 45, face charges respectively for aggravated assault knowingly, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Barron is accused of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for an incident that occurred on July 27, 2023, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. 

According to Barron’s attorney, Raymond Jones, Barron was being punched when Price came to her aid by firing a shot at her assailant.  Thus, he says, a valid claim for self-defense and an argument for release. 

“He saw an older man beating his mom,” said Jones, explaining Price’s response.  “She didn’t say, ‘Go get a gun and shoot him.’” 

The prosecution opposed release for the pair based on the circumstances of the case.  

“Ms. Barron was the original aggressor,” said the prosecutor.  He said she hit the victim in the head with a glass object and continued to beat him when he was on the ground suffering from a serious gunshot wound to the back.

According to the prosecution, Barron has three prior convictions for assault, including one outside of DC.  

While Judge Christian acknowledged that the victim was assaulted, he nonetheless allowed a modification of the pair’s release terms to 24-hour, seven-day-a-week house arrest with GPS monitoring. 

“There is to be no movement outside the home,” said the judge. 

Earlier, Judge Christian issued a bench warrant for Price and Barron after they failed to make an October court appearance.  

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2025.

Prosecution Witnesses Stitch Together Evidence of a Homicide

A witness testified that he saw a possible murder suspect crouch near a drainpipe and drop something inside in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Dec. 9.

Police say they later retrieved a gun from that location thought to be a murder weapon.

Amard Jefferson, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license and obstructing justice for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Kendall Brown, 30, on August 7, 2021 on the 3000 block of Nelson Place, SE.

The prosecution called an accountant who was near the crime scene around the time of the incident. 

He testified that he saw a man, a woman and a child approach the street from between two houses. As the man crouched down, he appeared to drop something into the drainpipe, despite not being able to see what it was.

The witness flagged down a nearby police officer and they recovered the gun.

The prosecution called a former crime scene investigator with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that helped to process DNA evidence for the case. 

He testified that he tested only certain parts of the pistol used in the case – the grips magazine, slide release, magazine release and sights – in order to pull the most DNA. He did not test the entire pistol because it would likely destroy any DNA evidence that was available. 

The prosecution called a former forensic analyst at a private DNA lab who testified that he tested several evidence items from the crime scene, and two reference items – DNA samples from Jefferson and Brown.

He said that testing showed that there is a strong likelihood – estimated to be in the quadrillions – that the evidentiary DNA samples are from Jefferson rather than unknown sources.

The witness mentioned a phenomena called drop-in, which can indicate low levels of DNA contamination. He added that the lab software did not detect any signs in the reviewed evidence.

During the defense cross, the witness testified that in order to shed DNA, a person must leave cells behind. He said it’s possible for a person to touch an object but leave no trace of DNA.

He testified that there’s no way to tell when and how the DNA lands on an object, and cannot tell who touched an object first if there are multiple samples of DNA. 

The prosecution also called the mother of Jefferson’s girlfriend at the time of the incident. She testified that two days before, she received a call from her daughter, and hearing the voice of a woman who had been living there until she was recently told to leave.

The witness testified that she heard the woman threatening her daughter, and could tell that her daughter was uncomfortable. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 10. 

Defendant Arraigned on Murder Charge Gets Modified Release

A murder defendant pleaded not guilty during a Dec. 9 arraignment, and the court granted a request to modify release conditions as well as scheduling a trial date for March 2026.

Christian Wilkerson, 21, appeared before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, to hear the charges against him including second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Rashawn Phifer, 20, on Nov. 11, 2022 on the 500 block of Riggs Road, NE.

Wilkerson entered a plea of not guilty.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Wilkerson chasing Phifer before pinning him to a fence. Though the stabbing itself was not captured on video, eyewitness testimony and additional evidence, including social media activity and cell phone records, were cited by prosecutors in earlier hearings.

During the Dec. 9 hearing, Wilkerson’s defense team sought a modification of his release conditions. Currently on home confinement with GPS monitoring, Wilkerson has had no compliance violations to date. 

His attorney, Joseph Caleb, argued that a job offer received in September demonstrated his readiness to reenter the workforce and requested permission for Wilkerson to seek and maintain employment. The court granted the request under supervision.

Judge Raffinan scheduled the trial for March 30, 2026, with a status hearing set for March 12, 2025.

Shooter With A Prior Conviction Accepts Plea Deal

A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Dec.9.

Anthrone Cabos, 27, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and simple assault. 

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 600 block of Condon Terrace SE, on June 28, 2020. One person sustained injuries during the incident.

During the hearing, Kevin O’Sullivan, Cabos’ attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a plea deal, for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm with a conviction greater than one year, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

Through the deal, parties agreed to four years of incarceration and three years of supervised release. 

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Cabos knowingly and purposefully shot a woman in the stomach. They added that he had a firearm despite knowing he was prohibited due to a prior conviction with a sentence longer than a year in prison. 

The prosecution insisted there was no legal justification for Cabos’ actions, and he did not act in self-defense. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 7 for sentencing. 

Non-Fatal Shooting Co-Defendants Request– Pre-Trial Release, Vacation Travel

Jonathan Young and Daquawn Lubin both indicated they want to change their pre-trial conditions of release during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Dec. 9.

Young, 34, and Lubin, 29, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, aggravated assault while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict.

Lubin is additionally charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured two on the 4000 block of Benning Road, SE, on July 24, 2023.

Young’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, told Judge Okun she intends to file a motion requesting Young be released from DC Jail pending trial.

Judge Okun said Lubin’s defense attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, had recently submitted a request to go on vacation outside the jurisdiction with his family for a few days in January. The prosecutor asked for time to file a motion opposing the request. 

The next hearing for Young is set for Jan. 16, 2025.

The next hearing involving both defendants is set for July 25, 2025.

‘You Better Get Ready for Trial,’ Judge Tells Defense, Denying Fourth Delay Motion

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe denied a stabbing defendant’s request to delay his trial during a hearing on Dec. 9. 

Dishon Washington, 49, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured an individual on Dec. 8, 2019 on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE. 

According to court documents, the victim was located with an apparent stab wound to the chest, and Washington was arrested at the scene of the crime in possession of a bloody knife. 

On Dec. 6, Varsha Govindaraju, Washington’s attorney, filed a motion to continue the trial, which is slated to begin on Jan. 31, citing that the prosecution had provided “late expert notice and incomplete discovery related to a DNA expert.” 

According to Govindaraju, there were inconsistencies in the report, which will be referenced by the expert in testimony. Meanwhile, the defense requested time to seek its own expert in response.

The prosecution objected, stating that the defense knew of the report and had waived their right to independently test DNA evidence, but now want an expert to review the prosecution’s findings a month before trial is slated to begin. 

The prosecutor requested Judge O’Keefe deny what they deemed the “third or fourth motion to continue without a good cause” filed by the defense. 

“At this point, this case is five years old. We are not continuing this case,” Judge O’Keefe told the parties, adding that it is very clear that Washington’s DNA was on the knife. 

“I’m denying your motion. You better get ready for trial,” Judge O’Keefe told Govindaraju. She requested to give further representations through an ex parte discussion, which were unsuccessful. 

Trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 31. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 3 for a trial readiness hearing.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 47-year-old Craig McKinney, who is alleged to be involved in a fatal shooting that occurred on March 8 on the 1400 block of Ridge Place, Southeast, D.C. The victim, identified as 45-year-old Adam Dove, was found deceased at the scene. McKinney has been charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Partially OK’s Defense Motion to Validate Witnesses’ Cellular Expertise

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo partially approved a defense motion on Dec. 4 to compel the prosecution to share information about an expert witness in a murder case. The analyst would testify about information from cell phone data.

Terrance Stoney, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict. These counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Donte Tiller on March 17, 2023, at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE. 

Nikki Lotze, Stoney’s attorney, told the court that the prosecution’s entire case against Stoney was based entirely on evidence analyzed by an expert in the FBI’s CAST [Cellular Analysis Survey Team] technology.

In the motion, Lotze argued, “Specifically, at trial the Government plans to elicit evidence of…Mr. Stoney’s phones traveling in the car from which the shots were fired and is inconsistent with Mr. Stoney’s phones traveling in his work tow truck.”

Lotze asked for the prosecution to hand over any information that they had about results from the expert’s proficiency tests, documentation of peer reviews of the analysis results, and instruction manuals for the analytic software. 

Lotze also asked for all communications about the analysis to be turned over to the defense.

The prosecution said they had some communication, but they did not believe that it was substantive. 

Judge Demeo partially denied Lotze’s motion, saying the prosecution did not have documentation about proficiency tests and peer reviews.

The judge did require the prosecution to give Lotze the manuals that she asked for and all communicationswith the expert to be shared by the end of next week. 

Parties as slated to reconvene on Dec. 9.

Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of First-Degree Murder–Again

A jury in the retrial of a murder defendant found him guilty for a second time on Dec. 4 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. 

Mark Beasley, 52, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Darryn Conte, and the non-fatal shooting of another victim on the 400 block of Butternut Street, NW on April 26, 2015.

For a second time, a jury found Beasley guilty of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, an individual shot at a vehicle 13 times, nine of those shots striking and killing Conte and one injuring another. The victims in the vehicle were waiting for their friends to arrive and headed home from the Takoma Station Bar.

The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges in the retrial.

In 2019 the case was reopened after the defense successfully appealed on constitutional grounds that there weren’t enough Black jurors on the panel.

Throughout the retrial, the prosecution’s most compelling evidence was security camera footage detailing the event and the eyewitness account from Conte’s brother.

The brother went to the police station for an interview, and later, the police brought the witness back to identify the suspect. He allegedly picked Beasley out of a photo-array of nine “light-skinned bald” men, saying, in court, that this was “the person who murdered my brother.”

The defense’s main argument was the shooter wasn’t Beasley, attempting to create doubt due to eyewitnesses’ contradictory statements.

The prosecution displayed evidence of a jacket from the scene, which was allegedly recovered from Beasley’s apartment. The jacket was blue at the top with gray sleeves, matching the description of what a witness previously described what Beasley was wearing. 

During cross examination, Beasley’s defense attorney Albert Amissah asked the witness if he recalled whether it had any pockets or a hood, but he did not remember. The witness requested to see the jacket a second time to clarify that there were no pockets or hood. 

Beasley’s friend testified in the trial that Beasley had a gun and flashed it at Conte because  earlier in the night Conte almost hit him in the face while dancing in the club. 

On cross examination, Beasley’s other defense attorney Destiny Fullwood-Singh read the witness a statement he made to defense investigators in 2016 where he said Beasley never had a gun that night. 

Fullwood-Singh also noted the witness had previously been convicted of child sex abuse, larceny, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Fullwood-Singh also played security camera footage of the witness walking out of the club, which she said showed he did not ever get close enough to Beasley to see him flash the gun and that he was never near Beasley while the silver car was on the corner. 

On redirect, prosecutors asked if he wrote the statement given to investigators and the witness said no, adding he just signed it because he felt that was what he was supposed to do.

Beasley’s original sentence was 40 years in prison with 5 years of probation in July 2017. 

He is set for a new sentencing on April 11 for sentencing. 

Document: MPD Seeks Person of Interest in Bladensburg Road Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a person of interest in a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec 3 on the 1200 block of Bladensburg Road, Northeast. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Jeremiah Law, was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a hospital. Surveillance cameras captured the person of interest, and MPD is urging anyone with information to come forward.

Document: MPD Seeking Suspect in Unlawful Discharge

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an unlawful discharge of a firearm on Nov. 24 in the 400 block of 8th Street, Southeast. No victims were found, but evidence of gunfire was discovered. The suspect was captured on surveillance cameras.