The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Dec. 3 on the 1200 block of Bladensburg Rd, Northeast. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Jeremiah Law, was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced an intellectually challenged defendant to 84 months of suspended time for a strangulation offense in a hearing on Dec. 3. The case pitted a son against his mother who was described in court proceedings as controlling and verbally abusive.
Mico Dutch, 25, pleaded guilty to the charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and strangulation on Sept. 25 for injuries his mother sustained after an argument turned violent on July 16 on the 3700 block of 4th Street, SE. A vehicle was damaged during the incident, and no injuries were reported.
According to court documents, Dutch threatened to shoot his mother and then continued to assault and strangle her. The defendant shot multiple rounds into his mother’s vehicle, later fleeing and discarding the gun.
Dutch’s defense attorney, Santia McLaurin, explained how “Dutch is more than just his crimes,” he is a “compassionate and sensitive person” who has been the victim of neglect and academic abuse in behavioral school suffering from ADHD.
Dutch graduated high school without knowing how to read and write, dependent on family and friends for his needs. He lived with his mother who apparently controlled his disability payments. McLaurin said she often lashed out at him.
Ultimately, McLaurin said he just snapped in anger and frustration given his circumstances.
The prosecution in essence sided with the defense, claiming “history is what led him to this point,” in requesting a total of 6 months incarceration with 12 months of suspended probation.
Dutch apologized and claimed he had learned from a big mistake, and for “the harm I caused my mother.” He said he just “wants a happy family again.”
McLaurin said Dutch “needs a second chance,” as this is an opportunity for him to finally receive the help he needs–including mental health evaluations and medications, educational programs such as tutoring, and a stable environment with his father and employment with his uncle.
McLaurin requested a split sentence for Dutch, in which he would get credit for time served and spend the rest of his 18-month sentence on suspended probation.
Dutch’s father himself for being detached in that he would have rather keep the peace with Dutch’s mother than fight for his child.
“It’s my responsibility now,” Dutch’s father proclaimed, vowing, “I am going to fix it one day at a time.”
“I don’t want to lose my son. I would die if I did,” Dutch’s father emotionally exclaimed to Judge Christian.
Judge Christian pointed out this case could have easily ended Dutch’s life forever.
The judge sentenced him to 60 months of suspended time for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge and 24 months of suspended time for the strangulation charge, consecutively. Both charges also hold 3 years of supervised release and 2 years of probation concurrently.
Additionally, Dutch must pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund and register as a gun offender for at least 2 years. During his probation, Dutch must stay away from his mother and where she lives.
The parties set no further dates.
A man accused of a weapons offense pleaded not guilty during a felony arraignment on Dec. 4 before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro.
Williams Azocar-Salas, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a weapon outside of a place of business for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on April 7 on the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW. One victim suffered minor cuts from the incident.
Azocar-Salas’ defense attorney, Julie Swaney, entered the not-guilty plea on his behalf with the aid of a Spanish translator.
The next hearing is scheduled for Mar. 14, 2025.
A homicide defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Dec. 4.
Matthew Walker, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Jamal Greenlee in the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NE on April 29, 2019. According to court documents, Greenlee was left paralyzed after the stabbing and succumbed to his injuries 18 months later on Nov. 4, 2020.
In October, Walker was sentenced to 50 years of incarceration for the 2019 murder of 32-year-old David Remen and the non-fatal shooting of another victim in the 1700 block of Hamlin Street, NE on Feb. 14, 2019.
Stephen LoGerfo, Walker’s attorney, alerted the court of Walker’s intention to plead guilty.
The deal required Walker to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to resolve Walker’s four other pending felony cases and ask the court for a 14-to-18 year range at sentencing.
The maximum sentence that Walker can receive is life in prison.
Judge Demeo accepted the plea offer and factual proffer offered by the prosecution.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 10.
A homicide defendant rejected a plea offer after expressing concern over his legal representation before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Dec. 4.
Ethan Cunningham, 22, is charged with three counts of felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, kidnapping while armed, attempted robbery while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old James Curtis on May 10, 2022, on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE.
Cunningham requested to speak with Judge Epstein confidentially, precipitating a discussion about assigning new attorneys to his team. However, Judge Epstein denied this request.
Cunningham’s current attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, stated that he is rejecting a deal to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, in exchange for the prosecution’s dismissing the remaining charges and a sentence of 20 years.
Additionally, the prosecution motioned for a court order to ensure Cunningham is present for the next hearing. On Dec. 2, Cunningham complained of medical issues but after he was cleared he refused to leave the DC Jail for his hearing.
Judge Epstein said the issue is Cunningham’s abiding dislike of his current attorneys. The judge told him directly that the case can continue with or without him and it “needs to get resolved one way or the other.”
Cunningham said, “It’s not just about my lawyers, it’s about me too.” Adding that he has been waiting seven months to move the case forward but his attorneys have failed to answer his questions or discuss the evidence with him.
Judge Epstein said after already changing attorneys it may be time to “ask yourself if the problem isn’t them, but is you.”
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Jan. 10.
“Today, you are going to take responsibility for what happened,” said DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs in imposing the maximum sentence allowed for a juvenile under DC law on Dec. 4.
The 13-year-old defendant, one of five youths accused in the case, was convicted last month on five counts for the murder of Reggie Brown on Oct. 17, 2023, on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. The youth decided to complete her trial rather than accept a plea agreement.
She was found not guilty before the judge of first-degree murder, guilty of second-degree murder, not guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, not guilty of assault with intent to kill, guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon – belt and shod foot– guilty of conspiracy to commit assault, guilty of tampering with evidence and guilty of conspiracy to commit tampering.
Brown, 64, was severely disabled and, in an apparently random encounter, chased into an alley by the girls who, according to evidence presented at trial, stomped him to death. A male suspect believed to be the instigator, identified as wearing a blue coat, is still at large.
In her allocation recommendations earlier in the proceeding, the prosecutor replayed a video summary of events leading up to and documenting what she described as a predatory attack on a defenseless victim.
The assailants,12-to-15-years-old at the time and known to each other, captured the murder in a chilling 55-second cell phone sequence. As the camera illuminates the darkened scene, the girls deliver a series of sharp kicks to Brown’s uncovered head as he lay unconscious on the ground, bleeding out from his wounds. Their laughter and cries of celebration act as narration to the gruesome scene.
The 13-year-old, who was 12 on that night, was singled out by the prosecutor for her role in the brutal assault saying that she acted with purpose and intent and “assisted in every aspect of Brown’s murder.”
“At no time did she show any reflection before killing him,”said the prosecutor.
The widely publicized case has been in trial since last August as prosecutors carefully laid out a web of evidence linking all five defendants through a series of self-incriminating social media posts allegedly acknowledging the crime and conspiring to cover it up.
Two other defendants have accepted plea deals in the case. A 14-year-old was convicted with the 13-year-old in last month’s proceeding. She awaits sentencing on Dec. 18. Another suspect will face Judge Briggs on Dec. 17 for disposition.
Her voice rising in anger, Judge Briggs said, “What happened to Mr. Brown in that alley was horrific” Pointing out that the 13-year-old says she wishes she had made a different decision, nonetheless the judge said, “you actually jumped over a fence” to take part in the crime.”
Reciting from social media evidence the judge recounted that the defendant claimed, “We just killed a [n-word]!”
“You are in desperate need of services,” said Judge Briggs in committing the girl to the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until age 21. Under DC law juveniles can’t be held any longer and upon release their records will be sealed.
For her part, the defendant stood with head bowed and delivered a short apology to the court and to two of Brown’s sisters who attended the hearing.
She said she “should have walked away,” and hopes to start over.
Geoffrey Harris, who represented the teen, offered his condolences to the family and admitted that the prosecution’s handling of the matter was “absolutely right.”
“This is a horrible thing that happened,” he said, and that the girl is embarrassed by the tragic event and wants to extend her good will to the family.
Given that no number could make things right, he argued unsuccessfully that the defendant’s incarceration should end at 17.
After the sentencing two of Brown’s sisters spoke with reporters outside the courthouse.
Brown’s oldest sister said she was grateful that the judge administered the maximum allowable sentence but excoriated the city’s youth justice system, which she called a revolving door.
“They let them right back into the community where they commit crime after crime after crime,” she said. “No family should have to experience anything like this again,” she continued.
As for the youth’s apology, the sister said it was insincere. “She didn’t give no reason, no empathy, no sympathy,” she said.
Especially during the holiday season, the sisters say, the family feels saddened and heartbroken by Reggie’s loss– their grief symbolized by an empty chair at the Thanksgiving table.
A non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea deal against the advice of counsel during a trial readiness hearing on Dec 4.
Dupre Jones, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, also with prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4500 block of First Street, SW on Oct 11.
Defense attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, stated that he is not sure Jones understands the consequences of rejecting the plea offer and asked to extend today’s deadline for further consideration in that the charges would not be dropped, even though Jones may think so.
To refresh the defendant’s understanding, the prosecution and DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur reviewed the plea in that Jones would face a minimum of five years for carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and his preliminary charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, being a felon in possession, and unlawful discharge would be dropped.
O’Bryant reiterated that they needed time to think about the offer, but Judge Arthur said both parties needed to agree to pause the time limit for reaching a plea agreement.
Jones, nonetheless, turned it down and was detained by Judge Arthur.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a trial readiness on Dec 16.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rejected Dec. 4 a defendant’s motion to withdraw a guilty plea due to mental incompetence.
Raymond Avent, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the death of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins in the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 23, 2019.
Keith Baham, 25, and Tyler Stringfield, 26, also co-defendants in this matter, who were present during the hearing, and are facing the same charges.
During the hearing, Avent was declared competent, in effect denying Avent’s motion to rescind the guilty plea. However, his defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, said the defense would challenge the ruling and file motion by Dec. 15.
On March 15, Avent pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or place of business, for his involvement in the fatal shooting.
On Aug. 29, a week before his sentencing hearing, Elizabeth Weller, Avent’s defense attorney, submitted a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, stating that “Avent apparently struggles with some cognitive limitations and reading and verbal comprehension.”
According to court documents, video footage showed three suspects exit a vehicle, point guns at Hawkins, and fire multiple rounds. The suspects re-entered the vehicle and fled the scene. Later, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers canvassing the scene found 34 shell casings.
Avent is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, and conspiracy, for his alleged involvement in a DC Jail stabbing on June 3, 2021, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.
Through a plea deal, Avent’s stabbing case would be dismissed at sentencing.
The parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 14.
DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian resentenced Dec. 3 a shooting defendant to 21 months in prison after he repeatedly violated his probation.
Ivan Holmes, 19, was convicted of carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful discharge of a firearm for a non-fatal shooting on the 1500 block of 1st Street SW on Aug. 18, 2023. No injuries were reported.
Holmes pleaded guilty to all charges on Nov. 29, 2023, and was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration, with 21 months suspended, two years of probation, and three years of supervised release.
A Community Supervision Officer (CSO) entered an order for a show cause due to possible violations of Holmes’ probation because he was rearrested for another crime, failed to report, and lacked the necessary communication with the officer.
The CSO said Holmes “seems to not make any headway” and continues to “victimize the community.” He explained that he has repeatedly given Holmes’ support contacts, yet Holmes does not provide any updates.
Holmes’ defense attorney, Thomas Healy, described Holmes as a frustrated “young man and struggling sometimes to follow through.” Healy said they have discussed how to be flexible and find alternative solutions to problems rather than giving up.
Healy asked Judge Christian to give Holmes another chance explaining how Holmes completed four anger management classes.
He requested inpatient drug programs with GPS monitoring to ensure Holmes’s continued success.
The CSO said Holmes had a good job where he made good money, but quit. He said they have discussed Holmes’s dreams and how to find ways to achieve them.
“Help me understand,” the CSO questioned, referencing Holmes’s continued alleged non-compliant actions.
Judge Christian said Holmes had not taken advantage of any programs or been successful during probation. The judge said Holmes decided to continue on the path he had chosen.
The judge resentenced Holmes to 21 months of incarceration and 3 years of supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license and 90 days of incarceration for the unlawful discharge of a firearm charge. That is concurrent with the firearm charge.
In addition, Holmes must pay another $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund. Judge Christian informed Holmes he had lost the privileges under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.
The parties set no further dates.
An armed carjacking case was continued to give the three co-defendants time to consider plea offers before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Dec. 4.
Kevin Edwards, 17, Keiphone Bennett, 17, and Asia Clark, 17, are charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in an incident that forced two complainants out of their vehicle on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE, on April 19.
Plea offers were extended by the prosecution.
If Bennet pleads guilty to one count of armed carjacking, one count of unarmed carjacking, and two counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence then he will not be indicted on any other charge.
If Edwards pleads guilty to one count of armed carjacking, one count of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence then he will also not be indicted on any other charge.
Clark’s plea offer remains off the record.
Parties will reconvene on Jan. 16.
DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow issued a bench warrant on Dec. 3 for a carjacking defendant who has lost contact with the court.
Tyrone Nicholson, 24, is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking incident on Nov. 3 on the 600 block of T Street, NW.
According to court documents, Nicholson allegedly entered the victim’s car through the driver’s side door while the victim was sitting in the trunk on his phone. Nicholson then is alleged to have pulled out a handgun and told the victim to get out and Nicholson drove away.
Nicholson failed to appear for his past two court dates, the first on Dec. 2, and the continued hearing on Dec. 3, which was scheduled to accommodate the defendant’s transportation problem.
Nicholson was placed on GPS monitoring as part of his pre-trial release conditions but the device has been dead since Dec. 2.
Defense attorney Quiana Harris said that until Dec. 2, Nicholson has been compliant with pre-trial release conditions. She did not have further updates on his whereabouts on Dec. 3.
The prosecution requested a bench warrant be issued for Nicholson. Hw vehemently stated it was terrifying that an armed carjacking defendant can’t be located.
The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) updated the court that Nicholson has not been in contact with his case manager and is out of contact.
Consequently, Judge Pasichow issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The parties will reconvene when Nicholson is located..
A shooting defendant voluntarily waived his right to independent DNA evidence testing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Dec. 4 in preparation for an upcoming trial.
Irv Duff, 33, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault with intent to kill while armed and obstructing justice.
The counts stem from his alleged involvement in a fatal-shooting that resulted in the death of 26-year-old Darnell Gibson on the unit block of Forrester Street, SE on Aug. 1, 2023.
Parties are set to reconvene Jan. 10. A jury trial is set for April 8.
During a felony status conference hearing on Dec 4, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur accepted a stabbing defendant’s guilty plea to aggravated assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Dasean Jones, 26, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of one victim on the 1200 block of 17th Street, NE on May 26.
Jones accepted a Jones’ plea offer to serve ten years in prison for aggravated assault, five years for attempted assault, which would run concurrently, and three years of supervised release. That in return for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment on more serious charges.
According to the prosecution’s proffer of facts, Jones, when picking up his kids, became involved in a fight with the victim, stabbed him eight times and punctured his left lung.
Defense attorney, John Sample, requested Jones to be stepped down to home confinement since he is a first time offender, is employed, has children, and cares for his sister.
A member of Jones’s family member has recently passed, and he hopes to attend the funeral.
While the request for home confinement was denied, the prosecution did not oppose release for the funeral.
Parties are set to reconvene for sentencing on Feb 7.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a homicide defendant’s motion for release on Dec. 3.
Rafeal Stevens, 39, is charged with voluntary manslaughter and was convicted of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2000 block of 7th Street, NE.
Stevens was acquitted of first-and second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon during a previous trial.
Jermall Johnson, 40, is also charged in connection to Umoh’s death. On Oct. 28, Judge Raffinan granted the defendants’ request to sever their cases, which allowed them to be tried separately.
At the hearing, the victim’s sister addressed the court and said she was asking that the defendant not be released because he has a “clear pattern of disregarding the law.” She said the defendant was a violent man and the defense’s arguments that Umoh’s aggression forced the defendant to shoot him is “troubling.”
She also said the defense referring to her brother as a “Nigerian Nightmare” was an “attempt to throw prejudice at my brother.”
Defense attorney Jason Tulley argued the defense had no intent of being racist but wanted to show mitigating factors that may have caused Stevens to act in self defense. Tulley argued Stevens should be released because he was acquitted on the more serious murder charges and the prosecution has not adequately rebutted the defense’s theory of self defense or an accidental firing of the gun.
Judge Raffinan denied the motion, stating there was probable cause for the violent charge of manslaughter and Stevens has already been convicted of gun offenses, which weigh in favor of keeping him detained.
Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 9.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a motion to suppress photographic evidence in a shooting case on Dec. 3.
Ronnell Offutt, 35, is charged with four counts of assault with intention to kill while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that injured multiple people at a bus stop on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb. 4, 2019. Five individuals, including a five-year-old girl, were injured.
During the proceeding, defense attorney Donna Beasley said photos taken by a nearby witness that allegedly show the victim during the shooting should be suppressed because the prosecution was ordered to preserve so-called metadata of the photos, but lost the defining structure of the information in email correspondence.
Beasley said the inability of the defense to use the metadata of the photos to see if they were altered and check the date and time stamps unfairly prejudices the defense.
Prosecutors argued that they did not lose the metadata by error but it happened through the “chain of custody” as the photos were emailed back and forth among previous attorneys on the case. Prosecutors argued the defense will be able to cross examine the witness who took the photos during trial about the metadata.
Judge Raffinan ruled that while the prosecutors had been negligent in losing the evidence, the photos could still be used in trial as long as the jury was instructed about the missing metadata.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 28.
