The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that the death of Bryan Smith, 39, from a robbery incident on Oct. 27, 2024, has been ruled a homicide. Smith was found unconscious in the 500 block of T Street, NW, and later died from blunt force trauma. Two juvenile suspects, aged 16 and 14, previously arrested for related robbery and assault charges, may face additional charges following this new ruling.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 19-year-old Rodney Whiting, alleged to be involved in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Antoine Pratt on Jan. 25 in the 3800 block of Jay Street, Northeast. Whiting has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed.
A shooting victim testified the incident stemmed from a verbal dispute with the defendant’s sister before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Feb. 13.
Dayquan Henderson, 22, is charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and endangerment with a firearm, for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 300 block of Anacostia Road, SE on May 11, 2024. No one sustained injuries.
Prosecutors called on a resident who lived at the apartment complex, the location of the shooting. She said a verbal altercation escalated when Henderson’s sisters allegedly spat on the witness and her daughter from their apartment balcony. Her daughter retailed by spraying mace on the sisters.
In her testimony, she claimed the surveillance footage shown from the apartment complex was altered. The prosecution later clarified the videos shown were genuine and not doctored, as part of their stipulations to the jury.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer revealed he found three shell casings near the apartment’s balcony and a live bullet in a children’s room. Another MPD officer, who worked for the firearms registration branch, testified Henderson did not have a permit to carry a firearm, nor any firearm registered.
Prosecution also called a detective, who testified another witness at the scene selected a photo of Henderson as a suspect during a blind photo array identification procedure.
During the hearing, Judge Pipe granted the defense’s motion for judgement of acquittal of carrying pistol without license outside home or business. The judge ruled there is no concrete evidence to support Henderson fled the scene with the firearm.
The defense called Henderson’s sister to provide context for what happened inside their apartment. She claimed the altercation was pure words and neither of her sisters spat on the victim and her daughter. When the mace was sprayed, she testified, her whole family was hit, including her young children.
During the redirect, prosecution inquired whether Henderson was the one who shot the gun and if he fled with the firearm, to which the witness answered “Correct.”
William Conlow, Henderson’s attorney, clarified she did not actually see that herself and only made assumptions.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 18.
Delvin Martin and Kenneth Watkins pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon before D.C. Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Feb. 14.
Martin, 47, and Watkins, 38, were originally charged with assault with significant bodily injury, and Martin was additionally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, for a stabbing incident on Dec. 31, 2024, on the unit block of M Street, SE, that left one person injured.
Martin and Watkins accepted a plea deal that was wired, meaning both defendants had to accept it for the prosecutor to honor it.
In return for Martin’s and Watkins’ guilty pleas, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss all other charges related to the case. He also agreed to request sentences at the midpoint of the sentencing guidelines for Martin and in the lowest third of the sentencing guidelines for Watkins.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $12,500, with a three-year period of supervised release and a payment of $100-to-$5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
Watkins admitted to punching the victim repeatedly, fracturing his ribs. Martin admitted to striking the victim on the head multiple times with a bottle, causing lacerations that required stitches.
Court documents state Martin was in a wheelchair at the time of the assault. According to arrest documents, Martin visibly damaged the arresting officers’ vehicle by kicking it and smashed the window of his jail cell with an arm he broke off his wheelchair.
T. Gail Maddox-Levine, Watkins’ attorney, asked Judge Arthur to release Watkins pending sentencing. She argued Watkins is Martin’s godson and attacked the victim only because Martin was bleeding from the head and said the victim caused his injury.
The prosecutor opposed Watkins’ release based on the violence of the incident. He said Watkins punched the victim for several minutes, knocking him down each time he got up from the ground until he finally collapsed.
Judge Arthur denied the request for Watkins’ release.
Martin’s and Watkins’ sentencing is scheduled for April 18.
DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann ruled to hold a defendant accused in a non-fatal shooting in a hearing on Feb. 14.
Jose Navarro, 40, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside his home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for his alleged involvement in shooting six rounds from a gun in the middle of the night. The incident occurred on the 1800 block of Hamlin Street, NE, on Feb. 12.
Joseph Molina, Navarro’s attorney, informed the court of Navarro’s intention to forego a preliminary hearing and Judge Herrmann accepted Navarro’s waiver in that he understood it would have been an opportunity to determine if there were sufficient reason to proceed with the case.
Molina also asked that Navarro be released, asserting that there was no indication he threatened or assaulted anyone with his weapon or robbed any individual. Navarro also has never been subject to a bench warrant.
The prosecution argued against release claiming the evidence against Navarro is strong, including body camera footage said to show officers finding him on the scene and recovering his gun. Navarro also has three prior firearm-related offenses and an active warrant in Maryland for assault, according to the prosecution.
Judge Herrmann denied Navarro’s release on the grounds he is unlikely to abide by the court’s conditions.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 28.
Prosecutors in a non-fatal shooting case told DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Feb. 12 that one of their witnesses, whose relationship to the case was not disclosed in court, is being uncooperative.
Donnell Wells, 36, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE. The incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 and two individuals suffered from gunshot wounds.
In a status hearing set for relevant medical records, the prosecution alerted the court that there had been a “slight hiccup,” as their witness recently become reluctant to testify. The prosecution indicated they would speak with the witness’ lawyer or file a motion to release in lieu of receiving the witnesses’ medical records.
An additional hearing was scheduled regarding DNA testing.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 20, with a trial date set for April 21.
A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative indicated to DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe that a convicted stabbing defendant continues to be non-compliant to the terms of his probation during a hearing on Feb. 12.
Dejohn Dohawk Jr., 23, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to six months confinement with four months suspended as well as supervised release for three years, for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Aug. 8, 2023 on the 1700 block of 28th Street SE.
In a probation show cause hearing, the representative from CSOSA stated the defendant failed to report for three scheduled drug tests, didn’t attend orientation for his mandatory domestic violence training program, and struggles to effectively communicate with his parole officer.
There was also mention that in December 2024, Dohawk received an additional 12 months of probation following a notice of non-compliance.
Dohawk countered that he has a busy schedule with three children and his new enrollment in an educational program.
CSOSA stated they have attempted to accommodate his schedule, but Dohawk has not reported to in-person or virtual meetings and has not properly communicated with them.
Due to lack of compliance, Judge Pipe stated she plans to revoke his probation, but kept Dohawk on release so he can arrange his affairs pending re-sentencing.
An additional probation show cause hearing was scheduled to assess any changes in compliance from the defendant. If there is no improvement, Judge Pipe plans to have Dohawk serve the remaining four months of his sentence.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 10.
A stabbing defendant accused of making a death threat was found mentally competent before DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel on Feb. 12.
Lukas Nawrocki, 19, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Feb. 1, 2025, at the intersection of 23rd Street and L Street, NW.
According to court documents, Nawrocki is accused of stabbing a random victim with a pair of scissors after arguing with his parents the night of the incident.
During the hearing, Judge Israel alerted the parties of the finding in a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), and no one objected to the conclusion that Nawrocki is competent to stand trial.
Nawrocki’s defense attorney, Martin Rosendorf, requested the defendant be released as he has no criminal history and does not pose a threat to the community.
However, the prosecution said they are investigating other incidents that allegedly involve the defendant the same night as the stabbing. The prosecutor also said, although Nawrocki has no priors, the attack was violent and, “he only stopped because the police arrived.”
The prosecutor said the victim stated Nawrocki told him, “You’re going to hell tonight” during the attack.
The request for release was denied by Judge Israel.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 19.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the defense a postponement in order to conduct independent DNA testing for a stabbing case on Feb. 12.
Ravon Slye, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly fatally stabbing his then-girlfriend, 30-year-old Andrea Bond, on March 7, 2023, on the 1100 Block of D Street, NE.
Slye’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, told Judge Dayson that Slye is planning to exercise his right to conduct independent DNA testing on the evidence starting by the end of next week.
Mosley stated that he and the defendant are still in discussions regarding which pieces of evidence to test.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 7.
A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson’s courtroom acquitted a homicide defendant of all charges stemming from an ongoing feud on Feb. 11.
Aaron Murchison, 28, was 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, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jamontate Brown, 32, on Oct. 16, 2022, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.
During the ten day trial, defense attorneys, Kevann Gardner and Bernadette Armand, argued there was no photo or video evidence placing Murchison at the crime scene described as “the cut.” They also claim there were no witnesses to connect him to Brown’s shooting.
The prosecution’s lead witness, a juvenile, testified seeing someone in “all black” around “the cut” behind a building. However, apartment security footage shown to the jury indicates Murchison was wearing a white tee shirt and dark jeans on the night of the incident.
The prosecution argued that Murchison was motivated to kill in response to ongoing “beef” between the Wellington Park and Stanton Oaks rival “crews,” loose associations often associated with criminal activity.
In opening statements prosecutors said that Murchison was in an apartment in Wellington Park on the night of the incident, when a group of men from The Oaks, including Brown, parked a car behind the complex, got out, walked to the front of the buildings, and began to fire their weapons.
According to court documents, Brown sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was found on a sidewalk lying on his back with his hands above his head. There was a handgun found on the victim.
Prosecutors say Brown came to Wellington Park to cause havoc by shooting into a lot where crew members parked their cars as part of an ongoing conflict. They argued that’s why Murchison “left the safety of the apartment” and was ready to shoot back when Brown opened fire into the neighborhood.
This “beef” and retaliatory behavior was corroborated by testimony from multiple Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers and detectives.
Following the acquittal, Judge Dayson ordered Murchison be released from jail.
No further dates were set.
A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors on Feb. 13 before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.
Lorenzo Goldsmith, 21, was originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the shooting that claimed the life of 39-year-old Aaron Robinson. The incident took place on Feb. 4, 2023, on the 1400 block of Spring Road, NW.
During the hearing, Dana Page, Goldsmith’s attorney, alerted Judge Brandt of his intent to accept a deal, which would require him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.
Through the agreement, parties agreed to a sentencing range of ten-to-14 years of incarceration.
Goldsmith also waived his right to perform DNA testing on evidence in the case including bullet casings, a piece of a recovered firearm, and the victim’s clothing.
Judge Brandt scheduled sentencing for May 30.
The jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom heard a survivor testify about her ordeal escaping a deadly building fire that killed two individuals, during a hearing on Feb. 13.
James Walker, 66, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in a fire that caused the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Aug 18, 2019. Kebede succumbed to his injuries on the same day, while Solomen on Aug. 20, 2019.
The witness, speaking with the aid of a translator identified Walker as the man who rented her the apartment in a house that was subject to numerous fire code violations.
The witness began sobbing remembering the deaths from the fire claiming that when Walker arrived at the scene, he asked, “Who burned my house?” and showed no remorse or concern for the safety of his tenants.
Inhaling smoke from the fire, the witness struggled to breathe and began to panic feeling trapped. Additionally, she didn’t hear any alarms indicating there was a fire.
Another witness, who worked for the DC Fire Department as a battalion chief at the time, stated that it took over 15 minutes to find the victims because of the choas. He claimed that the victims would have been found within a minute if it weren’t for the bolted doors and gates hindering access to the building.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 18.
A carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal on Feb. 11 before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow.
Xavier Ellis, 33, was originally charged with unarmed carjacking and kidnapping for his involvement in a carjacking incident that occurred on the unit block of New York Avenue, NE, on Oct. 26, 2023.
According to court documents, the victim was asleep in the passenger seat of his car when Ellis stole the vehicle and drove it from DC to Maryland.
Ellis’ attorney, Susan Ellis, informed the court of the plea deal requiring him to plead guilty to attempted kidnapping and robbery in addition to a misdemeanor sexual abuse charge from a separate incident that occurred on Apr. 30, 2024, where Ellis sexually assaulted a victim as US Marshals tried to escort Ellis from the DC Jail to court.
In exchange, the prosecution will not indict on any remaining or greater charges and will dismiss a charge of lewd and indecent acts connected to the misdemeanor case. The prosecution will also reserve step-back meaning things could change based on the defendant’s behavior and waive any enhancements to the sentence.
Judge Pasichow accepted Ellis’ guilty plea.
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on April 18.
DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro scheduled a further show cause probation hearing for next month after discussing the defendant’s outpatient treatment plans on Feb. 12 and other pending legal actions against him.
Kristian Allen, 33, was sentenced to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year in Feb. 2023. The incident was a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 8, 2022 on the 7400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.
A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said Allen had been offered outpatient treatment but didn’t pursue it. According to the representative, Allen tested positive for cocaine three times at the end of January but was clean in each test so far in February. He recommended that Allen remain in treatment but his probation be revoked.
Allen’s defense attorney, Matthew Davies, argued that Allen did attend his outpatient treatment as of last week and the beginning of this week, so probation revocation would not be necessary.
Meanwhile, Judge Di Toro was notified of an extraditable outstanding warrant, unrelated to these charges, for Allen issued by the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Judge Di Toro said given Allen’s attempt to get clean via the February drug tests, she will set a further probation hearing next month. If Allen has been released from MTPD, he’s expected to show up, and if he has not been, a bench warrant will be issued.
Parties are to reconvene for a further show cause hearing on March 12.
A defense attorney in a homicide case motioned to strike DNA expert testimony from evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe on Feb. 10.
Antwon Green, 36, has been convicted of first-degree murder while armed, felony murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Breond Keys, 38, on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE, on Oct. 10, 2014.
Steven Kiersh, Green’s attorney, cited alleged problems with the prosecution’s DNA expert as reasons for the motion. According to Kiersh, the analyst did not follow proper protocol when obtaining DNA evidence and lacked the proper expertise to be conducting the analysis, The result, says Kiersh, was contamination in the DNA mixture with material on cargo pants from a third person involved in the case.
In court, Kiersh stated he conducted his own independent testing of the pants, through his own DNA expert, which contradicts the prosecution’s findings.
The prosecution stated they want any reports or notes on the independent testing before calling their DNA expert. Meanwhile, the defense’s DNA expert has not provided its report.
Judge Iscoe stated that if the reports are not produced by the next status hearing, he will make an order for them.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 20.
