The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan 30 in the 900 block of M Street, Southeast. The victim, identified as 36-year-old Nico Rector, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 42-year-old Mario Miguel Banegas Deras in connection with a domestic homicide that occurred on Dec 15 in Northwest, DC. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Maria Magdalena Ayala Guardado, was found deceased with trauma to her body. Banegas Deras, who remained at the scene, has been charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in locating a suspect involved in a shooting on Nov. 28 in the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. An adult male victim was found with non-life-threatening injuries and transported to a hospital. The suspect was captured on surveillance video, and the MPD is urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a 16-year-old alleged suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Hazma Jamil Mubah-Wrotten on Oct 25, 2024, in Northwest, DC. The suspect was apprehended in Maryland and extradited to Washington, DC, where he was charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed.
DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park accepted homicide defendant Robert Stringer’s guilty plea and right to waive trial on Jan. 31.
Stringer, 57, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the stabbing death of 55-year-old Alfred Fields on July 1, 2024, on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.
During the hearing, Jason Tulley, Stringer’s defense attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a deal, which required Stringer to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment.
The parties agreed to a sentencing range of 15-to-20 years imprisonment.
The prosecution presented evidence that would have been used in trial, including a ripped piece of shirt, baseball cap, eyeglasses, and a recovered blood trail that was at the incident scene. However, the knife used to kill Fields was never found.
In a police interview, defendant Stringer admitted to his involvement in the crime and identified himself on surveillance footage. Stringer also stated he gave the murder weapon to a homeless man.
Additionally, it was revealed that the defendant harbored a grudge with the victim for an unpaid drug deal. A witness reported hearing Stringer utter “You ain’t gonna keep stealing from me mother****er!”
Autopsy findings report Fields’ cause of death as six sharp force injuries and the manner of death as homicide.
Judge Park ruled that Stringer’s behavior was not legally justified and done without basis of self defense.
Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 29 for sentencing.
A stabbing defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Jan. 30 before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond.
Javard Harris, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing an inmate in the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Jan. 8. The victim sustained six stab wounds to the upper body, including one that collapsed his lung.
During the hearing, Santia McLaurin, Harris’ attorney, stated that the defendant intended to waive his rights to a preliminary hearing. McLaurin also requested Judge Raymond allow bond for the defendant, but the prosecution argued that Harris’ criminal record–including armed robbery and armed carjacking–demonstrates his release could might endanger the community.
Judge Raymond denied the defense’s motion for bond review.
Parties will reconvene for a felony status conference on Feb. 21.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno deemed a carjacking defendant mentally competent to stand trial on Jan. 31, citing a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
Dontrell Davis, 17, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and unarmed carjacking for his involvement in five incidents in September 2023 including
Davis is being tried as an adult under Title 16.
The case is set to continue for competency proceedings after the defense challenged DBH’s findings meaning that the understands the charges against him and can participate in his own defense.
Defense attorney, Erin Griffard, alerted Judge Salerno of her intent to challenge the findings and will be calling an expert from the DBH in the next mental health competency hearing as a witness to explain the findings.
Parties are set to reconvene May 30.
Attorneys in a homicide case argued about whether or not what’s known as derivative evidence should be admissible in trial, before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Jan. 31.
Keyon Slaughter, 27, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, first-degree burglary while armed and unlawful possession of firearm with prior conviction. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Dana Bailey Jr., 38, on Dec. 5, 2022 at 3300 block of E Street, SE.
During the hearing, the prosecution asked whether the defense would turn over derivative evidence –evidence that would normally be considered inadmissible, such as information obtained from a search or interrogation that is illegal. This is also known as the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine.
Slaughter’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, argued that the defense is not required to provide the tainted evidence to the prosecution. Furthermore, he said that the prosecution could potentially use it in their arguments against Slaughter.
The nature of the evidence is unclear.
Judge Dayson said she needs time to determine whether the prosecution can have access to the material.
Parties are slated to reconvene April 11.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec 13 in the 100 block of 33rd Street, Northeast. The victim, identified as 23-year-old Mekhi Vaughn of Northeast, DC, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb 2 in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers found 37-year-old Alem Medmim, of Alexandria, VA, deceased from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
Co-defendants waived their rights to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson during a hearing on Jan. 31.
Marcell Cradle, 20, and Marcus Cunningham, 19, are 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 intent to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, and assault with a dangerous weapon. These counts stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on April 25 at the intersection of 16th and Euclid Streets, NW.
Cunningham is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of a machine gun, endangerment with a firearm, and unlawful discarding of a firearm or ammunition.
During the hearing, Cunningham’s and Cradle’s defense attorneys, Tammy Thom and Sellano Simmons, told the court that Cunningham and Cradle have decided to waive their rights to independently test DNA evidence.
According to the prosecution, the items include five shell casings, multiple firearms, ski masks, magazine bullets, an iPhone, and a machine gun conversion device.
Judge Dayson told Cunningham and Cradle they have a right to test evidence in a laboratory of their choice and that, depending on the situation, the results can be very useful. After a review of the options ,Judge Dayson was satisfied the defendants made their decision freely and voluntarily.
A representative from Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said Cradle was briefly found at the stay away location. Simmons explained Cradle was simply driving by in a ride share.
Simmons requested the removal of Cradle’s GPS monitoring. He noted the defendant is employed and needs to interact with customers daily, demonstrating he is a contributing to the community.
The prosecution objected, stating his release conditions are a privilege while Cunningham is detained.
Judge Dayson refused to modify the conditions due to the seriousness of the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 2.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 53-year-old Michael Wells in connection with a 2005 homicide. On Nov. 24, 2005, Makia Mosby, 23, was found deceased with burns and gunshot wounds in an apartment on the 1200 block of Valley Avenue, SE. Following a lengthy investigation, Wells was charged with First Degree Murder.
A shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow on Jan. 31.
Delante Glascoe, 41, is charged with assault with a significant bodily injury, strangulation, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of threatening to injure a person, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon, for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 900 block of Shepherd Street, NW, on Oct. 14, 2024. No injuries were reported.
During the hearing, Camille Wagner, Glascoe’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all indictment charges, and asserted his constitutional rights to a speedy trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 11.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced a defendant to 18 years for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident, during a Jan. 31 hearing.
On Sept. 20, 2024, Jaleel Fowler, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on Dec. 8, 2023, at the Congress Heights Metro Station on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, prosecutors played the Metro security camera footage. The video showed the victim walking alone down a Metro hallway as Fowler approached and grabbed him from behind. In the scuffle theywere knocked to the ground, then Fowler fired his weapon and ran away.
The prosecution requested Judge Salerno sentence Fowler to between 70-to-100 months, citing the serious nature of the crime.
Defense attorney Raymond Jones asked for a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, arguing that Fowler wants to turn his life around, receive training, and get a job. Fowler asked for leniency from the judge, claiming that “I need help.”
Even so, Judge Salerno sentenced Fowler to 78 months of incarceration for the aggravated assault charge, 96 months for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, which will be served concurrently, and 42 months of incarceration for unlawful possession of a firearm, totaling eight years of incarceration.
Fowler is required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund and must register as a gun offender.
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced Reginald Hughes, 29, to 10 years of incarceration and five years of supervised release on Jan. 31.
On Oct. 2, 2024, Hughes accepted a deal, which required him to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a shooting that injured one on Jan. 26, 2022 on the 600 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
According to court documents, the victim sustained injuries resulting in paralysis from the waist down.
Molly Bunke, Hughes’ attorney, stated that Hughes is remorseful for his actions, and after a great deal of reflection Hughes is serious about changing his life for the better.
Hughes stated, “I take full responsibility for my actions” and “I apologize to the victim… I can’t take back what I did. All I can do is make better decisions.”
After Judge Okun imposed sentence, the defense requested that Hughes be placed in a facility that has a fatherhood program, in order to maintain a relationship with his children. The Judge agreed.
Additionally, Judge Okun recommended a mental health evaluation and treatment that was proposed by Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
No further dates were set.
