Judge Rules on Trial Motions to Dismiss Carjacking Charges

During a hearing on Oct. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur initially ruled on motions for acquittal of several charges facing two armed carjacking defendants.

Gregory Patterson, 41, and Jimmy Johnson, 43, are charged with armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery while armed for their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE on July 11, 2023.

Johnson faces additional charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The enhanced charges stem from his alleged possession of these items during his arrest on March 28 on the 4000 block of Ponds Street, NE.

Judge Arthur’s ruling pertains to the charges of armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery while armed.

Judge Arthur denied the motion to dismiss charges for Patterson but granted the motion to dismiss counts for Johnson.

Regarding Patterson, Judge Arthur cited the victim’s testimony during trial and on CCTV footage, which the judge said corroborated that Patterson struck the victim and pointed a firearm at him.

Judge Arthur found Johnson did not strike the victim. During trial, the victim testified that Johnson did not strike him and that Johnson attempted to get the other suspects to stop.

The prosecution asked that Judge Arthur reconsider his ruling and let the jury decide whether Johnson is guilty. They cited a portion of the video where a man wearing similar shoes to Johnson’s appears to strike the victim.

The prosecution argued that while Johnson tried to prevent the robbery from turning into a homicide he did not try to prevent the robbery or assault.

Judge Arthur decided to take another look at the video and decide whether to confirm his ruling or not.

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 7.

Document: MPD Arrests Northeast Stabbing Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 38-year-old Jeremiah Hall, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on Oct. 6 on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE.

Upon responding to the reports of the stabbing, officers discovered the victim who was suffering from non-life-threatening stab wounds and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Inpatient Treatment OK’d For Non-Compliant Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro filed a bed-to-bed order to admit a stabbing defendant to mandatory inpatient drug treatment after he was found non-compliant with the conditions of his release on Oct. 7.

Billy M.Williams, 68, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and aggressive panhandling. These charges are in connection to a stabbing on Dec. 7, 2023, at Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, NW, and Virginia Avenue, NW. He was released on Jan. 9, 2024, on condition that he check in with the court weekly.

Williams was issued a bench warrant on Jan. 16, 2024, on charges of failure to appear for a felony arraignment hearing and assault with a dangerous weapon. On July 12, 2024, his release conditions were changed, requiring weekly urinalysis check-ins and consistent group sessions.

A second warrant was issued on Sept. 24 for failure to appear for a pretrial show cause hearing and assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), and an added charge of assault with a significant bodily injury.

On Oct. 7, Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) recommended revocation of release. PSA said Williams has been non-compliant with drug tests, phone check-ins, and his curfew of 5:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Defense attorney Henry Escoto requested inpatient treatment for Williams, and PSA recommended 60 days of placement.

Judge Di Toro granted a bed-to-bed order requiring Williams to return to jail to be handed to residential services and placed back on GPS monitoring.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 18.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Crash in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 27-year-old Nicholas Williams, who is charged with driving under the influence and no permit, for his alleged involvement in a fatal crash that caused the death of 18-year-old Devin Clark. The incident took place on Sept. 29 on the intersection of 13th and R Street, NW. Upon responding to reports of a fatal crash, officers discovered Clark, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

Non-Fatal Stabbing Defendant Waives DNA Testing

A defendant waived his right to independently test DNA evidence recovered at the crime scene in his non-fatal stabbing case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Oct. 7.

Jeremiah Smalls, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 1700 block of T Street, SE, on April 7, 2023.

According to court documents, Smalls was let into the victim’s home before allegedly pushing the victim against a wall and threatening to stab and kill him. He then took the victim into a back bedroom before running out of the apartment.

At the hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Brandt that they plan to test evidence found at the crime scene, including a blood-stained t-shirt.

Terrence Austin, Smalls’ attorney, alerted the court that the defense does not plan to test the evidence, and the defendant waived his right to test.

Austin requested an additional week to file motions regarding additional evidence. Judge Brandt approved this request, granting the defense until Oct. 15.

Parties are expected to reconvene Nov. 8 for a motions hearing.

Prosecution Pulls Plea Offer in Stabbing Case

In a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond on Oct. 7, the prosecution revoked its plea offer to Daquan Session when his defense attorney, Bryan Bookhard, refused to “toll,” or extend a filing deadline for the prosecution.

Session, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in an April 29 stabbing that occurred on the 1300 block of 7th Street, NW. The victim was located on the 600 block of M St, NW.

Bookhard argued for Session to be released and have a stay-away order from the victim rescinded. Bookhard cited Session’s limited criminal history and the multiple months before his arrest in October when Session and the victim were able to interact without issue.

The prosecution opposed the request, saying the victim had reported violence from Session prior to the stabbing incident.

“If he is released, this victim would not be safe,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Raymond denied release and invoked the stay away order.

When Bookhard requested a status hearing in two weeks, the prosecution asked if he would be “tolling,” that is, giving the prosecution more time to indict Session. Bookhard answered no, despite the prosecution’s intent to rescind the pending plea offer.

The offer would have required Session to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in return for the prosecution’s dismissing any other charges, not indicting on additional charges, and a cap on the sentence at the bottom third of guidelines.

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 21.

Document: MPD Investigating Northwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Tiara Thompson, which occurred on Oct. 2, on the 700 block of N Street, NW. Despite immediate assistance and transportation to an area hospital, Thompson succumbed to her injuries on Oct. 5.

Document: MPD Searching for Southeast Shooting Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is requesting public assistance in locating a suspect involved in a shooting that took place on Sept. 18, on the 1600 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered an adult female victim suffering from gunshot wounds who was then transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Document: MPD Investigating Northeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Najee Dickens that took place on October 5 on the 1600 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE. Officers responded to reports of a shooting and found Dickens along with two other adults suffering from gunshot wounds, one of whom also succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Carjacking Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Plea Deal Pending

A carjacking defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing and anticipated resolving the case through a plea deal in a proceeding on Oct. 4 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.

Marquise Butts, 18, is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on June 20 at the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW. No victims were physically injured.

According to court documents, Butts was monitored by a court-ordered global positioning (GPS) device at the time of the incident, and was developed as a suspect based on GPS data.

Defense attorney Richard E Holiday Jr. presented a waiver of the preliminary hearing, signed by Butts.

The waiver came as a result of a pending plea which the parties are negotiating at this time.

Butts is currently held without bond and the parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 17.

Document: Suspects Arrest for an Armed Carjacking

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 20-year-old Taurian Anderson and 18-year-old Terrell Edmondson, who are charged with armed carjacking and unauthorized use of a vehicle, for their alleged involvement in an incident that took place on October 4 on the 5200 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

Upon responding to the carjacking report, the victim, who was unnamed, was found unharmed after having his vehicle aggressively taken by the two suspects.

Document: Third Wanted Suspect in MPD Custody in Fatal Northwest Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 35-year-old Tommy Whack, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 53-year-old Fasil Teklemariam, that took place on April 5, in the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.

Upon responding to reports of an unconscious person, officers discovered Teklemariam, who was pronounced dead at the scene due to stab wounds. This is the third arrest in the case, with a 22-year-old female from Bowie, MD, and a 19-year-old woman of no fixed address previously charged with the same crime.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in a Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 26-year-old James Rice, who is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed the homicide of 32-year-old Thomas Carlos Felder. The incident took place on May 1 on the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Document: Updated MPD Searching for Northwest Shooting Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is requesting public assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a shooting that took place on September 30, 2024, in the 5900 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered the victim, identified as a juvenile male, who was injured and later transported to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Shooting Defendant Denies Crime, Sentenced to 20 years

In an Oct. 4 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced an unrepentant shooting defendant to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised probation.

On June 5, Tyrone Johnson, 43, was convicted of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The charges stemmed from his involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on Aug. 30, 2022, on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Johnson was acquitted of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Before sentencing, the prosecution introduced the victim, who had a representative read a statement on his behalf. “My life has not been the same since I was shot,” the victim wrote.

“Only a life sentence would make me feel safe,” the victim stated. The prosecution requested a 22 year sentence citing Johnson’s lengthy criminal history and stating that there was “no basis for the defendant’s conduct.”

Joseph Fay, Johnson’s attorney, requested a sentence of 15 years. Fay argued that nearly all of Johnson’s criminal history occurred prior to 2000 and Johnson has two sons in the community.

Johnson also spoke on his own behalf denying his involvement saying, “This crime doesn’t fit my character” and as in his past crimes, if he had done this, he would have owned up to it.

Johnson was sentenced to a total of 20 years on the listed charges with five years of supervised release.

No further dates were set.