Judge Finds Probable Cause in Jealousy Linked Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a stabbing during a Jan. 29 hearing.

Osmin Vanegas Alvarez, 29, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE on Dec. 29, 2024 that left one injured.

According to court documents, witnesses testified that Alvarez, a cleaning employee at the building, was escorted out by security after an initial altercation with the victim following a conversation between the victim and Alvarez’s girlfriend. Witnesses say later Alvarez re-entered the building and followed the victim who ran to the second floor.

The victim stated that Alvarez approached him with his hands in his pockets, pushed past a witness attempting to intervene, and entered a cleaning crew room. There, he allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked the victim while shouting, “You gonna die, motherf***er, I will kill you.” The victim sustained severe stab wounds to his left tricep, chest, and neck.

A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) interviewed the victim who was receiving care at the hospital for his injuries. He stated that a coworker, also a witness, was in a romantic relationship with Alvarez and that he often got jealous when she spoke to other men.

The prosecution initially proposed a deal requiring Alvarez to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while armed in exchange for not seeking an indictment, but he rejected the offer.

During the hearing, the defense argued that the victim started the fight and that Alvarez was merely acting in self-defense.

However, the prosecution asserted Alvarez initiated the second altercation, attempted to conceal his identity with a hoodie, and had a clear intent to harm, citing his allegedly murderous threats.

After reviewing the evidence, Judge Ryan ruled in favor of the prosecution, determining that probable cause exists.

Parties are set to reconvene Jan. 30 to address the defense’s request for release.

Judge Modifies Homicide Defendant’s Release to Help Sister

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan modified release conditions on Jan. 27 for a homicide defendant so he can play a guardianship role for his sister following their mother’s death.

Dwayne Brooks, 26, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempt to commit robbery while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Juwaan Henry, 21. The shooting occurred on Aug. 25, 2022, on the 800 block of 7th Street, NW.

During the hearing, Brooks’ defense attorney, Megan Allburn, requested he be allowed extended time outside of home confinement to attend necessary activities and appointments for his sister.

Allburn emphasized Brooks’ compliance with the court’s instructions in receiving mental health treatment and remaining on house arrest demonstrating he could safely be in public for brief periods.

Judge Ryan granted the request, with the condition that Brooks get prior approval from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to leave his home, and update his whereabouts at all times.

At the hearing, prosecution brought up DNA evidence gathered from the scene which is a probable match to Brooks’ samples. Brooks declined further testing.

Parties are expected to reconvene on June 23.

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all arraignment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Jan. 31.

Daniel Chapman, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of Antoine Ealey, 43. The incident occurred on Jul. 22, 2023, on the 2300 Block of L’Enfant Square, SE.

At the hearing, Aubrey Dillon, Chapman’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to both counts, and asserted his constitutional rights, including a speedy trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 16.

Bench Warrant Issued for Missing Homicide Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan issued an arrest warrant on Jan. 30 for a homicide defendant whose whereabouts are unknown.

Jahi Rapp, 21, and Amarii Fontanelle, 21, are charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-olds Reginald Cooper Jr. and Davonte Berkley and injury of another individual in an apartment building on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE on Oct. 17, 2022.

During the hearing, Judge Ryan stated that Fontanelle’s GPS monitoring device expired on Jan. 8 after receiving a tamper alert from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). It has now been over 20 days since Fontanelle’s whereabouts were determined, according to Judge Ryan.

Judge Ryan declared that Fontanelle has completely failed wearing the GPS monitor condition of his release, and issued an arrest warrant with no bond.

Rapp was present in court and according to PSA, has been compliant with all pretrial conditions.

Judge Ryan refused to set motion hearings due to Fontanelle’s absence. Parties agreed however, to set a trial date of Nov. 9, 2026.

A status hearing was also scheduled for June 6. In the event that Fontanelle is not located by then – discussion of severance, or separating the defendants’ cases, will take place.

Homicide Defendant Moves to Exclude Surveillance, Fight Evidence in Trial

A homicide defendant’s attorney requested DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan prevent the prosecution from using surveillance evidence as well as details about a fight preceding the crime during the trial on Jan. 29.

Daquan Gray, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home or business for his alleged involvement in the murder of 15-year-old Jaylyn Wheeler, on the 600 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, on May 16, 2018.

Dana Page, Gray’s attorney, filed a motion requesting the court to exclude irrelevant and prejudicial evidence related to an earlier fight at Ballou High School, radio transmission from MPD, and video surveillance footage, arguing that it has no connection to the shooting.

The prosecution asserted the relevance of the evidence, arguing that Gray is one of the two people caught running on surveillance footage are the same that an officer refers to on a radio transmission in which the pair appears to be fleeing.

The defense challenged the evidence and prosecution’s argument, including the alleged connection between the radio transmission and the video surveillance footage, arguing that the link between the two is speculative and irrelevant.

Page also stated that the fight has no connection to the shooting in question, lacks admissible supporting evidence that makes the case more or less probable.

Judge Ryan delayed providing a ruling until a later date.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 12.

Co-Defendant’s Injuries From Car Accident Further Delay Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt delayed trial on Jan. 29 for two co-defendants because of one of the suspect’s has a continuing medical issue.

Chantel Stewart, 33, and Daniel Cary, 30, are charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for their alleged involvement in the non-fatal shooting on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on July 22, 2020. A gunshot wound to the back caused a collapsed lung for one individual at the scene.

Stewart’s lingering injuries from her car accident that occurred Jan. 27 as she was leaving the courthouse, resulted in a trial postponement.

Given that the jury has not yet been empaneled, Judge Brandt noted that a mistrial was off the table, and all three parties, Jesse Winograd on behalf of Stewart, Alvin Thomas on behalf of Cary, and the prosecution, were able to compromise on starting the trial Monday morning.

The parties anticipate the next hearing on Feb. 3 by replacing jurors with conflicts given the change in schedule.

Homicide Defendant Granted New Counsel, Further Delaying Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted a homicide defendant’s attorneys’ request to withdraw from the case further delaying the trial–which was slated to begin on Jan.22– during a Jan. 30 hearing.

Ernest Cleveland, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Edward Pearson, 39, on November 26, 2020 on the 2900 block of Connecticut Ave, NW.

The trial was postponed after his previous defense attorneys, Madelyn Harvey and Victoria Clark, filed a motion to withdraw as Cleveland’s counsel due to a conflict of interest. Judge Kravitz then appointed Nathaniel Mensah on Jan. 23 and Elliot Rosenwald on Jan. 29 as new counsel for Cleveland.

Judge Kravitz urged both parties to select a trial date because the case has been considerably delayed. The lawyers alerted Judge Kravitz the earliest they could try the case was in the fall, but were unable to finalize dates due to scheduling issues.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for another status hearing on Feb. 25.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on Dec. 24 at C Street and 16 Street, Northeast. The victim, identified as 66-year-old Ronnie Clark of Northeast, DC, was struck by a 2010 Nissan Murano that lost control and mounted the sidewalk. The driver fled the scene on foot, and detectives are working to identify the suspect.

Document: MPD Searching for Southwest Robbery Suspects

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are searching for four suspects involved in a robbery that took place on Jan. 28 in the 400 block of L'Enfant Plaza, Southwest. The suspects physically assaulted the victim, implied possession of a weapon, and stole the victim's property before fleeing. Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspects.

Homicide Witness Says She Told Shooter, ‘Don’t Do it, Don’t Do it!’

A witness told the jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom that she pleaded with a homicide suspect to not shoot her boyfriend, after he had shot their friend. The testimony came during a hearing on Jan. 29.

Ethan Cunningham, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of felony murder while armed, kidnapping while armed, attempted robbery while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and carrying a pistol outside of the home/business without a license.

These charges stem from Cunningham’s alleged involvement in the attempted robbery and fatal shooting of 38-year-old James Curtis on May 10, 2022 on the 2600 block of Stanton Road SE.

On Jan. 23, prosecutors dismissed four charges – one count of felony murder while armed, kidnapping while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Curtis’ roommate’s girlfriend testified that she saw Curtis, her boyfriend, and the gunman “tussling,” adding she saw the gunman standing over her boyfriend, scared he was going to be shot. She recalled she screamed “don’t do it, don’t do it,” at the gunman.

The prosecution called on an analyst from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who performed Curtis’ autopsy to review autopsy photos showing evidence of gunshot wounds. The expert witness, who has performed over 8,000 autopsies, identified the victim’s cause of death as a gunshot wound to the central chest area and the manner of death as a homicide.

Prosecutors also called on two individuals, one who knew Cunningham from work and one who saw him every day for about six months, who testified they identified him in video footage of a “be on the lookout” report released by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in May 2022.

According to the individuals, they were able to identify one of the two suspects shown in the report as Cunningham.

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 30.

Document: MPD Investigating Benning Road Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 30 on the 1800 block of Benning Road, Northeast. The victim, identified as 31-year-old Damion Hill, was found unconscious with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

DOCUMENT: MPD Investigating Fatal Highway Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal single-car crash that occurred on Dec. 12 on Interstate 295. The incident involved a blue Chevrolet Camaro that swerved off the road and rolled over, resulting in the death of 22-year-old, Nehemiah Edison, from Falls Church, VA.

Document: MPD Searching for Southwest Robbery Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in locating a suspect involved in a robbery that occurred on Jan. 15 in the 900 block of 4th Street, SW. The suspect approached the victim, demanded property, and fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured the suspect, and the MPD is requesting public help in identifying the individual.

Judge Revokes Shooting Defendant’s Probation Due to Non-Compliance

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro revoked a shooting defendant’s probation due to non-compliance on Jan. 30, netting him one day of jail time.

On March 29, 2023, James Young, 55, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and carrying a pistol without a license outside home or place of business for his involvement in a robbery turned shooting at the WAWA store on the 1200 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW on Aug. 30, 2022. No injuries were reported.

On June 15, 2023, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced Young to 22 months of incarceration, with all but 14 months suspended, for the attempted robbery, and 24 months, with all but 14 suspended, for carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge Di Toro previously re-sentenced Young in October 2024, due to multiple reports of non-compliance during the probation period.

During the hearing, the prosecution requested another revocation of probation which was supported by the same recommendation from Young’s probation officer. Young’s attorney, Joseph Fay, suggested imposing backup time – giving credit for the amount of time a defendant remains detained prior to their trial or conviction.

Judge Di Toro agreed and re-sentenced Young to 212 days of jail, with all but one suspended.

No further dates were set.

MPD Arrests a Suspect in an Attempted Armed Carjacking

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 35-year-old Tamika Burriss of Hyattsville, MD, for an attempted armed carjacking that occurred on Feb 17, 2024, in the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW. Burriss allegedly entered a vehicle, threatened the victim with a knife, and demanded they exit, resulting in a minor injury to the victim before fleeing the scene.