DC Jail Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A stabbing defendant pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Nov. 5.

Wesley Scott, 22, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred while Scott was incarcerated at the DC Jail on Dec. 9, 2023 on the 1900 Block of D Street, NW.

According to court documents, Scott stabbed another inmate, who suffered two wounds in the back, one in the chest, and one to the right hip at the DC Department of Corrections.

Scott, who was incarcerated for voluntary manslaughter at the time of the incident, accepted a plea at the hearing and pled guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years or a $25,000 fine. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to not seek an indictment, and stated they’d ask for a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines.

Parties are set to reconvene for sentencing on Jan. 10.

Defense Paints Murder Victim as the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’

Prosecutors displayed a homicide defendant’s text message that read, “I might go to jail,” to a jury before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Nov. 5.

Rafael Stevens, 39, is charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Aniekobo Umoh, 50, on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2700 block of 7th Street, NE.

Jermall Johnson, 40, is also charged in connection to Umoh’s death. On Oct. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defendants’ request to sever their cases, which allowed them to be tried separately.

During opening statements, the prosecution insisted that Steven and Johnson planned the shooting outside of a liquor store, claiming Umoh “could have not known” it was his last day.

“I wish I could tell you why this happened,” the prosecution continued, stating its plan to prove every charge.

However, Varsha Govindaraju, Stevens’ attorney, claimed that “Stevens just wanted a conversation, [Umoh] turned it into a confrontation” as the incident was instigated by Stevens allegedly asking Umoh “can you stop selling drugs to my sister?”

The altercation escalated when Umoh, reportedly known as the “Nigerian Nightmare,” allegedly threatened to kill Stevens, according to Govindaraju. Stevens reacted by pulling out a gun in self-defense while walking backwards. In response, Umoh continued to walk forward to grab the gun when it went off, shooting Umoh in the upper chest.

Painting Umoh as an entrepreneur, his sister testified that the victim was a family man who worked hard as a pipe fitter and a barber and the prosecution presented photos on poster boards to the jury

The defense showed the jury the footage of the shooting, which was compiled by a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who later testified.

A responding officer testified he arrived at the scene over a minute after the initial gunshots were heard. He took command of the crime scene but did not help Umoh because he didn’t have gloves.

Jason Tulley, Stevens’ attorney, argued the defense’s ability to cross examine the officer was limited due to Judge Raffinan granting a motion from the prosecution preventing questions allegedly about the about the incomplete investigation at the scene, and 12 investigations into the officer’s conduct.

Another responding officer testified she followed the ambulance transporting Umoh to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Her body camera footage displayed how she maintained the chain of custody preserving Umoh’s bloody and bullet-holed clothes for homicide detectives. The items were physically shown to the jury.

A detective also testified about his involvement in the search warrant that was executed in Johnson’s home on Jan. 4, 2023. According to the officer, he accompanied members of the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS), and assisted in recovering Johnson’s Social Security card, driver’s license, abcredit card, and a black jacket, which was similar to one that a suspect wore on the day of Umoh’s murder.

The trial is set to reconvene on Nov. 6.

Shooting Suspect Claims Self-Defense as Trial Begins

A jury trial began for a shooting defendant before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Nov. 4.

Deon Jenkins, 46, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon outside the home or business with a prior felony, possession of a destructive device, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a Sept. 29, 2023, non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 1800 block of M Street, NE.

According to court documents, Jenkins shot multiple times at a moving vehicle that was speeding toward him. The defendant fell to the ground and then fled while the vehicle crashed through a fence and into a nearby yard. He was found in a residential neighborhood with gunshot wounds and taken to the hospital.

During opening statements, the prosecution argued that Jenkins possessed a firearm and shot the weapon at a moving car. Their focus was that Jenkins did not have a license to carry this weapon, and that he came to the scene with a weapon in hand.

“Deon Jenkins brought a gun to a gun fight well before the gun fight occurred,” the prosecutor stated.

Defense attorney Lauren Morehouse argued that Jenkins’ actions were in self-defense, only using the gun as a last resort. Morehouse explained that Jenkins took fire and followed by two cars. Jenkins sustained injuries to his legs and a hand, and only after failing to escape did he grab the gun.

“The only reason why we’re here and not reading about his death, is because he acted to defend himself,” Morehouse stated.

The prosecution’s first witness was a resident whose home security cameras captured the incident. The witness testified he lived next to the alley where the incident occurred, and correctly identified the camera footage of the incident captured by his cameras.

The prosecution called on a sergeant who was flagged down and brought to Jenkins lying on the ground needing medical attention. He testified he called for medical attention before responding to a report of a shooting—the incident’s original location.

Morehouse used cross examination to ask about the investigation process that occurred on the night of the incident. She pointed out a lack of canvassing door to door for witnesses and camera footage, 911 callers who were never contacted, potential DNA collections that were never ordered, and leads of potential witnesses who weren’t contacted, including a woman who spoke to the sergeant and a man walking by trying to get to his car.

The sergeant mostly answered that he couldn’t recall, but that if there was an order, it would’ve appeared on the body worn camera footage; Morehouse clarified that these orders were not on the footage.

Morehouse asked about the two different shell casings that were found at the scene. She asked about matching the shell casings to different gun models, and asked where the casings were found. She confirmed that the 45 caliber casings—the gun Jenkins allegedly owned illegally—were not present at the beginning of the shooting with the other casings.

Instead, Morehouse argued, the location of the casings that match the gun the prosecution claimed Jenkins illegally possessed imply he shot later.

Morehouse also questioned the sergeant about previous conduct violations he had with MPD. She mentioned multiple sustained findings that the sergeant had, including failing to canvas for video footage, failing to recognize excessive use of force, failing to notify for medical attention, harassment, unlawful search of home, frisking complaints, failing to identify himself, and six body worn camera violations.

On redirect, the prosecutor clarified that the sergeant’s body-worn camera was on the night of the incident, and that his role at the scene is to coordinate and assist.

The prosecution also called a forensics services manager from ShotSpotter, a company that assists local police departments to help detect gunshots in a specific location.

According to the manager, sensors are placed around a location, and an incident is recorded when three sensors are activated. He stated that the system will determine if it’s gunfire, before being passed to a human who makes the final decision and publishes the incident to the customer. In this case, the customer is the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The prosecution showed the witness audio recordings by ShotSpotter from the night of the incident, correctly identifying the shots that came from the alley where Jenkins allegedly shot.

During Morehouse’s cross, she clarified that the sensors can’t detect if there’s more than one shooter, which the witness confirmed.

The trial will resume on Oct. 5.

D.C. Witness Investigation Finds Attorneys for The Indigent Beset by What the Court Calls, ‘An Exceptional Circumstance’

Louis Wesson, 28, has found himself in the DC Superior Court’s presentment hearings before and it has not been a happy experience.

His latest encounter with the criminal justice system relates to a weapons charge which he calls, “bullcrap.” As for the presumption of innocence, Wesson says appearing in court can just mean “throwing your ass in jail.”

He is by no means alone and lawyers assigned to defend indigent clients like Wesson are finding the task increasingly difficult.

After an initial visit in late summer, D.C. Witness reporters attended another recent presentment court session. During that proceeding there were 33 defendants who appeared for hearings that lasted five minutes on average, many for allegedly defying warrants and on lesser criminal charges. Some hearings were as brief as one minute.

For almost all criminal defendants who appear in DC Superior court, court-appointed panel attorneys handle their cases. However, the demand for service and the limited supply of these attorneys has caused a legal traffic jam, according to a months-long investigation conducted by D.C. Witness talking to court officials, lawyers and reviewing relevant documents.

In frustration, Todd Baldwin who heads the panel known as the DC Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association (SCTLA) calls the pressure on panel attorneys “untenable.”

“The DC Court is very much aware of the issues facing panel attorneys and we’re working to resolve the problem,” a court spokesman told D.C. Witness. That includes holding open houses, and trying to recruit new attorneys through a variety of tools including social media. However, the spokesman noted that in a “city full of attorneys,” not enough are pursuing panel work.

The ideal size of the DC panel, says Baldwin, is at least 200 lawyers, but now there are only 139 members working and of those maybe 75 are active on a given day.

D.C. Witness data shows that between May and August of this year there

were 302 felony cases involving 615 hearings requiring 843 lawyer appearances.

Data from the court’s 2025 budget justification to congressional appropriators shows that panel attorneys under the auspices of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) handle 79 percent of DC Superior Court criminal cases, the PDS about eight percent and two percent going to private firms doing pro bono work.

Source: The DC Superior Court 2025 Budget Justification Report

To get another view of the data, D.C. Witness asked the DC Sentencing Commission to review which types of attorneys handled certain felony cases that actually resulted in a sentence between 2022 and 2023. The results again show that panel attorneys were in the majority in every category except homicides.

Note: AWIK is the abbreviation for assault with intent to kill. ADW is assault with a dangerous weapon.

DC Cases Sentenced Between 2022-2023

Source: DC Sentencing Commission

According to the DC Courts’ Statistical Summary for 2023 $46 million is allocated for “Defender Services” to compensate panel attorneys, separate from the PDS, which is asking for $59 million next year up from $53 million this year to handle fewer cases total than panel attorneys. However the agency typically takes on the more challenging felony cases and has a number of other responsibilities besides litigation.

D.C. Witness asked the PDS for comment on the case disparity question but they have yet to respond.

The panel’s budget, meanwhile, hasn’t increased in five years, says Baldwin. The federal government pays for the local operation of the DC courts.

At the same time, the DC Superior Court faces a substantial workload. According to the court’s 2023 annual report, there were 4,472 pending felony cases as of Jan. 1 of last year. While the majority were settled through plea agreements, there were still 165 jury trials, netting 93 guilty verdicts and 53 not guilty outcomes.

In total, Baldwin may be representing as many as 60 defendants at one time charged with a wide variety of offenses from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. What the clients have in common is severe financial and life challenges.

“We love our clients, love the work we do,” says Baldwin. However, in his 33 years on the job, Baldwin says the situation has never been worse, because “we desperately need more attorneys” to fulfill the constitutional obligation.

The problem is not only exacerbated by an rising number of criminal prosecutions, but the fact that the cases themselves are increasingly complex because of technical evidence like analyzing DNA samples, bullet fragments, social media posts and surveillance videos.

As previously reported, the burgeoning case load combined with a budget shortfall pushed the PDS to the brink of a furlough, which was called off at the last minute in July.

While panel attorneys are private contractors and cannot be compelled to work, “We are cognizant of the crisis and we are pitching in to help as much as we possibly and professionally can,” says Baldwin.
The situation reached a critical point in September when the court issued an administrative order authorizing the temporary use of retired panel lawyers like Charles Murdter, an attorney since 1980.

“I guess I’m sorta un-retired,” wrote Murdter in an email to D.C. Witness after he received the document stating, “the current number of full panel attorneys available for appointments in general has decreased significantly, thus creating an exceptional circumstance.”

Still, Baldwin’s “mystified” that more attorneys don’t take on the work given the challenge and the reward. Every Monday, he’s back in courtroom C 10 waiting for the many new cases that are bound to arrive.

‘He Tried to Make Me Stab Myself,’ Says Victim

The victim in a violent stabbing case testified that the defendant “tried to make me stab myself” in a Nov. 5 trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Devan Green Jr., 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, kidnapping while armed, kidnapping while armed against a minor, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a Sept. 19 2023 stabbing incident on the 500 block of 58th Street, SE

During the hearing, the victim took the stand and rehashed her history with Green. The two had dated for about two years before the Sept. 19 incident, adding that was not the first physical altercation between them.

The victim testified that there were two previous incidents, one in which Green allegedly poured a gallon of Kool-Aid over her head while choking her, and another when Green allegedly smothered the victim using a blanket and choked her again.

Regarding the Sept. 19 incident, the victim testified that Green was upset when she walked into the house while speaking to another man on the phone. Green began packing his things as if he was going to leave when the victim’s family arrived outside the building. The victim had called them stating that she “felt unsafe” at that time.

The victim told the jury that Green was also packing items he had purchased for her, and asked her to take her pants off since he had bought them. As the victim began removing them, the victim claimed that Green pulled her off the bed by her legs, stating her “head bounced off the ground” as Green continued to hold her up by the pant legs.

The victim said she retreated to the balcony arming herself with a knife while Green set up a barricade blocking the victim’s family from getting into the apartment.

According to the victim, when Green went after her, she showed him the knife and he “tried to make me stab myself.”

Green allegedly told the victim to tell her family she was okay through the living room window, and not to call the police according to the victim.

The victim testified this is when Green stabbed her the first time, in the middle of her chest. She reached her hand, covered in blood, out the window to show her family that she was in trouble and they called the police.

The victim also testified that Green went to check on the victim’s child and she followed. She found Green crying and apologizing to their kid, which quickly morphed into blaming the victim for what had happened. The victim moved to check on her child herself which is when Green allegedly pushed her down and began stabbing her repeatedly.

The victim claimed she used her “last bit of strength” to remove the barricade Green had put in front of the door to the apartment and allow officers to come in, after Green escaped through a window.

Finally, the victim testified that, as a result of the incident, she had undergone multiple surgeries, never regained full use of one of her arms, and sustained nerve damage to one of her legs that forced her to learn to walk again through physical therapy.

The intensive care unit (ICU) doctor who treated the victim also testified, stating she remembered this case vividly just because of the sheer number of stab wounds. According to the doctor, the victim sustained 21 stab wounds.

The doctor was also able to testify, in more detail, to the injuries sustained by the victim including lacerations to her liver, two collapsed lungs, and about two liters of blood loss.

A DNA analyst took the stand as well, including in her testimony the results of DNA testing on two knives recovered from the scene. One knife was extremely likely to have DNA from the victim on the blade and DNA from both Green and the victim on the handle. The other knife did not have enough DNA to perform a comparison but DNA from the handle had evidence of at least one male contributor.

Parties are set to reconvene Nov. 6 for continued witness testimony.

Evidence of Gang Affiliation Hangs on Judge’s Ruling in a Homicide

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan delayed her ruling on a motion to allow the prosecution to present evidence connecting a murder defendant to a gang during a hearing on Nov. 4.

Tony Morgan, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and conspiracy, for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on the 3500 Block of Wheeler Road, SE, on Oct. 20, 2018, which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Malik McCloud.

During the hearing, the prosecution filed a motion to introduce evidence that proves Morgan’s involvement in a gang, which Morgan allegedly identified as the Solid Gang on social media.

Prosecutors produced an image of Morgan holding a substantial amount of money and also wording that references robbing an entity and his disdain for law enforcement, including “F*** the cops.” .

The prosecution insisted that the aforementioned image, along with numerous other photos and stills that reference his alleged involvement with the gang and his disdain for police, proves their argument.

Morgan’s defense counsels, Megan Allburn and Steven Kiersh, objected to the motion.

Kiersh stated the text referencing robbing an entity is hearsay due to the fact that Morgan was never charged with robbery. Furthermore, he stated that the text that can be found in all the pictures is far too profane for the jury and heavily prejudicial.

Allburn added the picture in question was not posted with Morgan’s account, but was rather posted by Martinez Raynor, 24, who was previously severed as a co-defendant from Morgan’s case.

Judge Raffiinan stated she will rule on the matter at the next hearing.

The defense also stated that an individual, who was allegedly connected to the firearms used in the murder, is being called as a witness for the defense but there is a potential Fifth Amendment question of self-incrimination that could arise since he is charged with gun crimes used in the killing.

Allburn and Kiersh requested the witness be brought in with his attorney to discuss his potential testimony.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 6.

Judge Allows Defendant to Split Time Between His Home and His Sister’s

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan allowed a stabbing defendant to split his time on release between his own house and his sister’s in a Nov. 5 hearing.

Herbert Young, 41, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed of a senior citizen, aggravated assault knowingly while armed of a senior citizen, assault with a dangerous weapon of a senior citizen, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside his home, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Feb. 4, 2023, on the 2500 block of N Street, SE.

The victim was hospitalized in critical condition with nine stab wounds, including one to the neck

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, the suspect, later identified as Young, went to the victim’s apartment allegedly to stab him. The victim’s girlfriend said she witnessed the attack and she positively identified Young as the individual who stabbed the victim.

During a hearing on Oct. 22, Hannah Claudio, Young’s attorney, requested Judge Raffinan dismiss Young’s curfew in order to allow him to split his time between his own home and his sister’s house.

Judge Raffinan previously delayed ruling on the motion in order to let a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) figure out if it would be possible for PSA to monitor a defendant in two different addresses.

In today’s hearing, PSA stated they are able to do so, as long as Young alerts them where he plans to spend the night 24 hours in advance.

The prosecution opposed the request, arguing they are concerned it will raise the likelihood that the victim and his girlfriend will run into Young in the community. The prosecution stated the victim moved out of the home in which the attack occurred, and now lives in close proximity to Young’s sister.

“It is your obligation to stay away from them,” Judge Raffinan told Young, adding that if he sees them out in the community he is required to walk the opposite direction.

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 18.

Witness Testifies Victim Was ‘Being Held Captive,’ by Boyfriend in Stabbing Case

A witness in a stabbing case testified the victim was “being held captive” by her boyfriend in a jury trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Nov. 4.

Devan Green, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, kidnapping while armed, kidnapping while armed against a minor, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a domestic stabbing incident that occurred on Sept. 19, 2023 on the 500 block of 58th Street, NE.

One individual sustained severe injuries throughout her body during the attack.

Prosecutors called a family friend of the victim who testified that he saw Green try to snatch the victim’s phone from her hand during a FaceTime call the victim made to her sister, who was at her parent’s house, while the family friend was in the room. Subsequently, when he arrived at the victim’s apartment and was unable to get inside he began calling 911.

There were six total 911 calls made during the incident.

During the third call, the family friend said that the victim was “being held captive” by her boyfriend.

Prosecutors then called the victim’s sister who arrived at the apartment after receiving a FaceTime call from the victim. The family member testified that she saw the victim at a window before watching the Green allegedly grab her forcefully by the arm and drag her away.

The sister testified that she heard the victim say “He’s got a weapon,” and saw a knife with a red handle on the lawn outside the victim’s apartment window.

Prosecutors called the victim’s father, who testified that he wanted to “solve this before we get the police involved.” He testified after Green refused to open the apartment door he attempted to kick the door down.

He testified that the victim was in the hospital for one to two weeks following the incident, and could not walk without assistance after being discharged.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 5.

Document: MPD Arrests Juveniles in Armed Carjackings

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 16-year-old Antonio Gaither and 17-year-old Derrick West, who are charged with multiple counts of armed carjackings for incidents that occurred between Sept. 17 and September 30 in various blocks around the district. Additionally, 31-year-old Malcolm Demus is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and credit card fraud.

Document: MPD Investigating Savannah Terrace Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Lorenzo Campbell Jr. that took place on Nov. 3, on the 2100 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. Upon responding to reports of gunshots, officers discovered Campbell, who was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Jury Acquits Shooting Defendant on All Charges

A jury delivered a not-guilty verdict on all 11 charges in a mass shooting case that resulted in one death and three injuries before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Oct. 30.

Juan Peterson, 34, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of accessory after the fact while armed, and second-degree cruelty to children.

The charges related to Peterson’s alleged involvement in a May 15, 2021 mass shooting, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, that killed 28-year-old Lester Howard, and injured three other individuals.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Peterson was driving his car down Minnesota Avenue and stopped short of a red light. The shooter ran up to the passenger side of the vehicle, reached in to grab Peterson’s firearm, and opened fire on the sidewalk, killing Howard and injuring three other victims. The shooter then returned to the car, got in, and Peterson drove away.

According to Peterson, during his testimony, he had no knowledge or intention in the shooting and believed that he was going to make a drug deal with the individual he stopped to meet with. The shooter grabbed Peterson’s gun from the passenger seat allegedly without his permission, and he drove away from the scene under duress, fearful he would be killed by the shooter unless he complied.

The jury acquitted Peterson following a day of deliberations. Judge Okun ordered Peterson be released from DC Jail following the verdict.

There are no further hearings scheduled.

‘I Hope You Conquer This,’ Says Judge in Sentencing For Drug-Induced Stabbing

A stabbing defendant was sentenced to 18 months by DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Nov. 1.

A’Quino Boyd, 36, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE, on Aug. 11. One individual sustained a chest wound.

The prosecutor said this incident was premeditated by the defendant. Boyd and the victim had gotten into an altercation the night before, when Boyd loaned the victim five dollars.

The prosecution played a video of the incident, showing Boyd running up to the victim when his back was turned and stabbing him in the chest.

According to the prosecutor, the victim heard Boyd say, “You’re gone now.”

The prosecutor said the victim thought he had been stabbed in the heart because so much blood poured out of his chest. He required emergency surgery and extensive medical care.

The prosecutor asked for 20 months incarceration, saying the community cannot be safe unless Boyd is incarcerated.

Defense attorney Sara Kopecki said, when she met with the defendant, he seemed visibly upset by his actions captured on surveillance video. Kopecki said Boyd was under the influence of PCP at the time of the incident and has a significant drug problem that needs to be addressed. She recommended Boyd participate in a drug abuse treatment program in prison.

“My client has a family who loves him, but [they] cannot deal with the drugs anymore,” Kopecki said.

Kopecki asked Judge Di Toro to sentence Boyd to 18 months. She said that was what Boyd thought his sentence should be.

“I apologize to the victim, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Boyd told the court.

Judge Di Toro said the incident did not seem like an act of impulse but more like a premeditated event.

The judge agreed with Kopecki about the severe nature of Boyd’s drug abuse and said she recognized PCP played a significant role in the incident.

In addition to 18 months in prison, Judge Di Toro sentenced Boyd to three years of supervised release. Boyd is required to enroll in a drug program, receive a mental health assessment, participate in vocational job training, and obtain transitional housing upon his release.

“Mr. Boyd, I hope you conquer this,” Judge Di Toro said as she ended the hearing.

No further dates have been set.

Judge Won’t Exclude Medical Examiner’s Testimony in Murder Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a defendant’s request to exclude, or limit, the medical examiner’s testimony during trial in a Nov. 1 hearing.

Rafeal Stevens, 39, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Aniekobo Umoh, 50, on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2700 block of 7th Street, NE.

During the hearing, defense attorney Jason Tulley, explained a motion filed to exclude the testimony of the doctor that performed the autopsy for Umoh based on an alleged violation o Rule 16, requiring the prosecution to provide relevant evidence relevant to the defense. In this case, the report was said to be filed late and incomplete.

Meanwhile, body-worn camera footage shows a person identified as the victim stumbling and then collapsing. The prosecutor said the expert’s testimony will explain why this occurred and how it is related to the shooting, but not the cause of death.

Tulley argued the material is prejudicial and will wrongfully influence jury. Tulley further argued that the victim’s head injuries are not relevant because they were not the cause of death and no photos were taken to document the extent of the injuries.

The prosecution countered that initial report was filed on time and the amendment was filed after the new findings developed, referencing the head injuries.

Tulley argued the prosecution should have provided a “complete” report and not be able to submit documents whenever they want.

Judge Raffinan denied the motion stating the filing was not a rule 16 violation, and that sufficient notice by the prosecution was provided in that it contained the initial testimony about the autopsy and later added information as it came up.

Tulley also filed a motion to compel against a detective involved in the case. The motion would require that prosecution ask the detective if Umoh had been involved in drug transactions between 2021 and 2022. Judge Raffinan denied this motion.

The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 4.

Judge Won’t Release Shooting Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann denied the release request of a shooting defendant on Nov. 1, claiming he committed an “extremely dangerous offense” that makes him a potential threat to the community.

Roland Brewer, 19, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and first-degree burglary for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 21. This incident occurred on the 500 block of 50th Place, NE and injured one individual.

During the hearing, Brewer’s defense attorney, Lauckland Nicholas, requested release with home confinement after Brewer waived his rights to a preliminary hearing.

The prosecution argued that because Brewer had a motive and two key witnesses and the victim were still out in the community and known to Brewer, their safety may be at risk if he was released.

In addition, one of the three suspects is not in custody and could be in contact with Brewer if he is not held. The prosecution recapitulated Brewer’s criminal record, including seven arrests in DC.

Judge Herrmann considered both arguments but deemed the offense too dangerous for Brewer’s release, and ordered him held.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 12.

Non-Fatal Stabbing Defendant Successfully Completes Sentence

A defendant completed the final requirement of his sentence for a probation show cause hearing, successfully resolving the case before DC Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier on Nov. 4.

William Staggs, 54, pleaded guilty on Oct. 10, 2023, to simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon for his involvement in a nonfatal stabbing in the 1100 block of Owen Place, NE, that injured one person.

Staggs paid $100, and $50 for each charge, to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund, the final requirement of his punishment.

The probation officer present at the hearing said that Staggs had completed all other obligations including the completion of anger management courses. The probation show cause was dismissed, and the case was closed.

Judge Jones Bosier said that she hopes she does not see Staggs again.

No other dates were set.

Search