Carjacking Co-Defendant Must Stay on GPS Monitoring

A carjacking defendant’s request to modify his release conditions was denied on Oct. 18 by DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur.

Ion Cooper, 20, Javard Harris, 23, and Omari Dantignac, 19, are charged with unarmed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in two carjacking incidents on Dec. 1, 2023 on the 1700 Block of Bay Street, SE and the 900 Block on 3rd Street, SE.

Dantignac’s defense attorney, Molly Bunke, requested to modify his release conditions, specifically the removal of GPS monitoring. She noted that the defendant is employed and had finished a college class with a 100 percent score, demonstrating he is not a risk and a contributing member of society.

The prosecution objected, because Dantignac’s co-defendants are incarcerated on the same charges.

Judge Arthur refused to modify the conditions given the seriousness of the incident.

The parties also alerted Judge Arthur that they are in plea negotiations.

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 8.

Judge Orders Competency Evaluation for Stabbing Defendant

In a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann on Oct. 18, a stabbing defendant’s preliminary hearing was delayed in order to complete a competency evaluation.

Dayon Pratt, 31, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Oct. 16 on the 4600 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, Pratt, who was staying at a relative’s home, allegedly began “acting crazy,” before stabbing his relative’s significant other.

Darryl Daniels, Pratt’s attorney, requested Judge Herrmann issue an order for Pratt to receive mental competency evaluations before moving forward with the preliminary hearing.

The prosecution did not object, and Judge Herrmann granted the request.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 22.

Judge Won’t Dismiss Carjacking Defendant’s Case for Medical Issues

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels asked the prosecution to dismiss his client’s case in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann in an Oct. 18 hearing.

Charles Holt, 68, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in a Sept. 2 incident on the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Holt allegedly threatened to shoot a friend unless the friend drove him to an automated teller machine (ATM). Holt, after some time, allegedly kicked his friend out of the car and drove off in the vehicle.

Holt was not present in court as he was found unconscious when he was arrested on Sept. 2, and has been hospitalized since.

Daniels asked the prosecution if they would dismiss the case given Holt’s medical state but the motion was denied.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.

Shooting Defendant Waives Right to DNA Testing

A non-fatal shooting defendant waived her right to DNA testing before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Oct. 15.

Diamond Early, 31, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license outside home/business, possession of unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 31 on the 4000 block of Kansas Avenue, NW. One person suffered from a non-fatal gunshot wound to the right leg.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, the suspect made disparaging remarks in the presence of the victim. The victim and the suspect got involved in an argument, when the suspect produced a firearm and allegedly shot the victim before fleeing.

Under the counsel of her defense attorney, Antoini Jones, Early waived her right to independently test the prosecution’s DNA evidence.

Parties will reconvene on Jan. 24.

Double Homicide Defendant Accused of Violations Remains on Release

In an Oct. 17 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan allowed a double murder defendant, Amarii Fontanelle, to remain on release, despite multiple reported violations of home confinement allegedly for family emergencies and meeting terms of an out of state probation.

Fontanelle, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated 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.

Fontanelle, along with his co-defendant Jahi Rapp, 21, were allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Reginald Lamont Cooper, Jr. and 19-year-old Davonte Berkley on Oct. 17, 2022, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. A third victim survived the assault.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) reported that the defendant nearly violated a stay-away order from his co-defendant’s residence on several occasions in late September.

The prosecution added that Fontanelle continues to defy the terms of home confinement and requested the conditions of his release to be revoked.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley explained to the court that the mother of Fontanelle’s child faced emergencies requiring the defendant to break the home confinement. The Metro stop he exited as a result is near his co-defendant’s residence, according to Mosley.

The defense added that this will not occur again as the defendant’s is now living with his mother in Maryland. His previous residence allegedly put him in life-threatening circumstances, which undermined home confinement.

The representative from the PSA noted another instance of noncompliance on Oct. 12. The defense explained that it was due to mandatory visits with his probation officer for another case in Maryland.

The defense further argued that with mental health services, the defendant’s behavior would change. With the assistance of the court, he will be assigned a new case manager, and Fontanelle will be placed on proper medications after the hearing.

Judge Raffinan denied the prosecution’s request to revoke Fontanelle’s release. The judge modified the home confinement order to allow travel meet with the probation officer in Maryland, with permission from PSA. She warned the defendant to not break home confinement in the future.

The parties will reconvene on Dec. 3.

Judge Issues Warrant For Murder Defendant, No Show in Court

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan issued a bench warrant for a homicide defendant who has continuously failed to appear in court, on Oct. 17.

Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd, which occurred on June 22 on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE.

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner argued that Bonaparte didn’t know that she had to appear in court.

During her Oct. 16 hearing, the defendant appeared late to her hearing and departed due to health issues before court could reconvene, and she was not informed of the continuance, according to Gardner.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) attempted to contact the defendant, but could not confirm the messages were delivered. GPS monitoring showed Bonaparte was not in transit to court.

Judge Raffinan issued a bench warrant with no bond. She argued that due to the defendant’s unsuccessful discharge from drug treatment on Oct. 8, the court action was necessary for the noncompliance.

The parties will reconvene when the bench warrant is served.

Domestic Violence Shooting Defendant Remains in Jail

A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Oct. 17, and was denied release conditions by DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann.

Marquise Vauss, 21, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in two domestic violence incidents, on the 1700 block of D street NE.

According to court documents, on Sept. 17, Vauss slapped the victim, identified as his girlfriend, in her apartment and fired three shots at her vehicle as she drove away. Additionally, on Oct. 9, Vauss allegedly punched the victim in the face after she denied him money to purchase marijuana.

During the proceeding, Vauss waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and Anthony Smith, Vauss’ attorney, argued he should be released as he awaits future court dates.

Smith argued that Vauss had a support system and place to live in the community through his mother, had a steady job, and Vauss’ girlfriend, the complainant in this case, had indicated Vauss would be allowed to live with her again.

The prosecution opposed release conditions citing Vauss’ criminal history and the seriousness of the offense as reasons the community would not be safe with Vauss on release.

Ultimately, Judge Herrmann agreed with the prosecution and denied Vauss’ release.

Parties are scheduled for next on Oct. 24.

Shooting Defendant Denied Release After Waiving Preliminary Hearing

A defendant in a shooting case was denied release conditions by DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann in an Oct. 17 hearing, after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Marquise Henry, 29, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in an Oct. 13 shooting on the 1300 block of Stevens Road, SE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, the victim and the suspect, later identified as Henry, were following one another leading up to the shooting.

Henry allegedly shot at the victim’s vehicle three times, before getting back in his car and fleeing the scene.

During the hearing, Henry waived his right to a preliminary hearing before his attorney, Anthony Smith, argued for Henry to receive release conditions.

Smith argued Henry did not discharge the gun in a manner which put the complainant in any danger and requested Henry be released with electronic monitoring.

The prosecution argued against release conditions, stating that there is no way a gun can be fired without putting people in danger. They cited Henry’s probationary status for both a hit-and-run in DC and a rape case in Maryland at the time of the incident.

Judge Herrmann ruled to continue detaining Henry given his documented non-compliance with probation and the serious nature of the offense.

Parties are set to reconvene Nov. 6.

Homicide Defendant’s Prison Calls Used as Evidence in Trial

Jail calls between co-defendants referencing a “plan” were played for the jury during a homicide and conspiracy trial before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 18.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the Nov. 14, 2015, fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of justice for their alleged attempts to persuade a witness—Allen’s brother and Burns’s cousin—to redact testimony from Burns’ first trial.

The prosecution played audio recordings of phone calls between Burns and Allen while Burns was in prison.

The phone calls took place in the Fall of 2020 shortly before and after Allen’s brother signed an affidavit recanting his testimony that incriminated Burns at the first trial.

The phone calls also reference Burns asking his lawyer to file a release motion based on the recanted testimony.

During the calls to Allen, Burns says, “he need to do what the plan is,” “this sh*t about to be over,” and “we did our part,” in reference to needing his attorney to file his release motion.

In a call where Allen informed Burns of the witness recanting his testimony he stated, “the way he was before is over” and “he’s starting to see the bigger picture.”

The defense also began their case out of order due to scheduling conflicts, and called the ex-girlfriend of Allen’s brother as a witness.

She testified to overhearing an argument over the phone between Burns and Allen’s brother in the fall of 2015, which ended with Allen’s brother saying he was, “going to get [Burns] locked up.”

She also stated, “he not truthful” when asked whether she had an opinion about whether Allen’s brother is honest. In response to whether others had an opinion, she stated, “everybody say he lie a lot.”

During cross examination, the prosecutor asked about the statement that Allen’s brother was, “going to get [Burns] locked up,” questioning why the witness didn’t come forward knowing that Burns had been arrested for alleged murder. Her response was that she didn’t know he had been arrested for murder until around a year later because she was a juvenile.

Trial will resume on Oct. 21.

Judge Grants Stabbing Defendant’s Request to Represent Himself

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a stabbing defendant’s request to represent himself in court on Oct. 17.

Brian Long, 42, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on Nov. 23, 2023 on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.

According to court documents, the suspect, later identified as Long, became enraged after he observed an individual touching his “rideshare” bicycle with his bag on the handlebars. The suspect and the individual got into a verbal altercation, which escalated after a female accomplice allegedly handed him a knife, then stabbed the individual in the back after chasing him down.

Judge Arthur granted the request for Long to represent himself in court, naming Long’s defense attorney Howard McEachern as his advisory counsel. Judge Arthur had previously denied Long’s request, in addition to Long’s request for a civilian to represent him.

In addition, a plea agreement was placed on the record stating that if Long pleads guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, prosecutors will not indict him on more serious charges.

Long requested additional time to make a decision.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 5.

Homicide Suspect Deemed Not Criminally Insane

A homicide defendant was deemed not criminally insane before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Oct. 17, following multiple evaluations between 2021 and 2024.

Bobby Jordan, also known as Hilman Ray Jordan, 46, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in the murder of Jawaid Bhutto, 64, on March 1, 2019, on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

During the hearing, defense attorney Dana Page requested a deadline for the prosecution’s expert’s report to be submitted within the next month.

Prosecutors stated they needed more time to get the physical report from their expert. However, they gave a summary of their last conversation, claiming that the defendant was able to understand right from wrong and knew what he was doing at the time of the incident, therefore deeming him not criminally insane.

Defense counsel pushed for a November date but Judge O’Keefe set a deadline for the prosecution to turn over the report by Jan 3, 2025.

Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 14.

Stabbing Defendant Sentenced to 18 Months

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a stabbing defendant to 18 months incarceration with 12 months of probation on Oct. 17.

On Aug. 22, Alicia Faison, 35, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on April 22 on the 4000 block of G Street, SE.

According to court documents, Faison let two homeless people into her apartment. She left and when she returned, started yelling, grabbed two knives from the kitchen, and stabbed one of the individuals multiple times in the hands, arms, and neck.

Prosecution noted that Faison also tested positive for PCP during the time of the incident, and she has been non-compliant with supervised release in the past.

Faison’s defense attorney, Jamison Kohler, noted that Faison accepted full responsibility for her actions and did not try to accuse anyone in the courtroom. Kohler also stated that Faison’s noncompliance was from a case that was almost 10 years old, and not this one.

After considering all arguments, Judge Park agreed with the defense’s proposal and sentenced Faison to 18 months incarceration, 12 months of probation, and three years supervised release. He also ordered Faison to complete an anger management course.

No further dates were set.

Detective Testifies Juvenile Suspect Sent, ‘Delete Da Murder Video,’ IG Message After Killing

In a trial’s third month, prosecutors meticulously built their case against two of the five juveniles accused in a beating homicide by attempting to turn their own words against them.

The incriminating evidence presented on Oct. 17, was a series of Instagram posts prosecutors say was both an acknowledgment of the crime and an attempt to cover it up.

The girls aged 12-to-15 at the time are charged with first-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 64-year-old Reggie Brown.

The incident occurred late at night on Oct. 17, 2023 on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. In previous testimony a 15-year-old defendant, who has accepted a plea in the case, acknowledged the girls left home with the expressed purpose of beating someone up because they were bored.

On large screens in DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs’ courtroom, the prosecutor asked the lead detective to illustrate how he obtained a warrant to search social media accounts of the suspects who were identified through an earlier investigation.

With information recovered from the suspects phones the detective said he was able to match up the suspects to their alternate user accounts’ names.

One message read in court said, “[D]elete da murder video”–an apparent reference to a 55 second cell phone clip allegedly taken by a defendant documenting and celebrating the brutal attack. In the sequence a lifeless Brown is repeatedly kicked and stomped in the head, which was bruised and bloodied to the point of being unrecognizable.

Another post read, “We is going to get locked up.”

Throughout the proceeding Charlotte Gilliland, who is representing a charged 14-year-old, vigorously objected to the messages as inadmissible hearsay.

“There is no evidence that the statements made here were in furtherance of a conspiracy,” said Gilliland.

However, Judge Briggs said earlier, “There is some evidence of conspiracy outside of hearsay,” overruling defense objections.

“We’re allowing statements of penal interest,” said Judge Briggs – a reference to the admission of self-incriminating evidence that is assumed to be true by its nature.

In posts the prosecution says were made two days after the murder, a screen shot depicts a news story about the event.

The exchange read, “We is going to get locked up.”

“We on the news?”

“Again?”

“Lordt.”

Earlier in the proceeding, the prosecution played a video of a police interview with a 14-year-old defendant that took place shortly after the murder.

The lead detective said the girl’s mother had reached out to him for help in the matter. During the interview, the defendant claims she was threatened to commit the beating by a man in a blue coat, who testimony indicates instigated the crime but was never caught.

“There was no threat made that [the girl] described,” said the lead detective.

“I’m still in shock,” the 14-year-old girl is heard to say. “Me and my other friends are still in shock.”

However, she continued, according to the interview, “They were kicking and stomping…I started crying.”

The trial is scheduled to resume on Oct. 22.

Probable Cause Pending in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan delayed a probable cause ruling in a homicide case after the lead detective testified about surveillance video on Oct. 16.

James Rice, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Thomas Carlos Felder, 32. The incident took place on May 1 on the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, the shooting was captured on surveillance footage from surrounding buildings.

Prosecution called the lead detective on the case who provided an in-court identification of Rice as the suspect.

The prosecution also presented a video taken by construction workers on site nearby, showing Felder laying in the grass in the median of the road and the suspect running away.

The MPD detective didn’t know of other footage from the scene, leaving doubt about what happened before or after the shooting.

A witness was able to identify Rice as a suspect based on his build and clothing that he was wearing which prompted a search of his home.

The prosecution introduced body camera footage that of the search at the address that Rice provided to officers, where they found shoes that likely matched those of the suspect, as well as an ID and mail with Rice’s name and address on it.

Under cross, Rice’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, noted that there were no guns, bullets or firearm paraphernalia located in Rice’s possession during his arrest, or uncovered after the search warrant was executed.

Yarbough also stated that no witnesses identified the suspect with face or neck tattoos like Rice’s He also stated that there was no clear view of the suspect’s face in the video provided by the construction workers or the surveillance footage, to which the detective agreed.

However, the prosecution noted that since the crime happened in a street median and there were multiple lanes on either side, no one would be able to see face and neck tattoos from that distance.

Another witness’s credibility was challenged based on possibility that identified the suspect to get a reward and that his description of the suspect was inconsistent.

They will reconvene on Oct. 22 to resume the preliminary hearing.

Lawyer Testifies About Recanted Testimony in Murder Retrial

A homicide defendant’s former defense attorney testified as a witness that the defendant repeatedly asked him to provide evidence that a witness admitted he lied in previous testimony. The case is being argued in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 15.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III, on Nov. 14, 2015, on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020. The court ruled that investigators had searched beyond what was legally allowed.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of the due administration of justice. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in persuading and intimidating a witness — Allen’s brother — who provided testimony in Burns’ original trial.

The prosecution called Burns’ former defense attorney to testify about his experience on the trial in 2017. The attorney testified to emails and phone calls exchanged with Burns while Burns was incarcerated.

In one of these emails, Burns allegedly told the attorney, “We need to do something about [Allen’s brother].” Prosecutors alleged that this refers to Burns’ strategy to intimidate Allen’s brother to recant his previous testimony.

The witness testified that after a previous judge in the case denied Burns’ motion for pretrial release, Burns repeatedly asked him about how they were going to admit into evidence Allen’s brother’s recantation of his previous testimony.

“I’m trying to make moves,” Burns allegedly wrote in one of the emails to his attorney.

Prosecutors called a former defense investigator on the case to the stand, who testified that Allen’s brother signed a sworn affidavit in 2020 recanting testimony he gave in Burns’ original trial that Burns had confessed to him.

Allen’s brother testified on Oct. 8 that he lied in his sworn affidavit. In the affidavit, Allen’s brother said he had lied in the original trial in 2017, saying Burns had confessed to him because he wanted the $25,000 reward money for giving information about the case.

The witness testified that when she interviewed Burns for the affidavit in 2020, he did not mention anyone pressuring him to recant his testimony, but he did mention that Allen had shown him text messages from Burns in jail.

The investigator said Allen’s brother went over the whole affidavit with an attorney before signing it, but he testified on Oct. 8 that he only had 30 seconds to look over it.

Jocelyn Wisner, one of Burns’ attorneys, asked the investigator if Allen’s brother told her that he was hearing voices while in jail, and the witness said yes. The witness also said she did not ask the attorney who wrote the affidavit to leave out any facts from her memo

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 16.

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