Stabbing Defendant Seeks In Patient Drug Treatment Placement

A stabbing defendant requested placement in an in patient drug program in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur at a status hearing held on Sept. 17.

On Feb. 29, Tina Calhoun, 65, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on Nov. 7, 2023 on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.

She was sentenced to a year of probation, with a 12 month jail sentence suspended on April 30.

A bench warrant was issued after Calhoun’s failure to appear at a status hearing on Aug. 29 and she was detained.

Calhoun’s defense attorney, Bryan Bookhard, stated that she has been compliant with the terms of her probation up until now. He added that her housing has been challenging which caused the lapse. Calhoun previously completed an inpatient program with no issue.

Bookhard requested that Calhoun be put in an inpatient program.

However, the prosecution asked Judge Arthur to revoke her release, stating that inpatient programs are not secure, and they’re concerned Calhoun won’t be compliant.

During the April 30 sentencing hearing, Calhoun was ordered to complete mental health treatment, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, substance abuse testing, and grief counseling as a result of her conviction.

Judge Arthur ordered Calhoun remain detained and be screened to see if she is a candidate for an in-patient treatment.

Her probation officer told Judge Arthur he would send her referral after receiving paperwork from the DC Jail.

Parties will reconvene on Sept. 24.

Defendant Found Guilty in Stabbing Over ‘I ♥ MILFS’ Hat

Defendant Tanade Warsame was found guilty on Sept. 17 before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe for stabbing an individual who owed him money for a hat featuring a sexual reference.

Tanade Warsame, 32, was convicted of assault with significant bodily injury while armed for his involvement in an incident on May 4 on the 600 block of I Street, NW, that left one person injured.

According to court documents, Warsame stabbed the victim in a dispute over selling him a ten-dollar hat that read, “I ♥ MILFS.” The victim approached two police officers after the incident and provided a description, which led to Warsame’s arrest.

The prosecution argued in court that this incident happened over a “tragically minor dispute” and said the victim attempted to give the hat back to Warsame prior to the altercation.

Warsame’s attorney, Brandon Burrell, stated the surveillance footage showed the victim following Warsame and taking the first swing at him, justifying a claim of self-defense.

Before the verdict was rendered, Warsame made outbursts in court about his conditions at the DC Jail, and Burrell petitioned for a mistrial, arguing the outbursts would unfairly prejudice the jury against Warsame. Judge Pipe denied the motion.

The sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15.

New Evidence in Stabbing Case Delays Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno delayed a stabbing trial by a day to allow the defense additional time to review newly shared evidence by the prosecution, which included the victim’s medical records, on Sept. 17.

Amadelia Hernandez, 35, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 400 block of Emerson Street, NE, on March 29.

Damon Catacalos, Hernandez’s defense attorney, requested Judge Salerno delay the trial in order to review the newly shared evidence. The prosecution did not object, and Judge Salerno granted the request.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 18.

Forensic Evidence Places Shooting Defendant at Crime Scene

Two forensic scientists provided testimony before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Sept. 16, explaining that DNA evidence taken from a shooting scene overwhelmingly implicates the defendant.

Jerry Tyree, 46, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left a transgender woman wounded. The incident occurred on Nov. 29, 2023, on the 5900 Block of Foote Street, NE.

According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was called to the scene after a shooting. MPD officers spoke to the victim and discovered that after Tyree allegedly propositioned her for sex. After the transaction, Tyree accused her of stealing money from him, produced a firearm, and allegedly shot her in the genitals.

The trial resumed with a forensic scientist from Bode Technology, a lab used by parties to DNA test evidence, stating that Bode evaluated a cigarette butt, suspected semen, and buccal swabs of the victim and Tyree. In her expert opinion, the witness stated there was at least one male contributor on the cigarette butt, and it is extremely likely that it was Tyree.

On cross-examination, Tyree’s attorney, Sara Kopecki, spent much of her time questioning the reliability of the machines that aid scientists in making their determinations, and how often they are calibrated which can affect the results.

Another witness, also employed at Bode Technology as a forensic serologist, confirmed they were responsible for conducting the tests. Kopecki focused on the fact that the witness did not do a confirmatory test on the semen and insisted no one was there to review a presumptive test, which ensures the bodily fluid is physically present.

Earlier in the day, the prosecution witness responsible for collecting evidence from the crime scene, testified about the items recovered, including a spent cartridge and a bloody shoe print. Kopecki pressed the witness on his qualifications and questioned the reliability of the evidence collection process, pointing out that a different officer had collected the bullet in question. The witness conceded that this “could have affected the preservation of the evidence.”

The trial is set to continue on Sept. 17.

Teen Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A teen homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Sept. 17.

Lorinzo Thompson, 18, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Niko Estep. The incident occurred on Nov. 3, 2023 at the intersection of 14th and Fairmont Streets, NW. Another juvenile individual sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

Thompson, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident, is being tried as an adult under Title 16.

During the hearing, Joseph Yarbough, Thompson’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

The prosecution told Judge Demeo they have yet to begin DNA testing evidence.

Parties scheduled a trial for September of 2026.

They are slated to reconvene Dec. 13.

Murder Defendant Warned On Drug Testing

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan reminded a homicide defendant that he must comply with all release conditions, including testing negative for drugs, during a hearing on Sept. 17.

Terrance Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Barry Holmes, 57. Holmes succumbed to his injuries on Apr 17, 2019, on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

During the hearing, a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) alerted Judge Raffinan that Barnes has been in compliance with release conditions, despite a slip up on drug testing.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke requested the court reduce his testing to once a week, instead of twice.

The prosecution stated they felt more comfortable with drug testing twice a week.

However, the judge denied the defense’s request to reduce testing, and ordered the release conditions remain the same.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 14.

Victims Narrate Events Surrounding A Car Crash, Shooting

Parties disagreed on whether a non-fatal shooting was assault or self-defense. Even the victim and his fiancée contradicted each other’s testimony on multiple points in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 16.

Adrian Lee, 49, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on April 18, 2023, on the 700 block of Gresham Place, NW, that left one person injured.

The prosecutor said the victim and his fiancée came from Maryland on the day of the shooting to eat at a DC restaurant in celebration of their tenth anniversary. On their way home, their Tesla collided with a Chevy Suburban driven by Lee’s wife, who called Lee to bring the victim his auto insurance card.

While the victim was on the phone with his insurance company, Lee’s wife drove away and Lee fled, the prosecutor said. The victim still had the insurance card with Lee’s name on it, which was expired and entered into evidence in the case.

The prosecutor said the victim found a police officer and asked how to report the accident. The officer told them to return to the location of the accident and then call for police help.

According to the prosecutor, the victim drove around until he saw Lee run into a house. The victim and his fiancée got out of their car to try to talk to Lee, the prosecutor said, but Lee came back out of the house with a gun.

“He ran towards [the victim] and [his fiancée], pointed the gun at her head, then turned and shot [the victim] in the stomach,” the prosecutor said. “[The victim] was immediately transported to Howard University Hospital, and that’s where he stayed for five months.”

The prosecutor told the jury they would hear testimony during the trial from the doctor who attended the victim.

“He’ll tell you how the bullet passed through his stomach, punctured his lung, ruptured his spleen, and lodged by his spine,” the prosecutor said.

According to the prosecutor, Lee fled to Florida after the shooting.

Destiny Fullwood-Singh, one of Lee’s defense attorneys, argued that Lee acted in self-defense.

Fullwood-Singh said Lee’s wife was pregnant at the time of the incident, and Lee told her to drive away out of concern for her safety because the victim’s fiancée was screaming at her after the collision.

“She got away. We’re going to f*** you up,” the victim and his fiancée shouted to Lee after his wife drove off, according to Fullwood-Singh.

“They chase him through the streets of DC. They chase him to his home,” Fullwood-Singh told the jury. She said Lee saw the victim or his fiancée take something from their waistband that Lee thought was a gun while approaching the house where Lee was, with his 18-month-old son, and his son’s grandmother.

“In a moment of fear and desperation, and in a moment he believed was life or death, Mr. Lee fired one shot,” said Fullwood-Singh. “Mr. Lee had run out of options and out of places to run, and he was forced to defend himself.”

According to Fullwood-Singh, Lee took his family to Florida after the incident due to fear of the victim and his fiancée, since they knew where he lived.

Following opening statements, the prosecution called the victim and his fiancée to testify. Since witnesses are not allowed in the courtroom during their case except while giving testimony, neither heard the other speak in court.

Both the victim and his fiancée identified Lee in court as their assailant.

The victim said all the interactions after the vehicle accident were calm until after Lee’s wife drove away.

“He held his hands up in a taunting fashion, like a fighting stance,” the victim said about Lee, after Lee’s wife left.

The victim said Lee asked, “Whatcha wanna do?” and the victim responded, “I could beat you.”

Both the victim and his fiancée testified that Lee then ran away.

“That truck that sped? We never saw that again,” the victim’s fiancée answered when Albert Amissah, one of Lee’s defense attorneys, asked if she thought she recognized Lee’s wife’s Chevy Suburban on the street.

According to the victim’s fiancée, she noticed Lee on the street and got out of the Tesla to try to talk to him, but an unknown individual got between them and said, “This isn’t called for.”

The victim and his fiancée testified that Lee went into a nearby house and came out with a gun, which he pointed at the fiancée before turning and allegedly shooting the victim. They said neither of them was armed.

“I put my hands up,” the victim said about the moments before he was shot.

“Isn’t it true that Mr. Lee allegedly only shot one time?” Amissah asked the victim.

“Yeah, he only shot once,” the victim said.

“I heard two,” the victim’s fiancée said when asked how many shots were fired. “As I was picking him [the victim] off the floor, I heard another one.”

She said the victim tried to drive away but quickly became too weak.

The prosecution played a recording of the victim’s fiancée on the phone with a 911 operator. When the operator asked what intersection she was at, she screamed, “I’m in DC.”

The trial is scheduled to resume on Sept. 17.

Defense Calls Victim An ‘Unreliable Narrator’ in Stabbing Over A 10 Dollar Hat

Jurors heard testimony and closing statements on the third day of trial in a stabbing case over an “I ♥ MILFS” hat, in DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe’s courtroom on Sept. 16.

Tanade Warsame, 32, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that left an individual injured on the 600 block of I Street, NW, on May 4.

The victim testified that he and the defendant decided to fight in a dispute about whether the hat, displaying an abbreviation for a sexual reference, was stolen or purchased. According to the victim, Warsame allegedly escalated the confrontation, pulling out a knife and stabbing him.

The victim also testified he and Warsame traded threats, and that Warsame did not say or do anything to suggest that he had a knife. The victim admitted that as he walked away from Warsame, he picked up a brick, assuming that the defendant would be following behind him.

The prosecution also called the first officer who was on the scene and his body camera footage was shown to the jury.

The officer testified that he saw both Warsame and the victim walking past him and his partner, whom Warsame greeted. A couple minutes later, he testified the victim returned, claiming “He stabbed me. He stabbed me for 10 dollars.”

The victim was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital due to the severity of his injuries where the victim identified the attack knife as a black kitchen knife with a silver blade.

When questioned by the defense, the officer testified that he did not see the altercation, and was told by the victim that he had purchased the hat from Warsame.

Another nearby officer testified that Warsame, was placed under arrest and asked whether or not he was injured, to which Warsame replied that he was not. Upon searching his bags, the officer testified, he found a knife matching the description given by the victim, with the blade bent.

When questioned by the defense, the officer testified that he had no way of knowing if the blade was bent before the day of the incident.

During closing remarks, the prosecution stated that this case is over a “tragically minor dispute” and that the victim never thought there was going to be a knife drawn that day. The prosecutor reminded the jury that the victim attempted to give the hat back to Warsame prior to the altercation.

During the defense’s closing remarks, Brandon Burrell, Warsame’s attorney, reminded the jury that the surveillance footage showed the victim following Warsame and that the victim swung first, stressing that the victim was an “unreliable narrator.”

Burrell also said that the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Warsame was not defending himself, which all the evidence points to, and “There is only one verdict that is demanded by justice.”

Parties will reconvene Sept. 17 for the prosecution’s rebuttal and jury deliberations.

Two of Seven Carjacking Defendants to be Tried Separately

Two of seven defendants in a carjacking will be tried separately due to the large number of suspects in the case facing with some different charges. The decision came in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe told parties on Sept. 16.

Taj Giles, 19, and Warren Montgomery, 19, are charged with conspiracy, trafficking stolen property, two counts armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery while armed, for their alleged involvement in a carjacking on the 600 block of Butternut Street, NW, on May 16, 2023.

Giles faces additional charges of conspiracy, armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, and receiving stolen property, in connection to the incident.

During the hearing, the prosecution requested that Giles’ and Montgomery’s cases be transferred to Judge Robert Okun, who is already handling the cases of the five other defendants allegedly involved in the carjackings.

Montgomery’s attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, and Giles’ attorney, Christopher Young, requested that they both remain with Judge Lynn Leibovitz who is the original judge in the case, because the pair has fewer charges than the other defendants and their trial is scheduled for a later date.

Judge Pipe agreed with the defense and denied the prosecution’s request, stating that Judge Okun’s calendar would be unable to accommodate the seven defendants in a five week trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 1.

Co-Defendants Plead Guilty to Jail Stabbing

Two stabbing co-defendants accepted a plea agreement extended by prosecution on Sept. 12, before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow.

James Mayfield, 25, and Tyler Stringfield, 26, were originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution, and carrying a dangerous weapon, for their involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE. The incident occurred on March 15, 2023, and an individual sustained multiple stab wounds during the attack.

Mayfield was additionally charged with conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, for his involvement in another stabbing at the DC Jail on June 3, 2021. An individual sustained multiple injuries during that assault.

At the hearing, Veronice Holt, Mayfield’s attorney, and Michelle Lockard, Stringfield’s attorney, informed the court of their cleints’ intent to accept a guilty plea

The deal required Mayfield to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in the 2023 and 2021 stabbing incidents.

Likewise, the deal required Springfield to plead guilty to two counts of robbery in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in the 2023 stabbing incident and a 2018 robbery incident.

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 8 for sentencing.

Stabbing Defendant Waives Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence

A stabbing defendant waived his rights to independently test DNA evidence recovered from a crime scene before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Sept. 13.

Jose Garcia Fuentes, 42, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 4400 block of 14th Street, NW, that occurred on April 24. An individual sustained injuries during the incident.

According to court documents, an individual, later identified as Garcia Fuentes, was in a verbal and physical altercation with an individual while intoxicated, during which Garcia Fuentes is said to have stabbed the other individual.

During the hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Arthur they did not plan to conduct DNA testing on the evidence recovered at the scene, which included the knife allegedly used during the attack.

Henry Escoto, Garcia Fuentes’ attorney, alerted the court they also do not plan to test the evidence, and the defendant waived his rights which cannot be reasserted at a later date.

Parties are slated to reconvene for trial on Sept. 24.

Judge Won’t Let Stabbing Defendant Represent Himself

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur reappointed a lawyer to a “pro-se” defendant in a stabbing case after worries he could misrepresent himself acting as his own attorney. The ruling came on Sept. 13.

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.

Judge Arthur previously allowed Long to represent himself alongside an attorney advisor at hearings.

In the hearing, Long asked the judge to appoint a civilian to represent him. However, Judge Arthur declined explaining that the charges were serious and he did not want Long to be represented incorrectly.

Judge Arthur reappointed Howard McEachern to be counsel of record.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 10.

Shooting Defendant Is ‘100 Percent Ready’ Despite Late Trial Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian delayed a shooting trial by a day because evidence was late getting to the defense. The decision came during a hearing on Sept. 16.

Calvon Brown, 31, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 22 at Lee’s Liquors located on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.

Brown’s lawyer, Tammy Thom, asked the court to dismiss the case for late disclosure but Judge Christian denied the request though he agreed to a continuance.

The defense argued that the majority of evidence was submitted a week before trial. It pertains to allegedly inconsistent statements the victim made about who shot him as well as a video of an individual identified as Brown at the store prior to the shooting.

Brown addressed the court and stated that he is “100 percent ready,” and Thom stated that she is ready to follow her client’s wishes.

Judge Christian ruled that the trial will resume on Sept. 17.

Aged Shooting Defendant Detained Despite Decades of Good Behavior

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond, said she, “Cannot ignore the facts of his criminal history no matter how old”, when deciding the release of the defendant on Sept. 12–that after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Derrick Gladden, 53, is charged with aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during crime of violence or dangerous offense for his alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on April 15 on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE.

Gladden’s defense attorney, Shawn Sukumar, informed the court that the defendant planned to waive his right to a preliminary hearing.

Sukumar argued his criminal history is over 30 years old and has not faced new charges since. Therefore, Sukumar insisted, he could safely be released.

The prosecution stated the weight of the evidence rules in favor of the defendant’s being held despite his decades of clean conduct.

Judge Raymond denied Gladden’s request for release based on previous infractions.

According to Sukumar, parties are currently in plea negotiations.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 27.

Teen Co-Defendants Held in Carjacking Case

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond denied release for two co-defendants during a Sept. 12 hearing, finding probable cause they were the perpetrators of a carjacking.

Austin Marion, 18, and Jacorri Stroman, 19, are charged with two counts of unarmed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two cars were stolen during the incident on July 1 on the 1100 block of Independence Avenue, SE.

Russell Hairston, Marion’s attorney, and Katelyn Martinez, Stroman’s attorney, informed the court that the defendants planned to waive their right to a preliminary hearing.

The lawyers requested their clients be released as they await further proceedings noting they have stable housing and would comply with home confinement and any other release conditions.

However, the prosecution objected stating the pair was a threat to the community,” and requested they remain detained.

Although Marion and Stroman have no prior criminal history, Judge Raymond was alarmed by the, “seriousness, randomness, and dangerousness of each case,” and denied release.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 1.

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