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Trial in Stabbing Case Delayed For Lack of Jurors

A stabbing trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno was delayed by a day on Aug. 13 because there weren’t enough jurors to move forward.

Abraham Urrutia Castillo, 28, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, Urrutia Castillo and another person were being escorted out of a restaurant, when the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and slashed one of the workers on the left forearm, causing a deep cut. 

As jury selection was set to begin, Judge Salerno carried the case for the following day hoping for more jurors.

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 14.

Document: MPD Arrests Man in Northeast Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 36-year-old A’quino Boyd, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on Aug. 11 on the intersection of 18th Street and Benning Road, NE.

Homicide Defendant’s Friend Worries About Being A Prosecution Snitch

A homicide defendant’s childhood friend returned to the stand to testify in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 12. However, the witness said he was concerned about providing information.

Mark Price, 29, and his co-defendant Antonio Murchison, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and seven counts of criminal gang affiliation. 

The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a July 16, 2018, mass shooting on the 5300 block of 53rd Street, NE in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. The highly publicized crime left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds.

Price is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, threat to injure or kidnap a person, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict and first-degree burglary while armed. These charges are connected to the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on July 30, 2018, on the 1500 block of 19th Street, NE. 

A third co-defendant, Quanisha Ramsuer, 31, is charged with obstruction of justice in connection to the homicide.

Six other defendants were convicted in 2023 of charges related to the incident, including:

During the hearing, the defense counsel recalled a witness who previously testified for the prosecution on July 10. In his last testimony, the witness said he and Price grew up together in the Clay Terrace neighborhood and were good friends. He also testified to driving a surviving witness of the mass shooting to the hospital.

In his Aug. 12 testimony, the witness identified Price in several photographs from 2009 and 2012, in which he wore “celebration of life” t-shirts for their late friends from Clay Terrace. “The whole neighborhood had them,” he said.

During cross-examination, prosecutors said the witness, who is currently incarcerated for unrelated charges, refused to meet with them before his testimony for fear of being labeled a “snitch.” 

When further questioned about Clay Terrace, the witness said he “doesn’t claim a ‘hood,” and was unaware about the beef with adversaries from the Wellington Park crew. At the time of the mass shooting in 2018, he didn’t live in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. He said he knew a majority of the people from school and sports teams he played on in his childhood. 

The witness also testified that he hadn’t seen Price since “well before 2018.” When prosecutors mentioned he is in the same DC Jail facility as the defendants, the witness claimed he hadn’t seen him.

Additionally, all three co-defendants waived their right to testify in the trial.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 13 to begin closing statements. 

Defense Contests Competency Finding For Stabbing Suspect

A stabbing defendant’s attorneys asked DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for time to consult with another doctor regarding the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) mental competency exam results for their client on Aug. 12

Stephen Herring, 24, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on July 22, 2023, on the 100 block of M Street, NE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

Herring’s mental competency exam from DBH found him mentally competent to stand trial. 

Herring’s defense attorneys, Joseph Yarbough and Hannah Claudio, chose not to respond to the exam results until they receive another medical opinion. 

Meanwhile, the prosecution agreed Herring is mentally competent. They requested he be returned to the DC Jail from the hospital. 

Judge Brandt refused to move Herring. She left that decision to DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, since she was acting as a temporary stand-in.

According to court documents, Herring allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim unresponsive. Witnesses said Herring stabbed the victim after getting into a verbal argument. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 3.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Returns to Jail

Through a stand-in defense attorney, Anthony Gary waived his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for pretrial release, which DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum denied on Aug. 12.

Gary, 34, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident took place on the 3700 block of Jay Street, NE on March 22, leaving one person injured.

Raymond Jones, standing in for Gary’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, asked Judge Hildum to release Gary on the grounds he is employed full-time as a welder, is involved in the lives of his five children, and has many family members willing to appear in court to support him.

“He’s not a flight risk. He’s not about to leave his family behind,” said Jones.

According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer interviewed the victim in the hospital, where he was being treated for four gunshot wounds. The victim said a man jumped out of the apartment belonging to the mother of his children and began fighting him before shooting him.

Court documents state the victim later told police that he had learned through a mutual acquaintance that his assailant was named Anthony Gary. When an MPD officer showed the victim a photo array, he identified Gary as his assailant.

Jones attacked the strength of the prosecution’s case, pointing out the victim was the only witness who identified Gary as the shooter. No other witness testified to seeing the incident. Some witnesses said they heard a single gunshot, but Gary had four gunshot wounds.

Jones said the mutual acquaintance, who identified Gary for the victim, had a reason to want Gary to go to jail. The witness and Gary were on opposite sides of a custody dispute.

“I’m saying there’s something suspicious about this story,” Jones told Judge Hildum. “Mr. Gary can be out assisting me and assisting my investigator, who’s present in this court, in getting to the bottom of what happened.” 

The prosecutor argued that Gary should remain in jail pending trial because the alleged offense was committed less than two months after Gary pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in a different case. He was registered as a gun offender.

“Considering the Gerstein [a sworn statement by the police documenting the facts that led to an arrest] as a whole and the record–another gun offense–I can’t find any condition or combination of conditions that will keep the community safe in this case,” Judge Hildum ruled.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 27 before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Awaits Trial

A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer extended by the prosecution in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer which required Moody plead guilty to four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in return for not seeking an indictment on greater charges.

Under sentencing guidelines, Moody could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon and for a maximum a five years for carrying a pistol without a license 

Moody rejected the plea offer, saying he wanted to continue to trial scheduled on Aug. 27. 

According to court documents, Moody allegedly fired at his family members 27 times before fleeing into a friend’s house. After being granted an emergency search warrant, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found parts of the gun Moody used in the ceiling of his friend’s house. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 20. 

Defense Seeks Mental Competency Consult in Stabbing Case

A defense attorney requested time to consult an expert about her client’s mental competency in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

Kenneth Garner, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Jan. 17, 2023, on the 700 block of Brandywine Street, SE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

Garner has been found mentally competent to stand trial as long as he remains at St. Elizabeths Hospital receiving treatment. 

Defense attorney, Janai Reed, questioned the findings and wanted to consult with a behavioral specialist before proceeding. The prosecution had no objections and was willing to accommodate the defense’s request. 

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the location and found a victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to the head and body. The victim had four cuts– on his head, one on his left hand, another on his right hand, and another on his lower back.

The prosecution also extended  a plea offer to the defense but provided no further details at the hearing. 

Parties are slated to return on Sept. 19. 

‘Every day I Think of The Gun Being in My Face,’ Writes Assault Victim in Sentencing Statement


DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a shooting defendant to two-and-a-half years of incarceration on Aug. 9.

David Walls, 38, was originally charged with kidnapping while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in two incidents, one on April 10 and the other on April 13. Both took place on the 2700 block of 30th Street, SE.

According to court documents, Walls was outside of his ex-girlfriend’s home at night when she walked outside with her new partner on April 10. Then Walls allegedly grabbed her at gunpoint and forced her into his car. She jumped out of the moving vehicle to escape.

On April 13, according to court documents, Walls went back to her home and fired a single shot at the premises. No one was injured. 

On May 21, Walls accepted an agreement that required him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, in exchange for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment. 

During the hearing, the prosecutor read a victim’s impact statement, in which Wall’s ex-girlfriend wrote that “safe[ty] is no longer something I feel,” and stated she is baffled by his actions considering he has daughters.

“Every day I think of the gun being in my face,” she wrote. The victim said she will be traumatized for life.

The prosecution requested a sentence of 78 months, with 39 months each for both assaults. Despite the defendant’s lack of criminal history, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, and how Walls attempted to harm the victim on two occasions. As a domestic violence prosecutor, he said that “these are the cases that keep us up at night.”

Walls’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued that seven years was too much jail time, and that it would be a “disingenuous” outcome to the criminal justice system. 

According to King, Walls had a clean record and was a good father, brother, son, and boyfriend prior to the crime. King argued that despite the prosecution’s claim, Walls and his ex-girlfriend were still dating at the time of the attack and she had asked him to pick her up when she walked out the door with another man. 

King also claimed that at the time of the event, Walls and the victim were texting “I love you” to each other, and he believed they were in a committed relationship. 

“His life changed in an instant. He was faced with realizing there’s another person there,” King said, referring to the other man in the woman’s house. “The family he had been planning with her . . . all gone,” she added.

King maintained that she wasn’t excusing his actions, but pointing out that it was an emotionally distressing situation and not Walls’ normal conduct.

She requested a sentence within the voluntary sentencing guideline, with the time suspended, in order to give him a chance to prove himself.  

“I was blown away because this is not the David Walls that I know. . . He’s so calm,” said Walls’ employer to Judge Arthur. 

Walls’ mother and sister also offered tearful statements. They said that Walls is a dedicated father to his daughters, and has taken care of both his mother and grandmother.

“I look up to my brother a whole lot,” said his sister, adding that as the only man in the house he is “their protector.”

“You will never see his face in a courtroom again, I promise you,” his sister said to Judge Arthur as she finished her statement.

Finally, Walls gave a statement saying he was sorry and that he “isn’t a bad person.” He said this was the first time he had ever sat in a jail, and that it would leave a lasting impression on him.

“Everybody’s in here talking about what you mean to them, but you chose to take yourself away from them,” Judge Arthur told Walls. 

Judge Arthur said he would take into account that this was his first conviction, and the support from his family. However, the fact that there were was two incidents is significant. 

Judge Arthur imposed a sentence of 36 months with all but 18 months suspended for one of the assault with a dangerous weapon charges, 36 months with all but 12 months suspended for the other assault charge, which will run consecutive to each other. Judge Arthur also sentenced Wall to 12 months, all suspended, for the possession charge. 

As part of the sentence, Walls is required to register as a gun offender and pay $300 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF). He is also required to participate in anger management and domestic violence classes, and must stay away from the victim. 

No further dates were set.

Murder Defendant’s Trial Rescheduled Deeper Into 2025

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt pushed a murder’s defendant’s trial even later into next year because of scheduling conflicts with another trial in a hearing on Aug. 12.

Howard Fritts, 58, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the murder of Charlie Miller, 46, on May 29, 2022, on the 900 block of 9th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, Judge Brandt said she needs to “pivot” Fritts’ trial date, originally set for April 7, 2025, because she has another trial set for April 8, 2025. Parties decided to reset the trial date for Nov. 17, 2025. 

According to court documents, Fritts allegedly shot Miller in the head in addition to inflicting other  abrasions to his elbows, knees and face and a laceration to his forehead ultimately killing him. When Fritts spoke with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after his arrest on June 1, 2022, he said he got into a physical fight after he asked Miller to stop recording him on his phone. 

Fritts also denied having shot Miller, saying he had never “shot a gun a day in his life,” according to court documents. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Jan. 10, 2025, for a trial readiness hearing. 

Shooting Defendant’s Sentence Requires Drug and Mental Health Treatment

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow gave Dakia Thomas a suspended sentence on Aug. 9 that requires her to receive mental health and drug abuse treatment in order to stay out of prison.

Thomas, 43, was originally charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm/unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, and unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stemmed from her involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on Dec. 16, 2021, on the 3500 block of Albert Irvin Cassell Place, NE. No injuries were reported. 

On Feb. 20, Thomas accepted an agreement to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. 

The prosecutor asked Judge Pasichow to sentence Thomas to five years imprisonment for each of the two charges, noting that her shooting at multiple individuals on the street could easily have resulted in murder.

Brandon Burrell, Thomas’ defense attorney, requested a prison sentence totalling two-and-a-half years. He said Thomas has been addressing her problems with drug use and mental health, which were contributing factors in her offense.

Judge Pasichow sentenced Thomas to five years incarceration for each offense, to run concurrently, but suspended the sentence for time served and an additional three years supervised release.

During probation, Judge Pasichow said, Thomas must enroll and participate in mental health and drug treatment programs as directed by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

“There’s a lot to be done, and you have to take advantage of the resources that will be provided to you,” Judge Pasichow told Thomas. 

Thomas must also pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund and register as a gun offender in the District of Columbia. She must comply with a stay-away order from the shooting victims.

No more hearings are scheduled in this case.

Defendant to Spend 40 Months in Prison for Stabbing Security Officer

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow sentenced Alandon Jordan to 40 months in prison on Aug. 9 for stabbing a security officer at the parking garage of the Gallery Place shopping mall in Northwest DC.

Jordan, 33, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) for a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Dec. 11, 2023, on the 700 block of 6th Street, NW. 

According to arrest documents, another security officer at Gallery Place told a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD officer) that the victim was monitoring the parking garage security cameras when he saw Jordan trying to open the door to the victim’s car.

After the victim left the security office to intercept Jordan, the witness heard the victim screaming, “I’m security.” The witness left the office and saw Jordan near the victim holding a knife. While the witness was calling 911, the victim returned to the office with stab wounds in his side. 

Court documents state that Jordan turned himself in to a Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officer about six hours after the incident. Jordan told the officer he was hearing voices telling him to do dangerous things. He said he had stabbed someone he thought was a security officer, but he couldn’t remember what happened.

On March 12, Jordan accepted a pre-indictment offer that required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury. 

On Aug. 9, Judge Pasichow sentenced Jordan to three years and four months imprisonment for assault with a dangerous weapon and two years for assault with significant bodily injury. The sentences are set to run concurrently, with credit for time served. Jordan was also sentenced to three years of supervised release for each charge, to run concurrently. 

Jordan addressed the court at the sentencing, expressing his remorse and apologizing to the victim.

“I turned myself in because I felt bad for what I did,” Jordan said. “I’ve been trying as hard as I can to get better. I can’t even find the words to say how bad I feel now and how bad I felt then.”

In a victim impact statement read by the prosecutor, the victim said that the stabbing has significantly harmed his health mentally as well as physically. 

“Get clean and lead a good life,” the victim urged the defendant.

Judge Pasichow ordered Jordan to undergo mental health and drug assessments and receive any treatment they indicate is needed. She required him to receive anger management counseling, employment assistance and vocational training.

“It’s not a matter of blaming the drugs. It’s a matter of blaming your ingestion of it. That’s voluntary,” Judge Pasichow told Jordan. “You’re not going to be in forever, so you’re going to have to make choices when you’re out also. Some of those choices will be hard for you.”

Judge Pasichow noted that violent crimes like Jordan’s, committed under the influence of drugs such as phencyclidine (PCP), demonstrate the seriousness of PCP possession charges, even when no victims are identified in the possession cases.

Jordan must pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund and comply with a stay-away order from the Gallery Place parking garage.

No further hearings are scheduled in this case.

Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A defendant accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Aug. 9. 

Raymond Watson, 45, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his involvement in a stabbing with a pocket knife on Feb. 16, on the 2000 block of Q Street, SE.

According to court documents, Watson told detectives that the victim threatened to stab everyone who was on the scene including him.

A witness to the incident and the significant other of the victim located and “positively identified” Watson, who they knew as “Ray,” for the police, who was then briefly detained, according to court documents.

Michael Bruckheim, Watson’s defense attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a deal, which required him to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. 

Parties are slated to return on Oct. 25.

Homicide Defendant Caught on Surveillance Video Accepts Plea

A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Aug. 9.

Kyree Hairston, 24, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the shooting of 51-year-old David Coe on Feb. 4 on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. 

At the hearing, Hairston’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, read out the agreement that stated he is pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 14-to-18 years of incarceration. 

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they could have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Hairston shot Coe multiple times on the back as he attempted to flee from the situation. 

A verbal altercation was picked up on audio surveillance footage nearby, according to the prosecutor, with Hairston saying “On my mother, you got 30 seconds, on my grandmother.” Coe could be heard calling Hairston “cuz.”

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Nov. 15.

Murder Defendant Acts Like He, ‘Runs this Courtroom,’ Prosecutor Says

A murder defendant refused to get off a bus and attend a court proceeding for the fourth time in a matter of three months before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Aug. 9. 

Ethan Cunningham, 20, is charged with three counts of felony murder while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, kidnapping while armed, attempted robbery while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old James Curtis on March 10, 2022, on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE. 

At the hearing, a US Marshal alerted Judge Epstein that Cunningham had refused to attend court. The prosecutor said Cunningham acts “like he runs this courtroom,” and requested that Judge Epstein order the Marshals to use force to get him to court. 

According to the prosecution, the victim’s family has taken off work each time there is a proceeding to no avail as the defendant keeps refusing to cooperate.

Thomas Healy, Cunningham’s defense attorney, said he is sorry for the inconvenience this has caused for the family, while suggesting that they alternatively attend virtually to avoid the commute.

“I need Cunningham to assist in his own defense,” Healy said regarding the importance of Cunningham’s presence.

Judge Epstein said if Cunningham chooses not to attend future hearings, the parties can still go on without him. He said he can’t “boycott” the proceedings. 

Prosecutors argued at a July hearing that every time a plea deal is about to expire, Cunningham misses his appearance in court.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 13.

Attorney Claims Stabbing Suspect Acted in Self-Defense, Waives Preliminary Hearing

A stabbing defendant’s attorney insisted his client acted in self-defense as he waived his right to a preliminary hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover on Aug. 9. 

James Williams, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Aug. 7 on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

According to court documents, Williams allegedly stabbed the victim in the back after getting into a verbal and physical altercation. The victim was later transported to a hospital and received emergency surgery. 

During the hearing, Williams waived his preliminary hearing rights. His defense attorney, Susan Ellis, said Williams acted in self-defense, adding that the only witness at the scene was not able to tell Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers who had started the fight.

According to Ellis, Williams has fractured ribs and an injury to his eyes caused by the fight. She requested he be released from jail.  

The prosecution disagreed stating Williams should be held in jail. They described the fight as a “heated” situation where the one witness had to run away and ask neighbors for help.

Judge Glover sided with the prosecution and said the defendant will be held. He also said in a case from 2010 involving a controlled substance, Williams did not comply with terms of release causing his probation to be revoked. 

Judge Glover said the self-defense argument extended by the defense can be heard at a different time.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 27.