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Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges on Aug. 2 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Christopher Patrick Haynes, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license and escaping from an officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward, 33.

The incident occurred on Aug. 12, 2023, on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. A second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

At the hearing, Haynes’ attorney, Nikki Lotze, alerted the court his client was pleading not guilty to all indictment charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Parties are slated to meet back Nov. 8.

Jury Acquits Man of Murder in An Uber

A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom found a man not guilty of a murder on Aug. 1. 

Jarvis Jackson, 42, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm from a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Minor was in an Uber ride when he was shot in the backseat as the Uber was waiting to make a turn. The driver previously testified he took the victim to a nearby hospital immediately after the shooting. Minor later succumbed to his injuries.  

Throughout the trial, David Knight, Jackson’s defense attorney, argued the prosecution’s evidence did not prove that Jackson was the individual who killed Minor. He provided evidence of Minor telling friends in the weeks leading up to his death that if anything happened to him, to look at his “brothers,” a group of friends and associatds.

Following a day of deliberation, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict. 

After the acquittal, Jackson was released from the DC Jail, and no further dates were set. 

Two Mass Shootings Among Incidents Causing 24 Deaths in July 

As of Aug. 5, D.C. Witness data shows there were 22 homicide incidents in July, claiming the lives of 24 individuals. There were also 26 non-fatal shooting victims, in 17 incidents, two of which occurred at the same time and location of a homicide. 

According to D.C. Witness data, two mass shootings occurred in July, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring six. 

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the first mass shooting occurred on July 8 on the 1200 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Two men and two women sustained injuries during the incident, but survived. MPD continues to search for a suspect vehicle, described as a blue SUV. 

Likewise, another mass shooting occurred on July 18 on the 2000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, claiming the lives of 29-year-old Lamont Street and 50-year-old Jermaine Proctor. Two others, a man and a young girl, sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to MPD documents, multiple suspects exited a vehicle during the incident and began shooting towards Street and Proctor. Police are offering a reward to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. 

The mass shootings are two of 26 homicide and non-fatal shooting incidents in which suspects have yet to be identified and arrested. 

However, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for his alleged involvement in a July 23 shooting that injured three women on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE. 

In a hearing on July 30, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell ordered the boy to remain detained at the Youth Services Center (YSC) after prosecutors argued he was arrested for the shooting while he was on release for a case in which he’s charged with possessing a firearm. 

On July 31, MPD also arrested 23-year-old Desmond Barr Jr. for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ambria Farmer on July 13 on the 3300 block of Fort DuPont Drive, SE. 

Barr was also on release at the time of the incident, in connection to a case in which he is charged for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 2, 2023, and had no injuries reported. 

Mass Shooter Charged With 50 Counts Takes a Plea for Three

A teenage defendant accepted a plea deal on Aug. 2 that reduced a 50 count indictment to three charges for his involvement in a mass shooting. The case was argued before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. 

Byron Matthews, 19, was charged with eight counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, eight counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, nine counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and 20 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a mass shooting  that resulted in gunshot wounds on eight people, which occurred on April 21, 2023 on the 500 block of LeBaum Street, SE and the 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE. 

Facing 50 counts for his alleged involvement in the mass shooting, Matthews accepted the plea deal which was offered by prosecutors. 

The deal required him to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury while armed for the shooting that occurred on 2nd Street, SE, and assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the shooting that occurred on Lebaum Street, SE.  In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges in the matter, and another case in which he’s accused of carrying a pistol without a license and assault on a police officer.

Through the deal, parties agreed that the required sentence would be a fully executed 12 years of incarceration, with five years of supervised release.

Judge Epstein stated he won’t accept the plea offer until a pre-sentence report is made. 

Molly Bunke, Matthews’ attorney, told the court she plans to conduct a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) study prior to final sentencing. Defendants sentenced under the YRA effectively have their cases sealed if they successful complete the terms of sentence.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22. 

Lawyer Conflict of Interest Issue Looms Over Murder Trial

Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun about a possible conflict of interest issue facing a homicide defendant’s attorney in an Aug. 2 hearing. 

Tyree Irving, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and two counts of obstruction of justice for his alleged involvement in the homicide of 22-year-old Davane Williams. The incident occurred on Jan. 15, 2019, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. 

At the hearing, prosecutors told Judge Okun about described a potential conflict of interest issue during the trial, stating that Irving’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, and a the attorney for a key witness in the case, both worked at the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) at the same time. 

Prosecutors worry that Harvey and the witness’ attorney may have shared important information about the case.


Claire Roth, PDS’ Special Counsel on Ethical Conflicts, told Judge Okun, “From what I know right now, I don’t believe there’s a conflict.” 

However, the prosecution said this potential conflict could result in a mistrial adding “this is a serious appellate concern.”

In response, Roth assured, “I can tell the court, as an officer of the court, that there was no information sharing.”

Judge Okun did not make a ruling and stated that he would, “do the best I can to resolve this before the trial date,” which is slated to begin Aug. 19.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 8. 

Document: MPD Searching for Southeast Homicide Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Davon Mangum, which occurred on Aug. 3 on the 1500 block of Butler Street, SE. The suspect was captured by surveillance footage.

Document: MPD Searching for Northeast Shooting Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a shooting that occurred on Aug. 2 on the 600 block of Division Avenue, NE. No injuries were reported.

Judge Modifies Stabbing Defendant’s Release Conditions

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein modified home confinement and GPS monitoring for an stabbing defendant on Aug. 2.

Wali Shabazz, 50,  is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Martin Gross Jr. outside a stadium on the 100 block of T Street, SW. The incident occurred on April 27. 

Since Judge Epstein found the prosecution met the requirements of probable cause against Shabazz on May 8, he has been subject to home confinement and GPS monitoring, with permission to leave the house for his job. 

At his bond hearing on Aug. 2, Shabazz’s attorney, Michelle Stevens, requested stepping down ome confinement as Shabazz had been fully compliant with his release conditions. 

The prosecutor countered that it had only been a few months since Shabazz’s arrest and that it would be premature to alter any of his release conditions. 

Judge Epstein granted the defense request citing Shabazz’s very limited criminal history and stating that “the victim was the primary aggressor,” although he did acknowledge that “Shabazz’s [alleged] response was out of proportion.”

Judge Epstein granted a new release order in which Shabazz would no longer have home confinement and his GPS monitor would be removed. The directive only required Shabazz to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) as directed by his case manager. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 31, 2025. 

Document: Arrest Made in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 35-year-old Donnell Antonio Wells, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured three men. The incident occurred on Aug. 1 on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE.

Wells was arrested after sustaining gunshot wounds on Aug. 1 on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE, moments after the original shooting occurred.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Three Carjackings at Arraignment

A carjacking defendant pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 2. 


Dennis Vanison, 29, is charged with armed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in three carjacking incidents. The first occurred on the 2400 block of Wagner Street, SE on May 2, and the following two occurred on the 3300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 3. 

According to court documents, an individual identified as Vanison and another suspect stole the first victim’s white Chrysler while he was making a DoorDash delivery on May 2. Vanison was not the suspect who pointed the firearm at the victim, according to prosecutors. 

The next day, according to court documents, a separate victim called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) when they found Vanison unresponsive at the wheel of their family vehicle. The driver’s door and trunk were open, and a firearm was on the floorboard.

At the hearing, Jesse Winograd, Vanison’s defense 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. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 14. 

Murder Defendant Doesn’t Appear, Case Delayed

A homicide case was delayed due to the defendant’s failure to appear in court before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 2. At issue was a death in the family.

Andre Johnson, 31, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in a vehicular accident which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Madison Jones, which occurred at the intersection of 11th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on June 6, 2023.

At the hearing, US Marshals alerted Judge Okun that Johnson had not gotten on the bus to be transported from the DC Jail to the courthouse. 

Kevann Gardner, Johnson’s defense attorney, alerted the court it was due to his father’s death on Aug. 1, and added he is planning to file a motion for Johnson’s temporary release to attend his father’s funeral.

Parties are set to reconvene Sept. 9.

Teen-Age Tryst Leads to Shooting, Says Prosecution

Defense attorney Matthew Rist told  DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt at a hearing on Aug. 2 that his client Antoine Johnson‘s constitutional right to due process has been violated in the wake of a shooting.

Johnson, 28, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on May 21, 2023, on I-695 southbound near exit 2B. No injuries were reported from the incident.

According to court documents about the shooting, the victim was the father of a 17-year-old boy who was found in bed with his 14-year-old girlfriend earlier the same day by the girl’s parents. They called the police to arrest the boy, but the police arrested the girl’s father for assaulting the boy and allowed the victim to drive his son home. 

A police officer present at that arrest testified that he recognized Johnson there from a previous arrest and heard him say to the girl’s mother, “Auntie, I got this.” Court documents state that police body-worn camera footage showed an individual identified as Johnson telling the girl’s mother, “We ain’t doing no talking. I’ve seen his face.”

The victim and his son told police they saw a white sedan following them as they drove away. When both vehicles were slowed by heavy traffic, the driver of the white sedan shot at the victim, shattering the front side windows on the victim’s car and leaving five bullet holes in the driver’s side doors.

According to arrest documents, the victim’s son described the shooter’s distinctive facial tattoos to police and testified to having seen him earlier at his girlfriend’s residence.

Judge Brandt called the Aug. 2 hearing because the deadline to file motions for Johnson’s Sept. 16 trial had passed without any filings from either party.

Rist said he plans to file a motion arguing that the late disclosure of the cell site data information is a constitutional violation, stating it is too close to the trial date for the defense to make any effective use of the information. If Judge Brandt denies the motion, he will need to find an expert witness to testify regarding cell site data.

Rist said he expected to receive DNA testing results by the end of the day on Aug. 2. The prosecution said they may need to call an expert DNA witness, depending on what the results indicate.

The parties agreed to reconvene in a week to determine whether the Sept. 16 trial date is still feasible.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Shooting in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 14-year-old David Bailey, which occurred on Aug. 1 on the unit block of Tuckerman Street, NE. A second individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

Document: MPD Arrests Additional Suspect in 2023 Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the Aug. 1 arrest of 19-year-old Eric Sheffield, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Kenneth Barksdale. The incident occurred on Dec. 16, 2023 on the 1200 block of 44th Place, SE.

Previously, on July 31, MPD announced the arrest of 18-year-old D’Andre Montgomery for his alleged involvement in the incident.