Defense Says Prosecution Withheld Evidence in a Shooting Case

Defense counsel in a shooting case alleged the prosecution failed to provide potentially exculpatory evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Aug. 2.

Keith Walker, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on March 7 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE. One individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

According to court documents, Walker got into a verbal altercation with the victim after the victim did not want Walker speaking to his daughter. Walker allegedly shot the victim in the left leg after threatening to kill him.

During the hearing, one of Walker’s defense attorneys, James King, claimed the prosecution committed a Brady violation, arguing they have failed to provide evidence they need to review before trial, which is set to begin on Aug. 20.

King also said it doesn’t appear Walker can be indicted before the legal deadline.

The prosecution said they have not handed over evidence to the defense yet because they are still in the process of investigating Walker’s case which they expect to conclude on Aug. 7.

The defense then requested Judge Arthur release Walker because there is no legal justification to hold him.

Judge Arthur denied the request.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 7.

Murder Defendant Considering Plea Offer

A homicide defendant requested additional time to discuss a plea offer extended by prosecutors with his attorney in an Aug. 2 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Damon Clark, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jimmy Thomas Jr., 46, at the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on March 8.

According to court documents, Thomas Jr. sustained six gunshot wounds, including one to the right side of his chest.

During the hearing, Clark’s defense attorney, Quo Judkins, alerted Judge O’Keefe and prosecutors that Clark needed additional time to further discuss the plea offer.

According to Judkins, the offer requires Clark to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Through the deal, parties would agree to a sentencing range of seven-and-a-half-to-11 years. Judkins said the decision will be a quick turnaround.

Parties are scheduled to meet again on Aug. 28.

Judge Denies Motion for Mistrial in Shooting Case

A shooting defendant’s request for a mistrial was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 1.

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 5, 2021, on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE. Two individuals sustained life-threatening injuries during the shooting.

According to court documents, video surveillance footage from the scene shows an individual, later identified as Cannon, shooting twice at two victims. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the incident and arrested him.

Jonathan Lanyi, Cannon’s defense attorney, filed a motion for mistrial after an MPD officer trained in crime scene investigation testified about ballistics.

During his testimony, the officer spoke about flagging shell casings found at the scene. The prosecution played his body worn camera which showed the casings being marked on the ground in the street and near the door of the scene.

After the witness’ testimony concluded, Lanyi filed a mistrial because the prosecution showed an edited video of shell casings in two different areas.

He said the prosecution disregarded the conspiracy charge indicating there were multiple shooters involved in the incident, because the testimony made appear Cannon was the only shooter.

Lanyi also said he was “confused” by the testimony and said the witness had “limited” crime scene training.

Judge Brandt ruled against his motion stating Lanyi was the only one who is confused and the prosecution was showing where different shell casings were located..

Another MPD officer testified on arresting Cannon after Cannon took off running, which led to a foot chase where he hid behind a bush..

Another officer testified a police dog found a gun in the bush where Cannon previously hid.

Still another officer said, Cannon did not have any firearm registered in his name, or a license to carry.

In body-worn camera footage the day of the shooting, Cannon was asked to provide his name and date of birth. He first identified himself as “Delonte Taylor” and allegedly gave the officer a fake date of birth saying he was born in 1997.

The officer testified he didn’t find out Cannon’s actual identity until they were in the patrol car.

Parties are set to return Aug. 5 to continue trial.

Defense Claims Police Discrepancies in a Homicide Investigation

A homicide defendant’s attorney claimed discrepancies in the police investigation of the case during an Aug. 1 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Bernard Matthews, 44, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder while armed, 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 the shooting of 22-year-old Diamonte Green. The incident occurred on Feb. 16, 2021, on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

The prosecution called on a responding officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who described body-worn camera footage from the incident.

According to the witness, she arrived four minutes after the shooting happened. On the way, she testified, she passed Matthews’ son’s apartment where the prosecution alleged Matthews and his son’s mother were in their car to drive back to Matthews’ house.

When the witness arrived on the scene there was an officer already rendering Green aid. The witness secured the scene and took two friends of the victim’s back up to their apartment.

Originally, the witness stated she thought she saw multiple different casings, which is why she patted down Green’s body for a weapon.

The prosecution claimed what she saw were casings and bullet fragments that vary, but all the casings allegedly came from the same gun.

After the witness preserved the crime scene on the stairs, she testified, Green’s friends were lingering outside of the apartment and she told them to get back inside so they did not accidentally kick any evidence.

Defense attorney Marnitta King said this could have been tampering the evidence.

The witness disagreed, and stated they were trying to ask her if Green was okay. She got more information about Green one of their names and contact information, but the other friend went back inside of the apartment.

King pointed out that on the witness’ incident report she said she never got the information on the second friend because he did not want to give it to her. King claimed that the witness changed her testimony once she met with the prosecution.

The witness said that she had not seen any of her body cam footage until the prosecution showed it her and that is when she realized she made an inaccurate statement in her report.

The prosecution continued to play the body camera footage, in which the witness pointed out that her sergeant came up to her after she got the contact information from the first friend and she went downstairs because he was up there with them.

Prosecutors also called on a homicide detective who talked to the friends and they seemed “distraught” and cried at one point. King pointed out that in an investigation report it said that one of the friends was upset because the police were searching his apartment.

The witness said he does not know whether or not this is true because he was not there at the time.

One of the detective’s testified he managed to pull video from a private surveillance camera a block down from the crime scene. In the footage, the prosecution claimed you can see an individual, who they identified as Matthews, walking down the street back towards his son’s apartment.

King pointed out that the surveillance camera time is incorrect. Originally the witness said that the video was 36 minutes off, but according to the MPD video extraction team it was 44 minutes off.

The witness said this is due to “bad math,” but the time lined up with what happened right after the murder. King said this verged on bad policing.

King also indicated that the witness talked to an off-duty cop who gave information on a potential suspect. According to his investigative report, the suspect came out from behind the crime scene wearing a dark blue jacket and pants, and a black cap and got into a white Cadillac Escalade.

The witness said they followed up this lead, conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the occupants were ruled out as suspects.

Additionally, King brought up to the detective that he interviewed Green’s friend who lived at the apartment. King claimed that the friend went down to the police station to clear his name.

The witness said he had told the friend to come down to be interviewed, and was also interested in clearing his name. According to the detective, the friend cooperated because Green was his “best friend.”

The detective also testified he submitted a request to preserve Instagram messages on Green’s phone because his friend mentioned that Green was angrily texting someone on it moments before the shooting. The friend originally said he did not know who Green was texting, but later said it was his cousin’s people.

King alleged that the witness did not bother to check messages other than the conversation with Matthews’ son, but the witness said another detective was the one who went through all the messages.

The parties are slated to return on Aug. 5.

Judge Warns Defense Attorney Stabbing Case Will Go on With or Without His Client

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun in an Aug. 1 hearing, told a stabbing defendant’s attorney he must warn his client the case will continue without him if he won’t come to court.

Rubin Holman, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Oct. 4, 2022, on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Holman’s arraignment was scheduled for the proceeding but it didn’t happen.

According to the court’s docket, for the past five months, the court has been trying to arraign Holman, but have failed because of reported medical issues or refusing to leave the jail.

At the hearing, Holman’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, alerted Judge Okun that Holman was not present due to unexplained medical issues.

Both parties agreed to hold Holman’s arraignment through a video call from the DC Jail.

In lieu of that the prosecutor requested US Marshals use reasonable force in getting Holman to come to court.

The prosecution also noted if Holman attends the first day of trial, his presence can be waived for all other hearings and the trial could proceed without him.

Winograd requested an evidentiary hearing to determine why Holman is not attending court. He stated Holman has issues with his treatment at the DC Jail.

Judge Okun expressed concern about Holman’s refusal to attend court but wouldn’t use force to make that happen. He plans to investigate the matter but noted the case will proceed one way or another.

Parties will reconvene for another try at an arraignment on Aug. 16.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to 81 Carjacking and Robbery Charges

A carjacking defendant was arraigned on an 81 count indictment before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Aug. 1.

Hanif Brown, 18, is charged with 31 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 16 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, 13 counts of robbery while armed, 11 counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, three counts of first-degree theft, two counts of armed carjacking, conspiracy, first-degree identity theft of a senior citizen, second-degree theft of a senior citizen, felony credit card fraud of a senior citizen, and unarmed carjacking of a senior citizen for these crimes he allegedly committed between May 11, 2021 and April 2024.

Carjacking on April 9, 2023 on the 2700 block of 9th Street, NW
Armed Robbery on April 9, 2023 on the 1100 block of U Street, NW
Armed Robbery on April 9, 2023 on the 1100 Block of Wallach Place, NW
Felony Credit Card Fraud of a Senior Citizen on April 10, 2023

During the arraignment, Brown pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum of fifteen years for each armed carjacking, seven years for unarmed carjacking and five years for each firearm-related offense, according to a release from DC U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.

The statement says, in 2021, Brown and other suspects created a Cash App account using a senior citizen’s stolen personal identifying information.

Two years later, say prosecutors, Brown and his associates carried out a months-long crime spree.

“During those robberies, Brown and his associates stole currency and jewelry and forced their victims to surrender the passcodes for their phones, which Brown and his associates then accessed to initiate unauthorized monetary transfers via Cash App,” says the release.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain announced his intention to request the charges be severed so they are not all presented at the same trial.

The trial is set to begin Jan. 12, 2026.

Parties will reconvene Feb. 7.

Off-Duty Officer Testifies He Responded to Nearby Gunfire

The trial for a shooting seriously wounding two victims began on July 31, with both parties delivering opening statements to a jury before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with conspiracy, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that took place on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE on Sept. 5, 2021. Two individuals sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The prosecution argued that Cannon was responsible for shooting at the victim and his son as they walked on Terrace Road. An off-duty police officer living near the scene heard gunfire and allegedly encountered Cannon, who “blew off” his attempts at asking if he was alright. Other police officers on the scene apprehended Cannon after he tried to flee.

The prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that Cannon and a co-conspirator fired over 20 shots at the two victims and followed them down the block after the first shots missed.

“He’s trying to carry out his plan to kill these people,” the prosecutor said. “Those are the stakes,” they added.

However, Jonathan Lanyi, Cannon’s defense attorney, stated that Cannon was not the shooter and only attempted to run away from the scene because he was afraid of being falsely accused. He insisted they arrested the wrong suspect.

Lanyi said there was no one at the scene who could identify Cannon as the shooter, and questioned the prosecution’s and the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) inability to identify and arrest his alleged co-conspirator.

“Where is the co-conspirator? Who is that person?” he asked.

The prosecution called a retired Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who was the one living near the crime scene and responded while he was off-duty.

According to the witness, he heard the gunshots while he was watching television in his living room and saw an individual running down the street.

He testified to calling in police support over his radio, and mentioned he saw someone walk away from the scene looking distressed.

The witness asked if the individual was alright, and he responded that he had been “shot at” but didn’t want assistance.

When asked about identifying the shooter, the witness said “I don’t recognize that person as I sit here today.”

During cross-examination the defense asked the witness if the man who didn’t want help was armed. The witness said he has received training to determine if someone is armed, but that it doesn’t always mean there isn’t a concealed weapon.

He testified that, through his experience as an officer, there have been individuals who decline help from the police.

Prosecutors also called a resident of Terrace Road who captured the shooting on his security camera.

According to the witness, he hid on the ground at the sound of gunfire, and later inspected outside and found a number of damaged cars with broken windows and flat tires.

The prosecution played some of the video, which was captured by his home surveillance, and shows a man walking towards the corner of the building before leaving the frame. The witness testified that the individual seen in the footage was not a neighbor and he could not identify them.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 1.

Prosecutors Suggest Love Triangle Led to Fatal Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found probable cause to try a defendant accused of a fatal stabbing motivated by a possible love triangle during a July 31 hearing.

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

According to court documents, an individual, identified as Bonaparte, broke through the windows of a vacant apartment where she kept her possessions. Boyd and his significant other were in the apartment at the time.

According to court documents, Bonaparte claimed the apartment was hers and that the pair had to leave even though they were squatting in a vacant unit.

“There is no evidence before this court that this was the defendant’s house at any time,” the prosecution said.

As the incident progressed, Boyd, according to his girlfriend who witnessed the struggle, saw Bonaparte climb through the window in another bedroom, run into the kitchen where the two got into a physical altercation and Bonaparte’s yelling to Boyd to get his hands off her.

It was then that Bonaparte allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times and the witness could hear him yelling that she is a “crazy b—–”. He then ran back to the bedroom where he died on scene and was found lying in a pool of blood.

Bonaparte’s defense counsel Kevann Gardner argued that the victim’s scratches on his neck were proof she was acting in self-defense.

The following day, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who investigated the case, Bonaparte turned herself in after telling someone that she “did something bad.”

The prosecution pointed out Bonaparte allegedly fled the scene and tried to hide the murder weapons. Two knives were missing from a set in the apartment.

Meanwhile, Gardner focused on Boyd’s “out of control” behavior which the witness said was “aggressive” and that he was drug intoxicated. Gardner also brought up allegations of Boyd’s history of domestic disputes with women, including the witness whom he reportedly kicked and choked to the point that she asked police intervene.

“That’s the life the decedent was living,” Gardner said as he argued that the victim’s previous stalking and assault history “shed light” on who was the initial aggressor.

Gardner found it “laughable” that the prosecution doesn’t know why the incident happened. He disputed that claim the people were involved in a love triangle and that Bonaparte was reacting violently because she had a broken heart.

Gardner told the court that the defendant was never in a romantic relationship with the victim.

Further it was noted that the witness changed her account of the incident multiple times in interviews with police.

In finding probable cause, Judge Raffinan ordered a drug assessment and GPS monitoring for Bonaparte. The prosecution said they will be in contact with the witness to see if she feels a stay away order is necessary.

Parties are slated to meet back on Sept. 10.

Judge Denies Homicide Defendant’s Release From Solitary Confinement

On July 31, a repeat homicide defendant requested DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun order the DC Jail to move him out of a year-long stay in solitary confinement to have better access to his attorney.

Mussye Rezene, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Darrow Johnson, that occurred at the D.C. Correctional Treatment Facility on the 1900 block of E Street, SE on Aug. 17, 2023.

Rezene was previously convicted of first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his involvement in the death of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro on Sept. 18, 2021, on the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW.

Rezene has also been charged in connection to a mass shooting that occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Baxter, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner, and left three others suffering from injuries.

In connection to the Sept. 2021 shooting Rezene has been charged as an accessory after the fact and has been dubbed by prosecutors as a “ring leader” in a street gang who organized the shooting.

At the hearing, Rezene’s attorney, Kevin Robertson, requested that Judge Okun send a request to DC Jail to move Rezene, who has been in solitary confinement for the past year, to the general population. Roberts cites the reason behind the move to be due to the fact that he can not easily meet with Rezene to discuss the status of his cases.

Prosecutors argued that due to the fact that Rezene is being charged with stabbing someone who was in DC Jail and that Rezene is charged in another matter with five other co-defendants who are also being held in DC Jail that he should not be moved to general population holding.

Judge Okun stated he would not give a recommendation to move Rezene as he agrees with the point the prosecution made, but is concerned about Rezene not being able to communicate with Robertson.

Judge Okun stated he would be reaching out to DC Jail to find out if some accommodation could be made so Roberts could more easily meet with Rezene.

Parties also set a trial date for October 2025 in connection to the Johnson murder .

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 7, 2025.

Victim Sends Rambling Texts in Final Minutes, Seconds Before His Murder

In a minute by minute account leading up to seconds before his death, a homicide defendant’s son testified before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on July 31 about provocative text messages he received from the victim.

The prosecution brought Matthews’ son to testify about text messages he received from Green on the day of the incident, as well as surveillance footage that allegedly lines up with Matthews being at his son’s apartment and walking to the spot the murder took place.

According to phone extraction records, Green had been texting the witness repeatedly on Feb. 16, 2021. The witness claimed he never met Green in person but that he knew it was Green texting him on Instagram.

At 3:20 p.m., almost 30 minutes before Green’s death, Green texted the witness “I’m out here meet Ina back,” through Instagram.

Viewing apartment surveillance video, the witness identified himself and his father heading towards the back of the building after the text was received. In the video, the witness agreed he was holding his phone but could not remember why he was heading out of the apartment.

Another call was initiated by Green at 3:21:38 p.m. and ended at 3:22:08 p.m. The witness said that he does not recall any of the phone calls or whether or not he picked up. At this point, the witness again identified himself in surveillance footage heading to the stairs in the apartment building and bringing the phone closer to his mouth.

Then, the witness testified, he walked up the stairs and into his apartment when he received another call at 3:22:15 p.m. and ended at 3:33:46 p.m.

A text from Green at 3:22:57 p.m. read “come on all the way is back just u slim just u”. Another call was initiated by Green at 3:23:01 and it ended at 3:23:12 p.m. At 3:23:12 p.m., the witness identified himself walking out of his apartment and to the back door with Matthews.

In the footage, they are seen going out to the backyard of the apartment building before Matthews walks to the left and off screen towards an alley.

Green sent the witness another text at 3:24:33 p.m. saying “u ah butch” and the witness and Matthews are seen walking back inside the apartment.

At 3:24:37 p. m. Green texted the witness “b**** u ah butch” and “b****.” At that time, surveillance footage depicted the witness talking with his mother with his phone in hand.

Green texted again at 3:24:46 p.m., “u is a b**** u on some Hot shi**, “as the witness is seen in the footage walking away from his mom and back up the stairs while looking down at his phone.

At 3:25:27 p.m., footage shows the witness, his mother, and Matthews all walk back into their second floor apartment. Green texted the witness at 3:30:37 p.m., saying “Bring your a** to the back u telling your people that’s I’m out here b**** they ain’t leaving come your a** to the back.”

However, during his testimony, the witness denied telling anyone about the messages.

The witness testified Green continued to text him as he was in his apartment, with text messages including:

3:32:04 p.m. – “u ah bitch cuh. Ah bitch come all the way down here to call your bluff u a b**** I’m see u out here”

3:32:09 p.m. – “on your grandmova soul”

3:32:14 p.m. – “Ima see u”

3:32:24 p m. – “u ain’t safe bullets ain’t got no name slim”

3:32:42 p. m. – “on your grandmova u ain’t”

3:32:50 p.m. – “u scary hog u scary is shit”

3:34:06 p.m. – “Bet that leave me no tf leaving I’m ready”

After sending those messages, the witness said Green initiated a video call at 3:34:12 p.m. which ended at 3:34:29 p.m., during which Matthews was seen in footage and identified by the witness as leaving the apartment, having changed out of his white shoes into black ones.

When Green texts at 3:35:09 p.m. saying “come on slim come on”, Matthews is out the front door of the apartment building.

Moments later, the witness testified, Green texted him saying “u bluffin” and asking “wya [where you at] bruh.”

According to the witness, Green initiated five more calls in the span of six minutes.

At 3:47:18 p.m., the witness initiated a call with Green which ended at 3:48:36 p.m. He claimed to not remember what was said or remember the reason for the call.

Green initiated the last call with the witness which started at 3:48:47 p.m. and ended at 3:48:56 p.m. This was the last contact between Green and the witness. Green’s estimated time of death was 3:49 p.m., according to the prosecution.

The witness denied hearing shots on the other end of the call or knowing where Matthews was going. However, he testified that Matthews left his phone at his apartment, which is why he was waiting by the window for him to come back.

Surveillance footage depicted the witness’ mother letting Matthews back into the apartment building at 3:51 p.m.

A moment later, Matthews can allegedly be seen in the footage leaving the apartment building with a backpack. The witness said he did not communicate with his father the rest of that day.

Marnitta King, Matthews’ defense attorney, argued that he could’ve left the apartment building for a smoke, which he was known to do in 2021.

She also argued that Green “was essentially talking to himself” because the witness never texted back. However, prosecutors reiterated the fact that the witness called Green moments before his death.

The parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 1.

Homicide Defendant Requests Judge Reconsider Severance Motion

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan told parties she needed additional time to reconsider a co-defendant’s motion to sever during an Aug. 1 hearing.

Rafeal Stevens, 39, and Jermall Johnson, 40, are charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, attempted robbery – felony murder, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2700 block of 7th Street, NE.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, discussed a motion for severance, in which he argued that the prosecution is relying on some type of conversation or pre-planned discussion between the defendants that led to the homicide. In the motion, LoGerfo stated Johnson wants Stevens to testify in his trial, which could be an issue if they’re tried together.

However, the prosecution objected to the motion, stating that the video of the incident speaks for itself.

According to the prosecution, at trial, they will provide the jury surveillance footage that shows the two defendants outside of a liquor store with several other individuals, including Umoh. The prosecutor alleged that the two defendants stare at each other and then walk away from the area, before returning and killing Umoh.

Because of the video, the prosecution argued, they have proof of co-conspirator liability, regardless of who’s the who fired the deadly shot, and insisted that severance is not appropriate in this matter.

Jason Tulley, Stevens’ defense attorney, insisted there was no agreement or verbal exchange between Stevens and Johnson regarding the attack.

However, the prosecution argued the video evidence shows an individual identified as Johnson standing behind the liquor store door and waiting to shoot until shots are fired by an individual identified as Stevens.

LoGerfo argued that Johnson only shot to protect Stevens, and that is the reason why “it is essential that [Stevens] testifies” in Johnson’s behalf. He requested Judge Raffinan reconsider the severance motion.

Judge Raffinan told parties she would issue a ruling before the next hearing.

Parties are set to return on Sept. 12.

Shooting Case Dismissed, Proceeding Moves to District Court

A non-fatal shooting case was dismissed at the prosecution’s request before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan in a July 31 hearing, since the defendant is charged in the same matter in the DC District Court. The District Court has jurisdiction over federal matters whereas the DC Superior Court deals with local offenses.

Derval Nettles, 31, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on the 2700 block of Langston Place SE on June 15. An individual sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the incident.

According to court documents, four individuals drove to an apartment complex and fired multiple shots before someone fired back. Video footage captured an individual alleged to be Nettles fleeing the scene and dropping a gun in a nearby trash can.

At the hearing, the prosecution formally submitted a motion to dismiss the charges against Nettles. Judge Raffinan released Nettles for this case, but he remains in custody in connection to the case in District Court. It’s not clear why the case was moved to a higher court.

No further dates were set.

Case Acquitted: ‘This Is Not a Murder Mystery,’ Says Defense Attorney of Prosecution’s Case

Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor.

Through closing arguments, parties quarreled about a motive in a murder case before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 31.

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is 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.

David Knight, one of Jackson’s defense attorneys, told the jury “He did not have a motive to do this, he is not guilty.”

“I wanna be clear about something, this is not a murder mystery,” Knight said, adding “It is not your job to figure out who did it, it was supposed to be their job,” pointing to the prosecution.

Knight continued to cite what he saw as holes in the case stating that a knit hat and mask were found at the scene but the DNA was not Jackson’s.

Furthermore, Knight believes that Minor’s “brothers” should be considered as possible suspects. According to Knight, Minor had said that if anything happened to him to investigate someone in his circle of friends.

In response, the prosecution said “Why are they [Minor’s Brothers] rushing to the hospital if they had this grand conspiracy against him.”

However, prosecutors argued that Jackson did have a motive, a robbery allegedly committed by Minor weeks before his death.

Prosecutors said that a small amount of weed was taken from Jackson by Minor and his cousin. The prosecution continued to argue that the defendant lied to the police about not knowing the victim.

Knight expressed doubt that the robbery had even happened but said that if it had “enough marijuana for one or two people to smoke is not enough for anyone, including [Jackson], to kill someone.”

Knight responded that in Jackson’s and Minor’s phone records there was “not a single call between them, not a single text between the two.”

“No call means no robbery and no robbery means no motive, no motive means you should find Jackson is not guilty,” Knight insisted.

“It was a cold, calculated murder… the person who did this murder is Jarvis Jackson, I ask you to hold him accountable,” the prosecution told the jury.

Parties will reconvene once the jury has reached a verdict.

Victim’s Girlfriend Testifies in Homicide Case After Arrest for Contempt

A homicide victim’s girlfriend agreed to testify on July 30 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe after being arrested the previous day for contempt of court.

Green’s girlfriend who was arrested on July 29 for refusing to testify, came back to court as a witness for the prosecution.

She claimed she had “safety concerns” about testifying because she had received “threats before”.

During her testimony, she was presented with text messages she received from Green the day of the incident. According to the witness, he was getting increasingly angry and threatening and she felt “drained” having to deal with it so she didn’t tell her family.

The witness said that Green thought she and her cousin, Matthews’s son, were dating behind his back. Her cousin called to tell her that Green was threatening him and she told him not to respond.

According to phone records, Green repeatedly called her and when she didn’t pick up he kept texting “b**** answer the phone”.

Then he texted her a screenshot from Instagram of Matthews alleged Instagram account requesting to follow him and wrote “now u want to have who ever trying follow me b****”.

When she didn’t reply, she testified, he used a different messaging application and said “tell him come outside,” referring to the witness’ cousin. The prosecution alleged that while he sent this threat, he was not actually outside the cousin’s apartment.

The witness claimed she did not know a friend of Green’s friend lived in the area. The prosecution presented her with her grand jury testimony in which she stated “I know that [the friend] used to live there” when given the address of the shooting. The prosecutors wanted to show that the witness knew where the friend lived and that Green was at that address, which could be how Matthews knew where to find him.

The prosecution also called on a witness from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to testify about cell phone data for Matthews’ number.

Using call logs, the witness said that Matthews was in the vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the shooting, but stated he could not identify a specific location.

Defense attorney Marnitta King questioned the validity of the cell site data, saying that Matthews’ son lived at an apartment in the vicinity of the crime scene and that is where Matthews could have been.

The witness said this is correct but that the plot points of his cell phone moved which showed that it is likely the cell phone moved a long distance that would be bigger than from one end of an apartment complex to the other.

A digital forensic specialist then testified about the cell phone extractions from the phones said to belong to Matthews’ son and the son’s mother.

The call logs from the extraction showed that the mother of Matthews’ son had called Matthews at least three times the day of the incident.

The text exchange between Matthews’ son and the mother are inconsistent, which the witness said would happen if the mother had deleted some of the texts from her phone.

On Matthews’ son’s phone, his mother texted him saying “whenever he send a message screen shot it but don’t respond”, in reference to Green.

To which Matthews’ son replied “delete”.

There were also texts on the sons phone from Green:

“Ima show how we step”

“f*** u think I’m coming to fight hog ima be right there kid be outside”

“Tell your b**** a** mova or who don’t call no police when I pull up hot a** family”

The parties are set to reconvene July 31.

Multi-Armed Robbery and Carjacking Defendant Wants to Review Plea Deal

An armed robbery and carjacking defendant was extended a plea offer, with some added charges, before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 26.

Kwesi Pyne, 18, is charged with four counts of robbery, unarmed carjacking, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in in the following incidents:

Armed carjacking at the 900 block of Randolph St NW on Oct 30 2023
Armed robbery on Jan 10, 2024 at the 3800 block of 5th St NW
Armed robbery on Jan 24 at the 500 block of Kenyon St NW
Armed robbery on Jan 29 at the 2000 block of 15 St NW
Armed robbery on Feb 2 at the 1400 block of Irving St NW
Assault with intent to rob on Feb 7 at the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant St NW
Armed robbery on Feb 7 on the 3200 block of 16th St NW
Theft from auto with gun stolen on Feb 10
Armed robbery on Feb 12 at the 3200 block of Mount Pleasant St NW

Pyne was arrested on February 15 on the 3100 block of 16th St NW. Police approached him for suspicious behavior and he allegedly fled the scene. After he was arrested, he was accused of a multiple robberies in the DC area.

According to police Pyne was allegedly targeting members of the Latino community.

At a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz the prosecution said they are extending a plea offer. As a part of the plea, they would be adding three counts of robbery, one count of carjacking, one count of unarmed robbery, and one count of assault with intent to commit robbery. If Pyne agreed the prosecution would not indict on nine other charges. They proposed a two week expiration date on the plea.

Pyne’s defense attorney Mark Rollins requested more time to look over the plea and for additional discovery in light of only receiving the deal that morning.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug 9.

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