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Probation Revoked for 2021 Carjacker

Tykel Wilson, 22, who received a suspended sentence in 2021, was re-sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 3 in connection to a carjacking incident.  

Wilson’s probation was revoked for his original sentence involving an attempted carjacking that occurred on the 500 block of 4th Street, SE on March 29, 2021.  

Wilson was sentenced to serve 36 months of his sentence with three years of supervised release. 

In 2021, Wilson pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. He was initially sentenced to 36 months for his involvement in the crime with the provision that he would have 12 months suspended. 

Wilson was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), meaning that if sentencing, probation, and all special conditions were met then Wilson’s conviction record would be sealed.

While on probation, in July 2023, Wilson was arrested for an armed carjacking that occurred on April 29, 2023 on the 900 block of Allison Street, NW. 

On June 28, Wilson pleaded guilty to armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the incident that occurred in April.

Sentencing for the 2023 incident is slated for Sept. 27, with the sentence being served consecutively to the sentence Judge Leibovitz imposed on July 3.

‘It Was Miserable,’ Says Victim of Mass Shooting Ordeal

A victim of a mass shooting who was wounded in the face, required jaw reconstruction surgery and a feeding tube to survive, testified in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on July 3.

Mark Price, 29, and 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 mass shooting on July 16, 2018, on the 5300 block of 53rd Street, NE in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. The incident left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds.

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

At the hearing, the prosecution called a victim who recalled the events and the aftermath of being shot once in the face and twice in the leg.

The victim stated that he was a longstanding resident of Clay Terrace and was on the front porch of Wilson’s home, who was friends with his daughter, when the shooting occurred. He stated Wilson, Wilson’s oldest sister, and men were also there.

“Of course when I saw Makiyah, I’m not trying to stand right there, I’m trying to go,” said the victim in reference to the gravity of Wilson’s state in the midst of the shooting.

He recalled hearing gunshots and shortly after falling face down to the ground. 

“I thought I was dead,” stated the victim when referring to a “white sheet” being placed over him while he was on the ground. He remembered a girl holding his hand and saying he was alive but not able to talk and barely able to breathe with blood coming out with every breath.

When describing difficulty breathing and the pain he experienced, he stated, “It was miserable.”

“I didn’t even know where I was shot at. I thought I was shot in the head,” said the victim.

Following the shooting, the victim testified he remembered waking up at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center with tubes down his nose and throat, stating that he arrived by helicopter after being admitted to another hospital, but admitted he did not remember the events.

As a result of his injuries, his jaw was reconstructed, his whole bottom row of teeth were gone, and he had to receive dental implants in replacement.

He also stated that due to the severity of his injuries, the recovery process took months including physical therapy and relearning how to talk.

When questioned by the prosecution about scarring from the gunshots, the victim stated that he had scars on his lower face and neck area, admitting, “I usually let [my beard] grow out more because I don’t like to see the scars.”

Prosecutors showed photographs of the victim’s raw and untreated injuries pre-surgery, including the victim’s bloody face and wounds to his leg.

After the victim testified, the prosecution called a maxillofacial surgeon who did head and neck reconstruction on the victim.

The surgeon stated the victim sustained a gunshot wound that went through his cheek and lower jaw, which resulted in the shattering of his lower jaw bone, splitting of his lip, displacement of his teeth, and freezing his tongue to the bottom of his mouth.

According to the surgeon, based on her experience treating gunshot-wounded victims, it was likely a larger caliber bullet fired at a higher velocity due to the scale of the victim’s injuries.

The surgeon stated she performed multiple complex procedures, including a tracheostomy to put a breathing tube in his neck.

During one surgery, she borrowed a portion of the victim’s leg bone to create a part of his new jaw, to aid in rebuilding the floor of his mouth.

According to the surgeon, if the victim’s jaw was not reconstructed and he did not undergo additional surgical repairs, his speech and ability to swallow would be severely affected and he would be dependent on a feeding tube.

The prosecution called additional witnesses who testified about a Dec. 22, 2017 shooting incident that occurred near the intersection of 53rd and E Street, SE, during which Price allegedly sustained a gunshot wound to the foot. 

Photographs taken of Price at a hospital lying in a bed on that day with a bloody face were presented to the jury.

A former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer testified he arrived at the residence where Price was on a couch on Dec. 22, 2017. According to the officer, Price sustained bloody injuries to his foot and face. However, the officer testified that Price told him he fell. 

The prosecution played the officer’s body-worn camera footage which showed an individual, identified as Price, lying on a couch inside a home with injuries to his foot and face.

Additionally, the prosecution brought a person to the stand who testified about a shooting on Dec. 22.

He described a “loud crash” while he was at his home, and observed an individual with an electric scooter on the ground in front of a fence. According to the witness, the individual was attempting to pick the scooter up from the ground.

Subsequently, the bystander said he saw a vehicle approach the individual with the scooter and an individual inside the car “immediately” start firing at the individual with the scooter.

According to the witness, there were three individuals who fired shots, and as several shots were fired, the intended victim ran away from the scene.

The trial is scheduled to resume on July 8. 

Shooting Defendant Waives Right to Independent DNA Testing

A shooting defendant waived his right to test DNA evidence recovered from a crime scene in a July 3 hearing, before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur. 

Adrian Lee, 49, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on April 18, 2023, on the 700 block of Gresham Place, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

During the hearing, Lee waived his right to test evidence, including clothing and a cellphone, for DNA. 

Judge Arthur reminded Lee that, if he waives his right, he will not be able to request to test the evidence at a later date. 

According to court documents, the victim was sideswiped while driving a Tesla Model Y by a woman connected to Lee. She claimed Lee provided an insurance card but it was expired. The victim drove after Lee, who fled the scene on foot. Lee then allegedly shot the victim in the abdomen.

Prosecutors plan to introduce statements about the defendant’s texts and phone ownership. Albert Amissah, Lee’s defense attorney, alerted the court he had not received evidence in the case from the prosecution. They are slated to share it with Amissah before trial.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene July 11.

Homicide Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 3.

John Dickens, 47, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Kelvin Hamlett who was left in his burning car, on the 1500 block of Gales Street, NE, on Nov. 12. 

At the hearing, Kevin Irving, Dickens’ defense attorney, alerted Judge Epstein he was accepting a deal, which required him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for not being indicted on greater charges.

Through the deal, the parties agreed to a sentencing range of 126-to-228 months. 

Additionally, Irving motioned for Dickens’ previous defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, to be present at the sentencing, stating Dickens wants both attorneys to represent him. 

Judge Epstein granted the request, and re-instated Gardner as co-counsel.

Parties are slated to meet Oct. 18 for sentencing. 

Document: MPD Investigating Shooting Involving US Marshalls

On July 5, 18-year-old Kentrell Flowers allegedly was shot and wounded by US Marshalls while trying to carjack them on the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW. Flowers has been charged with armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

Expert Witnesses Testify in Fatal Shooting Trial

The prosecution continued a murder case by calling a series of expert witnesses who testified before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 3.

Vernon Parrish, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in shooting Ronald Bailey, 52, which occurred on Sept 26, 2021 on the 5200 block of E Street, SE. 

During the hearing, an analyst from the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) identified photos taken during the autopsy of two gunshot wounds injuries as presented by the prosecution. The witness also acknowledged the shots weren’t fired from close range.

Ultimately, the examiner ruled that the cause of death for Bailey was multiple gunshot wounds and the nature of death was homicide. 

A representative from ShotSpotter, a software technology that that enables police to identify gunfire, testified the system detected six shots being fired at the time of the incident. 

On cross examination defense attorney Nikke Lotze about why ShotSpotter did not originally detect the shot. According to Lotze, the MPD had to review ShotSpotter data to confirm the incident occurred. 

Lotze also claimed that ShotSpotter could only identify the location of the original shot and not ones that allegedly followed. The witness verified this and said three sensors did not pick up the following shots and therefore they could not calculate a location. 

On redirect, the witness told the prosecutor that many factors affect ShotSpotter sensors’ ability to pick up gunfire including buildings, temperature, and the manner in which the weapon is fired. 

Trial will resume July 8.

Document: MPD Investigating Double Fatal Crash on Southern Avenue

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a double fatal crash that occurred on July 2 on the 4100 block of Southern Avenue, SE, during an active high speed chase. The vehicle had three occupants, two of which died at the scene. One was identified as 17-year-old Dashawn Harris. MPD continues to work on identifying the second victim.

Demetri Koger, 19, who was the third occupant of the vehicle, attempted to flee the scene. He was arrested and charged with fugitive from justice.

Carjacking Defendant Motions to Overturn Conviction, Claiming Ineffective Representation

A carjacking defendant, who filed a motion to vacate or overturn his conviction, alleges his lawyer is related to the victim and failed to represent him effectively. The argument came during a July 3 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz. 

Marquise Lucas, 26, was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, unarmed carjacking, and three counts of armed robbery with an imitation pistol, for his involvement in an incident that occurred on the 900 block of Florida Avenue, NW on Feb. 12, 2015. He appeared in a remote hook-up from a federal Bureau of Prisons facility.

According to court documents, Lucas was allegedly engaged in a robbery and carjacking of a BMW while at a gas station. The stolen vehicle was then pursued by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) before it collided with another vehicle and those involved were detained. 

Willie Smith was also arrested in connection to the case and charged with armed robbery, unarmed carjacking, and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence. Another co-defendant Donna Timmons was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, theft second degree and receiving stolen property – misdemeanor.

Lucas was sentenced to 14 years of incarceration in December 2015. 

Lucas filed a motion to vacate his conviction on Dec. 3, 2023. He alleges that his Public Defense Service (PDS) trial counsel, Michael Carter, is related to one of the victims in the 2015 carjacking, and was ineffective in representing him. 

According to Lucas, Carter failed to file a motion to sever his case from his co-defendants, despite indicating to Lucas that he had done so. No motion to sever was ever filed, according to the motion. 

Furthermore, Lucas alleges Carter did not adequately explain the elements of the armed robbery count.

Through the motion, Lucas requested to void his conviction, or have a new trial, claiming Carter “adversely affected his representation.” 

Judge Kravitz argued Lucas should be in person at future proceedings, and ordered a writ be implemented by the Bureau of Prisons for him to be held at DC Jail to guarantee his presence. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 1.

Prosecution Says Defense Lawyer in a Homicide Case Has a Conflict of Interest

In response to discovery of evidence motions made by the defense in a homicide case, the prosecution argued before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun during a July 2 hearing that the defense attorney had a conflict of interest with a prosecution witness.

Tyree Irving, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, 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. 

According to court documents, an individual was identified by a witness on the scene as Irving. The witness told police the suspect approached Williams and an unknown individual. The suspect allegedly  shook hands with the unnamed individual before moving towards Williams, brandishing a handgun, and shooting him multiple times. Williams was found on the scene with numerous gunshot wounds and pronounced dead.

Prior to the July 2 hearing, a Public Defender Services (PDS) attorney that represents Irving, Madalyn Harvey, filed a motion requesting the prosecution share information about a witness that they intend to call during trial.

The prosecution explained that the witness is currently held in prison after being convicted of an unrelated homicide.

The prosecution objected to the motion, stating that the DC Bar prohibited Harvey from representing Irving due to a conflict of interest because Harvey and the witness’ attorney worked at PDS at the same time. 

Sharing information about the witness would unfairly advantage the defense because Harvey would have access to additional files about the witness through the PDS office, argued prosecutors.

Claire Roth, PDS’ Special Counsel to the Director – Ethical Conflicts and CJA Panel, stated that the rule allows Harvey to continue her representations with Irving’s informed consent.

“Mr. Irving has a constitutional right to counsel of choice,” she argued.

The prosecution responded that even if Irving gave consent, it would still unfairly compromise the credibility of the witness in that the defense would “probe and probe and probe” at the witness whose “credibility is central to this case.”

Irving was placed under oath and agreed that he wanted Harvey to continue representing him. He told Judge Okun he was aware that PDS had represented the witness and his current PDS attorneys could not access the witness’ privileged information during cross-examination.

In a May 24 hearing, Harvey characterized the witness as a “cooperator” who is out to “help himself.”  Further, she claimed he has a bias and is desperate to curry favor.  

Judge Okun did not make an official ruling on the motion and stated he would issue a written order within the next week.

Parties are slated to return on July 19.

Triple-Carjacking Defendant Waives Right to Speedy Trial

A triple-carjacking defendant informed DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 3 that he waived right to a speedy trial in order to be granted a new attorney.

Taysean Juwan Hawkins, 20, is charged with conspiracy, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of armed carjacking, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and fleeing a law enforcement officer, for his alleged involvement in multiple carjackings between Jan. 11 and 12, 2021 at various locations, including:

  • the 1500 block of 30th Street, NW, where an Audi SUV was stolen at gunpoint but then recovered unoccupied on the 1200 block of Douglas Street, NE.
  • the 4700 block of Alton Place, NW, where a black Acura was stolen at gunpoint less than two hours after the first armed carjacking.
  • the 4300 block of Alton Place, NW, where a bright blue Toyota Rav4 SUV was stolen at gunpoint, three minutes after, and less than a half mile from the previous armed carjacking.
  • the 2600 block of Benning Road, NE, where Hawkins was arrested after allegedly being seen by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers driving recklessly at a high rate of speed in the carjacked Acura.

At the hearing, Hawkins requested a new attorney say his current attorney, Janai Reed, has a conflict of interest and needs to be replaced before proceeding. The original June 27 trial date was vacated by the court in order to grant the request. 

Reed also filed an Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD) having to do with the transfer of prisoners between two states, which documented Hawkins giving up his right to have a trial within 120 days of arriving in DC. 

Prior to switching counsel, Hawkins was pending an independent competency examination and mental observation hearing. 

Parties are slated to reconvene July 22.