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Defendant Accepts Global Plea Deal, Admits to Stabbing, Child Sex Abuse

A defendant accepted a global plea deal in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe in connection to stabbing, kidnapping and sexual abuse incidents, during a July 2 hearing.

William Edwards, 26, was originally charged with first-degree burglary while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon – including a knife – kidnapping while armed, and robbery while armed for assaulting and stabbing a man while attempting to commit a robbery on Oct. 7, 2020 at the 400 block of Chaplin Street, SE. 

Edwards was also charged with six counts of second-degree child sex abuse to victims under the age of 12 at the time of the offense for incidents that occurred in January and February 2018, and April 17, 2018. 

Court documents state that Edwards is nine years older than the sexual abuse victims, one of which is partially blind.

At the hearing, Edwards’ attorneys, Kevin Mosley, Laura Rose, and Errin Scialpi, alerted Judge O’Keefe that Edwards would accept a deal, which required him to plead guilty to two counts of second-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating factors and kidnapping, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of no more than 15 years imprisonment. 

Judge O’Keefe reminded Edwards of the rights he would be giving up by pleading guilty, which Edwards acknowledged.

In regards to the kidnapping incident, the prosecution stated they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Edwards seized a victim around 1 a.m. with the purpose of committing a robbery. They added that, with the assistance of an accomplice, the victim was handcuffed and put into a bathroom stall for approximately three hours.

The prosecution also contended they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Edwards engaged in sexual activity involving two minors for sexual gratification.

The maximum penalty for kidnapping is 30 years, while second-degree child sex abuse carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Judge Grants Ailing Murder Defendant Compassionate Release

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a homicide defendant’s request for compassionate release due to steadily deteriorating health, during a July 3 hearing. 

Joseph Ballard, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Monte Daniels, 33, on July 28, 2023, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. 

According to court documents, Ballard allegedly stabbed Daniels once in the chest killing him over an argument about drugs.

In September, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt released Ballard on conditions he would receive treatment for his drug use. He was re-arrested due to his failure to appear in court, and had multiple issues with drug testing. 

Ballard’s attorney, Dominique Winters, said Ballard was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and heart failure. She told Judge Demeo he is currently receiving advanced hospital care, with his wife making most of his medical decisions. 

On July 3, the court heard Winters’s motion to release Ballard based on his current medical state. 

Judge Demeo cited a letter from a medical director at United Health Services, which stated that Ballard has lung cancer, hypertension, breathlessness, heart failure, cardiac issues, and fluid retention around the lungs that require continuous drainage so Ballard can breathe. 

According to Winters, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is unable to provide the defendant with the care that he requires. So, he will be placed in hospice care at his home and doctors believe that he only six months left to live. 

The victim’s family was present virtually on Webex and addressed the court directly with their complaint. 

“He should not be able to walk away with no responsibility. My son did not receive that same compassion when Ballard killed him,” the victim’s father said. 

Judge Demeo granted Ballard’s release on the conditions of 24-hour home confinement, GPS monitoring, and ordered that Ballard sign a release of medical records to the Pretrial Service Agency (PSA). 

Parties are slated to return July 10.

Judge Calls Stabbing Defendant, ‘the Unluckiest Man in the World,’ at Preliminary Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a stabbing incident, despite his defense attorney’s claiming they arrested the wrong person, in a July 2 hearing. 

Lenare Leath, 21, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on May 2 on the 1200 block of W Street, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

The prosecution called on detective who noted that the suspect in the courtroom was the individual he arrested. 

During his testimony, the detective told Judge Herrman that Leath was walking in the street and dropped his phone which made him angry. Then, he approached a woman and demanded her phone. When she resisted, he became violent and allegedly stabbed her. 

According to the detective, he went to the hospital to speak with the victim, where discovered she suffered from cuts to the back of her head and to her left thigh. The victim recounted what happened and was very upset. 

Detectives spoke to Leath’s father, who granted officers permission to search Leath’s room. The detective testified they found a knife wrapped in a black hoodie under the bathroom sink, along with white and black shoes that matched the shoes identified as being worn by the suspect during the incident. 

During cross examination, Quiana Harris, Leath’s defense attorney, stated that multiple witnesses were at the scene and said they never saw a person attacking the victim with a knife. 

According to the detective, at the time of his arrest, Leath identified himself as the person who committed the crime, but Harris argued that he was not in the position to accurately make statements because he was intoxicated with oxycodone at the time. 

According to the detective, many witnesses stated they never saw the person attacking the victim with a knife.

Judge Herrmann said with all the evidence provided linking defendant Leath to the crime, it would make him the “unluckiest man in the world” if he is not the suspect. 

Parties are slated to meet on July 10.

Judge Sentences Carjacker to Ten Years Under the Youth Rehabilitation Act

A carjacking defendant was sentenced to ten years by DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur in a July 2 hearing. 

Gianni Saunders, 21, was convicted of armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, robbery while armed for his involvement in an armed carjacking that occurred on May 24, 2023 on the 2800 block of Denver Street, SE.

Saunders was acquitted of unlawful possession of ammunition. 

According to court documents, the victim had parked on the street and exited the vehicle when Saunders approached and pointed a gun in his direction. Saunders demanded the victim’s car key and he complied; then Saunders fled n the victim’s vehicle, and while attempting to outrun police crashed into two other vehicles. 

During the hearing, the prosecution argued Saunders should be sentenced to 20 years, stating that the victim is still affected by the incident, and community danger is evident. 

Saunders’ defense attorney, Antoini Jones, stated that the defendant has no prior convictions and his behavior in the DC jail has been exemplary. 

 “Charge the man, not the crime,” said defense attorney Jones.

 The defense argued for a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) sentencing, which would seal the defendant’s conviction if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements, with recommended probation and services available to the defendant, alongside the conditions imposed by the prosecution. 

Judge Arthur said the defendant must face his consequences.

“It is time the rubber has to meet the road,” said Judge Arthur.  

Judge Arthur sentenced the defendant to ten years of incarceration, and five years of supervised release under the YRA. 

Saunders is also required to complete 90 hours of community service, register as a gun offender, and complete restitution payment. 

No further dates were set. 

Judge Requests Additional Time to Review Mother, Son Severance in a Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan announced a delay in ruling on a motion to sever mother and son homicide co-defendants, to further review the evidence and case law, during a July 2 hearing.

Jaquell Jackson, 20, and Chakeatia Jackson, 39, are charged with second-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell on Sept. 15, 2021, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. 

According to court documents, the murder stemmed from a verbal altercation between Chakeatia and Chappell at Ballou High School on the 3400 block of 4th Street, SE. Following the argument, Chakeatia and Jaquell were allegedly seen pointing at Chappell’s vehicle and shots being fired on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.  

Jaquell, through his defense attorney, Brian McDaniel, submitted a motion to sever the two defendants. 

Judge Raffinin said she was unable to decide on the request as she needed more time for review.

Judge Raffanin asked the prosecution to clarify what surveillance footage witnesses saw when they identified Jaquell Jackson. Furthermore, she checked about four additional witnesses who were not asked to identify Jaquell outside of court.

Judge Raffanin asked McDaniel to provide case law describing a situation in which severing cases between a mother and son co-defendants assisted in deliberations.

The defense also put their concerns on record about the relationship between Jaquell and Chakeatia if either of them are used as witnesses in the other’s case. 

However, the prosecution said it was not the same situation, but he was aware of a case that was recently before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt that involved mother and son co-defendants. 

Parties are slated to reconvene July 16.

Court Addresses Omission in Pre-Sentence Report for Homicide Defendant 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan discussed an omission in a pre-sentence report for a homicide defendant during a July 2 hearing.

Oscar Ramos, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado Melendez. The incident occurred on May 28, 2015, on Interstate 295 North at Exit One, in Southwest DC and left another individual suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. 

Ramos was acquitted on two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

The prosecution filed a motion to modify Ramos’ pre-sentence report to represent a previous conviction in Massachusetts, in which he was identified by an alias. According to the prosecutor, Ramos’ criminal history score, which was identified by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) as one point, should be two points due to the conviction in Massachusetts. 

The score is determined by the severity of the offense and whether or not it is drug-related.

Judge Raffinan agreed with the prosecution that the other conviction under the alias should be attributed to Ramos, and granted that request to change the pre-sentence report. 

Ramos’ criminal score will now be two points and the sentencing is set to proceed as scheduled on July 12.

Judge Grants Continuance in Co-Defendant Homicide Trial for Lack of Defense Lawyers

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a defendant’s request to postpone his trial on July 2 due to an acute shortage of available attorneys from the DC Public Defender Service (PDS).

Mark Fletcher III,23, Malik Bynum, 22, and Larry White, 22, are charged with conspiracy, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and first-degree murder while armed, for their alleged involvement in the shooting of 21-year-old Rosendo Miller. The incident occurred on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE on July 2, 2021.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows the three individuals, identified as the defendants, attempting to steal Miller’s Gucci satchel, Rolex watch, and Dior shoes. Shell casings were also recovered from the scene of the crime. 

Madalyn Harvey, Bynum’s defense attorney, filed a motion to continue the trial, stating she and other attorneys from the Public Defender Service (PDS) are unavailable for the original trial date of Jan. 27, 2025.

Neither of the co-defendants opposed the motion.

However, the prosecution objected, stating a delay would cause significant prejudice because Miller’s family is eager for the matter to be resolved and the trial date was set two years in advance to accommodate all parties.

The prosecutor explained the trial is estimated to take no longer than a week and there should be enough time to hold the trial in 2025. 

David Knight, the chief of the trial division from the PDS, was also present in the courtroom to highlight the challenges the agency is experiencing because of a shortage of attorneys. 

He said the problem is not simply occurring in the District, but rather across the country. 

Laura Hankins, general counsel for the PDS, told D.C. Witness that a one-day-a-week work furlough of PDS attorneys, which was expected to start in June, is now scheduled for July 15. If the action is implemented, it would effectively reduce trial days in the DC Superior Court from four to three, since Fridays are reserved for hearings that overflow during the week.

PDS lawyers complain their agency of 275 attorneys and support personnel is woefully understaffed and under budgeted.

“We have about a third of the amount of lawyers that we should have for murder trials,” Knight said. 

Knight pointed out most PDS senior staffers had left. The dilemma, said Knight, is that those currently at PDS have only been on the job two years and aren’t eligible to try the most serious felonies. Meanwhile, experienced staffers have full calendars.

The prosecution requested someone from the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorney panel be assigned to the case if no one was available from PDS. The panel consists of private attorneys who assist the PDS in representing indigent clients.

Judge Raffinan found good cause to grant the continuance and set a trial date for Dec 1, 2025 to accommodate Harvey’s schedule.

Parties are slated to return Aug. 23.

Shooting Defendant Detained After Waiving Preliminary Hearing 

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann ordered a shooting defendant remain detained following his waiving a preliminary hearing during a July 2 hearing.

Kevin Snead, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, SE, on April 3. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, Samuel Bogash, Snead’s defense attorney, alerted the court he planned to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. 

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in “two chapters.” Snead allegedly interacted with a group of juveniles as they attempted to rob the Safeway where he was working as a security officer, before firing shots at him. Hours later, Snead is alleged to have run into the group at a 7-Eleven store, where he shot at them but missed, hitting a parked vehicle. 

The prosecution mentioned that Snead had a license to carry a firearm in Maryland but not in DC as well as being on probation for another case, yet was in DC with a firearm which violated his probation.

Judge Herrmann stated “I don’t see self-defense, someone shot at me earlier I am going to shoot at them now,” when referring to the events that unfolded.

Bogash stated that his client “feared for his life” during the incident, arguing he thought that the juveniles had a gun and they were going to shoot at him, which they ended up doing as they fled the scene. 

Judge Herrmann decided to hold Snead because the “nature of the offense is concerning.”

Parties are slated to meet on July 25. 

Document: MPD Searching for Southeast Shooting Suspects

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspect involved in a shooting that injured one individual on June 30. The incident occurred on the 2800 block of Q Street, SE.

Document: Second Wanted Suspect Apprehended in Fatal Northwest Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 22-year-old Tiffany Taylor Gray, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder. for her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 53-year-old Fasil Teklemariam. The incident occurred on April 5 on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.

On June 21, 19-year-old Audrey Miller was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder.

Defense Attorney Asks Judge to Reconsider ’Overly Harsh’ Sentence for Shooter

A convicted shooter’s defense attorney requested DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian reconsider his “overly harsh” sentence during a July 2 hearing.  

Marquette Brown, 37, was initially charged with charged with assault on a police officer while armed, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a firearm outside of a home or business for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 11, 2022, at the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from an altercation between Brown and an officer after Brown refused to wear an appropriate COVID-19 mask required at the time in a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) location. 

During the altercation, the firearm fell from the officer’s belt, Brown picked it up and proceeded to discharge said firearm in the DMV, according to court documents.

On Oct. 20, 2023, Brown accepted a plea deal for attempted aggravated assault knowingly, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

Brown was sentenced to 30 months on Feb 13. 

On May 13, Brown’s defense attorney, Adgie O’Bryant Jr., filed a motion to reduce Brown’s sentence. 

In his motion, O’Bryant asked the court to “reconsider the fairness of Brown’s sentence,” and called the sentence “overly harsh.”

According to O’Bryant, Brown was “sentenced for less time than suggested under DC Voluntary sentencing guidelines,” but O’Bryant argued in his motion that a combination of mental illness and drug abuse resulted in Brown’s offenses. 

The motion insisted that “if [Brown] is given a second chance that he will take full advantage of it and not appear in the criminal justice system again.”

Brown is currently being held in a prison in Pennsylvania and was not present during the hearing. 

All parties agreed that the hearing was unproductive without Brown, and Judge Christian ordered that he appear on Web-Ex during the next hearing. 

Parties are slated to meet Sept. 6.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Non-Fatal Shooting

On July 3, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested 53-year-old Derrick Dion Gladden and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on April 14 on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Crash

On July 2, 17-year-old Deshawn Harris was killed in a car crash on the  4100 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested  19-year-old Demetri Koger, charging him with being a fugitive from justice.