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Murder Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Two murder co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment on Aug. 15 before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

James Outland, 26, and Bobby Gupton, 26, are charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE.

At the hearing, Lisbeth Saperstein, Gupton’s attorney, and Michael Bruckheim, Outland’s attorney, alerted the court of their intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted their constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. 

Gupton also requested a new attorney, stating their relationship has deteriorated. Parties agreed to discuss the issues at the next hearing. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 4. 

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges during an arraignment on Aug. 16. before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.  

Diamond Early, 31, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license outside home/business, possession of unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 31. 

The incident occurred on the 4000 block of Kansas Avenue, NW. One person suffered from a non-fatal gunshot wound to the right leg. 

At the hearing, Early’s attorney, Antoini Jones, alerted the court his client was pleading not guilty to all charges, and requested a speedy trial. 

A status hearing date is set for Oct. 8. 2024. 

Defense Compares Client to ‘Hobbit’ in Closing For Strip Club Stabbing Case

Both sides presented different views of a stabbing case in closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 19. 

Abraham Urrutia Castillo, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW at a venue billed as “The Best Strip Club in DC.” One individual sustained injuries which required treatment at a hospital. 

According to court documents, the victim, who is a bouncer at a strip club, was allegedly stabbed by Urrutia Castillo when he removed him from the premises for touching a waitress. 

Before closing arguments, Judge Salerno denied defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, motion for judgment of acquittal. Urrutia Castillo also said he would not testify during trial.

In their closing, the prosecution stated the night the victim was stabbed was “fine” until Urrutia Castillo started to act “aggressive.” The prosecution said Urrutia Castillo “gripped” a waitress’ arm and “yanked her back” while she was escorting his allegedly drunken friend towards a bouncer.  Patrons are not allowed to touch the waitresses.

When the victim and his co-worker saw Urrutia Castillo allegedly grab a waitress, the prosecution said they used “force” to push Urrutia Castillo and his friend out of the strip club. 

The prosecution acknowledged a language barrier between Urrutia Castillo and the victim as Urrutia Castillo primarily speaks Spanish. However, they said security pointing at the exit “means something” and cited testimony from another worker at the club who asked them to leave in Spanish. 

The prosecution then replayed surveillance video of Urrutia Castillo allegedly stabbing the victim. They pointed out a “shiny object” Urrutia Castillo held in the footage and when the victim realized he was stabbed. 

According to the prosecution, the victim kicked Urrutia Castillo away from his co-worker, who was holding Urrutia Castillo’s friend while waiting for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to arrive, because the victim thought Urrutia Castillo was trying to stab his co-worker as well.  

They concluded Urrutia Castillo didn’t act in self-defense because he was the one who began the altercation by touching the waitress. The prosecution also said the victim and his co-worker were not armed, unlike Urrutia Castillo. 

Catacalos disagreed, arguing Urrutia Castillo was using self-defense tactics against the victim and his co-worker. 

Catacalos replayed the video of when Urrutia Castillo allegedly grabbed a waitress and argued he was actually grabbing his friend and not the waitress. 

He cited the waitress’ testimony earlier in trial when she stated Urrutia Castillo caused a “chain reaction,” meaning it could not be said for certain if his client touched her. 

When the victim and his co-worker decided to remove Urrutia Castillo from the nightclub, Catacalos said, his client was attacked in a “violent manner.” He said the size of the victim and his co-worker, who are over six feet tall, made Urrutia Castillo and his friend, who are five-and-a-half feet tall, look like “hobbits.” Hobbits are a fictional race of characters between two-and-four-feet tall.

According to Catacalos, Urrutia Castillo refused to leave the club without first showing it was a “racist establishment.”

Catacalos said while the victim removed Urrutia Castillo from the club, he put his jacket over his head blinding him. He used the video to show it was possible Urrutia Castillo stabbed the victim when he couldn’t see.

After allegedly stabbing the victim, he said, Urrutia Castillo waved his arm to put distance between him and the victim. Catacalos also said Urrutia Castillo ran towards his friend, who was being held down by the victim’s co-worker, to protect him, not injure the other worker. 

Catacalos concluded his client’s actions were reasonable under the “circumstances” and were not criminal. 

Parties are set to reconvene when the jury concludes their deliberations. 

McDonald’s Stabbing Defendant Sentenced to Five Years for ‘Unprovoked Attack’

A defendant with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to five years “straight time” for a stabbing attack by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 20. 

During the hearing, the prosecutor played graphic video of a confrontation between Reginald Pickett, 63, a female German tourist, and a concerned citizen at a busy McDonald’s restaurant on the 1300 block of  New York Avenue, NW around 6 p.m. on April 16.  

In May, Pickett pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for the incident.  

According to court documents, when Pickett entered the restaurant he yelled, “I hate all of you white people…’I will kill all of you!”

The surveillance video shows a suspect, identified as Pickett, appearing to argue with a patron, who was said to be a German tourist, seated at a table.  The prosecutor explained that Pickett pulled out a knife and threatened the woman.  

At that point another individual in the restaurant intervened, trying to protect the woman and pushed Pickett outside of the restaurant. The pair scuffled and both were seen in the video wrestling on the sidewalk. Then the prosecutor says Pickett stabbed the victim in the head and cut his ear.

At that point other people intervened including the German tourist’s traveling companion until officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived.  

The prosecutor called the crime “very concerning” in that it occurred in a busy public place with children present.  She characterized the attack as “wholly unprovoked.”  

Further, the prosecutor pointed out that Pickett has a 40 year criminal history including charges of attempted murder, armed robbery and multiple drug-related incidents.  She speculated that the crime was fueled by drug use in that Pickett was admittedly high on PCP at the time.

Given the serious nature of the offense, the prosecution recommended Pickett serve 63 months jail time.  

Pickett’s attorney, Angela Ramsay said that Pickett “knew he was wrong,” and what happened was unfortunate for all involved.  However, she cited Pickett’s severe mental health issues and that “something has to change.” 

In passing the sentence Judge Salerno said, “I hope, when you think this over you understand you’re getting too old for this.”  He noted that PCP and weapons were often a “lethal combination.”  

Judge Salerno sentenced Pickett to 60 months “straight time” meaning no credit for time served.  Following the prison term, Pickett will be on supervised provision for three years.  He is also required to pay $100 under the Victims of Violent Crime Act.   

The judge recommended Pickett serve his time in a federal facility where drug rehabilitation programs were available. 

“Good luck,”  Judge Salerno said to Pickett, and, “I hope this is the end.” 

Strip Club Stabbing Defendant Guilty of Simple Assault, Acquitted of Dangerous Weapon Assault

A jury acquitted Abraham Urrutia Castillo of assault with a dangerous weapon but found him guilty of simple assault before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 20.

Castillo, 28, was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for hisd involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, at a venue billed as “The Best Strip Club in DC.” One individual sustained injuries which required treatment at a hospital. 

According to the prosecution, Castillo’s friend was being escorted out by a waitress when he touched her. Castillo was removed from the club as well because patrons are not allowed to touch waitresses.  When a bouncer intervened to expel Castillo from the club, he stabbed the bouncer.

Castillo’s attorney, Damon Catacalos, argued his client acted in self-defense. He said Castillo did not actually touch the waitress, and the bouncer’s involvement was unwarranted and unprovoked. 

Castillo’s sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 27.

Shooting Trial Delayed Due to Defendant’s Illness 

A shooting trial was delayed on Aug. 19 due to a defendant’s “serious physical ailment,” before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Marquez Beasley, 31, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting, which allegedly stemmed from road age, on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE, on Aug. 16, 2023, resulting in three injuries. 

According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to multiple gunshots after a dispute stemming from a car accident involving Beasley. Allegedly, he shot at two individuals trying to exchange information, with a third victim being a bystander.

During the hearing, John Machado, Beasley’s defense attorney, alerted the court the Marshals had alerted him of Beasley’s getting sick on the bus that transported him from the DC Jail to the courthouse. 

Machado’s request to continue the trial by at least a day to ensure he’s okay and is able to participate in court was granted by Judge Epstein.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 20. 

‘Even Though Mr. Pinkney Was Not The Shooter, It’s Pretty Cold Blooded to Stand There Watching,’ Says Judge

A suspect accused of murder in a domestic violence case appeared in an Aug. 15 hearing before DC Superior Court of Judge Rainey Brandt.

On March 19, 33-year-old Isaac Pinkney was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 13, 2023 on the 1300 block of Valley Place, SE.

“Even though Mr. Pinkeny was not the shooter, it’s pretty cold blooded to stand there watching– one could argue that it is equally as cold blooded,” said Judge Brandt.

Officers located 24-year-old Jireh Emanuel Martinez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds eventually dying at the scene. Represented by Carrie A. Weletz, Pinkney was charged with first degree murder while armed and felony murder while armed although someone else is said to have pulled the trigger.

The defense argued that surveillance videos and snapshots are too vague and blurry for accurate identification of a suspect.

In addition the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) never recovered weapons from Pinkney or a plastic bag that he allegedly took from the victim. 

An MPD officer testified he allegedly identified the defendant in person, on camera, and in pictures. According to the officer the suspect says,”Give it to me, give it to me, multiple times and the gunshot fires and the decedent falls to the ground.”

The Prosecutor argued Pinkney participated in an armed robbery that led to the death of the decedent. “He pulls out a gun and there are seconds that have passed and passed and Mr. Martinez doesn’t do anything,” according to the prosecutor.

The Defense argued that Pinkney was very forthcoming in his statements and had no plan to commit a robbery or a murder–“it seems happenstance,” as he was in the area to buy weed. They claim that they do not have enough underlying evidence to prove premeditation or motive. “They knew each other and had issues with each other” but there was no evidence that Pinkney and the shooter had a prior relationship, said the defense.

“If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, chances are it is a duck,”Judge Brandt said after considering the arguments. She said, the court had no reason to believe that the detective’s testimony was anything but credible.

The video allegedly shows Pinkney rummaging through the victim’s bag as the shooter held a gun to his forehead. Therefore the court ruled that although Mr Pinkney wasn’t the shooter himself, he is still just as responsible.

According to Judge Brandt, “Mr.Pinkney didn’t use force or violence but his partner did– in for a penny out for a pound…he and the shooter were acting in consort. The evidence shows the shooter had the gun and Pinkney took the property.

Given the severity of the crime Judge Brandt ruled that Pinkney remain in custody despite his being a family man and a former special police officer.

The defendant’s felony status conference is scheduled for Dec. 13

Stabbing Defendant Won’t Get Off The Bus, Pre-Trial Calendar Set

A judge and counsel set upcoming court dates in a non-fatal shooting case. DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s conducted a status hearing for Jeremiah Smalls on August 14 who is charged with felony domestic violence on two counts, including intent to kill while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. 

According to the US Marshal service, Smalls refused get off the bus from jail to the courthouse, and as a result a hearing on DNA evidence was rescheduled to November 14, 2024 and Judge Brandt decided to move forward with the trial readiness calendar to deal with administrative matters,.

The estimated length for the prosecution’s case is one week. While the defense presentation would be one-to-two days.

The prosecution expects to have eight witnesses, including one expert. Defense will have a maximum of two witnesses with no experts. 

The judge ordered that all motions be filed by Sept. 20. Opposition responses are set for Oct. 31 The expert notice deadline was set for Sept. 30 Exhibit and witness lists are due Nov. 12.

The motions hearing date is expected to be Nov. 8, 2024.

‘You Barely Heard His Name at This Trial,’ Defense Argues in Mass Shooting, Homicide

Defense counsel provided closing arguments for three co-defendants in a mass shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 15.

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

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

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

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

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

In her closing statement, Price’s defense attorney, Megan Allburn, provided a timeline of events to argue there were holes in the prosecution’s argument that serve as reasonable doubt. 

Price was shot in December of 2017, several months before the mass shooting in Clay Terrace, according to Allburn. She argued the prosecution wanted the jury to believe this is what sparked the defendant’s animosity towards Clay Terrace, even though the incident happened over a mile outside the neighborhood and Price did not know who shot him.  

Allburn went on to explain that Price did not post himself toting firearms on social media, like many of the other defendants in this case, including Murchison. His Instagram handle did not include the “df” vanity name that indicates someone is a member of the Wellington Park Crew. 

“Mark Price is not Wellington Park,” Allburn insisted. 

While he did own a firearm, Allburn argued this was understandable for someone who had recently been shot and wanted to protect themself.

Allburn claimed there is no no substantial evidence linking Price to the case. Other conspirators did not include Price when discussing the “beef” between Wellington Park and Clay Terrace; no witnesses identified Price as the figure in the black hoodie on surveillance footage, and no relevant phone number was connected with Price, according to Allburn.

Price’s DNA was likely found on the outside but not on the inside of a pair of gloves from the black Infiniti suspect vehicle, according to Allburn.

She also highlighted a six minute gap in a key portion of the surveillance footage.

Michael Bruckheim, Murchison’s defense attorney, conceded spoke rarely during the trial. The reason, he said, was because Murchison was rarely connected to the prosecution’s evidence. 

“You barely heard his name at this trial,” Bruckheim said.

Out of the prosecution’s 87 witnesses, only seven of them ever mentioned Murchison, according to Bruckheim. Additionally, he claimed out of the four expert witnesses who testified — a cellular technology expert, an expert in latent fingerprint examination, an expert in firearm toolmark analysis and a DNA expert — none offered evidence of guilt.

Murchison’s DNA was tested against every item of evidence, and none of them showed support for his sample’s inclusion. 

Bruckheim argued Murchison is not guilty of conspiracy because he was never involved in  messages or other evidence of planning or preparation prior to the mass shooting. He cited messages from two weeks before the incident between Michals and Taylor, who he claimed were the ringleaders of the conspiracy. “He ain’t us,” the messages said, referring to Murchison.

Ramsuer’s defense attorney, Cary Clennon, also asked the jury to find his client not guilty of obstruction of justice in his closing statement. He argued that Ramsuer did not lie to the police or in her grand jury testimony, when she said she couldn’t see the individuals in the surveillance footage. 

Lennon claimed that “I can’t see” should not be interpreted as “I don’t know” or “I don’t recognize them,” but that she simply could not see the faces of the individuals in the footage. 

Parties will reconvene on Aug. 19.

Attorney Says Client ‘Violently Ill,’ But Judge Denies Release

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz denied the release of a shooting defendant after his defense attorney said he is having health issues on Aug. 16.  

Donnell Hannah, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on July 21 on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. He and an accomplice allegedly fired six bullets at the victim before stealing a car.

During the hearing, Hannah’s defense attorney, Russell Hairston requested Hannah be released from the jail due to health reasons. He said, since being at the jail, he has been “violently ill” including vomiting two times and receiving medical treatment.

Judge Leibovitz denied Hannah’s release but said she will issue a medical alert to the jail so Hannah can get the care he needs.  

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 30. 

Document: Arrests Made in Fatal December Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 17-year-old Rayon Davis Jr. and 17-year-old Quintin Reed, who are charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Dwayne Barbour. The incident occurred on Dec. 20, 2023, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.

Barbour succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 31, 2023.

Reed and Davis are charged as adults under Title 16.

Carjacking Defendant Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty

Daquan Jackson was arraigned on a charge of carjacking and pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Aug. 16.

Jackson, 27, faces charges for his alleged involvement in the theft of a scooter on March 3 on the 1000 block of H Street, NE. 

According to court documents, three investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Violent Crime Suppression Division witnessed the carjacking while on patrol. The investigators reported seeing two men on a scooter, masked and dressed all in black, push a third man off another scooter and attempt to drive it away. Arrest documents state that the investigators detained the man on the stolen scooter, who was identified as Jackson, while the other suspect evaded arrest.

During the hearing, Sara Kopecki, Jackson’s attorney, asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. 

The trial is scheduled for Aug. 22.

Four Co-Defendants in DC Jail Stabbing Arraigned, Plead Not Guilty

Ramel Henderson, Kevon Jackson, Melvin Morris and Dominique Franks were arraigned on charges of conspiracy and aggravated assault while armed and pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Aug. 16.

Henderson, 20, Jackson, 24, Morris, 26, and Franks, 23, face charges for their alleged involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Oct. 25, 2023, that left one person injured.

According to court documents, portions of the assault were captured on surveillance camera footage within the jail. The surveillance footage shows an individual identified as Franks walking toward the shower area, where the weapon used in the assault was found.

Court documents state that a doctor who treated the victim recovered a sharp object from him and reported it to a Department of Corrections officer.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Nov. 1.