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Defense Requests Continuance in Stabbing Case 

A defense attorney requested a continuance for lack of evidence in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum on Aug. 15.

On Aug. 11 at approximately 12:04p.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers received a call for a stabbing on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE. Aquino Boyd, 26, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon

During the hearing, Boyd’s attorney, Sara Kopecki, requested a continuance because she said she had not received all of the video surveillance footage from the prosecution. 

A standard order was issued by the prosecution to show all relevant footage in the case, and the defense was satisfied by that action.

Parties are set to return Aug. 21.

Carjacking Suspect Rejects Plea Offer, Trial Date Set

In a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer DiToro on Aug. 15, a carjacking defendant turned down a plea offer asserting his right to go to trial.

Vincent Jones, 30, is charged with unarmed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed for his involvement in an incident that occurred on June 16, 2023 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

During the hearing the prosecutor repeated a plea offer that would have required Jones to plead guilty to one count of armed robbery with an imitation firearm and one count of armed carjacking in return for not filing an indictment on greater charges and capping Jones’ sentence at five years.  

According to court documents, the victim was surrounded by three men, one of them armed with what appeared to be an automatic weapon.  During the encounter one of the suspects told the victim to, “give that s*** up!.  At which point he surrendered his car keys and a bag containing $400 and credit cards.  The suspects then fled in the victim’s 2014 Toyota Corolla.  

While expressing some initial confusion about details of the deal, Jones ultimately rejected the plea and decided to go to trial.  

His attorney, Peter Odom, noted that the complaining witness in the case has been arrested on a firearms charge and asked the prosecution to provide details to the defense on the grounds the information could be “exculpatory.”  

Odom also asked Judge DiToro to release Jones on the grounds that his criminal record was “fairly minimal,” and that he’s had a child since his arrest as well as family support.

The prosecution objected, saying Jones’ circumstances have not markedly changed since his arrest. The judge agreed, ruling that Jones remain detained.

Judge DiToro set a trial date in the case for Nov. 7.

‘They Weren’t Aiming at Anyone in Particular, They Were Just Shooting,’ Says Prosecutor in Closing  

A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun’s courtroom heard additional details of the prosecution’s closing argument in a homicide, conspiracy case on Aug. 14. 

Mark Price, 29, and Antonio Murchison, 31, are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 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. The incident left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds. 

Additionally, Price is 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 separate charges come from his alleged involvement in 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:

As the prosecutor continued her closing arguments, which began on Aug. 13, she told the jury, “They have the guns, they have the car, they have the driver,” and insisted the defendants conspired to carry out the attack in the months and hours leading up to the incident. 

“They weren’t aiming at anyone in particular, they were just shooting,” the prosecutor insisted, adding that the group of four gunmen unleashed 50 shots within 20 seconds. 

According to the prosecution, Price and Isaiah Murchison were connected to the murder vehicle through DNA evidence, which was collected from gloves left behind in a black Infiniti. 

The prosecution also argued that Michals showed his consciousness of guilt as he searched for the shooting the following days. She added that multiple co-conspirators communicated in code about the attack, in an attempt to prevent law enforcement from tracking their conversations. 

“If you’re just a bad shot, you’re still guilty,” she ended, reminding the jury that, although one gunshot caused Wilson’s death, all individuals involved in the conspiracy and the recklessness can be found guilty. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 15.

Homicide Defendant Files Letter for New Trial, Then Swears at Prosecution During Closing Arguments 

A defendant filed a hand-written letter asking for a new trial then cursed the prosecution during closing arguments in a homicide case in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 13. 

Mark Price, 29, and Antonio Murchison, 31, are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 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. The incident left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds. 

Additionally, Price is 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 separate charges come from his alleged involvement in 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.

In Price’s letter filed on Aug. 12, he justified asking for a new trial on the basis the jury does not have enough Black members to represent the DC Community. Thus, Price says his constitutional right to a fair trial is being violated.

During the past two years, the Public Defender Service (PDS) has argued that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some 70 defendants may have been tried by juries without a sufficient number of Black people. Price is not among those litigants.

Price’s jury includes 16 people, fourteen white, one Asian, one Hispanic and two Black people. Among the jurors, 10 are men and six are women. 

Megan Allburn and Gemma Stevens, Price’s defense attorneys, declined to comment on Price’s motion. 

During the hearing, the prosecution delivered closing arguments, in which they displayed the ShotSpotter recording from the mass shooting, insisting “20 seconds, 50 gunshots, four gunmen, one driver,” is all it took for the Clay Terrace community to be severely affected.

The prosecution presented the background of this incident beginning in 2017 as the tension between two rival gangs, one located in Wellington Park, known as the Wellington Park Crew, and the other in Clay Terrace. 

The Wellington Park Crew had hard feelings toward Clay Terrace, the prosecutor argued, because a member of the Clay Terrace gang allegedly killed a member associated with the Wellington Park Crew known as Glizzy 30.

Price and Murchison allegedly became involved with the Wellington Park Crew after the initial murder occurred. The prosecution said even though the defense could argue these instances in 2017 are irrelevant, they are relevant because it illustrates Price’s and Murchison’s motive. 

The prosecution said Price became involved after being shot in the leg by a member of the Clay Terrace crew in December 2017 while riding a scooter through the Clay Terrace neighborhood. Murchison was drawn in allegedly because his brother, Isaiah, was involved.  

The prosecution said a member of the Clay Terrace gang would post descriptions of attacks against the Wellington Park Crew on social media, including music videos, which further angered members of the Wellington Park Crew and allegedly motivated them to undertake the mass shooting which killed Wilson. 

The prosecution also said Murchison and Price, along with other members of the Wellington Park Crew, would collect money for guns through messaging on social media. They said they began to stockpile weapons as shown in other social media posts in the late summer of 2017.

According to the prosecution, surveillance footage from the Wellington Park community showed Murchison allegedly holding a gun resting against his head in an apartment common space while others “put their heads down” while walking around him. 

They argued community members not involved in the crew would do the same around Price. 

The prosecutor deemed Price “not a moron,” because he knew not to post pictures of himself with or of guns online. They showed one online message where Price wrote, in reference to social media posts, “12 can see that s***,” to another Wellington Park Crew member.  

“If you think the guns in the pictures are fake, ask yourself what kind of bullets killed Makiyah Wilson?” the prosecution said, asking the jury to realize all the pictures used by the crew members were real.

Murchison’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, objected to the prosecution’s saying people in an apartment building in the Wellington Park community where Murchison was holding guns “put their heads down” while walking by him. 

He said the accusation is “ridiculous” and “unfair” because there is no evidence to prove their statement. 

The prosecution said they have surveillance footage of residents literally “putting their heads down” while walking by Murchison with a gun when posing for photos. While the prosecution was defending their argument, Ramsuer interrupted. The prosecution requested Ramsuer to remain quiet while they were speaking. 

Price then told the prosecution “f*** you” and a little later called them a “b**** ass.” 

Judge Okun overruled the defense’s objection, but said they could mention it during their closing arguments. 

Parties are set to reconvene Aug. 14 to continue closing arguments.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in ‘Out of Nowhere, Unprovoked’ Shooting 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a shooting that occurred “out of nowhere, unprovoked,” during a hearing on Aug. 13. 

Israel Beairs, 40, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 4 on the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE. An adult female sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, the victim and Beairs were previously in a romantic relationship. 

The prosecution called on the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

According to the detective, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and endured surgery to remove a portion of her skull to alleviate the resulting pressure. She also required intubation to assist her feeding and breathing. He testified she is now required to wear a protective helmet. 

Surveillance footage from the incident, which corroborates the detective’s affidavit, shows the victim arrive at the scene in a vehicle, and leave the area for an undisclosed amount of time. Moments later, an individual, identified as Beairs, was seen arriving at the scene in a silver BMW and parking at an angle toward the victim’s vehicle. 

The video depicts the person identified as Beairs conversing with some individuals in the area, before the victim is seen re-entering her car and driving away. As she drove away, the video shows, the suspect fired at her repeatedly, before moving and firing again. 

Following the shooting, the detective testified, the suspect left the scene in his vehicle. 

According to the detective, Bears was on release and on GPS monitoring at the time of the incident, and a record from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) places his GPS monitor at the scene of the crime. 

The detective also alerted Judge Brandt that, during their prior relationship, the victim had called 911 and reported Beairs had punched her in the face and shot at her with a handgun. 

The prosecution argued that Judge Brandt should find probable cause due to the high-quality video footage of the incident. They claimed it is “difficult to dispute that it’s an intentional repetitive shooting with intent to kill” when the suspect continuously shot at the victim’s vehicle as she drove away. 

Courtney Vaughn, Beairs’ attorney, submitted with the court on the finding of probable cause. 

Judge Brandt argued this incident was “extremely serious,” reiterating the fact that the victim lost part of her skull due to the incident, and continues to have a long road to recovery. 

Judge Brandt deemed the incident “brazen,” adding “she [the victim] didn’t even see this coming.” 

Due to the finding of probable cause, and his detainment in two separate cases, Judge Brandt order Beairs remain detained. 
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Sept. 10 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Trial in Stabbing Case Delayed For Lack of Jurors

A stabbing trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno was delayed by a day on Aug. 13 because there weren’t enough jurors to move forward.

Abraham Urrutia Castillo, 28, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, Urrutia Castillo and another person were being escorted out of a restaurant, when the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and slashed one of the workers on the left forearm, causing a deep cut. 

As jury selection was set to begin, Judge Salerno carried the case for the following day hoping for more jurors.

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 14.

Document: MPD Arrests Man in Northeast Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 36-year-old A’quino Boyd, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on Aug. 11 on the intersection of 18th Street and Benning Road, NE.

Homicide Defendant’s Friend Worries About Being A Prosecution Snitch

A homicide defendant’s childhood friend returned to the stand to testify in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 12. However, the witness said he was concerned about providing information.

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:

During the hearing, the defense counsel recalled a witness who previously testified for the prosecution on July 10. In his last testimony, the witness said he and Price grew up together in the Clay Terrace neighborhood and were good friends. He also testified to driving a surviving witness of the mass shooting to the hospital.

In his Aug. 12 testimony, the witness identified Price in several photographs from 2009 and 2012, in which he wore “celebration of life” t-shirts for their late friends from Clay Terrace. “The whole neighborhood had them,” he said.

During cross-examination, prosecutors said the witness, who is currently incarcerated for unrelated charges, refused to meet with them before his testimony for fear of being labeled a “snitch.” 

When further questioned about Clay Terrace, the witness said he “doesn’t claim a ‘hood,” and was unaware about the beef with adversaries from the Wellington Park crew. At the time of the mass shooting in 2018, he didn’t live in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. He said he knew a majority of the people from school and sports teams he played on in his childhood. 

The witness also testified that he hadn’t seen Price since “well before 2018.” When prosecutors mentioned he is in the same DC Jail facility as the defendants, the witness claimed he hadn’t seen him.

Additionally, all three co-defendants waived their right to testify in the trial.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 13 to begin closing statements. 

Defense Contests Competency Finding For Stabbing Suspect

A stabbing defendant’s attorneys asked DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for time to consult with another doctor regarding the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) mental competency exam results for their client on Aug. 12

Stephen Herring, 24, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on July 22, 2023, on the 100 block of M Street, NE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

Herring’s mental competency exam from DBH found him mentally competent to stand trial. 

Herring’s defense attorneys, Joseph Yarbough and Hannah Claudio, chose not to respond to the exam results until they receive another medical opinion. 

Meanwhile, the prosecution agreed Herring is mentally competent. They requested he be returned to the DC Jail from the hospital. 

Judge Brandt refused to move Herring. She left that decision to DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, since she was acting as a temporary stand-in.

According to court documents, Herring allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim unresponsive. Witnesses said Herring stabbed the victim after getting into a verbal argument. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 3.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Returns to Jail

Through a stand-in defense attorney, Anthony Gary waived his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for pretrial release, which DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum denied on Aug. 12.

Gary, 34, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident took place on the 3700 block of Jay Street, NE on March 22, leaving one person injured.

Raymond Jones, standing in for Gary’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, asked Judge Hildum to release Gary on the grounds he is employed full-time as a welder, is involved in the lives of his five children, and has many family members willing to appear in court to support him.

“He’s not a flight risk. He’s not about to leave his family behind,” said Jones.

According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer interviewed the victim in the hospital, where he was being treated for four gunshot wounds. The victim said a man jumped out of the apartment belonging to the mother of his children and began fighting him before shooting him.

Court documents state the victim later told police that he had learned through a mutual acquaintance that his assailant was named Anthony Gary. When an MPD officer showed the victim a photo array, he identified Gary as his assailant.

Jones attacked the strength of the prosecution’s case, pointing out the victim was the only witness who identified Gary as the shooter. No other witness testified to seeing the incident. Some witnesses said they heard a single gunshot, but Gary had four gunshot wounds.

Jones said the mutual acquaintance, who identified Gary for the victim, had a reason to want Gary to go to jail. The witness and Gary were on opposite sides of a custody dispute.

“I’m saying there’s something suspicious about this story,” Jones told Judge Hildum. “Mr. Gary can be out assisting me and assisting my investigator, who’s present in this court, in getting to the bottom of what happened.” 

The prosecutor argued that Gary should remain in jail pending trial because the alleged offense was committed less than two months after Gary pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in a different case. He was registered as a gun offender.

“Considering the Gerstein [a sworn statement by the police documenting the facts that led to an arrest] as a whole and the record–another gun offense–I can’t find any condition or combination of conditions that will keep the community safe in this case,” Judge Hildum ruled.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 27 before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Awaits Trial

A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer extended by the prosecution in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer which required Moody plead guilty to four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in return for not seeking an indictment on greater charges.

Under sentencing guidelines, Moody could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon and for a maximum a five years for carrying a pistol without a license 

Moody rejected the plea offer, saying he wanted to continue to trial scheduled on Aug. 27. 

According to court documents, Moody allegedly fired at his family members 27 times before fleeing into a friend’s house. After being granted an emergency search warrant, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found parts of the gun Moody used in the ceiling of his friend’s house. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 20. 

Defense Seeks Mental Competency Consult in Stabbing Case

A defense attorney requested time to consult an expert about her client’s mental competency in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

Kenneth Garner, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Jan. 17, 2023, on the 700 block of Brandywine Street, SE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

Garner has been found mentally competent to stand trial as long as he remains at St. Elizabeths Hospital receiving treatment. 

Defense attorney, Janai Reed, questioned the findings and wanted to consult with a behavioral specialist before proceeding. The prosecution had no objections and was willing to accommodate the defense’s request. 

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the location and found a victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to the head and body. The victim had four cuts– on his head, one on his left hand, another on his right hand, and another on his lower back.

The prosecution also extended  a plea offer to the defense but provided no further details at the hearing. 

Parties are slated to return on Sept. 19. 

‘Every day I Think of The Gun Being in My Face,’ Writes Assault Victim in Sentencing Statement


DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a shooting defendant to two-and-a-half years of incarceration on Aug. 9.

David Walls, 38, was originally charged with kidnapping while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in two incidents, one on April 10 and the other on April 13. Both took place on the 2700 block of 30th Street, SE.

According to court documents, Walls was outside of his ex-girlfriend’s home at night when she walked outside with her new partner on April 10. Then Walls allegedly grabbed her at gunpoint and forced her into his car. She jumped out of the moving vehicle to escape.

On April 13, according to court documents, Walls went back to her home and fired a single shot at the premises. No one was injured. 

On May 21, Walls accepted an agreement that required him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, in exchange for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment. 

During the hearing, the prosecutor read a victim’s impact statement, in which Wall’s ex-girlfriend wrote that “safe[ty] is no longer something I feel,” and stated she is baffled by his actions considering he has daughters.

“Every day I think of the gun being in my face,” she wrote. The victim said she will be traumatized for life.

The prosecution requested a sentence of 78 months, with 39 months each for both assaults. Despite the defendant’s lack of criminal history, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, and how Walls attempted to harm the victim on two occasions. As a domestic violence prosecutor, he said that “these are the cases that keep us up at night.”

Walls’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued that seven years was too much jail time, and that it would be a “disingenuous” outcome to the criminal justice system. 

According to King, Walls had a clean record and was a good father, brother, son, and boyfriend prior to the crime. King argued that despite the prosecution’s claim, Walls and his ex-girlfriend were still dating at the time of the attack and she had asked him to pick her up when she walked out the door with another man. 

King also claimed that at the time of the event, Walls and the victim were texting “I love you” to each other, and he believed they were in a committed relationship. 

“His life changed in an instant. He was faced with realizing there’s another person there,” King said, referring to the other man in the woman’s house. “The family he had been planning with her . . . all gone,” she added.

King maintained that she wasn’t excusing his actions, but pointing out that it was an emotionally distressing situation and not Walls’ normal conduct.

She requested a sentence within the voluntary sentencing guideline, with the time suspended, in order to give him a chance to prove himself.  

“I was blown away because this is not the David Walls that I know. . . He’s so calm,” said Walls’ employer to Judge Arthur. 

Walls’ mother and sister also offered tearful statements. They said that Walls is a dedicated father to his daughters, and has taken care of both his mother and grandmother.

“I look up to my brother a whole lot,” said his sister, adding that as the only man in the house he is “their protector.”

“You will never see his face in a courtroom again, I promise you,” his sister said to Judge Arthur as she finished her statement.

Finally, Walls gave a statement saying he was sorry and that he “isn’t a bad person.” He said this was the first time he had ever sat in a jail, and that it would leave a lasting impression on him.

“Everybody’s in here talking about what you mean to them, but you chose to take yourself away from them,” Judge Arthur told Walls. 

Judge Arthur said he would take into account that this was his first conviction, and the support from his family. However, the fact that there were was two incidents is significant. 

Judge Arthur imposed a sentence of 36 months with all but 18 months suspended for one of the assault with a dangerous weapon charges, 36 months with all but 12 months suspended for the other assault charge, which will run consecutive to each other. Judge Arthur also sentenced Wall to 12 months, all suspended, for the possession charge. 

As part of the sentence, Walls is required to register as a gun offender and pay $300 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF). He is also required to participate in anger management and domestic violence classes, and must stay away from the victim. 

No further dates were set.

Murder Defendant’s Trial Rescheduled Deeper Into 2025

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt pushed a murder’s defendant’s trial even later into next year because of scheduling conflicts with another trial in a hearing on Aug. 12.

Howard Fritts, 58, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the murder of Charlie Miller, 46, on May 29, 2022, on the 900 block of 9th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, Judge Brandt said she needs to “pivot” Fritts’ trial date, originally set for April 7, 2025, because she has another trial set for April 8, 2025. Parties decided to reset the trial date for Nov. 17, 2025. 

According to court documents, Fritts allegedly shot Miller in the head in addition to inflicting other  abrasions to his elbows, knees and face and a laceration to his forehead ultimately killing him. When Fritts spoke with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after his arrest on June 1, 2022, he said he got into a physical fight after he asked Miller to stop recording him on his phone. 

Fritts also denied having shot Miller, saying he had never “shot a gun a day in his life,” according to court documents. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Jan. 10, 2025, for a trial readiness hearing. 

Shooting Defendant’s Sentence Requires Drug and Mental Health Treatment

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow gave Dakia Thomas a suspended sentence on Aug. 9 that requires her to receive mental health and drug abuse treatment in order to stay out of prison.

Thomas, 43, was originally charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm/unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, and unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stemmed from her involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on Dec. 16, 2021, on the 3500 block of Albert Irvin Cassell Place, NE. No injuries were reported. 

On Feb. 20, Thomas accepted an agreement to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. 

The prosecutor asked Judge Pasichow to sentence Thomas to five years imprisonment for each of the two charges, noting that her shooting at multiple individuals on the street could easily have resulted in murder.

Brandon Burrell, Thomas’ defense attorney, requested a prison sentence totalling two-and-a-half years. He said Thomas has been addressing her problems with drug use and mental health, which were contributing factors in her offense.

Judge Pasichow sentenced Thomas to five years incarceration for each offense, to run concurrently, but suspended the sentence for time served and an additional three years supervised release.

During probation, Judge Pasichow said, Thomas must enroll and participate in mental health and drug treatment programs as directed by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

“There’s a lot to be done, and you have to take advantage of the resources that will be provided to you,” Judge Pasichow told Thomas. 

Thomas must also pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund and register as a gun offender in the District of Columbia. She must comply with a stay-away order from the shooting victims.

No more hearings are scheduled in this case.