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Murder Defendant Refuses to Comply in Mental Health Evaluation

A murder defendant refused to comply with a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) evaluator to determine his ability to represent himself at trial. 

Wonell Jones Jr., 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior crime of violence) for the death of his ex-girlfriend, Audora Williams, 33. Williams was shot in front of her children, whom she shares with the defendant, 52 times. The fatal shooting occurred on July 19, 2022, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. Prior to the murder, Jones and Williams had a history of domestic disputes resulting in Williams getting multiple protective orders against him.. 

At a mental observation hearing on June 26, Jones’ attorney Carrie Weletz said that Jones had refused to cooperate with the DBH in an evaluation to determine his ability to represent himself. Jones had previously refused to comply with the DBH for another competency evaluation in March 2023. 

Weletz said that Jones and the evaluator had “got off on the wrong foot” and requested that another DBH evaluator attempt the evaluation. She emphasized that the evaluation was particularly necessary considering that Jones has been found incompetent in previous evaluations. 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan  noted that the request was unusual but agreed to write the DBH requesting an alternate evaluator. 

“You need to participate in this evaluation for this case to go forward,” Judge Raffinan said. She added, “you don’t get to choose, Mr. Jones, who does your evaluation.” 

A trial date was set for March 2. Parties are slated to reconvene on July 25 to hear the results of the evaluation.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant’s Bail Request Denied

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian denied June 26 a defendant’s release and transferred the case to DC Superior Court Judge Demeo for trial.  

Jordan Therman, 25, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Feb. 7 on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW. 

According to court documents, the victims entered a 7-Eleven store to make a purchase. As they were leaving the store, they allegedly spotted Therman wearing a ski mask but didn’t feel threatened because they spotted a Metropolitan Police Department ( MPD) cruiser near the parking lot. 

As the victims entered their vehicle, Therman allegedly said “I’ll kill everybody in that car,” before shooting. 

Parties are slated to return June 28. 

Judge Asks Charges Be Clarified for Jury Deliberating Murder, Conspiracy Case

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt advised attorneys to “wordsmith” the language contained in the charges which would assist the jury in deliberations.  

Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24,Koran Jackson, 23, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, conspiracy, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. This shooting left a second juvenile victim in the area  suffering from a gunshot wound to the right leg, according to court documents.

In the hearing on June 26, Judge Brandt briefly reviewed the explanation, finding minor problems that could lead to incorrect inferences.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain said there were issues with the indictment in that the term “conspiracy” was explained in two different ways that could ultimately confuse jurors. 

Judge Brandt said spelling out the five charges would clear up any confusion or misinterpretation. 

Defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein took the lead in tightening up the language for the charges, along with some added guidance from the prosecution, unnecessary phrases were removed, terminology was clarified, and more information was provided., 

The updated language was delivered to jurors on Wednesday. 

Parties are set to reconvene as deliberations continue on June 27.

Judge Denies Curfew Request for Murder Defendants 

Parties met on June 21 before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein to request a curfew instead of home confinement in a co-defendant shooting.

Charles Jeter, 38, and Kevin Sewell, 33, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, and Sewell is additionally charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Kevin Robinson on Nov. 30, 2014, on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE. Robinson was Sewell’s father.

Both Jeter and Sewell have been released but are under home confinement and GPS monitoring. 

Joseph Fay, Sewell’s defense attorney, asked Judge Epstein to grant his client a curfew, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., which would allow him to leave his home to get a job and help out with his daughter.

Carrie Weletz, Jeter’s defense attorney, also requested that her client be granted the same curfew. 

According to court documents, Sewell and Robinson had been “beefing” for sometime before Robinson’s murder. Sewell allegedly said to a witness, “You know how he was treating me, bro,” and that Robinson had it coming. 

Judge Epstein denied the request, stating that “circumstances haven’t changed.” He said he would revisit this topic the next time the parties meet. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 20. 

Witness Says She Never Saw Co-Defendant With Firearm in Homicide Trial of a Ten-Year-Old

During the second day of trial for a multi-codefendant homicide case, the prosecution brought seven witnesses to the stand before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

One of the witnesses, who was familiar with one of the co-defendants, said she has never seen the defendant with a firearm, despite following him on Instagram where he is allegedly pictured with firearms.

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. 

Price is also charged with another murder. Charges for the other incident include 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. 

The 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 from the Maliyah Wilson incident, including:

At the hearing on June 25, the witness, who was the sister of Price’s deceased best friend, Maleak Coffin, told Megan Allburn, Price’s attorney, that she had never seen Price with a firearm.

Price’s best friend, also known as “Poppy,” died in December 2017.

According to the prosecution’s opening arguments, Price became significantly more involved in the alleged “beef” between the neighborhoods after Coffin’s death.

Before her brother’s death, the witness said Price was in the hospital for a broken leg at the same time her brother was there. The reasons for Price’s injury were not disclosed in court.

The witness stated she is a cousin of Quentin Michals, and Quincy Garvin and that she knows of an individual that goes by the name “Goonie Moonie,” a suspect who is believed to be a member of the Wellington Park Crew.  Garvin was convicted of murder last year.

Michals, 26, and Garvin, 23, were found guilty of first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding Wilson’s death.

The witness was able to identify individuals associated with Wellington Park, including an individual she knows as “Gizzle,” who has been identified as Gregory Taylor; an individual she knows as “Zay,” identified as Isaiah Murchison; an individual she knows as “Stello,” identified as Marquell Cobbs; and Qujuan Thomas and Darrise Jeffers. 

The witness stated she did not know the name of Isaiah ’s brothers, and failed to identify Antonio in the courtroom.

However, the witness was able to identify Price in the courtroom, stating that she went to school with him. She claimed that although she and Price followed each other on Instagram, she did not communicate with him frequently on the app.

Prosecuting attorneys asked the witness if she knew the man who allegedly sold a black Infiniti car to the Wellington Park Crew, which has been identified as the vehicle Price allegedly drove to and from the shooting. The witness stated he was an acquaintance of Maleak’s, saying she could identify him but did know him personally.

When testifying about the day of the incident, the witness stated it was her birthday and that she visited her brother’s grave before going to Wellington Park around 8 p.m.

She testified that she saw a group of guys “listening to music and dancing” in the parking lot of Wellington Park, adding that “everyone was having a good time.” She claimed she did not see Price, adding that she did not see Thomas or Taylor, either, but recalled seeing Michals. 

The prosecution showed images where the witness, Michals, and other individuals were pictured in Michals’ apartment in Wellington Park, but she was unable to identify everyone. The prosecution questioned her claiming to not know the individuals, given she was hanging out with them on her birthday. 

“Is [Michals] hanging out with me, or the people in the video?” the witness asked.

She also stated that although she was from another neighborhood, she was able to frequent Wellington Park without any problems. 

In addition to this witness, the prosecution also called five members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) – an officer, two detectives, a specialist in crime camera evidence, and an employee working in the Communications Department.

The officer’s body-worn camera footage was presented to jurors, which showed his arrival on the scene. Two victims were lying on the ground amidst a crowd of people chaotically surrounding them. In addition, a still shot photo of his body-worn camera was shown of Wilson receiving CPR, while her older sister, who testified yesterday, was holding her hand.

A detective testified about his knowledge of the Wellington Park area and identified a group of individuals that would regularly hang out with each other, including Michals, Aaron, Isaiah, and an individual known as “Goonie Moonie.”

In photographs presented to him, the officer allegedly identified Antonio, Taylor, Michals, Thomas, Jeffers, and Garvin. He also identified the individual known as “Goonie Moonie,” who he acknowledged as a rapper and resident of Wellington Park.

The detective said that the day before the shooting he observed “Goonie Moonie” and his friends with firearms in an Instagram post. While patrolling, he saw a vehicle that looked similar to the one he observed but stated it fled. Officers pulled “Goonie Moonie” over in his car, but no firearms were found. 

During cross examination, both Steven Ogilvie, representing Antonio, and Allburn clarified that their clients were identified as  passengers in “Goonie Moonie’s” car.

The other detective testified that he executed a search warrant on Sept. 28, 2017, at an apartment. He said  the “target” of the warrant was the individual known as “Goonie Moonie,” but stated that four individuals were found in the apartment, including Garvin.

The detective confirmed two iPhones, which were presented by the prosecution, were items recovered during the search. He also mentioned that three boxes of .57 caliber ammunition were also recovered.

Parties are slated to resume trial on June 26.

Defense Attorney Requests Emergency Release for Murder Defendant

Defense attorney Jason Tulley informed DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun of an emergency motion he recently filed for his client to be immediately released from the DC Jail during a June 25 hearing.

Jahi Settles, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 33-year-old Langston Sharps with a firearm. The incident occurred on July 3, 2023, on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE.

According to court documents, a witness reported watching Settles and Sharps get into a verbal altercation about money, overhearing that Sharps owed Settles money. The witness then allegedly watched Settles pull out a gun and shoot Sharps. 

Sharps had one gunshot to the chest and was found dead when authorities arrived on scene. 

At the hearing Tulley stated that he had filed an emergency motion the night before, arguing for Settles’ immediate release from the DC Jail. 

“The DC Jail is horrible,” he told Judge Okun but did not elaborate on the conditions at the facility.

According to the written motion, Tulley claimed that the conditions of the DC Jail violate his client’s constitutional right to be protected against cruel and unusual punishment.

Tulley asserted that Settles is in immediate danger and must be released, citing the jail’s “cruel and failing suicide prevention policies,” “inhumane conditions of confinement,” and “lack of proper medical care.” 

Judge Okun gave the prosecution at least 14 days to respond to the motion, per their request.

Tulley further requested that Judge Okun reopen the preliminary hearing, stating that new evidence from the autopsy report and new witnesses would “undermine probable cause” for the case. 

Judge Okun granted the request.

Parties are scheduled to return Aug. 30.

Shooting Case Goes to Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian ordered a shooting case would go to trial after the prosecution decided to not extend a plea deal on June 26 

Tyquan Jennings, 25, is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon outside home or place of business, for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on the 3000 Block of Stanton Road, SE, on March 8, 2023. 

On June 26, Jennings and his defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, motioned to set a trial date for the case. 

According to court documents, surveillance footage and witnesses identify Jennings shooting a large firearm. This evidence links him to a shooting that wounded a woman’s left leg. At the scene of the incident, a 9mm handgun and .40 caliber cartridge casings were found where Jennings was allegedly seen shooting. 

Parties are slated to begin trial on Oct. 8. 

Jury Out for Deliberation in Double Homicide Trial

On June 25, counsel tasked jurors with addressing a double homicide trial as a puzzle to determine innocence or guilt. 

Beysean Jones, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the shootings of Ronald Brown, 19, and Tijuan Wilson, 41. The incident occurred on July 27, 2022, on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE. Wilson’s wife sustained gunshot wounds during the incident but survived. 

The prosecution gave their closing argument by addressing how each piece of evidence presented during the trial fit into a puzzle depicting how and why Jones allegedly committed these crimes. 

“This is a classic circumstantial case,” the prosecutor argued. She told the jury that they should give “equal weight” to the circumstantial evidence as they would direct evidence. 

The prosecution began by addressing the June 22, 2022, incident between Brown and Jones. “We do know, without a doubt, that they had a confrontation that day,” she stated. 

After the confrontation, the prosecutor alleged that Brown waited for and targeted Jones at his home. She showed the shell casings from the shootout, proposing that Brown started shooting at Jones. 

She said Jones shot back at Brown to explain why police found two different shell casings at the scene. 

The same shell casings that were found from the shootout on June 22, 2022, were consistent with the gun that was found on Brown after he was killed during the July 27, 2022 shootout. 

According to the prosecution, Jones believed Brown had shot at him on June 22, 2022, and thus deliberately targeted Brown a little over a month later.

“There should be no doubt in your mind that Beysean Jones caused the death of Tijuan Wilson and Ronald Brown,” the prosecutor said.

Carrie Weletz, lead attorney for Jones, began her closing statement by pointing out  numerous “holes” and “missing puzzle pieces” within the story that the prosecution presented. 

Weletz, drawing on witness testimony, reminded the jury that the location of the homicide was a densely populated area that experienced high rates of crime. 

She referenced that Jones’ wife had testified to the common occurrence of hearing gunshots within the neighborhood, and a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer stated that they are called to the area almost daily. 

Weletz responded to eyewitness testimony from the July 22, 2022 shooting, informing the jury that two eyewitnesses “could not see anything” about the shooters including what kind of guns the shooters were using. The one eyewitness who said they were able to see a shooter could not see anything identifiable about them, she said. 

Weletz, referring to the prosecution’s own ballistic evidence, stated that “the evidence shows the people in the Kia are holding guns.” Casings were found near the Kia and bullet hole damage to vehicles in between the shooter’s vehicle, a dark Honda, and the Kia.

Casings for seven different weapons were recovered from the crime scene, yet Weletz said the prosecution in their “entire case, in [their] four-and-a-half day case, only one gun [had] been presented.” It was the gun that the prosecution claimed had not even been fired the night of July 27, 2022, she said. 

Weletz argued that there were at least seven weapons and that other individuals were also armed due to evidence presented by the prosecution, so they didn’t know who actually shot Brown. 

 “We don’t know” was a common phrase Weletz used in response to what she deemed questions the prosecution needed to answer to meet their burden of proof. 

Weletz urged the jury to truly look at what the evidence actually showed instead of the “leaps of logic” that the prosecution was trying to state as fact from the evidence. 

When examining the video footage prior to and during the July 27, 2022 shooting, Weletz stated that jury members could see that Brown had been the aggressor both in front of the smoke shop and when shooting at Jones’ home. 

 Weletz told the jury that they “get to put the puzzle together, and [they would] see that the puzzle doesn’t make sense.” She urged the jury to return with a not guilty verdict.

“She’s trying to confuse you,” the prosecution told the jury during rebuttal, referring to the narrative defense attorney Weletz presented. 

The “evidence may be complicated, but the heart of this case is simple,” the prosecution stated, “that’s how these cases work, they build and build.”

The jury began deliberating on Tuesday. 

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Guilty 

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow accepted a guilty plea from a non-fatal shooting defendant on June 26.

Anthony Moten, 38, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 1600 Block of 17th St. SE on April 12.  

Moten pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange the prosecution will not seek an indictment on any greater charges, and would recommend that his sentencing for the two charges run concurrently. 

Both parties agreed that Moten’s sentencing would cap ten years but did not disclose an agreed upon minimum sentence. 

According to the proffer of facts, Moten, the victim and another individual had engaged in a verbal altercation when the individual punched Moten. Later that day Moten ran into the pair again. They began fighting and the the victim tried to deescalate the situation, but Moten told her to “Back the f*** up,” before shooting her in the stomach. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Sept. 20. 

Judge Grants Continuance for Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

The defense requested onJune 26 that DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo continue a preliminary hearing for four weeks in a non-fatal shooting case. 

Marcel Palmer, 16, is charged with assault with intent to commit any other offense while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting on June 12 on the 2700 block of Sheridan Road, SE. Injuries sustained were not life threatening. 

Elizabeth Weller, Palmer’s defense attorney, requested a continuance in this case. There was no objection from the prosecution. 

Parties are slated to meet on July 24. 

Amtrak Delays Postpone Sentencing in Stabbing Case

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian ruled for a continuance in a stabbing case after the defendant missed a court appearance on June 26 due to Amtrak delays.  

Gregory Edmonds, 26, was charged with significant bodily injury while armed. The incident took place on July 4, 2023 at 3:30 pm at the 2000 Block of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE. 

According to court documents, the attack involved one victim who sustained a non-life-threatening cut to the left side of his abdomen and a laceration to the upper mid-torso. 

Edmonds, who was released from jail on July 10, 2023,  lives in North Carolina and utilizes Amtrak to commute to his hearings. 

Judge Christian rescheduled the hearing to allow Edmonds time to buy tickets and commute. 

Parties are slated to reconvene July 12. 

Trial Postponed for Motions Hearing in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

What was scheduled to be a jury trial became a motions hearing, as the defense filed a requests for delay and to suppress evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on June 25.


Jerry Tyree, 46, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, and attempted unlawful possession of liquid PCP for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 29, 2023, on the 5000 block of Foote Street, NE. The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. 

Tyree’s defense attorney, Sara Kopecki, asked for the trial to be delayed until July 22 because the defense’s DNA expert testimony was not ready. Judge Arthur granted the continuance.

Kopecki also submitted two motions to suppress evidence against the defendant, arguing that the evidence is not directly related to the crime. 

The prosecution opposed the motions and called the first witness, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer. The officer specifically recalled the events of Tyree’s arrest. 

The officer stated that, when patrolling the 5200 block of Sheriff Road, NE, he spotted Tyree with his right hand about to reach in front of him. This led the officer’s “spidey” senses to lead him to make contact. 

The witness along with other officers were in pursuit once Tyree started running. After placing Tyree in handcuffs, they allegedly recovered a handgun and suspected phencyclidine (PCP) from him.

Judge Arthur delayed ruling on the motions to give the defense an opportunity to cross-examine the witness at the next hearing.

 Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 26. 

Parties Debate Trial Date for Carjacking Suspect

A trial date for a carjacking and burglary defendant remains uncertain after the defendant’s incomplete mental competency exam. 

Kenneth Phillips, 24, is charged with unarmed carjacking, unauthorized use of a vehicle and second-degree burglary for his alleged involvement in a carjacking and burglary on the 2000 block of 4th Street, NE on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, 2021. 

During the hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on June 25, Phillips’ attorney, Joseph Yarbough, told Judge Salerno that the defendant  was unable to complete his ordered mental competency exam because the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) is not carrying out the order.

Yarbough requested Phillips be transferred to St. Elizabeths Hospital to ensure he receives the ordered exam. He said Phillips has been in solitary confinement for more than 400 days which is only worsening his mental status. 

He also asked the trial date for Phillips, originally scheduled for July 8, to be moved to October to ensure Phillips receives the exam.

Judge Salerno agreed to vacate the July trial date and scheduled it on Oct. 7. 

But, Judge Salerno rejected Yarbough’s request to move Phillips to St. Elizabeth’s because there is no explanation why Phillips has not received the study.

He said someone from the DOC could possibly say Phillips is not cooperating with them to take the exam. 

Phillips asked why they could not just go to trial. “You don’t understand anything,” Phillips told Judge Salerno. 

Yarbough requested the trial date be moved back to July, so Phillips could be moved out of solitary confinement sooner rather than later. He also asked Judge Salerno to cancel the exam so they could move towards trial. 

Judge Salerno initially rejected the idea of canceling the exam, given earlier concerns, but then said he would accept it if Yarbough said Phillips no longer need a competency exam. 

According to court documents, Phillips allegedly stole a victim’s car after knocking him onto the ground and taking his keys. The next day, the evidence shows he drove to the victim’s house in the stolen car.

Phillips allegedly broke into the victim’s house where he stole valuable items including a television, a ring, gold chains and a camera. 

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found and arrested Phillips by tracking him through surveillance footage. They allegedly found the victim’s stolen car with the television from the burglary in the trunk.

Judge Salerno asked the prosecution if they could move the trial date back to July 8. 

The prosecution said they are unsure and requested a continuance, which Judge Salerno granted.

Parties are set to reconvene on June 26 to discuss whether the trial will be in June or October.

Judge Denies Carjacking Defendant’s Motions to Alter Charges and Suppress Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz denied motions by a carjacking defendant’s attorney to dismiss a conspiracy charge and exclude various pieces of evidence from trial during a June 25 hearing.

James Borum, 21, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property worth $1000 or more, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 1500 block of 30th street NW, on Jan. 11 and 12, 2021. 

According to court documents, the victim reported that three suspects, armed with a black handgun, seized the vehicle from her while she was sitting in the driver’s seat. The suspects fled in the vehicle, followed by a gray Toyota sedan that reportedly brought them to the scene. 

Court documents state that another carjacking occurred later that same night, on the 4000 block of Alton Place, NW.  In this case also, the car owner told police that the carjackers used a black handgun to intimidate him into turning over his keys, and a dark-colored sedan followed the stolen vehicle as it was driven away. 

According to arrest documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers eventually found the second victim’s vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle crashed in Prince George’s County and the occupants, one of whom was allegedly Borum, were taken to the hospital.

At the hearing, Quiana Harris, Borum’s defense attorney, asked Judge Leibovitz to dismiss  the charge of conspiracy, citing a lack of evidence.

Judge Leibovitz denied the motion, arguing that an “agreement to commit a crime can be inferred from circumstantial evidence.” 

The defense made other motions to exclude some of the evidence from the upcoming trial, but Judge Leibovitz denied them all. 

Parties are slated to return for trial on June 27.

Judge Sentences Stabbing Defendant to 24 Months

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced a stabbing defendant to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised probation on June 25. 

James Crider, 45, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the intersection of G Street NW and 9th Street NW on Feb. 1. One individual sustained injuries from the incident.

In April, he pleaded guilty.

During Tuesday’s sentencing, Colin Dunham, Crider’s defense attorney, argued for a light sentence, given that Crider has mental health issues and was homeless at the time. 

According to court documents, officers responded to a call of a victim suffering from stab wounds. Officers made contact with the defendant on the scene who stated that he was involved in a fist fight with the victim. The defendant was approached again later that day after the victim made contact with officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD. Crider allegedly confessed he had stabbed the victim stating “I beat that mother ***** up.”

Crider was arrested after officers found a knife in his left front pocket containing residue of dry blood and blood stains on his shirt. 

The victim suffered from five stab wounds, but is in stable condition.  

The prosecution said the victim was also homeless. They initially asked for 32 months, arguing that the victim now faces “a whole new universe of challenges.”

Judge Christain said he hopes Crider “returns under better conditions.”

No further dates were set.