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Jury Selection in 3-Year Old Homicide Case Pushed Back

Parties agreed to select the jury for a 2021 homicide case at a later date due to a scheduling conflict. 

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 29-year-old Dara Northern. The incident occurred on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18, 2021.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, who is scheduled to hear an estimated two-day trial for another case in November, asked to push back jury selection for this case. The jury, which was supposed to be picked on Nov. 13, will now be chosen on Nov. 18. The prosecution and defense will begin opening statements that afternoon.

Parties are slated to return on Oct. 1. 

Sentencing Postponed After Defendants Refuse to Get off Van

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan postponed the sentencing of two murder co-defendants who refused to get off the van. The defendants were convicted of killing 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor days before she was slated to begin her freshman year at Florida A&M University.

James Mayfield, 27, was convicted of 11 charges in 2022, including first-degree murder while armed as a drive-by or random shooting, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault with grave risk while armed with the victim being especially vulnerable due to age, mental or physical infirmity, among other charges. His co-defendant, Robert Moses, 27, was also convicted of the same charges plus two counts of obstruction of justice. All of Moses’ charges included the enhancement of being committed during release.  

Moses and Mayfield who claimed illness and, according to marshals, were “refusing to get out of the van.”

The sentencing was initially delayed by an hour. 

During a victim impact statement, Sydnor’s mother began to speak about the emotional toll her daughter’s death had taken on her. However, she was interrupted by Mayfield saying, “I didn’t do anything to your daughter.”

According to news reports, Sydnor was shot at the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE on Aug. 10, 2017, . The incident left 3 other individuals injured. One of the injured victims was Sydnor’s 12-year-old cousin. Sydnor was originally taken to the hospital in critical condition and died in the hospital two days later.

Judge Raffinan threatened to eject Mayfield from the courtroom if he continued to interrupt the proceeding. 

Out of fear they’d be rushing the victim impact statements, the prosecution asked to move sentencing to a later date. Judge Raffinan agreed.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept 6. 

Assault Defendant Serves 7 Months in Prison for Stabbing An Elderly Man


DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a female defendant to two years, suspending all but seven months for assault.  

Janette George, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon of a senior citizen, simple assault of a senior citizen, carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home, and assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor for an incident that took place on Nov. 6, 2023, on the 60th block of O Street, SW.

During the sentencing on June 21, the prosecution argued that the seriousness of George’s crime and the involvement of a senior citizen had to be taken into account in her sentencing. 

The prosecutor said the elderly man was experiencing pain because of his injuries and was having difficulty writing. According to court documents, George assaulted the man with a knife.

The prosecution also emphasized George’s lack of remorse and her drug use, saying her continued presence is “triggering” for her neighbors, and she has continuously disrupted the safety and peace of the neighborhood.  

“She does not want to better herself,” the prosecution said.

The prosecutor asked for consecutive sentences since there are multiple victims in the case.

George’s defense attorney, Peter Cooper,  argued that the underlying root of the crime was George’s mental health.The PCP she uses is to “self-medicate,” Cooper said. 

“What are we doing here? What do we hope to achieve in these rooms, in these buildings?” Cooper said.

Incarceration without any mental health and drug treatment would not be helpful as George will eventually be re-released into the community, Cooper argued. 

“Locking her up” would only be “kicking the can down the road,” he said. 

Judge Di Toro agreed that mental health treatment would be necessary and important in George’s case going forward. 

“There is room for both punishment and rehabilitation,” she said.

Judge Di Toro acknowledged the pain and disruption caused by George’s actions, especially to the elderly victim. She also reiterated the argument made by the defense that the intended outcome is George’s successful reintegration into the community.

Along with George’s sentence, she will also be placed under 18 months of supervised probation, which will require her to have a mental health assessment. Additionally, George is required to provide $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Upon hearing the sentence, George became visibly emotional and called out “love you,” to someone in the court. 

“Love you too, keep your head up,” George’s loved one responded as George was escorted out of the court.

Armed Carjacking Defendant Ruled Mentally Competent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Renee Raymond ruled an armed carjacking defendant was mentally competent to stand trial on June 21. 

Tony Walker, 28, is charged with armed carjacking, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Walker was allegedly involved in a carjacking on the 400 block of Marietta Place, NW on Jan. 10. 

Walker’s defense attorney, Terrance Austin, requested there to be a continuance for the preliminary hearing, which was also set on June 21, for him and Walker to discuss what mental competency means for their case. 

Judge Raymond said this preliminary has been continued “a lot of times.” She accepted this request for continence, but said for their next meeting, the preliminary hearing will happen or Walker will waive his right to a preliminary hearing. 

According to court documents, the victim was preparing to take a friend to the airport when Walker walked up behind him, demanded his keys and his wallet, and pistol-whipped him. Walker drove off with the victim’s iPhone still inside.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found the victim’s car by using Find my iPhone, according to court documents. When MPD found Walker, they also discovered he was in possession of another vehicle that was also stolen on the same night. 

Parties are set to reconvene on June 27.

Stabbing Defendant Held in Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond ruled to hold a stabbing defendant in jail while he awaits trial on June 21.

Jose Garcia Fuentes, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on April 24 on the 4400 block of 14th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said he watched surveillance footage where he saw Fuentes stab a victim with a knife.

The detective also said police arrested Fuentes at his place of work on May 17. He said one of Fuentes’ colleagues said Fuentes came into work with two black eyes after the date of the incident.

According to court documents, Fuentes was at a restaurant where he began kicking another patron he had no connection with. The victim, an employee of the restaurant, decided to remove Fuentes from the restaurant by pushing him out the exit. Once outside the restaurant, Fuentes removed a “large” knife from his bag, slashing the victim across the face.

The victim refused medical attention and was not taken to the hospital, documents state. 

After the witness testimony, Fuentes’ defense attorney, Henry Escoto, said Fuentes was in an altercation with the victim and tried to defend himself with his knife. 

Escoto also said this hearing was “unfair” to him and Fuentes because they do not have access to the surveillance footage the detective discussed during his testimony. 

Escoto requested Fuentes be released from jail since his actions were in self defense, however the prosecution said Fuentes was a danger to the community because he attacked a random patron at the restaurant. 

Judge Raymond disagreed with Escoto’s statement that Fuentes stabbed the victim in self-defense. She said the reason the victim pushed him out of the restaurant was because Fuentes kicked another patron. 

Parties are set to reconvene in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol R. Arthur on July 8.  

Key Witness Testifies Against Drug Associate in Double Homicide Trial 

On June 20, prosecutors brought forth a key witness to testify about his business with a double homicide defendant during a trial presided over by DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keef.

Beysean Jones, 29, is charged with two counts of 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. 

An acquaintance of Jones said the defendant had been regularly selling marijuana and guns out of the southeast quadrant of DC, prior to the shooting. 

Having met Jones in February of 2022, the witness testified that they quickly became business associates in selling marijuana, adding that he would buy marijuana from Jones and resell it at a higher price. The witness said he only knew as “Chad,” the alias Jones gave when they were introduced.

The witness recounted learning of a drive-by shooting that occurred in July 2022, where Chad was shot at with his wife and children in the car. After the shooting, the witness testified that Chad said he was “equipping” himself for what the witness assumed was retaliation.

According to the witness, on July 27, 2022, he met Chad at an apartment complex to pick up half a pound of marijuana that he was planning to sell. Chad presented the witness with a duffel bag of guns, including an AR-15, ghost guns, and a .38-caliber pistol.

The witness said Jones offered one of the guns to him. 

After declining the weapons, the witness said he retrieved the marijuana and left. Later that night, he learned of a shooting that occurred on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE, which was down the street from the apartment where he met Chad. 

Several days later, the witness testified, he reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to leave an anonymous tip regarding the interactions he had with Chad. 

According to the witness, he was worried he might be implicated in the crime, as he had held the AR-15 Chad had shown them. 

“I just got home, I don’t wanna go back,” the witness stated about his fear, referring to his previously served prison time.  

Court is set to reconvene on June 24.

Judge Pushes Hearing to Review Additional Evidence in Fatal Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted a newly appointed defense attorney’s request for extra time to review additional evidence provided by the prosecution during a hearing on June 24. 

Jaime Macedo, 23, is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Maxwell Emerson, 25, on July 5, 2023. The incident occurred at Catholic University on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE.

At the hearing, Macedo’s defense attorney, Jessica Willis, stated that she received evidence last night consisting of Grand Jury statements and body-worn camera footage from the prosecution.

Parties are set to return on July 26. 

Judge Allows Defendant’s Past Acts As Evidence in Domestic Violence Case

After parties deliberated over a “prior bad acts” motion in a domestic violence case, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt allowed the defendant’s prior crimes to be submitted as evidence during a June 20 hearing. 

Devan Green, 30, is accused of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Sept. 19, 2023, on the 500 block of 58th Street, NE. According to court documents, an argument ensued between the victim and Green, during which she was stabbed 21 times resulting in injuries that sent her to the hospital. 

During Thursday’s hearing, the prosecution argued that Green’s previous assault convictions and allegations are relevant to this case because it does not show a propensity to violent behavior, but rather provides context to the defendant and victim’s relationship and serves as motive for his violent behavior in this incident. 

Lee A. Smith, the defense attorney for Green, countered that because Green sustained an injury during the altercation that his violent behavior was done in self defense. Smith claimed that providing the jury with his previous crimes will pose prejudicial to Green. 

After further consideration, Judge Brandt determined that previous evidence of aggressive conduct towards a person is relevant when there’s a claim of self defense. The court determined that any information provided to the jury is “not clean under any situation” and the court will take steps to minimize prejudice. 

Parties are slated to return July 19. 

Judge Expresses Frustration Over Lengthy Proceedings in Armed Carjacking  Case

 DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond continued a preliminary hearing on June 21 for a carjacking defendant.

Carlos Shelley, 29, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and unarmed carjacking on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. He is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in a domestic violence-related incident. 

Shelley’s defense attorney, Christen Romero Philips, requested the prosecution dismiss the assault with a deadly weapon charge because of previous contradicting witness statements. The prosecution agreed to dismiss the charge.

Philips then requested a continuance because the assault with a deadly weapon charge was dropped.

Concerned about the prolonged duration of the case, which had been over six months, Judge Raymond stressed the need to move the proceedings forward without further delay. 

She made it clear that this would be the final continuance and their next meeting would either be a hearing or the defendant would waive his preliminary rights. 

Parties are set to reconvene on June 27.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Request to Remove GPS Monitor

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno denied Sebastian Fonseca-Gomez’s modification request to remove his GPS monitor while released in a June 21 hearing.

Fonseca-Gomez, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly stabbing a victim at the intersection of 7th Street and A Street, NE on May 15. According to court documents, the victim had three stab wounds and described the attack weapon as being identical to the folding knife that Fonseca-Gomez surrendered to police.

During the hearing, Judge Salerno confirmed that a stay away order remains in place and the GPS monitor, being the “least restrictive” method of restraint, continues to be appropriate due to the stab wound allegations of the offense.

The prosecution and defense attorney remain involved in plea negotiations. Parties are set to return Aug. 2.

Detective Testifies about Unconstitutional Search Warrants

A retired Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who served as the lead investigator in Eugene Burns‘ 2015 homicide case, gave testimony on June 21 about his role in obtaining search warrants that an appeals court later found to be unconstitutional.

Burns, 32, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in 2017. The case was reopened on appeal in 2020.

Burns allegedly shot his best friend, 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III, on Nov. 15, 2015, on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

During Friday’s hearing,, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo said Burns’ defense attorneys, Rosemary Szanyi and Jocelyn Wiesner, had filed a motion to dismiss evidence from the case.

In response to that motion, the prosecution called, as a witness, the former lead detective on the case who retired in April of 2020. 

The detective testified that he submitted affidavits to a judge in November of 2015 to obtain search warrants for cell phones the MPD obtained from witnesses at the scene of the incident. According to the detective, the judge signed the warrants ten days after the incident, and MPD officers subsequently extracted information from the phones.

The detective said he questioned additional witnesses after submitting the affidavits but before the judge signed the search warrants.

He said he didn’t revise the affidavits after the interviews because he believed the affidavits provided probable cause for searching the phones.  He said he would have revised them if the judge had declined the warrants.

In cross-examination, Wiesner asked the detective if he had heard, in March of 2020, that an appeals court had ruled the search warrants unconstitutional. 

He replied that he had not.

The detective explained that he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and placed on extended leave until his retirement a month later during that timeframe.

The prosecution announced that they plan to call a current MPD homicide detective who submitted new affidavits to search the cell phones after the first search warrants were deemed unconstitutional. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 25.

Document: Fatal Northwest Homicide Stabbing Suspect Arrested

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in reference to a homicide that occurred on April 5 on the 1300 block of Peabody Street NW.

Fasil Teklemariam, 53, was found dead due to stab wounds.

On June 21, police arrested 19-year-old Audrey Miller, extraditing her from Hagerstown, Md. She was charged with first-degree murder while armed-felony murder.

Document: Police Arrests Suspect in Shooting Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in reference to a homicide that occurred on June 20. 

Marcellus Jackson, 21, was found dead on scene due to a gunshot wound on the 4400 block of Hunt Place NE.

On June 20, police arrested 32-year-old Antonio Johnson charging him with second-degree murder while armed.