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Shooting Case Dismissed, Proceeding Moves to District Court

A non-fatal shooting case was dismissed at the prosecution’s request before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan in a July 31 hearing, since the defendant is charged in the same matter in the DC District Court. The District Court has jurisdiction over federal matters whereas the DC Superior Court deals with local offenses.

Derval Nettles, 31, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on the 2700 block of Langston Place SE on June 15. An individual sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the incident.

According to court documents, four individuals drove to an apartment complex and fired multiple shots before someone fired back. Video footage captured an individual alleged to be Nettles fleeing the scene and dropping a gun in a nearby trash can.  

At the hearing, the prosecution formally submitted a motion to dismiss the charges against Nettles. Judge Raffinan released Nettles for this case, but he remains in custody in connection to the case in District Court.  It’s not clear why the case was moved to a higher court.

No further dates were set. 

Case Acquitted: ‘This Is Not a Murder Mystery,’ Says Defense Attorney of Prosecution’s Case

Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor. 

Through closing arguments, parties quarreled about a motive in a murder case before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 31.  

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm from a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Minor was in an Uber ride when he was shot in the backseat as the Uber was waiting to make a turn. The driver previously testified he took the victim to a nearby hospital immediately after the shooting. Minor later succumbed to his injuries.  

David Knight, one of Jackson’s defense attorneys, told the jury “He did not have a motive to do this, he is not guilty.”

“I wanna be clear about something, this is not a murder mystery,” Knight said, adding “It is not your job to figure out who did it, it was supposed to be their job,” pointing to the prosecution. 

Knight continued to cite what he saw as holes in the case stating that a knit hat and mask were found at the scene but the DNA was not Jackson’s. 

Furthermore, Knight believes that Minor’s “brothers” should be considered as possible suspects. According to Knight, Minor had said that if anything happened to him to investigate someone in his circle of friends.

In response, the prosecution said “Why are they [Minor’s Brothers] rushing to the hospital if they had this grand conspiracy against him.” 

However, prosecutors argued that Jackson did have a motive, a robbery allegedly committed by Minor weeks before his death. 

Prosecutors said that a small amount of weed was taken from Jackson by Minor and his cousin. The prosecution continued to argue that the defendant lied to the police about not knowing the victim.

Knight expressed doubt that the robbery had even happened but said that if it had “enough marijuana for one or two people to smoke is not enough for anyone, including [Jackson], to kill someone.”

Knight responded that in Jackson’s and Minor’s phone records there was “not a single call between them, not a single text between the two.” 

“No call means no robbery and no robbery means no motive, no motive means you should find Jackson is not guilty,” Knight insisted. 

“It was a cold, calculated murder… the person who did this murder is Jarvis Jackson, I ask you to hold him accountable,” the prosecution told the jury. 

Parties will reconvene once the jury has reached a verdict.

Victim’s Girlfriend Testifies in Homicide Case After Arrest for Contempt

A homicide victim’s girlfriend agreed to testify on July 30 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe after being arrested the previous day for contempt of court.

Bernard Matthews, 44, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 22-year-old Diamonte Green. The incident occurred on Feb. 16, 2021, on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

Green’s girlfriend who was arrested on July 29 for refusing to testify, came back to court as a witness for the prosecution.

She claimed she had “safety concerns” about testifying because she had received “threats before”. 

During her testimony, she was presented with text messages she received from Green the day of the incident. According to the witness, he was getting increasingly angry and threatening and she felt “drained” having to deal with it so she didn’t tell her family. 

The witness said that Green thought she and her cousin, Matthews’s son, were dating behind his back. Her cousin called to tell her that Green was threatening him and she told him not to respond.

According to phone records, Green repeatedly called her and when she didn’t pick up he kept texting “b**** answer the phone”. 

Then he texted her a screenshot from Instagram of Matthews alleged Instagram account requesting to follow him and wrote “now u want to have who ever trying follow me b****”.  

When she didn’t reply, she testified, he used a different messaging application and said “tell him come outside,” referring to the witness’ cousin. The prosecution alleged that while he sent this threat, he was not actually outside the cousin’s apartment. 

The witness claimed she did not know a friend of Green’s friend lived in the area. The prosecution presented her with her grand jury testimony in which she stated “I know that [the friend] used to live there” when given the address of the shooting. The prosecutors wanted to show that the witness knew where the friend lived and that Green was at that address, which could be how Matthews knew where to find him.

The prosecution also called on a witness from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to testify about cell phone data for Matthews’ number. 

Using call logs, the witness said that Matthews was in the vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the shooting, but stated he could not identify a specific location.

Defense attorney Marnitta King questioned the validity of the cell site data, saying that Matthews’ son lived at an apartment in the vicinity of the crime scene and that is where Matthews could have been. 

The witness said this is correct but that the plot points of his cell phone moved which showed that it is likely the cell phone moved a long distance that would be bigger than from one end of an apartment complex to the other. 

A digital forensic specialist then testified about the cell phone extractions from the phones said to belong to Matthews’ son and the son’s mother.

The call logs from the extraction showed that the mother of Matthews’ son had called Matthews at least three times the day of the incident. 

The text exchange between Matthews’ son and the mother are inconsistent, which the witness said would happen if the mother had deleted some of the texts from her phone. 

On Matthews’ son’s phone, his mother texted him saying “whenever he send a message screen shot it but don’t respond”, in reference to Green.

To which Matthews’ son replied “delete”.

There were also texts on the sons phone from Green:

“Ima show how we step”

“f*** u think I’m coming to fight hog ima be right there kid be outside”

“Tell your b**** a** mova or who don’t call no police when I pull up hot a** family”

The parties are set to reconvene July 31.

Multi-Armed Robbery and Carjacking Defendant Wants to Review Plea Deal

An armed robbery and carjacking defendant was extended a plea offer, with some added charges, before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 26.  

Kwesi Pyne, 18, is charged with four counts of robbery, unarmed carjacking, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in in the following incidents:

  • Armed carjacking at the 900 block of Randolph St NW on Oct 30 2023
  • Armed robbery on Jan 10, 2024 at the 3800 block of 5th St NW
  • Armed robbery on Jan 24 at the 500 block of Kenyon St NW
  • Armed robbery on Jan 29 at the 2000 block of 15 St NW 
  • Armed robbery on Feb 2 at the 1400 block of Irving St NW
  • Assault with intent to rob on Feb 7 at the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant St NW
  • Armed robbery on Feb 7 on the 3200 block of 16th St NW
  • Theft from auto with gun stolen on Feb 10 
  • Armed robbery on Feb 12 at the 3200 block of Mount Pleasant St NW

Pyne was arrested on February 15 on the 3100 block of 16th St NW. Police approached him for suspicious behavior and he allegedly fled the scene. After he was arrested, he was accused of a multiple robberies in the DC area.

According to police Pyne was allegedly targeting members of the Latino community.

At a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz the prosecution said they are extending a plea offer. As a part of the plea, they would be adding three counts of robbery, one count of carjacking, one count of unarmed robbery, and one count of assault with intent to commit robbery. If Pyne agreed the prosecution would not indict on nine other charges. They proposed a two week expiration date on the plea.

Pyne’s defense attorney Mark Rollins requested more time to look over the plea and for additional discovery in light of only receiving the deal that morning.  

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug 9. 

Judge Orders Juvenile Charged with Triple Shooting Detained 

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell  granted the prosecution’s request for a juvenile charged with a triple non-fatal shooting to be detained by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) in a July 31 hearing. 

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder while armed and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting that injured three women on July 23 on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE. 

According to the prosecution, at the time of the shooting the boy was released in connection to a case in which he’s charged with carrying a pistol without a license. 

During the hearing, Judge Crowell mentioned the parties’ request in June to release the defendant as he awaited trial in the possession case. However, the prosecution argued, the circumstances have changed due to his alleged involvement in the shooting. 

The prosecution requested Judge Crowell order the boy detained due to him being a “hyper-risk danger to the community.” 

James Brockway, the boy’s defense attorney, requested Judge Crowell deny the prosecution’s request, asking him to place the juvenile in a shelter house. He argued the boy had “perfect compliance,” while he was in a shelter house before his release in the possession case. 

“He is clearly a danger to the public,” Judge Crowell said, granting the prosecution’s request to detain the juvenile pending trial. He stated that he “poses an extreme risk of violence.”

Judge Crowell also ordered psychiatric and psychosocial evaluations for the boy. 

A trial date was scheduled for Sept. 9. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 16. 

Defendant’s Probation Revoked After Charges for New Crime  


Ronald Yarborough , 29, was re-sentenced July 26 by DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz after allegedly committing a new crime during his release.

In December, Yarborough pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession, in exchange for all other charges as well as charges in a misdemeanor case getting dismissed. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced him to 36 months for assault, 18 months for unlawful possession, to be served concurrently.  Yarborough also had to serve two years of supervised probation after his release. 

Yarborough was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict. The charges are in connection with his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 28, 2020 at the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW.

Yarborough allegedly violated his probation on Jan. 29 by carrying a gun. On July 10 a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) probation officer recommended that Judge Leibovitz revoke his probation for the 2020 case.

At Yarborough’s sentencing on July 16, defense attorney Donna Beasley said that Yarborough had lived with his wife immediately after his release in March, and had sought employment. 

She also argued that Yarborough was otherwise in compliance with his release conditions and had only tested positive for alcohol once.

While discussing the new case, which resulted in his probation being revoked, Judge Leibovitz said “he certainly knew what it meant to carry a gun again.”

Leibovitz sentenced Yarborough to 48 months for assault with a dangerous weapon, 24 months for unlawful possession and 3 years of suspended release. Yarborough will be given credit for time served. 

Robbery and Carjacking Defendant Refuses to Appear in Court at Sentencing

A victim was unable to read an impact statement in court on July 26 before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz because the defendant refused to appear. 

James McNeil, 26, was found guilty of stealing a car from an individual while threatening him with a knife on Aug. 1, 2022, on the 200 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE. That same day, on the 600 block of 21st St NE, McNeil attempted to steal someone’s purse with another suspect. The victim was pulled to the ground and kicked. 

On May 6, McNeil pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery while armed.

In court, one of the victims was present to read an impact statement but was unable to do so because McNeil refused to get off the bus. 

Judge Leibovitz moved the matter to later in the afternoon, but after two hours the defendant still refused to enter the courtroom. 

McNeil’s sentencing was rescheduled for July 31.

Trial Delayed in Homicide Case As Key Witness Unable to Testify

As a postponed homicide trial was expected to begin on July 31, the prosecution received information that a key witness was unable to testify causing DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo to reschedule the trial to Sept. 9. 

Darius Anderson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Israel Mattocks, 30, on June 15, 2022, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. 

On July 29, when the trial was supposed to start, Judge Demeo delayed the case by a day to discuss a dismissal motion regarding phone records the prosecution had received and presented the night prior.

The defense requested dismissal or alternatively the option of a continuance, as the prosecution had the phone record evidence since mid-2023.

On July 30, the prosecution argued against dismissal stating that it agreed that the material should have been provided to the defense sooner, saying the non-disclosure was minimal, and was not intentional. The prosecutor told Judge Demeo all material had been disclosed to the defense and did not believe any of it will be used during the trial. 

On July 31, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Mattocks, was unable to testify due to a medical emergency. 

The prosecution proposed having an alternative expert testify or provide a stipulation to the jury. However, Falodun disagreed. 

Defense attorney, Wole Falodun, argued this “comes across as callous,” as the trial had already been delayed by a day and the jury had been picked. He also argued Anderson had been waiting in custody, and requested dismissal of the case.

Weighing the alternatives Judge Demeo granted a continuance and denied the request for dismissal.  

Falodun also requested Anderson be on house arrest until the trial, stating he is from the DC area, is part of the community, and Falodun has kept constant contact with his mother. 

The prosecution opposed the request arguing that, along with the weight of the evidence, Anderson had fled the scene and his residence following the incident. 

Judge Demeo denied the request for release as there were no conditions to ensure the community’s safety. 

Parties are slated to return on Sept. 3 for a trial readiness hearing.

Document: MPD Investigating a Fatal Shooting in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Ruben Jesus Munoz-Romero, which occurred on July 29. He was located on the 400 block of Michigan Avenue, NE, but MPD believes the shooting occurred elsewhere.

Defendant’s Ex-Girlfriend Testifies in Homicide Trial of Ten-Year-Old Victim

A homicide defendant’s ex-girlfriend finalized her testimony against him in front of  DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on July 30. 

Antonio Murchison, 31, and his co-defendant Mark Price, 29, 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 highly publicized crime left ten-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. 

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 incident, including:

Judge Okun previously issued a warrant to the witness, who began her testimony on July 23, but refused to return following a medical emergency. The witness previously testified that she and Murchison were engaged at the end of 2018, before his arrest in 2019. 

During this hearing, the witness was shown a video of a group of men dancing and singing along to the lyrics, “We the reason why the murder rate high … we just want a homicide.” 

She identified her son in the video, who was around two years old at the time, sitting on the shoulder of her ex-boyfriend “Tony” — whom she later identified as Murchison. 

The prosecution called their second witness of the day, an investigator with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), to testify about Instagram direct messages and video evidence police say were among Murchinson and Price and other co-conspirators. The video evidence and direct messages were discussions about the Wellington Park neighborhood and methods for obtaining firearms. 

Finally, the prosecution called on a doctor from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), to discuss Wilson’s autopsy report. According to the witness, the manner of death was a homicide and the cause of death was a gunshot to the back. 

Parties will reconvene on July 31. 

Case Acquitted: Prosecution Says Homicide Defendant Was, ‘Judge, Jury and Executioner’

Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor. 

Parties in a homicide case delivered closing arguments to a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom on July 30. 

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm from a prior conviction for the alleged fatal shooting on Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified on July 29, was brought back to the stand by the prosecution and said he knew of the allegation that Jackson was robbed several weeks before the homicide.

When Jackson was brought in for questioning said the detective security footage from the investigation room shows Jackson reacting in confusion to a picture of Minor, saying that he didn’t know who that is. 

Several other witnesses were brought to the investigation room and were all shown the same picture of Jackson, and all of them identified him as Jarvis Jackson, nicknamed “JV.”

On cross-examination, defense attorney, David Knight, asked the detective about his suspicion that “a snake” among Minor’s friends might have played a role in Minor’s death.

The witness testified that Minor told an individual at some point that if something ever happened to him, that people should “look to my brother,” meaning a friend turned against him. The detective also said no weapons were found when Jackson’s residence was searched.

On redirect, the prosecution noted the search warrant wasn’t executed until six months after the homicide. 

“Jarvis Jackson had the motive, had the opportunity, and had the determination to end the life of Deont’e Minor,” said the prosecution in their closing statements.  

The prosecution also described Jackson as Minor’s “judge, jury and executioner.”

Through a combination of phone records, cell tower connections, and security footage before, during, and after the homicide. the prosecution argued that Jackson allegedly planned the attack with his then love interest, who had a white Chevy Cruze, to kill Minor. 

Video footage revealed a person identified as Jackson in a white Chevy Cruze around the Arbor View apartments, the location where Minor was picked up by the Uber and near the homicide, less than half a block away.

The prosecution argued Jackson was seen later in the day as he was dropped off from a white Chevy Cruze, then walked to the crime scene and shot at the Uber Minor carrying Minor, and fled.

The prosecution said phone records and cell tower data indicate Jackson coordinated with his ex-girlfriend for a pick up location after the shooting, then drove away.

Due to time constraints, the parties were unable to conclude their arguments. 

Parties will reconvene on July 31. 

‘Your Role in Killing That Man Cannot Be Erased or Excused,’ Judge Tells Juvenile at Sentencing 

“He made a choice to participate in the gun violence that plagues our city,” a prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell as he ordered a juvenile convicted of murder to be detained by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until 21, during a July 30 hearing. 

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, was convicted of first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. 

The charges stemmed from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden, which occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW. 

At the hearing, through victim impact statements, Darden’s family deemed him as “A young man whose life was senselessly cut short before he reached his full potential.” 

“What was stolen from me on Dec. 18 was my best friend, my soulmate, my love,” said Darden’s girlfriend in a letter read by a victim advocate. 

Likewise, Darden’s mom told the court she, “lost [her] precious kid,” and their “suffering goes past losing [her] son,” yet she still forgives the boy. 

The prosecution asked Judge Crowell to order the juvenile detained until his twenty-first birthday, stating that he “killed Jihad and took him from the people that loved him the most.” 

The prosecutor argued detention will guarantee the youth receives the rehabilitation and treatment he needs to be a productive member of society at the time of his release.

She also stated they want him to work to transition back to the community.

Amanda Epstein, the boy’s attorney, requested he be sentenced for a probationary period, stating the legal statute is not about punishment but rehabilitation in the least restrictive setting for juveniles. 

According to Epstein, the boy is in the bottom three percent of juveniles that pose a violence or danger risk. 

“He is not a danger to the community,” she told Judge Crowell, adding that he needs help to move past trauma. 

“He is much more than the charges,” Epstein said. She requested that, if Judge Crowell is opposed to a probationary period, he limits detention to his 18th birthday. 

She requested Judge Crowell craft a sentence to help him, but that is not long enough to hurt him. 

“This was a very challenging case,” Judge Crowell said, adding that, “this was a 15-year-old that committed a very serious adult crime.” 

“The focus here is the reformation of a wrong-doer,” he told the juvenile. “It is heartbreaking,” Judge Crowell said, adding that the juvenile’s “role in killing that man cannot be erased or excused.” 

No further dates were set.

Public Defender Service Attorneys Abandon Furlough Plans for Now

A planned furlough that would have sidelined attorneys working for the Public Defender Service (PDS) has been canceled but is not off the table, according to sources at the agency that represents indigent defendants.

Earlier this summer, officials at the DC Superior Court were concerned that a work stoppage was imminent based on fears the PDS would run out of money.  Initially, that date was thought to be June 3, then the furloughs were postponed to around July 15, according to Laura Hankins, general counsel for the PDS,  

However, the furloughs are now on hold. 

“For the moment the budget shortfall has been resolved so at least for the remainder of this fiscal year there will be no furloughs for PDS staff,” writes Janet Mitchell, special counsel for the PDS in an email to D.C. Witness.  

Respite from the furlough was also confirmed in an email to D.C. Witness by Rudy Acree, Jr., the agency’s deputy director

The fear was that if PDS attorneys were furloughed for one day a week it would cause delays in an already crowded criminal docket.  Because hearings pile up, Fridays are reserved for the overflow.  So effectively there are only four days available for trials, but a furlough would have reduced that number to just three days.

An online document dated Sept. 30, 2023, details a shutdown plan for the PDS based on a legal requirement for withholding services. “In a lapse of appropriations the agency must…release (or furlough) those staff not excepted by agency heads,” says the report.

The plan acknowledges that in spite of a work action, all staffers who provide legal services will be retained. 

“The courts cannot process criminal cases, and prosecuting authorities cannot perform the part of their law enforcement function that occurs in the courts, without court-appointed counsel for criminal defendants and juvenile respondents,” according to the eight page document. 

The shutdown plan, had it gone into effect, would have limited legal representations to “only those deemed necessary to complement ongoing law enforcement activities and for protection of life and property.”

Friction over a possible furlough was apparent in a hearing before DC Superior Court Robert Okun on May 23. The prosecution pushed the judge to proceed with a murder trial even if Public Defender Madalyn Harvey wouldn’t be present in the courtroom.  

In the prosecutor’s view PDS was suffering from a “self-inflicted wound” as the result of mismanaging their budget.  Harvey laid the blame on Congress for failing to appropriate enough money and that maligning PDS leadership was “unjustified.” 

While a furlough would be a dramatic tactic, PDS staffers have long complained they’re overworked and under budgeted.  According to the 2022 PDS annual report, the net cost of agency operations was $50,458,998 up from $ 45,670,974 the previous year.  PDS employs 275 attorneys and support personnel. 

The PDS pleaded its own case in the 2022 review, “Due to the increase in serious crime in the District, PDS has been inundated with cases, but — staying the course — the staff has also focused on the many underlying issues in the community that affect its clients.”

That included some 2900 trial matters, says the report. 

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Defendants’ Jail Calls About Guns, Police Linked to ‘Crew’ Members

A witness from the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) testified about phone and video recordings of conversations from the DC jail among alleged co-conspirators on July 29 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. 

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 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. 

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 incident, including:

During the hearing, the prosecution called on a DOC monitoring specialist to testify about phone and video calls made from the DC jail in 2017 and 2018 by Price and Murchison.

The specialist explained that each person has a unique identification number that is tracked when making calls and video chatting with someone. 

Further, jail call video records indicate that convicted co-defendant Gregory Taylor called alleged Wellington Park Crew members who were not incarcerated at the time.

DOC records also indicated that Price made numerous video and call requests to speak with an individual who allegedly is strongly associated with the Wellington Park Crew.

Murchison’s records indicate that he was continually having calls and video calls with a female friend whom he mentioned “standing outside with guns and sh**.”

An MPD detective testified regarding body camera footage from Wellington Park in the 2500 Pomeroy Road, SE area. The footage showed multiple MPD officers walking around the front of an apartment building. 

Evidence was also presented about Instagram posts from 2018 and messages between Taylor and an account that the prosecution alleges is Price.   In one of the messages between them Price’s alleged account wrote, “can’t really say too much on here 12 [the police] can see that sh*t.” 

Another MPD officer testified about body worn camera footage from July 17, 2018 were Ramsuer is allegedly atop a picnic table on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE yelling, “f*ck 12 [the police], f*ck 13 too” to officers who were working around the area around her. 

Parties are slated to return on July 30. 

Stabbing Defendant to Represent Himself in Court

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur allowed a stabbing defendant to represent himself with an attorney advisor in court on July 30. 

Brian Long, 42, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

According to court documents, Long allegedly stabbed the victim in the right shoulder blade with a knife after he touched a ride share bike Long allegedly owned. Long was allegedly handed the knife by a female accomplice. The victim sustained injuries which required surgery. 

During the hearing, Judge Arthur allowed Long to represent himself in court with the help of Howard McEachern as his attorney advisor. 

Long previously had two different attorneys, Sharon Weathers and Randy McDonald, before dismissing them both, per court documents. 

Long also filed a motion requesting he be allowed to request an attorney later in proceedings if he so wishes. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 8.