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‘You Cannot Get Yourself Under Control,’ Judge Says to Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow sentenced a stabbing defendant to four years in prison on July 26.

On May 13, Carlton Warren, 59, accepted an offer from the prosecution, which required him to  plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a stabbing on Oct. 24, 2023, at the intersection of 34th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, NW, while on a Metro bus. One victim sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident. 

In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to not seek an indictment on greater charges. 

According to court documents, Warren stabbed the victim after getting into a verbal argument leading to a punctured lung, punctured diaphragm and a laceration to his spleen which required emergency surgery.

During the hearing, the prosecution requested Judge Pasichow sentence Warren to five years in prison to reflect the “seriousness” of his crime. They also argued there is a “need to protect the community” since Warren did not know the victim before the incident. 

Warren’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, said Warren attacked the victim after he called him the “n-word” and was defending himself. McEachern requested Warren serve two years in prison.  

In his statement to the court, Warren apologized to the victim, and stated he was homeless from 1998-to- 1999 which greatly affected his life. He said for the past eight years he has had his own apartment and moved from Southeast to Northeast Washington, D.C., to try to get away from the violence. 

Nonetheless, Judge Pasichow sentenced Warren to four years in prison.

“You cannot get yourself under control,” Judge Pasichow said referencing the violent nature of Warren’s offenses.

Upon release, she said Warren will be required to serve three years of supervised release and attend an anger management program. 

No further dates were set. 

‘The Punishment Does Have to Fit the Crime,’ Judge Says During Carjacking, Shooting Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow sentenced a carjacking and shooting defendant to 18 years in prison on July 26. 

Tavon Owens, 31, was found guilty by a jury of assault with significant body injury while armed, armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license and unauthorized use of a vehicle for a carjacking and shooting. The incident  occurred on Dec. 12, 2022, on the 1400 block of Newton Street, NW. There was one victim who sustained non-life threatening injuries. 

According to court documents, Owens shot a woman in the leg before stealing her car and driving it across the city to the 1400 block of Bangor Street, SE, where he was arrested. 

During the hearing, the victim said her injuries limit her ability to stand for long periods of time.

She also said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder because of Owens’ actions. 

“I hope he has to think about me as much as I have to think about him,” the victim said during her statement. 

The prosecution stated Owens’ pre-sentence interview showed “no remorse” for his actions. They said they recommend Owens be given the maximum sentence of 18 years in prison. 

Owens’ defense attorney, Steven Polin, said the prosecution’s arguments regarding remorse should not be taken into consideration because Owens has maintained his innocence and therefore does not have a reason to be remorseful. 

He also said Owens’ biological father abandoned his family when he was child which made Owens feel angry. He said this led Owens to suffer from mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 

Agreeing with the prosecution, Judge Pasichow sentenced Owens to a total of 18 years in prison with the counts running concurrently, including 10 years for the two count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, six-and-a-half years for assault with significant bodily injury, and three years each for unlawful possession of a firearm under a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license and unauthorized use of a vehicle. 

“The punishment does have to fit the crime,” Judge Pasichow said in reference to the victim’s impact statement.

Judge Pasichow also ordered Owens to serve five years of supervised release and register as a gun offender on release.

No further dates were set. 

Five Teen Girls Accused of Murder Make First Joint Court Appearance

Five juvenile girls accused of murder appeared in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs on July 26 in a courtroom crowded with US Marshals, probation officials and the suspects’ family members.

Judge Briggs ordered that all the girls should remain in custody at the DC Youth Services Center (YSC) pending trial.  It is currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 20, though the judge acknowledged it would be a “tight window” given the complexity of the case. 

All the adolescents, 12-to-15 years old, have pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon,  conspiracy as well as other counts, in the death of 64-year-old Reggie Brown.  The severely disabled man was allegedly stomped to death, say prosecutors, by the teens on Oct. 17, 2023 in a dark alley near the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW,  

Three of the juveniles were arrested in March. Their trial date is set.  The other two, 13-and-15 years old, appeared in court for the first time on July 19 when DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause they conspired to commit the crime. 

That hearing was punctuated by violence shortly after prosecutors played a 55-second cell phone video which they say depicts the defendants repeatedly kicking Brown as he lay defenseless on the ground.  The girls, say the prosecution, appear to be celebrating and laughing during the assault.  

As testimony continued, the 13-year-old engaged in a spontaneous fistfight with a US Marshal.  The defendant was subdued with the help of other security personnel who removed her screaming from the courtroom. 

On July 26, at least six US Marshals were arrayed strategically around the courtroom as a precaution; however no disruptions occurred. 

As the hearing ended, the judge imposed a protective order for prosecution witnesses, admonished the defendants against discussing the case and imposed a stay away order forbidding the three original defendants from contacting the other two at the YSC. 

“Are we clear?” said Judge Briggs.

The next hearing in the case for the newest two defendants is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Fatal Stabbing in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 49-year-old Ronald Lamont Levi, who is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 60-year-old Gary Ronald Day.

The incident occurred on June 18 on the 5200 block of Foote Street, NE.

Teenage Defendant Charged With 50 Counts In Mass Shooting 

A teenage defendant was officially charged with 50 counts for alleged aiding and abetting a mass shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, in a July 26 hearing.

Byron Matthews, 18, was arrested and originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly aiding and abetting a suspect in a mass shooting which occurred on April 21, 2023 on the 500 block of LeBaum Street, SE and 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE. The shooters were in a moving vehicle that was driving from the 500 block of LeBaum street, SE, down the 2900 block of 2nd street, SE, and ultimately ended up on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. 

According to court documents, at least seven people were wounded in the attack including a little girl tucked up in a ball with someone crying to her, “My baby, my baby, my baby!”

At his felony arraignment Matthews was officially charged with, eight counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, eight counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, nine counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and 20 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Matthews pleaded not guilty to all counts and his attorneys, Molly Bunke and Varsha Govindaraju, requested that pre-trial preparation begin. 

Meanwhile, offered a plea deal that expires in one week. 

If accepted, the offer would require Matthews to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm. He would be sentenced to 12 years of incarceration.

Parties are to reconvene on Aug. 2. 

DNA Evidence, Social Media Posts Link Defendants in Murder Conspiracy

Before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun in a July 25 hearing a DNA expert testified evidence recovered from a suspect vehicle “very strongly supports” a defendant’s presence in the vehicle.

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:

The DNA expert testified finding a high likelihood of Price’s DNA in the driver’s and passenger’s side of the SIlver BMW, which prosecutors allege belonged to Price and was used to transport some of the gunmen from Wellington Park closer to the crime scene. According to the witness, the likelihood ratio showed very strong support that the DNA sampled belonged to Price.

From the DNA swabs that were taken from the Black Infiniti, which prosecutors claim is the vehicle used in the murder, there was very strong support that the DNA found on the inside of the front driver’s window also belonged to Price. This corroborates the prosecution’s claim that Price was the getaway driver. 

DNA recovered from the previously convicted defendants were likely found within both vehicles according to the prosecution.

Prosecutors ended the day with testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer regarding Instagram messages and videos exchanged between those previously convicted in the case featuring weapons and individuals described as the two current defendants. 

Videos the prosecution says feature Price rapping with other alleged members of the Wellington Park Crew holding firearms, and both Price and Murchison captioning photos detailing that they were with their “gang” on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, NW. 

Trial continues on July 29.  

Murder Defendant Refuses to Attend Court

A homicide defendant’s refusal to appear in court before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on July 25 delayed his attempt to get a new attorney.

Jajuan Gripper, 21, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for his alleged involvement in the death of 34-year-old Rynell Bradford. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE on Dec. 20, 2022.

In what was supposed to be a hearing to appoint a new attorney for Gripper,  U.S. Marshals informed Judge Okun that Gripper had refused to come to the courthouse.  No immediate explanation was provided.

Given the defendant’s actions a new attorney is yet to be appointed. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 8. 

‘You Know Who Was in The Car,’ Prosecution Says in Carjacking, Burglary Trial

Parties gave closing statements in a carjacking and burglary case in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on July 26. 

Kenneth Phillips, 24, is charged with carjacking, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, robbery while armed, burglary second-degree, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property, and driving without a license for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery and carjacking on Nov. 15 and 16, 2021. The incidents occurred on the 2000 block of 4th Street, NE. 

According to court documents, on Nov. 15, Phillips allegedly assaulted a victim as he stole his key ring, which contained keys to two vehicles, a white Nissan and a brown Toyota, and the keys to the victim’s home, before fleeing the scene in the Toyota. 

On Nov. 16, Phillips was stopped in the early morning hours in the brown Toyota, while the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were canvassing the area looking for the stolen vehicle. According to court documents, he was allegedly found with the key fob for the white Nissan and a Penn State graduation ring.

A crime scene investigator for the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) testified he was responsible for obtaining photos and a buccal swab from the victim. Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough questioned the lack of pictures of the back of the victim’s head, which was inconsistent with the knowledge that he was hit and injured in that area.  

The investigator also collected DNA evidence from the brown Toyota. The items collected were a black face mask, a condom with fluid inside, and a phone. According to the witness, latent ridge detail–the unique pattern of fingerprints–was collected from the phone, but not further investigated.

A staff assistant for the DC Department of Motor Vehicles testified that records showed that Phillps did not have a driver’s license at the time of the incident. 

One of the MPD officers who processed the victim’s home for DNA evidence testified. Areas where the culprit may have touched were swabbed for evidence but no fingerprints were collected– highlighted during cross-examination. 

An MPD detective who also testified about getting the minivan and arresting Phillips. During cross-examination, Yarbough noted the passenger of the stolen vehicle was free to leave without a more thorough investigation. MPD detectives responded that this was due to the passenger not matching description of the “look out.”

The defense called on an MPD sergeant to testify regarding his investigation into a homicide that took place on Nov. 12, 2021. Yarbough said Phillips provided accurate information to the sergeant about the suspect.

Yarbough also noted this suspect was on GPS monitoring and in the vicinity of the carjacking. 

The prosecution pointed out during cross-examination that Phillips was arrested and speaking to the sergeant may benefit him in his arrest. The prosecution also pointed out that the sergeant would only discuss the homicide and nothing else, and that Phillips was the one to raise his carjacking case. 

The prosecution also mentioned that the sergeant had no connection with Phillips’ carjacking case and had not spoken with the detectives assigned to the case, so it wasn’t possible Phillips providing information in a homicide case would help him in the current prosecution. 

In their closing, the prosecutor claimed that the “worst thing happened,” to the victim was that he has assaulted and injured in the incident.

The victim’s description of a black man with a hood and video footage shows Phillips is the culprit, the prosecutor insisted. The prosecution recalled that Phillips was stopped by police seven hours later “in clothing that belonged to” one of the victim’s daughters. Based on the items found on Phillips and the car, the prosecutor argued, the jury can infer that those were recently stolen items and Phillips is guilty. 

The prosecution also asserted that a lot of testimony was given regarding the collection of DNA evidence and the “only one person who didn’t give a buccal swab,” while gesturing to Phillips, “ was that man.” 

The prosecution finished by telling the jury “to find the defendant guilty” and “reach the only verdict that is consistent with this case.” 

However, Yarbough insisted the prosecution “got the wrong man,” and claimed that Phillips is exhausted from having to wait for justice for almost three years.  

Yarbough mentioned the presumption of innocence, that the moment the jury laid eyes on Phillips they were “team Phillips” until proven guilty. 

Yarbough brought up the prosecution’s lack of evidence., citing limited video surveillance from the area, no follow-up on a potential suspect, no fingerprint processing, and no digital evidence. He claimed that the prosecution “brought you hocus pocus up here” and deemed the circumstances of the emerald ring being discovered after the initial arrest of Phillips as questionable. 

Yarbough also mentioned that during the victim’s testimony, he never pointed out or identified Phillips as the assailant in court. 

“The evidence and lack of evidence” show Phillips is not guilty, Yarbough told the jury. 

“You do not need those fingerprints, you know who was in that car” the prosecutor told the jury, regarding the lack of DNA evidence. 

The prosecution also stated that the defense put a bunch of “red herrings” to distract from the evidence that matters. 

Parties are slated to return on July 26 for jury instruction and deliberations. 

Defense Questions Police Handling of Evidence at a Murder Scene

A homicide defendant’s attorney questioned the validity of the crime scene before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on July 25.

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.

The prosecution brought in a crime scene technician who described the scene as she found it, including shell casings, projectile fragments, and any damage.

In cross examination, defense attorney Marnitta King asked the witness whether or not she knew if any of the items were placed there by “an officer”. 

The witness insisted that she just documents the scene as she finds it and no one but her team is allowed to move evidence. 

“You don’t know who put the items on the ground?” King asked, you don’t know if someone “picked it up and placed it there.”

The witness said she doesn’t know how the items are located the way they are. She added that when a firearm ejects a casing, it flies up in the air a few feet and over to the right a few feet, bouncing around. 

King also asked the witness if she collected any touch DNA from the scene. The witness said she collected “touch DNA” from the interior side of the front door. Also, known as “trace DNA,” touch DNA enables identification from a very small sample.

King questioned whose idea it was to collect touch DNA from that spot and whether a detective who arrived on the scene earlier told her to do so. The witness could not recall if the detective told her to collect the DNA or if it was a spot she deemed necessary to swab herself. 

Another witness, a firearm’s expert all 12 casings that were found on the scene had very likely come from the same gun. 

King brought up an online resource used by police officers called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which the police use to compare ballistic evidence from different crime scenes. She asked if the police officers run the ballistic findings through the database and send the information to the expert to confirm a weapon in evidence.

The witness said that was not true and they never received any NIBIN report, only evidence to examine. 

The parties are slated to return July 29.

Judge Dismisses Carjacker’s Case, Finds Probable Cause for for Co-Defendant  

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Herrman dismissed charges against one carjacking defendant, but found probable cause his co-defendant was a perpetrator in a July 25 hearing.

Ayomide Ikujuni, 17, and Robert Thiam, 18, were charged with carjacking for their alleged involvement in an incident that took place on July 22 on the 1300 Block of V Street, NE.

Ikujuni was charged as an adult under Title 16 given the serious nature of the crime. 

According to court documents, the victim had just picked up an order from Subway on V Street when 10-to-15 teenagers swarmed his moped, hit him and pulled him off of the scooter. One of the individuals fled the scene on the vehicle and the victim ran after the group but suffered another beating.

The group then fled in seperate directions and Thiam and Ikujuni were spotted by police near 14th and U Streets, NW.  The victim identified Thiam and Ikujuni as two of the individuals that were present during the assault and robbery. The victim sustained injuries to his face, arms and legs. No other arrests have been made and the vehicle has not been recovered, according to court documents. 

During the hearing the prosecution called a police officer who was present during the defendants’ arrests to testify about his involvement in the investigation.

The witness was presented with video surveillance footage from the intersection of 14th and U Streets, NW and stated there was a large group standing in front of the Subway when the victim walked out of the store and went to his moped he was “pulled off by two” individuals and was “tossed to the ground.” 

Two individuals “took control over” the moped and the victim began running after them when a “mob” began to “stomp on and kick” him, the officer testified. A witness seated across from the Subway called the police. 

The police officer recounted arriving at the scene and seeing the victim “badly assaulted and bleeding from the face.” 

The witness was also presented with his body camera footage that was captured during the incident. 

The witness recounted that he, the victim and a detective were in an unmarked police car to canvass the area for any of the individuals that were involved in the incident. The footage shows the officer speaking with the victim in Spanish and translating for the detectives and victim. 

At one point in the video the victim “excitedly” claimed that he saw some of the individuals walking on the 1900 Block of U Street, NW. The officer testified getting out of the car and approaching a group of four; in the footage he questioned them about where they were going and the individuals replied that they were “just walking.” 

The officer testified that the victim picked out two individuals, who were later identified as Ikujuni and Thiam, as some involved in the incident. 

The victim told the officer and detectives he was “absolutely sure” that Ikujuni and Thiam were involved. 

The witness testified that the victim said he knew it was Ikujuni because of his white shirt and that Ikujuni was the one who “pulled him off of the bike.” According to the officer, the victim told police Thiam was there during the incident and that the victim was “sure” he was one of the individuals who beat the victim.

Rist objected to the officer’s testimony, and stated that the literal translation of what was said by the victim was “[Thiam] was with the group.” The witness confirmed the victim’s statement but stated that the “end result was the same.” 

According to the officer, at the time of the arrest, Ikujuni provided a false name. They were unable to accurately identify him until they located an identification card in his belongings. Thiam maintained his innocence and told the officer that he was not involved in either incident. 

Likewise, Kevin Robertson, Thiam’s defense attorney, also questioned the victim’s identification. According to the officer, the victim stated one of the suspects was a “Black male, smaller in height.” However, Robertson pointed out Thiam was not the shortest individual in the group. 

Rist asked Judge Herrmann not to find probable cause considering that there was “no identification,” of Ikujuni and he was “found three blocks East and at least one block South” of the incident. Rist stated that his client is “only alleged to be a part of the group but did not participate in any assaultive behavior.” 

In his argument against probable cause, Robertson stated that the victim “got it wrong,” and it’s “unfortunate” that he was paying attention to the individuals that were pulling him off the moped and misidentified Thiam. Robertson then reiterated that no one in the group ran when the officer approached despite it being easy to escape.

The prosecution asked Judge Herrman to find probable cause stating that a mob of attacked a random individual and stole his vehicle. The prosecution emphasized how it was the “victim himself who alerted officers,” when he saw someone that he recognized and that they had passed multiple groups of people while canvassing. 

Prosecuting attorneys also emphasized that the video surveillance footage is unclear in determining who is wearing what, and though the majority of the individuals were wearing black there were a few wearing white tank tops and short sleeves. 

Judge Herrman did not find probable cause in Ikujuni’s case, arguing the basis of his identification was his white long sleeve top, but it isn’t seen in the footage. She added that, prior to the show-up procedure, the victim never stated one of the suspects wore a white top. 

However, Judge Herrman found probable cause in Thiam’s case, stating that he may not have been involved in the attack but there is a possibility of him being an aider and abetter. She stated that she doesn’t “know if every single person there” was involved in the attack, but because the surveillance footage shows some people wearing white shirts and Thiam was picked out of the line up. 

Judge Herrmann granted Thiam release, citing his lack of a criminal history, his employment, and educational plans for the fall. 

Thiam is slated to return on Sept. 30. 

Carjacking Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Wants Trial

A carjacking defendant rejected a prosecution plea offer, opting to proceed to trial in a hearing on July 25 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. 

Michael Hines, 36, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in a carjacking incident on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 28. He is also charged with armed robbery for his alleged involvement in a robbery on March 22 on the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. 

Hines is also facing additional charges for indecent exposure and lewd, indecent or obscene acts. 

During the hearing, Adam Harris, Hines’ defense attorney, affirmed his client declined the prosecution’s plea offer.

The offer, if accepted, would have required Hines to plead guilty to carjacking and assault with the intent to rob as well as the robbery charge, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. The charges of indecent or obscene acts and indecent exposure would have been dismissed. 

To remain in compliance with the legal deadline, prosecution stated the trial date must be set before Nov. 2. 

Parties agreed to begin on Oct. 31. 

The prosecution asked for the sex-related charges to be heard along with the carjacking counts at the next hearing. 

Judge Brandt, who was standing in for DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro, informed parties that she will wait for Judge Di Toro to set the motion schedule, but will schedule the trial readiness hearing. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 28.