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Prosecution Extends Plea Offer in a Domestic Stabbing Case

The prosecution extended a plea offer to a defendant in a case of domestic violence before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 8.

Michael Alston is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) of a senior citizen, kidnapping of a senior citizen, assault with significant bodily injury, strangulation, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in an incident on Feb. 4 on the 2100 block of I Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries. 

At the July 8 hearing, Alston said he wished to be represented by a different attorney. Judge Leibovitz stated he would continue to be represented by his current defense attorney, Veronice Holt, until another attorney can be found for him.

Judge Leibovitz continued the hearing to the following week to allow the defense time to consider a plea offer that was extended by the prosecution.

According to court documents, the incident occurred as a result of a domestic dispute. The victim fled the scene after the incident.

When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on the scene, Alston allegedly barricaded himself in the apartment, but left after an officer conducted a mediation with him.

The plea offer would require Alston to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) and strangulation in exchange for the prosecution’s waiving all other charges.

Parties are slated to return July 15.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing and Denied Release 

DC Superior Court Judge Judge Heidi Herrman accepted Stephan Ombolo’s waiver of a preliminary hearing and denied his release at a hearing on July 8. 

Ombolo, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on March 26 on the 400 Block of Newton Place, NW.

According to court documents, Ombolo’s cousin’s roommate called the police for help when Ombolo’s cousin was having a mental health crisis. The roommate told a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective that Ombolo assaulted him after Ombolo’s cousin was transported to a hospital and the police left. 

Court documents state that Ombolo was angry with the roommate for calling the police regarding his cousin. Ombolo allegedly struck the roommate repeatedly with the butt of a gun and fired one shot towards him that didn’t hit him. 

At the July 8 hearing, Ombolo’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, requested Ombolo’s release, arguing that he has “three prior convictions in 2018, none of which were assaultive,” and that she “believe[s] [Ombolo] could comply.”

King said, if released, Ombolo would not come to DC unless he had a court hearing, “and the community will be safe.” 

The prosecution objected to Ombolo’s release, stating that there were “serious concerns about the defendant’s ability to abide by rules.” 

Judge Herrman said there were no conditions she could set that would ensure the safety of the community. 

Parties are slated to meet again on July 17. 

Judge Grants Release to Defendant Following Trial Delay

A defendant was put on house arrest on July 8 by DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian due to his trial date’s delay because of a scheduling conflict with the prosecution.

Calvon Brown, 31, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 22 at Lee’s Liquors located on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

Due to a scheduling conflict, the prosecution requested additional time to investigate and indict the case in preparation for trial, requesting it be set in August which is not prejudiced against the defendant as it falls within the 100-day deadline. 

Judge Christian denied the request due to not being able to sit in August.

With no opposition from the defense, the trial date was moved to Sept. 16. 

However, defense attorney Tammy Thom requested Brown be released until the trial date, arguing the delay was not Brown’s fault. 

Judge Christian granted the request with the terms of Brown being on 24-hour house arrest. 

According to court documents, an individual, identified as Brown, allegedly confronted the victim in the store before engaging in a physical fight when Brown allegedly took out a gun and shot the victim once in the buttocks area. 

Parties are slated to return to court on Sept. 3. 

Prosecution Conducts DNA Testing in Shooting Case

The prosecution announced they would be conducting DNA testing on the physical evidence in a non-fatal shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 8.

Marcell Cradle, 19, and Marcus Cunningham, 19, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for their alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred at the intersection of 17th and Euclid Streets, NW, on April 25. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, the shooting may have stemmed from a drug exchange that turned into a robbery.

Cradle and Cunningham allegedly threw a gun on the ground while attempting to flee the scene before they were detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

At the Monday hearing, the prosecution asked for an extension on providing notice for the DNA expert. Judge Leibovitz granted the extension but retained the trial date of Oct. 16. 

Parties are slated to return Sept. 18. 

Judge Finds Probable Cause and Denies Stabbing Defendant’s Release 

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Herrman found probable cause that a defendant is the likely perpetrator in a stabbing incident. She denied his request for release during a July 8 hearing. 

Darryl Myers, 51, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on June 7 on the 1300th block of 17th Street, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, an individual, identified as Myers, approached a couple sitting on a bench and began to yell slurs and obscenities at the pair. He allegedly groped the woman, and when the man, who was with her, attempted to stop him, Myers allegedly stabbed him before fleeing the scene. 

At the hearing, the prosecution offered Myers a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill in exchange for them not seeking an indictment. 

Myers denied the offer and the hearing went forward. 

Following his rejection of the plea, the prosecution called an officer from the US Park Police who assisted in locating Myers after the stabbing.

The victims participated in separate identification procedures, the officer said. They were shown a different set of images of different individuals and were able to identify Myers as the individual who assaulted them.

The image of Myers, which was taken moments after the stabbing incident, was taken at a hospital in which Myers sought treatment for a “severe laceration,” according to the officer. 

Myers’ defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, argued that the victims should have been shown the same set of images of possible suspects. 

“Myers is the one with the cut on his hand,” Thomas said, asking the judge not to find probable cause. 

Thomas also requested that Myers be released and suggested the high intensity supervision program (HISP) or house arrest. 

However, due to the “disturbing” nature of the case and prior convictions in other jurisdictions including murder, armed robbery and theft, the prosecution objected to Myers release.

He “accosted two people who were enjoying a summer evening,” and “randomly sexually assaulted someone,” the prosecutor said. 

Judge Herrman denied the release, stating that Myers’ “history and characteristics are concerning,” and there are “no conditions or combination of conditions that [she] can set that reasonably ensure the safety of the community.” 

Parties are set to meet on July 24 

Document: MPD Investigating 2021 Shooting as a Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that occurred on Oct. 18, 2021 on the unit block of Quincy Place, NE, as a homicide due to new findings by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Zachary Freeling.

Homicide Trial Delayed Due to Defendant’s ‘Illness’

A homicide conspiracy trial was postponed after a defendant failed to appear before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on July 8 due to “an illness,” according to US Marshals. 

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. 

Judge Okun delayed the trial after Murchison refused to leave his jail cell, claiming he was not feeling well. A representative from the Department of Corrections (DOC) confirmed his failure to appear was due to stomach issues

The prosecution expressed frustration, stating this was a delay tactic due to their intent to call a material witness. 

Prosecutors claimed Murchison and Price orchestrated their multiple failures to appear, citing a phone call from the jail between Price and a loved one, where he said he faked an illness to miss his hearing on June 11. The prosecutor claimed the defendants have been orchestrating ways to delay trial. 

“Of course he refuses, he got the playbook,” the prosecutor said, insisting Murchison was copying Price’s earlier refusal to appear, which allowed Murchison to observe the parties’ discussions on how to proceed. 

The trial is set to resume on July 9.

Defendant Pleads Guilty for Attempting to Shoot His Father 

A non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded guilty July 8 to shooting his father.

Markus Raynon Hodges, 27, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 27 on the 3400 block of Baker Street, NE. No injuries were reported, though damages to the victim’s car were noted. 

Devon Dozier, Hodges’ defense attorney, said he was accepting a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.  

According to court documents, Hodges and his father got into an argument at a family cookout, which escalated to Hodges pointing a gun at his father’s head. Hodges then got into the car and shot at his father seven times while driving away. The defendant’s father later identified him to the police. 

Sentencing is set for July 25.

Judge Sets Trial Date for Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz set a trial date in a shooting case on July 8 after the prosecution announced that they would not be extending a plea offer, despite requests from the defense. 

Dayquan Henderson, 22, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on May 11 on the 300 block of Anacostia Road, SE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, an individual identified as Henderson, who was inside of a residence, was arguing with two individuals who were outside. During the argument, Henderson allegedly shot at the victims without striking them. The victims fled the scene.

At the Monday hearing,Judge Leibovitz scheduled the trial to start Nov. 13 and ordered a competency screening for Henderson.

Parties are slated to return July 12.

Shooting Defendant Pleads Guilty to Strangling Girlfriend

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur accepted a plea agreement on July 8 for Joshua Goodwin that covered charges for a domestic violence incident.

Goodwin, 30, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and felony strangulation for his assault on his girlfriend on Feb. 24 on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE. 

According to court documents, Goodwin got into a verbal altercation with his girlfriend of three years, leading to him grabbing her by the neck and strangling her until she could not breathe. When the victim managed to get away, Goodwin retrieved a handgun and began shooting inside and out the window of the apartment where the victim’s children were present. The children were not harmed.

Two other people intervened to help the defendant’s girlfriend. One was grazed on his wrist by a bullet. 

In court, Carrie Weletz, Goodwin’s attorney, stated Goodwin was accepting a plea agreement for assault with a dangerous weapon and felony strangulation.

Assault with a dangerous weapon has a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and/or a fine of $25,000. Felony strangulation has maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a fine of $12,500. 

Goodwin’s sentencing is set for Sept. 13

Carjacking Defendant Signs Expletives Instead of Name on Plea Offer

Discussions regarding a plea deal turned into a request for a mental competency exam for an unarmed carjacking defendant in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 8. 

Ramone Brown, 34, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident on Feb. 20 on the 1700 block of New York Avenue, NE. According to court documents, Brown allegedly tried to steal a car from a victim at a gas station. A bystander saw what was happening and forcefully removed Brown from the car. 

Before the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer for the defendant’s attorney, John Machado, and Brown to review. 

According to Judge Hertzfeld, the prosecution and Machado signed their legal names on the plea offer, while Brown signed with expletives. 

She then told Brown that she could not accept the paperwork in that condition. Instead of listening to Judge Hertzfeld, Brown talked over her.  

“I signed it and put the f*** you on it,” Brown said. 

Court marshals removed Brown from the courtroom upon the request of Judge Hertzfeld. Brown also called Judge Hertzfeld a “b****” as he was escorted out. 

Judge Hertzfeld requested a mental competency exam because of Brown’s behavior in court during the hearing. 

Parties are set to reconvene on July 11. 

Document: Arrest Made in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 29-year-old Elonte Brookhardt, who was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and destruction of property for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that injured one individual on July 6 on the 1200 block of Half Street, SE.

MPD continues to search for a second suspect.