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Judge Considers Severing One Suspect in a Multi-Defendant Juvenile Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs told a juvenile’s attorney she is holding a motion to sever her murder case from four other girls in abeyance during an Aug. 1 hearing. 

The juvenile, a 13-year-old girl, is one of five girls aged 12-to-15-years-old charged for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 64-year-old Reggie Brown. The incident occurred on Oct. 17, 2023, on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. 

She and a 15-year-old girl were arrested on July 18 for their alleged involvement in the incident.

The other three, a 12-year-old and two 13-year-olds, were originally arrested on March 28 and 29 for their alleged involvement. 

Eduardo Ferrer, the girl’s attorney, requested she be severed from the group of five,stating that the previously scheduled trial date of Aug. 20, does not permit her defense team time to properly prepare and she “won’t have the defense she deserves” if she’s tried with the rest of the girls. 

The prosecution objected stating that as of now, all girls’ cases are joined and should be tried together. They also stated that, although a trial date is scheduled for Aug. 20, it is still unclear if trial will occur. 

The prosecutor requested Judge Briggs not make a decision until the trial date, stating that if the trial does occur they can revisit the request to sever at that time. However, she added, if the trial is delayed the girl should be tried with the rest of the group. 

Judge Briggs agreed, and stated she would not make a ruling until it is clear whether or not the August trial happens. 

The prosecution reminded the defense a plea offer is open until Aug. 19, though the details are unspecified.

Parties for this juvenile are slated to reconvene Aug. 26. The rest of the group is scheduled to appear Aug. 20.

Murder Defendant Will Independently Test DNA Evidence 

In a hearing on Aug. 2, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, William Ransford, 59, asserted his right to independently test DNA evidence

Ransford is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal strangulation of Debra McManus, 39, at the 400 block of Trenton Street, SE on Oct. 23, 1993. He was charged with the decades old murder after his DNA was discovered on the victim’s sock.

It was unclear what items would be included in the testing. 

Parties are slated to meet again on Dec. 17.

Judge Tells Prosecution: Release Witness Names to Defense in Murder Case 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that the prosecution in a murder case release the names of witnesses to the defense team before the trial in an Aug. 2 hearing.

Terrance Prue, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Bruce Gilmore, 39. The shooting occurred on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE, on June 5, 2019. Another individual suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

At the hearing, James King, Prue’s defense attorney, alerted Judge Raffinan that the prosecution had not released the names of three witnesses to the defense team. 

According to King, documents from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) interviews with the witnesses indicating they spoke to Gilmore before his death, and he told them that if he died Prue’s co-defendant Miguel Gibson, 21, would be the one responsible. 

King argued that the prosecution has waited long enough to release the names, and that he needs an opportunity to do additional investigation. 

“We’re now at trial readiness,” King said. “These names should be disclosed immediately.”

The prosecution argued that releasing the names could put the witnesses in danger as they come from a small community and could face retaliation. They want to release the names on Aug. 21 instead, closer to the trial date, which is scheduled for Sept. 4. 

After Judge Raffinan’s inquiry, the prosecution said no direct threats have been made thus far.

In light of the start date of the trial, Judge Raffinan ordered that the prosecution release the names of the witnesses by Aug 5. She also ordered that the names not be revealed to Prue by King to alleviate concerns for the witnesses’ safety.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 21.

Murder Defendant’s Case Dismissed 

Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan they had filed to dismiss a homicide defendant’s case during an Aug. 2 hearing. 

Khalil Khalilov, 34, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Anvar Guliyev, 36, on July 17. The stabbing occurred on the 1800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW.

Khalilov was brought to the courthouse despite the case being dismissed the night of Aug. 1

Judge Raffinan informed Khalilov he would be released. 

No further dates were set.

Murder Defendant Denied Release For The Second Time 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a murder defendant’s request for release on Aug 2, after initially being denied by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun in April.

Lavar Hunter, 19 and his co-defendant Jayvon Thomas, 20, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Anwar Wingate, 24. The shooting took place on the 2100 block of 8th Street, NW on Nov. 19, 2021.

According to court documents, surveillance footage showed Wingate in a “vulnerable” state, highly intoxicated and stumbling. Two individuals, later identified as Thomas and Hunter, allegedly planned to rob Wingate to steal his gun. 

Thomas and Wingate fought briefly and Hunter was the one to fatally shoot Wingate, according to court documents.

At the hearing, Hunter’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Saperstein, requested that Judge Raffinan reconsider Judge Okun’s decision to hold the defendant. Saperstein argued that Hunter is currently enrolled in a college program and has a supportive family, as well as no criminal record. 

Members of Hunter’s family appeared in court and provided Judge Raffinan with a letter asking for his release. 

“There would be no danger to the community,” said Saperstein, adding Hunter would agree to be placed on home detention with a GPS monitor. 

The prosecution argued that nothing had changed from the last court date. They insisted that Hunter’s family and college education pursuits were not new, and he remains a danger to the community. 

“Both of those things were true before the crime occurred,” the prosecution said.

Judge Raffinan found that the nature of the offense and the weight of the evidence “favors detention.” 

Parties are slated to meet again on Oct. 24.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in 2023 Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 18-year-old D’Andre Montgomery, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Kenneth Barksdale Jr. The incident occurred on Dec. 16, 2023 on the 1200 block of 44th Place, SE.

Prosecution Says Text Messages And Videos Connect Defendants to Murder, Conspiracy

A jury heard reviewed messages among multiple defendants said to be exchanging firearms and publicly “beefing” on July 31 and Aug. 1, 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:

On July 31, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer testified about text messages among the convicted defendants displaying the apparent exchange of numerous firearms leading up to Wilson’s murder. Messages between Michals and another alleged member of the WPC were entered into evidence regarding the Nissan Infiniti that was allegedly used in the homicide. 

The officer testified about messages between an alleged WPC member and an individual identified as Michals saying, “We need a driver like you and Mark.” The message was sent a week before the homicide. 

As the trial continued on Aug. 1, prosecutors presented more messages exchanged among the convicted defendants purchasing and exchanging firearms with each other. 

An MPD officer presented messages from Taylor and Cobbs that showed the convicted defendants purchasing firearms from gun shows in June and July of 2018. 

The officer also testified to a series of messages among the convicted defendants and other alleged members of the WPC from August 2018 when police officers arrested Price, Ramsuer, and interviewed other alleged members of WPC. 

Within the messages recovered from Taylor’s phone, a conversation between Taylor and Thomas from June 16, 2018–a month before the Clay Terrace shooting– Michals told Taylor he was  “tryna get in touch with [Price]” and complaining, “we can get CLO [another alleged member of WPC] but we need ah go mf [a good motherf*cker] behind the wheel.” 

In another message chain between Michals and an alleged member of WPC assigned the name “Brava” on June 16, 2018, Brava writes to Michals telling him to “tell Mark we cum [come] get him it dnt [don’t] matter. We need ah go mf [a good motherf*cker] behind the wheel.” 

An MPD detective who served multiple search warrants for Taylor and Antonio Murchison testified about the investigation surrounding the Clay Terrace shooting.

The detective described traveling to Los Angeles to serve a search warrant against Taylor, where he lived part-time, and learning that Taylor’s description of the murder at Clay Terrace on July 16, “absolutely [did] not” match the evidence found. 

The detective testified that a search warrant was also served for Murchison’s mother’s home, where they found out he was no longer living there but resided at his then-girlfriend’s house in Northeast DC. 

According to the detective, when he interviewed Murchison’s then-girlfriend, he showed her a rap video from the WPC posted to Instagram on the night of the incident. The former girlfriend apparently recognizing her own child in the video along with Murchison. In the video, the group can be heard singing, “We the reason why the murder rate high.”

Trial is slated to resume on Aug. 5.

Shooting Defendant’s Sentencing Delayed for Youth Act Consideration

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a shooting defendant’s request to delay sentencing in order to consider the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) as part of the sentencing, during an Aug. 2 hearing.

On April 8, Amontae McCalvin, 19, accepted a plea deal that required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting incident on Sept. 8, 2023 on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, SE. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

In exchange for his acceptance of the offer, the prosecution agreed not to indict him on greater charges, and only ask for a sentence between four and five-and-a-half years. 

According to court documents, McCalvin shot 33 times at the victim and his girlfriend while they were inside a house. The victim was standing in the doorway at the time of the shooting and sustained a broken wrist.

During the hearing, McCalvin’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, requested the YRA be taken into consideration when sentencing McCalvin. The YRA allows a defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements. 

Harden said this would mean the sentencing is delayed because Judge Arthur would need to request a youth study on McCalvin. Judge Arthur agreed with Harden and ordered the youth study. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 4 for sentencing. 

Judge Denies Request for Shooting Defendant’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur denied a request for release by a shooting defendant’s attorney on Aug. 2. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, Moody allegedly fired at his family members 27 times before fleeing into a friend’s house. After being granted an emergency search warrant, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD allegedly found parts of the gun Moody used in the ceiling of his friend’s house. 

During the hearing, one of Moody’s defense attorneys, Molly Bunke, requested Moody be released from jail, citing his lack of criminal history.She also said Moody has been taking advantage of a mentorship program at the jail and presented two letters from mentors advocating for his release. 

The prosecution said there have been no changes in his case and recommends Moody continue to be held at the jail while he awaits trial. 

Judge Arthur denied release, stating Moody has relationships with people involved in the shooting incident. He said his friends live in the house where Moody allegedly shot at family members. 

Moody was previously released by DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Urban Nolan, Jr. on May 3, but Judge Arthur vacated the release order on May 22.

The prosecution also revealed the results of the DNA testing done on the gun Moody allegedly used during the incident. He said the results were inconclusive because they were “too complex” to interpret. 

Bunke alerted the court Moody wants to waive his rights to DNA testing, which Judge Arthur accepted. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 9. 

Defense Says Prosecution Withheld Evidence in a Shooting Case

Defense counsel in a shooting case alleged the prosecution failed to provide potentially exculpatory evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Aug. 2. 

Keith Walker, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on March 7 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE. One individual sustained non-life threatening injuries. 

According to court documents, Walker got into a verbal altercation with the victim after the victim did not want Walker speaking to his daughter. Walker allegedly shot the victim in the left leg after threatening to kill him. 

During the hearing, one of Walker’s defense attorneys, James King, claimed the prosecution committed a Brady violation, arguing they have failed to provide evidence they need to review before trial, which is set to begin on Aug. 20. 

King also said it doesn’t appear Walker can be indicted before the legal deadline.

The prosecution said they have not handed over evidence to the defense yet because they are still in the process of investigating Walker’s case which they expect to conclude on Aug. 7. 

The defense then requested Judge Arthur release Walker because there is no legal justification to hold him.

Judge Arthur denied the request.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 7. 

Murder Defendant Considering Plea Offer

A homicide defendant requested additional time to discuss a plea offer extended by prosecutors with his attorney in an Aug. 2 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe. 

Damon Clark, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jimmy Thomas Jr., 46, at the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on March 8.

According to court documents, Thomas Jr. sustained six gunshot wounds, including one to the right side of his chest. 

During the hearing, Clark’s defense attorney, Quo Judkins, alerted Judge O’Keefe and prosecutors that Clark needed additional time to further discuss the plea offer.

According to Judkins, the offer requires Clark to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Through the deal, parties would agree to a sentencing range of seven-and-a-half-to-11 years. Judkins said the decision will be a quick turnaround.

Parties are scheduled to meet again on Aug. 28.

Judge Denies Motion for Mistrial in Shooting Case

A shooting defendant’s request for a mistrial was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 1. 

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 5, 2021, on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE. Two individuals sustained life-threatening injuries during the shooting. 

According to court documents, video surveillance footage from the scene shows an individual, later identified as Cannon, shooting twice at two victims. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the incident and arrested him.

Jonathan Lanyi, Cannon’s defense attorney, filed a motion for mistrial after an MPD officer trained in crime scene investigation testified about ballistics.

During his testimony, the officer spoke about flagging shell casings found at the scene. The prosecution played his body worn camera which showed the casings being marked on the ground in the street and near the door of the scene. 

After the witness’ testimony concluded, Lanyi filed a mistrial because the prosecution showed an edited video of shell casings in two different areas.

He said the prosecution disregarded the conspiracy charge indicating there were multiple shooters involved in the incident, because the testimony made appear Cannon was the only shooter. 

Lanyi also said he was “confused” by the testimony and said the witness had “limited” crime scene training. 

Judge Brandt ruled against his motion stating Lanyi was the only one who is confused and the prosecution was showing where different shell casings were located..

Another MPD officer testified on arresting Cannon after Cannon took off running, which led to a foot chase where he hid behind a bush.. 

Another officer testified a police dog found a gun in the bush where Cannon previously hid.

Still another officer said, Cannon did not have any firearm registered in his name, or a license to carry.

In body-worn camera footage the day of the shooting, Cannon was asked to provide his name and date of birth. He first identified himself as “Delonte Taylor” and allegedly gave the officer a fake date of birth saying he was born in 1997. 

The officer testified he didn’t find out Cannon’s actual identity until they were in the patrol car. 

Parties are set to return Aug. 5 to continue trial.

Defense Claims Police Discrepancies in a Homicide Investigation

A homicide defendant’s attorney claimed discrepancies in the police investigation of the case during an Aug. 1 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe. 

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 called on a responding officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who described body-worn camera footage from the incident.

According to the witness, she arrived four minutes after the shooting happened. On the way, she testified, she passed Matthews’ son’s apartment where the prosecution alleged Matthews and his son’s mother were in their car to drive back to Matthews’ house. 

When the witness arrived on the scene there was an officer already rendering Green aid. The witness secured the scene and took two friends of the victim’s back up to their apartment.

Originally, the witness stated she thought she saw multiple different casings, which is why she patted down Green’s body for a weapon. 

The prosecution claimed what she saw were casings and bullet fragments that vary, but all the casings allegedly came from the same gun. 

After the witness preserved the crime scene on the stairs, she testified, Green’s friends were lingering outside of the apartment and she told them to get back inside so they did not accidentally kick any evidence. 

Defense attorney Marnitta King said this could have been tampering the evidence.

The witness disagreed, and stated they were trying to ask her if Green was okay. She got more information about Green one of their names and contact information, but the other friend went back inside of the apartment.

King pointed out that on the witness’ incident report she said she never got the information on the second friend because he did not want to give it to her. King claimed that the witness changed her testimony once she met with the prosecution. 

The witness said that she had not seen any of her body cam footage until the prosecution showed it her and that is when she realized she made an inaccurate statement in her report. 

The prosecution continued to play the body camera footage, in which the witness pointed out that her sergeant came up to her after she got the contact information from the first friend and she went downstairs because he was up there with them.

Prosecutors also called on a homicide detective who talked to the friends and they seemed “distraught” and cried at one point. King pointed out that in an investigation report it said that one of the friends was upset because the police were searching his apartment. 

The witness said he does not know whether or not this is true because he was not there at the time.

One of the detective’s testified he managed to pull video from a private surveillance camera a block down from the crime scene. In the footage, the prosecution claimed you can see an individual, who they identified as Matthews, walking down the street back towards his son’s apartment. 

King pointed out that the surveillance camera time is incorrect. Originally the witness said that the video was 36 minutes off, but according to the MPD video extraction team it was 44 minutes off. 

The witness said this is due to “bad math,” but the time lined up with what happened right after the murder. King said this verged on bad policing.

King also indicated that the witness talked to an off-duty cop who gave information on a potential suspect. According to his investigative report, the suspect came out from behind the crime scene wearing a dark blue jacket and pants, and a black cap and got into a white Cadillac Escalade. 

The witness said they followed up this lead, conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the occupants were ruled out as suspects. 

Additionally, King brought up to the detective that he interviewed Green’s friend who lived at the apartment. King claimed that the friend went down to the police station to clear his name. 

The witness said he had told the friend to come down to be interviewed, and was also interested in clearing his name. According to the detective, the friend cooperated because Green was his “best friend.”

The detective also testified he submitted a request to preserve Instagram messages on Green’s phone because his friend mentioned that Green was angrily texting someone on it moments before the shooting. The friend originally said he did not know who Green was texting, but later said it was his cousin’s people.

King alleged that the witness did not bother to check messages other than the conversation with Matthews’ son, but the witness said another detective was the one who went through all the messages. 

The parties are slated to return on Aug. 5.