Search Icon Search site

Search

Double Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal, Moves Toward Trial

Through his attorney, Joseph Yarbrough, a double homicide defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution and requested a trial date before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 19.

Jermiah Jordan, 33, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of over one year for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Luke Whitaker and 19-year-old Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes on July 22, 2023, on the 1400 block of Girard Street, NW.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the shooting location, where they located Whitaker. Shortly after, they found Hollingsworth-Hayes on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Both victims were dead.

The plea deal would have required Jordan to plead guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed with concurrent sentencing ranging from 22-to0-26 years in prison.

Prosecutors predicted a two-week long trial that will include DNA evidence. Yarbrough said he only expects to need up to two days to present his arguments.

The trial has been scheduled for March 2026. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 16, 2025.

Shooter Asks for Sentencing Delay to Complete Diploma

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan delayed sentencing a shooting defendant on July 19 to determine how he will continue his education while incarcerated.

On Feb. 9, Eric Lemus, 20, accepted an agreement extended by the prosecution, which required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident, which injured two on March 22, 2023, on the 1000 block of Park Road, NW.

According to court documents, both victims were riding bikes.

One victim was not injured while the other sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest, right arm and thigh. He was transported to the hospital where he received treatment and later recovered, as per court documents. 

When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on scene, Lemus told them the two victims tried to rob him but three other witnesses contradicted his statements. MPD officers arrested Lemus at the scene.

During the hearing, Lemus’ defense attorneys, Steven Ogilvie and Shawn Sukumar, requested Lemus stay at the DC jail after sentencing so he can earn his diploma. 

They said Lemus is part of the School Justice Project which allows defendants with special education needs to continue their education. They said if Lemus is moved to another prison he would lose all of his credits. 

The attorneys also said Lemus is on track to finish by the fall of 2025 and requested members of the School Justice Project be appointed to the case as well.

The prosecution objected arguing the victims deserve closure. 

Judge Raffinan ruled to continue the sentencing and hear additional arguments from the defense and prosecution regarding Lemus’ education status. 

Parties will reconvene on Aug. 21.

Murder Defendant Denies Involvement at Arraignment

A defendant pleaded not guilty during an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 19.

Randolph Thomas, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon,  five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, and first-degree burglary while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Emmanuel Durant Jr. on Dec. 31, 2009 on the 200 block of Webster Street, NW. 

Thomas was arrested and charged in connection to the murder in October 2023.

During the hearing, Tammy Thom, Thomas’ defense attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. 

Thomas’ attorney requested that parties move toward trial preparation and set a date for trial in August 2025.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 18 for a status hearing.

Defendant Deemed Competent for Trial In Domestic Shooting

Citing a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein deemed a shooting defendant competent to stand trial on July 19.

Keith Robinson, 58, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a domestic non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 23, on the 3000 block of B Street, SE. The shooting left the victim, his girlfriend, with four gunshot wounds in the chest and four gunshot wounds to the arm. 

At the hearing no objections were made by either party and a two-week continuance was requested by defense to go over recently received information.

According to court documents, on May 24, Robinson was at a mental health treatment facility and allegedly told his social worker he shot his girlfriend and wished to surrender to the authorities.

Court documents state that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers received a call to meet Robinson and he was arrested without incident. 

Court is set for a preliminary hearing and status conference on Aug. 16.

Prosecution, Defense Exchange Barbs During Murder Case Hearing

Attorneys for both sides asked DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun to penalize opposing counsel for their actions during a motions hearing in a fatal shooting case on July 19.

Tyree Irving, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and two counts of obstruction of justice. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the death of Davane Williams, 22, on Jan. 15, 2019, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. 

The motions hearing originally scheduled for 11:00 a.m. was delayed until noon by Madalyn Harvey’s absence, one of Irving’s defense attorneys. 

The prosecution alleged that Harvey caused the delay by double-booking the motions hearing to coincide with the sentencing of another client. They asked Judge Okun to require Harvey to finish her cross-examination of their witness by 1:00 p.m., since he needed to leave for a childcare issue.

Harvey alleged the prosecution had kept her from preparing for cross-examination by withholding information about past misconduct by the witness until after close of business on the day before the hearing. As a result, she asked Judge Okun to sanction the prosecution. 

“Stop. This is not the way. The court reporter needs to take down people speaking one at a time,” Judge Okun instructed the attorneys as they interrupted each other’s arguments.

Denying the requests of both parties, Judge Okun ordered the prosecution to conduct direct examination of the witness immediately. He scheduled Harvey’s cross-examination for Aug. 8.

The witness, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, had previously conducted a photo array with a witness who identified Irving as the perpetrator.

“I seen him walk up and shoot multiple times,” the detective reported the witness saying when he saw Irving’s picture in the photo array.

Harvey argued in support of a motion to require the prosecution to turn over all communications with a cooperating witness whom Harvey earlier said could be seeking advantage in return for providing testimony.

The prosecution said that the defense is entitled to receive only false or inconsistent information provided by the witness.

Harvey alleged that the witness is desperate after having cooperated with prosecutors for 11 years without receiving a reduction in his 63-year prison sentence for unspecified charges.

Harvey said the communications she’s requesting are necessary to show his state of mind and what he might resort to.

“I feel our office wastes a lot of time fighting for evidence that should just be turned over,” Harvey said. “I think we’re at a point in the law where the appeals court is saying this is no longer acceptable.”

Judge Okun said he would review both parties’ written arguments before ruling on the motion.

The prosecution argued in support of a motion to admit recordings of phone calls between the defendant and his girlfriend as evidence. The phone calls were made on the day preceding and the day of the girlfriend’s testimony before the grand jury.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant was trying to persuade his girlfriend not to cooperate with prosecutors.

Harvey argued that the phone calls were merely attempts to work out relationship issues.

Judge Okun said he would issue a ruling after listening to the recordings more carefully.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 26.

Murder Defendant Sentenced to 20 Years for ‘War Zone’ Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a homicide defendant to 20 years’ incarceration on July 19 for gunning down a bike rider.

Brandon Smith, 38, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the shooting of 44-year old Charles Stanton on July 4, 2023. The incident occurred on the unit block of Patterson Street, NE.

According to court documents, Smith shot Stanton from his car while Stanton was riding his bike. Detectives later found the murder weapon inside a toilet tank, and the shirt Smith was wearing at the time of the shooting in his residence.

On Feb. 9, Smith accepted a deal to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment. Parties agreed to a sentencing range of 18-to-22 years’ incarceration. 

At the sentencing, prosecutors asked Judge Demeo for the maximum of 22 years in prison saying Stanton “was gunned down like a war zone.” They also requested Smith get the maximum supervised release of five years. 

According to the prosecution, Stanton’s family is looking for justice and they insist punishment is the only way.

Madalyn Harvey, Smith’s defense attorney, requested the minimum sentence of 18 years, stating he took responsibility for the crime early on, and “he’s a good person.” 

Harvey said during the incident Smith was under the influence of drugs and wasn’t aware of the awful crimes he was committing. She argued he’s “not some cold calculated person.” 

Smith’s mother spoke before the court, apologizing on her son’s behalf to the victim’s family. She acknowledged her son needs help. 

Judge Demeo sentenced Smith to 20 years with five years supervised release. She also ordered Smith to register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund. 

Smith must also participate in substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as grief counseling. 

There are no further dates set.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea for Girlfriend’s Shooting

A defendant accepted a plea deal in connection to wounding a teen-ager before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on July 19. 

Deangelo Wooten, 27, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for shooting his 16-year-old girlfriend on the 3400 block of 13th Street, SE, on Jan. 20. The victim sustained serious injuries. 

In court, Todd Baldwin, Wooten’s defense attorney, mentioned that his client has agreed to the terms.

According to Baldwin, the plea deal requires Wooten to plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct 4. 

Judge Orders Mental Competency Exam for Double Homicide Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled more information is needed to determine whether a homicide defendant is mentally competent to stand trial on July 19. 

Kevin Foster, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in two homicides that occurred on March 7, 2023. 

According to court documents, Foster allegedly shot 23-year-old Dana Faulkner on the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Foster is also alleged to have shot and killed 15-year-old Abdul Fuller at the intersection of Mississippi Avenue and Wheeler Road, SE. He died at a hospital on March 9, 2023. 

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers later arrested Foster on Dec. 22, 2023, after allegedly identifying him through video surveillance footage. 

During the hearing Judge Raffinan said the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) does not have enough information to determine Foster’s competency to stand trial. She ordered Foster receive a full mental competency exam before proceeding with the case.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 30. 

Body Cam Footage Shows Defendant Near Suspected Vehicle

On July 18, an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department testified about body camera footage that showed one of the defendants of a mass shooting near the suspected crime 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 incident 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 Thursday, the officer said footage from his body-worn camera included a black Infiniti with a missing bumper, the suspected vehicle used in the mass shooting, and Murchison. 

The officer said he was taking new officers to the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE on July 15, 2018, to practice different training and investigative skills. While there the officer’s body-worn camera captured the Infiniti parked in a lot on the block. An individual, who the officer identified as Murchison, was also seen near the Infiniti. 

On July 16, the prosecution called on an expert in cellular data history to testify about phone records that belong to Taylor, Thomas, Michals and what the prosecution alleges to belong to Price.

The records showed the individuals’ phones were in the general location of the shooting at the time of the incident. 

The expert also said, according to the records, Price was in the same general area as the convicted defendants in the days leading up to Wilson’s murder, but that he was unable to provide an exact location.

Parties are set to return on July 22, before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Five Charges for 2021 Stabbing

A homicide defendant was arraigned for his charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on July 19.

James Lewis, 46, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon and three counts of contempt for allegedly killing Brenea Franklin, 30, on Jan. 31, 2021, on the 1100 block of Bellevue Street, SE. 

According to court documents, Lewis allegedly stabbed Franklin in the neck. Lewis was later identified by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers through video surveillance footage and arrested on April 2, 2021. 

After the arraignment, Lewis’s defense attorney, Mani Golzari, filed a motion requesting the prosecution release evidence saying one of the witnesses, who Lewis allegedly sexually assaulted, who is going to testify during trial, has a history of lying and is not mentally well.

Golzari said the prosecution has a history of hiding evidence from the jury and wonders how many defendants are currently held for the same reason. 

Due to Golzari becoming frustrated, the prosecution requested he remain professional. Judge Raffinan agreed, saying Golzari should stick to the facts of the case. 

Judge Raffinan ruled this matter doesn’t pertain to Lewis’ case. 

Parties also discussed Lewis’ contempt charges with Golzari recommending they be dropped because they are irrelevant to his homicide charges. 

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution said Lewis violated his stay away order by allegedly calling a witness while being held at DC Jail. The calls went unanswered by the witness in question, but the call was traced to Lewis’ unique pin number.

According to the prosecution, the contempt charges stem from his attempts  to contact a witness  through a phone call while being held. 

Due to time constraints, parties are slated to discuss the motion to sever charges at a later date.

Parties are expected to reconvene on Nov. 8.  

Sentencing Delayed Over Pre-sentence Report Question

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun delayed the sentencing of Marcus Walker on July 19 to allow Walker’s attorney to seek records that could clarify information provided in Walker’s presentence report.

Walker, 23, was found guilty by a jury on May 7 of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, second-degree cruelty to children, three counts of a possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The charges stemmed from the shooting of Erik King, 28, on Oct. 11, 2022, on the 800 block of 21st Street, NE. 

At the hearing, Walker’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, requested a delay in sentencing because he had questions regarding material in Walker’s presentence report.

Winograd told Judge Okun that he had asked the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to provide records that might resolve his questions, but CFSA had not responded.

“Given the nature of the presentence report, I think it’s necessary to see the records,” Winograd said. He did not explain what his questions about the report were during the hearing.

According to court documents, Walker and his two children were living with Walker’s ex-girlfriend at the time of the incident. At the time, Walker’s ex was with her boyfriend. Walker shot King after the couple refused to stop having sex that Walker could hear through the wall. The girlfriend’s young daughter was also in the room at the time of the shooting.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Double Homicide Defendant Asks to Represent Himself 

After a shooting and stabbing homicide defendant was deemed competent to stand trial on July 19, he requested that DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo let him represent himself. 

Matthew Walker, 25, is charged on Jan. 8 with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence among other charges for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of David Remen, 32, on Feb. 14, 2019 on the 1700 Hamlin Street, NE. One other individual sustained severe injuries in the attack. 

Walker is also charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Jamal Green-Lee to death on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NE on April 29, 2019. Green-Lee died on Nov. 4, 2020, due to his injuries.

In court, Judge Demeo reviewed a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) stating that Walker is competent to proceed in court. 

Tensions were high between Walker and his defense attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, as Walker attempted to provide Judge Demeo with a folder of documents, which LoGerfo stated he needed to review before he could provide them to the court. 

“I have a lot of problems with this attorney” and “I want to represent myself,” Walker told Judge Demeo. 

Judge Demeo said she would address Walker’s request to defend himself at the next hearing. 

Parties are slated to meet Aug. 26. 

No Contact Order Upheld in Shooting Case to Protect Children, Despite Victim’s Wishes

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro ordered that a no contact order remain in place and without modification during a July 18 hearing. 

David Blanks, 38, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on June 21, on the 1600 block of V Street, NE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, Blanks’ significant other alerted officers that Blanks had fired a gun five-to-six times outside of their home, after she had asked him to not point it at her. During a search warrant, a handgun was found in the residence, with seven rounds of ammunition. 

A stay-away and no contact order from the victim and Blanks’ children was imposed on June 22. 

At the July 18 hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Di Toro that the victim reached out to them requesting a modification to the no contact order involving herself, her two children, and the incident address. 

However, the prosecution stated that considering the facts of this case they would oppose any modification to the no contact order. Specifically due to the fact that “the defendant is seen on video racking the firearm in front of the woman and her two younger children that they share in common,” going on to say that the defendant, “proceeded to shoot that same firearm.”

The prosecution also stated that while the firearm was not pointed at the victim, it does show a danger to the victim and the children in the home and that modifications to the no contact would not be appropriate at this time.

Angela Ramsay, Blanks’ defense attorney, requested Judge Di Toro do what the victim wants and revoke the stay away and no contact order. 

The parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 23 for another status hearing.