The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 16 on Benning Road, NE. The victim, identified as 51-year-old Timothy Sistrunk, was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. No suspect information is available at this time.
A report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) found a murder defendant remains mentally incompetent to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Oct. 10.
Christopher Holness, 32, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed of a senior citizen for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his grandmother, 83-year-old Sandra Mundle, which occurred on Jan. 17 on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW.
According to court documents, Holness was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia or delusional thinking. In order to stand trail a defendant must be mentally competent enough to understand the charges against him and help his lawyer defend the case.
The DBH report said that despite being currently incompetent, there is substantial reason to believe Holness will be restored to competency or make significant progress. They recommended he remain hospitalized for inpatient restoration.
Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 12.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said he will consider allowing a murder defendant to work while on pretrial release on Oct. 10.
Lamar Wright, 21, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Derrick Thomas on May 2, 2023, on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, NE.
According to court records, Wright was released into home confinement in January 2024.
Defense attorney Sylvia Smith requested that Wright be allowed to work for DoorDash, since he had been compliant since his release.
Both the prosecution and Judge Kravitz voiced concerns about working for DoorDash, as Wright would not have control over where he goes for deliveries. Judge Kravitz did not rule on the request, however, and asked that Smith file a motion so he can consider.
The prosecution also said they are waiting for additional DNA test results to come back. They said that while testing was done before Wright was arrested in 2023, they decided to test new materials in July. They said they anticipate the results to come back in December.
Smith inquired about the reason for new testing and what materials are being tested. Judge Kravitz said he wants the prosecution to explain during another hearing.
Smith further said that the defense intends to conduct independent testing of these materials.
Due to this delay, Judge Kravitz expressed concern about the case’s being ready for the May 2026 trial date.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 24 for further discussion,
A murder defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Oct. 10.
Maurice Ford, 34, is charged with first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of greater than a year for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Terrell West, 32, that occurred on Jan. 16 at the unit block of Ridge Square, NW.
In addition to pleading not guilty, Ford’s defense attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, asserted Ford’s rights to a speedy trial and requested evidence in discovery from the prosecution.
O’Sullivan said they intend to conduct independent testing of DNA evidence once the prosecution’s results are turned over to them.
Parties also set a trial date of March 15, 2027.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 21.
A plea offer was rejected as a stabbing case heads for trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Oct. 15.
Anthony Jacobs, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that took place on the 1300 Block of Howard Road, SE on Aug. 28.
Jacobs rejected an offer that would have required him to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for midline sentencing recommendations and for no further charges brought related to the facts in the case.
With the rejection of the plea offer, the matter now heads to trial.
A trial readiness hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 7, 2026.
A homicide defendant took a plea deal for the shooting death of a teenager in an Oct. 17 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan.
Maurice Corbin, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Daquan Gardner on April 30, 2024 on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE.
Corbin’s attorney, Julie Swaney, told the court that Corbin had agreed to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed with a sentencing range of 20-to-24 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss an indictment on the remaining counts.
The agreement includes a five year minimum mandatory term.
In accepting the plea deal the prosecutor said that had the case gone to trial, a jury would have convicted Corbin of Gardner’s murder.
Reading from a proffer of facts, the prosecutor said Corbin approached Garder who was stopped in a car and fired multiple times at the victim who was in the driver’s seat. Further, Corbin did so willingly, voluntarily and not in self-defense.
Judge Ryan asked Corbin if he understood that he was waiving his right to trial and a possible appeal of a conviction by accepting the plea. Corbin acknowledged that he understood the deal outlined in a three page letter and had discussed it thoroughly with his lawyer.
It will take the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) sixty days to prepare a pre-sentencing report.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 19.
DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld told parties she’d consider a carjacking co-defendant’s request to sever his case from the rest on Oct. 16.
Jason Benitez-Umanzor, 25, and Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 21, are charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during crime of violence or dangerous offense, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
These charges stem from their alleged involvement in an armed carjacking and assault of a victim on the 3100 Block of Hiatt Place, NW on March 26.
According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, there is a warrant out for 21-year-old Julio Villafranco for his alleged involvement in the incident.
Defense attorney Quiana Harris, representing Lemus-Cruz, filed the motion to sever her client in order to have a fairer trial to all defendants by preventing the jury from being prejudiced toward any of the defendants.
According to Harris, the video used to identify the defendants is incredibly blurry, and the only witness identification of the defendants was of “three young Hispanic males”. According to her, neither ethnicity nor race could be made out based on the video alone.
Harris also claimed that the prosecution only has desperate evidence. In the same video an individual was identified as Lemus-Cruz, only for that same individual to be later identified as Benitez-Umanzor.
Harris stated that her client was “guilty by association”. There was so much evidence against Benitez-Umanzor that it was spilling over to Lemus-Cruz.
The prosecution argued that the video surveillance was not the only identification of Lemus-Cruz. He was allegedly identified in a photo array and was arrested wearing the victim’s jacket.
Defense attorney Claudine Harrison, representing Benitez-Umanzor, gave an additional set of reasons why the severance was warranted.
She argued that there is exculpatory information that could be used in Benitez-Umanzor’s trial. In a trial where the defendants are severed, she would call Lemus-Cruz to testify on behalf of Benitez-Umanzor.
Additionally, she stated that 45 days was not enough time for her to be prepared for trial. Lemus-Cruz and his counsel are prepared to go to trial on Oct. 29.
The prosecuting attorney argued that it is “premature” for defense counsel to claim that 45 days was not enough time to prepare for trial. He added that if it got close to the trial date and that was still the Harrison’s position, parties could reevaluate then.
Judge Hertzfeld is slated to rule on the severance on Oct. 17.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a homicide defendant to 10 years of imprisonment after carefully considering the purpose of criminal sentences on Oct. 10.
Craig McKinney, 48, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for shooting 45-year-old Adam Dove on March 8, 2024 on the 1400 block of Ridge Place, SE. Dove died from four gunshot wounds to his head, chest, forearm, and hip.
McKinney pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed on May 7. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to sentence him between seven-and-a-half-to-ten-and-a-half years of imprisonment.
At sentencing, Judge Ryan said punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation are the three purposes of sentencing in a criminal case. “Rehabilitation is not an afterthought, but it is something that has to follow the appropriate punishment and deterrence for the crime,” said the judge.
“No sentence I impose will bring back Adam Dove,” said Judge Ryan, acknowledging there will be a lack of satisfaction on either side following the sentencing.
The prosecutor requested McKinney serve 10-and-a-half years for “the tragic and really unnecessary loss of Adam Dove’s life.”
Dove’s mother said her son went through his own trials and tribulations throughout his life, but “there’s nothing on this earth that warrants a person to take another person’s life.”
“I miss my father,” said Dove’s daughter, continuing as tears streamed down her face, “I miss him very much. He was a great person, a great dad.”
Although she acknowledged it would not bring her brother back, Dove’s sister requested McKinney serve the maximum sentence.
“The day my brother died, a part of me died that day with him. The way he left this earth, so violently, and so harshly, that’s what breaks my heart for him,” said Dove’s sister.
“It’s inexcusable to pull out a firearm and deal with confrontation in that manner,” the prosecutor said.
Terrance Austin, McKinney’s attorney, asked for a seven-and-a-half year sentence.
Austin said “chaos” is the only way to describe McKinney’s life experiences. Austin asserted that McKinney did not feel safe in his home or community growing up because his father abused his mother and he was bullied in school.
According to Austin, McKinney’s substance abuse started when he was eight and continued his entire life. McKinney also struggles with mental health issues including bipolar and anxiety disorders, said Austin.
Austin also noted this is McKinney’s first felony conviction, despite his trauma, and his last case was a misdemeanor in 2008.
“I want to take responsibility for the part I played,” said McKinney, “I’m sorry for the mistake I made. I hurt a lot of people. I know not now, but hopefully in the future, I can be forgiven.”
Austin said McKinney needs further assistance and support to deal with his substance abuse, mental health and trauma. “A life caged in a prison cell, for this person, is not the goal of the prison system,” concluded Austin.
Judge Ryan accepted the agreed-upon range in the plea agreement and sentenced McKinney to 10 years of imprisonment with five years of supervised release. McKinney will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon his release.
Judge Ryan also granted Austin’s request to recommend McKinney serve his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland. In addition, McKinney was recommended for the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), a nine-month intensive treatment program conducted in a dedicated unit within the prison.
No further dates were set.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified about a murder during a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Michael Ryan on Oct. 16.
Jaheim Brown, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Christopher Robinson at the 5500 block of B Street, SE, on Nov. 20, 2024.
The prosecutor called the lead Metropolitan Police (MPD )detective on the case who identified Brown as a suspect and arrested him. They presented a series of surveillance videos from the day of the incident that the detective collected.
The detective testified that he was able to identify Brown and Robinson in the videos from an eyewitness who was also captured in the videos.
According to the detective, this same eyewitness told him that he and Brown went to the incident location the day of the murder to sell “boot,” a powerful new drug mixture including MDMA.
The first four videos were from the incident location and showed two individuals around what the detective described as a “boxy” vehicle. MPD later identified the vehicle as a dark-colored Dodge Nitro. The detective said the individual in the red coat in the videos was identified as Brown by the other individual, the eyewitness, who wore a light-colored coat.
According to the eyewitness, Brown became very upset when interacting with Robinson and accused him of being a police officer.
The videos then showed an argument between Brown, the eyewitness, and Robinson. The eyewitness attempted to calm Brown saying, “hey bro, chill bro,” then saying “come back bro.” Then the person alleged to be Brown stated “keep walking, what you wanna die for” towards Robinson, who was walking away in the direction of his home.
Brown’s attorney, Kevin Mosley, later objected, emphasizing how the detective could not determine which of the three said what during this interaction through voice recognition because the footage was taken from far away.
Then a voice in the video said “say what, say what bruh” and a series of gunshots were heard.
After the video played the gunshots, Robinson’s mother who was present in the courtroom, broke down in tears, sobbing and repeating “oh my baby.” After she repeatedly insisted that she could stay, her family escorted her out of the courtroom.
Judge Ryan stated it was a “very emotional manner” and the prosecutor apologized for not warning about the shots before playing the video.
The prosecution then showed a separate, close-up video which the detective said was Robinson being shot and falling to the ground.
After the shooting, the closer video showed both the person alleged to be Brown and the eyewitness running back to the Dodge.
The detective said during his interview with Brown about the shooting, Brown told him that he knew of the location of the homicide and had been there before, as it was near his friend’s house. Brown also told him that he owned a blue Dodge Nitro, according to the detective.
During cross-examination, Mosley questioned the credibility of the eyewitness. Mosley asserted that there was no body-worn camera footage of the eyewitness claiming Brown committed the shooting. Mosley also claimed that the eyewitness was initially reluctant to talk about the shooting and told the detective multiple lies during their interview. Mosley also highlighted that the witness was smoking marijuana at one point during the day prior to the incident and had a history of mental health problems.
The detective said that the eyewitness’ noncompliance during the interview was due to not wanting to get involved in the case.
According to Mosley, Brown was honest and forthcoming about information and his knowledge of the incident location and his ownership of the Dodge Nitro during his interview.
Mosley emphasized that all that was determined by the videos was that the individual in the red coat shot Robinson. According to the detective, the videos were too blurry to match any facial features to Brown, but determined the eyewitness who identified Brown to be the individual in the light-colored coat by their build and testimony.
Mosley also insinuated the possibility that the shooter could have acted out of self-defense because the surveillance footage of Robinson falling down did not clearly show his hands and whether they were empty of threatening weapons.
The detective finally confirmed that he could not see Robinson’s hands in the video.
Mosley also questioned the detective about Robinson’s character, and alleged he was known to use illegal narcotics. Mosley referenced the arrest warrant in which the detective said someone he interviewed described Robinson to be “strange.”
Eventually, Judge Ryan said, “less argument, more questions.”
The detective finished his testimony and Mosley requested to continue probable cause arguments at a later date.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 20.
An armed assault defendant rejected a plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Oct. 15.
Brian Diggs, 31, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and firearm possession during a crime of violence. The charges stem from Diggs’ alleged involvement in a shooting at the 700 block of 20th Street, NE on Aug. 6. One individual was injured.
A prosecutor offered Diggs a plea deal that would include accepting one count of aggravated assault and one count of felony possession. In return, charges from a prior 2016 case against Briggs would be dismissed.
Diggs rejected the plea offer, and parties moved to discuss available trial dates.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 20.
DC Superior District Court Judge Judith Pipe declined to release an armed carjacking defendant from jail on Oct. 15.
D’Eric Brown, 24, is charged with armed robbery, armed carjacking, and two counts of firearm possession. The charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in an altercation that occurred at Brown’s apartment of residence, the 100 block of Q Street, NE, on Sept. 5.
Brown’s defense attorney, Sara Kopecki, requested that the court release him, arguing that Brown was only acting in self-defense after being assaulted by five construction workers outside his apartment building.
“He [was] held down, kicked, and brutalized,” Kopecki described.
In the assault, Brown’s keys were stolen by the perpetrators, which Brown’s attorney claimed was why he returned to the scene and allegedly held someone at gunpoint and stole their car keys.
“I’ll give you back your car keys if you give me mine back,” Kopecki said, describing Brown’s rationale.
In response, a prosecutor described the incident and also played a video of an individual, later identified as Brown, holding what appeared to be a machete.
After viewing the video and hearing Kopecki’s argument for release, Judge Pipe denied the motion.
In her decision, Judge Pipe acknowledged that Brown had previously been assaulted, however “that doesn’t allow someone to retaliate,” she described.
“And he had a machete; it’s excessive,” she continued.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 6.
A shooting defendant declined a plea offer in front of DC Superior District Court Judge Judith Pipe on Oct. 15, and was denied release.
Daryle Driver, 40, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from Driver’s alleged involvement in a shooting at the 100 block of Wilmington Place, SE on July 26. No individuals were harmed.
Before a prosecutor specified what the plea agreement entailed, defense attorney Kevin Kassees requested that Driver be released from jail.
Kassees told Judge Pipe that Driver’s time in jail has “impacted him”, and that he was “willing to accept any conditions the court sets for his release”.
The prosecutor “stringently objected” to the release request, citing that four firearms were allegedly found in Driver’s home following a search, with one of those firearms reportedly matching casings found at the crime scene.
Judge Pipe denied the request due to the evidence, also noting the ten-to-15 shots were fired at the scene.
The prosecutor then stated the plea agreement offer, which would have found Driver guilty of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of firearm possession with a previous conviction, in exchange for prosecutors not seeking an indictment.
“Go to trial,” Driver responded when Judge Pipe asked what his decision was in relation to the plea agreement.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 20.
The defense attorney in a homicide case argued that the suspect’s reaction to past trauma caused him to shoot a victim in self-defense in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Oct. 10.
David Pena, 48, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence, and the unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Maurice Robinson, 24, on the 2900 block of Southern Avenue, SE, on June 12, 2023.
During the hearing, parties addressed motions filed by the prosecution to exclude a self-defense instruction to the jury, and a motion to exclude a defense expert’s testimony.
Defense attorney Dana Page said that the defendant’s actions, which she argued were a result of trauma, could be construed as self-defense using battered woman syndrome case law, which states that a victim of domestic violence may believe that killing their abuser is the only way to protect themselves.
Judge Dayson asked if this case met both requirements of self-defense: the defendant’s subjective belief of imminent harm, and that a reasonable person in the defendant’s same situation with their same history would react in a similar way. Judge Dayson also asked if it could meet an imperfect self-defense standard, where the defendant has a genuine belief of imminent harm, but a reasonable person would not also believe the same in the defendant’s situation.
The prosecution argued that this case did not meet the battered woman requirements because the defendant’s belief of imminent harm was “not tethered in reality.” They claimed that a reasonable person could not say whether they would react the same in the same situation, because trauma is innately unreasonable and involves looking for trouble where there is none.
The prosecution also noted that trauma and PTSD are not as well-documented as domestic abuse when analyzing a person’s perception of and reaction to perceived imminent harm.
Judge Dayson stated that there was a difference between arguing that a victim had a “genuine but unreasonable belief” that they were in imminent danger and arguing that someone with past trauma has a diminished capacity for malice.
The prosecution argued that using trauma to explain a “genuine but unreasonable belief” of imminent danger is the same thing as saying they have a diminished capacity for malice, because it requires arguing that trauma makes people view the world differently. They claimed it was “diminished capacity by another name.”
Judge Dayson said it seemed “odd” to say that someone could not have a genuine but unreasonable belief of imminent harm. The prosecution argued that trauma reactions deal more with an inability to control one’s actions than a belief of imminent danger, which is entirely different than battered woman cases.
Further, the prosecution noted that the trauma expert the defense planned on questioning did not evaluate the defendant specifically, but was rather an expert on general trauma reactions, and would be unable to explain the defendant’s unique situation and perception of danger.
Page responded that experts are brought in to explain general trauma responses to the jury, not to justify a defendant’s testimony. She compared the situation to child sex abuse cases, where victims often don’t report their abusers. According to Page, experts aren’t brought in to testify as to why a specific child wouldn’t report their abuser, but rather to the fact that not reporting is a common trauma response.
The judge stated that she wanted an expert notice regarding the material the trauma expert would be referencing, and also asked if the defense could explain what they planned to have the expert testify to. The prosecution explained that trying to find their own trauma expert to review the defense expert may take time, which could impact the trial date.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 16.
DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McClean released a carjacking co-defendant on electronic monitoring on Oct. 8.
Rashid Woods, 30, Travis Morris, 32, and James Matheny, 31, Kanna Bowen, 29, are charged with conspiracy, armed carjacking while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in an incident that occurred around May 30, 2025, on the 2100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE.
Woods’ attorney, Omar Bississo, presented a motion to review and modify his client’s current bond status in order to secure his release under specific conditions. The defense argued that Woods is willing to comply with the conditions of the High Intensity Supervision Program or other similarly restrictive measures. They emphasized that Woods has strong ties to his local community and no indications of current drug, alcohol, or mental health issues.
Additionally, a drug test at the time of his arrest was negative, and the evidence against him suggests that his alleged involvement is more tangential than that of a principal actor, according to Bississo.
Bississo requested that Woods be subject to electronic monitoring, regular in-person reporting to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), a requirement to seek or maintain employment, and a prohibition on possessing any firearms.
The prosecution raised a significant issue, namely that Woods has an outstanding detainer from another jurisdiction. The prosecution argued that if Woods were to be released, he could be extradited and jailed in another county, making his return for trial uncertain.
In response, the judge proposed severing Woods from his co-defendants to allow his case to move forward independently. The prosecution opposed severance, emphasizing that witnesses are shared among all co-defendants and that splitting the case could create further complications.
Despite the objections, the judge ordered that Woods be released under GPS monitoring once he checks in with PSA. The court emphasized the need to move forward in light of the unresolved detainer issue and broader scheduling challenges.
In opposing the prosector’s position Bississo admitted that the issues had not yet been fully resolved. The court acknowledged that if these complications aren’t addressed soon, more serious problems are likely to arise close to trial.
The court extended the motion deadline to Oct. 10 and is considering vacating the current trial date if issues persist.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 17.
A carjacking and identity theft defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Oct. 14.
Deondre Rogers, 19, and Hanif Brown, 19, are charged with sixteen counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, fourteen counts of armed robbery, three counts of armed carjacking, carjacking of a senior citizen, thirty-two counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence, ten counts of unauthorized vehicle use during a crime of violence, three counts of unauthorized vehicle use, four counts of first-degree theft, the first-degree identity theft of a senior citizen, second-degree identity theft of a senior citizen, and credit card fraud of a senior citizen.
These charges stem from their alleged involvement in an armed carjacking on the 2700 block of 9th Street, NW, an armed robbery at the intersection of 11th Street and U Street, NW, and an armed robbery at the intersection of 11th Street and Wallach Place, NW, on Apr. 9, 2023.
Defense attorney Tammy Thom, representing Rogers, told the court that she had discussed a plea offer with him that the prosecution had previously extended.
The plea offer would require both defendants to plead guilty to carjacking, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange, the prosecution would dismiss all other charges and not seek further indictment.
Rogers rejected the plea offer. According to Thom, he would have accepted the offer, but the prosecution refused to dismiss a charge that Rogers refused to plead guilty to.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 12.
