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Jury Selection for Carjacking Defendant Begins Tuesday

A carjacking defendant was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on June 24, and the jury selection was scheduled for the following day.

Antone Watkins, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery while armed, unauthorized use of a vehicle while armed and two counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence. The incident Watkins was allegedly involved in occurred on June 17, 2022, on the 1200 block of Howison Place, SW.

During the hearing, the prosecution said they were unable to select a jury Monday because a material witness did not show up to testify despite being subpoenaed. The court ordered a witness warrant for the missing witness. 

It was unclear why the prosecution could not assemble all their witnesses, but they stated that their witnesses dislike being subpoenaed for a trial.

The prosecution also asked Judge Salerno to grant them a continuance for jury selection until tomorrow. 

Watkins’s defense attorney, Darryl Daniels, requested the case be dismissed. Since the trial date has been changed seven times since December of 2023, he argued that  there was no good cause for another continuance. 

Judge Salerno granted the continuance, noting that the prosecution was doing their due diligence in trying to subpoena their witnesses and that the requested continuance was brief.

According to court documents, Watkins allegedly stole a man’s car after hitting him over the head with a gun and robbing him while the victim was attempting to buy marijuana. The victim reported Watkins was one of four or five men involved in the robbery. The victim was transported to the hospital shortly after the incident. 

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified Watkins from surveillance footage and arrested him on Sept. 15, 2022.

Parties are set to reconvene on June 25. 

Shooting Defendant Absent for Court Hearing

A shooting defendant failed to appear in court on June 24 for a hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow. 

Roscoe Atchinson, 32, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year. The offense occurred on April 15, 2020, at 4000 block of Livingston Road, SE. 

According to court documents, Atchinson and another man allegedly ambushed the victim while he was conducting foot patrol around the Friendship Court Apartments complex. Atchinson is accused of pointing a gun at the victim’s head. The victim, unharmed, grabbed the handgun and shot the defendant, who suffered gunshot wounds to his right thigh and right lower back.

Atchinson now uses a wheelchair because the incident left him paraplegic. 

Atchinson’s defense attorney Raymond Jones, who was present via Webex, stated that he tried to reach Atchinson regarding the court hearing. Jones said he believed that Atchinson’s absence could be due to a mix-up in scheduling. 

Due to Atchinson’s consistency in complying with pretrial release conditions, Judge Pasichow chose not to issue a bench warrant. 

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 14.

Stabbing Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

A defendant rejected a plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow on June 24. 

Warnell Reams, 57, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on June 5, 2024, on the 200 block of Vine Street, NW, that left one person injured. 

According to court documents, Reams knew the victim for one month before the incident. The victim was stabbed twice in the left arm and once in the left side of their abdomen. The victim received care in an ambulance at the scene of the incident and was transported to a hospital for further treatment. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening. 

Prior to the June 24 hearing, the defense filed a motion requesting Judge Pasichow to release the defendant pending trial. The prosecution is still preparing their response.

Parties are set to return to court on July 15.

Defense Says Client Reacted out of Fear and in Self-Defense

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied June 21 the release of two co-defendants who were allegedly involved in a shoot-out with individuals in a Chevy Cruze near Dunmore High School. 

Azhari Graves, 18, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Saki Frost, 17, faces the same charges plus two counts of assault with intent to commit any other offense while armed and two additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Frost and Graves allegedly fired shots at the Chevy Cruze on May 3. One of their bullets went through a classroom window and struck a juvenile female in the head. The school is located a the intersection of the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW and the 100 block of N Street, NW.

Attorneys for both defendants argued that this was an act of self-defense. 

“His actions were, to me, reminiscent of an individual afraid for his life,” Frost’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, said of his client.

“The occupants of the Chevy Cruze, in their own text messages, admit that they shot first,” stated Hannah Claudio, one of the attorneys for Graves. 

The prosecution argued against the claim of self defense, noting that the co-defendants fired “29 shots in a very short amount of time” and that the defendants were “running in the same direction as the vehicle and not away from it.”

Judge Raffinan ruled that “the weight of the evidence leans in favor of detention.” 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 20.

Counsel Gets Permission to Use Security Footage from Nursing Facility 

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld granted permission on June 24 to both the prosecution and the defense to obtain nursing facility surveillance footage and use it in court for a stabbing case. 

Hollyman McQueen, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, a knife on June 8, inside of a Washington Nursing Facility located on the 2400 block of 25th Street, SE. McQueen allegedly got into a verbal altercation for reasons unknown to the victim. According to court documents, McQueen stated he was stabbed while he was punching the victim, and he was unsure how the victim got stabbed. 

In Monday’s hearing, McQueen’s defense attorney, Henry Escoto, placed on the record McQueen’s rejection of a plea offer that was discussed in a previous hearing.

Parties are set to reconvene on July 9. 

Homicide Defendant Requests Dismissal of Case, Cites Evidence Violations

A homicide defendant’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss his client’s case, citing the prosecution’s failure to disclose evidence that could be favorable to the defendant in a June 20 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

Antonio Jackson, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or place of business, for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Maria Evans, 59, on the 500 block of Oakwood Street, SE on March 29, 2018. 

According to court documents, the stabbing was not covered on camera. However, there was other surveillance footage of the alleged suspect and the victim in an alleyway.

The defense, through a PowerPoint presentation, argued that the procedural history of the case involved five evidence violations, in which the prosecution did not share information in a timely manner, inhibiting the defense from being able to investigate certain witnesses and GPS evidence in relative proximity to the date of the incident.

Judge Raffinan instructed both parties to continue these arguments at the next hearing on July 10.

Defendant Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Shooting and Prison Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced a defendant to 12 years in prison for committing two acts of violence: a shooting that claimed one life, and a stabbing in the DC Jail. 

Karlos Kinney, 24, pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal on April 2 to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting 25-year-old Resha Blount on April 30, 2020, on the 900 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW. As part of the same plea agreement, Kinney also pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury for stabbing another inmate in the DC Jail on Nov. 23, 2022. 

Members of Blount’s family were present in court wearing shirts that displayed pictures of Blount’s face.

“Why should the defendant make lovable memories with his family when I lost mine?” Blount’s grandmother demanded. 

Many of Blount’s family members talked about how Blount’s daughter has to grow up without a mother due to the incident. 

“Karlos Kinney took the best part of me,” Blount’s mother continued. 

Kinney read a letter out in court, apologizing to Blount’s family and stating, “I never intended to hurt her.”

The prosecutor said Kinney has been in and out of jail since he was a teenager.

Judge Epstein called this “a case where there is a need for punishment.”

Judge Epstein sentenced Kinney to 144 months of incarceration: ten years for his homicide offense and two years for stabbing an inmate. In addition to five years of supervised release, Kinney also has to register as a gun offender. 

There are no further dates set for this case.

Document: Police Arrest Man for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

 The Metropolitan Police Department’s announces an arrest has been made in an assault with a dangerous weapon (knife).

According to a press release, 43-year-old Mark Anthony Barnes approached a victim on the 1400 block of U Street, NW and assaulted the victim with a knife. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended by responding officers. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threating injuries. 

Document: Police Search for Suspect Vehicle Involved in Southeast Shooting

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are asking for the community’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle involved in a shooting that occurred in Southeast.

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, at approximately 2:10 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Elvans Road, Southeast, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile male suffering from gunshot wound injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Jury Selection in 3-Year Old Homicide Case Pushed Back

Parties agreed to select the jury for a 2021 homicide case at a later date due to a scheduling conflict. 

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 29-year-old Dara Northern. The incident occurred on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18, 2021.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, who is scheduled to hear an estimated two-day trial for another case in November, asked to push back jury selection for this case. The jury, which was supposed to be picked on Nov. 13, will now be chosen on Nov. 18. The prosecution and defense will begin opening statements that afternoon.

Parties are slated to return on Oct. 1. 

Sentencing Postponed After Defendants Refuse to Get off Van

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan postponed the sentencing of two murder co-defendants who refused to get off the van. The defendants were convicted of killing 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor days before she was slated to begin her freshman year at Florida A&M University.

James Mayfield, 27, was convicted of 11 charges in 2022, including first-degree murder while armed as a drive-by or random shooting, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault with grave risk while armed with the victim being especially vulnerable due to age, mental or physical infirmity, among other charges. His co-defendant, Robert Moses, 27, was also convicted of the same charges plus two counts of obstruction of justice. All of Moses’ charges included the enhancement of being committed during release.  

Moses and Mayfield who claimed illness and, according to marshals, were “refusing to get out of the van.”

The sentencing was initially delayed by an hour. 

During a victim impact statement, Sydnor’s mother began to speak about the emotional toll her daughter’s death had taken on her. However, she was interrupted by Mayfield saying, “I didn’t do anything to your daughter.”

According to news reports, Sydnor was shot at the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE on Aug. 10, 2017, . The incident left 3 other individuals injured. One of the injured victims was Sydnor’s 12-year-old cousin. Sydnor was originally taken to the hospital in critical condition and died in the hospital two days later.

Judge Raffinan threatened to eject Mayfield from the courtroom if he continued to interrupt the proceeding. 

Out of fear they’d be rushing the victim impact statements, the prosecution asked to move sentencing to a later date. Judge Raffinan agreed.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept 6. 

Assault Defendant Serves 7 Months in Prison for Stabbing An Elderly Man


DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a female defendant to two years, suspending all but seven months for assault.  

Janette George, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon of a senior citizen, simple assault of a senior citizen, carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home, and assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor for an incident that took place on Nov. 6, 2023, on the 60th block of O Street, SW.

During the sentencing on June 21, the prosecution argued that the seriousness of George’s crime and the involvement of a senior citizen had to be taken into account in her sentencing. 

The prosecutor said the elderly man was experiencing pain because of his injuries and was having difficulty writing. According to court documents, George assaulted the man with a knife.

The prosecution also emphasized George’s lack of remorse and her drug use, saying her continued presence is “triggering” for her neighbors, and she has continuously disrupted the safety and peace of the neighborhood.  

“She does not want to better herself,” the prosecution said.

The prosecutor asked for consecutive sentences since there are multiple victims in the case.

George’s defense attorney, Peter Cooper,  argued that the underlying root of the crime was George’s mental health.The PCP she uses is to “self-medicate,” Cooper said. 

“What are we doing here? What do we hope to achieve in these rooms, in these buildings?” Cooper said.

Incarceration without any mental health and drug treatment would not be helpful as George will eventually be re-released into the community, Cooper argued. 

“Locking her up” would only be “kicking the can down the road,” he said. 

Judge Di Toro agreed that mental health treatment would be necessary and important in George’s case going forward. 

“There is room for both punishment and rehabilitation,” she said.

Judge Di Toro acknowledged the pain and disruption caused by George’s actions, especially to the elderly victim. She also reiterated the argument made by the defense that the intended outcome is George’s successful reintegration into the community.

Along with George’s sentence, she will also be placed under 18 months of supervised probation, which will require her to have a mental health assessment. Additionally, George is required to provide $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Upon hearing the sentence, George became visibly emotional and called out “love you,” to someone in the court. 

“Love you too, keep your head up,” George’s loved one responded as George was escorted out of the court.

Armed Carjacking Defendant Ruled Mentally Competent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Renee Raymond ruled an armed carjacking defendant was mentally competent to stand trial on June 21. 

Tony Walker, 28, is charged with armed carjacking, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Walker was allegedly involved in a carjacking on the 400 block of Marietta Place, NW on Jan. 10. 

Walker’s defense attorney, Terrance Austin, requested there to be a continuance for the preliminary hearing, which was also set on June 21, for him and Walker to discuss what mental competency means for their case. 

Judge Raymond said this preliminary has been continued “a lot of times.” She accepted this request for continence, but said for their next meeting, the preliminary hearing will happen or Walker will waive his right to a preliminary hearing. 

According to court documents, the victim was preparing to take a friend to the airport when Walker walked up behind him, demanded his keys and his wallet, and pistol-whipped him. Walker drove off with the victim’s iPhone still inside.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found the victim’s car by using Find my iPhone, according to court documents. When MPD found Walker, they also discovered he was in possession of another vehicle that was also stolen on the same night. 

Parties are set to reconvene on June 27.

Stabbing Defendant Held in Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond ruled to hold a stabbing defendant in jail while he awaits trial on June 21.

Jose Garcia Fuentes, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on April 24 on the 4400 block of 14th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said he watched surveillance footage where he saw Fuentes stab a victim with a knife.

The detective also said police arrested Fuentes at his place of work on May 17. He said one of Fuentes’ colleagues said Fuentes came into work with two black eyes after the date of the incident.

According to court documents, Fuentes was at a restaurant where he began kicking another patron he had no connection with. The victim, an employee of the restaurant, decided to remove Fuentes from the restaurant by pushing him out the exit. Once outside the restaurant, Fuentes removed a “large” knife from his bag, slashing the victim across the face.

The victim refused medical attention and was not taken to the hospital, documents state. 

After the witness testimony, Fuentes’ defense attorney, Henry Escoto, said Fuentes was in an altercation with the victim and tried to defend himself with his knife. 

Escoto also said this hearing was “unfair” to him and Fuentes because they do not have access to the surveillance footage the detective discussed during his testimony. 

Escoto requested Fuentes be released from jail since his actions were in self defense, however the prosecution said Fuentes was a danger to the community because he attacked a random patron at the restaurant. 

Judge Raymond disagreed with Escoto’s statement that Fuentes stabbed the victim in self-defense. She said the reason the victim pushed him out of the restaurant was because Fuentes kicked another patron. 

Parties are set to reconvene in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol R. Arthur on July 8.