First Responder Says Defendant’s Behavior was ‘Consistent with Intoxication’ After Fatal Crash

Several witnesses testified about the level of intoxication of a defendant accused of killing three people in a fatal car crash before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 30.

Nakita Walker, 46, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, fleeing a law enforcement officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a fatal car crash. The incident occurred on March 15, 2023 on Rock Creek Parkway and killed Mohamed Kamara, 43, Jonathan Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22.

A detective with the US Park Police testified that according to medical records, Walker was “currently intoxicated” while hospitalized immediately after the incident based on her “ethanol level and clinical appearance.” Her ethanol levels were determined by blood and urine tests. Ethanol is the variant of alcohol for human consumption.

Defense attorney Albert Amissah countered that the detective had little involvement in the case as he was not present on the scene at the time of the incident and had nothing to do with the collection of the samples of blood and urine.

The next witness was a firefighter and paramedic from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS) that responded to the scene. She testified that she did a quick examination of Walker and claimed she was “acting abnormally” and her behavior was “consistent with intoxication.”

She also admitted in cross-examination that she was unaware Walker had a concussion and people with concussions can exhibit odd behaviors as well.

The prosecution then called a medical doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who testified that the blood and urine tests ran for Walker “detected ethanol.” Additionally, the doctor said when individuals show “signs and symptoms of impairments” they should not be driving.

During cross-examination, Amissah confirmed with the doctor that the alcohol level in a blood sample can change depending on if it is stored properly. Alcohol levels can increase due to fermentation taking place, but they can also decrease when the sample is repeatedly opened, letting alcohol escape. The doctor said she did not know whether the tests were stored correctly.

The prosecution also called the medical examiner that performed the autopsies of the victims who testified that the cause of death for all three were “multiple blunt force injuries” and were classified as accidents for the purpose of public health statistics.

Finally an expert in accident reconstruction demonstrated that while Walker was allegedly going nearly double the speed limit at the time of the collision, she was slowing down from her original speed from around 100 miles per hour. At the time of the crash, she was said to be traveling at about 73 miles per hour.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 31.

Judge Denies Release For Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied release for a stabbing defendant, despite defense concerns about her condition at the DC Jail in a hearing on March 30.

Thelma Speed, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 200 block of 51st Street, NE on Jan. 6. The victim sustained lacerations to both hands and his left forearm.

Speed’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, asked Judge Pipe for a continuance because he sent the prosecution a counter plea offer for review. Daniels requested a mid-April date for the court to reconvene.

After a conversation under seal, Judge Pipe alerted parties that she denied Daniels’ request to release Speed, stating that the facts of the case, as well as Speed’s previous cases, were “concerning.”

Judge Pipe instructed Daniels to alert her chambers if there’s anything he’s concerned about regarding Speed’s incarceration in the DC Jail.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 7.

Case Acquitted: Defense Challenges Prosecution’s Expert Strangulation Witness

Editor’s note: Juan Guerra was acquitted of all charges by a jury on June 15, 2026.

Defense attorneys opposed the use of a prosecutor’s expert witness on strangulation, requesting the analyst testify in a separate hearing before trial in a March 27 hearing.

Juan Guerra, 34, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of Peter Miller III, 32, on the 900 block of Maine Avenue, SW, on Oct. 6, 2021. Miller succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 11, 2021.

Prosecutors were planning on calling a “crime scene recreator” as their expert witness for trial.

However, Guerra’s defense attorneys Kevin Mosley and Diana Yu intend to challenge the prosecution’s expert witness because he “doesn’t use scientifics” in his expertise.

Mosley and Yu are opposing him in areas of supposed expertise in because his testimony will be “more prejudicial than probative.”

The defense’s request is said to ensure the expert witness’s testimony is reliable and relevant.

The prosecutor said he believed their witness should be deemed more of a “strangulation expert” rather than a “crime scene recreator.” The prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that the prosecution will oppose the defense’s challenge.

Judge Kravitz suggested they set another date to get things figured out before trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 23.

Co-Defendant Rejects Plea Offer in Jail Stabbing Case

A defendant rejected a plea offer while his co-defendant requested additional time to consider the agreement in a jail stabbing case before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on March 30.

Tyrone Hawkins, 25, and Christian Ware,19, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for their alleged involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail that left a victim with five stab wounds on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Oct. 21, 2025.

According to court documents, Hawkins and Ware allegedly entered the victim’s jail cell and stabbed him with a makeshift shank. The victim was found with numerous stab wounds including two stab wounds to the back, two stab wounds to the right arm, and one stab wound to the abdomen.

Court records show that Hawkins was previously charged for his alleged involvement in a separate jail stabbing case that occurred in 2023, which prosecutors dismissed on Jan. 23.

During the hearing, the prosecution mentioned a recently offered plea deal, but did not disclose any terms.

Hawkins’ attorney, Alvin Thomas, rejected the plea offer on behalf of his client and asserted his right to a jury trial.

Ware’s attorneys, Varsha Govindaraju and Erin Griffard, requested additional time to review the plea offer with their client.

Parties are set to reconvene on June 5.

A Victim Says Shooter is not ‘a Monster,’ at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a shooting defendant to two-and-a-half years in prison on March 27 for shooting 26 times at his extended family members in a car.

Amonte Moody, 20, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for firing into a vehicle on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE on April 22, 2024. Despite the car containing four individuals, no one sustained injuries.

In a victim impact statement, one victim said the situation was very sad, but Moody has “already endured enough.”

She told the court she hates how Moody has been painted as “a monster,” especially given how he was assaulted before the shooting and shot at the car in anger.

As a mother herself, the victim explained, she doesn’t want Moody to have his life taken away. She asked Judge Edelman to not just put him behind bars, but to provide services that could actually help him such as mental health counseling or services that would allow him to gain an education.

The victim emphasized that she feels Moody has already been held accountable in the two years he’s been incarcerated.

The prosecutor asked Judge Edelman to impose a sentence at the top of the sentencing guidelines. He acknowledged that Moody is young, but highlighted the seriousness of the crime. The prosecutor argued the only reason Moody didn’t hit anyone in the car was because bullet trajectories curve and he isn’t a sniper.

According to the prosecutor, Moody used a semi-automatic gun, meaning he had to pull the trigger 26 different times when shooting at the car.

The prosecutor claimed, after the police were called, Moody changed his hairstyle and clothes, indicating he made a conscious choice and knew what he did was wrong afterwards.

The prosecutor argued due to the serious nature of the crime, Moody shouldn’t be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed after they successfully complete their sentence and potentially offers sentencing flexibility.

Moody’s attorney, Kavya Naini, insisted Moody didn’t injure anyone because his intention wasn’t to harm. According to Naini, since Moody’s arrest, he has taken every opportunity he could to better himself and help the community. Everyday, she said, he independently volunteers to do things like counseling, classes, schooling, or debate, showing how support and guidance can go a long way.

“We are confident he will succeed in the community,” Naini said.

Anaya Thompson from the Public Defender Service (PDS) Office of Rehabilitation and Development told the judge that with the right support in place, Moody would continue to move forward. Thompson stressed the importance of community based interventions over the prison, arguing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is not designed to provide individualized care.

Sending Moody to the BOP would cause “irreparable harm,” Molly Bunke, Moody’s other attorney, said. “There’s only so much growth you can do in a cage.”

Bunke argued Moody should be sentenced under the YRA to give him further opportunity for rehabilitation after his sentence.

“I know I made a mistake, but I’ve learned from it,” Moody told Judge Edelman. He urged the judge to “look at [him] as a whole person, not just the worst decision [he’s] ever made.”

Judge Edelman told Moody there is no minimizing what he did. The shooting was a “violent, terrifying, reckless act,” he said.

However, he agreed with the defense’s assertion that this shooting was out of character for Moody. Judge Edelman said that while this was a “spontaneous and impulsive act of extremely poor judgment,” Moody has had no interactions with the criminal justice system prior to this incident.

That as well as his conduct after his arrest, and his existing support system from friends and family, Judge Edelman ruled to sentence Moody under the YRA.

In a legal twist, the victim is advocating for Moody’s release, the crime was serious but resulted in no physical harm, and the defendant has no prior involvement with the criminal justice system.

The judge stated two years in prison was substantial punishment for Moody and he’s concerned that a lengthy period of incarceration would jeopardize any progress Moody has made.

Judge Edelman sentenced Moody to 18 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and 12 months in prison for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, followed by three years of supervised release and 18 months of probation.

The judge sentenced Moody to 72 months in prison, suspending all but 30 months, for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentence will be followed by 18 months of probation.

The sentences for assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon will be consecutive while the sentence for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence will be concurrent.

Judge Edelman specified Moody’s probation wouldn’t be the “regular kind of probation.” Rather, it would be a check in with Judge Edelman every few months to help keep Moody accountable.

“I’m giving you this sentence because it’s the right thing to do for you, and more importantly it’s the right thing to do for the community,” the judge said.

Judge Edelman delayed Moody’s formal sentencing until May 1 to allow him time to participate in a debate at the DC Jail. Parties are scheduled to reconvene May 1 for Judge Edelman to issue the sentence.

‘You Had Five Years to Get More Information,’ Stabbing Defendant Says To Judge During Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld stated she needed more information before deciding on sentencing for a stabbing defendant on March 30.

Nahum Posner, 56, was convicted on Jan. 16, 2026 of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE on Oct. 22, 2020.

According to court documents, the victim was standing at the trunk of her car on the side of her residence when Posner approached her and stabbed her. The victim screamed, alerting her son, who came out of the house and hit Posner’s arm with a hammer, knocking him off the victim. Posner then fled the scene.

“There’s a level of comfort that was taken from us,” the victim’s son stated during the hearing.

He explained that his mother hasn’t been the same since the incident and they had to move from their home of over a decade.

The prosecution stated voluntary sentencing guidelines for the offense were 18-to-60 months of incarceration. However, they argued that Judge Hertzfeld should sentence Posner to eight years, above his guidelines, due to aggravating circumstances. They explained the attack was unprovoked and that Posner has had “continuous homicidal ideations,” presenting a serious safety concern to the community.

Posner’s attorney, Albert Amissah, requested that Judge Hertzfeld release Posner on probation and require that he be compliant with his treatment plan. Amissah suggested a suspended sentence, which would potentially keep the time in place as Posner serves probation. He argued that Posner hadn’t had a criminal charge prior to the stabbing and that Posner had suffered a mental brake.

Amissah explained that Posner would receive help from a case manager and an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team if released on probation. They would make daily visits and make sure Posner takes his medication and attends programs.

“I’m not a violent person,” Posner told Judge Hertzfeld.

Judge Hertzfeld stated that she didn’t have enough information to make a decision on Posner’s sentence during the hearing.

“You had five years to get more information,” Posner yelled at Judge Herzfeld before being removed from the courtroom.

Judge Hertzfeld said she would not make a decision until she received more information on Posner’s mental health and his release plan from the defense. She also stated she needed the prosecution to flag any aggravated circumstances and send them to her.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 5 for sentencing.

Stabbing Defendant Waives Right to a Speedy Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno set a delayed trial date for a stabbing defendant after he waived his right to a speedy trial on March 31.

Antonio Lancaster, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1100 block of 6th Street, SW on March 9.

According to court documents, Lancaster was looking at pictures in the victim’s apartment when the victim said he became agitated. Lancaster reportedly tried to attack the victim, grabbing a knife. The victim tried to fight back, throwing things at him before Lancaster allegedly stabbed her three times. The victim sustained a wound to her shoulder and two to her side before managing to escape.

Lancaster’s attorney, Joseph McCoy, requested a trial date be set during the hearing.

If a defendant is detained, DC law requires their trial to begin 100 days after their arrest. Lancaster was arrested on March 10 and the prosecution noted that the 100-day clock put the trial date on June 18.

McCoy explained that two of his trials would interfere with that trial date. As a result, McCoy waived his client’s right to a speedy trial, setting the date for July 15.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 2.

Case Acquitted: Judge Denies Defense Motion To Dismiss Despite Reluctant Witness

Editor’s Note: Marquis Allen was acquitted of all charges by a jury on April 9, 2026.

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean denied a defense motion to dismiss a shooting case due to prosecutors’ lack of readiness in a trial on March 31.

Marquis Allen, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE on Aug. 19, 2025.

Allen allegedly fired one shot at his sister but no injuries were reported.

During the hearing, the parties discussed a non-responsive witness, whom the prosecution assured Judge McLean would show up for the trial.

The prosecution said they issued the witness a subpoena. However, their attempts to contact the person were unsuccessful. Still, they are prepared to move forward with the case at the trial readiness hearing on March 19.

The prosecutors shared photos at the hearing of texts between an investigator and the witness with Allen’s attorney, Shawn Sukumar. The prosecutors claimed that the witness texted them, “tell me when and I’ll be there,” regarding their appearance in court.

However, Sukumar stated that he could not find that language, and instead found a text from them stating they didn’t want anything to do with the trial from early December 2025.

Judge McLean asked prosecutors if they were expecting the witness to show up for the trial despite lack of communication, and if they were relying on the subpoena when they said they were ready to move forward with the trial. The prosecutors did not immediately respond.

The prosecutors told Judge McLean they attempted to contact the witness through two different phone numbers. They stated they called, texted and left messages with no response.

One of the prosecutors told the judge it’s “not uncommon” for witnesses to shun prosecutors but still show up to court.

“This was not raised to me until this morning,” said Judge McLean, admonishing the prosecutors for their unpreparedness. Judge McLean stated that this was an “issue with [prosecutors’] diligence.”

Sukumar requested that the case be dismissed because the prosecutors weren’t ready to proceed. Judge McLean denied the motion, but Sukumar said he would reserve his arguments and do more research regarding the dismissal motion.

Judge McLean delayed the start of trial to the next day, stating she expected both parties to be fully prepared to move forward, and said the prosecutors could argue issuing a warrant for the witness to appear in court. The judge said if prosecutors speak to the witness, they could still appear on their own accord, but if not she would decide if a warrant should be issued.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 1.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal, Awaits Sentencing

A non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on March 30.

Bryant Russell, 48, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 5000 block of Just Street, NE on June 6, 2024. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his arm.

During the hearing, Russell’s attorney, Daniel Dorsey, accepted a plea deal on his client’s behalf.

The deal required Russell to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all remaining charges from the indictment and will recommend that the sentences for each charge run concurrently.

According to the sentencing guidelines, assault with intent to kill carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. Unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment as well as a mandatory minimum of one year incarceration.

Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Russell possessed a firearm despite his prior conviction and shot the victim while he was sitting on his porch after being told to leave.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 3 for sentencing.

‘There’s A Special Place in Hell for You,’ Homicide Victim’s Father Says at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park imposed a sentence of 216 months for a homicide following statements from the defendant and victim’s families on March 27. An additional charge tacked on an five more years.

On Jan. 14, Quateze Moore, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Martinez Robinson, 25, on Aug. 23, 2024 on the 1300 block of Girard Street, NW.

Moore’s family and friends initially did not plan to attend the hearing because Moore believed a motion to continue the hearing, filed by the defense, guaranteed it would be rescheduled. So he asked them not to come. After Judge Park denied the motion, Moore’s defense attorney, Peter Odom, contacted Moore’s family and friends and they were able to attend.

The first two impact statements were given by Robinson’s parents.

“[Robinson’s] laughter, his kindness, his future, all of it was taken from us,” Robinson’s mother said, explaining that her son’s death left a “space that cannot be refilled.”

“He deserved to live his life, he deserved to grow old,” Robinson’s mother said. She ended her statement by asking Moore why he committed the offense.

Robinson’s father told Moore, “I can see in your face that you don’t have any remorse for what happened.”

In response to Judge Park’s request for Robinson’s father to direct his statement to the court rather than to Moore, he said, “That’s hard to do, your honor.”

He concluded his statement by telling Moore, “There’s a special place in hell for you, that’s all I have to say.”

Then the prosecution requested 25 years in prison, the maximum in the sentencing guidelines, due to the “alarming” nature of the offense as well as Moore’s criminal history, which included assault with intent to kill and multiple charges related to firearm possession.

Meanwhile, Moore’s friend and cousin also gave statements attesting to Moore’s good personality and the love he has for his family, friends, and community. They asked the court to consider Moore’s positive qualities before imposing a sentence. His cousin’s statement was a written letter read by Moore’s other defense attorney, Shawn Sukumar, which said that Moore was “not defined by a single moment.”

The defense requested that Judge Park impose a sentence that not only reflected the sentencing guidelines, which included a mandatory minimum of four to five years, but also considered Moore’s contribution to society and the struggles he faced in his childhood.

Judge Park imposed a sentence of 18 years for voluntary manslaughter while armed, consecutive with five years for an unrelated drug possession matter.

Moore will also be required to register as a gun offender when released, pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF) and undergo mental health treatment, grief counseling, as well as any programs deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 2 for a post-sentencing review.

Arrested Shooting Defendant’s Whereabouts a Mystery

A defense attorney alerted DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker on March 30 that a shooting defendant’s current whereabouts were unknown despite being detained.

Paris Wilkerson, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting at the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE on Dec. 1, 2025. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of gunshots. When interviewed by officers, the victim said Wilkerson reportedly placed a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she did not give him money she apparently owed him.

Wilkerson denied his involvement. He said he had sold drugs to the victim in the past but claimed he had not interacted with her in about six months due to conditions of his probation in another case.

In court, Wilkerson’s attorney, Adam Harris, alerted Judge Parker he was unaware of Wilkerson’s whereabouts despite his being detained March 27 after his arrest. Harris told the court it seemed Wilkerson was in custody, however, Wilkerson was not at the DC Jail when he visited.

The prosecution requested time to figure out the issue and find Wilkerson.

According to court records, a representative from MPD alerted Judge Parker that Wilkerson is currently held in a hospital.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 2.

Wounded Shooting Defendant Again No- Show at Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean issued a bench warrant on March 30 for a defendant who failed to appear in court to face charges for a shooting in which he was injured.

Deion Hinnant, 31, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful discarding of firearms or ammunition, possession of unregistered firearm, unlawful possession ammunition, unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia for his alleged involvement in a shooting at the 2100 block of Bladensburg Road, NE on April 1, 2024.

According to court documents, Hinnant sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the incident.

Hinnant was released on personal recognisance pending trial on June, 27, 2024.

Hinnant’s attorney, Theodore Shaw, said he had regular contact with Hinnant up until the recent snow storms in January. Hinnant failed to appear at the hearing in preparation for his trial set for April 8.

Additionally, a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) informed the court Hinnant has been a loss of contact since February.

According to the prosecution, a bench warrant was issued on Feb. 3 for his failure to appear in a separate case. They stated this bench warrant is still active.

The prosecution requested Judge McLean order a bench warrant for Hinnant in this case as well. Judge McLean granted this request and vacated the April trial.

There are no further hearings scheduled at this time, parties will reconvene when US Marshals execute the bench warrant.

Homicide Defendant Testifies Telling His Children He Would, ‘Never Leave Them Again’

A homicide defendant chose to testify on his own trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 1.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson on July 5, 2023 on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE. Emerson sustained one gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Judge Kravitz allowed the defense to make a supplemental opening statement. Although parties are typically only allowed one such statement, the prosecution provided Macedo’s attorneys with new surveillance footage on March 27. Since the defense didn’t have this evidence earlier, Judge Kravitz allowed them to present the video to the jury and argue how it supports Macedo.

Macedo’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, played the surveillance footage of Macedo and Emerson walking alongside each other outside a Starbucks. The two appeared to be talking and relaxed.

“Common sense will show you that this is not a robbery,” Cicurel said.

Macedo’s other attorney, Jessica Willis, called her client to the stand. She began by asking Macedo about his family life, where the jury learned that his father was deported to Mexico when he was in elementary school and that he has two young children.

Macedo said that the morning of the incident, he brought marijuana, two cell phones, and a gun tucked into his compression shorts underneath his jeans. According to Macedo, he brought the gun for protection since he grew up in a rough neighborhood along with the other items to potentially sell marijuana to clients.

“Hey man, I got kids. Can you help me out?” Macedo testified, recalling what he said to Emerson as he was exiting the Brooklyn-CUA Metro station. Macedo said Emerson took out his wallet to prove that there was no cash, then handed Macedo his AirPods. Macedo said that he felt shocked and surprised.

A few seconds later, Macedo said that he called Emerson over to return his AirPods. The two began walking in step together. Macedo started “venting to him” about his troubles financially supporting his children, recently losing his job, and wanting to further his education.

Macedo said he suggested that they find an ATM so that Emerson could give him cash. They began walking toward an ATM that Macedo found on his phone’s GPS. When they arrived, however, there was no ATM.

Macedo testified that Emerson offered to send him money through Cash App. Macedo led the way toward a bench area across the street, where Emerson sat down and Macedo remained standing in front of him. Macedo told Emerson that he has tried to use Cash App before, but he usually had technical difficulties but Emerson wanted to try anyway.

After about 10 minutes, Emerson told Macedo that he had sent him money. Macedo said that his account didn’t appear to have received it. At this point, Macedo said the disagreement changed their cool, relaxed tone.

Macedo said he touched Emerson’s phone in an attempt to see if he truly sent the money. Emerson immediately tackled him to the ground. Macedo said that he was not able to get Emerson off of him, as his head was in between Macedo’s legs, pinning him down. They were wrestling each other until Macedo said he heard the gun tucked in his jeans go off.

“How did this shit just happen?” Macedo said, describing his initial thoughts after Emerson was shot. Macedo said that his hands were nowhere near the gun while they were on the ground and that the gun did not have a safety feature. Macedo said he got up and ran out of panic and shock until he could not run anymore.

Macedo said that his jeans had a hole in the left thigh area, where his gun was concealed. He took off his pants and threw them into the flatbed of a truck to avoid being identified by a police officer and walked home.

“I told them I would never leave them again,” Macedo said, visibly emotional. Macedo thought about a prior promise he made to his children on his way home.

After arriving, Macedo said that he removed his clothes and the shell casings from the gun fell to the floor. There was a hole in his boxers and compression shorts. He flushed the casings down the toilet and put his clothes into a plastic bag.

Macedo checked his Cash App account and said there was 300 dollars at the bottom of his screen, which he cashed. “I have no excuse,” Macedo said, explaining why he did so. “I was freaking out.”

Willis asked Macedo if he ever tried to rob, threaten, or shoot Emerson. Macedo said that he did not.

Macedo opened Instagram a few hours later and saw a post about a homicide near The Catholic University of America that morning. He said that he threw up immediately.

On cross-examination, the prosecution demonstrated, through videos, that prior to the shooting, Emerson’s hands were clearly in the air. In addition, Macedo admitted that immediately following the shooting, he ran away. He also admitted to changing clothes after the incident, “so someone wouldn’t identify me.”

On redirect, Cicurel asked Macedo why he thought Emerson’s hands were up and Macedo inferred it was because he was “coming on too strong” when venting to Emerson about his problems in the conversation prior to the shooting.

The defense also called an investigative specialist from the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) who performed a crime scene visit with the defense where he took a number of photographs. The defense pointed out that there were many emergency poles that, when a button was pressed, would have contacted emergency services to demonstrate that Emerson had the option to press one if he felt in danger.

On cross-examination, the investigator admitted that he did not check the emergency buttons to see if they were functioning and that those pictures were taken at the time of the investigation in March 2026, not at the time of the shooting.

Cicurel, however, clarified that the investigator looked on Google Maps from December 2022 and observed that the emergency poles and buttons were present at that time.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 2.

Jury Selection Proceeds Despite Motion to Dismiss Evidence in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson rejected the defense’s motion to exclude an interview with a deceased witness in a homicide case on April 1.

Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kevin Redd on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE, on June 11, 2020. Redd sustained gunshot wounds to his shoulder, chest, and forearm.

According to court documents, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey filed a motion to dismiss an interview taken with Redd’s wife, claiming the prosecution did not disclose the information to the defense.

The motion was denied by Judge Dayson on Oct. 24 2025. Harvey filed for a reconsideration on March 30.

At some point between the interview and the beginning of the trial, Redd’s wife passed away, making the information gathered in the interview impossible to review compared to a new interview.

In court, the prosecution opposed the filing for reconsideration and called these claims “outrageous”.

Judge Dayson stated that the interview in question was not necessarily definitive information that would have changed the course of the trial. There was insufficient evidence to support a formal motion alleging a violation of evidence disclosure, she said rejecting the defense request.

The case continued to trial and jury selection.

Parties are set to give opening statements on April 2.

Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty to 126 Counts in Gang-Related Murder, Conspiracy Case

Five co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges in a gang-related conspiracy case at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 1.

Lashawn Washington, 34, Bjarni Cooper, 31, Tyjuan McNeal, 29, Niquan Odumn, 24, and Deionta Person, 28, are charged with conspiracy for their alleged involvement in criminal activity against a rival crew, “Choppa City,” between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2026.

Washington, Cooper, and McNeal are charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of 25-year-old Chyna Crawford. She was last seen on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, NW, on Oct. 23, 2023. Washington is additionally charged with two counts of tampering of physical evidence for her alleged involvement in the same incident.

Prosecutors said Crawford disappeared on Oct. 24, 2023.

Additionally, Cooper is charged with multiple counts of obstruction of justice for allegedly impeding and intimidating a witness with intent to prevent truthful testimony.

Washington, Cooper, McNeal, Odumn, and Person are charged with tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in incidents that occurred citywide between May and December 2023.

Cooper, McNeal, and Person are charged for their alleged involvement in a series of carjackings that occurred in Northwest DC between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1, 2023.

Washington, McNeal, and Person are also charged for their alleged involvement in armed robberies that occurred citywide between Feb. 15, 2023, and April 6, 2023.

McNeal and Odumn face charges for their alleged involvement in a robbery that occurred on May 22, 2023 on the 1000 block of 15th Street, NW.

Cooper, McNeal, and Odumn are charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and other charges for incidents that occurred between May and July 2023.

After the court arraigned all five co-defendantsin the charges against them, and they all pleaded not guilty, defense attorney Andrew Ain asserted McNeal’s Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD) rights.

The IAD enables defendants serving sentences in a different jurisdiction than the one where they face charges to go to trial within 180 days of the prosecutors receiving the defendant’s trial request. Defendants may also request not to be returned to their original place of confinement before trial.

The prosecutor said they did not think the case would be able to go to trial within 180 days.

Camille Wagner, Person’s attorney, said Person is not asserting his IAD rights, though he is also serving a sentence outside DC.

The prosecutor said they did not request that any of the defendants transferred to the DC Jail because separation orders for the defendants would complicate their housing.

Person, McNeal, and Odumn are being held outside DC as they serve sentences for unrelated matters, while Washington and Cooper are being held at DC Jail, according to the prosecutor.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 15 to discuss McNeal’s IAD concerns.

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