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Stabbing Defendant Reminded to Be Compliant During Release

A stabbing defendant was reminded he must comply with all release conditions during a June 28 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro. 

Billy Williams, 65, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, threat to kidnap or injure a person while armed, and aggressive panhandling, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at Rock Creek and Virginia Avenue, NW, on Dec. 7, 2023.

At the hearing, a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) alerted Judge Di Toro that Williams has been non-compliant with release conditions, including his GPS monitoring. 

Judge Di Toro reminded Williams he must follow all requirements, and ordered a drug test due to his previous positive results. 

Camille Wagner, who was standing in as Williams’s attorney due to Henry Escoto’s absence, alerted the court he would check in with PSA. 

Parties are slated to reconvene July 12. 

Judge Sentences Defendant to Six-and-a-Half Years for Stabbing, Firearm Possession 

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced an assault defendant to six-and-a-half years in prison on June 28.

On April 23, Jeremiah Clark, 41, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon  for his involvement in a stabbing incident on March 17 on the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, NE, that left one person injured. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm for an incident on July 19, 2023, on the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Judge Salerno sentenced Clark to 60 months for assault with a dangerous weapon and 18 months for possession of a firearm, to be served consecutively. Smith must also serve three years of supervised release and pay $200 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. 

According to court documents, Clark stabbed the victim while released for the possession charge. Clark asked the victim to pay back two dollars Clark had loaned him, starting an argument that ended in Clark’s stabbing him. 

At Clark’s sentencing, the prosecution played surveillance footage showing Clark stabbing the victim in the ear and the left side. 

The victim’s injuries were so severe that he had to be treated in the intensive care unit, the prosecutor said. 

The prosecutor said she spoke with the victim, who seemed “jovial” despite what had happened to him. 

The prosecution requested that Clark serve 23 months for possession of a firearm and 49 months for assault with a dangerous weapon, to be served consecutively. 

Clark’s attorney, Anthony Smith, did not specify the number of years Clark should serve, but simply asked that Clark receive mental health treatment. He described this case as a “progression of his past,” saying Clark first went to a psychiatric hospital when he was 15. 

Smith said Clark’s fiance, who was present in the courtroom, agreed to take him to psychiatric appointments and help take care of his mental health.

Judge Salerno said that Clark has been on probation in the past, yet has not chosen to seek mental health. Instead, Judge Salerno said, Clark chose to stab an innocent victim.

Clark said he was sorry for his actions.

Judge Salerno left Clark’s treatment to be determined by the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC).

Judge Denies Defense Request to Suppress Evidence in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur ruled against two motions to suppress evidence during a hearing on July 1 regarding a shooting that injured a sex worker.

Jerry Tyree, 46, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of liquid phencyclidine (PCP), attempted unlawful possession of liquid PCP, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 29, 2023, on the 5900 block of Foote Street, NE. 

According to court documents, Tyree was smoking a PCP cigarette while performing sexual acts with the victim when he accused her of stealing his money. Tyree allegedly shot her in the groin, then fled the area on foot.

The first motion to suppress evidence pertained to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer’s testimony regarding Tyree’s arrest and the seizure of his alleged firearm. 

D.C. Witness previously reported that an officer spotted Tyree reaching in front of him while he was patrolling the 5200 block of Sheriff Road, NE. The officer said his “spidey” senses led him to make contact. 

Tyree started running. After placing Tyree in handcuffs, officers allegedly recovered a handgun and suspected phencyclidine (PCP) from him.

The area that officers were patrolling was deemed a high crime area by the MPD. Judge Arthur said that this statistic, combined with Tyree ‘s behavior on seeing the officers, gave them reasonable, articulable suspicion to stop him and a legal basis for patting him down.

The second motion pertained to a nine-panel photo array and the reliability of the victim’s identification of Tyree. 

Judge Arthur observed that the victim correctly identified Tyree. It “looks just like him,” Judge Arthur said.

Both motions to suppress the evidence were denied.

Parties are slated to return July 18 to begin trial, but it may be set for July 22 due to scheduling conflicts for Tyree’s defense attorney, Sara Kopecki.

‘I Am Scared About Him Dying,’ Attorney Says of Homicide Defendant 

A discussion about a possible compassionate release for a mortally ill homicide defendant took place before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on July 1.

Joseph Ballard, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Monte Daniels, 33, on July 28, 2023, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. 

According to court documents, Ballard allegedly stabbed Daniels once in the chest killing him over an argument about drugs.

In September, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt released Ballard on conditions he would receive treatment for his drug use. He was re-arrested due to his failure to appear in court, and multiple issues with drug testing. 

Ballard’s attorney, Dominique Winters, said Ballard was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and heart failure. She told Judge Demeo he is currently receiving advanced care at a hospital, with his wife making most of his medical decisions. 

Winters requested his release on compassionate grounds because he is no longer a danger to the community or a flight risk.

Winters claimed Ballard now weighs 101 pounds and showed two pictures representing his emaciated condition. The first picture was an image of his arm, and the second picture was a full-body image, both taken from his hospital bed, in which he looked frail. 

“I am scared about him dying,” Winters said.

According to Winters, it is difficult for Ballard to receive treatment because whenever he needs to be transferred to another hospital or removed from handcuffs, the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) must approve the move. Winters said this limits the medical decisions Ballard’s wife can make.

She said Ballard has a tube inserted into his left lung, which is no longer functioning because of excess fluid, and his doctors have requested he begin occupational and physical therapy. 

Winters said Ballard has not begun occupational and physical therapy despite the recommendation being made a month ago, citing the DOC’s restrictions.

Winters concluded Ballard’s being in custody is “complicating” his treatment plan and accelerating his “deterioration.”

An official, who represented the DOC, said Ballard discharged himself against medical advice. Without a proper discharge, the DOC can’t develop a reliable care plan.

“Discharge paperwork is the blueprint for care,” the witness said.

Meanwhile, the DOC does not have a hospice care plan for patients likevBallard. 

A member of the Daniels family was present on Webex video, and said the defendant needs to be held accountable for his actions. The family member also said he once was very ill like Ballard and with proper treatment he was brought back to health. 

Judge Demeo called this hearing “dire” and requested testimony from medical professionals aiding Ballard take place as soon as possible.

Parties are set to reconvene July 3. 

Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea in Armed Carjacking

A defendant pleaded guilty to one count of armed carjacking before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 1. 

James Borum, 21, was originally charged with three counts of armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in three incidents on the 1500 block of 30th Street, NW, the 4700 block of Alton Place, NW, and the 4300 block of Alton Place, NW. The incidents occurred on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, 2021. 

According to the plea agreement, Borum admitted to one count of armed carjacking of a black Acura MDX on the 4700 block of Alton Place, NW. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges.

In a release describing the crimes and conviction, the DC US Attorney’s Office noted, “[O]fficers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) observed the victim’s vehicle speeding in the 2600 block of Benning Road, NE.  Police requested air support from MPD’s helicopter, Falcon-1, which tracked the victim’s vehicle. [As it] approached the traffic circle located at 1 Municipal Place in Mount Rainier, Maryland, the vehicle struck a utility pole and flipped upside down. Borum exited and ran from the vehicle before being stopped by MPD officers.”

While the mandatory minimum sentence for the defendant is 15 years, Borum could receive up to a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

Borum will also be required to serve five years of supervised release and register as a gun offender in the District of Columbia. 

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 30.

Document: MPD Searching for Southwest Shooting Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect connected to a shooting that occurred on June 6 at the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW. One individual sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Officer Testifies Victim’s Dying Words Identify Shooter

A responding officer testified the victim identified his shooter moments before succumbing to his injuries before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein in a trial on July 2.

Vernon Parrish, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ronald Bailey, 52, which occurred on Sept. 26, 2021 on the 5200 block of E Street, SE. 

According to the prosecution, there was another suspect who accompanied Parrish during the incident identified as Adrian Tate who recently died.  

During the hearing, the prosecution brought in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, who was one of the first to aid Bailey on scene. 

The prosecution showed the officer’s body-worn camera, in which he and other officers broke through the back door of Bailey’s house and rushed to his upstairs bedroom. 

In the footage, Bailey is heard saying he was shot by Parrish. While waiting for DC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive, officers questioned Bailey about what had transpired. 

According to Bailey,  Parrish shot him outside of his house, and drove away in a green Lexus as Bailey retreated inside the house. 

In the footage, Bailey said he couldn’t recall Parrish’s exact physical characteristics.

An agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), who specializes on cell site data, testified that Tate and Parrish’s phones were in the general area of the incident at the time of the murder. However, he stated their exact location isn’t known.

Prosecutors also called on Bailey’s neighbor, who stated she watched the incident unfold; she testified she heard multiple gunshots and a car speed away from the scene. 

She recalled that before the shooting, she watched the driver, a man wearing a white shirt, throw a phone into a vehicle before retrieving a firearm. She also recalled a second individual wearing a yellow shirt. 

According to the witness, the individual who had the gun was taller than the passenger. 

Nikki Lotze, Parrish’s defense attorney, argued Tate was taller than Parrish. 

Prosecutors called on another of Bailey’s neighbors, who checked on Bailey after shots were fired. According to the witness, Bailey prompted him to call 911. 

The witness testified that he overheard an argument between the suspect and Bailey, in which they were fighting “over a girl.”

According to the witness, who was previously a fire marshall, shots were fired from the car and the house. 

He characterized the shooting suspect as tall and thin. 

Trial is set to continue on July 3.

‘Okay, You’re Out of Your Mind Now’, Says Judge to Prosecution in Armed Carjacking Case

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz disagreed with the prosecution’s request to vacate a trial date, despite the defense needing additional time to review a plea deal during a June 28 hearing.

James Borum, 21, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more, for his alleged involvement in three incidents that occurred con Jan. 11, 2021 on the 1500 block of 30th Street, NW, and Jan. 12, 2021 on the 4700 block and 4300 block of Alston Place, NW. 

When prosecutors asked to “vacate the trial date,” Judge Leibovitz responded “okay, you’re out of your mind now,” to request the trial date be removed without the parties agreeing on a plea deal. She said the prosecutor must try the case as soon as possible. 

Borums defense attorney said she needed additional time to discuss the plea offer with him.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 1.

Double-Homicide Trial May Be Delayed Due to Evidence Issues

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to delay Antoine Turner‘s trial so Harvey can review thousands of videos and tens of thousands of pages of evidence at a hearing on July 1.

Turner, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the shooting deaths of Demetrius Benson,34, on Nov. 3, 2020, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, and Demeitri Anderson,23, on Nov. 29, 2020, on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE.

Harvey told Judge Raffinan that the defense recently received two phone extraction files from the prosecution, one containing more than 13,000 pages and the other more than 31,000 pages. 

According to the prosecution, the phones were seized when Turner was arrested on Dec. 3, 2020. At the time, the technology to unlock phones did not exist. The prosecution was only able to retrieve the phone data this June.

Additionally, Turner’s previous defense attorney received over 3,000 Ring camera video clips from the prosecution. The new defense team claimed that they never received those videos.

Harvey said the defense cannot be ready for the Oct. 21 trial date because of the need to review this information. 

The prosecutor asked to keep the current trial date and offered to help the defense process the evidence.

Judge Raffinan instructed the defense team to accept the prosecutor’s assistance.  If they still feel they need more time, they can file a motion for continuance by Aug. 9. 

Additionally, Judge Raffinan asked the prosecutor to come up with a more detailed timeline for the trial, which she estimates will last four weeks.

The parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 30. 

Defense Requests Earlier Trial Date in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

Public defender Kavya Naini asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to move up Davida Johnson’s non-fatal shooting trial at a hearing on July 1.

Johnson, 26, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on May 8, 2023, on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE. The victim sustained two gunshot wounds, one in her left arm and one in her right buttocks, during the incident. 

Johnson’s trial was previously scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025.

According to Naini, another case represented by the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 23 before Judge Raffinan, but PDS expects that date to change. Naini asked to move Johnson’s trial to that date.

Judge Raffinan said she would discuss this possibility with the parties at their next hearing on July 12.

The prosecutor in Johnson’s case argued that she is unlikely to be ready for trial by September, saying she was expecting to have a year to prepare for the trial.

Judge Raffinan said she intends to address this issue after learning whether the Sept. 23 date is available.

Parties are slated to meet again on July 19.

Homicide Defendant Detained After Two Years of Release

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ordered a homicide defendant, who had been on release for two years, to be held without bond on July 1.  

Naquel Henderson, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Michael Taylor on Jan. 12, 2019, on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. Henderson was recently arrested in connection to a robbery that occurred on June 24 on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. 

At the hearing, Taylor’s aunt spoke about her concerns for Henderson’s continued release due to his new arrest.

“He does not need or want the opportunity to experience freedom,” she said.

Taylor’s aunt, who said she is a forgiving and religious person, said she did not feel comfortable with or believed Henderson deserved release. She said Henderson didn’t understand the amount of leniency he had by being able to go home for the holidays and be with his family, activities Taylor will never be able to experience again.

“He doesn’t realize the severity of the heinous act that occurred in 2019,” she said.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the report of a shooting and found three victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Two of the victims, an adult and a juvenile, survived with serious injuries, but Taylor was pronounced dead after lifesaving efforts failed. Henderson is one of five co-defendants in the case.

Judge O’Keefe agreed with the aunt based on Henderson’s recent actions and prior convictions, saying “it was always kind of baffling to me that he was released in the first place.” 

Henderson is being held without bond.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 25.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Non-Fatal Shooting

A non-fatal shooting defendant accepted the prosecution’s pre-indictment plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 1. 

Michael Owusu-Sakyi, 48, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on April 10, on the 1700 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE. A victim sustained an injury to the right forearm.

Under the agreement, parties agreed to a sentence of 60 months. 

Judge Leibovitz accepted the guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Sept. 13. 

Judge Sentences Shooting Defendant to a Year in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to one year and a day in prison on June 28. 

Calvin Reid, 46, was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of an unregistered firearm for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 17, 2021, on the 300 block of 54th Street, NE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, Reid was illegally in possession of a firearm when he started randomly firing in a residential area while under the influence.

At the hearing, the prosecution requested Reid be sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years on supervised release, citing his inability to take accountability for his actions, deeming him a danger to the community. 

Reid’s defense attorney, Steven Polin, requested he be sentenced between one year and 13 months in prison with one year of supervised release. 

He described Reid’s behavior as “bizarre” and said the incident occurred in 2021 while Reid was under the influence of unknown narcotics. Polin also argued his last run-in with the law occurred more than 20 years ago.

Judge Salerno sided with the defense, sentencing Reid to one year and one day in prison along with one year of supervised release. Once released from prison, he will be required to register as a gun offender. 

Document: MPD Seeks Armed Carjacking Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to an armed carjacking, which occurred on May 25 on the 600 block of 4th Street, SW.