Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Absconding Defendant

On March 20, DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro issued a bench warrant with no bond for a non-fatal shooting defendant after failing to appear in court.

James Young, 55, was previously sentenced for attempted robbery and carrying a pistol without a license outside home or place of business charges, in connection to an armed robbery and shooting incident that occurred at a WAWA on the 1200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, on Aug 30, 2022.

Young’s defense attorney, Joseph Fay, informed Judge Di Toro that Young was arrested in Kentucky, but is unaware if he is still detained.

The prosecution requested a bench warrant be issued, arguing that Young had violated his probation requirements, which prohibited him from committing other crimes.

Judge Di Toro agreed, and issued a bench warrant for Young.

Parties will reconvene when he’s returned to DC.

Judge Limits Mention of Gang Connection in Murder Trial

On March 19, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a motion that prohibited the prosecution from specifically mentioning the defendant’s alleged involvement in a gang.

Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado on May 28, 2015, on Interstate 295 North at exit one, in Southwest DC. The incident left another individual suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

The defense argued to exclude all references in the trial to Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13), a notorious criminal gang. The defendant is alleged to be affiliated, and have a tattoo representing MS-13. He is said to have joined the gang in El Salvador.

Following lengthy arguments, Judge Raffinan found that such references would be “highly prejudicial” and that it was “not necessary” to acknowledge his affiliation.

As a result, the judge said that prosecution may refer to his as well as witnesses’ affiliation with MS-13 and other gangs as being part of a “neighborhood”. A gang expert can’t testify about “MS-13” tattoos the defendant is alleged to have.

The prosecution intended to use Facebook posts to compare the tattoos displayed on the account and tattoos on the defendant.

Rachel McCoy and Camille Wagner, Ramos’ defense attorneys, continued arguments for their motion to suppress an in-court identification of the defendant. The motion was regarding a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent’s identification procedure with a murder witness.

According to the judge, the agent used a “single photo confirmation procedure,” which was “unduly suggestive.” The judge held the motion in abeyance, pending testimony from the witness.

The defense presented another motion to exclude statements made by Ramos in 2021.

According to the filing, the statements were made at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, where the defense alleged coercive tactics as Ramos’ leg was chained to a table during the interrogation.

McCoy and Wagner said Ramos feared he would be deported to El Salvador if he failed to answer questions.

The judge determined that Ramos “expressed understanding,” and had signed forms waving his Miranda rights that were presented to him in a language he understood.

Finally, the prosecution brought forward a matter relating to a witness expected to testify at trial.

According to the prosecution, the witness is currently held at an ICE facility, awaiting deportation to El Salvador. The prosecution stated that ICE has honored a writ for him to appear at trial, but that the deportation process has still been carried out.

The prosecution requested that a pre-recorded deposition of the witness be used at trial as evidence.

The defense alleged that “the [prosecution] is hoping [the witness] is deported.”

The judge stated that a ruling will be issued depending on whether the witness is deported or available to testify at trial.

The trial is expected to start March 25.

Document: MPD Investigating Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on March 19 on the 5000 block of C Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two men with gunshot wounds. The first victim died at the scene. The other was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim was identified as 25-year-old Rasheem Bankins.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Friend Testifies about Jailhouse Conversations with Homicide Defendant

On March 18, the close friend of a defendant finished his testimony before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt in connection to a 2020 homicide case.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020 on the 600 block of S Street, NW. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

The case includes alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

During the hearing, the prosecution recalled a family friend of Freeman’s to finish his testimony from March 14.

The prosecution questioned the witness about segments from a recorded jail phone call conversation between himself and Freeman on May 16, 2020, which discussed the relationship between Freeman and one of his associates.

Prosecution believed the witness had received a firearm from Freeman after the shooting and then sold it to Freeman’s associate. The firearm was allegedly used in the murder of Lukes.

During the hearing, the witness initially stated that he was unaware of the relationship between Freeman and his associate. When the prosecution asked about Freeman’s feelings towards the associate, the witness replied “I’d rather not talk about it.”

However, in the recorded jail phone call Freeman told the witness “don’t trust [the associate].” The witness responded to Freeman saying “nobody is worried about him.” The phone call took place before the associate was incarcerated for an unrelated matter in another jurisdiction, and after Freeman was charged and arrested for this case.

The witness stated that he had later learned from a family member that the associate was incarcerated in another state for a firearms charge. However, the firearm involved in the associate’s case turned out to be connected to the homicide of Lukes.

The prosecution questioned the credibility of the witness due to prior statements in his grand jury testimony about making representations about being Freeman’s employer.

However, the witness clarified that he made efforts to hire Freeman for a commercial cleaning business, but was unsuccessful in onboarding because Freeman was “hard to get a hold of” on multiple occasions.

The prosecution asked the witness if he had made the false representation about being Freeman’s employer in order for Freeman to be released from detention. The witness denied doing so, and said, “I wasn’t thinking about that.”

The witness made no mention of any of the defendants besides Freeman and denied knowing Brown when asked by the prosecution. The witness admitted being acquainted with Steele.

Similarly, in cross examination, the witness stated that he does not “really socialize with his[Freeman’s] friends,” citing the age gap between himself and Freeman’s friends as reason to Andrew Ain, Freeman’s defense attorney.

Ain addressed the prosecution’s use of the witness’ grand jury statement to undermine the witness’ credibility by asking the witness why he had made statements like, “I’m ready to go home now” during his grand jury testimony.

The witness explained that he had been held for four hours and had become agitated and felt disrespected by rhetorical questions. When Ain asked if the witness had reached a point where he said anything to end the tedious questioning in his grand jury statement, the witness agreed.

The witness also testified that Freeman’s reason for distrusting his associate was due to the associate’s most recent alleged aggressive criminal activity. The witness did not specify what action.

The witness affirmed that he did not “deal with” the associate when Ain asked if they had any connection.

In redirect, the prosecution focused back in on the witness’ grand jury testimony asking the witness why Freeman’s onboarding never went through. The witness admitted that he “couldn’t get him up on time” on several occasions.

When asked why the witness had lied about Freeman’s employment, he reiterated that he was “just tired” and felt disrespected by the questions the police and prosecutors were repeatedly asking him.

The prosecution angrily pointed out that the grand jury session was trying to get cooperative responses from the witness “sort of like I had to do with you to get a response”. The judge admonished the prosecution and had the statement stricken from the court’s record.

Prosecution also called an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to corroborate body worn camera footage presented to the jury. The footage showed the officer interacting with Brown in March 2020.

The officer testified that he was instructed by detectives to stop Brown and find his phone. The witness testified that he had done this and following the video, he had obtained Brown’s phone. The prosecution affirmed the witness’ testimony by introducing Brown’s phone to the jury as evidence.

There were no cross examination questions from any of the defense parties.

The prosecution also called back a witness who was from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) to finish her testimony from March 12.

The witness affirmed several pieces of evidence introduced to the jury from the scene of Lukes’ homicide including a hoodie, face mask, and a shoe.

Prosecution then asked the witness to observe the physical evidence in court.

The witness also corroborated photos taken from the crime scene that had been used to create a LEICA scan and document the crime scene. A LEICA scan is a 360 degree video of a crime scene using photos from the scene edited together.

In addition to clothes, the witness testified that other forms of evidence appearing in the photos presented in court were also found on the scene, including bullet fragments, shell cartridges, bullet projectiles, and potential blood stains of the decedent or other victim of the shooting.

In his cross examination, Ain called into question the accuracy of a diagram the prosecution had presented previously in court which had mapped out the crime scene and the evidence discovered by DFS.

Ain then asked the witness to compare the diagram presented by the prosecution to a hand sketch she had made. The witness admitted that her sketch would be a more accurate representation of the crime scene than the prosecution’s diagram.

Ain also began to question DFS collection and preservation of evidence by asking the witness if she had taken the photos presented in court. The witness admitted that she had not and also testified that she had arrived on the scene later than the lead DFS member who had taken the photos.

The witness also admitted to Ain that the mistake DFS made in mislabeling a bullet casing as a shoe in evidence notation were “fixable” and that the system DFS used to keep track of evidence in 2020 could be “quite vague” and was “unacceptable” at the time.

Due to time constraints, the DFS representative was unable to conclude their testimony.

Parties are slated to return March 19.

Document: MPD Seeking a Vehicle in Fatal Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) continues to investigate a fatal shooting that occurred March 17 on the intersection of 7th and P Streets, NW, and seeks the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect vehicle.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they located three men and two women in the 600 block of P Street, NW, all suffering from gunshot wounds. All five victims were transported to local hospitals for the treatment of their injuries. Two additional men were located with gunshot wounds. They died at the scene.

The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, but the preliminary investigation suggests that one or more suspects intentionally discharged a firearm at the victims.

The victims were identified as 32-year-old Anthony Brown and 32-year-old Jay Lucks.

A vehicle of interest, believed to be a black Infiniti, was captured by nearby surveillance footage.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Arrests Man in November Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 13, 2023 on the 1300 block of Valley Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 24-year-old Jireh Emanuel Martinez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

On March 19, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, 33-year-old Isaac Pinkney was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Judge Denies Motion to Turn Over Evidence in Milk Crate Shooting Case

On March 19, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld rejected a defendant’s motion to compel the prosecution to disclose exculpatory evidence in a non-fatal shooting case.

Diandre Caesar, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on June 28, 2022, on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Caesar allegedly discharged a firearm at a vehicle occupied by the complainant, his girlfriend, and their infant son, hitting the vehicle’s trunk and rear bumper. The shooting allegedly followed a verbal dispute between Caesar and the complainant over a milk crate.

The complainant told officers from the Metropolitan Police Department that he had thrown a milk crate that was in his way over a fence unaware that Caesar had previously thrown the crate over the property line fence where the victim was working.

A confrontation ensued, after which the complainant returned to his vehicle. He claimed that while attempting to drive onto New York Avenue, an individual identified as Caesar approached, banged on the rear right window near where his son was seated, and kicked the door, before firing shots.

Caesar’s defense attorney, Joseph Fay, filed a motion to compel exculpatory evidence on Feb. 27, arguing that the prosecution failed to investigate the victim’s alleged drug dealer as a suspect in this case.

Through their filing, the defense claims that the victim’s drug dealer, who was a suspect in an unrelated shooting matter on Feb. 16, 2023, was present at the time of the incident and could’ve been the shooter.

At a trial readiness hearing on March 18, defense attorney Joseph Fay filed a Brady motion, requesting body-worn camera footage from the search, names of the victim and witnesses from the February 16 shooting, and information on whether the suspect was an informant. The prosecution opposed, citing the lack of direct relevance between the cases.

On March 19, Fay sought additional time to investigate the February 16 shooting, arguing that the drug dealer’s claims connected him to both cases. He also requested to interview witnesses from the February shooting, which Judge Hertzfeld denied, maintaining the lack of relevance between the cases based on ballistic evidence.

The prosecution contended that the drug transactions in both cases were unrelated.

Ultimately, Judge Hertzfeld denied the defense’s motion to compel, citing insufficient evidence to link the cases and emphasizing the speculative nature of such a connection.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 26.

Case Acquitted: ‘I Was Scared,’ of Victim says Homicide Trial Defendant

Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

On March 18, a defendant on trial for homicide took the stand in DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo’s courtroom.

Tierra Posey, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Tia Carey on Jan. 6, 2020, at a gas station on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, a physical altercation allegedly occurred between Posey and Carey at the scene. The confrontation escalated into a shooting, in which Posey allegedly produced a firearm and fired two shots. Carey was severely injured and, despite quick medical intervention, succumbed to her injuries.

Posey’s defense attorneys, Quiana Harris and Kevann Gardner, called Posey to testify. Before she testified about the current case, Posey recounted a shooting in which she was involved in 2019. The incident left her with a gunshot wound to the neck.

Her injury was previously corroborated by a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who testified he toke pictures of Posey following her arrest for this case.

Regarding the 2019 shooting, Posey testified that she and her daughter were at a crowded park when “gunshots started to ring out, and everybody started running.”

According to Posey, she grabbed her daughter and began to run, but fell and stayed on the ground until the gunfire stopped, attempting to shield her daughter.

When Gardner asked her why she fell, Posey tearfully said, “I fell because I was shot in the neck.”

According to Posey, the incident left her with trauma along with the physical injury.

“I used to like going outside with my friends,” she said, but testified that she struggled to leave her house while recovering. “I didn’t know if gunshots would ring out again. I would be paranoid, nervous, jumpy, scared … I didn’t want to be outside. I didn’t want to be around anyone.”

Posey testified that she had only just begun to recover when she started “hanging out” with Carey’s boyfriend. She claimed that she was not in a relationship with him, and only knew him by his nickname. On the day of the incident, they were at a gas station when Carey approached him while Posey was sitting in his car.

“She looked mad and angry, like she was confronting him about something,” said Posey. “I didn’t know who she was.”

Then, according to Posey, Carey approached Posey and threatened her with physical violence.

“She said, ‘B***h, get out of the car, I’m gonna f**k you up,’” said Posey. “It was aggressive. It was angry, aggressive. I was scared.”

Posey stayed in the car despite her fear, even when Carey got in the backseat and allegedly spit in her face. “I was too scared to react. I just sat there,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do. I was in fear.”

According to Posey, despite the boyfriend’s multiple attempts to intervene, Carey kept returning to confront her.

“She’s not going to stop,” said Posey when asked what was going through her mind. “She’s gonna keep coming, keep coming, keep coming.”

Due to time constraints, Posey was unable to conclude her testimony.

However, prior to her testifying, the defense called an eyewitness who testified to trying to break up the fight between two women at the gas station. The incident came as a surprise despite one woman’s aggressive confrontation.

“She was moving fast, she was angry,” the eyewitness said of Carey. “It looked like it was about to go down.”

When asked what he thought had upset Carey, he replied that he tried not to pay attention because “that was their business.”

However, when the confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, the eyewitness felt obliged to step in because Carey’s boyfriend appeared intoxicated. According to the eyewitness, it was Carey’s aggressive behavior that initiated the fight.

“I heard a lot of angry threats … [Posey] started defending herself against the other girl,” he said. “I would too!”

The eyewitness testified he and several other individuals tried to pull Posey and Carey apart while telling them to, “Break it up, break it up!” But the group scattered when gunshots rang out. “I didn’t see no weapon at all … I heard one shot, I blacked out and ran.”

On cross examination, the prosecution asked if the eyewitness or any other individuals participated in the fight, or tried to reinstigate the altercation after the women had been separated.

“I was just trying to alleviate the situation, period,” said the eyewitness, and testified that the fight was over when he heard the gunshots.

Gardner and Harris then called multiple Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to the stand, who individually testified to Carey’s three previous arrests for domestic violence disputes. Harris played officers’ body cam footage of Carey’s arrest for the jury, which depicted her shouting threats at the father of her children after allegedly slashing his tires.

Posey’s testimony will continue March 19.

Lawyers Claim Defendant’s Constitutional Rights were Violated

On March 18, parties gave additional arguments on pending witness and expert motions before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan

Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado on May 28, 2015, on Interstate 295 North at exit one, SW. The incident left another individual suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

On Jan. 26, Ramos’ defense attorneys, Rachel McCoy and Camille Wagner, filed a motion to suppress and exclude statements from the interrogations between Ramos and law enforcement officials, claiming the interview was a violation of his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In their filing, the defense claimed that officers failed to warn Ramos of his Miranda Rights to have an attorney present.

However, the prosecution argued that the officers did read Ramos his Miranda Rights and provided legal services in both English and Spanish, the language Ramos is most comfortable speaking. Ramos was voluntarily speaking to the officers and signed his initials, which indicated he understood his rights, the prosecution claimed. It is unclear what type of document he signed.

The defense argued that the statements Ramos delivered were a “product of coercion.” McCoy claimed that Ramos “felt intimidated” by law enforcement officials, which she claimed can be seen through his body language in the interrogation room camera footage. However, the footage was not played in court.

On March 11, the defense filed a motion to exclude proposed firearm and tool mark identification expert due to the prosecution’s failure to provide sufficient notice.

Acceding to the defense, the prosecution failed to comply with the Superior Court Criminal Rule 16(a)(1)(g) which requires the prosecution to give the defense a written summary of any expert testimony they intend to use during trial.

Judge Raffinan ruled that the jury trial selection date be postponed until March 26, so both parties can continue litigating the motions.

Parties are slated to return to follow up pending motions on March 19.

Homicide Defendant in Two Cases Asserts Right to DNA Testing

On March 19, a homicide defendant asserted his right to independent DNA testing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Mark Price, 29, is one of ten defendants charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and seven counts of criminal street gang affiliation, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the drive-by shooting of 10-year old Makiyah Wilson. The incident occurred on July 16, 2018 on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE. Four other individuals sustained gunshot injuries during the incident.

Price is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault with intent to kill, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Andre Young. The incident occurred on July 30, 2018 on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE. One other individual suffered non-life threatening injuries.

According to court documents, the shootings are not related to one another.

Last Nov. 27, Price requested new counsel for the Wilson case, but not for the Young case, a change which Judge Okun denied. In January, Price sent a letter to the Chief Judge requesting new counsel for undisclosed reasons.

After a private discussion between Judge Okun, Price, and Price’s defense attorneys, Megan Allburn and Gemma Stevens the judge announced rather than requesting new counsel, Price would like to conduct independent DNA testing of a glove found in a vehicle connected to the Wilson case.

The prosecution had no objections to this request.

Parties are slated to return May 3.

Document: MPD Arrests Three Men for January Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced three men were arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 23 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they located 59-year-old Raymond Ballard inside a business with gunshot wound injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

On March 18, pursuant to an arrest warrant from the DC Superior Court, 18-year-old Steven Metts, 19-year-old Jovontae Wallace, and 21-year-old Keondre Carroll were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Defense Attorney Alleges Prosecutors Hid Evidence in 2020 Homicide Case

On March 15, a homicide defendant’s attorney argued that her client should be released, alleging that the prosecution withheld exculpatory evidence for years, in a pretrial detention hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Ernest Cleveland, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the death of 39-year-old Edward Pearson on Nov. 26, 2020, on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. Another individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the incident.

Madalyn Harvey, Cleveland’s defense attorney, asserted that Cleveland might never have been indicted if the full facts in his case had been known earlier. She argued that the weakness of the case against him should be grounds for releasing him on bail.

Harvey alleged that the prosecution hid evidence that suggested the key witness in their case was the true perpetrator. According to Harvey, the prosecution denied having evidence that the witness had threatened Pearson the night before his death, even though they had phone records to corroborate the story. Harvey also claimed that the prosecution concealed from the grand jury multiple reasons to distrust the testimony of this witness.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer investigating Pearson’s murder was “complicit” with the prosecution in “hiding Brady material [ exculpatory evidence] for years,” Harvey said.

Harvey alleged that the officer chose not to pursue lines of investigation that might have exonerated Cleveland, and that he responded to Harvey’s questions with evasions and lies. The officer “is not just biased–he is dishonest,” Harvey stated.

The prosecution argued that Cleveland should remain in custody because he is a danger to the community, based on his pleading guilty to robbery charges in Maryland, and based on his outstanding charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon, in another case pending trial in DC in July.

The prosecution requested time to respond in writing to Harvey’s claims of misconduct, objecting that some of her allegations were “personal.”

Judge Okun gave the prosecution until April 15 to submit their response, stating that he will write his own response after considering theirs.

The next hearing is set for June 7.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

On March 18, a non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea offer extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.

Angela Milhouse, 58, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, for her alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on October 6, 2023, on the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Milhouse allegedly shot at a sliding glass door of an apartment’s balcony, causing it to shatter. The complainant stated that she wasn’t home when her sliding glass door was damaged, but she returned in response to a phone call from her fiance. He told police that he had heard a gunshot while seated in the living room, then the sliding glass door broke.

The complainant stated that, on her way back to the apartment, she observed a car she believed to belong to Milhouse, whom she had known for years. The complainant said that Milhouse allegedly exited the driver seat of the vehicle, saying, “ B***h you got me wrong,” before assaulting her.

The prosecution made their plea offer on Feb. 5. Milhouse’s previous defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, requested a two-week continuance to discuss the agreement with her, as she was confused about the conditions.

According to the prosecution, the offer would have required Milhouse to plead guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange, the prosecution would decline to indict Milhouse for any charges related to this incident, and neither side would have made requests regarding sentencing.

Milhouse’s new attorney, Ferguson Evans, informed Judge Hertzfeld that Milhouse declined the plea offer and requested a trial date to be scheduled.

Parties are set to reconvene April 5 for a status hearing.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Evidence

On March 15, a non-fatal shooting defendant waived his right to conduct DNA testing on physical evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Anthony Coleman, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on Dec. 7, 2022, on the 100 block of Galveston Place, SW. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the incident.

The prosecution provided the defense with all discovery related to collected evidence. According to the prosecution, they have not conducted any DNA testing and they do not plan to.

Likewise, Alvin Thomas, Coleman’s defense attorney, alerted the court he was waiving his right to test the evidence.

A trial readiness hearing will take place on Nov. 1.

Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

On March 15, before DC Superior Court Robert Okun, a homicide defendant accepted a plea offer extended by the prosecution.

Raymond Avent, 24, is one of three individuals charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins on March 23, 2019, on the 1200 Block of Brentwood, NE.

Elizabeth Weller, Avent’s defense attorney, alerted the court that Avent was accepting a plea offer extended by prosecutors, which required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

The offer also included the dismissal of a 2021 case, in which Avent was charged with one count of assault with intent to kill and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, among other charges.

Through the plea offer, the parties agreed to a 16-year sentence.

The prosecution says that Avent’s remaining charges will be dismissed at the time of sentencing.

Judge Okun says he needs time to decide if he is going to accept the plea, however, he stated he is conditionally accepting the plea at this time.

Parties will reconvene for sentencing on June 14.

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