Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

On Dec. 4, a homicide defendant rejected a plea offer extended by the prosecution.

Seth Andrews, 35 is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of his mother, 67-year-old Hazel Evans, on the unit block of 35th Street, SE on July 16, 2020. According to court documents, an autopsy revealed that Evans’ injuries were consistent with strangulation.

During the status hearing, Andrews rejected an agreement that would require him to plead guilty to second-degree murder, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan confirmed that she was satisfied with the defendants rejection of the plea offer.

Parties are expected back on Feb. 9, 2024.

Sentencing Delayed in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

On Dec 4. a non-fatal shooting defendant’s sentencing was delayed 30 days in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur.

Chantel Seltzer, 44, is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on the 300 Block of 62nd St, NE, on March 22nd, 2023. No injuries were reported during the incident.

On Oct. 13, Seltzer accepted a pre-indictment offer extended by prosecutors, which required her to plead guilty to the two counts and is awaiting sentencing.

The court is reviewing the sentencing guidelines and could increase the severity of her punishment based on Seltzer’s prior convictions.

Sentencing is delayed until Jan. 4.

Shooting Defendant’s Request for Release Denied

On Dec. 1, non-fatal shooting defendant Purnell Jackson’s request for release was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Jackson, 37, is charged with eight counts of assault with intent to kill, conspiracy, carjacking, and burglary, among other charges. He, along with Kharee Jackson, 24, and Charles Turner, 36, were allegedly involved in a drive-by shooting that left three people injured. The incident occurred on August 24, 2022, on the unit block of Quincy Place, NE.

Defense attorney Julie Swaney motioned for Jackson to be placed on home confinement with GPS monitoring to allow him to spend time with family and engage with the community. She says the case against him is weak due to no DNA evidence and he lacks a history of violent crime.

Prosecution countered that while he has no violent crime history, he has an extensive history of drug and firearm convictions. They also stated DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found substantial probability that he was involved in the carjacking in Jackson’s preliminary hearing.

Prosecutors also referred to the serious nature of the crime, saying Jackson would be a “serious danger” to the community if released.

Jackson’s release motion was denied, with Judge O’Keefe citing his criminal history and the nature of the crime as reasons for the denial.

Parties will reconvene August 8, 2024, for a trial readiness hearing.

Homicide Defendant Found Mentally Competent To Stand Trial

On Dec. 4, homicide defendant Darryl Thompkins was found competent to proceed to trial.

Thompkins, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the deaths of 29-year-old Edward Roberts Jr. and 23-year-old Tyler McEachern. Roberts was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern was fatally shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016.

According to court documents, mental competency examinations have been requested on multiple occasions for Thompkins. On June 6, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ordered a mental competency exam through the Department of Mental Health.

According to Judge O’Keefe, Thompkins refused to do the examination. However, the examiner did find Tompkins competent to stand trial by referencing previous medical reports and court documents.

Thompkins told the judge his concerns about constitutional rights and cross-examining witnesses. Judge O’Keefe assured Thompkins his Constitutional rights would be upheld and the questions he raised “are trial issues that we will hopefully get to soon.”

Judge O’Keefe added there had been delays in the case due to the numerous mental competency examinations.

The parties will reconvene on Dec. 11.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Asserts Rights to Independently Test DNA Evidence

On Dec. 1, a non-fatal shooting defendant asserted his right to independent DNA testing on a firearm recovered from a crime scene, before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with conspiracy, assault with intent to kill, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 5, 2021, on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE. There were no reported injuries resulting from the incident.

The prosecution stated that only a firearm and a magazine that were recovered were tested for DNA.

Through his attorney, Karen Minor, Cannon asserted his right to independent DNA testing and Minor stated that they plan to retest swabs from the firearm.

Minor also requested that Cannon be moved to the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) for medical treatment of a previous injury from a gunshot wound he sustained to his hand.

Additionally, Minor argued the move would be beneficial because Cannon is concerned about his security from a previous incident that happened in August in the DC jail.

Judge Epstein stated that he does not have any control over an inmate’s being held in a certain area of the jail.

Epstein advised Minor to submit a medical form so Cannon can ensure he is receiving the treatment he needs.

A motion hearing is set for May 16.

Sentencing Continued For Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

On Dec. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein continued a sentencing due to a defendant’s changing circumstance.

Rickeis Watkins, 23, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on March 24, 2022, on the 1400 block of Brentwood Road, NE. According to police records, there were no injuries reported at the scene.

Watkins currently has two pending cases in Maryland.

According to court documents, Watkins entered into a guilty plea on two charges including distribution of drugs, and possession of a firearm.

Watkin’s defense attorney, Peter Odom, stated to the court that his guilty plea would affect Watkins’ criminal history score which impacts the severity of the sentence.

Due to the change, Odom requested that the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) deliver an updated pre-sentencing report. Odom also requested that the sentencing be continued for thirty days.

The prosecution agreed.

Judge Epstein continued sentencing for thirty days in light of new information.

Watkins is now set to be sentenced on Jan. 3.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Request for Change of Counsel

On Dec. 1, a homicide defendant requested that his lawyer withdraw from the case before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Keshawn Lavender, 22, Raymond Mathis, 36, and Deandre Sams, 27, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in a fatal shooting that killed 32-year-old Matthew Miller that occurred on Sept. 5, on the 200 block of M Street, SW. The incident left five other individuals suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

Lavender’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, filed a motion on behalf of Lavender requesting a change of counsel. In the motion, Lavender outlined that he was requesting for his attorney to withdraw as counsel, with no further explanation.

Judge Epstein denied the motion stating that there is no basis for a change of counsel.

Epstein stated that “granting it would delay things further.”

A status hearing is set for July 28, 2024.

Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence

On Dec. 1, a homicide defendant waived his rights to independently test DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Gary Rush, 41, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in a fatal vehicle collision, which caused the death of Keena Dowtin on Sept. 20, 2020, near Fort Dupont Drive and Fort Davis Drive, SE.

According to court documents, when responding officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived they located Rush lying face down, but conscious, in a wooded area. He “complained of injuries consistent with having been in a motor vehicle collision.” Rush told MPD officers the vehicle was further up in the woods and his passenger was dead. Dowtin was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the hearing, prosecutors alerted Judge Okun they have not conducted any DNA testing on evidence recovered from the scene. According to prosecutors, they have access to the vehicle, phones, the autopsy, blood recovered from the vehicle, and personal items which were returned to Rush and Dowtin’s family.

Rush’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, alerted the court they were not planning on testing any evidence.

Harvey also requested Rush’s release conditions be modified, stating he struggles with his monthly in-person check-in because it interferes with his work schedule.

According to a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Rush continues to be compliant with his release conditions.

Parties are expected back Aug. 23, 2024.

Homicide Defendant Files Motion to Sever

At a Dec. 1 status hearing for five homicide co-defendants, defendant Darryl Little declared his intent to file a motion to sever from others accused in the case.

Little, 29, Marcel Gavin, 36, Johnny Wilkins, 33, Earl Robinson, 31, and Kharee Jackson, 24 are charged with conspiracy, four counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and other charges for their alleged involvement in the shooting of Albert Smith, 21. The incident occurred on June 14, 2020, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

Little’s attorney, Wole Falodun, said the motion has not yet been filed, but he intends to do so in the coming weeks.

Parties will reconvene June 21, 2024, for a status hearing.

Defense Plans to Contest Competency Finding for Homicide Suspect

On Dec. 1, homicide defendant Huey Bandy’s defense attorneys announced that while he was found mentally competent, they may be challenging the decision.

Bandy, 52, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing death of 60-year-old Orlando Murphy. Allegedly, Bandy stabbed Murphy after being shown a video of Murphy sexually assaulting Bandy’s 18-year-old daughter. The incident occurred on June 7, 2022, at the 3600 block of Brothers Place, SE.

Bandy had previously been evaluated for mental competency, with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) declaring him competent. However, defense attorneys Christen Phillips and Sylvia Smith stated that they may be contesting the findings, depending on the results coming from their own expert.

The mental observation hearing was continued for Jan. 22, 2024, where the defense will declare if they plan to contest competency.

Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty During Arraignment

On Dec. 1, a non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

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

During the hearing, Coleman’s defense attorney, Alvin Thomas Jr., alerted the court his client pleads not guilty to all counts and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Parties are expected to reconvene Jan. 9, 2024.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

On Nov. 30, a non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Briana Milam, 33, was originally charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident occurred on Aug. 21, on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE. No injuries were reported.

During the hearing, Milam accepted an offer extended by prosecutors, which required her to plead guilty to unlawful discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm, in exchange for a dismissal of other charges. In addition, Milam was also required to plead guilty to assault, in connection to a domestic violence incident that occurred on April 22.

According to prosecutors, Milam in anger threw a vase at a man who they identified as her ex-partner. However, Milam claimed that she was never in a relationship with the individual. Milam’s defense attorney, Theodore Shaw, alerted Judge Leibovitz they would not be opposing the proffer of facts provided by prosecutors.

In their offer, the prosecution stated they will limit their sentencing requests to the mandatory minimum or the bottom of the guidelines for each charge, whichever is greater.

Parties will reconvene Feb. 2, 2024 for a sentencing.

Document: Man Killed in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Dec. 3 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers were in the area when they heard the sounds of gunshots and saw a vehicle fleeing the area. Officers located the vehicle a short distance away, and the male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Dionte Claytor.

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 committed in the District.

Document: Man Killed in Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Dec. 2 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

The victim was identified as 38-year-old Michael Hansley.

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

Document: Man Arrested in a Southwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest has been made in connection to a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 20 on the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Gary Lavon Love III.

On Dec. 1, members of MPD’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested and charged 21-year-old Roy Jordan with first-degree murder while armed – premeditated.

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