Witness Says a Fight Ended in Silence in 2018 Homicide

At a Nov. 17 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, a witness who was at the scene of a homicide testified that an altercation between two individuals ended in silence.

Marquette Jordan, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business with a prior felony for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch that occurred on April 30, 2018, on the 900 block of Fifth Street, SE.

The prosecution called a friend of Jordan’s that was present the night of the murder. Jordan picked her up along with two other men, a woman and two children. She stated that they were all hanging out at an apartment when an argument occurred between Jordan and his girlfriend.

One man told Jordan “You don’t talk to ladies like that,” and the pair began arguing, yelling, and fighting. The witness stated she grabbed the two children and faced them towards the wall and covered their eyes and ears.

Once it got quiet she grabbed her things and as she exited the apartment she saw a light-skin male on the floor, another other male sitting on the couch, and did not know where Jordan was. She later learned the light-skin male was dead.

Defense counsel asked the witness to describe the fight. She stated that she never saw a knife and that the lighter-skin male was significantly taller and heavier than Jordan. She explained “I don’t know how the light-skinned male ended up on the floor.”

The prosecution also called an individual from the company that manages security systems for the elementary school where Jordan was allegedly seen walking on the night of the murder. The video displayed an individual identified as Jordan, walking along the outside of the school with two children.

The prosecution called an investigator with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who stopped Jordan while he was walking with the two children. The investigator stated she saw Jordan and the two children but “did not think anything of it.” She then stated she locked eyes with Jordan and he “took off walking fast and then running.”

According to the investigator she then received a “look out” for an individual that matched Jordan’s description. She explained she made a U-turn to relocate the individual and stopped him along the sidewalk. At that point he was unable to confirm the identity of the children and he falsely gave his name as “Markeet Jonson.”

The investigator stated that Jordan did not have any visible injuries but she noticed blood on his pants.

Consistent with police body-worn camera footage from that night and the investigator’s testimony, Jordan refused to give any names, phone numbers, or addresses of whom he was with that night.

In the footage, Jordan stated that the children came running out of the elevator so he took them outside the building and stopped the police. However, the investigator testified that at no time did Jordan ever attempt to flag her down.

During cross-examination by defense counsel, Michael Bruckheim, the investigator was asked about the children’s state of being, and she stated the children were not initially crying, and there was no blood found on the children’s clothes.

Bruckheim also asked about the explanation that Jordan gave for the blood on his pants. She responded Jordan told her someone tried to hurt his girlfriend and “he tried to pull a knife on her.”

The prosecution responded by asking the investigator if Jordan detailed the injuries his Jordan’s girlfriend sustained and the officer said no.

Parties are set to return Nov. 20 to resume witness testimony.

Document: Man Killed in Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 19 on the 2100 block of 8th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious person inside a parking garage. Officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He succumbed at the scene.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Anwar Wingate.

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: Man Killed in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 17 on the 4000 block of Wahler Court, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. While en route to the location, officers were notified that a man, who was suffering from gunshot wounds, was taken to a local hospital by car. After all life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Shane Williams.

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: Vehicle Sought in a Shooting in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle in reference to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 16 on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, a suspect exited the vehicle, fired a handgun striking three adult males. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle, and the victims were taken to hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a black 2012 Nissan Maxima with VA tags TWM5617, and was captured by nearby surveillance footage.

Document: Woman Arrested for Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a woman has been arrested in connection to a shooting that occurred on July 31, on the 4000 block of Kansas Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, the suspect made disparaging remarks in the presence of the victim. The victim and the suspect got involved in an argument, when the suspect produced a firearm and shot the victim before fleeing.

On Nov. 16, 31-year-old Diamond Early was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in the incident.

Judge Denies Motion for Release in Fatal Drunk Driving Case

On Nov. 17, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied a motion to release a 2023 homicide defendant.

Nakita Walker, 43, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder for allegedly crashing into a car carrying Mohamed Kamara, 42, Jonathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22, on March 15, on Rock Creek Parkway near the intersection of 26th Street and P Street, NW.

The DC Medical Examiner’s report indicates Walker’s blood alcohol content was 0.1– beyond the legal limit– with cannabis also present in her body.

Walker’s defense attorney, Albert Amissah, motioned for Walker’s release as she was not being provided with the medical treatment she needed for injuries sustained in the crash. Amissah stated that in the last six months, Walker had attended physical therapy once and her health was deteriorating.

Prosecution rebutted Walker was an extreme danger to the community and stated, “She will do whatever she wants to do when she wants to do it”.

Judge Okun denied the defense’s motion for release and stated, “My decision is based on whether she would be a danger to the community”. Judge Okun reflected on how Walker struck the other car at almost 80 miles-per-hour, highlighting her recklessness.

Parties will reconvene Feb. 22 for a felony status conference.

Homicide Defendant Sentenced After Accepting Plea Deal

On Nov. 17, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Demetrius Void to six years incarceration for a homicide.

Void, 36, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and armed carjacking, for his involvement in fatal shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lawson, on Sept. 25, 2018, on the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, Lawson and Void were allegedly having a dispute over a vehicle that belonged to Void’s mother.

On Aug. 24, Void accepted an agreement extended by prosecutors to plead guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for dismissal of all other charges.

Prosecutors requested Judge O’Keefe follow the six-to -eight year sentencing guideline that parties had agreed on when Void pleaded guilty. Prosecutors mentioned Void’s lack of remorse stating, “Not once did I hear him express regret… he did not think it’s a big deal”.

Void’s defense attorneys, William Alley and Madalyn Harvey, requested Judge O’Keefe impose a six year sentence, emphasizing it is a “significant amount of time”. Void’s attorneys noted “being in prison is not going to do any good”.

Although the first-degree murder charge was dismissed, Judge O’Keefe allowed Lawson’s family members to give an impact statement. Lawson’s mother stated, “From the sounds of it, it sounds like you’re going to be blessed, do what you have to do for your kids and your family”.

Judge O’Keefe sentenced Void to 72 months in prison followed by a three year supervised release. The judge expressed his concern, saying “You are not only hurting yourself, you’re also hurting your family”.

“I apologize to my family,” said Void.
He is also required to register as a gun offender and pay a fine of 100 dollars to the Victims of Violent Crimes Fund.

Probable Cause Found In Shooting Homicide

On Nov. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause in a homicide case.

Iesha Marks, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Donald Childs that occurred July 30, on the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW.

Earlier prosecutors called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified that an individual, identified as Marks, was involved in a dispute in an alleyway. She got into a black Toyota Camry’s passenger side, and the car drove away.

According to the detective, that same vehicle returned 20 minutes later, and an individual sitting inside fatally shot Childs. The detective’s testimony was backed by surveillance footage.

Judge Brandt stated the evidence “overwhelmingly points to Marks as the shooter.”

She also stated that there are alley surveillance videos where gunshots are heard and Marks is allegedly seen getting in a black Toyota Camry after the gunfire. In the videos an individual is seen wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts consistent with clothes found in the trash can at Marks’ apartment.

In a video allegedly from Marks’ phone a firearm is in her lap.

Judge Brandt also stated that there is a consciousness of guilt argument in that it appeared Marks was returning to the scene of the crime looking for information.

She added that there is nothing that supports self-defense at this time and that the crime was premeditated.

Marks’ defense attorney, Dana Page, asked the court that Marks be released on home confinement as she has two young children. Page added that Marks has a bachelor’s degree and was in a master’s program at the time of the incident. She also explained that Marks has mental health problems and would be able to get the treatment she needs if released.

Page stated that Marks has family support and is not a flight risk.

The prosecution wanted Marks detained because she presents a danger to the community. She is alleged to have opened fire in a busy intersection on a Sunday afternoon in broad daylight. The prosecution added that she has two previous incidents involving a gun and a misdemeanor case while on probation.

Judge Brandt said, “Loss of human life is as egregious as it gets,” and Marks’ “shooting was bracingly reckless.” And added, “The weight of the government’s evidence is strong.”

The judge found that there is no condition or combination of conditions where Marks would not pose a threat to the community; therefore she will remain detained.

A felony status conference is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Bloody Clothes Found at Crime Scene in Fatal Stabbing

On Nov. 16, witnesses testified before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt that a defendant accused of a fatal stabbing was allegedly found with bloody clothing when he was stopped by police.

The prosecution called an investigator from the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) who allegedly observed blood on Jordan’s pants and tank top and collected it for evidence. The T-shirt that Jordan was wearing that night was ripped in the collar.

The witness also photographed two other individuals but didn’t find any blood.

Defense counsel, Michael Bruckheim, asked why Jordan’s were the only clothes collected for evidence, despite two other individuals being there. The witness responded since no blood was found on their clothing, she wasn’t asked to evaluate it.

Additionally, the prosecution called the lead scientist from DFS who displayed Lynch’s hoodie, T-shirt, and tank top to the jury, and stated that there was blood and multiple cuts found on the front and back of each garment. She explained the clothing had to be placed in a drying cabinet in order to be processed because they were wet with blood and there was also an unidentified bloody shoe print found at the scene.

The prosecution also called the overnight security officer from the apartment complex who testified at some point three men, two women, and two children entered the building. According to the officer an individual wearing a hood accompanied by two children later left the building.

Lastly, prosecutors called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who found Lynch lying on his back began administering CPR. Lynch was later pronounced dead at MedStar Hospital.

During cross examination, Bruckheim asked the detective why he never questioned any witnesses if they cleaned up the scene before police arrived since there were bloody paper towels and water found next to Lynch’s body.

The witness responded his priorities were helping Lynch and securing the crime scene.

Parties are set to return Nov. 17 to continue witness testimony.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

On Nov. 17, homicide defendant Reginald Jones rejected a plea deal before DC Superior

Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Jones, 66, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing death of Regina Morris, 52. The incident occurred on May 28 at the unit block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Morris was found in her apartment where she lived with Jones. The two were involved in a romantic relationship.

Prosecution offered Jones a pre-indictment plea, which would require him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed. If he accepted the plea, the prosecution would not go through with an indictment.

Jones rejected the deal and his case will be continued for a preliminary hearing.

The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2024.

Case Acquitted: Trial Starts in Church Shootout after a Family Funeral

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On Nov. 16, opening statements were delivered in the trial of non-fatal shooting defendant Saphire Johnson.

Johnson, 24, is charged with aggravated assault while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon, among other charges, for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 28 at the 4000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The incident occurred at Johnson’s grandmother’s church funeral after a dispute between family members. Two people, including Johnson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result.

Many family members saw what happened which was also captured by surveillance cameras.

In their opening statement, prosecutors claimed that a confrontation occurred between Johnson and a relative which rapidly escalated. Then Johnson ran into the street and allegedly began firing at her relative before unintentionally shooting her relative’s wife. The prosecution says Johnson was then shot in the leg by her cousin, who was trying to stop the attack.

“September 28th was already a day of mourning, and then the defendant’s bullet struck,” the prosecution said.

Johnson’s defense attorneys, Varsha Govindaraju and Christen Phillips, claimed Johnson was acting in self- defense, saying that she felt “targeted, terrified, and trapped.” They say she intervened when she saw a man threatening to beat his fifteen-year-old daughter; then Johnson was attacked by three men and punched in the back of the head.

When Johnson thought her life was in danger, she did what she had to do. She did what the law allows her to do,” Govindaraju said, asking the jury to find her not guilty.

The prosecution claims that Johnson was the aggressor and the first person to pull out a gun. They requested the jury find her guilty of all charges.

The prosecution’s first witness said Johnson was “like a cousin,” and they knew each other very well. According to the witness, her mother was the individual Johnson shot, and one of the witness’s children allegedly attacked Johnson. The witness stated she heard Johnson and others arguing as they were exiting the funeral. She then heard gunshots and ran behind a car.

Due to time constraints, the witness will continue testifying when trial resumes on Nov. 20.

Document: Man Killed in Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 16 on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man with gunshot wound injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.

The victim was identified as 38-year-old Carlos Javier-Blanco Fernandez.

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

Help Us Continue to Equip You with Criminal Justice Facts in 2024

Our city’s homicide number says it all – 50 more murders this year than at the same time last year.

But why? What is happening beyond the headlines? Other media focuses on click-bait content, “if it bleeds it leads,” but that does little to keep us informed. And, good luck getting information from the city or the courts.

This is where D.C. Witness steps in to fill the information gap, exposing the statistics behind violent crime in the nation’s capital and humanizing those statistics with the heartbreaking stories from the city’s murderous gun crime culture.

It’s old-fashioned, but we do that with just the facts. Not opinion.

This year we added the DC Victim Notification System, which sends direct updates on cases without the frustrating, and usually unsuccessful, search for information. It would seem something the city should do. But it doesn’t. So we did.

We are committed to being your source for violent crime information in DC, so you can understand what’s going on in your community and hold Mayor Bowser, the new police chief and our courts accountable.

Since we don’t pepper every post with requests for funding, nor take advertisements, we are asking for your generosity as the year winds down to help us continue keeping the information flowing into 2024.

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Document: Victim Identified Southeast Shooting Leaves Woman Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a woman on Nov. 14 on the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers were flagged down at the location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located a woman with gunshot wound injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Nakysia Rachael Lemon-Williams.

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

Outcome for Juvenile in Two Non-Fatal Shootings Delayed

On Nov. 15, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno granted a defendant’s motion to continue his disposition, due to a delay in a psychological evaluation that could impact the case.

The juvenile was arrested on Sept. 15 for his involvement in two separate shooting incidents.

According to prosecutors, the defendant fired a gun into the air on Feb. 22, on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. There were no reported injuries. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were able to identify the juvenile as the shooter from surveillance footage.

On June 9, the defendant fired a gun at a vehicle that was exiting a parking lot on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The driver, a woman, suffered from a life-threatening gunshot wound to her back. Her child was present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

MPD officers identified the defendant as the shooter from a still-shot that was recovered from surveillance footage that depicted the incident.

On Nov. 15, in what was supposed to be his disposition hearing, defense attorneys for the juvenile argued they were missing the report for a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation, and were told the court could not go through with the sentencing at that time.

Once the disposition was continued, the defense requested the juvenile be released as he awaits disposition, arguing he has had constant family support, and his grandmother, who is his legal guardian, wants him to return home and transfer him to an out-of-state school with a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program.

According to the defense attorney, the juvenile is doing well in the virtual school his family arranged stating he has outstanding grades.

She also argued he is serious about being better, and has become a role model in the Youth Services Center (YSC) in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Still, the attorney alerted the court the juvenile has filed a grievance with YSC for denial of breakfast, pain medication, and meetings with attorneys.

In a letter written to the court and read aloud by the defendant, he apologized to the victims, and insisted he wants a chance to show he’s changed and can do well in the community. “I want to turn my life around,” said the juvenile, arguing he’s “not a bad person,” but he “made a mistake”.

According to the juvenile, he’s realized that “there’s more to life than this,” and wants to move forward and be great.

On Oct. 18, the juvenile accepted a deal that required him to plead guilty to felony assault, two misdemeanor counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, two misdemeanor counts of possession of unregistered ammunition, and two misdemeanor counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, for his involvement in both incidents.

A Court’s Social Services representative recommended continued detention as he awaits disposition. Prosecutors agreed stating the defendant continues to pose an extreme danger to the community.

According to prosecutors, the juvenile has always had support and good grades, even before the shootings occurred. They commended his efforts and progress in secure detention, but stated that the progress has occurred due to his detainment.

Following the arguments, Judge Salerno stated the juvenile’s conduct was extremely dangerous, and does not want to release him until the appropriate services are set in place.

A new disposition date was set for Dec. 4, and the sentencing will occur with or without the psychiatric evaluation report.

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