Trial Date Vacated and Release Denied in Juvenile Shooting Case

On Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld granted the parties’ request to vacate a juvenile’s trial date to allow plea negotiations to continue. Judge Hertzfield also denied the defense’s request for release.

The juvenile, a 15-year-old boy, is charged with armed carjacking, assault with intent to commit robbery, robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a carjacking and non-fatal shooting incident on Jan. 12.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, a victim was sitting in his vehicle on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE, when three suspects approached him, assaulted him, and robbed him at gunpoint. Two of the suspects took the victim’s vehicle.

Shortly after, one of the two suspects in the vehicle began to exchange gunfire with an unknown person on the 3300 block of Benning Road, NE, before being struck by gunfire.

During the hearing, Judge Hertzfeld discussed a motion, filed by the prosecution, which requested a continuance for the trial slated to begin Feb. 12.

According to the parties, the prosecution extended a plea deal on Feb. 6 and the defense needs additional time to discuss the deal with the juvenile and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Judge Hertzfeld granted the request for a continuance.

The juvenile’s defense attorney also requested he be released as he awaits further proceedings, even though he is required to remain in the custody of DYRS until July for his conviction in two other incidents.

Judge Hertzfeld denied the request for release.

Parties are slated to return Feb. 26.

Document: MPD Seeking Suspect in a Northwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in a homicide that occurred on the 1100 block of 15th Street, NW on Feb. 2.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an assault, where they located an adult male suffering from life-threatening injuries as a result from an assault. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

On Feb. 7, the victim succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 41-year-old Vivek Taneja.

The suspect was captured by 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 South Capitol Street Shooting Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that occurred on Feb. 7 on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, the suspect shot at two victims sitting inside a car at the location. One of the victims was struck and transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

An officer on patrol in the area witness the offense and called for backup. After the responding officers gave numerous commands to drop the guns, the suspect complied and was placed under arrest. Two firearms were recovered.

MPD arrested and charged 25-year-old Jordan Thurman with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge Holds Penn State Student as Homicide Defendant

On Feb. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond held a Penn State student who is suspected in a homicide. Na’eem Butler, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Diamonte Lewis on Oct. 21, 2023, on the 900 block of U Street, NW.

According to court documents officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the sounds of gunfire at the location around 3:30 a.m. When they arrived they discovered Lewis mortally wounded from six gunshots.

The killing was the apparent result of a confrontation between two groups in DC’s busy U Street corridor. Lewis was reportedly going to Nellie’s nightclub when he got into a fight that he won, but was shot in retaliation.

According to prosecutors, there’s video that shows Butler, and two other suspects, in the moments leading up to and during the shooting. However, the defense argued for Butler’s release saying he had no criminal record, was student at Penn State University and many of his family members attended the proceeding in support.

Judge Raymond ruled that Butler was aware of actions and that there is enough evidence to provide probable cause. Butler’s next hearing set for Feb. 29 with DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Case Acquitted: Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

Jose Zuniga was acquitted of all charges on Feb. 15, 2024.

On Feb. 8, a non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to his charges before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Jose Zuniga, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and simple assault, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident occurred on November 11, 2023, on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW. There were no injuries reported.

According to MPD documents, two men were involved in an argument while inside a building. During the argument, the suspect shot at the victim and fled the scene. The victim was not injured. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

Joseph Molina, Zuniga’s attorney, informed the court that Zuniga pleaded not guilty to all three of his charges, and asserted his constitutional rights, including a speedy trial.

Parties alerted the court that they are prepared to go to trial on Feb. 12.

Document: MPD Arrests Teenager for December Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a juvenile was arrested in connection to a homicide that occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers were at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Kennedy Street, NW, when they heard gunshots. They responded to the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW, where they located a man with gunshot wound injuries. A private vehicle took him to a hospital, where he died.

The victim was identified as 27-year-old Jihad Darden.

On Feb. 7, pursuant to a DC Superior Court custody order, a 15-year-old juvenile male, from Bowie, MD, was arrested. Once he’s extradited to DC, he will be charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Defense Asks About Possible Gang Connection to 2020 Homicide

On Feb. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe resumed the trial of a 2020 fatal shooting case with questions raised about a possible link to a criminal gang.

Terrell Poe, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Christopher Washington, 30, on Sept. 23, 2020, on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Prosecutors called an individual who claimed his white truck had been stolen in July 2020. The prosecution presented photographs of the truck, which he identified as his. He also identified stickers on the truck present when it was stolen.

Prosecutors alleged that Poe stole the witness’ truck and that the vehicle was used to carry out the crime.

Prosecutors also called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who testified about the recovery of “a phone and key fob” at the scene.

They utilized surveillance footage to corroborate the detective’s testimony. One of the videos showed the white truck at the scene of the crime, with an individual leaving the vehicle. Moments later, a shooting occurred at a bus stop next to where the truck was parked.

“Based on the videos, we followed either the decedent or the suspect video from one location to the next,” the detective said.

According to the detective, a compilation created with footage from local businesses presented “a fair and accurate” representation of events that day.

A white pickup truck was spotted across different location including a convenience store and a church. The detective alleged it was the same truck that had been stolen months before the shooting.

Prosecutors say Poe first drove the vehicle from a parking lot near a church to the scene of the shooting. After the shooting, they say, Poe drove it back to the church parking lot.

During cross-examination, Poe’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, questioned the detective about a comment made by his partner in several reports about a “Duffy gang-gang crew,” a gang which is believed to congregate in the neighborhood where the crime occurred.

Although the detective could not recall gathering information about the group, he affirmed that detectives are advised to make note of which neighborhood where crews operate.

“It could garner more investigative leads as to whether a particular crew is having a feud in that area,” the detective confirmed.

During King’s cross-examination of the detective, he acknowledged the timing of the surveillance footage from the nearby church was slightly off.

“If you don’t know that [the exact time], then how would you be able to place it in a timeline?” King questioned.

To compensate, the detective said he used a witness statement from Washington’s best friend to determine how the footage fit chronologically.

The prosecution called their next witness, a friend of Washington’s who lived across the street from the church connected to the crime scene.

According to the witness, on the day of the incident, he, his friend, and both their daughters were in the church parking lot riding bikes. The witness said he saw Poe pull into the parking lot driving a white pick-up truck, immediately able to sense something wasn’t right.

“He pulled in very aggressively,” the witness recalled, adding, “Being a parent, I knew something was wrong. I just got a bad vibe.”

The witness said he and his group left the parking lot to go to the gas station nearby. Returning to his apartment, the witness said he could hear a gun firing.

“I heard some shots,” the witness said. “Not knowing it was my friend [who was shot].”

The prosecution proceeded by presenting several text messages between the witness and a number that he believed belonged to Poe. The texts reached out to the witness after the incident saying that he had money to give him. The unknown number repeatedly used the nickname “Fat Boy,” which the witness indicated refers to Poe.

“I only know one ‘Fat Boy’ who hangs around them,” the witness said. “It threw a red flag, and I was confused on what was going on.”

In the days following the incident, the witness said he noticed Poe and his friends outside his apartment. The witness alleged they were “looking for (my) red BMW” to exchange the money they previously promised.

In King’s cross-examination, she raised the witness’s criminal history along with his possible involvement in the “Duffy gang-gang crew.” King pointed to records that indicated the witness was convicted of selling drugs more than 10 years ago. However, the witness claimed he was no longer involved in drug sales and had never been involved in any “gang” in his area.

King continued by questioning the witness’s recollection of the events that occurred on the incident date.

The witness returned to his original testimony that said he and his daughter were in the lot together riding bikes, as footage of them shows only that he was present in the parking lot.

King emphasized the contradictions between his testimony at trial and his prior testimony in front of the grand jury.

“You said to the Grand Jury that you were concerned at that time because your daughter was in the lot with you and now you’re testifying that she was in the house,” King said.

The witness reiterated that he and his daughter were riding bikes in the parking lot that day, and the exact timing of each event was no longer as clear in his mind as it was when he testified before the grand jury.

“That video [his original testimony] was right after the crime,” the witness said. “Now it’s been years since it happened.”

Due to time constraints, King did not get to conclude her cross-examination of the witness.

Parties are slated to return on Feb. 8.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

In a Feb. 7 hearing, a non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors in DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian’s courtroom.

Chanel Clinton, 27, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting on January 18, outside of a 7-Eleven on the 4800 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. The incident left one individual suffering from gunshot wounds.

Clinton accepted an offer which required her to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for the prosecution’s not indicting her on other charges.

Clinton’s attorney, John Sample, alerted the judge and prosecutor that Clinton has no criminal history, graduated from a military school, and was working as an armed security guard at the time of the incident.

Sample requested Clinton be placed on 24-hour house arrest, and gestured towards her family members in the gallery, who agreed to house her for the duration of her supervised release.

The prosecutor reiterated that, despite the defendant’s educational achievements and career, it didn’t justify the irresponsible use of her duty firearm against the victim.

Prosecutors displayed body-worn camera footage, which showed the officer who made contact with Clinton attempting to break up the argument between Clinton and the victim. The defendant then drew her firearm and shot the victim, striking her in the shoulder.

Judge Christian denied the request, citing the severity of the offense, and the irresponsible use of her work-provided firearm.

Parties are expected to reconvene on April 22 for sentencing.

Judge Orders Prosecution to Give Defense Some Body-Worn Camera Footage

On Feb. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ordered the prosecution to provide the defense with body-worn camera footage of a homicide defendant at the scene of the crime.

Juan Guerra, 31, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 31-year-old Peter Miller, which occurred on Oct. 6, 2023, on the 900 block of Maine Avenue, SW.

According to court documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious person, where they located Miller inside of a residence. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. On Oct. 11, he succumbed to his injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) ruled Miller’s death a homicide, and the cause of death to be from blunt force trauma.

In Guerra’s preliminary hearing, defense attorney Kevin Mosley requested certain pieces of evidence in the prosecution’s possession be turned over to defense counsel.

Including body-worn camera footage of Metro Police Department (MPD) officers speaking with Guerra at the scene, as well as footage of the search of the residence where Miller was found.

According to court documents and the prosecution, Guerra appeared to be moving objects in the residence when MPD arrived.

The prosecution responded that the defense is not entitled to the footage because it was four hours long, and that Guerra was only visible in portions of it. They stated that they had already provided the defense with the facts of what had occurred in the video, so sending them the video would be unnecessary.

Additionally, the prosecution argued several witnesses are present in the video, and they could be endangered risk if the footage was released.

Mosley argued he was entitled to the footage because he needed to confirm the prosecution’s summary of events, and could not simply accept their version as fact. Further, all of the witnesses were already known to Guerra and had been his former friends, so the footage should not pose any safety risk,

Mosley also stated that he would need the footage in order to see any potential injuries Guerra might have that could indicate that he was acting in self defense. Mosley stated that since there had been no eyewitnesses to the crime, this footage could be useful in determining what had actually happened.

Judge Okun ruled that the defense does not need the full four-hour video, but the prosecution has to provide them clips of the footage where the defendant can be seen or heard speaking.

The prosecution agreed to do this, but stated that it would take them around a week to edit the footage and address safety concerns regarding any witnesses visible in the clips.

Judge Okun issued a continuance for the preliminary hearing and scheduled it for Feb. 27 with a different judge, as he would be unable to preside on that date.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 6 on the 3200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a traffic collision, where they located a man with gunshot wound injuries inside of a vehicle. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Rufus Brown.

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 Makes Second Arrest in Northwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a second arrest was made in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 21, 2023, on the 900 block of U Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a male victim with gunshot wound injuries. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Diamonte Lewis.

On Dec. 5, a 16-year-old male from Virginia was arrested and charged as an adult with second-degree murder while armed.

On Feb. 6, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, 20-year-old Na’eem Butler was arrested after he was extradited from State College, PA. He was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Parties Postpone Trial for Co-Defendants in Non-Fatal Shooting Case Due to Delays in DNA Testing

A status hearing on Feb. 7, for a 2021 shooting case resulted in the postponement of a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Eric Latney, 27, and James Crossland, 27, are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon, for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident occurred on July 8, 2021, on the 200 block of 56th street NE.

According to court documents, the victim was found at the crime scene with four gunshot wounds, and was transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

In the hearing, Nikki Lotze, Latney’s defense attorney, and Johnathan Armstrong, Crossland’s defense attorney, requested that a sample of DNA evidence collected for the case be split.

Prosecution held that the splitting of DNA evidence was typically a risk to the reliability of the findings. However, they weren’t sure and requested one week’s continuance to speak with forensic officials.

The judge granted the prosecution’s request, giving them until Feb. 16. So the original March 18 trial date was vacated.

Lotze requested Latney’s stay-away order from the District to be lifted as the family member he had been living with during his release will be moving to the city.

She argued that the stay-away order was unfair to Latney because the prosecution had much stronger evidence against Crossland and they did not request a stay-away order.

The prosecution responded that they would need to know the exact address Latney would potentially be moving to in order to determine if it was sufficiently far from the crime scene to amend the stay-away order.

Judge Okun agreed with the prosecution, and temporarily denied the defense’s motion, telling them to refile it once they had more information.

Another status hearing is set for March 8.

‘We Didn’t Know Where He Was,’ Victim’s Mother Testifies in Homicide Trial

On Feb. 6, an opening statement was presented along with testimony from several prosecution witnesses at the start of a fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Terrell Poe, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Washington on Sept. 23, 2020, on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Prosecutors delivered their opening statement identifying Poe as the individual responsible for the fatal shooting.

They narrated a timeline of events leading up to the incident showing images related to the crime scene, including an image of the bus stop where the incident took place and an image of a red iPhone, which they claimed belonged to Poe.

The prosecution also presented CCTV footage that corresponded with their timeline of the crime.

The video showed an individual, who they identified as Poe, on the incident scene as further evidence of guilt.

Poe’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, reserved her opening statement.

Prosecutors then summoned an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who said he was at a gas station close by when he heard the sounds of gunshots and promptly drove to the crime scene.

At the crime scene, the officer cordoned off the area.

During the incident, the officer wore a body cam, which the prosecution says confirms its sequence of the events.

During King’s cross-examination the officer acknowledged he did not witness the shooting and does not know the individual responsible.

Then the prosecution called Washington’s mother to testify about how she discovered her son had passed away.

According to Washington’s mother, she and her daughter got a call from Washington’s wife that there had been an incident. They both showed up to the crime scene and his body was gone.

“We didn’t know where he was,” proclaimed his mother, adding that the next time they saw him was at a funeral home.

King began her cross examination by questioning the mother if she knew that her son was dealing illegal substances.

Washington’s mother said she was aware, but she said it was not in large amounts, and he only he did it to have some cash.

King also questioned her regarding the nickname her son had on social media and his activities with his friends. His mother was only aware of the nickname, “Flock,” but did not know why they called him that.

Washington’s mother said she had no information about the activities her son was involved in.

Following Washington’s mother’s testimony, prosecutors called on a witness from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) who collected more than ten pieces of evidence from the crime scene including cartridge casings, a red iPhone 12 and a white iPhone XR, along with a camouflage knuckle knife and Toyota car keys. She also took DNA swabs from the scene as well as photos to document the area.

Then she collected the victim’s clothing.

During cross-examination the witness acknowledged there was approximately an hour between when the crime occurred and her arrival so the defense argued that some items might have been placed there intentionally.

Parties are slated to return Feb 7.

Document: MPD Extradites and Charges Man for 2023 Fatal Northwest Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a wanted suspect has been extradited and charged for a stabbing that killed a woman on Dec. 19, 2023, on the 1200 block of 11th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a domestic disturbance, where they located a woman inside of a residence with stab wound injuries. She died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Reyna Garcia-Lopez.

On Dec. 20, 2023, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, members of the Great Lake Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested 54-year-old Alberto Valle-Carranza in Michigan City, Indiana.

Valle-Carranza went through the extradition process and was returned to the District. On Feb. 6, he was transported to the Homicide Branch, where he was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Rules on Evidence in Murder Case

On Feb. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled on several prosecution motions to introduce evidence before selecting a jury for a homicide trial.

During the hearing, Judge O’Keefe addressed a pending prosecution motion to introduce a sticker image of a bottle of D’Usse cognac which appears on a picture of a gun on Poe’s phone.

At a previous hearing, the prosecution argued the image is significant because D’Usse stickers were also found on the vehicle allegedly used to commit the crime.

However, Poe’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued the symbol is not relevant because it’s trendy and not unique.

Judge O’Keefe allowed the prosecution to introduce the sticker image but redacted so it’s only seen without the gun visible in the background.

Judge O’Keefe allowed the victim’s mother to make limited testimony for the prosecution.

However, the judge denied prosecution requests to present an image of the victim with his two children and a video that the prosecution created, syncing the visual and audio recordings made by ShotSpotter technology of the incident.

However, that evidence may be presented at a later hearing.

Meanwhile the jury has been selected and opening statements are expected to begin Feb. 6.

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