New Judge Appointed to Preside Over Third Trial of Murder Defendant

A new judge has been appointed for theVictor Coley murder trial, a case that is now more than a decade old. DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro took over for DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan who presided over Coley’s two previous trials.

According to court documents, the change was made during a Dec. 29 hearing in what was described as a “caseload transfer.”

That followed a hearing on Dec. 21, during which Judge Ryan questioned how the prosecution intended to proceed in its third trial against Coley.

The prosecutor said she had just gotten the case and, “I literally have one piece of paper.” While she said she’d virtually seen, “nothing, nothing, nothing” she added the case was “very triable”

In response to Judge Ryan’s asking if there will be a new legal framework offered, she responded that the US Attorney’s office doesn’t try cases because it wants to but because “It’s the right thing to do.”

Coley, now 61, was originally found guilty in 2015 of a Nov. 6, 2013 mass shooting that injured four on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. For his involvement in the crime, Coley was accused of assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm, along with eleven other counts.

The case took another turn in 2021 when 65-year-old Dennis Foster, one of Coley’s victims, died from gunshot wounds sustained in the original incident. That led the prosecutor to file a murder charge against Coley.

After two weeks of testimony from 27 witnesses, the second trial ended on June 23 after the jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

As Judge Ryan attempted to set up a new trial calendar, the prosecutor alerted him that any proposed dates were conditional based on how extensively she would have to prepare for the case.

“The government has been sitting on the case for ten years,” said Judge Ryan.

“I wish I had taken a picture of the boxes” of information about Coley’s case history, the prosecutor said.

Coley monitored the hearing remotely. Judge Ryan signed an order releasing him from the DC Jail on July 19.

The next hearing will be before Judge Di Toro on Feb. 23, 2024. A trial readiness proceeding is set for Aug. 28, 2024. The trial itself will commence on Oct. 1, 2024.

That should give the prosecution enough time, said Judge Ryan last month, since the period encompassed the shortest to the longest days of the year–” Solstice to solstice,” he said.

Document: Suspect Sought in a Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance to identify and locate a suspect connected to a shooting on Jan. 1, on the 1300 block of H Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult female with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

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 violent crime in the District.

Document: Arrest Made in the Shooting Death of an 18-Year-Old Woman in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that killed a woman on Jan. 1 on the 4300 block of Military Road, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds inside a hotel room with gunshot wound injuries. She died at the scene.

On Jan. 2, as a result of an investigation, 18-year-old Jelani Cousin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Preliminary Hearing Rescheduled for Homicide Defendant Amidst Mental Evaluation Request

On Jan. 2, a homicide defendant’s preliminary hearing was continued, in addition to his being ordered to receive a full mental competency evaluation by DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Ronzoni Jackson, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murders of 28-year-old Octavio Quintano and 35-year-old Osmine Quintano on Dec. 12, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.

Judge Epstein informed the court that a doctor from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) requested a full mental competency evaluation be done on Jackson, and that he would be ordering the study as a result.

Additionally, the prosecution informed the court that they want the scheduled preliminary hearing postponed and Jackson’s defense attorney, Sellano Simmons, agreed. Judge Epstein then granted this request for continuance.

Parties are expected to reconvene on Feb. 16.

Judge Denies Release for Double Murder Defendant Suspected in Another Crime

In a Jan. 2 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a request to release murder suspect Amarii Fontanelle who’s also accused of attempted murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

In the District, Fontanelle, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed.

He was allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Reginald Lamont Cooper, Jr. and 19-year-old Davonte Berkley on Oct. 17, 2022 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. A third victim survived the assault.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley argued that Fontanelle should be released on the grounds that he had already been so for three months and “there was nothing about his conduct” indicating he should experience a setback.

Mosley also said Fontanelle could be housed in a secure location and that he wants to continue his education while working. In sum, Mosley argued Fontanelle has done “exceptionally well.”

Judge Raffinan conditionally released Fontanelle in May of last year.

However, the judge says the original information has changed in that Fontanelle was picked up on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder charges in Prince George’s County, Maryland, connected to an alleged shooting incident on Nov. 7, 2022.

The prosecutor opposed releasing Fontanelle because she says he remains a danger to the community.

Given that Judge Raffinan says there’s no new reason to change his detention status, she denied Fontanelle’s request.

Judge Raffinan set the next hearing date to discuss defense motions for full disclosure of evidence in the case for Feb. 28.

Document: MPD Searching for Suspect in Shooting Death of 18-Year-Old Woman

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking to identify a suspect in the murder of a woman at a hotel on Jan. 1 on the 4300 block of Military Road, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds inside a hotel room with gunshot wound injuries. She died at the scene.

The suspect was captured by nearby surveillance cameras.

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: 18-Year-Old Woman Dead After Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that killed a woman on Jan. 1 on the 4300 block of Military Road, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a woman inside a hotel room with gunshot wound injuries. She died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds.

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 Dies from Injuries Sustained in December Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a man has died from injuries sustained in a December 2023 shooting.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE, on Dec. 20 for the report of a shooting. They located a man with gunshot wound injuries, and he was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

On Dec. 31, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

He was identified as 39-year-old Dwayne Barbour.

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: 18-Year-Old Woman Dead After Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that killed a woman on Jan. 1 on the 4300 block of Military Road, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a woman inside a hotel room with gunshot wound injuries. She died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Ashalei Hinds.

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 Dead After Multi-Vehicle Crash in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a man after a traffic crash on Dec. 29.

According to MPD documents, the preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2007 Volvo S80 was traveling northbound on the 1700 block of Branch Avenue, SE.

As the Volvo crossed Pennsylvania Avenue to travel north on Branch Avenue, the Volvo struck a black 2020 Nissan Altima. As a result of the collision, three other vehicles were damaged.

The Volvo was occupied by a man and woman, and both were taken to local hospitals where the man died from his injuries. The woman sustained non-critical injuries.

The operators of the other vehicles sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the crash and refused treatment.

The decedent was identified as 31-year-old Kyree Amon Napper.

Anyone with knowledge of the incident should contact MPD.

Document: MPD Searching for Shooting Suspect Vehicle

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspects involved in the shooting of two teenagers on Dec. 31, on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two juvenile males with gunshot wound injuries. The victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect vehicle 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 violent crime in the District.

Document: MPD Searching for Suspect Vehicle in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that left a man injured on Dec. 30.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to a local hospital for the report of a shooting victim seeking treatment. During the investigation, it was determined the victim was shot on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

The suspect vehicle 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 violent crime in the District.

Document: MPD Searching for Shooting Suspects

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects involved in shooting a man on Dec. 30, on the 900 block of 12th Street, NW.

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 reported he was walking on U Street when two suspects demanded his belongings. The victim complied, and one of the suspects shot him.

He was transported to a local hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects were 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 violent crime in the District.

Document: MPD Arrests Man for July Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a July 3, 2023 homicide.

According to MPD documents, on the day of the incident, officers responded to the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE, for the report of a shooting. At the location, officers located 33-year-old Langston Sharps with gunshot wound injuries. He died at the scene.

On Dec. 28, pursuant to an arrest warrant, officers arrested and charged 22-year-old Jahi Settles with second-degree murder while armed.

Document: Northwest Shooting Leaves Man Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Dec. 30, on the 500 block of Florida Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to a local hospital for the report of a shooting victim seeking treatment. Despite all life-saving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

He was identified as 18-year-old Dekhota Evans.

During the investigation, it was determined Evans was transported to the hospital in a vehicle, by unknown individuals, after being shot at the location.

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.