The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 35-year-old Darrell Hinkle with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on April 21 on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to a call for service at the location, where they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The victim was identified as 32-year-old Dajuan Blakney.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a person of interest in a shooting that left a teenage male dead on Sept. 25 on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 16-year-old Jamal Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
A person of interest was captured on surveillance footage and can be seen below.
MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Oct. 12 on the intersection of 14th and Downing Street, NE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man with gunshot injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
He was identified as 21-year-old Carlos Haythe.
During an Oct. 15 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a defendant to 18- and-a half years in prison for a homicide.
Christian Arndt, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of his 54-year-old father, Donald Arndt that occurred on Jan. 28, 2021 on the 3300 block of Newark Street, NW
According to court documents, Arndt beat his father to death with a metal baseball bat. Prior to his arrest, the defendant served as a practicing attorney.
On June 2, Arndt accepted a deal that reduced the charge from first-degree murder while armed to voluntary manslaughter. The charge requires that Arndt serve eight-and-a-half to 18-and-a half years of incarceration and five years of supervised release.
Arndt’s mother delivered an emotional victim impact statement, explaining her deceased husband would “want me to be brave and take care of Christian”. Turning directly to the defendant, she said, “We are here Chris, with you. We are going to support you.”
Looking at his mother in the audience, Arndt apologized to his family for “putting them through this.”
Weighing the sentence, Judge Okun explained that “the parties have agreed to a plea, and I have to decide whether to accept that plea.”
Before accepting the plea, Judge Okun described it as a “thoughtful, individually tailored plea agreement” and acknowledged how both parties negotiated the outcome.
Arndt was sentenced to 18-and-a-half years incarceration for voluntary manslaughter while armed with five years of supervised release and five years probation. Arndt also must participate in cognitive behavioral therapy twice a week, as well as outpatient or inpatient treatment, and not use alcohol or narcotic substances.
Before wishing the defendant luck, Judge Okun acknowledged the presence of Arndt’s mother by saying “I can tell how much she cares for you.”
On Oct. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defense attorneys’ request for a mistrial in a homicide case due to a hung jury.
Eric Beasley, 32, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly committing a hit-and-run on 45-year-old David Farewell while he was riding his bicycle. The incident occurred on Sept. 4, 2020 on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE.
After a six-day trial, jurors deliberated for three days, eventually sending multiple notes to the judge that they were deadlocked and could not come to consensus.
During the trial, the defense and prosecuting attorneys called multiple witness testimonies and detailed evidence offering divergent views about whether Beasley purposely hit Farewell.
Through a series of 911 audio clips, crime scene images, gas station surveillance videos, and body-worn camera footage, prosecutors argued Beasley’s actions were done with a “consciousness of guilt,” as he fled the scene, disposed of evidence, and failed to call 911.
A key piece of evidence prosecutors presented was surveillance footage of Beasley hitting Farewell with his vehicle. Prosecutors argued the incident wasn’t an accident, as they highlighted the sound of the car accelerating after Farewell had been hit.
Prosecutors also displayed the extent of Farewell’s injuries, including lacerations, contusions, and fractured ribs, through autopsy images and a medical examiner’s testimony.
Closing their argument, prosecutors stated, “He wanted the guy dead and he did what he had to do to kill him.”
In their arguments, Beasley’s defense attorneys, Madalyn Harvey and Patrick Nowak, utilized various photos, videos, and testimony of a Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) employee to allege the crime scene may have been contaminated.
Harvey and Nowak displayed police body-worn camera footage showing various people in the area before it was taped off, and a witness picking up an alleged piece of evidence before dropping it back to the ground.
During their cross-examination of Farewell’s girlfriend, the defense alluded to mental illness playing a role in her testimony and perception of events during the incident.
Beasley also testified to the jury, expressing his remorse and stating he was concerned about an alleged altercation between Farewell and Farewell’s girlfriend.
Beasley argued he didn’t mean to hit Farewell and stated, “I feel horrible, because the man lost his life.”
Harvey and Nowak closed their arguments by stating, “The prosecutors have truly failed here to meet their burden of proof. There are so many reasons to doubt.”
Parties will reconvene on Oct. 27 for a status hearing, where they’ll decide how to proceed.
Lawyers for the DC Public Defenders Service (PDS) told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 13 they still need more information about the jury selection process. They want to determine if 84 cases tried during Covid weren’t decided by racially balanced juries. If not, the defendants’ right to a trial by a jury of their peers may have been violated.
The litigation pits the PDS against the DC Superior Court, which empanels the juries, and the US Attorney’s Office which tries the cases. If their argument succeeds it could open the door to retrying dozens of felony cases that might be invalidated on constitutional grounds.
Jason Tulley, the lead Public Defender, filed a motion in 2022, “to grant discovery of information relating to the selection of jurors during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that…jurors have been selected from a fair cross-section of the D.C. community.” Specifically, were there enough black people in proportion to the DC population?
Since then Judge Demeo issued an order allowing the PDS Office to receive the Superior Court’s master list but with personal identifiable information redacted to protect the confidentiality of those named.
However, Tulley is asking for more, especially data related to the ages of those on the list as well as information about why a 2022 list hasn’t been updated.
“Much of this is unwarranted and unnecessary,” said Richard Sobiecki, representing the DC Superior Court. He noted that PDS had already made 15 requests for voting records.
“There’s a giant discrepancy in the lists,” said Tulley.
The lead US Attorney sided with Sobiecki and the DC courts saying the litigation has “gone on for years. This process needs to reach an end.”
“The wheels of justice haven’t ground to a halt,” said Tulley in justifying his requests for additional material.
Sobiecki said PDS is not entitled to a “100 percent understanding of the process (jury selection.)” “They have everything they need.”
Judge Demeo wanted to know if the additional information was related to racial issues or simply a fault in the system. “Did that have a racial impact,” and if so what was it? She also said it appeared the case is not just about what happened during the pandemic but whether jury panels generally have sufficient black representation.
If the information would advance discovery, she said it’s worth pursuing, also indicating she’d like to wrap up that process by the end of the year.
Sobiecki has 30 days to respond to the new information requests. Meanwhile, the parties in the case are expected to introduce expert testimony which could push the proceedings well into 2024.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 15.
On Oct.13, a defendant waived his right to independently test evidence for DNA recovered from a homicide case.
Christian Johnson, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed – an offense committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 25-year-old Lavonte McCould on Nov. 25 2021, on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.
According to witnesses, McCloud and Johnson had a tense relationship in addition to a child with the same woman. Johnson is currently on release because the prosecution failed to file an indictment within the nine-month deadline.
The prosecution chose to have no DNA testing conducted.
Defense counsel, Dominique Winters, informed the court that Johnson waives his right to independent DNA testing. Parties are expected back to court before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Jan. 12, 2024.
On Oct. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied a homicide defendant’s motion for release.
Morris Jones, 39, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and destruction of property of $1000 or more while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Tiffany Wiggins, on April 17, 2022 at the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.
Prosecutors called the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) lead detective on the case. The officer was questioned regarding surveillance footage that allegedly captured the vehicle used in the incident, in addition to a cellular device thought to be used by Jones at the time of the crime.
The detective stated a Facebook account in the cellular device was allegedly linked to Jones’s name. According to the detective, a witness claimed that Jones did use the device. When asked about the surveillance footage, the detective stated that one of the individuals presented in the footage was Jones, saying he had the same complexion and features.
During cross examination, Jones’s defense attorney, Prescott Loveland, argued that there was inconsistent information provided, stating that there was “no DNA, [and] no fingerprints in this case”. Loveland questioned the evidence’s credibility, stating that the surveillance footage was unreliable due to its nature of being “blurry”.
However, Judge Okun found probable cause, stating that the evidence does show the defendant at the scene of crime. Judge Okun stated that the case against Jones is stronger than it was at his preliminary hearing based on the recent evidence provided.
Judge Okun denied the release motion.
Parties are expected back on Dec. 1.
On Oct. 13th, defendant Jacobi Williams asserted his right to independently test evidence found at a crime scene for DNA in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Williams, 35, is charged with first-degree murder, armed carjacking, assault with intent to kill, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence all while on release in connection with the alleged shooting of Phillip Roache, 38, that took place on Sept. 17, 2022, on the 7000 block of 5th Street NW.
According to court documents, after officers arrived at the scene they discovered two victims, one with a wound to the midsection of his body, who survived, and Roache, who sustained 10 gunshot wounds.
Wole Falodun, Williams’ defense attorney, alerted the court they plan on getting evidence tested through a lab of their choice.
The prosecution requested parties return to court early next year due to the lengthy time frame of DNA testing. Defense was in agreement.
Parties are expected back Jan. 19 for a status hearing.
On Oct. 13, defense attorneys for Stephon Shields alerted the court they were planning to contest the results of a competency test by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
Shields, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 58-year-old James Samuels. The incident occurred on June 2 on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE.
According to court documents, Shields went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment building demanding to know, “Who the f**k in your house?”. Then Shields allegedly confronted his ex-girlfriend’s fiance in his apartment and the two got into a struggle. In the heat of the argument, Shields reportedly shot Samuels many times. Police counted 22 wounds in Samuels’ body including one in his penis.
On Oct. 12, following a request from Shields’ attorney, Sylvia Smith, for a mental competency exam, DBH shared a forensic inpatient services report.
According to DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, the doctor at DBH that evaluated Shields found him competent to withstand trial.
Smith stated she had concerns about the report, arguing that, although they concluded he is competent, he clearly stated he didn’t understand the trial process, the role of the attorneys, witnesses, and judge, all of which, Smith argued, are “strikingly concerning”.
She also argued it is concerning they found him competent when he has discussed having auditory and visual hallucinations.
Smith alerted Judge Brandt they are planning to contest the report and requested additional time to find an expert that can evaluate Shields.
Smith also requested Shields continue in detention at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to ensure that he remains stable and receives the medical treatment he would not get at the DC Jail.
Prosecutors deferred to the report, arguing that the doctor’s found him competent and it is not necessary to continue holding him at St. Elizabeth’s. They argued he should be sent back to the Department of Corrections (DoC) and if they deem it necessary for him to be held in the medical unit, that’s what they can do.
“This is very interesting,” said Judge Brandt, making an observation that this is one of many different mental evaluation reports that have mixed conclusions.
Judge Brandt stated she would continue to hold Shields at St. Elizabeth’s until the defense’s expert is able to interview him, but that if St. Elizabeth’s argues he needs to be removed because he was found competent, they’ll “need to have a tough conversation” about his confinement location.
Smith stated Shields had written a letter to the court, which she did not immediately have available, requesting he be released under home confinement. According to Smith, in the letter, Shields stated he is willing to comply with any conditions of release, and will request to read the letter in person at the next hearing.
Judge Brandt told Smith to file a motion for bond review with the letter to allow the prosecutors to file a response. They will be discussed at the next hearing.
Parties are expected back Nov. 17.
On Oct. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted a homicide defendant’s motion to compel prosecutors to share names and contact information for witnesses.
Duron Hudson, 22, is charged with second-degree murder while armed – offenses committed during release, and robbery offenses committed during release, for his alleged involvement in the death of Nahzil Zaid Abdul Rahim on Nov. 29, 2019, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW.
On Sept. 20, Varsha Govindaraju and Mani Golzari, Hudson’s defense attorneys, filed a motion to compel production of witness names and contact information, arguing that the prosecutors have not disclosed any contact information or names for witnesses that were present during the incident in 2019, for which Hudson was not charged with until 2023, almost four years later.
Govindaraju and Golzari argued they are unable to thoroughly investigate the case if they don’t have witness names and contact information they need to represent Hudson fairly.
Prosecutors opposed the motion without publicly explaining why.
Judge Brandt argued that the defense is “starting off at a huge disadvantage” in this case because the incident occurred almost four years ago. She stated that “names are needed to be turned over for fundamental fairness,” arguing that the witnesses would not be endangered if their information is shared with the defense due to a protective order that requires the defense attorneys withhold the witnesses’ identifying information from Hudson.
Judge Brandt ordered prosecutors to disclose the names and contact information to the defense by the end of the business day on Oct. 13.
Parties are expected back for a detention hearing on Dec. 20.
On Oct. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced Jalen Browne to 67-and-a -half years incarceration in connection to a homicide.
On July 21, following a jury trial, Browne, 22, was convicted of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jovan Hill Jr and 19-year-old Tariq Riley on July 25, 2021, at the 100 block of Q Street, NW.
According to court documents, Hill and Riley sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Surveillance footage captured Browne hiding behind a bush for a shortly before the shooting occurred and as he was fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The motive, according to the prosecution, was retaliation for an attempted robbery of Browne’s car.
The prosecution requested a 120 year sentence, stating that the “level of sophistication in [his] crime” did not favor minimum sentencing under the guidelines. The prosecutor said there was an “absence of remorse”, based on the level of premeditation. According to court documents, Browne disguised himself using camouflage and brought a backpack to the scene.
The prosecution said Browne couldn’t claim he came from a disadvantaged background, because ,”He had all the positive things”. Further that Browne came from a good family, went to college, had a job, and was involved in the community.
Nor could he could not claim mental illness.
Hill and Riley’s family members appeared before the court to deliver victim statements.
Both expressed their grief and anger. Riley’s mother explained how “ [She] had to live with [her] child being dead”, urging the court “to impose the most severe sentencing.” She explained how Browne’s “cowardly” actions continue to “ripple” throughout her entire family. Riley was described as “adored by many”.
Hill’s mother said there are no words to describe the way she is feeling. “These past 810 days have been a roller coaster of emotion… you took my baby away from me..you took my son away because of your pride,” she directed towards the defendant.
Douglas Wood, Browne’s defense attorney, said the suggested sentence, was “over the top” and “inappropriate”. He described Browne as a “mature young man,” adding that he “comes from a very good family, overcame learning disability…always worked… well loved in this community”. Wood urged Judge Okun to take these factors into consideration, asking for a “reasonable and merciful sentence”.
“I can only pray that you can show mercy on me today,” said Browne as he addressed the court.
The court addressed the “seriousness of [the] crime” saying that it “cannot be overstated”.
Judge Okun sentenced Browne to 810 months of incarceration followed by a 5 year supervised release.
Browne is also required to register as a gun offender and pay a fine of 100 dollars to the Victim of Violent Crimes Fund.
On Oct. 13, a homicide defendant was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Juvan Alston, 21, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license alongside his 20-year-old brother, Davon Alston, for their alleged involvement in the death of 17-year-old Dennis Simms. Simms was shot and killed on the 800 block of Yuma Street, SE on July 1, 2022. Davon Alston is charged with first-degree murder and awaits indictment.
Stephen Logerfo, Juvan’s defense attorney, alerted the court he was pleading not guilty and asserted his constitutional rights.
Alston’s brother and co-defendant, Davon, was also present in court for a felony status conference.
A trial date was set for April 2025.
Parties are expected back Dec. 1 for a status hearing.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that killed a man on Oct. 12 on I-295 South at exit 1C.
According to MPD documents, in the early hours of the morning, a 2021 Harley Davidson Trike was traveling southbound on I-295, and attempted to take the 1C exit towards Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and 11th Street, SE. While on the ramp, the motorcycle struck the guard rail, ejecting the man over the rail.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as 59-year-old Don Antonio Coleman.
On Oct. 13, a homicide defendant entered into an Alford plea meaning he maintains innocence, but acknowledges the government has enough evidence to convict him.
Roger Hamilton, 38, was indicted on second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug, and reckless driving, for his involvement in a fatal car accident that occurred on March 3, 2018, at the 3200 block of Wheeler Road, SE. He was allegedly traveling at a speed of 68.6 miles per hour when he collided with Vincent Childs, 42, resulting in Childs’ death.
Witnesses on the scene stated that Hamilton’s breath smelled as though he had been drinking. Hamilton later agreed to a breath sample, which came back over the legal limit for operating a vehicle.
His decision to enter an Alford plea agreement before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. means the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees there is enough evidence for a conviction. The defendant will still be sentenced as if he pleaded guilty but to reduced charges.
The agreement, offered by prosecutors, required Hamilton to plead guilty to negligent homicide, in exchange for a dismissal of all other counts.He faces a minimum of one year in prison and three years supervised release and be required to make a payment to the Crime Victims Compensation fund (CVCF).
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 4.
