Stabbing Defendant in Plea Negotiations Won’t Appear in Court

A defendant accused of stabbing a fellow inmate in jail did not show up for his felony status conference on Jan. 21 before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Michael Sanders, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of another inmate at the DC Jail. The incident occurred on April 1, 2025 on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.

At the hearing, when Judge Pipe inquired as to whether Sanders was absent due to illness, Daniel Kovler said yes, but a marshal interrupted, saying that Sanders simply refused to come.

Kovler alerted Judge Pipe that parties are in plea negotiations, and hope to have a resolution soon.

Judge Pipe encouraged Kovler to visit Sanders in jail and explain to him the importance of appearing at the next status conference.

The next status conference has been scheduled for Jan. 28.

Victim Claims Suspect Says,’I’ll Cook You,’ in Jail Stabbing Melee

Two defendants accused of stabbing a fellow in a petty dispute at the DC Jail waived their rights to preliminary hearings on Jan. 20, before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.

Rahgee Jordan, 35, and Antonio Kingsbury, 38, are charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing another inmate at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Oct. 29, 2025.

During the hearing, Brandon Burrell, Kingsbury’s attorney, and Steven Polin, Jordan’s attorney, alerted the judge of their intent to waive a preliminary hearing.

Judge Hildum affirmed that the defendants understood they were forfeiting their opportunity to dispute the prosecution’s evidence for probable cause.

Both defendants will remain incarcerated before the next hearing and while they are tried for other crimes. Kingsbury is being held on a pending federal case, according to Burrell. Jordan will be tried on Jan. 28 for felony possession of a firearm, according to court documents and Polin.

According to prosecutors, Jordan allegedly stabbed the victim with a sharp silver object, described by the victim as a shank, after he asked Jordan for sugar in the jail’s recreation room.

“I ain’t giving you no sugar….I’ll cook you,” the victim claimed Jordan said, according to court documents.

Parties are slated to reconvene before DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel on Feb. 19.

Document: Suspect Sought in Georgia Avenue Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in locating a suspect involved in a shooting on Nov. 29 on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. The incident occurred when the victim, who survived, was shot while attempting to remove the suspect from their vehicle. The suspect fled on foot, and the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Surveillance footage of the suspect is available.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Northeast Burglary and Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 33-year-old Tavonte Graham, of Southeast, D.C., in connection with an armed burglary that occurred on Dec. 22 in the 4100 block of Ames Street, NE. Graham allegedly posed as a delivery worker, attacked the victim with pepper spray and a knife, and attempted to steal the victim’s shoes. The victim was hospitalized for their injuries. Graham has been charged with Burglary One While Armed (Knife).

Document: MPD Provides Update on Vehicular Assault and Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an update on a vehicular assault and officer-involved shooting that occurred on Jan. 18 in Northeast Washington, D.C. The incident began when 28-year-old Christopher Cherry, who allegedly threatened nightclub security, returned in a vehicle and drove toward officers and pedestrians. Officers discharged their weapons when Cherry drove in reverse toward an officer. Cherry, who was later apprehended with gunshot wounds, faces multiple charges, including Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Assault on a Police Officer. The investigation is ongoing, and involved officers are on administrative leave.

Prosecutors Accuse Defendant of Revenge Killing

Prosecutors in a homicide trial told a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz’s courtroom on Jan. 21 that eight rounds fired in apparent retaliation were “the shots that killed Paris Odemns.”

Malik Seltzer, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Odemns on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept. 15, 2021.

Before closing arguments, prosecutors called on the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Odemns who said there were five gunshot wounds on Odemns’ back, two of which were fatal, and one on his hand. The manner of death was a ruled homicide.

In their closing arguments, prosecutors highlighted surveillance footage, which they claim depicts Seltzer with Odemns leading up to the murder and running away from the scene.

After playing the audio of the gunshots picked up by ShotSpotter, the prosecution said, “Those were the shots that killed Paris Odemns.”

The prosecutor restated earlier testimony by an eyewitness who said they heard Seltzer say “this is the one that stabbed [Seltzer’s friend]” and “I’m gonna bag him,” in relation to Odemns. The eyewitness “heard Seltzer say what he was going to do and what he did.” The prosecutor said that Seltzer “had this plan in his head.”

Finally, to refute the argument that nobody saw Seltzer shoot, the attorney stated “that is not true.” The attorney reminded the jury of earlier testimony by another eyewitness who lived across the street from the scene of the crime who reported hearing gunshots and seeing muzzle flashes followed by a figure running North on First street, who was alleged to be Seltzer.

Kevann Gardner, one of the attorneys representing Seltzer, highlighted many holes he found in the prosecution’s case, stating “there’s a whole lot of evidence we didn’t hear.” According to Gardner, prosecutors failed to call witnesses who could have shed light on what happened.

Gardner called into question the credibility of a prosecutor witness claiming the witness had every reason to lie to “prevent him from going away to prison for years.”

Gardner also argued that the prosecution was “hiding witnesses”– most importantly the lead detective on the case wasn’t called to testify.

Due to time constraints, Gardner was unable to conclude his closing arguments.

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 22.

D.C. Witness Investigation Shows Surge Blunts Major Crime While Misdemeanor Arrests Spike

The federal law enforcement surge in response to President Trump’s declaration of a DC “crime emergency.” has been underway for nearly five months. The numbers show that overall arrests went up, violent crime went down significantly and, in particular, the number of those charged with certain minor crimes increased dramatically.

D.C. Witness was able to get the most accurate list of those actually booked for an offense and facing an initial hearing with an assigned lawyer through the daily lock up lists of all those detained. From Aug. 12 to Oct. 6, D.C. Witness tallied 2,595 arrests for 25 different charges ranging from felonies to misdemeanors.

The investigation revealed that there were 58 percent more arrests in September 2025, during a 12-day period of the surge, compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), which also collected data on the surge’s first month, overall arrests were up 31 percent to 2,771 between Aug. 7 and Sept. 10.

The agency says major crimes like homicide were down 53 percent, and carjackings down 75 percent from the commensurate period in 2024.

Meanwhile, non-felony charges such as carrying an open container of alcohol went up 500 percent and marijuana-related cases were up 55 percent versus 2024. While possessing up to two ounces of marijuana in DC is legal, it’s still a federal crime.

Assaults on police, ranging from felonies to misdemeanors, increased 70 percent during the crackdown compared to August and September 2024.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman confirmed a non-fatal shooting defendant would reject a plea deal in a status hearing Jan. 16.

Demetry Ferguson, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of ammunition, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on Sept. 8, 2024 on the 4400th block of E Street SE.

The prosecution offered Ferguson a plea deal on Nov. 21, 2025 stipulating that remaining charges would be dropped if Ferguson pled guilty to the aggravated assault while armed charge.

Judge Edelman reconvened with the defendant and defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, on Jan. 16. Judge Edelman advised the defendant that once the plea was denied he may not decide later on to accept the offer.

Ferguson is currently on release after release from jail on Oct. 10, 2024. The terms of his release include home confinement, a curfew, newly changed to 12 a. m.-to-6 a. m. by Judge Edelman and a stay-away-order filed by the prosecution.

Parties are set to reconvene March 20.

Document: MPD Investigating New York Avenue Officer-Involved Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into an officer-involved shooting on Jan. 18 on the 1800 block of New York Ave, NE. The incident began when a suspect, involved in a dispute at a nightclub, threatened security and later returned, driving toward officers and pedestrians. After officers fired at the suspect, who fled and crashed, the suspect was arrested for Felony Assault on a Police Officer and is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing, with involved officers on administrative leave.

‘I Wanted Him to See How it Felt to be Held at Gunpoint,’ Homicide Defendant Says, Sentenced to 21 Years

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a defendant to 252 months in prison on Jan.16, for shooting his childhood friend eight times in front of the victim’s home

Darrell Hinkle, 37, pled guilty on Sept. 4, 2025, to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the killing of Dajuan Blakney, 32. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE, on April 21, 2023.

According to court documents, Blakney and Hinkle had grown up together, but had been feuding before the shooting.

Through the plea agreement, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 17-to-21 years of imprisonment.

The prosecutors read statements from Blakney’s family. Many requested that he face the maximum sentence.

“Our family is serving a life-sentence of grief,” Blakney’s sister-in-law wrote in a statement. “Holidays, birthdays, and gatherings are now reminders of what was stolen from us.”

Blakney was killed two days before his mother’s birthday. According to the family statements, he had given her money for a trip to California as a gift. “Before leaving, I went to see my son so I could hug him and kiss him,” she wrote in her statement.

“I am heartbroken not only because my son is gone, but because of who caused this pain,” Blakney’s mother added. “Someone I considered a nephew, a family-friend.”

Prosecution argued for the maximum sentence, citing that Hinkle had previously been convicted for shooting a man in the foot, but was given less than the maximum sentence since his commitment to family and employed status made him a candidate for rehabilitation.

“He had a lot of things going for him, but none of that mattered,” the prosecutor said. “When Darrell Hinkle gets angry, he resorts to violence.”

Defense attorney Lucas Dansie requested the minimum sentence because Hinkle demonstrated remorse and did not arrive at Blakney’s home with the intention to kill him. While Hinkle did arrive armed, Dansie argued that the two had grown up in an area where firearms were common. He said Blakney’s associates did not flee when he arrived with the gun because they were not afraid of him.

In a statement to the court, Hinkle said he did not intend to kill Blakney. Rather, he was responding to a prior argument in which Blakney held a gun to him.

“I wanted him to see how it felt to be held at gunpoint,” Hinkle said.

“I know there’s no words to express the pain that I put y’all through,” Hinkle told Blakney’s family, adding “I had love for Dajuan.”

Dansie said Hinkle was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting.

“It was the brutal murder of a totally defenseless person who was sitting on the stoop of their house,” Judge Park said.

Judge Park acknowledged Hinkle’s expression of remorse, but sentenced Hinkle to 21 years based on his failure to reform and the impact on the victim’s family. After release, Hinkle will serve five years under supervised release and will have to register as a gun offender.

Document: MPD Seeking Suspect in Jay Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a homicide that occurred on Dec. 27 in the alley adjacent to the 4400 block of Jay Street, NE. The victim, identified as 49-year-old Junior Almozard of Northeast, D.C., was found with gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Surveillance footage of the suspect is available, and the MPD is urging anyone with information to come forward.

Judge Finds Probable Cause For Murder Despite ‘Loose Ends,’ Denies Defendant’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause and denied the release of a homicide defendant in a Jan. 20 preliminary hearing.

Alvin Young Jr., 48, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the March 19, 2022 shooting death of 28-year-old Mark Cobrand Jr.. Cobrand was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a van parked on the 4200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

The prosecution called the lead detective in the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who testified that DNA evidence recovered from three out of eight shell casings discovered at the crime scene is very likely linked to Young.

Judge Edelman later pointed to this DNA evidence as “easily enough” reaching the standard for probable cause that Young Jr, committed the crime when making his ruling.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey questioned the detective about multiple witnesses and suspects mentioned in court documents. During the hearing, Harvey also submitted multiple video clips for evidence.

“I did not kill Bolo,” Young said in a police recording after his arrest. ‘Bolo’ was Cobrand’s nickname.

Court documents claim that Young considered the victim a “close friend,” despite their relationship being characterized as tumultuous and often engaged in arguments. The prosecution also stated that Cobrand had engaged in a sexual relationship with Young’s ex-girlfriend.

Prior to the hearing, Harvey submitted a motion to compel under the Brady rule requiring the prosecution to provide potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. She requested seven pieces but agreed to proceed with the hearing before this ruling.

The prosecution stated that the defense was “not entitled” to some of the requested evidence.

Judge Edelman questioned the prosecution on its denial of select evidence under the Brady rule.

“How are you saying none of this is Brady information?” Judge Edelman asked.

Harvey said that Young’s being held would be a “great injustice,” proposing that Young should be released on 24-hour home confinement instead. Harvey said that the case is not one “the government is likely to win.”

The prosecution argued instead that Young’s criminal record portrayed “extremely violent” behavior and that he would be a “danger to the community” and witnesses if released. Judge Edelman ultimately ruled that Young would be held under no conditions or combinations for release that could assure the safety of the community.

Judge Edelman expressed concern for some evidence used by the prosecution, referring to a video of black SUV and the filing of missing vehicle tags as “circumstantial evidence” at best. The prosecution plans to use both to tie Young to a vehicle in the area at the time of the shooting.

“I agree that there are a lot of loose ends in this case,” Judge Edelman added.

Judge Edelman gave the prosecution a deadline of Jan. 23 to respond to the defense’s motion to compel.

Parties will reconvene Jan. 29 for a motion hearing.

Judge Orders Detailed Mental Competency Assessment For Murder Suspect

DC Superior Court Neal Kravitz ordered Leon Bryant to undergo a more intensive mental competency assessment during a hearing on Jan. 16.

Bryant, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Jonathan Simmons-Miller. The incident occurred on July 30, 2025 on the 700 block of V Street, NW.

Bryant is currently held at Saint Elizabeths Hospital receiving treatment. Parties received a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) on Jan. 13, which stated they needed additional time to further evaluate Bryant’s mental status.

Judge Kravitz agreed to give DBH additional time.

Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 13.

Eyewitness Recounts Hearing Fatal Shots in Homicide Trial

An eyewitness testified about hearing gunshots and watching a suspect flee the scene during a murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Jan. 13.

Malik Seltzer, 30, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Paris Odemns on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept. 15, 2021. Odemns suffered from five gunshot wounds to his back and one to his wrist.

On the second day of Seltzer’s jury trial, prosecutors called upon an eyewitness who lived across the street from the scene of the murder. The witness testified that he heard multiple gunshots and saw flashes of light from inside his home. He said after the gunfire, he saw a “slender” individual running northbound on 1st Street, another person lying on the ground, and then a rapid police response.

Apart from the individual running and the person on the ground, the witness did not recall anyone else outside after the gunfire. The prosecutors confirmed the witness did not hear gunshots at any other point that night.

The eyewitness told Seltzer’s attorney, Bernadette Armand, during cross-examination that the person running wore dark clothing.

A homicide detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who collected video evidence related to the case described footage played by prosecutors. The detective identified the victim and a suspect prosecutors claim is Seltzer walking together at the intersection of 1st and Atlantic Streets, SE. The detective said the suspect wore a black shirt, shorts, and a colorful hat.

At 12:57 a. m., the detective said the victim and suspect walked off-camera, and about a minute later, the suspect ran back into the screen and away from the scene. The prosecutors asked the detective if the suspect had anything in his hands as he ran away. The detective said the suspect appeared to be holding a firearm and Armand objected to his statement.

After further questions from the prosecutor, the detective said the suspect had a hat in his right hand and his left hand was clutched around his pocket. Armand objected again, parties had a lengthy confidential discussion off-mic, and then prosecutors confirmed that the detective did not see a firearm in the suspect’s hands. Time constraints prevented the detective from finishing his testimony.

The prosecution also called upon ten forensic DNA technologists from Bode Technology, each responsible for different steps of the physical DNA testing, followed by a DNA analysis expert who interpreted the results. The expert said she analyzed DNA samples from six cartridge casings and compared them to known DNA samples from Seltzer and Odemns.

Among the six casings, the expert determined that only two were suitable for comparison. For one casing, the expert found limited support for excluding Seltzer and Odemns as contributors. The expert’s results for the other casing fully excluded Seltzer and strongly supported excluding Odemns.

Seltzer’s other attorney, Kevann Gardner, confirmed during cross-examination that the expert found no support for including Seltzer as a contributor of DNA on the casings.

The prosecution confirmed with the expert that DNA is not always recovered when an individual touches an object, and that heat can degrade DNA, reducing its quality. They also clarified that it is possible Seltzer touched the casings, and that various factors could have influenced the deposition and recovery of DNA, potentially affecting the results.

Gardner also noted that after the DNA results, the expert never received other DNA samples to compare to the casings. The expert confirmed she would have tested any samples the lab received.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Jan. 14.

Document: Arrest Made in a 2023 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 41-year-old Aubrey Canarte, who has been charged with First-Degree Murder While Armed in connection to a 2023 homicide. The incident occurred on Sept. 1, 2023, when 43-year-old Richard Ruffin, III, was found deceased from a shooting on the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW. Canarte was charged while already in custody at the DC Jail.

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