Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Arraignment

On Nov. 27, homicide defendant Isaiah Trotman was arraigned before DC Superior Court Maribeth Raffinan and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Trotman, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances and 13 assaults with a dangerous weapon, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in shooting incidents that occurred on Feb. 1 at the intersection of 38th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE, inside the Potomac Avenue Metro Station.

The shootings killed 64-year-old Robert Cunningham, and left three other individuals suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

According to court documents, the defendant allegedly fired multiple shots on a Metro bus on the M6 route. Trotman then went towards the Potomac Avenue Metro station where he shot and kidnapped the second victim forcing them down to the platform of the Metro station. On the platform, he allegedly shot two more people and killing 64-year-old Robert Cunningham.

Trotman’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, alerted the court that Trotman was pleading not guilty to all charges. Yarbough asserted Trotman’s Constitutional rights and is “requesting a speedy trial.”

Yarbough requested Trotman be put in home confinement so he can receive therapeutic services, arguing the jail lacks adequate resources. According to the defense, Trotman is “100 percent compliant with his treatment at the DC jail.” In addition he has “no doubt Trotman would not leave his home.”

According to Yarbough, Trotman’s mental health problem had adversely affected his behavior and that he was not in the right state during the incident, due to “bizarre statements” Trotman was making, “not based in reality.”

The defense claimed it is clear Troutman has mental health issues, because only cannabinoids (marijuana) were found in drug testing. Thus, Trotman was not in any altered state from using drugs on Feb. 1. According to Yarbough, the drug testing shows this is “not a drug use situation at all, it’s his mental health.”

The prosecution requested to keep Trotman at the DC jail. She cautioned against home confinement because he was on release for an unrelated matter in another jurisdiction when the incident occurred. She added on saying he was “terrorizing individuals.” When arguing against home confinement, the prosecutor said “we cannot hope and pray nothing happens. That’s a risk that is just too great.”

The prosecutor believes Trotman should stay at the DC jail for his own mental health, because it is being managed there with proper treatment.

Judge Raffinan decided there was clear and convincing evidence to hold Trotman in the DC jail. She said “I don’t believe the release plan rebuts the presumption of danger.”

A status hearing will occur on Dec. 13.

Judge Modifies Release Conditions for Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

On Nov. 27, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun partially granted the defense’s motion to modify release conditions for a non-fatal shooting defendant.

Jonathan Young, 33, and Daquawn Lubin, 28, are charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 24, on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE. The incident left two individuals suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

Young was arraigned on one new charge with his initial charge of assault with a dangerous weapon modified to an assault with intent to kill charge.

Without explanation, Young also retained new counsel, Cheryl Stein.

Lubin is currently on release, but his defense attorney, Candance Mitchell, filed a motion to modify his conditions as this is essential for Lubin to continue his work commitments since his schedule changes.

Additionally, Lubin will be retaining sole custody of his child for the next four weeks and is requesting to take his child to and from child-care. Lubin also explained that he has medical appointments he’s currently unable to keep.

Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) stated that Lubin is in full compliance with his current release conditions. They also explained that Lubin is allowed to attend medical appointments and last minute work shifts, as long as he notifies PSA of his whereabouts.

The prosecution responded by stating they “strenuously object” to any modification of release conditions and his current release status is unusual considering the charges he has against him.

Judge Okun stated that he recognizes that Lubin has been in full compliance for three months but he was on probation when he was arrested in relation to this offense.

Okun stated that he is partially granting the motion in to allow Lubin to attend medical appointments and for the next four weeks he can take his child to and from child care. However, he will remain on home confinement.

Parties are set to return Feb. 9 for a status hearing.

Judge Issues Extraditable Bench Warrant for Homicide Defendant

On Nov. 21, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan issued an extraditable bench warrant after learning of a homicide defendant’s arrest in another jurisdiction on Nov. 16.

Gerald Thomas, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted kidnapping while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and seven counts of possession of a firearm, for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that resulted in the death of Dasha Cleary, 20, on Jan. 27, 2022, on the 4400 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The incident left four others injured.

According to court documents, five women and six men attended a party at a Days Inn hotel at the location. Thomas’ then-girlfriend had organized the party for one of the witnesses, when Thomas allegedly arrived and fired multiple rounds into the room, striking his girlfriend, three other individuals, and killing Cleary.

During the hearing, Judge Raffinan said she received a report from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) stating that Thomas was arrested in November in Prince George’s County, Maryland in a separate matter that is unrelated to the homicide case.

According to prosecutors, Thomas is alleged to have shot into multiple homes in Prince George’s County, MD, with one of the homes believed to have been occupied by a four-month-old child.

Judge Raffinan also said in addition to Thomas’ recent arrest, he is facing three additional cases in Prince George’s County in connection to two separate incidents. No further details were provided.

Aubrey Dillon, Thomas’ defense attorney, told Judge Raffinan that Thomas’ drug and gun offenses from Prince George’s County were previously dropped.

Prosecutors, in response to the alleged shooting at the houses, asked Judge Raffinan to consider ordering a bench warrant to extradite Thomas from Prince George’s County and have him detained in DC.

Judge Raffinan, in granting the prosecution’s request to issue an extraditable bench warrant for Thomas, said his arrest in another jurisdiction is the primary reason for issuing the warrant.

Judge Rafinnan stated that once Thomas is extradited to DC, they will have a hearing.

Prosecution Witnesses Testify in 2018 Homicide Case

During a jury trial on Nov. 27, the prosecution introduced expert witnesses to testify about a homicide.

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 connection to the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch on April 30, 2018 at the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

Jordan is being retried after a jury was unable to agree on the murder charge but convicted him on the lesser counts in April of 2022.

The prosecution called a K-9 handler. who did not locate a suspect, but did find the victim’s cell phone in the middle of a sidewalk. The prosecution called a digital evidence analyst, who identified a device’s as Lynch’s iPhone.

Meanwhile, some of the body-worn footage from the officers investigating the scene had garbled audio, so only the video was ruled admissible.

Defense attorney Camille Wagner made the point that according to body-worn footage one of the officer’s “mood was light.” He said that was because he didn’t know the severity of the crime at that point.

Later in the footage, officers handcuffed an individual who was “not in a normal state” and “very irate.” It was determined that individual was not a suspect and he was scheduled to testify on Monday but missed his flight. Prosecutors hope to get him on the stand later.

The final witness was an investigator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He explained the video compilation he put together shows the surveillance footage in chronological order indicating the path the defendant took after leaving the 900 block of 5th street.

The parties will continue the jury trial on Nov 28.

Ex-Partner Testifies Against Defendant in 2018 Murder Trial

On Nov. 27, an ex-partner of a homicide defendant testified against him in a 2018 murder trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

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 connection to the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch on April 30, 2018 at the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

Jordan was previously tried on the charges in April of 2022 but the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

A witness who identified herself as Jordan’s ex-partner testified in court, stating she was present when the murder took place.

According to the witness, she was dealing with homelessness and was staying off and on with a friend around the time of the murder. The friend she was staying with was Lynch’s friend.

She also mentioned that she shared a romantic relationship with Jordan around the same time period.

According to the witness, Lynch picked her up along with Jordan and her two children, ages one and four, to take them to the friend’s apartment where she was planning on spending the night. During her testimony, she recalled that Jordan and Lynch were arguing in the car.

She said that, upon arriving at the apartment, Lynch was going to leave. As Lynch was about to head out, Jordan said he forgot something in the car and he and Lynch went outside for about 20 minutes.

According to the witness, when they came back, Jordan was noticeably angry. She said he began threatening her in front of her two children and the argument became physical. Jordan went towards the witness and then Lynch then tried to intervene; then Jordan began to fight him. She said Jordan was trying to fight while Lynch was trying to wrestle him down.

In her testimony, she mentioned she saw Jordan with a knife and saw him make stabbing motions at Lynch. She said Lynch fell to his knees and then backwards towards the fridge, Jordan looked at her and said, “B**ch, you could die too.”

According to the witness, she then fled the apartment with a pillow she was using to protect herself and hid under a car, where she fell asleep. She then went back to the apartment to get her children and was escorted by a security guard because there was a large police presence. Her children had been removed and she was taken to the police station.

The prosecution then showed video from the interview she had with a detective early the next morning. In the video she recounted the same events she described in court.

According to the witness, on the day after the murder, she went to Lynch’s family’s house and told them that Jordan was responsible for Lynch’s death.

A few weeks later she and Jordan began talking again. She said Jordan proposed marriage; he said it was so she couldn’t testify against him in court.

In cross examination, Jordan’s defense attorney, Camille Wagner, questioned the witness about car ride before the incident, and the witness said that everyone in the car had been drinking and they were going to keep the party going at the apartment.

Wagner also asked her about why she didn’t seek help when she left the apartment after the stabbing, noting a Marine Baracks across the street with armed guards.

The witness said when she was under the car she saw police were already helping.

Wagner asked whether the witness told the detective what they wanted to hear in order to see her children, to which she responded, “Yes.”

Wagner also inquired about the proposal, and the witness disclosed that she initially agreed to marry Jordan.

Due to time constraints, the witness was unable to finish her testimony and will continue on Nov. 28.

Document: Northeast Shooting Leaves Man Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 25 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE, for the report of a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers located a man being treated by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), who was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

During the investigation, it was determined the shooting occurred on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Daniel Lamont Adams.

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 committed in the District.

Document: MPD Internal Affairs Investigating US Park Police Officer-Involved Shooting

Agents from the Force Investigation Team of the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating a US Park Police officer-involved shooting that left an officer injured and a suspect dead on Nov. 22 on the 1100 block of M Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the U.S. Park Police officer and an individual exchanged gunfire at the location. Both the officer and the individual were shot and transported to local hospitals. The officer is listed in stable condition and is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds. The individual was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The individual was identified as 30-year-old Turell Delonte Campbell.

Campbell’s firearm was recovered on the scene. The shooting remains under investigation, and MPD requests that anyone with information about the case call the police.

Case Acquitted: Victim Testifies About Her Injuries in Non-Fatal Shooting Trial, ‘I Felt a Sting’

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On Nov. 20, the trial of non-fatal shooting defendant Saphire Johnson resumed in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.

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 shooting occurred outside of Johnson’s grandmother’s church funeral after a dispute between family members. Two people, including Johnson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The prosecution continued to question an individual who described her relationship with Johnson as “like a cousin”. They began by questioning her about the moments leading up to the shooting, when Johnson was allegedly attacked by three men. The witness is the mother of one of the men.

According to court documents, during the confrontation, Johnson allegedly saw two of the men reaching for a gun. Upon seeing this, she fired at the men and accidentally struck a bystander in the face.

The witness claimed she saw Johnson shoot at her son after the confrontation without striking him. However, the defense claims she was not aiming at the son, but her attackers. She also testified that the only person she saw with a gun was Johnson, but was unsure if her son or husband was carrying a weapon.

“It was just so much. It was just so much going on. It was so much, that’s all I can say,” the witness said when asked to describe the scene during the shooting.

During cross examination, the witness said she had tried to intervene in a dispute that occurred before the shooting. Allegedly, one of the men had been threatening to slap their minor child when Johnson interrupted. Then another man allegedly punched her in the back of the head, and she began to run away. The witness could no longer see what was happening at that point.

Defense attorneys Varsha Govindaraju and Christen Phillips claim that Johnson only fired the gun when she was chased by a man appearing to reach for a gun.

The next witness was the victim who had been unintentionally shot, according to Johnson. The witness is the girlfriend of one of the individuals allegedly involved in an altercation with Johnson prior to the shooting.

According to the witness, she heard the beginning of the confrontation in the parking lot but nothing else until she was shot.

“I felt a sting. I felt a lot–it felt like water. Like a faucet. I fell to the ground,” the witness said, describing the moment she was shot. When she looked up she saw Johnson holding her arms out as if she was holding a gun. Since the incident, the witness has not been able to return to her job as a 911 dispatcher, citing injuries to her jaw.

The witness claims she did not hear her boyfriend or Johnson make any threats. She also said that she did not see him reach for a gun like Johnson claims.

The trial will resume in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Nov. 21.

Document: Suspect Sought in a Shooting in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 9 on the 300 block of Delafield Place, NW.

According to MPD documents, the suspect and vehicle became involved in an altercation. The suspect then shot the victim, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect’s image is attached.

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

Juvenile in Deadly Carjacking Conditionally Released

On Nov. 20, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld released a juvenile suspect to stay at home based on recommendations from officials at a psychiatric hospital where the boy has been detained.

The juvenile is charged in connection to a carjacking that ended in the death of 13-year-old Vernard Toney Jr., on Oct. 28, on the 600 block of D Street, NW.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) press release, the two juveniles were allegedly attempting to carjack an off-duty security officer. The officer was carrying a legally owned firearm, and shot Toney Jr. The defendant is alleged to have fled the scene.

During a Nov. 8 hearing, following a mental evaluation, the defendant was ordered to be detained at a psychiatric facility for 21 days, in custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), to undergo therapy and mental tests.

On Nov. 20, a representative from the psychiatric facility told Judge Hertzfeld the juvenile is “doing well”, has not behaved aggressively, and is taking his medications. However, he is having nightmares and difficulty sleeping.

Still, the facility recommended he be sent home with continued therapy and medications.

The juvenile’s defense attorney requested he be sent home to his mother under 24-hour curfew and GPS monitoring and continue going to school.

According to the defense attorney, his mother is committed to ensuring the juvenile continues in compliance with court requirements, and his school is ready to have him back on campus.

Even so, a representative from Social Services said the boy should be detained under DYRS’ custody once the 21-day psychiatric assessment is done.

Prosecutors stated they do not object to releasing him to his home, stating it would be better than a shelter.

Judge Hertzfeld decided to conditionally release the defendant, under a 24-hour curfew with GPS monitoring, along with continued therapy and medications.

According to Judge Hertzfeld, the 24-hour curfew means the juvenile can “go to school, appointments, and home,” and may only be in other places if he’s with his mother. He’s also required to stay out of cars without his mother or the permission of the owner of the vehicle.

Parties will reconvene Nov. 28.

Judge Deems Homicide Defendant Competent

On Nov. 21, following an evaluation and report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt deemed a homicide defendant competent to proceed with his case.

Terry Thompson, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Christopher Callahan on May 15 on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW.

On Oct. 31, a DBH doctor authored a report which found that, following evaluations for Thompson, he was found competent.

Pierce Suen, Thompson’s defense attorney, alerted Judge Brandt they are not planning to contest the findings, and are prepared to set new dates in the matter.

Although Thompson is competent, Suen requested he continue to be detained at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, arguing they should prioritize his continued competency as the matter proceeds.

Judge Brandt agreed, and ordered Thompson continue to be held at St. Elizabeth’s.

Parties are expected back Jan. 24, 2024 for a preliminary hearing.

Suspect Accused in Beating, Shooting Death of Domestic Partner, a Special Police Officer

Pernell Sims, 33, appeared before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Nov. 21 in a case he called, “The most serious crime you could ever commit.”

Sims is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Tyshida Williams, 31, on July 30 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SW. Responding officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Williams dead from a gunshot to the head and Sims behaving hysterically.

Police also noted blood on the hallway outside of the couple’s apartment, bloody clothing and a trail of blood leading out of a bedroom. Inside the bedroom, according to the police report, there was “a large pool of coagulated blood” and a Glock handgun on top of the bed next to a bloody pillow.

Reviewing surveillance footage of the apartment garage the morning of the crime, police say Sims “grabs [Williams] by the hair and tosses her to the ground…then kicks [Williams] with his left leg in what appears to be the stomach/upper chest area.”

At issue apparently was information on Williams’ cell phone and she and Sims are observed struggling over the device. Police say at no time during the assault did Williams, a special police officer who owned a handgun, fight back.

According to a witness, the couple had been in a failed romantic relationship but had briefly reconciled before the July 30 argument.

During the hearing, a family member of the victim detailed what she says was Sims’ “tormenting them on the internet” and falsely saying that Williams committed suicide. The family described Sims as having a “hot temper” and they’re worried he knows a lot about them.

In Sims’ account, Williams had a gun and when Sims tried to grab it she snatched it back.

Arguing against Sims release, the prosecutor described a fugue of violence Sims wreaked on Williams for ninety minutes. “He slammed her to the ground, kicked her and took her cell phone…all about her sleeping with another man.” The prosecutor described the crime as “incredibly egregious.”

The prosecutor also noted four other incidents in which Sims was allegedly involved in domestic violence and he illegally possessed a firearm and four ammunition magazines. He is further accused of harassing a witness in the Williams’ case. A review of DC court records shows Sims has been a defendant in numerous domestic violence prosecutions dating back to 2013.

Sims’ defense attorney Quo Mieko Judkins pointed out he had been released for three months and hadn’t harassed Williams’ family.

Judge Epstein called Sims’ criminal history “extremely troubling” and offered his condolences to the Williams’ family for their loss.

The judge also noted that witnesses in the case felt they were “at mortal risk” and ordered Sims be held because there was no “rebuttable presumption” that he wouldn’t be a threat to the community.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Document: Man Succumbs to Injuries after Southwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 20 on the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Gary Lavon Love III.

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 committed 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. 20 on the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 35-year-old Rodney Snead.

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 committed 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. 19 on the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious person inside of an apartment building. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Treyvon Wilson.

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 committed in the District.

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