Family Decries 12-Year Murder Sentence in Plea Deal

On July 7, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Nelson Davis to 12-years in prison following emotional testimony from family members lamenting the loss of their loved one.

Davis, 19, who was originally charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting 45-year-old Jason Ford on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE on June 25, 2022, agreed to plead guilty to a lessor charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed.

Judge Brandt originally accepted a conditional deal on April 13, holding off final approval in order to determine whether Davis’s criminal history score fell within the range laid out in the agreement. For voluntary manslaughter, Davis’s score requires a range of 8-years-six-months to 12-years in prison, with the prosecution seeking the maximum penalty.

The prosecution attempted to demonstrate Nelson’s lack of remorse by after the homicide, stating he Googled, “How to get away with murder.”

To argue Davis should get the maximum penalty, the prosecution called several members of the victim’s family to testify about his character and the impact that his death had on the community.

They said he had been a beacon of emotional support, especially over the last few years, and that his death left a gap in their lives that could never be filled.

Ford’s protective and community-minded nature was also discussed, with one family member’s stating that during the attack Ford was trying to protect others in jeopardy.

They all indicated frustration with the plea deal, saying the maximum penalty was too light. One family member stated that only giving the defendant 12-years is “equivalent to pouring salt on the wound.”

Davis apologized to the family for his actions.

“My intention was never to do what I did,” said Davis.

Davis’ mentor argued the criminal justice system had failed him, and in doing so failed the victim and his family as well.

Defense attorney Carrie Weletz also asked the court to consider sentencing Davis under DC’s Youth Rehabilitation Act, which emphasizes rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, Judge Brandt indicated that the severity of the crime and a past adult conviction led her away from that option.

Judge Brandt imposed the maximum sentence under the guidelines.

She concurred with the family’s dissatisfaction, stating “I wish it could be more under the circumstances, but my hands are tied.”

She also acknowledged the emotional impact of the family’s statement, saying that they were a “master class of grace and strength.”

In addition to being sentenced to prison, Davis must serve 5 years of supervised probation and register as a gun offender.

Document: Homicide: 700 Block of Kenilworth Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 9 on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers heard the sounds of gunshots and responded to the location where they located an adult male shooting victim in an establishment with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Charles Sullivan.

Document: Updated with Additional Suspect and Photos Suspects Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 500 Block of K Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 8 on the 500 block of K Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the reports of a shooting and located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 1900 16th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 32-year-old Alanders Pryor with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 6 on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, a United States Park Police (USPP) officer saw an individual fire multiple shots at the location and ordered him to drop the gun when he complied and was detained. The individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries from a suspected gunfire exchange with another individual who fled the scene.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 500 Block of K Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 8 on the 500 block of K Street, NW.

Document: Homicide: 4100 Block of Ames Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 7 on the 4100 block of Ames Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim inside of a residence with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Nolan Edwards.

Document: Suspect Sought in a Homicide: 600 Block of Alumni Lane, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a homicide that occurred on July 5 on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, near Catholic University.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson.

Trial Set for Shooting Co-Defendants Who Reject Plea Deal

At a July 7 hearing, a trial date was set after three co-defendants in a 2022 non-fatal shooting case rejected a “wired” plea deal offered by prosecutors.

Purnell Jackson, 37, Kharee Jackson, 24, and Charles Turner, 36, are charged with multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in a shooting that left three people injured.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on August 24, 2022, on the unit block of Quincy Place, NE. After their car crashed, the suspects were arrested.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe asked each of the defendants in turn if they made a decision about the plea offer.

Turner, who has been in quarantine, responded he had not had enough time to discuss the offer with his attorney. Kharee also requested more time to determine how the offer would affect another criminal case against him.

Purnell, on the other hand, flatly rejected the plea offer, meaning that none of the co-defendants are permitted to accept the so-called wired offer.

Judge O’Keefe then set a trial date for August 2024.

Parties are expected to return on Oct. 20.

Murder Defendant Re-released After Drug Possession Arrest

On July 7, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt re-released homicide suspect William Davenport following his arrest and detention for a misdemeanor charge relating to drug dealing.

Davenport, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and killing 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14, 2021 on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the shooting allegedly occurred in retaliation for a robbery while Davenport was engaged in a drug deal. He was allegedly approached by a man attempting to buy drugs and then attacked by a second individual who stole Davenport’s cash and other property.

Davenport was initially released from the homicide case on Aug. 12, 2022, and entered into a High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), pending trial. Judge Brandt stated part of the reason for the defendant’s original release in a first-degree murder case were alleged prosecutorial violations of what’s known as Rule 16.

This generally occurs when prosecutors withhold significant evidence– in this case regarding the robbery of the defendant.

The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) had previously noted during a May 12 hearing that the defendant had violated some release conditions, including testing positive for synthetic marijuana. However, Judge Brandt stated that’s not unexpected given the defendant’s history of addiction, rather than his unwillingness to cooperate with release conditions.

Davenport was arrested while on release on July 4 for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, leading to the July 7 hearing to evaluate whether release conditions in his murder case should remain the same.

The prosecution argued that as the first-degree murder charge allegedly resulted from a drug deal that went awry, the new misdemeanor arrest charge was a worrying sign that the defendant could fall back into old habits. They noted that the arrest occurred in broad daylight, and that Davenport’s release conditions had not proven an adequate deterrent.

Defense attorney Lauren Morehouse contended that what the defendant needed was a stronger drug treatment program in order to prevent a similar incident. While Davenport was discharged unsuccessfully from an outpatient program on July 5, Morehouse said that he was “desperate” for an inpatient treatment that could better address his needs.

Davenport appeared agitated during the hearing, banging briefly on a table. Judge Brandt then requested a pause so the defendant could regain his composure.

She accepted the defense’s motion to release Davenport to home confinement with GPS with the ability to attend inpatient treatment.

However, Judge Brandt stressed the precarious nature of his release following his re-arrest, saying if he incurred any further violations she would detain him “so fast your head will swim.”

Judge Brandt supported her decision to release him by saying, “The only person you’re damaging is yourself.”

The next hearing in this case is set for Aug. 4, with the trial date set for August 2024.

Plea Offer Withdrawn in Non-fatal Shooting Case

On July 7, prosecutors withdrew a plea offer after defense attorney, John Machado, admitted his client was not prepared to accept it.

Ryan Parker, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon–gun, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on March 6, on the 3800 block of Minnesota Ave, NE. The victim suffered from a gunshot wound in his right thigh and was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment.

Prosecutors offered a plea deal which would have Parker plead guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of carrying a pistol without a license.

The plea deal, which expired July 7, was withdrawn by prosecutors after the defense failed to act on the offer.

Following an a private conference between DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian and parties, Judge Christian ordered a 30-day competency screening based on Machado’s argument that Parker needs mental counseling.

Judge Christian transferred Parker to St. Elizabeths Hospital to be evaluated and receive mental health treatment.

The next hearing is slated for Aug. 8.

Judge Grants Stay Away Order Modification

In a July 7 hearing, a DC judge modified a stay away order for a defendant in a nonfatal shooting case.

Tejan Bah, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Nov. 27, 2021 at the 2200 block of 25th Place, NE.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) reiterated that Bah has remained noncompliant and tested positive for substance use while released under tight supervision.

While both parties did not request his release conditions be amended, defense attorney Gemma Stevens asked to amend her client’s restrictions to give him stable housing with family members in DC.

The prosecution opposed the request given the facts and due to concern for Bah’s previously alleged drug use.

Nonetheless, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted the modification to the stay away order.

“I’m doing this because I do agree with counsel’s statement about stable housing,” he argued.

Parties are to return for a status hearing on Aug. 24.

Judge Denies 2020 Murder Defendant’s Motion for Acquittal

On July 7, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein denied a motion for a judgment of acquittal in the disappearance and death of 24-year-old Unique Harris.

Isaac Moye, 46, was found guilty on June 23 of second-degree murder in Harris’s death for a crime that allegedly occurred on Oct. 10, 2010.

Moye was arrested in 2020, ten years after Harris was reported missing. Court documents state Harris’s children awoke to find their mother missing, something extremely out of character. There has been no physical or digital footprint of Harris since she went missing. Harris was last seen near the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE,

In response to the verdict Moye’s attorney, Jason Tulley, submitted a motion for a mistrial and a request for a judgment of acquittal.

Judge Epstein denied the acquittal motion based on sufficient evidence of Moye’s malintent. The mistrial motion will be ruled with a written order.

Judge Epstein discussed the government’s evidence and inferences made by the jury to determine Moye’s guilt. The main points included Moye’s lying about a relationship with Harris, no window of opportunity for other suspects, and GPS tracking putting him at Harris’s residence around her disappearance.

Judge Epstein stated the government’s “circumstantial evidence was sufficient” in proving beyond reasonable doubt that Moye caused the disappearance and death of Harris.

Defense counsel, Tulley, noted for the record that Moye’s jury did not appear to be representative of the community, therefore might not be a jury of his peers.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 15.

Defendant’s Trial for 2018 Murder Postponed Until 2025

On July 7, a first-degree murder defendant’s trial date was extended to anticipate a March 2025 start.

Mark Price, 28, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the murder of 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on July 30, 2018 at the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE. Detectives responded to a shooting with two victims, one of whom survived.

Parties agreed that it would be best to try another pending murder charge against Price first. He’s also accused for his alleged involvement as the getaway driver in the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson.

Four of ten defendants in that case were found guilty of all charges on June 13.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun vacated the original trial date and scheduled jury selection for Price’s murder in the Wilson case on Mar. 17, 2025.

Parties are scheduled to return Aug 16, 2024 for a status hearing.

Non-fatal Shooting Suspect Gets Relaxed Probation Terms.

On July 7, D.C. Superior Court Judge Sean Staples granted unsupervised probation and a release order for a non-fatal shooting defendant.

Ahmarrae Brooks, 25, faces multiple alleged charges, including assault on a police officer while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during the crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 900 block of New Jersey Avenue NW, on January 27, 2021.

Brooks says he has fully complied with his probation conditions except for a rearrest in a Maryland case.

At the hearing, Brook’s counsel, Peter Cooper, cited the defendant’s commitment to Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) and requested reduced probation conditions for his client. Without objection from the prosecution, Judge Staples agreed.

Judge Staples then issued a release order for Brooks as long as he complies with the conditions in the Maryland matter.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 14.

Parties Discuss Plea Offers for Co-defendants in 2021 Homicide Case

During a motions hearing on July 7, parties discussed plea offers from the prosecution for co-defendants in a 2021 homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Delonta Stevenson, 28, and Vorreze Thomas, 25 are both charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Allen on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE on Jan. 18, 2021.

Brianca Phillips, 26, was previously a co-defendant but her case was severed from both Thomas and Stevenson’s cases in May.

The prosecution offered Thomas a sentence of 15-years imprisonment if he pleads guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Howard McEachern, one of Thomas’ defense attorneys, expressed interest in the offer on behalf of his client but said they need more time to discuss it.

The prosecution offered Stevenson a sentence of 27-years imprisonment if he also pleads guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Stevenson officially rejected the prosecution’s plea offer.

Parties also discussed outstanding motions in Stevenson’s case but no ruling was made.

Parties are expected back for another motions hearing on Aug. 10.

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