Defendant Accepts Plea Deal for Second-Degree Murder

On Sept. 13, a defendant in a homicide case accepted a plea offer in connection to a 2011 killing.

Stanley Moghalu, 36, was charged with 9 counts, including first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Ronald Smith. The incident occured on Nov. 14, 2011, on the 1000 Block of 21st Street, NE.

The offer extended by prosecutors required Moghalu to plead guilty for second-degree murder in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges.

Parties agreed to a sentence of 12 years incarceration and 5 years of supervised release.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun went through all the procedural questions to ensure Moghalu understood the conditions of pleading guilty, and ensured that Moghalu wanted to proceed with the plea.

A sentencing hearing was set for Dec. 19.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Shooting Over COVID Mask

On Sept. 12, Marquett Brown was arraigned and entered a not guilty plea before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian.

Brown, 35, is charged with assaulting an officer while armed, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a firearm outside of a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 11, 2022 on the 400 block of Benning Road, SE. There were no reported injuries from the incident.

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from Brown’s refusal to wear an appropriate COVID-19 face mask as required at the time in a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) location. When a special DMV police officer told Brown he would be asked to leave if he did not comply, Brown allegedly got in a tussle with the officer, grabbed the officer’s gun, and shot it once.

“I promise all of my constituents in the community, I am ready to re-establish myself in the community,” Brown said in contrition to Judge Christian after he mentioned he had been receiving unspecified medication at the DC jail for some time.

The prosecution argued against Brown’s release claiming his detention is “necessary for the safety of the community. Therefore, they argued, Brown should remain incarcerated at the DC Jail.

Brown’s defense attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, mentioned that his client has had a very tough time in isolation at the jail and that the spread of COVID-19 is actually of concern to his client.

Additionally, O’Bryant stated that during a July 28 hearing Brown was deemed mentally competent following mental observations after being held at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

“Since he has been held at St. Elizabeths, competency has been restored,” O’Bryant told the court.

Judge Christian denied Brown’s request for release, citing multiple instances where the defendant has been released and failed to comply with the court’s conditions, causing his rearrest.

“It is like a revolving door,” Judge Christian said. “Every time he’s been released, he offends.”

Judge Christian scheduled Brown’s next status hearing for Sept. 26.

Judge Hears Motions About a 2021 Shooting Boundary

At a motion hearing Sept. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard arguments parties about where a shooting took place.

Kenneth Davis, 44, is charged with four counts of assault with intent to kill, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior felon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 19, 2021 on the 1600 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. A woman sustained non life-threatening injuries during the incident.

On Aug. 9, Davis’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, filed a motion arguing the incident happened outside of DC’s jurisdiction because she says the side of Eastern Avenue where the shooting took place is actually in Maryland.

During the hearing, prosecutors contended the District’s jurisdiction definitely includes the location of the crime.

“The boundaries of the District of Columbia are historically a straight line,” Judge Brandt said in response to King’s argument.

King said the District of Columbia map could be manipulated and should not be trusted.

In response, Judge Brandt said everything southeast of the Eastern Avenue boundary is considered within the District of Columbia. She also said the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DC Fire and Emergency Services (DCFEMS) acknowledge the boundary.

“They don’t just show up en masse to an area that is not in their jurisdiction,” Judge Brandt said.

Judge Brandt denied the motion and scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 13.

One Mass Shooting, Two Stabbings Among Homicides in DC in August

D.C. Witness recorded a total of 45 non-fatal shootings and homicides for the month of August.

Of those, 30 were homicides. Twenty-eight homicides stemmed from shootings, and two were stabbings.

One of the victims was Naima Liggon, 16, who was allegedly stabbed by another female, also 16, outside the McDonald’s on the 1900 block of 14th Street, NW, on Aug. 27. The juvenile suspect is being charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to prosecutors, the attack stemmed from a disagreement about sweet and sour sauce.

Saturdays were the deadliest day of the month, with Aug. 5 recording the most homicides.

On that day, three incidents cost the lives of seven individuals. In the first case, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located James Morgan, 34, Jamal Morgan, 30 and Vincent Martin,42, suffering from gunshot wounds on the 2500 block of Ontario Road, NW. James and Jamal were found with no signs consistent with life, and Martin succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. No suspect has been apprehended by MPD yet.

A few hours later, officers located Andre Baker, 19, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW, lifeless and with obvious gunshot wounds. David Botchway, 20, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged connection to the incident.

The third incident was a mass shooting that occurred on the 1600 block of Good Hope Road, SE, in which MPD officers located four adult male shooting victims and one adult female shooting victim. According to MPD documents, two adult males and the woman were killed. The two other men were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The homicide victims were identified as Tymea Cook,27, Bernard Hodges, 35 and Reginald Gilbert, 34. MPD is still investigating the incident and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects captured by surveillance cameras.

Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial in Non-Fatal Shooting

On Sep. 12 during a mental observation and motions hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found the defendant in a non-fatal shooting mentally competent to stand trial.

Dominic Copeland, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, robbery while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left one individual injured.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2019, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a report of a shooting on the 1200 block of 1st Street, NW, where they observed the victim inside a dark gray Toyota Camry with shattered windows crashed into a tree on the sidewalk.

During the hearing on Sep. 12 Judge Raffinan agreed with the DC Department of Behavioral Health’s Aug. 22 assessment Copeland was competent to stand trial.

Judge Raffinan is expected to rule on three pending motions in the case and proceed with jury selection on Sept. 13.

Document: Homicide: 2300 Block of Washington Place, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 11 on the 2300 block of Washington Place, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sound of gunshots, where they located a juvenile male and adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both transported to local hospitals, where, despite all lifesaving efforts, the juvenile male succumbed to his injuries. The adult male is still in critical, but stable condition.

The juvenile male was identified as 17-year-old Antonio Cunningham.

In Sentencing Shooting Defendant Takes ‘Full Responsibility’ for His Actions

On Sep. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to 14 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm.

Adkins Francois, 35, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to an incident that took place at 6200 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NE on May 5. Francois endured a gunshot wound during the incident.

According to court documents, police responded to a call from a Shell Gas Station where they located multiple shell casings and bullet damage to a gas pump. After reviewing CCTV footage, police reported that the defendant spoke with two individuals seemingly in a joking manner and was then punched in the chest by one of them. Francois ran behind a vehicle and he and another individual began to exchange gunshots.

On June 28, Francois pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm due to having a prior conviction of more than one year. “Mr. Adkins accepted responsibility in this case as early as he could,” said Francois’s attorney, Charles Haskell.

Haskell, during sentencing, asked Judge Christain for Francois to be placed in the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) as he is still recovering from the shooting incident and needs weekly treatment. The prosecution countered by recommending “32 months incarceration”.

“I’d appreciate you letting me go back into society with my family,” said Francois as he addressed the judge in the hearing. He also said “I take full responsibility.”

Judge Christian sentenced Francois to 14 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Francois is also required to register as a gun offender and pay a fine to the court.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Asserts Right to Independently Test DNA

On Sept. 11, a non-fatal shooting defendant alerted DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo that he was asserting his right to independently test DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene.

Damar Whitley, 46, also known as Delmar Whitley, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed against a minor, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left a juvenile suffering from life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on Aug. 31, 2022, on the 4700 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

During the hearing, Stephen Logerfo, Whitley’s defense attorney, stated they are testing a bullet fragment recovered from the hallway crime scene, and may test other items.

A status hearing was scheduled for Nov. 28.

Document: Traffic Fatality: Northbound I-395 on the 14th Street Bridge

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Sept. 10 on Northbound I-395 on the 14th Street Bridge.

According to MPD documents, a motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed, northbound on I-395 in the express lanes just prior to the split to 14th Street. At the split, the cyclist struck the raised concrete median divider. He was found with no signs consistent with life.

The decedent was identified as 32-year-old Victor Serrano.

Document: Homicide: 100 Block of Atlantic Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on June 14 on the 100 block of Atlantic Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two adult male shooting victims. The victims were transported to a local hospital for the treatment of life threatening injuries. While on the scene, officers learned that a juvenile male shooting victim was located at a fire station on 2100 block of 14th Street, SE. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

On Sept. 10, one of the adult males succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 31-year-old Ryan Morgan.

Document: DC Police Arrest Man After Woman Killed, Short Barricade

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 24-year-old Damion Brown with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left a woman dead on Sept. 9, on the 1200 block of Duncan Place, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 21-year-old Jordan Coates with injuries from gunshot wounds in front of an apartment building. She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to his injuries.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 1400 Block of Girard Street, Northwest

On Sept. 8, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 33-year-old Jeremiah Jordan with first-degree murder while armed – premeditated for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left two individuals dead on July 22 on the 1400 block of Girard Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. Shortly after, a second victim was located on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Both victims were found with no signs consistent with life.

The first victim was identified as 29-year-old Luke Whitaker, the second victim was identified as 19-year-old Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes.

Document: Homicide: Intersection of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 6 at the intersection of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for report of sounds of gunshots and a vehicle collision, where they located an adult male shooting victim inside of a vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital for the treatment of life threatening injuries.

On Sept. 8, the victim succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 23-year-old Brandon Gant.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 400 Block of Condon Terrace, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 8 on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, SE.

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

The suspect was captured by cameras.

Document: Traffic Fatality: Intersection of Rhode Island and Montana Avenues, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on May 25 at the intersection of Rhode Island and Montana Avenues, NE.

According to MPD documents, a DC Department of Public Works trash truck was traveling southbound on 14th Street, NE, and proceeded through the intersection of 14th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NE, toward Montana Avenue, NE. The pedestrian entered the crosswalk and began to run across Montana Avenue, causing vehicles with the green light to come to a sudden and abrupt stop. The pedestrian then collided with the trash truck causing the pedestrian to fall to the ground. The pedestrian, while unconscious, was transported to a local hospital for the treatment of blunt force injuries.

On Sept. 4, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 66-year-old Johnny Lee Harrington.

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