The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch has arrested and charged 28-year-old Michael Caldwell with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a fatal stabbing that occurred on June 4, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE.
The decedent was identified as 45-year-old Damien Thompson.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on June 4, on the 300 block of Anacostia Road, SE.
The decedent has been identified as 35-year-old Davon Walker.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on June 2 on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE.
The decedent’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause a defendant committed murder.
George Sydnor, 43, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that killed 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31, at a hotel on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, Sydnor stabbed Bautista approximately 22 times. And a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified no one else entered or exited the room where the murder occurred.
Jesse Winograd, Sydnor’s attorney, questioned the detective about the fairness of the classification “investigate the trouble” the 911 dispatcher used. This term means dispatchers are uncertain of specifics of an incident, but rule it as important to check out, according to the detective.
Surveillance footage allegedly captured Sydnor arriving at the hotel on his bike and then stepping into the room. There were sounds of possible a struggle heard in the video.
The door didn’t appear to be forced open the detective said, and Sydnor was calm when arrested.
Over defense objections, the prosecutor argued that an abundance of evidence, including physical evidence and eyewitness statements, corroborates probable cause.
Judge Okun agreed there was probable cause that Sydnor committed the crime with premeditation and deliberation.
Prosecutors requested that Sydnor remain in DC Jail, saying that he poses a risk not only to the community, but women in particular.
The nature of the evidence and the offense weighs heavily in favor of detention, Judge Okun said in agreement.
Parties are expected back for a felony status conference on Sept. 8.
On June 2, Christian Arndt pleaded guilty in a 2021 homicide case.
Arndt, 30, admitted guilt for his involvement in the murder of his father Donald Arndt, 54, on Jan. 28, 2021, on the 3300 block of Newark Street, NW.
According to court documents, Arndt beat his father to death with a bat.
Prosecutors offered 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. The deal was accepted.
Both parties requested that Arndt be transferred to Butner Federal Corrections Complex in North Carolina, where he must refrain from using alcohol and other narcotics, and is required to seek mental health counseling.
In pleading guilty, Arndt waived his rights to test DNA, have a trial or appeal his conviction.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said he was satisfied with the defendant’s understanding of his rights, thus accepting the plea.
All parties are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29 for sentencing.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced Joseph Hall, 25, to five-years in prison for shooting at police and “creating a reign of terror” during a robbery attempt.
Hall pleaded guilty to robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with an incident that happened on Aug. 25, 2022 on the 3500 block of Sixth Street, SE.
According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers exchanged gunfire with Hall as he was attempting to steal a car occupied by two special police officers on duty at the time. Prior to the melee, Hall allegedly pointed a gun at the security officers in their car saying, “Give up the keys…or I’m going to blow your head up!”
In a victim impact statement read at the sentencing, one of the officers wrote, “I feel in danger 24/7.” She said she suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression. “I would have been dead had it not been for divine intervention,” she continued. For her ongoing pain and suffering she said a five-year sentence isn’t enough.
During the proceeding, Judge Ryan described Hall’s trouble-plagued background of trauma, drug abuse and lack of effective parenting. Of note, was Hall’s use of the mind-altering drug, PCP which he had allegedly taken before the incident and several convictions in Virginia including theft.
Hall apologized to the victims in court saying, “I didn’t mean to do this…I’m sorry I put your lives in danger.”
Considering Hall’s history, Judge Ryan said he was passing sentence under DC’s Youth Rehabilitation Act which means that upon completion of his sentence Hall’s conviction will functionally disappear and be kept confidential unless he’s convicted of a more serious offense.
In addition to jail time, Hall will be on supervised probation for three years.
“You need to spend every day making certain that this doesn’t happen again,” said Judge Ryan.
On June 2, Malik Seltzer rejected a plea offer in a homicide case and asked to set a trial date.
Seltzer, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Paris Odemns on Sept 15, 2021, on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE.
Prosecutors offered a deal that would have Seltzer plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed, which was rejected.
According to prosecutors, Seltzer’s indictment is forthcoming.
A trial date was set for January 2024.
Parties are expected back in court on Aug. 30.
On June 2, Dion Lee waived his rights to independently test DNA evidence collected from a murder crime scene.
Lee, 24, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated 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 shooting that killed 54-year-old Pamela Thomas on Feb. 9, 2022 on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, Thomas was found by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe reminded Lee that if he waived his rights now he could not request to independently test the DNA evidence at a later date.
Trial is slated to begin Aug. 12, 2024.
Parties are expected back June 28, 2024 for a trial readiness hearing.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe accepted a guilty plea from a defendant charged in connection to a 2022 non-fatal shooting.
Dwayne Dolberry, 41, is charged with assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 2, 2022 on the 1600 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE. There were no reported injuries.
According to court documents, Dolberry and the victim got into an argument during which Dolberry shot at him eight times but missed.
Dolberry accepted an offer allowing him to plead guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Parties are expected back for sentencing Aug. 11.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a homicide defendant in connection to a 2019 killing, saying, “I can’t give you a break today.”
Brandon Randall, 36, was indicted for first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to his alleged involvement in the murder of 30-year-old David Brandon on Feb. 24, 2019 on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.
On November 22, 2022, Randall agreed with prosecutors to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for the dismissal of his remaining charges.
In a June 2 hearing, Brandon’s family and friends were present to show support and provide victim impact statements.
Brandon was described as a true human being, a fighter, and a doting father among many other attributes by his loved ones.
“People say time heals things but it is difficult when your loved one is murdered,” said the victim’s father.
Defense attorney Anthony Matthews asked for Randall’s sentence to be in the lower range of the recommended sentence.
In response, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked, “How can I, in good conscience, impose a sentence at the bottom of the guideline?”
“What is justice? What can be paid for a lost life? Even if Mr. Randall paid with his life, David would still be gone,” said Brandon’s mom.
“I hate that he’s such a sensitive subject when he brought so much life,” said Brandon’s friend through WebEx.
Judge Lee imposed a sentence of 24-years in prison followed by a five-year period of supervised release.
He is also required to register as a gun offender in D.C.
“He owes it to all of us to do better and to be better,” said Brandon’s mom.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted a trial continuance in a 2020 homicide case following a request from the defense.
Stephon Williams, 31, is charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol outside of a home or business for his alleged involvement in the shooting of his 49-year-old father, Stephen Magruder, on Sept. 11, 2020 on the 700 block of 51st Street NE.
The trial, originally scheduled to begin on June 16, was rescheduled for April 1, 2024.
Judge Epstein also complimented Williams on his success with a drug treatment program, saying he “hope[s] things continue to go well.”
Parties are expected to return for a trial readiness hearing on March 22, 2024.
On June 2, murder defendant Delonte Jackson rejected the prosecution’s final plea offer pushing his case to trial.
Jackson, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 44-year-old Artavarn Wagner on March 3, 2022, on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE. Jackson allegedly stole Wagner’s car after shooting him.
The plea deal offered by prosecutors would have Jackson plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed and one count of possession of a firearm, with a sentence of 162 months incarcerated to run concurrently for both charges and the dismissal of his misdemeanor charges.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt confirmed Jackson understood the deal being offered and the maximum sentence of 40 years if found guilty at trial.
The next hearing is set for June 15.
On June 2, prosecutors moved to dismiss a murder indictment in a 2019 murder and carjacking case.
Demetrius Void, 35, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the shooting that caused 24-year-old Anthony Lawson’s death on Sept. 25, 2018 on the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, Lawson and Void were allegedly having a dispute over a vehicle that belonged to Void’s mother.
Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that they were moving to dismiss the first-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence charges due to two critical witnesses’ deaths since the incident.
Defense attorneys for Void requested he be released, as the murder charge was dismissed.
Judge O’Keefe denied the request and asked them to file a motion that will allow prosecutors the chance to make their opposing arguments.
Parties are expected back June 23.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted a brief continuance in a 2022 non-fatal shooting to allow parties to have final plea offer negotiations.
Craig Peacock is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Peacock allegedly shot the victim on Oct. 26, 2022 on the 1100 block of 1st Street SE.
Prosecutors said if parties do not reach an agreement by next week, they will set a trial date.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 11.
On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein continued a homicide case to allow parties time to negotiate a plea deal.
Ethan Cunningham, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old James Curtis on March 10, 2022 on the 2600 block of Stanton Road SE.
Dana Page, Cunningham’s defense attorney, said they need additional time to allow for plea negotiations.
Parties are expected back Aug. 11.
