Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in 2022 Homicide Case

On June 16, a defendant in a homicide case was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Ranje Reynolds, 25, is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting and killing 27-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

Reynolds’ defense attorney, Cheryl Stein, alerted the court Reynolds was pleading not guilty to both counts and asserted his right to a speedy trial.

The prosecution said they intend to send out items for DNA testing.

Parties are expected to return on Nov. 3 for a status hearing.

Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Evidence in Homicide Case

On June 16, a defendant in a homicide case waived his right to independently test DNA evidence.

Trevon Devore, 22, was indicted on one count of first-degree murder while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Devore allegedly shot and killed 27-year-old Daqual Covington on May 17, 2021, on the unit block of O Street, SW.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe informed Devore of his right to independently test DNA evidence or test items the prosecution does not.

Both parties said they do not intend to test any of the evidence taken from the scene, including ballistics reports and clothing.

Parties are expected to return on May 10, 2024, for a trial readiness hearing.

Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss Murder Charges

On June 16, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rejected a defense attorney’s motion to dismiss his client’s case.

Juvan Alston, 21, is charged with first-degree murder alongside his 19-year-old brother Davon Alston for their alleged involvement in the 2022 death of Dennis Simms. Simms, 17, was shot and killed on the 800 block of Yuma Street, SE on July 1, 2022.

In the hours leading up to the hearing, prosecutors received notice of a video depicting Fairfax County Police Department officials questioning Juvan following his arrest in October 2022, in which potentially incriminating statements were made.

The prosecution claimed the preliminary hearing could not proceed until all parties were given the opportunity to review the new evidence. Juvan’s defense attorney, Stephen Logerfo, filed a motion to dismiss the case against his client when this new evidence came to light.

Logerfo claimed that rescheduling the preliminary hearing would place it too close to his client’s indictment deadline. However, Judge Okun declined the motion.

Both Juvan and Davon are awaiting indictment. Prosecuting attorneys extended a pre-indictment plea deal to the defendants, which will be considered in the following weeks.

Parties are set to return for the rescheduled preliminary hearing on July 21.

Defendant Receives Sentence for ‘Terrifying’ Non-Fatal Shooting

On June 15, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced James Young on one count of attempted robbery and one count of carrying a pistol without a license.

Young, 54, was originally charged with one count of carrying a pistol outside a home or business, one count of robbery while armed, one count second-degree burglary while armed, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 30, 2022 on the 1200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW.

Despite defense attorney Joseph Fay’s efforts to focus on rehabilitation, Judge Ryan felt some punishment was necessary.

Prosecuting attorneys stressed the terror induced by the crime, and recommended a maximum sentence for both deterrence and punishment purposes.

As evidence prosecutors read a victim impact statement in which a witness from a nearby jewelry store described the incident as “terrifying” saying, “I hope this man receives just punishment and necessary mental care.”

Young was sentenced to 24 months confinement with 10 months suspended and time served credited. He will serve an additional four-and-half months in the DC Jail before returning home to Kentucky for probation and mental health treatments.

Young will also be required to register as a gun offender. A stay away order for the 1200 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW will be implemented.

After the sentencing, Judge Michael Ryan told Young, “You have a responsibility to stay mentally healthy.”

Documents: Homicide: 200 Block of K Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on June 15 on the 200 block of K Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

The decedent was identified as 18-year-old Khalliqo Ford.

Document: Updated with Additional Photos Suspects and Vehicle Sought in a Homicide: 300 Block of 37th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating suspects and a vehicle connected to a homicide that occurred on June 15 on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the report of shooting victims at the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, where they located a pregnant woman and an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds in a vehicle. At a local hospital, the woman gave birth, and succumbed to her injuries. The baby is in critical condition, and the man is suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

The decedent was identified as 22-year-old Samya Gill.

Document: Suspects and Vehicle Sought in a Homicide: 300 Block of 37th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating suspects and a vehicle connected to a homicide that occurred on June 15 on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE.

The decedent was identified as 22-year-old Samya Gill.

Co-Defendants Plead Guilty in 2022 Assault Case

On June 15, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard two co-defendants in a 2022 case plead guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm.

Jinmar Fuentes, 22, and Martel Howard, 23, allegedly assaulted two brothers on July 31, 2022 on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW in a robbery attempt.

According to court documents, Fuentes approached one of the brothers with a loaded firearm. The second brother saw the threat and pulled his own firearm in an attempt to help his brother. Howard followed from behind, and both Fuentes and Howard allegedly shot at the second brother who was seriously injured by gunfire..

He was transported to George Washington University Hospital for his wounds and received multiple blood transfusions.

The defendants agreed to plead guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Defense Attorney Terrence Austin asked if his client, Martel Howard, could have a later sentencing hearing date so he could finish his GED.

Judge Raffinan set separate sentencing dates for the defendants whose crimes could keep the pair behind bars for fifteen years or longer.

Jinmar Fuentes is expected back in court Oct. 13.

Martel Howard is expected back in court March 8, 2024.

Charges Dismissed in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

On June 15, prosecutors moved to dismiss Tavon Shaw’s non-fatal shooting case due to a plea agreement in another incident.

Shaw, 25, was charged with one count of carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 23 on the 1400 block of Smith Place, SE.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the incident and surveillance footage shows four suspects, including the defendant, shooting at a moving vehicle. No one was apparently injured except the defendant who was wounded six times.

In the felony status conference before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld referring to the separate case, Shaw entered a guilty plea to carrying a pistol without a license and will be required to register as a gun offender on release.

Due to the nature of the plea deal, all charges coinciding with the events of March 23 were dismissed.

Defense Starts its Case in 2010 Homicide Trial

On June 15, defense attorneys began presenting their case in a murder dating to 2010.

Isaac Moye, 45, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the disappearance and death of Unique Harris, 24.

Harris, who was last seen near the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE, was declared missing on Oct. 10, 2010. Moye was charged in connection to the case on Dec. 21, 2020.

While her body was never recovered, an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) led to Moye’s becoming the primary suspect in her alleged murder.

Prosecutors concluded their case by questioning a forensic analyst about test results from samples recovered at Harris’s apartment. The analyst said that semen recovered from a couch cushion at Harris’s home was a likely match for Moye’s DNA.

Moye previously denied having sexual relations with Harris in her apartment in initial interviews with detectives.

Defense attorney Jason Tulley questioned the analyst about why prosecutors never requested testing for hair samples located around the home and questioned why the samples collected were never run through a database to look for other potential matches.

After concluding with DNA evidence, the defense introduced a former MPD K-9 handler to discuss his involvement in the search for Harris.

During the officer’s search, his dog responded to a scent that led to a jacket in the woods presumed to belong to Harris. The witness was questioned why he did not file a search report which is required. The witness was unable to provide any explanation.

An investigator for the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) testified about her role in checking the route Moye allegedly took away from Harris’s home the night she disappeared.

During her testimony, she was presented with footage recorded of the path. The defense questioned her about numerous buildings on the path that could have had security cameras and potential witnesses.

Prosecutors cross-examined the investigator discussing how Moye’s path avoided a police station and was normally a quiet area.
The trial is slated to resume before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on June 16.

Defense and Prosecution Rest Their Cases In 2013 Murder Trial

On June 15, defense and prosecuting attorneys rested their cases in a multi-week murder trial.

Victor Coley, 60, was found guilty in 2015 for his involvement in a shooting that injured four individuals on Nov. 6, 2013 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He was convicted on 13 charges, including assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm.

In 2021, 65-year-old Dennis Foster, one of Coley’s victims, succumbed to his wounds. As a result, Coley was charged with 17 counts, including first-degree murder, in 2022 and is now standing trial again as an extension of the original case.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan oversaw the testimony and examination of three witnesses.

The defense called an investigator who took measurements of the area around the crime scene. He testified to certain distances the perpetrator of the crime would have traveled while evading police capture shortly after the shooting.

Defense attorneys then called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant who initially arrested Coley on the scene of the crime. His testimony gave insight into Coley’s behavior upon confrontation with police.

Initially, said the witness, Coley was noncompliant. The witness said he told Coley, “I have a one-way ticket to Jesus if you don’t stop.”

The witness then testified to some of the objects recovered from Coley’s possessions following his arrest, including a wallet and a small knife.

The prosecution, as part of their rebuttal case, called a surgeon at a nearby hospital to help the jury understand Coley’s medical records from the period preceding the crime.

The doctor testified that Coley had both a defibrillator and a pacemaker, which should have regulated his heart enough to allow him to engage in physical activity comparable to the average person his age.

Upon cross examination, however, the witness agreed with defense attorneys that he had no knowledge of Coley’s actual physical capabilities at the time.

In a note left to the judge, a juror with a medical degree claimed they recognized inaccuracies in the doctor’s testimony to the court.

In order to prevent further confusion, the judge and both parties will be reviewing the testimony and will come to a consensus on how to instruct the juror to proceed.

Parties are set to return for closing arguments on June 20.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in a Three Victim Shooting Case

On June 14, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause in a three-victim shooting case.

Thomas Leach, 16, is charged as an adult with assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting of three victims on the 4000 block of Central Avenue, NE, at the Benning Road Metro Station on Dec. 8, 2022. According to MPD documents, the defendant and the intended victim went to school together.

Prosecution called the lead detective to the stand to review the video footage of the incident. The video at the metro station depicts the defendant approaching one of the victims, and the victim’s friend.

The other two victims were hit by stray bullets.

After the defendant approaches the victim, the defendant daps up the victim’s friend. According to the detective, after the defendant greeted the victim’s friend, the victim told the defendant “I don’t f**k with you.”

The defendant allegedly responded with “I don’t f**k with y’all either.”

According to the detective and the surveillance footage, the dialogue was followed by the victim throwing a punch at Leach.

Leach dodged the punch, and moments later, he allegedly shot the victim.

The detective interviewed the victim, and noted that the victim and Leach had a history of occasional physical conflicts. The most notable being when the victim and his friends “jumped” Leach, resulting in Leach transferring schools due to safety concerns.

Both individuals were dating each other’s close friends.

Throughout the proceedings, both prosecution and defense frequently attributed the incident to that of a petty, jealousy dispute between high school students.

Prosecution argued that there was sufficient probable cause for all three counts against Leach.

Prosecution stated that Leach allegedly injured the victim on purpose and voluntarily. The defendant shot the victim within arms range, which prosecution claimed demonstrated an intent to kill.

Prosecutors noted that this incident could not be ruled as self defense, despite the victim’s attempt to punch Leach. She argued that the punch did not justify the defendant’s reactionary shooting.

Defense attorneys argued that there was not sufficient probable cause for the charges against the defendant.

The defense attorney maintained that there was no malice from the defendant in this case and that he was reacting to a provocation by the victim. He also noted that there is no evidence that this incident was planned out or coordinated by Leach.

The defense attorney concluded by stating that none of the three victims were shot in a critical area which does not show an attempt to kill.

Judge Demeo ruled that there was sufficient probable cause on all three counts. She said that the defendant approached the victim first, which he did not need to do. His approach showed an intent to harm, alongside the defendant allegedly shooting the victim five times.

She found the shooting to be voluntary and on purpose, and due to the nature of the weapon and the close range, the defendant intended to kill.

She found that the slight provocation of the attempted punch was not adequate to justify the shooting, thus the defendant was not acting in self defense.

Upon Judge Demeo’s probable cause finding, she granted the prosecution’s request for continued detention.

A felony status hearing is slated for Sept. 15.

Defendant’s Mental Observation Hearing Focuses on Racial Issues

On June 14, a mental observation hearing for 57-year-old Joseph Evans continued following lengthy cross-examination of a behavioral witness.

Evans is charged with kidnapping while armed, first-degree sexual abuse while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in an incident committed on Sept. 24, 2012 on the unit block of K Street, NE. According to court documents, a gun was discharged during the incident. Evans is being held at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Prosecutors called a psychologist from the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), who does mental evaluations of Evans to testify about the suspect’s mental competency. The witness said Evans does show signs of mental illness, but that is not enough to declare him to be mentally incompetent. Based on the evaluations, Evans is aware of his alleged charges and is aware of his legal rights.

When asked by the prosecutor how she can assess whether or not someone can work with a counsel, she said “I look at one to see if they are stable enough to engage in a linear conversation. I look at their ability to identify evidence.”

The witness believes Evans suffers from cultural paranoia, meaning a response by African Americans to be fearful of oppression and discrimination.

During the defense’s cross-examination, Andrew Ain addressed one of the statements made where Evans claimed to be a member of the Klu Klux Klan. He also asked the witness what other comments were made about Evans’ counsel by the defendant.

“Evans was doubtful regarding his attorneys’ ability to defend him since he is a black man and his lawyer is white,” she said.

The witness also said “race comes up time and time again,” when the defense asked about the routine evaluations.

Evans’ has had numerous mental observation hearings since he was first indicted. This proceeding started on June 9, and DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt hopes to have a decision by the end of the month.

Parties are expected back in court on June 16.

Parties in Co-Defendant Homicide Case Disagree in Various Motions Filed

During a June 14 motions hearing, prosecution and defense attorneys in a homicide case presented different views of the evidence.

Nelfy Hernandez, 19, Deandre Levy, 22, and Trey Prillerman, 19, are charged with first-degree murder for their alleged involvement in the murder of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW on Aug. 10, 2020.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan began the motions hearing with the government’s attempt to dismiss Levy’s defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, for conflicts of interest since one of Zucker’s other clients is allegedly involved in the current case.

“This is nothing other than a rumor,” said Zucker.

The prosecution argued Zucker’s potential conflict is “too big of a risk for mistrial.”

Judge Raffinan said she would take the matter under advisement.

The defense then raised concerns about the admissibility of out of court statements made by a potential witness who’s involved in another trial. According to Elizabeth Weller, defense attorney for Prillerman, the witness’s statements “very much change the complexion of this case.” She added that the bulk of the evidence in the case is from this witness.

Judge Raffinan decided that it is best to wait to address this motion pending the result of the witness’s trial in a separate matter.

Levy is expected back in court July 5 to discuss counsel issues.

All three defendants are expected back July 26.

Call Admitted Into Evidence As Prosecution Implies Murder was Retaliatory

On June 14, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun held a trial readiness hearing in a first-degree murder case with threw victims.

Jalen Browne, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting that took place on the 100 block of Q street NW, on July 25, 2021.

Jovan Hill, 22, and Tariq Riley, 19, suffered fatal wounds and later died at MedStar Hospital. A third victim suffered a gunshot wound to the torso, but he survived.

Both parties agreed that they were ready for trial, barring the one motion the prosecution brought forth, which requested that a 911 call to be admitted into evidence.

It supposedly details f a robbery on May 9, 2021 in which Browne was the victim. The prosecution said the call is evidence for motive, stating that the shooting on July 25, 2021 was retaliation for the robbery.

The defense counsel did not object to the motion, but stated that they would object to the evidence during trial as the prosecution has not yet proven that Browne was actually a robbery victim.

Trial is slated to begin on July 6.

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