The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect-vehicle involved in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 27, on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King, JR., Avenue, SE.
The shooting left two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a traffic fatality that occurred on the intersection of South Capitol Street and N Street, SE, on May 27.
The incident cost the life of 49-year-old Milosha Stephens.
During a felony arraignment on May 26, the prosecution argued the defense made “bold allegations” claiming the wrongful use of the defendant’s medical records and not providing him adequate healthcare.
William Ransford, 59, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 39-year-old Debra McManus, on Oct. 23, 1993 near Ballou High School.
Defense attorneys Dana Page and Molly Bunke argued that the prosecution convinced the DC Jail to turn over confidential information regarding Ransford’s medical records and therefore violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The defense then requested Ranford’s release and the dismissal of the case alleging misconduct by the prosecution.
“Release in this case is an appropriate remedy for the violations here,” the defense maintained.
The defense also requested Ransford be held at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) as opposed to the DC Jail, as the defendant is allegedly not receiving proper medical care.
The prosecution, however, asserted that the defense’s argument was, “In fact untrue; it was simply a lie.” The prosecution continued to claim they never had any intention to use the defendant’s medical records.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that the prosecution did not violate HIPAA in this case and denied the request for the case’s dismissal. The judge, however, is not prepared to make a decision about Ransford’s release yet.
The defense requested a status hearing, which is slated for Sept. 7 at 9:30 am.
On May 26, a defendant waived his right to appear at a felony status conference hearing regarding a second-degree murder charge.
Sherman Holley, 45, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 53-year-old James Brooks Jr. The incident occurred on Jan. 15 on the 200 block of 37th Street, SE.
Holley said he did not want to be transported for the scheduled conference, according to his defense attorney Jesse Winograd.
The prosecution agreed with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report that found the defendant competent, but the defense did not offer an opinion as they will be conducting their own testing.
Additionally, the prosecution noted they will proceed with the indictment. It’s due Nov. 20, according to a ruling by DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.
The next status conference is slated for July 26 at 9:30 am.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on May 27, on the 4000 block of 4th Street, SE.
The shooting cost the life of 43-year-old Antwoin Wilson.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a traffic fatality that occurred on Sept. 19, 2022, on the 3600 block of Benning Road, NE.
The incident caused life-threatening injuries to 43-year-old Carlos Aguiar.
Aguiar succumbed to his injuries on May 21.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect-vehicle that was involved in a non-fatal shooting on May 7, on the 5000 block of Kimi Gray Court, SE.
The shooting left an individual suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
Diandre Caesar, 29, was arraigned on gun charges in a May 26 hearing for allegedly assaulting an individual following an altercation.
Caesar entered a not guilty plea for three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of second-degree cruelty to children, one count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition in an incident on June 28, 2022 on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, the incident began as an argument between the defendant and an individual who had his family with them, before being shot at by Caesar with a pistol.
Caesar is on release awaiting further proceedings on the condition he participates in a High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), gets drug testing and GPS monitoring.
Joseph Fay, Caesar’s defense attorney, requested that his release conditions be altered during the period between the arraignment and the trial on the basis of the defendant’s previous compliance.
“[His] GPS non-compliance amounts to taking the trash out,” he argued, and stated that Caesar’s alleged noncompliance for drug usage was due to his medication that tested positive for amphetamines.
Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) appeared in court to counter the defendant’s claims of compliance, saying that the defendant’s specific medications would not have led to a positive amphetamine test and that he had also violated his 10 p.m. curfew.
DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied the defendant’s request based on the seriousness of charges pending.
Judge Hertzfeld set a trial readiness date for Oct. 16 and the trial for Oct. 30.
In a May 26 hearing, defense attorneys for co-defendants Demonte Gibson and Tre’quan Nelson asked for a 45-day extension pending grand jury indictments.
Gibson, 26, and Nelson, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2021. The incident occurred on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW.
Asani Forte, 25, who was also present in court, is charged with accessory after the fact to the assault with intent to kill for his alleged connection to King’s murder.
Defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Rachel Cicural requested Gibson’s other case, a third-degree felony, trail this case based on an overlapping witness testimony and potentially incriminating evidence in both cases.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt spoke privately to DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park, who presides over the third-degree felony charge, to discuss the coinciding cases.
Judge Park will decide the next steps for the third-degree felony charge.
The next hearing in the homicide case is set for July 25.
DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park granted the defense until June 23 to file a motion that would potentially limit DNA evidence introduced on May 22.
Demonte Gibson, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and armed robbery for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 7, 2021 on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW.
According to court documents, the victim was out grabbing something to eat when Gibson allegedly shot him in the left leg, then stole cash that fell out of his pockets.
During the hearing, defense attorneys raised concerns about the admissibility and accuracy of recently introduced DNA evidence about a firearm.
After discussion between the parties, an extension was granted by Judge Park for the defense to consider filing a motion, which seeks to exclude unqualified expert testimony, while also independently evaluating disclosed evidence.
The prosecution requested a trial date be set but that request was denied by Judge Park.
The next status hearing is set for July 14.
On May 25, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan alerted parties in the case that doctors found Kavell Miller mentally competent for sentencing.
Miller, 22, was accused of shooting 33-year-old Lester Mangum on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SW on Oct. 8, 2021. Miller, 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed.
He accepted a plea deal in January that reduced his first-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed and dismissed three misdemeanor charges he was facing.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 21.
On May 26, Lavaughn Barnes, 32, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder while armed despite confessing to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that he did it.
Barnes is charged for his alleged involvement in the murder of 59-year-old Abdul Arias-Lopez that occurred on Nov. 4, 2022 on the 1300 block of Kearny Street, NE.
However, Barnes’ lawyer, Anthony Matthews, says that because Barnes has cognitive disabilities and a lawyer wasn’t present at the time the confession is invalid.
Arias-Lopez was not located until Feb. 3, when Barnes called 911 stating that he had found a body in his backyard.
According to court documents, Barnes told the dispatcher that he had gone into his backyard and found what appeared to be a human corpse.
“It was a horrible smell, and I saw inside the bamboo… a human corpse almost gone, like animals had started to get to it,” Barnes is heard in the recording of a 911 call.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers showed up at his house and conducted an investigation.
On Feb. 9, Barnes talked to MPD detectives about how he realized it was a body and the last time he saw Arias-Lopez.
Barnes also told detectives that he hadn’t seen Arias-Lopez since before Nov. 4, when he failed to show up to paint his sister’s kitchen.
According to court documents, Barnes’ sister tried to reach out to Arias-Lopez after Barnes alerted her that he didn’t show up, but her efforts failed.
On Feb. 15, a detective interviewed Barnes at a homeless shelter, where he was residing after his sister told him not to return to her house.
“I feel sick, I did it,” he can be heard saying in the recording of the police interview.
“I was scared of the truth,” he continued. “I blacked out, used the taser gun and hit him in the back of the head,” he described.
He can also said he dragged Arias-Lopez down to his basement and out to the backyard, where he left the body to decompose for months.
“I’m sorry, I repent it to God… I have to tell my truth and I’m very sorry,” he can be heard saying.
Parties are expected back May 30 for a detention hearing.
On May 26, a defendant in a non-fatal shooting waived his right to independently test DNA evidence.
Vincent James, 39, was indicted on one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. James allegedly fired 10 gunshots at a victim on July 30, 2020 on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street SE.
Several items were seized for DNA testing, including, six .45 caliber shell casings and a cell phone from the crime scene, as well as another cell phone and pair of shoes from the defendant’s home. The prosecutor said no testing had taken place since the last hearing.
DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples told James that waiving his right now would mean he could not request testing in the future.
Parties are expected to return on Aug. 31 for a trial readiness hearing.
James’ trial is set to begin on Sept. 6.
On May 25, 19-year-old Nelfy Hernandez shocked his two co-defendants when he rejected a plea offer from prosecutors at the last second, because attorneys on both sides thought they had a deal.
Hernandez, DeAndre Levy, 21, and Trey Prillerman, 19, are charged with first-degree murder in relation to a mass shooting on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW on Aug. 10, 2020. The three allegedly opened fire on a group of teenagers. Taijhon Wyatt, 17, was killed in the shooting.
Prosecutors had offered the defendants a wired plea deal, meaning they all had to accept it in order for it to be successful. The deal would have Hernandez and Prillerman plead guilty to second-degree murder, facing 12 years in jail.
Levy would have pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, and would face 8 years in jail.
Due to Hernandez’s rejection of the offer, Levy and Prillerman’s offers were withdrawn by prosecutors, and all three are expected to go to trial beginning June 14.
Parties are expected back May 31 to ensure there will be sufficient time to prepare for the trial following Hernandez’s unexpected decision.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects in a fatal shooting that occurred on April 30 on the 3800 block of Jay Street, NE.
The decedent has been identified as 30-year-old Tyrone Hopkins.
