Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide and Resulting Firefight

On July 11, during a preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause that Justin Borum was the perpetrator of a homicide..

Borum, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Jayvon Jones, 21, on Feb. 21, around the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE.

Arriving at the scene, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located three male victims suffering from gunshot wounds who were taken to nearby hospitals. Jones was pronounced dead, while the other two males were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

In court, a prosecutor presented video surveillance collected from an apartment building showing Borum and a second suspect allegedly shooting Jones as he attempted to flee.

Following the shooting , an exchange of gunfire erupted from others in the area.

A detective who was present at the scene testified in court that there were “99 shell cases recovered in this crime scene.”

When the prosecution played footage depicting Jones’ being shot while attempting to run, his family members responded emotionally and left the courtroom.

Based on the video, the prosecutor argued that Borum fled the scene in a vehicle identified by his own license tags.

The prosecutor also argued that earlier footage shows Borum entering the area in the same vehicle he used to flee, wearing the same clothing seen in surveillance footage of the shooting.

Stephen Logerfo, Borum’s defense attorney, rebutted the claims about the footage on the grounds that a witness who identified Borum had a hostile relationship with the defendant.

Logerfo also argued that the footage is blurred.

After the arguments, Judge O’Keefe determined that the evidence presented was enough to find probable cause and denied a request to release the defendant based on his extensive criminal record and his dangerousness to the community.

Parties are set to meet for a status conference on Oct. 13 before Judge O’Keefe.

Defense Wants to Investigate a ‘Discrepancy’ in Cell Phone Data

On July 12, defense attorneys requested a continuance of a preliminary hearing because of an evidentiary issue.

Terrance Stoney, 30, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 43-year-old Donte Tiller on March 17 at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE.

Defense attorney Pierce Suen raised concerns about a potentially “consequential discrepancy” found in cell phone connections in two reports. He said the times recorded in both reports differed from each other by one minute.

Suen said he had not filed a subpoena for the exact data from the cellphone carrier because the information was not in the warrant and the new report came out just the day before the hearing.

Prosecutors initially refused to provide the cell site data, and Suen is planning to file a motion to receive these materials if the prosecutors do not hand them over.

Suen asked for three weeks to receive the data and investigate the discrepancy.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 9.

Outstanding Warrant Delays Murder Suspect’s Release

On June 12, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan further delayed defendant Victor Coley’s release date due to an outstanding warrant in Maryland.

Coley, 60, was found guilty in 2015 for his involvement in a shooting that injured four on Nov. 6, 2013 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He was accused of assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, along with eleven other charges.

In 2021, one of Coley’s victims, 65-year-old Dennis Foster, allegedly died from gunshot wounds sustained in the 2013 shooting. As a result, new murder charges were filed against Coley.

On June 23, the murder trial resulted in a hung jury.

Defense lawyers Jesse Winograd and Carrie Weletz were planning to place Coley at a residential recovery facility in Southeast DC. However, given his outstanding warrant, the facility will not be able to accept Coley.

Judge Ryan delayed releasing the defendant until July 20, allowing the defense time to contact Maryland officials and resolve the issue.

The “detainer” or warrant in Maryland is in regards to a second-degree assault charge in 2011. The active warrant was issued in November 2013, shortly after Coley was taken into custody for the 2013 shooting.

The next status hearing will take place July 19.

Document: Vehicle 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 vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 11 on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located three shooting victims, two adult males and one adult female. They were all transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 1300 Block of Good Hope Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 56-year-old Andre Hubbard with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 10 on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, and learned that there were two adult shooting victim seeking treatment at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 600 Block of Alumni Lane, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 22-year-old Jaime Maceo with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on July 5 on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE.

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 was identified as 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson from Kentucky.

Document: Arrest Made in 2021 and 2022 Homicide Offenses that Occurred in the District

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 22-year-old Corde Fitzhugh-Clingman with two counts of first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for his alleged connection in homicides that occurred in 2021 and 2022.

According to MPD documents, on July 8, 2021 officers responded to the 3300 block of Southern Avenue, SE for the report of an overturned vehicle, where they located an adult male victim inside the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. The individual succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Muntsier Sharfi.

On April 25, 2022, officers responded to the 5000 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE for the report of a traffic accident and shooting, where they located an adult male in a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Zekariya Elmi.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Evidence

On July 11, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz accepted Marcellus Stewart’s request to waive independent testing of DNA evidence in a shooting case.

Stewart, 27, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on May 17 on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE. The incident left three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, are not testing any evidence recovered from the scene for DNA. Judge Leibovitz explained to Stewart that his decision to forego DNA testing is final and Stewart agreed.

Stewart’s trial readiness hearing will be on Sept. 8. The trial is set to begin on Sept. 13.

Defendant Accepts Plea Deal in Double-Shooting Incident

On July 11, non-fatal shooting defendant Lucky Curry accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors.

Curry, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 28 on the 2000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The incident left a woman suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

According to court documents, Curry claimed he was was initially a robbery victim, then proceeded to shoot at two individuals whom he said robbed him.

Prosecutors extended a deal that requires Curry to plead guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and in exchange all other charges will be dropped. He’s facing between 36-to- 48 months in prison.

DC Superior Court Judge Leibovitz explained the plea agreement and Curry agreed to the terms.

Curry’s expected to be sentenced on Sept. 8.

Murder Defendant in Stabbing Found Mentally Incompetent

On July 11, a homicide defendant was found mentally incompetent to stand trial pending further evaluation.

Asmerom Ghebrekidan is charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE, on May 25. The assault left two victims suffering from injuries, and one of the victims, 41-year-old Fitsum Ayele Mamo, died two days after the incident.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Ghebrekidan and Mamo got into a fight, and the other victim was trying to seperate them.

Mamo and the surviving victim were stabbed on their heads, and Mamo sustained additional stab wounds to his left arm.

At the hearing Ghebrekidan’s full mental competency examination was presented. The evaluations were done by the Department of Behavioral Health, which found Ghebrekidan mentally incompetent.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein reviewed the report and issued what’s called an Incompetency and Inpatient Competency Restoration Order. As a result, Ghebrekidan will receive further evaluations and treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

Following the ruling, Ghebrekidan reacted strongly to the court’s decision, complaining about feeling endangered at St. Elizabeths and the uncertainty of experiencing restoration treatment.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for September 15.

Four Juvenile Males Killed in June Among 21 Total Homicides, Data Shows

D.C. Witness recorded 39 total homicide and non-fatal shooting incidents in DC in June.

Of those, 21 were homicides. All homicides committed in the District, except one, were caused by guns. Four homicide victims were juvenile males who died in three separate incidents. No arrests have been made in these cases.

Stephon Shreeves, 14, succumbed to his injuries on the 2600 block of Sheridan Road, SE, on June 17 after he sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, Demarcos Pinckney, 15, and Kevin Mason,17, were shot and killed on June 18, on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

On June 27, Jaylin Osborne,15, was found by officers on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sunday appeared to be the most dangerous day of the week in DC in June, with five homicides and five non-fatal shootings occurring on that day.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested and charged seven suspects for homicides in June.

Trial Begins for 2021 Double Homicide

On July 10, opening statements and witness testimony were presented in a 2021 double-homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Jalen Browne, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting on the 100 block of Q Street NW on July 25, 2021. Six individuals were caught in the crossfire; three of whom were uninjured. However, Jovan Hill, 22, and Tariq Riley, 19, suffered fatal wounds and later died at MedStar Hospital. A third victim, 22, suffered a gunshot wound to the torso, but survived.

The prosecution presented closed circuit surveillance video from street cameras that allegedly illustrated the shooting and the gunman’s escape. The shooter in the video is wearing clothes similar to the defendant’s and is driving what appears to be his own car.

The motive, according to the prosecution was retaliation for an attempt to steal Browne’s car on February 9, 2021.

According to prosecutors, given the evidence, the motive and the circumstances, Browne is guilty.

“There are eight billion people on this planet, but the only one who has all of these things is the defendant,” insisted the prosecutor.

Defense attorney, Douglas Wood, attempted to refute the prosecution’s characterization of Browne’s motive.

“There is going to be no evidence that those individuals knew Jalen Browne,” he insisted.

According to Wood, there’s no proof any of the six young men targeted in the shooting were involved in the attempted robbery of Browne’s car months before the homicides.

Wood concluded his opening statement saying, “[Browne] had no motive to shoot and kill these individuals…no motive, no reason, nothing.”

Following opening statements, the victims’ relatives and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who first responded to the scene were called forth by prosecutors.

The prosecution played the officer’s body-worn camera footage of his arriving at the scene and assessing one of the victims’ condition. The graphic video led to an emotional outburst from family members and friends of the victims in the courtroom.

Two family members testified that Hill and Riley were shoot to death on the street where they lived.

The trial is slated to continue on July 11.

Vehicular Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

On July 7, a vehicular homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Duron Hudson, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, destruction of property over $1000, and first-degree theft, for his alleged involvement in an incident on the 1200 block of U Street, NW, on November 19, 2019, where a male victim, Nahzil Zaid Abdul Rahim, was found.

At the hearing, Hudson pleaded not guilty and demanded a speedy trial. Hudson’s defense attorney Nathaniel Mensah complained about inefficient communication between parties, and requested the prosecutor provide all evidence to the defense.

At issue is surveillance video taken at the crime scene discussed by a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Mensah raised concerns about a possible discrepancy between an individual shown in the video entering the alley near the crime scene around the time of the incident and the defendant.

However, a GPS tracking device allegedly showed Hudson near the incident, according to investigators.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Sean Staples set the next hearing for Aug. 11.

Four of Five First-Degree Murder Defendants Plead Not Guilty, The Fifth Missing from Court

In a July 10 hearing, four of five homicide defendants pleaded not guilty. The fifth suspect in the shooting case did not appear in court.

Marcel Gavin, 36, John Wilkins, 33, Darryl Little, 29, Kharee Jackson, 24, and Earl Robinson, 31, are charged for their alleged connection to the murder of 21-year-old Albert Smith on June 14, 2020 at the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred was linked to a robbery in the early morning hours. Smith, known as CEO Bezzal, had reportedly come to DC to record a rap video.

All defendants, except Little, who was not present in court and has a warrant out for his arrest, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their charges include conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and multiple counts of robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and first-degree murder while armed.

Gavin and Wilkins have an additional charge of assault with significant bodily injury while armed.

Wilkins is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe set a detention hearing for Robinson and Jackson for July 18. All parties are expected back Sept. 8.

Judge to Release Coley While Awaiting 2013 Homicide Retrial

On July 10, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan indicated he intends to release murder suspect Victor Coley, pending a new trial.

Coley, 60, was found guilty in 2015 for his involvement in a shooting that injured four on Nov. 6, 2013 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He was accused then of assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, along with eleven other charges.

In 2021, one of Coley’s victims, 65-year-old Dennis Foster, allegedly died from gunshot wounds sustained in the 2013 shooting. As a result, new murder charges were filed against Coley.

On June 23, the murder trial resulted in a hung jury.

In court, Judge Ryan revealed that the jury was split 10-to-2 in favor of acquittal. Jurors were reportedly convinced that Foster’s death was a homicide, but not convinced Coley was the perpetrator.

Parties met to discuss how the case would move forward. The prosecution restated its intention to retry Coley’s case. They also asked Judge Ryan to continue holding Coley in the DC Jail until the new trial due to his dangerousness, but Judge Ryan denied the request. He told the defendant that he needed to succeed in the community upon release, to which Coley replied, “without a doubt.”

Coley’s defense attorneys Carrie Weletz and Jesse Winograd are currently trying to place Coley at a residential recovery facility.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 12, during which Judge Ryan said he plans to issue a release order for Coley taking effect on July 19.

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