Homicide Defendant Found Competent Prior to Preliminary Hearing

On Aug. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found a homicide defendant mentally competent to stand trial after reviewing reports from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), and hearing dramatic testimony from a key witness as part of a preliminary hearing.

Isaiah Trotman, 32, is charged with felony murder related to a kidnapping for his alleged involvement in various shootings that occurred on Feb. 1, 2023 at the intersection of 38th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE inside the Potomac Avenue Metro Station. The shooting killed 64-year-old Robert Cunningham, and left three other individuals suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Following months of mental health evaluations, doctors at the DBH found Trotman competent to proceed with his case. Due to the reports from DBH, Judge Raffinan approved his ability to go through with the scheduled court proceedings.

Prosecutors called forth a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to testify regarding his involvement in the investigation. He was the lead detective for Trotman’s case.

According to MPD documents, presented by the detective as part of his testimony, Trotman boarded the M-6 Metro Bus at the same time as the first victim. They both sat at the back of the bus, before a verbal altercation broke out. During the incident, victim one was on the phone, and Trotman allegedly told him to get off it.

Surveillance footage shown in court depicted the suspect, identified as Trotman, standing over victim one as the bus was traveling. When the bus stopped he tried to leave when the defendant brandished a handgun and pushed him back on his seat.

“Sit your ass down, you think I’m playing,” Trotman can be heard telling the victim.

Then Trotman said “Look me in the face, I’m a prophet, you going to die with me today. The last dude I shot earlier this morning was sitting in the same seat as you,”. MPD was alerted of another Metro Bus being shot earlier that morning, but no passengers or victims were reported.

According to the detective, victim one was able to get to the door to exit the bus when Trotman followed after him and shot at him four times, hitting him once on the leg. Following the shooting, the defendant walked into the Potomac Metro Station where the violent encounter continued

According to MPD documents, Trotman attacked an individual who was in the mezzanine level of the station as he was reloading his metrocard.

Surveillance footage shows an individual identified as Trotman approach the second victim, put him in a headlock, and drag him towards the turnstile entrance as he threatens the victim with a gun. Trotman’s arm can be seen recoiling after he shoots the second victim’s leg before dragging him down to the train platform.

According to the detective, once victim two and Trotman were on the platform, Trotman dragged the victim to what became the third victim. Trotman allegedly told victim three “get the fuck off the phone,” which caused her to hang up.

“I’ll shoot you, I am God,” Trotman told victim three.

Trotman pointed the firearm at her, which led Cunningham to try to tackle Trotman.

According to the detective, the shot that killed Cunningham happened almost immediately as soon as he tried to control Trotman. Cunningham endured a gunshot to the head that killed him instantly.

Surveillance footage shows Trotman stomp Cunningham twice, before dragging victim two into a train with him.

Once on the train, a passenger noticed Trotman with the gun and tried to exit the train before being stopped by the defendant. Surveillance footage shows Trotman pointing the gun at the passenger to get them to sit back down.

After berating passengers for a few minutes, Trotman is seen sitting down on a handicap seat that’s perpendicular to the first forward-facing seat where victim four was sitting. Trotman places the gun on the seat to his right as he was attempting to put sunglasses on when victim four grabbed his weapon and began to run away.

Almost instantaneously, Trotman tackles victim four to attempt to acquire the gun, when she slides the gun through the train as all other passengers escape. An individual removed Trotman from on top of victim four, which allowed victim four to get up and grab the gun from under a seat.

According to the detective, victim four and Trotman exited the train, and victim four threw the weapon onto the other train track to prevent the defendant from getting it. Trotman, in an attempt to retrieve the weapon, jumped on the tracks but was unable to locate the gun.

Surveillance footage shows MPD and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel arrive at the platform after Trotman leaves the tracks. Thanks to witnesses’ lookout alerts, Trotman was detained by MPD and rendered aid by EMS.

Due to time constraints, the detective was unable to finish his testimony.

The preliminary hearing is slated to resume Aug. 29.

2018 Fatal Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

On Aug. 24, Demetrius Void accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors.

Void, 36, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and armed carjacking for his involvement in a dispute that resulted in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lawson. The incident occurred on Sept. 25, 2018, on the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

During the Aug. 24 hearing, Void accepted a deal that required him to plead guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for dismissal of all other indictment charges.

Sentencing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe is set for Nov. 17.

Document: Homicide: 200 Block of N Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 22 on the 200 block of N Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious person, where they located an adult female shooting victim with no signs consistent with life. While investigating, MPD officers located an adult male victim inside of the location suffering from a gunshot wound, and recovered a firearm from the scene.

The female decedent has been identified as 70-year-old Lucy Williams. The male has not yet been identified.

According to MPD documents, this incident is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.

Case Acquitted: Jury Finds Murder Suspect Acted in Self-Defense: Verdict, Not Guilty

Green was acquitted of murder on Aug. 24, 2023.

On Aug. 24, a female defendant who testified about killing her boyfriend in self defense was found not guilty.

Tamika Green, 37, is found not guilty of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the death of 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. on Feb. 20, 2020 in an apartment on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. However, Green was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license.

Defense attorneys said Green was acting in self defense when she shot Tate, her boyfriend at the time, during a physical altercation. Tate died from gunshot wounds sustained to his shoulder and hip.

After an intense three week trial and four days of deliberations, a jury of nine women and three men found Green not guilty of murdering Tate because she was acting in self defense.

Prosecutors tried to prove Green’s guilt by presenting Green’s text messages they said showed that Green was resentful of Tate and had the motive to kill him.

According to court documents, Green sent several messages to Tate in the hours before his death saying things like “Fuck U,” and “U Ah WHOLE BITCH Out Here!!!!!!”

Prosecutors called on 29 witnesses, some of them including firearms experts, crime scene analysts, Tate’s family members, and medical examiners, to attempt to prove her guilt. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Sergeant Detective testified about Green covering up Tate’s death to detectives.

According to court documents, Green told detectives a burglar broke into their house and shot Tate, but she managed to escape with her three-year-old nephew. Defense attorneys argued she was too scared to tell detectives the truth because Tate’s parents were former MPD officers.

Prosecutors said during opening statements back on Aug. 2, “she fled, she never came back, she told stories that never made sense…. She had the gun, she had the bullets, she had the motive, and then she tried to cover it up.”

Three witnesses testified about having restraining orders against Tate because he was violent towards them. Green’s friend testified about an incident where Tate was convicted of smashing her car windows with a carjack while she was still in the car. Two of his ex-girlfriends testified that Tate was allegedly violent towards them at least once during their relationships.

During an emotional testimony, Green testified about multiple instances where Tate was abusive towards her during their relationship and about the night she killed Tate.

She said the fight started after she said she was going to call someone else to take her and her nephew to 7-eleven to get ice cream because Tate wouldn’t. According to Green, Tate pushed her into the wall while her nephew was still in her arms.

She said she never thought Tate would bring her nephew into this and she had gone into the room with him to call her nephew’s mom to pick him up when Tate snatched her phone, dragged her out of the room by her hair, slammed her into a closet door, and started choking her.

Green said “I couldn’t breathe,” and “He kept squeezing. He wouldn’t stop.”

Green said she thought at that moment, “this is it. I might not walk out of that apartment,” but, “by the grace of God I got away.”

According to Green, she managed to escape and grabbed his gun, but she shot him when he wouldn’t stop coming towards her anyway.

Tate’s family walked out immediately after the verdict was read. After the jury was excused, Green was crying and hugging her defense attorneys, Kevann Gardner and Hannah Claudio, while saying thank you.

Parties will return on Aug. 28 to discuss releasing Green prior to her sentencing on Oct. 20.

Non-Fatal Shooting Charges Dropped for Defendant in Many Violent Crimes

On Aug. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to eight years incarceration for his involvement in various crimes.

Andre Gregory, 32, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of robbery while armed, armed carjacking, and attempted tampering with physical evidence for his alleged involvement in various incidents in 2019.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, on March 4, 2019, Gregory and another man carjacked an individual at gunpoint as he was arriving at his home. Prosecutors say Gregory and his companion ran up on the victim, forced him out of his vehicle, searched him, robbed him of his belongings, and stole his car.

In another incident, on March 26, 2019, officers responded to the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE, for the report of a shooting at the Shell Gas Station. When they arrived, they located an adult male shooting victim suffering from close range gunshot wounds to his back and stomach.

Surveillance footage shows an individual, who was later identified as Gregory, exit a vehicle at the gas station, approach a group of individuals by the entrance, shoot twice, and get back into the waiting vehicle that sped away from the scene.

According to prosecutors, Gregory was then charged in Prince George’s County, MD, with armed robbery.

Gregory was arrested in DC on May 10, 2019.

In 2022, Gregory was charged with bribery and drug trafficking in the DC Jail. He is awaiting sentencing for that case through the District Court.

On April 13, Gregory accepted a plea offer that had him plead guilty to one count of unarmed carjacking and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for the dismissal of all other indictment charges.

During the sentencing, Gregory told the court he is sorry for his actions, stating he’s done a lot of thinking while he’s been incarcerated and has been working on becoming a better person.

“When I think about my poor choices, I think about how I would feel if I was in [the victims’] place,” he said.

“This is not a life I want to continue, nor is it the example I want to give to my kids,” he insisted.

“It kills me knowing that I have become damaging to not only my life but others as well,” he told Judge Okun.

Judge Okun sentenced Gregory to 96 months for the unarmed carjacking with a mandatory minimum of 84 months, and 24 months for the possession of a firearm with a mandatory minimum of 12 months. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve 96 months at most.

Judge Okun will send a recommendation to the Bureau of Prisons (BoP) to have Gregory placed in a facility that has the Challenge Program, a cognitive behavioral residential program, and the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RADP) to allow Gregory to receive treatment he needs and wants.

Once released, Gregory is expected to register as a gun offender, pay a total of $200 to the Crime Victim Fund, and must receive vocational training or hold a job, receive mental health assessments and treatment as needed.

Judge Okun ordered the sentence for this case run consecutively with the sentence from District Court.

“I hope for your sake, your children’s sake, and the community’s sake, that you’re ready to change,” said Judge Okun.

Judge Finds Probable Cause a Defendant Was Connected to a Robbery, Killing

On Aug. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause that a defendant allegedly committed homicide during a robbery at the victim’s apartment.

Correy Ray, 45, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the killing of 20-year-old Marjai Wimbush during a robbery on Dec. 4, 2022 at the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE. Wimbush died from a single gunshot wound to the left side of his chest.

According to court documents, there were signs of a struggle in Wimbush’s apartment. There was blood on the wall, a TV knocked over, and shoeboxes tossed in disarray, and one of the witnesses found Wimbush deceased and slumped over in a corner.

According to court documents, the first witness was “hanging out” with Wimbush in his apartment when Ray allegedly broke in to rob him. The witness managed to escape and found a second witness to call for help. The homicide allegedly occurred between the time the witness ran away to find help and when other witnesses found Wimbush dead.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke questioned the lead detective on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) homicide branch about the first witness’ recollections of the crime during seven different interviews with MPD.

According to the detective, the witness had told him the suspect was bald and had facial hair, even though she also said the suspect was wearing a ski mask that covered everything but part of his face and nose.

Bunke asked Epstein to find there was no probable cause to link Ray to the crime because there was no tangible or forensic evidence. In fact, Bunke said there was probable cause to believe a third party committed the crime instead.

Epstein said there was no evidence this shooting was in self defense and nothing indicating a third party committed the crime. He said he found probable cause Ray killed Wimbush, in part, because a red car allegedly linked to Ray was seen arriving at Wimbush’s apartment building before the shooting and leaving shortly after.

Bunke said there was no way to tie the car back to Ray because the detectives did not have a license plate or the make and model.

Parties will return on Nov. 17 to make arguments about Ray’s release.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

On Aug. 23, a non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to six indictment charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Reginald Hughes, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 26, 2022. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Southern Avenue, SE, and left one individual injured.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the location after ShotSpotter alerted to seven shots being fired in the area. When they arrived, officers located the victim’s vehicle crashed against a pole before it was engulfed in flames. The victim was conscious and breathing, and told officers he couldn’t feel his legs several times.

The MPD’s investigation showed that the victim’s vehicle had been shot at as he was crossing the intersection of Southern Avenue and Bonini Road, SE. Officers located seven spent shell casings at the intersection. MPD believes that there were two shooters involved in the incident.

According to MPD documents, the victim was able to identify Hughes as the shooter, and told officers that Hughes had threatened to kill him before he shot him.

During the hearing, Molly Bunke, Hughes’ defense attorney, alerted the court that Hughes was pleading not guilty to all charges, and asserted his right to a speedy trial.

A trial date has been set for March 2024.

Parties are expected to return on Aug. 31.

Judge Finds Probable Cause a Defendant Fatally Shot a Victim

On Aug. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled there was probable cause a defendant was connected to a fatal shooting.

Anthony Green, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 24-year-old Terrence Akindo on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE, on July 30. He died from gunshot wounds to his head and chest.

According to court documents, a witness told officers they heard Green allegedly say to Akindo, “What you say about my girl?” before shooting him on the street. The altercation occurred after Akindo allegedly accosted Green’s girlfriend earlier that day because Green allegedly failed to pay him $200 for marijuana five-to-six days before the homicide.

Defense attorney Sylvia Smith questioned a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective about a different individual, who was arrested one week after the incident with a firearm, connected to this case. The detective said the MPD conducted no independent investigation to see if this individual was the shooter.

According to court documents, an eyewitness said Green allegedly shot Akindo from a close range. However, the MPD detective said there was no soot from the shot which would have indicated the shooting was up close.

Smith asked Epstein to find no probable cause Green shot Akindo because the prosecutor’s case relied on two eyewitnesses’ testimony which Smith said weren’t reliable.

Epstein disagreed saying there is probable cause Green committed the homicide because an eyewitness said they knew Green well and could identify him even though he was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask.

Smith asked for Epstein to impose stay away orders and strict home confinement for Green because the DC Jail was “deteriorating” and “incarceration should be a last resort.” She mentioned Green’s having a child on the way and his minimal criminal history score as reasons release conditions could be implemented while ensuring the safety of the community.

Prosecutors said they have “grave concerns” about releasing Green given the nature of the case and the fact Green has a pending attempted first-degree murder charge against him in Maryland for a shooting that allegedly occurred in Silver Spring on July 15, two weeks before Akindo’s homicide.

Epstein denied Green’s release, saying the homicide was “approaching an execution.”

Parties set a trial date for March 3, 2025.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 26, 2024.

Judge Sentences Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant to 17 Years in Prison

On Aug. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced a defendant connected to a non-fatal shooting.

Stefen Farmer, 51, was found not guilty of assault with intent to kill while armed, but guilty of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly firing three non-fatal shots at the male victim. The shooting happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE, on Feb. 25, 2021.

Epstein sentenced Farmer to 144 months for aggravated assault knowingly while armed and 60 months for possessing a firearm during a violent crime. The sentences will run consecutively.

Prosecutors called the shooting “brutal” and “callous,” saying Farmer shot his lifelong friend on a public sidewalk in broad daylight as the victim was walking away.

“He knew what he did was wrong. He should face the consequences,” prosecutors said.

Farmer’s attorney, Nikki Lotze, asked for a low sentence given Farmer’s acknowledged mental illnesses and the fact he expressed remorse about the shooting.

Epstein agreed to make a recommendation for Farmer to be placed in a prison with strong mental health services so he could receive treatment while incarcerated.

Lotze also said the court should take into consideration the severity of the injuries because the victim was only shot in the thumb and thigh. However, Epstein said a defendant’s aiming skills does not diminish the intent to cause harm.

Farmer spoke about how he’s grown his love of reading and writing while incarcerated, and how he values his relationships with people close to him.

“Life is a journey, a never ending experience, and I love to learn things,” Farmer said.

Epstein called the shooting a “very serious crime that almost resulted in his [the victim’s] death,” and said he did not find any mitigating factors to rationalize a lower sentence.

Prosecutors also highlighted the District’s alarming shooting rate when asking for the maximum sentence possible.

“We are living in a nightmare of gun crime,” prosecutors said.

Trial Postponed for Robbery Suspect Stabbed in DC Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan agreed to a new trial date for co-defendants in a robbery and shooting case in an Aug. 23 hearing after one of the suspects was stabbed at the DC jail.

George Belk and Anthony Owens, both 42, are charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to an incident that occurred on April 15, 2020 on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) report, Belk and Owens were in the process of committing an armed robbery when an unknown individual started shooting at the pair. Witnesses told police the would-be robbers were wounded by gunfire and sped away in a black vehicle.

Originally, the suspects said they were the intended robbery victims and drove to United Medical Health Center where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A key witness in the case told police he thought that Belk and Owens were trying to rob him and also fired shots at the suspects as they were trying to escape. That individual says he knows who actually shot Belk and Owens, but won’t reveal the name.

According to court documents, the witness who allegedly fired at Belk and Owens was previously convicted of crimes that carry more than one year in jail.

In a motion filed in DC Superior Court on Aug. 17, Belk’s attorney, Bruce Cooper, asked for a change in the trial date because his client’s wounds were “bad and bloody” and that he would be hospitalized for a few days after being stabbed six times. However, Belk was present for the Aug. 23 court hearing.

The rationale for Belk’s new trial date, according to the motion, was “to review trial strategy, possible witness issues, and evidentiary issues prior to the trial.”

The same day Belk was injured, another DC Jail inmate, Darrow Johnson, 34, was allegedly stabbed to death by Mussay Rezene, 30, with a “cutting instrument,” according to court documents.

Judge Ryan described conditions at the jail as “notoriously problematic.”

Cooper tells D.C. Witness police should make a greater effort to get the witness to identify the individual who wounded Belk and Owens since investigators still haven’t found any guns that Belk and Owens allegedly used in the attack.

Judge Ryan pushed the trial date back until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

On Aug. 22, a non-fatal shooting defendant waived his right to have a preliminary hearing and requested to be released.

Ivan Holmes, 19, is charged with carrying a pistol outside a home or business and unlawful discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the intersection of 1400 block of 1st Street and the unit block of P Street, SW, on Aug. 18.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the area for the report of a shooting that involved a group of alleged thieves. Holmes was confronted by the responding police officers and attempted to escape as officers handcuffed him.

At the hearing, Holmes waived his right to have a preliminary hearing. Holmes’s attorney, Thomas Healy, argued that there is not sufficient evidence suggested Holmes triggered the firearm.

Additionally, Healy requested for his release under home confinement conditions. He explained that Holmes’ education program at a DC school is slated to begin on Aug. 31.

The prosecutor opposed the release request, highlighting the Community Reporting System(CRS) crime camera footage captured Holmes pulling the firearm’s trigger and shooting at the windows and walls of buildings. He argued that evidence showed Holmes conducted dangerous actions during the incident.

DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples denied the defense’s request for release. Judge Staples stated the facts of the case are unclear and it is still under investigation.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.

Document: Traffic Fatality: Northbound Interstate 295 at Exit 4

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Aug. 2 on Northbound Interstate 295 at Exit 4.

According to MPD documents, a 2019 Honda motorcycle, driven by an adult male, was traveling northbound on I-295 approaching Exit 4 behind a 2022 Ford Transit van. As traffic slowed down, the motorcycle ran struck the rear of the van. Responding officers transported the motorcycle driver to a local hospital for the treatment of life-threatening injuries. The driver of the van did not sustain any injuries.

On Aug. 21, the motorcycle driver succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 38-year-old Marcus Hearn.

Document: Homicide: 2200 Block of 16th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 21 on the 2200 block of 16th Street, SE.

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 an area hospital, where, despite all lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 44-year-old Robert Ferguson.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 1300 Block of Half Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 17 on the 1300 block of Half Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located evidence of a shooting. During the investigation, MPD officers learned that two possible victims were located and transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera nearby.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 800 Block of Bladensburg Road, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 19, on the 800 block of Bladensburg Road, 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 for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by nearby surveillance footage.

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