Case Acquitted: Judge Ruled On Multiple Motions in 2020 Homicide Case

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

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ruled on multiple motions in a lengthy hearing for homicide defendant Tamika Green.

Green, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for her alleged involvement in the death of 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. The incident occurred on Feb. 20, 2020, on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. The incident was described as a domestic dispute.

According to court documents, Tate was shot three times – once on his left shoulder, once in the left hip area, and once in his left forearm – before succumbing to his injuries.

Prior to the hearing, defense attorneys for Green filed motions to suppress certain evidence, including ammunition, digital data, and statements allegedly made by Green to police. Prosecutors filed their opposition to these motions.

Prosecutors plan to use information from Green’s phone, which includes tens of thousands of records.

The defense claimed that, without knowing what evidence prosecutors will pull from these phone records, their whole theory could be affected.

“Green will be adversely affected,” said the defense regarding the issue with the evidence.

Prosecutors brought upon a witness, a detective sergeant from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), for questioning regarding Green’s communications with detectives over the phone before they interviewed her.

According to the witness, Green had messaged detectives claiming that she did not feel safe and didn’t know who to trust. After many text messages from detectives asking to speak with her, Green requested a ride to the MPD Homicide Branch.

The witness asserted that Green did not appear intimidated, fearful, or uncomfortable during the ride to the station.

Prosecutors showed various clips of the interview between Green and the detectives. In one clip, Green can be heard saying she is there because she wants justice. In another clip, detectives briefly mentioned to Green that the ammunition in her purse was the same as the weapon used in Tate’s murder.

Prosecutors argued that they have a right to search any physical evidence and use Green’s statements given at the interview because she was there on her own accord.

“She was free to terminate the interview at any time,” said prosecutors.

The defense argued that her responses were involuntary as detectives constantly conveyed that they needed to speak with her, leaving her with no choice but to comply.

“A reasonable person in [Green’s] position would feel like they didn’t have a right,” said the defense.

Regarding the use of the ammunition found in Green’s purse, the defense argued that there is no forensic evidence linking her to the murder weapon.

After considering both parties’ arguments, Judge Demeo denied the motions to suppress ammunition evidence and Green’s statements to MPD detectives. The court reserved its ruling on the phone matter.

“The [police] statement is admissible at trial,” Judge Demeo ruled.

Parties are expected to return on July 31 for a continued motions hearing.

Case Acquitted: Judge Finds Probable Cause and Orders Defendant Held in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause in a case against defendant Saphire Johnson.

Johnson, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 28 on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, shots were fired from multiple guns outside a church following the funeral of one of Johnson’s family members. Johnson was injured, along with another victim, the complaining witness in this case.

The other shooter, who injured Johnson, has not been identified.

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to the witness stand, who testified to her knowledge of the events that day. She said that a family altercation occurred, after which the shots were fired.

Defense attorney Varsha Govindaraju highlighted the fact that multiple people were said to be aggressive toward Johnson and arguing outside of the church before the shooting.

Govindaraju argued that there is no probable cause in this case by reason of self-defense.

Judge Raymond agreed that there is a possibility the shooting was done in self-defense, but was not willing to rule that there was no probable cause because she said the evidence presented was not clear enough.

Parties argued whether Johnson should be held awaiting her trial. Govindaraju detailed Johnson’s extensive volunteering, as well as 26 support letters from her family and members of the community.

Ultimately, Judge Raymond decided to hold Johnson given the violent nature of the crime.

Parties are expected to return on July 25.

Homicide Defendants Plead Not Guilty and Prepare for Jury Trial

On July 24, two homicide defendants pleaded not guilty and parties set trial dates for later this year.

Malachi McFarland, 23, and co-defendant Andre Smith are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Kerry Odoms on April 15, 2021, on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE.

At the hearing, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. McFarland is already detained completing a sentence in an unrelated matter.

McFarland’s attorney, Christen Phillips, confirmed McFarland is waiving his right to independently test evidence for DNA. Phillips then requested the prosecutor to provide evidence in the case.

The prosecution stated it had done two rounds of DNA evidence testing on McFarland’s jacket, water bottle, vehicle, and other objects recovered from the scene, and to compared Smith’s DNA with the collected evidence.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set a status hearing for September 15.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with Intent to Kill (Gun) Offense: 500 Block of Oklahoma Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 36-year-old Tyrone Taylor with assault with intent to kill (gun) and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 22 on the 500 block of Oklahoma Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an armed individual, where they located and arrested Taylor. Officers also located an adult male shooting victim, whom was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. A firearm was recovered from Taylor.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 1500 Block of 7th Street, Northwest

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 July 23 on the 1500 block of 7th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim inside an establishment. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Document: Homicide: 1400 Block of Girard Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 22 on the 1400 block of Girard Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting where they located an adult male shooting victim. A second shooting victim was located at the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Both victims were located with no signs consistent with life.

The victims have been identified as 29-year-old Luke Whitaker and 19-year-old Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes.

Document: Homicide: 600 Block of 46th Place, SoutheasT

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 21, on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim with no signs consistent with life, in the hallway of a residential building.

The victim was identified as 27-year-old Malik Haggans.

Document: Homicide: 2300 Block of L’Enfant Square, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding a homicide that occurred on July 22 on the 2300 block of L’Enfant Square, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a man down, where they located an adult male stabbing victim with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Antoine Ealey.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: I-695 Bridge Southbound Near Exit 2B

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 27-year-old Antoine Johnson with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 21 on the I-695 Bridge Southbound near exit 2B.

According to MPD documents, Johnson and a victim were traveling in separate vehicles at the location, when Johnson discharged a gun at the victim’s vehicle causing damage. No injuries were reported.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 700 Block of Kenilworth Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 18-year-old Antwain Ulmer with first-degree murder premeditated while armed for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on July 9 on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers heard gunshots and reported to the location. They located an adult male shooting victim inside an establishment with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Charles Sullivan.

Document: Suspects and Vehicle Sought in an Assault with Intent to Commit Robbery Offense: 1300 Block of W Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects and a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 20 on the 1300 block of W 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 a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Jury Convicts Homicide Defendant for Death of Two and Injuries to Others

On July 20, a jury found Jalen Browne guilty on 12-counts following a two-week long emotional trial.

Browne, 21, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting. The shooting occurred on the 100 block of Q Street, NW, on July 25, 2021.

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

Through trial, prosecutors displayed multiple pieces of video footage from street cameras that documented the events of the shooting and Browne’s alleged escape.

In the footage, Browne was seen wearing clothes similar to his and using the same make and model car observed at the scene. The ostensible motion for the shooting was retaliation for the attempted robbery of his car on February 9, 2021.

Through trial, Browne’s defense attorney, Douglas Wood’s main focus was the prosecution’s claim about motive.

According to Wood, no evidence was presented to prove that any of the six young men who were shot at were involved in the attempted robbery of Browne’s car which occurred months before the homicides.

Prosecutors called forth the surviving victim and one of the individuals who was fired at but remained physically unharmed.

The surviving victim was asked to recount the events on the day of the shooting, but quickly admitted that he had a drug problem that impacted his memory.

The witness went so far as to say that he was high as he was testifying. He could testify to the basic facts of the case, stating that he received a gunshot wound to his lower back and fled the scene, but could not recall any specifics about the day of the shooting.

The second witness at the crime scene recanted grand jury testimony despite reading and listening to portions shown in court. The witness maintained not knowing or recalling prior grand jury testimony.

A forensic pathologist from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner testified on the autopsy findings, confirming cause of death for both Hill and Riley as singular gunshot wounds to their backs damaging their lungs, spines, and hearts.

As trial came to a close, prosecutors focused on the evidence in the case, including the credibility of witnesses, the car used in the crime, the shooter’s clothing, and cell site analysis that linked the defendant to the area of the shooting.

Prosecutors went on to say that Browne is the one individual who could have committed the crime when considering the timeline, location, access to the items in evidence, and motive.

According to the defense, prosecutors failed to prove that Browne was the shooter, claiming they only presented circumstantial evidence.

Brian McDaniel, Browne’s other defense attorney, insistedthat Browne should not be found guilty by the rule of law because of reasonable doubt established by multiple witnesses’ testimonies.

All parties spoke of the potential of someone close to Browne being the orchestrator or perpetrator of the homicides. McDaniel argued that the unknown individual’s potential involvement was reasonable doubt enough.

Browne is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.

Murder Suspect’s Detention Continues Under New DC Law

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a prosecutor’s request for continued detention of a homicide defendant under a new law as he awaits trial.

Derricko Johnson, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged connection to the shooting of 16-year-old Justin Johnson at the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on May 26, 2022.

The prosecution argued that the case against Johnson is stronger than it was a year ago at his preliminary hearing based on recent evidence. According to prosecutors, his rearrest in April after non-compliance with his release conditions should lead to continued detention pending his trial date.

Judge Raffinan, after considering Johnson’s “history and characteristics,” granted the prosecution’s request for continued pre-trial detention in the wake of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s signing the Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 on July 20. It expands pretrial incarceration for defendants, both adult and juvenile, who have allegedly committed violent crimes.

Parties are expected back Sept. 22.

Woman Sentenced to Eight Years After Shooting Paralyzes Victim

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Dasani Dawson to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release.

Dawson, 19, was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence (PFCOV) for shooting a single victim seven times on Aug. 4, 2022 on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

The defendant was originally charged with assault with intent to kill and PFCOV, but the first charge was reduced when she pled guilty on Apr. 21.

After suffering multiple gunshot injuries to the spine, the victim was paralyzed, an injury that the prosecution argued has significantly affected his quality of life and the wellbeing of his family.

Several of the victim’s family members attended the sentencing, with the prosecution calling his mother to testify how the defendant’s actions have altered their lives.

The victim’s mother stated he now requires intensive care from the family, and that they live in a housing unit which is not accessible for the disabled which has made travel difficult for the victim.

Judge Epstein thanked the victim’s mother for her statement, and said that due to the severity of his injuries “it’s a miracle that your son is still with us.”

The prosecution further emphasized the immense impact Dawson’s actions had on the victim’s family, saying that “he will never stand up again” due to the defendant’s “calculated and egregious” conduct.

Comments by detectives on the case alleged that Dawson had “been terrorizing the community for years.”

Defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein argued that Dawson’s conduct during the shooting was largely unintentional, and that she had only meant to threaten the victim with a gun but instead fired a semi-automatic weapon, which is why the victim was shot multiple times.

Sapirstein also attempted to convince the court to sentence Dawson under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which potentially allows for a defendant’s conviction to be eventually sealed.

Dawson also apologized to the victim’s mother in court, saying that, “Everyday I regret doing it.”

Despite the defendant’s apology, Judge Epstein still declined to sentence Dawson under the YRA, saying that “only a tiny fraction of 18-year-olds commit the kind of crime that [Dawson] did.”

Judge Epstein sentenced Dawson to eight years for each of her two counts set to run concurrently.

He also sentenced her to five years of supervised release.

Dawson will also be required to seek mental health treatment and anger management programs while in prison and register as a gun offender when she is released.

Shooting Defendant Accepts a Plea Deal

On July 21, Kevon Robinson accepted a plea deal offered by prosecutors in connection to a non-fatal shooting.

Robinson, 23, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill for shooting one victim in the leg on May 25 on the 700 block of 20th Street, NE.

Video footage referenced in Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents indicates that Robinson and another individual were traveling toward the victim on bicycles, and dismounted when a car passed by.

According to court documents, the two individuals then noticed the victim, who had been talking briefly to the individuals in the car. Once they approached the victim, Robinson allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired multiple times, hitting the victim twice in the leg.

Robinson was arrested on June 22 after MPD officers executed a search warrant at a known address and allegedly finding multiple firearms and several rounds of ammunition.

Parties agreed to undisclosed sentencing guidelines, though DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein informed the defendant that he did not have to follow either the prosecution’s or the defense’s sentencing recommendations.

As Robinson is under the age of 25, the defense stated that they would be providing a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) report in addition to a sentencing memorandum. The YRA allows defendants younger than 25-years-old to face reduced sentences or have the option to eventually have their convictions sealed.

Sentencing is set to take place before Judge Epstein on Oct. 13.

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