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Judge Orders Rearrest of Assault Defendant Due to Probation Violations

On May 9, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered the rearrest of a man charged with assault with intent to kill following alleged probation violations. 

On March 1, Markeis Crandall, 19, was convicted of aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left two individuals injured. The incident occurred on Nov. 26, 2021, on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. 

According to Crandall’s probation officer, he has been violating his release conditions since January. He tested positive for fentanyl use, failed to show up for court-ordered anger management classes, and lied about working. He had previously failed to successfully complete a court ordered residential drug-treatment program. 

Prosecutors said they are worried about Crandall’s fentanyl use at such a young age, arguing the drug is dangerous and the consequences could make him a danger to the community.  

Sellano Simmons, Crandall’s defense attorney, argued the defendant has been experiencing various high-stress situations, and has taken accountability for his failures and shown up at anger-management classes. 

When prosecutors and probation officers requested the court arrest Crandall for his various violations, Simmons suggested Crandall be allowed to turn himself into the Re-Entry & Sanctions Center (RSC) for treatment. 

Judge Brandt alerted the parties that since this is a repeated issue, she couldn’t trust Crandall to turn himself in to receive the treatment he needs, and due to her schedule, she couldn’t take time now to decide if his probation should be revoked or if he should be allowed to have a second chance at receiving the treatment he need. 

Judge Brandt ordered that US Marshals take Crandall into custody, and hold him at DC Jail until his next hearing.

“Young man, I’m taking you off the streets to save your life. The only place you’re going to end up is six feet under with a grieving mother,” she said.  

Parties are expected back in court on May 26. 

Document: Homicide: 3500 Block of Hayes Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal assault that occurred on May 4, on the 3500 block of Hayes Street, NE.

The decedent’s information has not yet been released as MPD is trying to contact their next of kin.

Document: Homicide: 5600 Block of B Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on May 4, on the 5600 block of B Street, SE.

MPD officers found 18-year-old Carlos Latney suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Latney succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Witness at Crime Scene Testifies in Double Homicide Case

As a double homicide trial continued before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, on May 3, an eyewitness testified about receiving an emotional phone call from inside the house where the killings took place. 

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61 Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker has been held in the DC Jail since December of 2018. 

The witness testified he was outside of the house in a car around the time a shooting occurred. However, he did not hear gunshots because he was playing loud music.

Later, he received a phone call from someone inside asking if he saw a man in a black sweatsuit leave the house.

The witness replied that a person matching that description had just walked by, and the prosecution alleges that was Alphonso Walker, the shooter.

The man inside the house told the witness he was hiding in the closet, and sounded panicky.

“I think that N*** just killed both of them (Wilson and Brown) in the living room,” he said.

The trial is slated to resume May 8.

Prosecution Rests Case in Six Defendant Homicide Trial of 10-year-old Victim

After three months in trial, prosecutors concluded their arguments on May 3 in a homicide and conspiracy case putting the emphasis on electronic evidence.

Gregory Taylor, 26, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson’s death. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018. 

A detective for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) homicide branch testified about the results of his investigation into Wilson’s murder including an analysis of the defendants’ phone records. 

According to court documents, defendants sent various text messages asking others for guns and ammunition in the weeks leading up to the shooting. One of them even inquired about vehicles and drivers that they needed for a day. 

According to the detective, Michals received a message from a contact saved as “Clo” stating “lil man got wheels you can use,” days before the shooting. 

Following the detective’s testimony, the government alerted the court they had no more evidence to present and were resting their case. 

All parties are expected back in court on May 8 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, as the defense opens its case.