Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred on April 12 on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE.
According to a press release, 19-year-old Andre Wallace Jr. was found inside an establishment. He died on the scene.
On April 10, the defense rejected the prosecution’s final plea offer and asked for the defendant to be released to home confinement.
Rahman Mills,30, is charged with kidnapping while armed, two charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, simple assault, threat to kidnap or injure a person and destruction of property less than $1,000 all while on probation regarding an incident that happened on Aug. 12, 2022, on 1900 block of Savannah Street, SE.
Defense attorney Prescott Loveland on behalf of Mills requested that Mills be released on home confinement while awaiting trial.
However, the prosecution opposed, saying Mills imposes danger to the community.
DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur agreed with the prosecution and denied the oral request for release. He asked for it in writing.
According to court documents, Mills became verbally aggressive with the victim after he banged on their apartment door to be let in. The victim then locked her son in a back bedroom and herself in a hallway bathroom in fear for her life. Mills then allegedly destroyed the bathroom door, grabbed the victim, started to choke her, forcing both the victim and her son onto a couch.
While on the couch Mills pulled a gun and said “I’m going to kill your stupid ass!”
Eventually, the victim was able to break free and that is when Mills allegedly ran out of the apartment with the victim’s apartment and car keys, court documents stated.
While MPD officers were searching for him, Mills was observed by an officer. When the officer exited his car Mills abandoned his bike and fled on foot. The officer chased him and gave him ten verbal commands to drop the gun, Mills did not comply, so the officer fired his gun striking Mills in the back.
Then, the officer continued to command Mills to drop his gun, he responded by saying no, he then raised his right arm with what the officer believed to be a gun. The officer fired another time striking Mills in his right shoulder, documents state.
Mills continued to resist.
Loveland stated that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was not able to justify the officer’s first shot and that the officer is being charged regarding this case.
Due to the unjustified use of force, Mills charges regarding an assault on a police officer and one count of possession of a firearm were dropped in 2022.
A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for June 2.
Convicted killer Merle V. Watson told DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring he is frustrated his efforts to win vindication have stalled.
Watson addressed the April 10 proceeding on a video feed from a high security federal prison in Hazelton, West Virginia. “I can’t get anything done here,” Watson said, indicating he wants to be transferred to another facility.
Watson’s latest attorney, Albert Amissah, told D.C. Witness that Watson appeared remotely because he’s considered “too dangerous” to hold in the DC jail.
According to a Department of Justice release, Watson, 63, and co-defendants Keith Logan and Paul Ashby were found guilty in August 2013 of first-degree murder while armed, with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy, kidnapping while armed, armed robbery, and weapons offenses.
Watson, Logan, and Ashby allegedly conspired to kidnap and rob Carnell Bolden, 36 on Dec. 30, 2009, near W Street NW As the incident unfolded Bolden was beaten and shot to death while his girlfriend was shot four times to prevent her from becoming a witness to the crime. She survived the attack.
Logan, 60, was sentenced to life without parole. Ashby, also 60, received a 90-year term in the case. Watson, according to a court filing, was sentenced to 73-years in jail with a minimum of 33-years and five years supervised release.
Watson appealed the conviction and four of the charges against him were vacated in 2022 without affecting his overall sentence. Watson has argued that his constitutional rights were violated during the prosecution.
During the hearing Judge Josey-Herring noted Watson has used a number of attorneys throughout his litigation and that his case had been “in the system a long time.”
Amissah says he will need some time to review the substantial volume of records in the case.
Judge Josey-Herring set the next hearing in the case for Aug. 17.
During a felony status conference on April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow granted bail, but due to another case, the defendant will remain at the DC Jail.
Nikia Cunningham, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting a victim in the face. The offense allegedly occurred on March 28 on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.
As previously reported on April 10, probable cause was found to keep the case moving forward.
According to court documents, Cunningham allegedly went to the victims’ residence with another male and her baby to buy the drug called Molly.
During court, Judge Pasichow granted a $100 bail for the defendant, however, with the defendant being held in another case the bail had no standing.
The prosecutor explained he should have a plea offer submitted to the defense by the end of next week.
The parties are scheduled to return May 8 for a felony status conference.
During a felony status conference on April 12, before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow, a domestic violence suspect entered a guilty plea.
Ronnie Ray, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for shooting at and beating a woman on Sept. 20, 2022, near the 2400 block of James Bank Road, SE.
Ray shot a weapon but did not injure anybody. He then ran to the victim and hit her in the head repeatedly before assaulting another victim, according to court documents.
The first victim was romantically involved with the defendant and the two share a child who was present during the incident.
Ray pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted assault with significant bodily injury.
Defense attorney Darryl Daniels requested the defendant be released, however, the judge denied the motion considering he had just admitted guilt.
The parties are scheduled to return June 23 for a sentencing hearing.
On April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted a continuance for a preliminary hearing in a sexual assault case concerning a hospital employee and patient.
A 63-year-old defendant is charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a patient or client in connection to an incident at Bridgepoint Hospital on the 200 block of 7th Street, NE on Dec. 27, 2022.
The defendant was an employee at the hospital at the time of the incident.
Defense attorney Nikki Lotze, who was new to the case, requested a continuance. Attorney Jania Reed filed a motion to withdraw as counsel prior and was granted permission.
According to court documents, the victim was a patient at the hospital. She stated the defendant came into her room multiple times complimenting her.
The victim said he came back to her room multiple times to reposition her legs because she could not feel anything from the waist down. While he was doing so, he allegedly asked the victim if he could suck on her breasts.
The victim said she originally said no, but the defendant “snapped back” and she submitted out of fear.
When interviewed by police, the defendant stated he had been working in the medical sector for 23 years and there were no allegations against him for sexual assault.
However, according to court documents, he was arrested in 1996 for first-degree rape in Prince George’s County, Md.
DNA swabs were obtained from the victim during the investigation. According to the case report, swabs of the victims’ breasts showed that DNA could have come from the defendant.
The continued preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 5.
On April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan continued a preliminary hearing for a first-degree murder case due to scheduling conflicts.
Devin Washington, 22, is charged for his alleged connection to a shooting that occurred on Feb. 15, 2022, on the 3800 block of 9th Street, SE that claimed 20-year-old Vincent Robinson’s life.
The prosecution argued that Washington killed Robertson by questioning the lead detective in the case to assist the prosecutor’s argument on probable cause.
According to the detective, there is a video of Robinson leaving through the rear of a building at the scene followed by Washington. Once they walked out of the camera’s frame, a flash of light reflected off a brick wall and windows.
The detective said the flash of light seen on that surveillance footage is the gunshot that claimed Robinson’s life, as it happens in the direct area where the victim’s body was found.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the detective was unable to finish his testimony, and the preliminary hearing was continued.
All parties are expected back in court to continue the testimony on April 13.
A sexual assault defendant was denied release in a DC Superior Court hearing on April 11.
The 29-year-old defendant was charged with second-degree attempted child sex abuse in an incident involving two girls, one 10 years old and the other 11. The pair was on the way to school.
In court, defense attorney Joseph D. Edward said the defendant is homeless and lives in a shelter in Maryland. He requested a release of his client to Judge Anthony Epstein. Edward explained that the defendant will have “every incentive to show up to court” given his circumstances.
“They have the right to feel safe on a bus, but anywhere they go,” Judge Epstein said referring to the two girls. According to court documents, the incident occurred on April 6, 2023, on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, when the defendant verbally harassed two minors on a Metrobus.
A school official saw the suspect exit the Metrobus and chase after the two minors near their school, according to court documents. He allegedly grabbed one of the victims by her jean loop attempting to pull her pants down. The victim kicked the defendant and both complainants fled.
The suspect was apprehended by responding officers. No injuries were reported.
The defendant is being held in DC Jail where he will remain until a felony status conference hearing.
Judge Epstein denied the defense request for release.
Both parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 21.
On April 12, a defendant entered a not-guilty plea to all charges before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe and asserted his rights to a speedy trial.
Alphonso Oliver, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license for allegedly shooting 16-year-old Levoire Simmons. The shooting occurred on July 5, 2022 on the 700 block of Kenilworth Terrace, NE.
At the time of the murder, Oliver was on supervised release after serving a 12-year sentence for an aggravated assault conviction.
Defense attorney Joseph McCoy requested all additional evidence from prosecution and to discuss a request to release Oliver pending trial.
“I am certainly not inclined to address an oral request for release in a first-degree murder”, Judge O’Keefe responded.
A status hearing is scheduled for April 26.
After hearing of his noncompliance with release conditions, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan revoked a homicide defendant’s release during an April 10 pretrial show cause hearing.
Derricko Johnson, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson. The incident occurred in the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on May 26, 2022.
Johnson violated curfew on March 5 and was arrested on new charges on April 5, including unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Citing these incidents, and hinting at the “growing strength of the case,” the prosecution requested Johnson’s release be revoked.
Defense Attorney Kevann Gardner said Johnson has been on release for nine months, and these are the only times in which he hasn’t been compliant.
However, Judge Raffinan determined that these incidents are enough to warrant a revocation of release.
A felony status conference is scheduled for June 2.
Instagram posts from three defendants accused of killing a child were under scrutiny at an April 11 session of an ongoing murder trial.
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 the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.
The prosecution introduced multiple videos from three of the defendants’ Instagram pages to be litigated before being admitted into evidence.
Jeffers can be seen wearing the same clothes he was alleged to have worn the day of the shooting in the hours before and after it occurred. Additional videos also depict Thomas in the presence of firearms the day before the drive-by shooting.
Additionally, the videos show almost all the defendants rapping along to a song about homicide only two hours after Wilson was shot. Most of the defendants can be seen singing along with a lyric about why they are the reason the homicide rate is so high.
The prosecution and defense have repeatedly argued whether singing or rapping along to a song equals adopting the message in the lyrics.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said that the defense could argue that their clients are simply singing along with the song, but conceded that the timing and song choice of the defendants does add to the weight and relevance of the videos.
Evidence, including texts, from Cobbs’ phone, between him and his co-defendants warning each other to stay away from areas where police were searching or investigating after the shooting was also revealed as evidence.
Additionally, there are texts that show Cobbs overseeing how to get firearms a little over a week before the shooting as well as a group text between the defendants regarding the location of shared firearms.
Additional discussions of the evidence presented are expected to come up again as the trial continues on April 12.
During April 11 court proceedings DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan postponed the rescheduling a trial date.
Martinez Raynor, 23, and Tony Morgan, 29, are being held for allegedly shooting Malik McCloud,19, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE on Oct. 20, 2018.
Raynor is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, felony murder while armed aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed.
Morgan is charged with first-degree murder while armed. conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed under aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Morgan requested and received new counsel Steven Kiersh back in February. Kiersh stated that he is still waiting on DNA testing and does not have an estimate on when he will receive the results. He had no objection to continuing the trial date.
The prosecution also had no objection to the trial date being continued.
Raynor also recently received new counsel because his previous lawyer reassigned. Defense attorney David Knight requested more time to take a position because he has not had a discussion with Raynor about the case yet.
Parties are scheduled to return to court on May 2 to finalize a trial date.
Defense attorneys Jason Clark and Gemma Stevens requested independent DNA testing on two evidentiary samples in an April 11 homicide case hearing.
Amard Jefferson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the murder of Kendall Brown on the 3000 block of Nelson Place SE on Aug. 7, 2021.
The prosecution discussed DNA testing results from seven evidentiary samples. Of those samples, two included the firearm used in the murder and a separate magazine found during the arrest.
According to court documents, Brown and three other witnesses were all friends and present at the crime scene. There was a falling out between the friends due to one witness’s boyfriend, who was identified as Jefferson.
Jefferson allegedly shot Brown after an argument.
Stevens and Clark requested to independently test those two swabs.
A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2024.
This case was acquitted on Aug. 15, 2023.
On April 11, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz denied a motion for release filed by defense attorneys for Jermaine Washington.
Washington, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing of Keon Terrell Bonner, 40, which occurred on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW on Oct. 26, 2021.
Stephen Logerfo, defense attorney for Washington, argued that, due to the mistrial from a hung jury, his client deserved to be released as he is no longer a danger to society.
Prosecutors opposed that motion, stating that the defendant’s lengthy criminal history proves that he is a danger to society.
Judge Leibovitz agreed with the prosecutors, stating that the evidence supports the prosecutors’ arguments, and it would be unsafe to release him.
Parties are set to reconvene on April 20 to allow the defense more time to discuss a plea offer made by prosecutors.
Trial preparations began in an April 11 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe for a co-defendant non-fatal shooting case.
Tyrone Hawkins, 22 and Clint Broadus, 24 are being held in connection to an incident on the 1300 block of Gallaudet Street NE on Sept. 23, 2021. Hawkins is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Broadus is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, the victim said two suspects drove by his residence in a blue SUV. They asked the victim “Where the weed at?” When the victim replied he had no marijuana, the car drove away.
Minutes later, the two suspects approached the victim on the street from different directions. The victim told police he was worried he was about to be robbed due to one of the suspects wearing a black ski mask.
The victim then took out a can of mace and sprayed one of the suspects. As a result, the other suspect allegedly drew a firearm and began shooting, documents state.
The victim sustained a wound to the left arm.
The prosecution and defense discussed pre-trial scheduling, motions and expert notice.
The trial is scheduled for Oct. 16 and the next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
