Parties Continue to Pick Apart Instagram Report in Murder Trial

As a six co-defendant murder trial continues, the testimony focused on arguments about months of Instagram messages and posts among the defendants.

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.

On April 6, an Instagram expert delivered a lengthy report including all direct message communications and access to all defendants’ accounts. Both the prosecution and the defense have been working to deliver a final report that can be introduced to the jury.

The report is being reviewed page by page and word by word.

This debate began at the trial’s inception a month and a half ago and continues.

In this hearing the parties specifically looked at communications between the defendants in a group direct message after one of the defendants, Michals, had been shot. The messages show threats of alleged retaliation by the group.

Multiple defense attorneys argued to redact clients’ names due to their inactivity in the group chats. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied the redaction.

The report also contains a photo of Cobbs holding a gun, which was sent during the alleged discussion about retaliation.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Monday April 10.

Document: Homicide on A Street, SE

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred on April 8 on the 3400 block of A Street, SE.

According to a press release, shooting victim 65-year-old Wendell Davis was located by officers and transported to a local hospital for treatment where the was pronounced dead.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in 19th Street Homicide

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) charged 54-year-old Cynthia Battle on April 7 for her alleged connection in the death of 59-year-old Raymond Johnson on the 1500 block of 19th Street, Se.

Battle was apprehended on March 14 an arrest warrant form the Halifax County Sheriff’s office in North Carolina.

Judge Dismisses Defendant’s Murder Charges in Homicide Case

At a status hearing on April 6, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt dismissed five of six charges without prejudice against a defendant in a homicide case. He is no longer charged, but the charges can be re-filed.

Herman Williams was charged with first-degree murder for his alleged role in the shooting of 33-year-old William Boykin on May 28, 2019, on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE. Williams, 32, has been held at the DC Jail since his arrest on June 5, 2019.

On March 31, the prosecution filed a motion to dismiss Williams’ charges for first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and one of his counts for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence. The prosecution also requested that the charges be dismissed without prejudice.

The motion was filed after the defendant sent a letter to the judge expressing frustration with the lack of a speedy trial, stating that he had yet to see any of the prosecution’s evidence.

However, the prosecution stated that the motion was not filed in response to the letter

The prosecution also stated that they had disclosed all of their evidence to the defense and that it was the attorneys’ responsibility to share that information with the defendant.

This confusion was likely due to the fact that Williams’ counsel has changed four times over the course of his case, the prosecutor said. The defendant’s current attorney was not appointed until March 24.

Defense attorney Thomas Key agreed with the motion, stating that the prosecution was dismissing the case as they had no evidence to prove the guilt of his defendant.

Judge Brandt accepted the prosecution’s motion to dismiss counts one through five and agreed to the defense’s request to sentence Williams for the final charge at the hearing.

Williams was sentenced to time served, which was about four years, and three years on supervised release for his final charge, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence. He is also required to register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the victims of violent crime fund.

Finally, Key requested that the DNA evidence sent to the lab to be tested be returned to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to be preserved for the instance that Williams’ charges are re-filed.

All further hearings scheduled for this case have been vacated.

Defense Argues Against In-Court Identification Due To Change in Witness Testimony

At a resumed motion hearing on April 6, the defense and prosecution discussed whether or not an eyewitness should be allowed to make an in-court identification in a homicide trial due to the inconsistencies in his testimony.

Alphonso Walker is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61st Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker, 45, allegedly killed the two men after attempting to rob them.

During the hearing, defense attorney Prescott Loveland requested that DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt preclude an in-court identification by one of the prosecution’s witnesses.

Loveland explained that the witness had access to and read information regarding the case and Walker’s description. At a later meeting with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the witness identified Walker through a Facebook account that he had found on his own accord.

Because this was almost five years after the initial incident and after the witness read about the defendant, Loveland argued that the witness’ identification through Facebook should also be precluded.

The prosecution objected stating that the information the witness had been reading was all public knowledge and that he had every right to access it.

She also stated that the witness’s identification of the defendant through Facebook was completely voluntary, therefore there was no influencing in the identification.

The prosecution also expressed the importance of the witness testimony in the trial as Judge Brandt had already suppressed other eyewitness testimonies.

In response, Judge Brandt stated that she stood by the decisions she had made prior regarding the witnesses. She also explained that the witnesses’ histories of substance abuse contribute to the lack of credibility in their testimonies.

Loveland made a final request that the court schedule a hearing to bring in the witness and question him in regard to the inconsistencies in his testimony.

Judge Brandt rejected his request, stating that all of the questions regarding the witness’ credibility could be asked in cross-examination during the trial. She concluded by stating that the truth of the witness’s testimony should be left up to the jury to decide.

The motion hearing is scheduled to continue April 11.

Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

A homicide defendant waived his preliminary hearing, sending him into trial preparation.

Anthony Williams, 45, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license after he allegedly shot and killed Brooklyn Michael Lynn. The incident occurred on Dec. 14, 2022, on the 2700 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

During the April 6 hearing, Williams waived his right to a preliminary hearing, allowing defense attorney Prescott Loveland to focus his energy on preparation for trial.

According to court documents, In an incident described as “road rage,” Williams allegedly shot Lynn, 33, when he approached the defendant after a car accident and allegedly punched him. Lynn was not in nor operating either car involved in the accident.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Williams on charges of second-degree murder while armed, but prosecutors processing the case are seeking a lesser charge.

All parties are scheduled to return to court on April 21 for a felony status conference.

Defendant Fails to Appear in Court Due to Ongoing Drug Treatment

In an April 6 hearing, a defendant failed to appear in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow due to his commitment to an in-patient drug treatment program.

Curtis Smith is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with an alleged shooting that occurred on Aug. 25, 2022, on the 1500 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

Smith, 55, did not appear in court today due to his ongoing in-patient drug treatment. His attorney, Terrence Austin, told Judge Pasichow that he doesn’t even know if Smith was made aware of the hearing or if he could have attended regardless.

According to court documents, Smith, armed with a firearm, allegedly shot at the victim while attempting to rob him. Curtis fled the scene on his bike after the incident.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene and found the victim sitting on the sidewalk with two sustained gunshot wounds. An ambulance was requested and the victim was transported to the hospital, treated, and released.

During his interview at the hospital, the victim told MPD detectives the man who shot him repeated “gimmie that money” several times while aiming a small handgun that he produced from his pocket at him. The victim had $200 cash on his person at the time.

Smith is expected to complete his drug treatment on or around May 17 but has an additional hearing he is scheduled to appear at on May 2.

Judge Pasichow ruled to vacate the May 2 hearing and reschedule Smith’s arraignment for after his treatment completion date.

All parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 1.

Defendant on Parole Arrested

Kalyl Young was ordered to court April 5 after allegedly violating his probation conditions.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on May 20, 2022, on the 500 block of Irving Street, NW. Young, 20, attempted to rob another man, and in a tussle, shot himself three times in the leg. He was charged with attempted robbery and sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan to 18 months probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA).

As a result, Young was required to partake in cognitive therapy, seek evaluation for substance abuse, participate in a full-time educational program, and complete 90 hours of community service.

However, Young allegedly violated probation when he was arrested with six others after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers raided a home, finding marijuana, several firearms, and a machine gun. The prosecution said Young was not found in possession of these items but was arrested on association.

Aside from this incident, Young has been in full compliance with the court.

Young’s probation was extended by 45 days. Within that time, Young will continue his cognitive therapy.

“You’re young enough to change your behavior pattern and the way you look at the world,” Judge Ryan told Young. “You’ve got to step up.”

Parties are scheduled to return to court on May 18.

Murder Defendant Waives Right to DNA Testing Evidence

On April 4, a murder defendant alerted the court that he was waiving his right to independently test DNA evidence produced by prosecutors.

Juan Peterson, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of four individuals on May 15, 2021, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Lester Howard, 28, succumbed to his injuries from the attack. The other three victims were treated and released from hospitals.

Prosecutors told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun they had tested the defendant’s car’s driver’s side console and door and had obtained DNA evidence. They also acquired more than 30 other evidence items, which were not tested for DNA.

When asked by the judge what he planned to do, the defendant stated he did not intend to independently test the evidence produced by prosecutors.

All parties are expected back in court for a trial readiness hearing on July 17.

Witnesses Testify to Non-Fatal Injuries Received in Alleged Gang Shooting

As a six co-defendant murder trial continued, witnesses testified on April 5 to other injuries tied to a fatal drive-by shooting.

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 drive-by shooting that killed 10-year-old Makiyah Wilsonon the 300 block of 53rd Street NE on July 16, 2018.

One expert witness, a surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center who told police on July 17, 2018, that a victim arrived with gunshot wounds and a facial fracture. According to court documents, the victim was injured in the shooting that killed Makiyah.

The victim underwent multiple surgeries over several months due to his injuries.

Another witness testified he did not see the shooting but was in the Clay Terrace neighborhood at the time and heard gunshots at the time Makiyah was murdered. Once the gunfire subsided, he went to check the scene and found someone injured.

The witness then drove the injured man to Prince George’s Hospital. The man had gunshot wounds to his left leg and left arm.

A woman who lives in Clay Terrace also testified that multiple shootings had occurred since her moving there 10-years- ago. A stray bullet from the shooting in Makiyah’s case hit her screen door and shattered the glass before lodging itself into her door.

The bullet is still in her door today.

The trial is slated to end in May or early June and is scheduled to resume April 6.

Prosecution Prepares To Retry Defendant for Murder of Best Friend

During an April 5 court proceeding, the prosecution asked for a continuance to finish reviewing four to five hundred documents related to a murder retrial.

Eugene Burns, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, the position of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, obstructing justice, witness or officer influence delay, and threat to kidnap or injure a person all charges were committed during release. The charges are in connection to an incident that stemmed from the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE. The incident allegedly started over a drug deal.

On Wednesday, the prosecution asked for continuance regarding documents they are currently reviewing,

“I do not have any objection to that, but I will if the trial date gets delayed” defense attorney Mary Kennedy said on behalf of Burns.

Tyre Allen, 23, is charged with two counts of obstructing justice, witness or officer influence or delay, and conspiracy for planning and plotting over a court of months to corruptly influence a witness to swear to an affidavit recanting grand jury and trial testimony that the witness had previously provided against Burns in the case when both knew that the testimony made was true according to court documents.

During a 2017 trial, Burns was only found guilty of three charges: first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license.

On Aug. 10, 2017 , DC Superior Court Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo denied the defense’s motion for a new trial. After that Burns was able to successfully appeal his case due to search warrants issues and expert testimony.

Judge Neal Kravitz wrote in his opinion the warrants were over broad and lacked probable cause and the expert witness’s testimony violated the confrontation clause.

Defense attorney Brandon Burrell on behalf of Allen addressed his frustration about the court denying three different motions he had filed back in September of 2022 without giving him the chance to orally argue his motion.

The motions included a motion to strike the indictment, a motion to sever Allen’s trial from Burn’s, and a motion to compel or dismiss the prosecution from moving forward with outstanding evidence regarding influencing a witness in this case.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo stated that she would have asked for an oral argument if one was needed. She asked Burrell to file a motion to reconsider if he thinks the court’s ruling is not sufficient.

Parties are scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on April 21.

New Date Set Again for Retrial in Murder Case

On April 5 despite defense opposition, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, for the second time, granted the prosecution their request for a new trial date.

Forty-three-year-old Chad Hawthorne is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection to allegedly shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on May 22, 2017.

Hawthrone’s retrial was originally scheduled for February; however, based on the prosecution’s request it was pushed back to August. Defense attorney Jonathan Zucker requested to reschedule the trial due to a schedule conflict; so the trial was again pushed back again to October.

On Wednesday the prosecution requested a new trial date due the prosecution’s family issues, resulting in the retrial being pushed back; a third-time retrial is now scheduled for January 2024.

In March 2022, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled a mistrial after jurors were unable to make a decision during a week of deliberations.

“This is the second continuing in one year now,” Hawthorne said to Judge Demeo. He also stated that he has another trial where he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for stabbing one of his inmates. The trial for the assault charge is slated to happen after the murder trial.

Judge Demeo granted the prosecution their request, stating that they have a good cause.

Zucker informed the court that he might have an opening in June and if he does then he can go to trial then.

Judge Demeo asked him to let the court know as soon as possible and scheduled a status hearing for April 21.

Surviving Victim of Drive-By Shooting Testifies in Court

Five years after the shooting, a surviving victim testified in front of the jury in a six-co-defendant homicide trial.

On April 4, the witness said he suffered from a gunshot wound to the leg, and severe injuries to the lower half of his face, resulting in the loss of his bottom row of teeth. He said he had to undergo a tracheotomy in order to breathe, and couldn’t use his jaw correctly until after multiple reconstructive surgeries.

According to his testimony, the witness went to the neighborhood where Wilson was shot that night to hang out with friends and play cards. His back initially faced toward the parking lot, where the assailants pulled up.

The witness testified that he could see the people he was with widen their eyes in fear. He then turned to look, saw four men exit the vehicle, then woke up on the ground with a white sheet over him.

“I don’t want to keep living this, I don’t even wanna be here,” he said while being questioned by the prosecution.

At the time, the witness was personally unaware of any conflicts between Clay Terrace and Wellington Park, testifying that he had no reason to believe that he or anyone he was with would be attacked that day.

Another resident of the neighborhood, who was home the evening of the shooting, testified that she knew Wilson and that they were neighbors. Her bedroom window faced toward where the assailants parked their car.

After hearing shots fired, the witness said she looked out her window and saw four men run away from the vehicle, continually shooting. She described the assailants as wearing full hooded facemasks as well as gloves, and could not see their faces.

All parties are scheduled to reconvene and continue trial on April 5.

Judge Holds Homicide Defendant in Shooting and Stabbing Case

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a homicide defendant and released a nonfatal shooting defendant during presentment hearings on April 4.

Julius Worthy, 39, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and stabbing 36-year-old Orlando Galloway on April 2 on the 200 Block of 14th Street, SE.

The Metropolitan Police Department responded at approximately 7:31 p.m., and discovered a female victim suffering from stab wounds shouting “help.” Further in the residence they located a male victim suffering from gunshot and stab wounds.

The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim was transported to a hospital from the scene.

According to court documents, Worthy and Galloway were roommates and Galloway and the other victim were a couple. They were allegedly fighting before the incident.

The female victim was able to identify Worthy as the suspect when questioned at the scene.

Judge Pipe held Worthy without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on May 10.

Another defendant, who was allegedly involved in a non-fatal shooting, was released by Judge Pipe.

Mehki Dory, 18, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for an incident that occurred on March 29 on the 500 Block of Gresham Place, NW.

MPD officers responded to the sound of 17 gunshots They found Dory with a gunshot wound to his chest. While checking for other injuries, officers discovered a firearm concealed underneath the defendant’s clothing.

Officers also located Deandre Timmons, 18, with a gunshot wound to the foot. Timmons was concealing a firearm as well.

Shell casings consistent with both Dory and Timmons’ handguns were found at the scene.

Judge Pipe released Dory and scheduled him to return to court on April 25.

Sexual Abuse Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

On April 4, a sexual abuse defendant rejected an offer that would have him serve time concurrently for two cases he’s charged in connection to.

The defendant, 20, is charged in connection to a sexual abuse and carjacking that took place on July 11, 2021, at the 500 block of Crittenden Street, NW.

The parties have been in plea negotiation since October, and have been requesting continuations to continue those negotiations in hopes of arriving at an agreement.

The defendant’s attorney told the DC Superior Judge Robert Okun that he felt as if he hadn’t had enough time to review the plea deal, which was finished and officially offered.

The prosecutor said the plea offer would not remain open, and they are ready to go to trial.

All parties are expected back in court on June 27.

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