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Judge takes Instagram Evidence Under Advisement

A trial on April 3 was briefly paused in a six co-defendant homicide case to allow for evidence from Instagram to be discussed and litigated.

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.

An Instagram report containing posts, comments, images, and group messages was taken from an account allegedly owned by Michals. A group text between this account and others allegedly owned by the other defendants contained messages discussing the locations of shared firearms.

Erin Scalpi, Michals’s attorney, argued that these messages were hearsay because the defendants’ possession of firearms were said by others in the chat.

The prosecution argued that the actual names typed in the messages aren’t what was important, only the usernames of the accounts sending the messages, which demonstrated that the defendants were sharing and swapping firearms.

Phillip Andonian, Jeffers’s attorney, said that if the names aren’t important, then they could just be redacted because the messages, without the names, still depict a conversion about shared gun ownership.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun decided not to rule on the issue and took it under advisement.

The trial is slated to continue on April 4.

Judge Allows New Expert Witness After Testimony Deadline

During a motions hearing on April 4, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt allowed the prosecution to include a new expert witness, even though the deadline for the testimony had passed.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed under aggravating circumstances, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction, and two counts of first-degree murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit a robbery for allegedly shooting Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st, NE.

During the hearing, the defense stated that the prosecution recently added another firearms expert as a witness in the case even though the deadline to submit expert witnesses was four months ago. 

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland argued that he was not prepared for the additional witness and will not have enough time to prepare due to the trial being on April 20.

The prosecutor said the only reason they added the new witness was the defense previously requested a continuance.

The prosecutor explained that the witness she planned to call said Walker’s firearm “may” have been used in the murder. However, she said that six other experts confirmed that Walker’s firearm was the one used in the shooting.

The prosecutor also said she planned to call both the first expert and the new one during trial.

Judge Brandt said that it would be unnecessary to have two firearms witnesses and urged her to pick one.

In regards to the defense’s argument regarding deadlines, Judge Brandt explained that the court is “reasonably fluid” with regards to deadlines, and can be fluctuated. 

Loveland repeated his frustration, saying he worries he will not be prepared enough due to such short notice on the new expert.

But, the prosecutor said she filed the notice 21 days ago.

The parties are scheduled to return April 6 to continue the motions hearing.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found substantial probability of guilt in a homicide case during an April 3 preliminary hearing. 

Jajuan Gripper, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 34-year-old Rynell Bradford. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE on Dec. 20, 2022. According to court documents, Bradford left his apartment to take out the trash when he got into a fatal altercation with three men in the building. 

The lead homicide detective admitted that, due to a blind spot between surveillance cameras, there is no footage of an individual shooting the victim. However, a nearby camera captured him being shot and collapsing onto the sidewalk outside his apartment building. 

The surveillance videos also captured three male suspects, one of whom was identified by a witness as Gripper. 

The detective noted Gripper’s fingerprints were found on a soda can in the apartment building, his cellphone GPS placed him at the scene of the crime, and the alleged getaway car was registered under Gripper’s name. 

Citing these finds, along with the surveillance footage, the prosecution pointed out the “exceptionally strong” evidence against Gripper. 

Judge Raffinan agreed.   

Defense attorney Kevin Irving asked for home confinement for his client, noting that Gripper has no prior convictions.

However, the prosecutor called his lack of prior convictions “misleading.” The prosecutor said Gripper has simply managed to avoid prosecution for his alleged prior crimes. 

Judge Raffinan determined that the weight of the evidence, along with the nature and circumstances of the offense, weigh in favor of detention. 

Gripper continues to be held at the DC jail. 

A status hearing was scheduled for June 6. 

Homicide Trial Remains Scheduled for Summer of 2024

During an April 3 status hearing, counsel discussed alternative trial dates with DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Khalid Claggett, 39, is currently set to stand trial in June of 2024 for allegedly murdering 30-year-old Isaac Aull Jr. The incident occurred on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE on June 11, 2021. According to court documents, Aull suffered two gunshot wounds to his neck, five to his torso and one to his leg.

Claggett is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. These offenses were all committed while Claggett was on release. 

The prosecution filed a motion on March 1 to admit a 911 call from one of the eyewitnesses who is scheduled to testify. Judge Raffinan granted the motion. 

Defense attorney Howard Mceachern and the prosecution both expressed their eagerness to move the trial date up, preferably to July of 2023 but, because of conflicting schedules, the trial could not be rescheduled. 

Raffinan assured counsel that she will reach out to them if a closer date opens up.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 13. 

Judge Continues Hearing Allowing Defense to Discuss Potential Plea in Homicide Case

A homicide defendant appeared virtually in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun to schedule another hearing in light of a potential plea agreement.

Christian Arndt is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the murder of Donald Arndt, his father. 

During the April 3 hearing, Arndt’s attorney, Phillip Andonian, informed Judge Okun that he and the prosecution were currently in plea negotiations. He requested more time to confer with Ardnt face-to-face to assure his understanding of the deal before he makes a decision.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Newark St, NW on Jan. 28, 2021, after receiving a call from Arndt’s mother regarding a domestic violence assault.

His mother told police that he might be experiencing psychosis and is not well due to his on-and-off drug use. Once in handcuffs, Arndt allegedly told MPD officers that he beat his sleeping father to death with a baseball bat. He was arrested on scene.

Judge Okun granted the continuance, however a date for another status hearing has not been selected.

All parties are scheduled to return to court on May 12 for a mental observation hearing.

Two Defendants Waive Rights to DNA Testing, A Third Requests More Time

During April 4 court proceedings two defendants waived their right to DNA testing while a third asked for more time. 

Stefon Freshley, 27, Jamal Matthews,34, and Darnell Savoy, 23, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed regarding a non-fatal-shooting that occurred on Dec 28, 2018, on the 200 block of 54th Street, NE. 

On Tuesday counsel for both Matthews and Savoy waived their rights for DNA testing; however counsel for Freshley said the defendant still needed more time to decide whether or not he wanted to test. 

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe expressed his concern about having to delay the trial again if the decision regarding DNA testing was not made soon.

“This is not something I am rushing to waive,” said defense attorney Matthew Davies on behalf of Freshley 

“You are not rushing, it’s a 2019 case” Judge O’keefe replied. However, he granted Davis more time and scheduled a status hearing on April 12. 

According to court documents, Metropolitan Department Police (MPD) officers were called to the incident after multiple gunshots were heard. Officers located a dark colored SUV riddled with some  two dozen bullet holes with a minor child inside with gunshot wounds to his head and left side. His father was outside the vehicle also suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

According to the prosecution, the shooting was a result of a homicide that happened three days prior. The prosecutior said the shooting was a result of mistaken identity. The shooters targeted the father and minor child because their vehicle  looked like a vehicle used in a homicide three days earlier. 

All parties are scheduled to return to court on June 2 for a motion hearing. 

Homicide Co-Defendants Appear in Court for First Time

During a felony status conference on April 4, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt met with co-defendants in a murder case after one had been arrested last week.

Demonte Gibson, 25, and Trequan Nelson, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2021, on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, Judge Brandt said the hearing was scheduled because Nelson was arrested last week, and she felt that the parties should convene. 

Defense attorney Jesse Winograd requested a preliminary hearing for Nelson, since Gibson already had his.

Nelson is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on May 1.

The parties are scheduled to return May 26 for a felony status conference.

Judge Congratulates Sexual Assault Defendant on Compliance

A sexual-assault defendant was congratulated by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo after a Court Services & Offender Supervision (CSOSA) agent reported that he has been compliant with all his probation terms. 

Mohammad Amini, 30, was initially charged with first-degree child sex abuse. He pleaded down to fourth-degree sex abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

According to the agent, Amini has been compliant with his release conditions, including attending sex offender treatment.

On December 2019, according to court documents, the defendant met the victim on Omegle, a website that allows users to anonymously chat with other people without registering for an account, they took their conversation to Snapchat, where they agreed to meet at the victim’s house to engage in sexual activity. Allegedly, the sexual abuse happened that same day.

The defendant was identified based on his Snapchat profile, and the victim identified the defendant in a photo array.

Judge Demeo ordered that the defendant stay on probation and reminded him to stay fully compliant with his probation conditions. 

There is no future court date.

Judge Holds Homicide Defendant for Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a homicide defendant charged with first-degree murder while armed with a knife during a presentment hearing on April 3.

George Syndor, 43, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31 on the 1600 Block of New York Avenue, NE.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded at approximately 6:50 p.m., according to court documents, and located a female victim inside a hotel room unconscious and unresponsive with approximately 30 stab wounds. She was declared deceased at the scene.

Defense attorney Jesse Winograd argued that there was lack of probable cause in the case, mentioning inconsistencies in surveillance footage and 911 caller testimony.

The prosecution argued that upon entry, responding police found the victim on the floor and Syndor in the hotel room trying to light a cigarette. A jacket found in the room matched the jacket seen on the defendant in footage from the parking lot and contained part of a knife with blood on it. 

Additionally, the prosecution argued that the footage showed no one entering or exiting the room other than the defendant until MPD arrived. They also said Syndor was found with cuts and the decedent’s hair on his hands.

Judge Pipe found probable cause that the evidence indicated that the defendant was responsible for the murder.

Winograd also asked Judge Pipe to release the defendant. 

He said the defendant was going to be released under the  high intensity supervision program (HISP) for another unrelated crime and would have a place to live and a family support system in the community.

Judge Pipe denied the request and held Syndor without bail, mentioning an arrest warrant from Prince George’s County, MD and other concerns on the defendant’s bail sheet.

Syndor is scheduled to return to court on May 8.

Defense Rejects Plea Offer in Murder Case

During a March 31 Status hearing the defense rejected a plea offer with a counter offer. 

Thirty-one-year-old Karon Brown is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Cynthia Barringer, 32, on Oct. 31, 2021, on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Services  personnel responded to the scene due to a fire in an apartment. Once the fire was extinguished, first responders found Barringer with no signs of life. An autopsy confirmed that Barringer died from a gunshot wound under her left eye, court documents stated.

The prosecution offered Brown 15 to 21 years in prison and five years of supervised release for pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed without additional enhancements.   

Defense attorney Marnitta King rejected the plea offer and turned in a counter offer which the prosecution has not rejected or accepted.

 DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein scheduled a status hearing for Nov. 3, giving both parties enough time for any future discussions.

Judge Reschedules Hearing After Defendant is Sent Back to Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz rescheduled a hearing in a non-fatal shooting case due to the defense attorney being ill and the defendant being sent back to jail. 

Twenty-three-year-old Tavon Lucas is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or danger for a non-fatal shooting that took place on Jan. 14 on the 1100 block of North Capitol Street, NW. 

During the April 3 hearing defense attorney Charles Wall appeared over Webex due to illness and defense attorney Camille Wagner stood in person for Wall.

However, Judge Leibovitz had to reschedule the hearing after a U.S. Marshal  told her that Lucas was sent back to DC Jail for fighting while waiting to go to his hearing. 

According to court documents Lucas’ mother stated, during an interview with a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, that two boys were robbing and shooting at her son. She said the two boys ran after committing the act and she told her son to please not go. 

Lucas said he was at an apartment complex when two guys he met through social media were going to sell him a PlayStation. He said after he gave them half of the money for the PlayStation he discovered it was not working.

When Lucas went to get his money back, he said the pair allegedly started to choke him. He heard gunshots and that’s when his mother told him to run away, documents stated.  

According to a witness, Lucas left a building with a book bag and then showed two men a video game cartridge. The group started fighting and the fight led to the lobby and then continued outside the building.

The defendant’s mother attempted to breakup the fight when Lucas allegedly pulled a gun out of his book bag and shot at the pair.

A felony status conference is scheduled for April 13.  

Defendant Waives Preliminary Rights in Sexual Abuse Case

On March 31 a child sexual abuse defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing after coming to an agreement with the prosecution. 

The defendant, 31, is charged with two counts of first-degree child sexual abuse where the victims were under the age of 12. The defendant is accused of engaging in multiple instances of sexual abuse with two victims from 2014 to 2016 and 2013 to 2015, respectively. At the time of the offense, the defendant had been found guilty of committing sexual offenses against at least two other victims. 

The defendant allegedly abused the two victims, who he identified as his step-siblings on multiple occasions, while they lived in the same house.

Defense attorney Brandon Burrell stated the defense reached an agreement with the prosecution but needed some time to discuss the plea agreement with the defendant. 

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein gave the defense the time needed to discuss with the defendant and scheduled a status hearing for April 12.

Murder Case Continues to Test DNA

Defense counsel alerted a judge that DNA tests for a murder case were still in process.

Diantre Smith, 47, is charged with one count of first-degree murder while armed, eight counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business, seven counts of assault on a police officer while armed, and four counts of leaving after colliding property damage/injury to an animal. 

These charges stem from the murder of 28-year-old Nyesha Galloway on Dec. 20, 2019. Galloway was killed in a shooting in a wooded area on the 400 block of 42nd Street, NE. 

During the status hearing on March 31, the prosecution stated that they were planning to take the case to trial, which was scheduled for May 6, 2024.

However, despite the outcome of the upcoming trial, the prosecution also plans to follow through with the assault on a police officer charges in a separate trial after the first verdict. 

The next status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. 

Murder Case Set to Continue After Failed Negotiation Talks

During a preliminary hearing on April 3, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted a continuance in the case after negotiations stalled.

Dionte Anderson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Adrian Mack, 31, on Aug. 7, 2022, on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE.

According to court documents, Mack was involved in an altercation with unknown individuals when he rejoined Anderson and the rest of the group. This is where Anderson, according to a police report, shot Mack as he was chasing the unknown individuals who were attacking him.

During the hearing, counsel stated they could not agree on a plea deal, and were ready to move forward with the preliminary hearing.

The parties are scheduled to return April 10 for a preliminary hearing.