Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed during a status hearing on April 27.

On Nov. 7, 2020, around 2:56 a.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the sounds of gunshots reported on the 3300 block of Water Street, NW. There, they found 19 year-old Franklin Hernandez Arevalo suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Police arrested 20-year-old Roberto Cayetano-Mejia for second-degree murder while armed on April 20, 2021.

Rather than receiving the maximum sentence of 30 years of incarceration and 5 years of supervised release, the plea deal would reduce 22-year-old Cayetano-Mejia’s potential sentence to 12 years of incarceration with 5 years of supervised release.

This hearing was held a week after its intended date. On April 20, Cayetano-Mejia was subjected to mandatory quarantine and prohibited from entering the courthouse. His defense counsel, Rachel E McCoy and Kevin C Robertson, requested to push back the status hearing by one week. DC Superior Court Judge Anthony C Epstein granted their request.

Judge Epstein will decide whether to accept the prosecution’s sentencing suggestion before the defendant returns to court. He ordered Cayetano-Mejia to a commitment study under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). This commitment will put the defendant in the custody of the Attorney General until a suitable sentence is determined.

Cayetano-Mejia is scheduled to return to court on July 21 for a full report and sentencing hearing.

Defense Reveals Strategy In Double Homicide Trial

On April 26, defense revealed its defense strategy by asking the prosecution’s witness about possible perpetrators who were thought to be suspects during a homicide investigation.

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

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt had an ex parte discussion with defense counsel, Prescott Loveland and Kevaan Gardner, regarding defense strategy, which the prosecution asked to be allowed to hear.

Judge Brandt told the prosecution that everything that was talked about during ex parte is already at their fingertips and that the defense has the right to not disclose their strategy.

She also stated that she will allow the defense latitude with their third person perpetrator strategy because even the police believed there was another suspect that had the opportunity, motive and means to commit the crime.

“If I do not allow this to happen this will be struck down by the court of appeal,” said Judge Brandt to the prosecution.

A former sex worker, who used to live at the house where the crime happened, prior to it happening, testified. The witness said she was in the house shooting heroin with the owner a few hours before the shooting occurred.

According to the witness, an individual overdosed and died approximately a year prior to the homicide in the same house where the shooting happened.

When Gardner asked about the overdose, the prosecution objected, saying no reports have been found about this incident to support that it actually happened.

Judge Brandt disagreed and stated that just because there was no report it does not mean it did not happen. She allowed the defense to ask further questions, saying it is relevant to the case.

Wilson took over the house from the owner and used it as his drug operation location, according to the defense.

When asked by Gardner, the witness told the jury that Wilson beat up the owner so bad, that his facial appearance changed a month prior to the homicide.

Gardner asked the witness about her ex-boyfriend, who she saw after the shooting in another friend’s house down the street with blood all over him. She stated that he also had Wilson’s cell phones and other valuable items that he collected from the house.

According to the defense, the detective attempted to work with a witness to try to find the perpetrator to question him, but they were not able to bring him to DC after he moved to Virginia shortly after the homicide.

The prosecution then called three forensic scientists who tested evidence collected from the crime scene.

According to the defense, one of the forensic scientists conducted a DNA from Walker to connect him to evidence collected from the crime scene.

The defense then asked her multiple times, to which the prosecution objected, if she was asked to conduct a DNA from any other individuals for the case.

After Judge Brandt overruled the prosecution’s objection, the witness stated that she only collected Walker’s DNA.

Parties are scheduled to return to court on April 27.

Judge Holds Two Non-Fatal Shooting Defendants

During an initial hearing on April 26, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a non-fatal shooting defendant the day after his co-defendant’s preliminary hearing.

Eric Cisneros, 32, and Tyland Rollins, 32, are charged in connection to a non-fatal shooting on the 1300 block of 6th Street, NW on April 21. Cisneros is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and Rollins is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Defense attorney Christen Romero Philips asked Judge Pipe not to find probable cause. Philips said the complaining witness provided no identification for the shooter besides recognizing that the person was a rapper.

Philips also asked Judge Pipe to release Cisneros, saying he has three children he cares for and serious injuries.

Judge Pipe found probable cause and held the defendant without bail.

Cisneros is scheduled to return to court on May 1.

According to court documents, gunshots were fired at an after-hours party. After everyone was evacuated from the building, Cisneros allegedly shot the victim in the leg.

After the incident, Cisneros said he did not remember what happened and had a pain in his head. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Officers saw Rollins allegedly discard a bag containing a firearm and recovered surveillance footage allegedly showing the defendant accompanied by Rollins and a third suspect shooting the victim, according to court documents.

Probable cause was found for Rollins’ involvement by DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond in a preliminary hearing on April 25.

Judge Pipe also held Bryan Turner, 21, who is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon without a license in connection to a non-fatal shooting on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE on April 24.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Turner suffering from two gunshot wounds in the back. A second victim was found with two gunshot wounds as well.

At the scene, officers recovered a black and tan AR-type rifle. Surveillance footage allegedly showed the defendant in possession of the weapon at the location of the incident.

Turner’s defense attorney asked Judge Pipe not to find probable cause and to release him.

Judge Pipe found probable cause and held Turner without bail.

Turner is also involved in a fugitive matter in connection to an incident in Maryland.

Turner is scheduled to return to court on April 28.

Parties Prepare for Trial to Begin in a 2010 Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein and attorneys prepared for a homicide trial in a case from 12 years ago.

Isaac Moye, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in connection to the disappearance and presumed death of 24-year-old Unique Harris. Harris was last seen on Oct. 10, 2010, near the 2000 block of Hartford Street, SE. Her body was never recovered.

Attorneys for both parties and Judge Epstein reviewed motions that they have filed in preparation for trial, which is slated to begin on May 22.

One of the motions, filed by the defense, questions the competency of one of the victim’s children, who was 5 years old at the time of the incident, who may testify during the trial. Counsel argued that the individual’s age at the time of the incident, and the child’s mental health issues may affect their testimony.

Judge Epstein told counsel he would make a decision on all motions and allow the parties to interview the above mentioned witness at the next hearing.

Parties are expected back in court on May 12.

Prosecution’s Images of Crime Place Jurors at Scene in Double Homicide Trial

On April 25, three expert witnesses testified regarding their involvement in the investigation of the scene where Delonte Wilson and Antone Brown were killed.

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

During the testimony of a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, a forensic scientist, and a forensic investigator, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt warned both the jury and the audience about sensitive photos.

“Keep your reaction silent,” said Judge Brandt to the audience.

The MPD officer testified to arriving in the neighborhood without knowing exactly where the shooting happened. He stated that while he and two other officers searched for the house, a random man told them what house to go to.

The officer also stated that he was informed of a possible suspect in the abandoned house next door, but the house was not searched because it was not accessible.

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland asked if police eventually searched the abandoned house. The officer said they did not.

Loveland also asked him if the person who told them where the shooting happened was ever investigated.

After being asked by the prosecution to clarify, the officer stated that his first priority was to find and save victims’ lives and not investigate people.

A forensic scientist who responded to the crime scene identified the victims’ pictures taken by her. She also identified three different shell casings, several DNA swabs and fingerprints she collected from inside the house.

Wilson’s sister bursted into tears after a witness described Wilson’s head as being surrounded by a pool of blood.

During cross-examination, Loveland questioned witnesses about items that were not collected or tested.

He asked a witness to tell the jury about the brand and size of the shell casing she recovered.

Witnesses stated that two of the shell casings were 9mm but two different brands, and the third one was not a 9mm.

The prosecution questioned a crime scene investigator about where gunshot wounds were found on the recovered bodies.

The investigator told the jury while pointing at pictures that both Wilson and Brown were shot in the head.

After the defense objected to too many sensitive pictures, Judge Brandt told parties that pictures are gruesome in this case, however, “that does not mean you get to parade every sensitive picture.” She ordered the prosecution to leave out a few pictures.

Parties bickered over a witness’ questioning causing Judge Brandt to send the jury home early.

“This courtroom is not a kindergarten, when both sides start scraping with each other to the point where they can’t hear what the court is saying the court stops listening”, said Judge Brandt to both parties after they continued to talk over each other.

She then asked them to notify her of possible future arguments. “Trying a case by ambush is not my style,” she stated.

The trial is scheduled to resume on April 26.

Protective Order Deeply Troubles Defense Attorney In Homicide Case

A defense attorney expressed deep concerns regarding a protective order in an April 26 homicide hearing.

Alphonso Oliver, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the murder of 16-year-old Levoire Simmons on the 700 block of Kenilworth Terrace, NE on July 5, 2022.

Defense Attorney Andrew Ain expressed deep concerns about the wording regarding an order protecting Grand Jury witness identifications.

The protective order would keep information, such as these identities, inaccessible for the defendant but accessible to the attorneys.

Ain stated in previous cases, broad wording of protective orders allowed the prosecution to include more evidence than reasonable to the confines under the order. He said he wants to move quickly in this case.

He would not agree to the order and stated that the courts seemed to move slower when the issue was what the defense could share with their client.

Oliver had been released from jail in March 2022 after serving a sentence for an assault with intent to kill conviction from 2011.

A witness in the gallery continuously interrupted the hearing with statements such as “no case” or “lack of evidence” and when leaving the courtroom post-hearing told the defendant, “I gotchu”.

The next status hearing is scheduled for May 23 as the parties continue to discuss plea negotiations.

Non-fatal Shooting Co-Defendant’s Case Delayed Due to Pending Matter

A co-defendant’s case regarding a drive-by non-fatal shooting was delayed due to pending matters in other courts.

Emerson Morales, 19, and Jexon Madrid-Flores, 22, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, criminal street gang affiliation and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to a drive-by shooting that occurred on the 5700 block of 14th Street, NW on May 21, 2021.

Madrid’s attorney, John Harvey, told DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that the case had been indicted in both superior court and federal district court. The prosecution did not have any new information regarding how that would affect the current case in superior court.

While Judge O’Keefe began setting dates for motions and other pre-trial matters, Harvey expressed concerns regarding the pending matter and its implications on the work being done.

“I don’t wanna spin my wheels. I don’t wanna set dates and do the work if the matter is being dismissed here”, Harvey said.

The prosecution stated there will be a status hearing in the other matter in July that would make the direction of the case clear.

The trial in this case is scheduled for August 2024.

Parties are expected back in court for a status hearing for Aug. 4.

Instagram Videos Key Evidentiary Items In Murder Trial?

Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives were shown 12 evidentiary items in court, all of which were taken from Instagram. Defense attorneys argued some items were prejudiced and would unfairly sway the jurors, before the trial began.

Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 23, 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 occurred on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

On April 25, counsel argued about the inclusion of social media posts for the questioning of two witnesses, both were MPD detectives who played a part in investigating the case. The defense argued that one of the Instagram posts in question has little to do with the case, but has the potential to sway the jury in a monumental way.

The Instagram post shows MPD officers on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE, with the caption, “ [middle finger emoji] 12”. The defense said this post gives the impression that the person who posted the picture has prejudice towards the police, giving the illusion that she would withhold information from police during the investigation.

In protest, the prosecution said the Instagram posts are being used to identify people present in surveillance videos from the day of the incident.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled largely in favor of the defense and limited questioning for the witnesses.

Witness questioning lasted less than two hours and included the identification of three other witnesses, including the brother of one of the six co-defendants. These newly identified witnesses are likely to take the stand in the weeks to come.

Trial is scheduled to resume on April 26.

One of Two Co-Defendants Remains in Hospital While the Other Has Hearing

During a preliminary hearing on April 25, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond allowed co-defendants to have separate preliminary hearings due to one being hospitalized.

Eric Cisneros, 32, and Tyland Rollins, 32, are both charged for their alleged involvement in the shooting of an individual on April 21 on the 1300 block of 6th Street, NW. As the defendants attempted to get away, the gun was dropped into a trashcan on the 600 block of N Street, NW.

Cisneros is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Rollins is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction.

During the hearing, defense counsel said Cisneros would not be able to participate in the preliminary hearing due to a medical emergency.

Counsel agreed, however, parties moved forward with Rollins’ preliminary hearing and will complete Cisneros’ whenever possible.

During the preliminary hearing, a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified about Rollins’ alleged involvement in the shooting.

According to the officer, Rollins was allegedly seen placing a firearm into a trashcan by two other police officers. The firearm is suspected to have been used in the shooting allegedly committed by Cisneros a few minutes prior.

Judge Raymond found probable cause of Rollin’s involvement and granted the prosecutor’s request that he be held.

Rollins has a traffic case open, where he has failed to provide minimal information before the deadline.

Rollins is scheduled to return for a felony status conference May 16, and Cisneros is scheduled for a presentment hearing April 26.

Homicide Defendant Waives Rights to Speedy Trial

On April 25, Antonio Jackson alerted DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that he would be waiving his right to a speedy trial.

Jackson, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of his home for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that claimed the life of 52-year-old Maria Evans. The incident occurred on March 29, 2018, on the 500 block of Oakwood Street, SE.

Jackson waived his rights to a speedy trial due to his involvement in a motion that was filed to discuss issues with jury panels at the DC Superior Court.

The motion, which was filed by more than 50 violent crime defendants, argues that the picking of juries for trials during the COVID-19 pandemic was unfair due to their lack of diversity. Attorneys representing the defendants and the prosecution are expected to continue litigating the issue until the end of the year in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

A new trial date was scheduled for February 2025.

Parties are expected back for a motion hearing on May 15.

Defense Moves to Enforce Retracted Plea Agreement in Co-Defendant Murder Case

Two of the three co-defendants charged with first-degree murder requested to pursue a voided plea deal on April 25. Prosecutors said the wired plea agreement was retracted when Keith Baham rejected the offer.

Raymond Avent, 23, Tyler Stringfield, 24, and Baham, 23, are held at the DC Jail for allegedly murdering Rafiq Hawkins, 23, on March 23, 2019, on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Avent, Baham, and Stringfield are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property less than $1,000, two counts of destruction of property $1,000 or more, and leaving after colliding with property damage or injury to an animal while armed.

Baham is also charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction.

The plea agreement in reference required all three co-defendants to enter a plea of guilty to one charge of second-degree murder while armed and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. Under the plea, if all defendants took it, they would serve 16 years in prison.

However, Baham rejected the plea during Tuesday’s status hearing. His rejection of the plea resulted in its retraction for Avent and Stringfield. Both defendants’ attorneys, Leonard L. Long Jr. and Todd Baldwin, entered a verbal motion to enforce the plea.

Long said his client signed the plea agreement with the understanding that it was unwired and, in the case the plea agreement is retracted, he would consider the action prosecutorial misconduct, or at the very least, an act committed in bad faith by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said the parties raised interesting and valid arguments. He urged them to submit a written motion to enforce the plea agreement.

Even with the motion on record, the court scheduled a trial date for all three co-defendants. A jury trial is set for April 14, 2024. Counsel estimates the trial would take three weeks.

Parties are scheduled to return to court July 14 for a status hearing.

Injury of Witness in Non-Fatal Shooting Case Delays Hearing

On April 25, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld rescheduled a motions hearing for a non-fatal shooting case due to a witness’s injury.

Marcedes Edmunds, 37, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a shotgun or rifle outside a home or business, destruction of property worth $1,000 or more, and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection to an incident on the 4000 block of Haynes Street, NE on May 1, 2019.

The prosecution told Judge Hertzfeld that their witness, an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), had been injured in an incident unrelated to this specific case and was unavailable to testify.

According to court documents, Edmunds counted out loud and by the time he got to three, the victim was shutting his car door and preparing to leave. The victim then heard a gunshot and observed blood coming from his leg.

“I’ll give you five seconds to get off my block,” Edmunds allegedly said shortly before the shooting.

Police were dispatched when the victim arrived at a local fire station with a visible gunshot wound to the leg and car damage.

A trial is slated to begin May 15 and the motions hearing has been rescheduled to May 11.

5 Years Later: Attorneys Deliver Opening Statements In Double Murder Case

In order for trial to start DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied a murder defendant’s previously filed motion before DC Superior Court Judge Marsia Demeo. The motion claimed there was a violation concerning representatives of jury pools.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Delonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61st Street, NE on April 25, 2018.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too” said Judge Brandt to the defense about filing the motion and also going through with trial.

During opening statements on April 24, the prosecution asked the jury to find Walker guilty of every single charge, stating Walker chose to execute two people because he felt disrespected.

According to the prosecution, Walker was involved in an argument with two women, one of them he paid $12 worth of drugs in exchange for sex and the other was the one who sold him the $12 worth of drugs.

After taking the drugs the woman, who was supposed to have sex with Walker, ran away from him without having sex, which made him mad, the prosecutor said. Walker then went to the woman who sold him drugs and asked for his money back. The woman told him that he needed to deal with the woman who ran away from him.

While arguing with her, according to the prosecution, a man pistol whipped Walker from the back and ran into a house where the shooting happened.

Walker then followed the man into the house and shot Wilson, who was the first person he saw. He then tried asking Brown to give him all his money and when Brown did not cooperate, Walker shot him in the head and fled the house, the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland told the jury that Walker is innocent and that the only fair and just verdict is a not guilty verdict otherwise this would become a tragedy.

Loveland said Walker was never in the house where the shooting happened, which is why the prosecution was not able to find his DNA.

He also added that the prosecution’s case will rise and then fall because it is solely based on the testimonies of two people who cannot be believed or trusted.

Both of the prosecution’s witnesses are individuals who benefited by pointing at an innocent person as the suspect, Loveland said.

One did it for the reward money, the other did it to sit in the witness’s chair instead of the defendant’s chair because he is the shooter, he explained.

One of the prosecution’s witnesses,a man who was in the house during the shooting, was seen by neighbors running out with valuable items that belonged to the victims, according to the defense.

After both parties delivered their statements, the prosecution called both of Brown and Wilson’s sisters to testify about the day their brothers were killed.

Both sisters identified Brown and Wilson’s pictures and told the jury how they learned, from a phone call, that their brothers were shot and killed.

Parties are scheduled to return to court on April 25.

Defendant Tells Judge to ‘Shut Up’ in Shooting Case

During a probation show cause hearing on April 24, a defendant told DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan to “shut up” when hearing his resentence.

Anthony Cobbs, 35, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for shooting another individual on Feb. 22, 2020, on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

On Monday, Judge Ryan resentenced Cobbs to 26 months with credit for time served for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction. the sentences would run concurrently.

After hearing 26 months, Cobbs told Judge Ryan to “shut up.” He later apologized later.

Cobbs had his probation revoked and was resentenced because he failed to comply with drug treatment, as part of his original release conditions.

Cobbs was released to the custody of the Attorney General nd slated to serve the rest of the time in jail.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Held in Domestic Incident

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a non-fatal shooting defendant during an initial hearing on April 24.

Lorenzo Shaw, 30, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection to a domestic incident on the unit block of Galveston Street, SW on April 23.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a domestic incident where Shaw allegedly pointed a gun at his wife, who was unharmed. Officers found a live round on the floor of a room where Shaw allegedly tried to gain entry. The two were in the process of separating and were arguing over the keys to a wheel lock.

Judge Pipe found probable cause and held Shaw with two stay-away orders

Shaw is scheduled to return to court on April 27.

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