Search Icon Search site

Search

Judge Delays Trial for Mother-Son Accused in Shooting Case

At a trial readiness hearing on July 5, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples accepted the prosecution’s motion to delay Tiaquana Chandler’s trial in hopes of arresting her son who’s accused in the case.

Chandler, 41 is charged with conspiracy, burglary while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and soliciting a violent crime. Chandler, along with her 27-year-old son, was allegedly involved in the non-fatal shooting of a man on March 28 on the 3400 block of 13th Street SE.

Defense counsel stated they were ready for trial, which is slated to begin July 10. 

However, prosecutors requested a continuance since there is an arrest warrant for Chandler’s son, because as a co-defendant he’s considered a fugitive. Prosecutors believe it would be best to try mother and son together.

The judge agreed with the prosecution’s reasoning and granted the continuance. Since Chandler has been held for over a hundred days without trial, she was placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring and a stay away and no communication order from her son. 

A status hearing will take place on July 12 to decide how to proceed further.

Defense Requests Global Plea for Defendant Connected to a Homicide

On July 5, defense attorneys for a homicide defendant requested a global plea to encompass two cases pending against the same person.

Idrissa Fall, 36, is charged with first degree murder while armed, a bias-related crime, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection to the murder of 29-year-old Dara Northern on July 18, 2021 on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW.

According to court documents, Fall became jealous when Northern, his girlfriend, told him that she was gay.

Fall is also charged with attempted unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution for allegedly hiding a homemade weapon under the track door of his DC Jail cell on Sept. 12, 2022. 

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley requested a global plea that would lead to the disposition of both cases. 

The trial date for the murder case is set for May 6, 2024, but both parties will reconvene in September to allow parties time to make a decision about global pleas. 

The next hearing is set for Sept. 22. 

Judge Orders Lawyer to Withdraw from Homicide Case over Potential Conflicts

On July 5, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that a defense lawyer must withdraw from participating in a three defendant homicide case.

Deandre Levy, 22 is charged with first degree murder for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting on the 5500 block of 9th street, NW on Aug. 10, 2020. Levy and two other defendants allegedly opened fire on a group of teenagers resulting in the death of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt.  

Prosecutors initially urged the court to remove Jonathan Zucker as Levy’s counsel to avoid the appearance of impropriety.  At issue is that one of Zucker’s other clients is a potential suspect in this case according to court documents. However, he hasn’t been charged.

Zucker stated that this is “a manufactured conflict” by the prosecution, with no evidence that his other client was involved. 

However, Judge Raffinan said she does “not think that Zucker can reasonably believe he can provide proficient, competent representation.” Judge Raffinan also said the matter can’t be properly investigated if Zucker is still participating in the case.

Judge Raffinan found the “law demands Zucker is removed from the case,” granting the prosecution’s motion. 

The prosecution’s second motion alleged another conflict of interest against Zucker. In this instance, the concern is that Zucker represented the mother of a witness in Levy’s case.

Since Judge Raffinan had already removed Zucker from the case, the motion was moot.

Subsequently, defense attorneys filed a motion requesting Levy be released from detention. 

Defense counsel maintained that Levy is now older, calmer, and is more mature. Levy has also completed three semesters at Georgetown University in an intensive program at DC Jail. Counsel suggested that compliance in educational pursuits was a proxy to compliance during release.

However, prosecutors asserted that educational compliance should not be taken into consideration, as education “does not speak on his dangerousness.”

Although Judge Raffinan stated that educational achievement should taken into account, she did not find that the change in circumstances warrants a change in his detention, denying Levy’s request for release. 

A severance hearing is slated for July 26.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Holding Teen Accused in High School Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Sherry M. Trafford found probable cause during a preliminary hearing on July 5 for a nonfatal shooting case that occurred at Woodson High School.

Jonathan Johnson, 19, is accused of allegedly shooting a fellow Woodson student on May 17. According to court documents, the incident occurred at the intersection of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue and Division Avenue, NE, where, as Johnson drove by in a car, he allegedly fired at his victim, wounding the individual three times.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who investigated the attack testified that an eyewitness on the scene, who had known Johnson for several months, identified him as the shooter during an interview with officers.

Defense lawyer Edward Gain requested the defendant be released to home supervision, given his age and the harsh conditions of the DC Jail. 

Judge Trafford denied the request, citing Johnson’s previous noncompliance with release terms and his alleged unauthorized use of a vehicle for which he’s also being charged.

A felony status conference is set for August 1. 

Document: Homicide: 400 Block of 11th Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 3 on the 400 block of 11th Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious person. They located an adult male shooting victim inside a vehicle and transported him to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Nasrat Ahmad Yar.

Document: Homicide: 2800 Block of Hartford Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 3 on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located an adult male shooting victim with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Langston Sharps.

Document: Suspect and Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 3000 Block of 30th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating an individual and a suspect-vehicle involved in a non-fatal shooting on June 25 on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located an adult male victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Decedent Identified Homicide: 500 Block of Parkland Place, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 1 on the 500 block of Parkland Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds and with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old Michael Cary.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 5300 Block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 19-year-old Jonathan Johnson with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 17 on the 5300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the reports of gunshots and located an adult male shooting victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Document: Homicide: 1500 Block of Good Hope Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 1 on the 1500 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting where they located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds and with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 27-year-old Frank Maddox.

Document: Homicide: 500 Block of Parkland Place, Southea

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 1 on the 500 block of Parkland Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the report of a shooting and located an adult male individual suffering from gunshot wounds and with no signs consistent to life.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Document: Homicide: 1000 Block of Quebec Place, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on June 30 on the 1000 block of Quebec Place, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for gunshots, and located an adult male shooting victim with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Tymeer Roberts.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 3500 Block of Hayes Street, Northeast

On June 30, the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 43-year-old Dwayne Fountain with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on May 4 on the 3500 block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers located an adult male suffering from injuries consistent with an assault and found no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 47-year-old Marcus Carey.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Deadly Traffic Accident  

On June 30, a Pennsylvania man accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors for his involvement in a fatal traffic accident.

Reginald Johnson, 31, was originally charged with second-degree murder in an incident that killed 24-year-old Carlos Christian and severely injured Christian’s fiance on January 15, at the intersection of 15th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Johnson was traveling about 60-miles-per-hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone when Christian’s Uber driver was trying to turn left.  Johnson crashed into the rear side of the Uber, causing the vehicle to spin and rollover, before coming to a stop on a sidewalk. The force of the impact was ruled the cause of Christian’s death. 

Christian’s fiance experienced severe injuries to her back as well as fractures to her pelvis. Both victims were international graduate students from the Dominican Republic at Georgetown University and George Washington University. 

According to court documents, at the time of the incident, Johnson had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .109; above the legal limit of .08. 

Johnson pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, criminal negligence and assault with a dangerous weapon–a vehicle.  He faces between 36 and 144 months in jail. 

Christian’s family, that flew in from Dominican Republic and Colorado, pleaded with DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun to arrest Johnson, claiming he is a danger to the community. 

“I’m standing here, on behalf of my parents and [other family members] looking for justice,” said Christian’s brother. 

“I do not believe a community can reasonably expect to remain safe when wrong-doers like this man are on release,” he insisted. 

According to the victims’ lawyer, the plea agreement is not adequate given the severity of the crime. They argued that it won’t bring justice to the families. 

“This is tragic, all the way around,” stated Judge Okun. 

“I don’t know what sentence I’m going to impose,” he said in response to the parents.

Meanwhile, Judge Okun stated he would not arrest Johnson but would implement further conditions to ensure the safety of the community. 

Johnson’s release prohibits him from driving in the District and under the influence of any substance. 

Parties are expected back for sentencing on Oct. 13.

Document: Traffic Fatality: 1000 Block of Brentwood Road, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Major Crash Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a traffic fatality that occurred on June 26, on the 1000 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

According to MPD documents, 49-year-old Robert Hall was driving a stolen motorcycle, without a helmet, and lost control of the vehicle.

Hall died June 30 at a local hospital.