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Sex Abuse Trial Gets Pushed Back Due to Defense Attorney’s Surgery Recovery

On March 24, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set a new trial date for a sex abuse case to accommodate a defense attorney’s recovery from surgery.

The defendant is charged with one count of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree child sex abuse while the victim was under the age of 18 and the actor had a significant relationship with the victim, two counts of kidnapping against a minor, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while the victim was under the age of 18 and actor had a significant relationship with the victim, and three counts of second-degree child sex abuse while victim was under the age of 18. 

Defense attorney Candace Mitchell requested to push the trial date back six months from January 2024 to allow her co-counsel time to recover from a surgery. Defense attorney Anthony Matthews is expected to undergo surgery at the beginning of April.

The prosecution agreed to set the new trial date but suggested another hearing to confirm that it is necessary to push the trial that far out.

Jury selection for the trial was rescheduled for late July 2024. The prosecutor said he expects the prosecution’s case to take about three days. The defense said they expect their case to take about one day.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.

Judge Says He is Ready For Retrial in Nonfatal Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said he is ready to go to retrial in a non-fatal shooting case after a failed attempt in 2019.

Victor Coley, 61 is charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, and possession of ammunition regarding an incident that took place on the 300 block of 40th Street, NE. During the incident, two victims were shot, one victim was shot in the back and the other in the right leg. The incident took place on Nov. 6, 2013. Coley was found guilty on all charges on Feb. 24, 2015. 

However, after receiving a 40-year sentence, Coley filed a motion to reopen his case due to ineffective counsel. On Dec. 7, 2018.

Judge Ryan informed both parties that he is ready to go to trial on May 18 and that they should make sure that everything is ready with the little time they have left.

During a March 24 trial readiness hearing, defense attorneys Carrie Weletz and Jesse Winograd asked for additional time to decide on DNA testing due to additional information they received from the previous defense attorney.  

Weletz and Winograd said they plan on filling previous motions that were filed during 2019, which are for dismissal for tampering along with evidence violations and a motion to suppress witness identification due to a hearsay issue.   

The prosecution plans on calling 32 witnesses, including summarized testimonies from those who have passed away. 

Winograd stated that the defense plans on calling zero to six witnesses, however, Coley objected, arguing with counsel, asking her to call three additional experts. 

Coley asked the judge to address himself, but Judge Ryan refused to hear him and informed him to speak to his lawyers first. 

“I would like to object to your ruling, but I accept it,” Coley said as he left the courtroom.  

A status hearing is scheduled for March 31.

Victim’s Brother Delivers Emotional impact Statement, Referencing Defendant’s 7 Year Sentence

In a March 27 hearing, a murder victim’s brother gave an emotional impact statement before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun imposed a seven-year sentence in the case.

Cana Browne, 25,  pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for stabbing 42-year-old Ebony Morgan on May 10, 2022, on the 100 block of P Street, NE. 

“Seven years is bullshit,” the brother said, adding that the loss of his sister almost drove him to commit suicide.

The sentence was determined from a plea agreement the defendant took in December of 2022.

“I know that nothing I do here will bring her back, and I’m sorry,” Judge Okun told Morgan’s family before he accepted the guilty plea. Browne will also have to serve five years on supervised release after the sentence.

According to court documents, after receiving multiple 911 calls, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Morgan, 42, lying on the ground, unconscious, with a puncture wound to the right side of her neck. She died five days later.

Judge Okun took the defendant’s mental health and trauma issues, her nonviolent criminal history, and the fact that she has a two-year-old son into consideration as factors in the sentence. He also recommended additional education, vocational training, and anger management therapy for Browne while she is in prison.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to All Counts in Sexual Abuse Case

On March 24, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a guilty plea in a case of attempted rape and robbery.

Michael Hartley, 32, was originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse by the threat of force and robbery. The case stems from two separate incidents that occurred in November 2022 on 3000 K Street, NW and Anacostia Park near the 11th Street Bridge in Southeast DC.

Judge Okun read the prosecution offer for a guilty plea to all charges, including five years in prison, a $12,500 fine, up to 10 years of supervised release, and a requirement to register as a sex offender upon release. 

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), regarding the incident located at 3000 K Street NW, the victim reported seeing the defendant follow her onto a building elevator. As they exited the elevator, the defendant snatched her phone from her hand and began striking her in the head.

The defendant threw the victim to the ground as her back faced him. He pulled her underwear down as she fought to keep it up. As the victim turned around, she saw the defendant’s pants were down. 

The victim was able to flee the scene and seek help.

As for the offense located in Anacostia Park, the victim reported she was running on a park trail when she noticed the defendant following her. The defendant grabbed her, making her fall to the ground. She began screaming as the defendant tried to pin her down and pull down her shorts. 

The defendant fled the scene. 

The prosecution stated that, if this case had gone to trial, they would have proved that Harley committed both crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. 

“I’ll conditionally accept this plea,” said Judge Okun, explaining that he needs to finish reading the reports provided by both parties before sentencing.

If accepted, Hartley’s sentencing date is scheduled for June 2. 

Defendant Chooses to be Released After Considering Repercussions

During a probation show cause hearing on March 24, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt terminated a defendant’s probation, leading to his release. 

Samuel Felton, 26, is charged with first-degree burglary while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for robbing and firing a shot at a couple. The offense occurred in a residence on April 6, 2018, on the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE. A one-year-old child was also in the residence at the time of the shooting. No one was shot.

During the hearing, the prosecutor said Felton was on release when he committed another gun offense, requesting the judge revoke Felton’s probation.

Judge Brandt said she would either revoke or terminate probation. A termination means the probation is unsuccessful, but the defendant would be released as opposed to serving the rest of his sentence.

Judge Brandt asked Felton if he would like to return to prison for the remainder of his sentence, or have his probation terminated.

Felton chose the termination route, saying he would have a difficult time finding a job.

Felton was released on March 24.

Document: Double Homicide on 3rd Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide on March 22 on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE.

According to a press release officers located 21-year-old Jalen Dyer and 20-year-old Tariq Richardson suffering from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Case Acquitted: Day Two of Murder Trial Delivers Chilling Eye-Witness Testimonies

This case was acquitted on Aug. 15, 2023.

Three eyewitness recalled their accounts of the events that lead up to murder on the second day of trial.

Jermaine Washington, 38, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Keon Bonner, 40, on Oct. 26, 2021, in an alley on the 1500 block of Ogden Street NW. 

The victim’s cousin explained March 23 that on the night of the incident, Bonner had planned to spend the night at his cousin’s apartment. On that same night, Washington had come to his apartment and asked if either of them wanted to smoke. Bonner went down to the lobby with Washington to do so while his cousin stayed behind and went back to sleep.

Video footage from the cousin’s apartment building showed Washington and Bonner leaving the building through the lobby, then leaving the front of the building.

Two residents in an apartment building that faced the location of the incident described how they had been awoken by the sounds of two men fighting in the alley. Both did not think much of it as the alley was a common place for illegal drug deals and consumption, drunken fights, and sexual acts.

One resident explained that the first two times he looked out the window, he only saw two men “horsing around,” and decided to go back to bed. Upon looking one more time, the witness saw one of the men on the ground and the other man pacing around him. 

However, the other resident had seen the incident in its entireity. 

When the resident noticed a reflection of what appeared to be a knife in the hand of one of the men and what appeared to be blood on the surrounding area, he realized the seriousness of the situation. He explained that the man was not punching the other but instead stabbing him. 

The resident also testified that after one of the men was on the ground, the one standing stabbed the victim one more time before using dirt to take the blood off of his hands and knife and fleeing the scene.

The description the resident gave of the victim matched that of Bonner on the night of his murder.

The victim’s cousin explained that Bonner had previously lived with him for about a month before taking up a new residence in Virginia. During their time together, the two cousins had begun regularly seeing Washington, who they knew as JT, while smoking outside of the building.

His cousin also explained that a week before the incident, he had overheard and argument between Washington and Bonner. During the argument, he said he heard Washington say, “I’ll fuck you up.”

A fourth eyewitness was meant to testify at the hearing on Thursday but refused to appear after stating that she had a work commitment. 

Despite the prosecution’s efforts to speak with her employer, the witness still refused to appear in court. 

In response, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz issued a warrant for her arrest and requested that the prosecution “do everything you can to scare her enough,” to appear in court. 

The trial is set to resume on March 27.

Defendant Gives Final Goodbye to Family After Being Found Guilty 

During a preliminary on March 22, the defendant in a sexual assault case waved goodbye to family members after accepting a guilty plea agreement. 

Wilson Rodriguez, 24, is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and carrying a pistol without a license on Dec. 4, 2022. The incident took place on the 3300 block of 16th Street, NW. 

According to court documents, the defendant saw the victim standing on the sidewalk, approached her, and said “Suck my dick”, The victim refused.

However, Rodriguez continued the assault at gun point. 

In exchange for the guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to dismiss additional charges and limit additional punishment. 

After his conviction, defense attorney Charles H. O’Banion requested that his client be released from jail because of harsh living conditions. 

O’Banion also explained that Rodriguez was inebriated at the time of the incident and deeply remorseful. 

Judge Raffinan denied the defense’s request.

The parties are set to reconvene for sentencing on June 1.

Defense Intends to Accept Plea Offer

A plea deal that was once rejected is being negotiated again by a defendant involved in a sexual abuse case.

The 52-year-old defendant was indicted on four counts of first-degree child sex abuse against a minor between September 2005 and June 2006 on the 600 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE.

During the hearing on March 23, the defense mentioned a plea offer from the prosecution in December 2022. It was rejected by the defense in the same month it was given. 

Court documents state that even though the complainant was not physically forced to engage in sexual activity, she felt as though she had to do whatever he wanted.

The victim said the defendant used to be a police officer and was allegedly sending inappropriate messages. She recalled three sexual encounters with the defendant that occurred in three different locations.

To date, the defendant has reportedly complied with his release conditions as ordered by Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Following the hearing, the defendant said he would reconsider the deal that was given back in December 2022.

This case could go to trial in May of 2024.

A status hearing is set for Nov. 2. 

Defendant Accepts Plea Offer in Murder Case

During a status hearing on March 24, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted a defendant’s plea in a murder case.

Michael Dolson, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed for stabbing Kenneth Thomas, 42, on March 14, 2022, on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. 

According to court documents, Dolson stabbed Thomas at a bar after Thomas repeatedly attempted to give Dolson and his partner fist bumps and would not leave them alone.

Dolson accepted a plea offer for voluntary manslaughter.

The parties are scheduled to return June 2 for a sentencing hearing.

Document: Homicide on Galveston Street, SW

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that took place on the unit block of Galveston Street, SW on March 23.

According to a press release, officers found 21-year-old Kristian Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds. She was reported dead on scene.

Defendant Sentenced to More than 13 Years in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a defendant in a homicide case to 160 months in prison during a March 23 hearing.

Jonathan Young, 38, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Dewayne Shorter, 22, on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE on Jan. 26, 2021.

Young accepted a plea deal on Dec. 21, 2022, to one count of voluntary manslaughter. 

Shorter’s mother, sister, and the mother of his four-year old child read emotional statements asking for the maximum sentence allowed by the plea agreement, 16 years in prison, Shorter’s family was seen in the gallery wearing face-masks and t-shirts with Shorter’s photo on them.

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel argued for the minimum sentence, eight ad a half years in prison. He said Young turned himself in, and has shown remorse by accepting the plea deal.

“This is a good person who made a bad decision,” McDaniel said.

“This bad decision is one of the worst one’s a person can make,” replied the prosecution.

The sentencing led to emotional outbursts between supporters of the victim as well as Young. Several were told to leave the courtroom. Multiple court marshals were brought in to handle the situation.

In addition to the 160 months in prison, Young will have to register as a gun offender, undergo random drug testing, and will have five years of supervised release.

“When one acts to take a life, the price must be significant,” Judge Lee said.