Lead Detective Begins Testimony in Trial of 10 Year Old’s Murder

The lead detective in a long-running homicide case connected to the murder of Makiyah Wilson testified on April 13.

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 in relation to a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer located surveillance footage cameras on a satellite image of the area of the shooting. The footage from the Wellington Park Apartment complex tracked the movements of the defendants on the day of the incident.

Because the prosecution had to frequently pause the surveillance footage to allow the witness to identify individuals in the videos, the detective was only able to get through about five pages of his 30-page report.

Given the length of the report and the surveillance footage, the detective is scheduled to continue his testimony at a later proceeding.

Defense Questions Legitimacy of a Key Witness’s Grand Jury Testimony

In an April 13 hearing, the Grand Jury testimony for a key witness in a five-year-old homicide case was brought into question.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being 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.

The witness told a Grand Jury that Walker confessed to the murder during one of their conversations.

The prosecution is seeking to admit her testimony as out-of-court statements, but Walker’s defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Prescott Loveland objected.

Defense counsel said the prosecuting attorney, who questioned the witness in the Grand Jury, didn’t ask questions solely related to Walker’s alleged confession. They argued he asked the witness questions related to information other informants provided in the case.

The defense argued that all the information the witness testified to cannot be attributed to Walker. The parties began going through the transcript line by line to decipher what statements can and cannot be attributed to Walker.

They were unable to evaluate the entire testimony but said they will continue to do so when they are scheduled to return to court on April 19.

Bus Accident Results in Rescheduled Proceedings

A homicide defendant was one of several passengers on a prisoner transport bus when it was involved in an accident on April 13. The accident caused the defendant and others’ hearings to be postponed.

Dionte Anderson, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the alleged shooting of Adrian Mack, 31, on Aug. 7, 2022, on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE.

Anderson was supposed to appear in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for a hearing, but along with several other defendants, Anderson was involved in a bus accident on the way to the courthouse.

Anderson was transported back to the jail to receive medical treatment. It was unclear when Anderson would be able to appear, so the parties agreed to reschedule the hearing.

D.C. Witness reported that DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz told parties, in her courtroom, that there was little information about the crash, but after medical assessment, some prisoners returned to the jail while others stayed at the courthouse.

All parties are scheduled to return to court on April 19.

Non-Fatal Shooting Case Continued Due to DC Jail Bus Accident

An April 13 pending plea resolution hearing in a non-fatal shooting case was continued due to an accident involving a bus that transports prisoners from the DC Jail to the courthouse.

Marvin Smith, 30, is charged with aggravated assault while armed in connection to a shooting that occurred on the 2400 block of Elvans Road SE on March 22, 2022.

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz told the parties that there was little information about the crash but after medical assessment, some prisoners returned to the jail while others stayed at the courthouse.

The complainant in the Smith matter called 911 and advised he had been shot, according to court documents. When police questioned him, he stated he did not know who shot him.

The victim sustained injuries to his right lower leg and left knee and was admitted to a nearby hospital for surgery.

The case was continued to April 14 when the defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 27.

Judge Accepts Plea For Lesser Charge in Non-Fatal Shooting

At a status hearing on April 13, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a plea deal, exonerating a defendant of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Andre Gregory was initially charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly shooting a victim on March 26, 2019, on the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE. According to court documents, Gregory, 32, allegedly shot the victim in the back two times at close range before fleeing the scene.

At the hearing, Gregory, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

The prosecution stated in the proffer of facts that Gregory and one other suspect drove up in a light-colored hatchback and approached a man in a white BMW on March 4, 2019. Gregory held him at gunpoint and robbed him of his car. Gregory drove off in the light-colored hatchback, and the other suspect drove off in the victim’s white BMW.

According to the plea deal, the defense and prosecution agreed to the mandatory one-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. However, no agreement was reached for the carjacking charge and is subject to the judge during sentencing.

The sentencing is scheduled for June 12.

Judge Accepts Plea Deal in Homicide Case on Conditional Basis

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted a conditional plea deal after the son and brother of a homicide victim gave in-court statements.

Nelson Davis, 19, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence allegedly committed during release for allegedly shooting 45-year-old Jason Ford on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE on June 25, 2022.

Davis entered into a plea agreement on April 13 that would reduce the charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed if accepted by Judge Brandt.

However, Ford’s son and brother gave victim impact statements, saying they were unhappy with the proposed deal.

Ford’s son said that the maximum sentence of 12 years in the deal is not enough to rehabilitate Davis, and that “he needs to be held accountable” as the man who murdered his father. Davis would face a 30-year maximum sentence if the case went to trial.

Ford’s brother said that he doesn’t think the plea deal fits the crime and that the charge “trickled down to manslaughter to get a conviction.” He also said that their father recently had a seizure triggered by stress that was caused by the murder.

Davis’ guilty plea won’t be officially accepted until his sentencing, which is scheduled for July 7.

Credibility of Expert Witness’s Testimony in Drive-By Murder Case Called Into Question

The credibility of a forensic scientist’s testimony was called into question during an April 12 hearing given her termination from D.C’s Department of Forensic Science.

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.

A former employee of D.C.’s Department of Forensic Science (DFS) who processed evidence related to the case testified in court, but the defense tried to block her testimony prior to her taking the stand.

The witness was terminated by DFS in 2021 due to her back-dating the distribution dates of forensic reports. She testified that although she did back-date the reports, she and several of her colleagues were permitted to do this and fired because of it.

The defense argued that her malfeasance should have been disclosed earlier and that her credibility was affected by her termination. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun allowed her testimony regardless.

He said the prosecution wasn’t required to disclose her termination until they intended to call her to the stand, which they didn’t until Murchison’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller, filed a motion on April 9 requesting she testify.

The witness lifted multiple fingerprints from firearms recovered from the trunk of a Honda Accord, as well as the interior and exterior of the vehicle itself.

The Accord was not directly involved in the execution of the drive-by shooting that killed Wilson but is registered to an individual the defendants are known to associate with regularly. Matches to the fingerprints has not yet been revealed.

Trial is slated to continue on April 13.

Judge Continues Motion Hearing for 2020 Homicide Case

On April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan continued a motion hearing in a second-degree murder case to review case law documents.

Lewkus Turner, 29, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi on Dec. 11, 2020, on the 2900 block of S Street, SE.

Both parties filed several motions to limit the scope of evidence presented at trial.

Judge Raffinan heard arguments for all motions and asked the parties to allow her some time to go over case laws that would assist her in deciding her rulings for each request.

Parties are expected back in court for a continued motions hearing on April 25.

Hearing is Continues Pending Indictment in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

A non-fatal shooting case was continued in an April 13 hearing after the prosecution requested more time to indict.

Dominick Jackson, 38, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to a shooting that occurred on the 700 block of 12th Street, NE on Nov. 20, 2022.

According to court documents, as police were processing the scene on 12th Street, other officers were dispatched to the 800 block of K Street, NE for the report of a vehicle striking a building. When officers arrived they observed several bullet holes through the car’s front passenger window.

The driver was unresponsive and appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh. He was immediately rushed to Washington Hospital Center and taken into surgery.

The driver is the complainant in this case.

Court documents also indicate, private security footage captured a male voice yelling, “Yo! What’s up with it ? What’s up with it?” and then four gunshots.

It was discovered that the victim’s girlfriend shares children with Jackson.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 27, when the prosecution expects to indict at that time.

Plea Agreement Falls Through During Fact-Review in Child Sexual Abuse Case

A defendant reconsidered a plea agreement in an April 12 hearing for a child-sex abuse case.

The 31-year-old defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree child sex abuse in connection to events in Washington DC that occurred on or about Sept. 1, 2013, and ending on or about May 1, 2016. The defendant’s charges included recognition of previous child sexual abuse convictions. No information was found on those associated cases.

The hearing began by discussing the terms of the plea agreement in which the defendant would plead guilty to two counts of second-degree child sex abuse. Both the prosecution and defense agreed to a maximum possible sentence of six years in prison.

However, while the prosecution read through the facts of the case, the defendant claimed they were inaccurate.

Defense attorney Brandon Burrell informed the court the plea was “falling through the cracks” and moved to set a trial date.

According to court documents the victims were the defendant’s step-sisters. They were about five-to-eight years old at the time of the alleged abuse.

Both victims stated the abuse happened multiple times throughout the years.

The trial is scheduled for Sept. 5, and the next hearing is slated for Aug. 18.

Document: Homicide on Benning Road, NE

Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred on April 12 on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to a press release, 19-year-old Andre Wallace Jr. was found inside an establishment. He died on the scene.

Defendant Shot by Police Awaits Trial

On April 10, the defense rejected the prosecution’s final plea offer and asked for the defendant to be released to home confinement.

Rahman Mills,30, is charged with kidnapping while armed, two charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, simple assault, threat to kidnap or injure a person and destruction of property less than $1,000 all while on probation regarding an incident that happened on Aug. 12, 2022, on 1900 block of Savannah Street, SE.

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland on behalf of Mills requested that Mills be released on home confinement while awaiting trial.

However, the prosecution opposed, saying Mills imposes danger to the community.

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur agreed with the prosecution and denied the oral request for release. He asked for it in writing.

According to court documents, Mills became verbally aggressive with the victim after he banged on their apartment door to be let in. The victim then locked her son in a back bedroom and herself in a hallway bathroom in fear for her life. Mills then allegedly destroyed the bathroom door, grabbed the victim, started to choke her, forcing both the victim and her son onto a couch.

While on the couch Mills pulled a gun and said “I’m going to kill your stupid ass!”

Eventually, the victim was able to break free and that is when Mills allegedly ran out of the apartment with the victim’s apartment and car keys, court documents stated.

While MPD officers were searching for him, Mills was observed by an officer. When the officer exited his car Mills abandoned his bike and fled on foot. The officer chased him and gave him ten verbal commands to drop the gun, Mills did not comply, so the officer fired his gun striking Mills in the back.

Then, the officer continued to command Mills to drop his gun, he responded by saying no, he then raised his right arm with what the officer believed to be a gun. The officer fired another time striking Mills in his right shoulder, documents state.

Mills continued to resist.

Loveland stated that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was not able to justify the officer’s first shot and that the officer is being charged regarding this case.

Due to the unjustified use of force, Mills charges regarding an assault on a police officer and one count of possession of a firearm were dropped in 2022.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for June 2.

Convicted Killer Tries to Overturn His Sentence

Convicted killer Merle V. Watson told DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring he is frustrated his efforts to win vindication have stalled.

Watson addressed the April 10 proceeding on a video feed from a high security federal prison in Hazelton, West Virginia. “I can’t get anything done here,” Watson said, indicating he wants to be transferred to another facility.

Watson’s latest attorney, Albert Amissah, told D.C. Witness that Watson appeared remotely because he’s considered “too dangerous” to hold in the DC jail.

According to a Department of Justice release, Watson, 63, and co-defendants Keith Logan and Paul Ashby were found guilty in August 2013 of first-degree murder while armed, with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy, kidnapping while armed, armed robbery, and weapons offenses.

Watson, Logan, and Ashby allegedly conspired to kidnap and rob Carnell Bolden, 36 on Dec. 30, 2009, near W Street NW As the incident unfolded Bolden was beaten and shot to death while his girlfriend was shot four times to prevent her from becoming a witness to the crime. She survived the attack.

Logan, 60, was sentenced to life without parole. Ashby, also 60, received a 90-year term in the case. Watson, according to a court filing, was sentenced to 73-years in jail with a minimum of 33-years and five years supervised release.

Watson appealed the conviction and four of the charges against him were vacated in 2022 without affecting his overall sentence. Watson has argued that his constitutional rights were violated during the prosecution.

During the hearing Judge Josey-Herring noted Watson has used a number of attorneys throughout his litigation and that his case had been “in the system a long time.”

Amissah says he will need some time to review the substantial volume of records in the case.

Judge Josey-Herring set the next hearing in the case for Aug. 17.

Defendant Still Being Held Even Though Judge Grants Bail

During a felony status conference on April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow granted bail, but due to another case, the defendant will remain at the DC Jail.

Nikia Cunningham, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting a victim in the face. The offense allegedly occurred on March 28 on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.

As previously reported on April 10, probable cause was found to keep the case moving forward.

According to court documents, Cunningham allegedly went to the victims’ residence with another male and her baby to buy the drug called Molly.

During court, Judge Pasichow granted a $100 bail for the defendant, however, with the defendant being held in another case the bail had no standing.

The prosecutor explained he should have a plea offer submitted to the defense by the end of next week.

The parties are scheduled to return May 8 for a felony status conference.

Defendant Accepts Plea Offer in Domestic Violence Case

During a felony status conference on April 12, before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow, a domestic violence suspect entered a guilty plea.

Ronnie Ray, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for shooting at and beating a woman on Sept. 20, 2022, near the 2400 block of James Bank Road, SE.

Ray shot a weapon but did not injure anybody. He then ran to the victim and hit her in the head repeatedly before assaulting another victim, according to court documents.

The first victim was romantically involved with the defendant and the two share a child who was present during the incident.

Ray pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted assault with significant bodily injury.

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels requested the defendant be released, however, the judge denied the motion considering he had just admitted guilt.

The parties are scheduled to return June 23 for a sentencing hearing.

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