Defendant At Risk of Being Sent Back to Prison After Testing Positive for Fentanyl

During a status hearing on March 7, a judge told a defendant he was at risk of going back to jail after he tested positive for fentanyl.

Ronnie Melson, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting Demetrius Jones, 41, on Nov. 6, 2020, on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE.

During the hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe brought up an issue regarding Melson’s pretrial release.

The prosecutor said Melson tested positive for fentanyl multiple times during his routine check-ins with the pretrial services agency (PSA).

The prosecutor also said Melson had problems with being released in the past and has never fully complied with the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

HISP requires Melson to undergo weekly drug testing. In order for the defendant qualify for HISP, he must not have any warrants or detainers, provide a verified address, and obtain an agreement that allows monitoring equipment to be installed. Melson is currently released under HISP with home confinement and GPS monitoring.

Defense attorney Jason Tulley argued that Melson was released because the prosecution had limited evidence against him and nothing concrete tying him to the murder.

Tulley further argued that pretrial services recommended that Melson enter into a treatment facility because of his drug use. Melson has fully complied with the other requirements in HISP.

The problem with placing Melson in a treatment facility would be that home confinement portion of HISP release could not be ensured.

Pretrial services said the facility would not be forced to ensure Melson did not leave the property.

However, Judge O’Keefe said he feels he could find a way to work around the home confinement problem by adding a condition to Melson’s release.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled another hearing for next week and if Melson stays clean, then he would be eligible for treatment.

The parties are scheduled to return March 15 for a status hearing.

Case Acquitted: Witness Testifies to Victim and Defendant’s Close Relationship in Murder Trial

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

On day four of a murder trial, a witness testified to a close-relationship between the defendant and the victim, information that had not been presented to the jury to date.

Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Aujee Tyler, 22. Tyler was shot multiple times on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE on March 19, 2018. Despite all life-saving efforts, he passed away at Washington Hospital Center later that day.

On March 7, the witness said he was best friends with Tyler and worked with him in their own unofficial mentoring program for young boys in their neighborhood. He told the court that Tyler mentored the defendant who was also known as Baby Ahk. e made sure that he always had food to eat and a place to stay, the witness said.

The witness saidTyler and Baby Ahk were better friends than he and the victim were, “you wouldn’t see Ahk and not see ‘Quick’.”

‘Quick’ was the nickname given to Tyler by the boxing community. “He was the best there was,” said the witness.

Another witness testified that Sutton stayed in North Carolina with the witness’s family in April of 2018 and then lived with the witness for a time before they both moved to Ohio.

That witness also testified that some time later they had discovered some information about Baby Ahk’s affiliation with this case and called the Metropolitan Police Department tip line about Sutton’s whereabouts.

The trial is scheduled to resume March 8.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Sexual Abuse Case

During a March 7 hearing, a defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges in a sex abuse case.

The 53-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sexual abuse while intoxicated, kidnapping, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person. The charges are in regards to an incident that took place on the 1200 block of Ruam Street, NE.

According to court documents on June 5, 2022, the complainant was allegedly forced to smoke crack cocaine, was struck by the defendant on the buttocks, and attempted to hit her face with iron as she used her hand to shield herself.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer asked the complainant if the two had any past sexual history and she stated “Oh Yeah, and he sodomized me,” documents stated.

The prosecution said DNA testing has been done and evidence will be sent over to the defense.

Defense attorney Cheryl D. Stein said she will be submitting a voucher to conduct another DNA test due to her being ill with Covid-19.

A status hearing is scheduled for April 21.

Child Sex Abuse Case Set to Continue Later this Month

During a felony status conference on March 7, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe scheduled a follow up hearing later this month.

The defendant, 36, is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and first-degree sexual abuse for an indicident that occurred between on June 16 and 17, 2019, on the 1400 block of Irving Street, NW.

According to court documents, it states the victim, 15, woke up to the defendant kissing and groping her repeatedly.

There had been a party the night before, so the victim said she could smell alcohol on the defendant’s breath.

Judge O’Keefe said they would continue the case for a possible disposition.

The parties are scheduled to return March 31 for a felony status conference.

Case Acquitted: Trial Continues in Boxer’s Murder

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

Two witnesses testified about the significance of their assistance on the day of the incident on March 6.

Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Aujee Tyler, 22, which happened at the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE on March 19, 2018.

As part of the prosecution’s argument, multiple witnesses lined up to testify during the second week of trial, beginning with the lead forensic scientist who collected evidence from the vehicle the victim was taken to the hospital in.

The scientist told the court that she was first dispatched to conduct an evaluation of the non-emergency vehicle that was used to transport the victim from the scene of the shooting to United Medical Center (UMC).

At the hospital, she was able to document evidence from the vehicle, which included images of the blood saturated back passenger seats. She also showed the clothing she recovered from the victim, and the jury visibly reacted to the bloody clothing. Suspected bullet holes could be seen through all 4 articles of clothing.

A special police officer (SPO) also testified about his encounters with the victim and three other individuals that entered the hospital that day. According to the officer, the emergency room (ER) went into chaos once the victim and the other individuals arrived.

He said the three individuals, whom he never identified, were causing a scene in the ER.

As doctors and nurses began to render aid to the victim, the three individuals were asked to leave the ER and wait outside. Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived at the hospital as the individuals were exiting the ER, which resulted in a chase.

The SPO explained to the court that he was asked to pursue the individual that was running, and ended up assisting with his detainment when another MPD cruiser cut him off as he ran past a bus stop by the hospital. All three individuals were detained and questioned regarding the incident, but the SPO did not know if any of them were the suspect.

Trial is slated to resume March 7 with several other witnesses expected to testify.

Pretrial Show Cause Hearing Continues for Sex Abuse Defendant

During a March 6 hearing, a DC Superior Court judge continued a pretrial show cause hearing due to the lack of information from the Pretrial Services Agency.

The 53-year-old defendant has been charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse. According to court documents, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted his sister in law who he has known for 21 years.

The prosecution stated that the defendant tested positive for phencyclidine (PCP) on several occasions before the last court hearing on Dec. 15.

Defense attorney, Hannah Claudio said that the defendant has made an improvement.

The defendant was staying at Regional Addiction Prevention (RAP) for treatment since Feb. 4 and left the facility last week.

However, Judge Michael O’Keefe said he needs to hear directly from pretrial services.

“I would like to know the circumstances of why he was discharged and whether or not he was in compliance,” he said.

The pretrial services officer contacted three different officers and RAP to try to figure out the circumstances.

She asked to come back in two weeks so that she could find out more information on the defendant’s discharge.

Judge O’Keefe granted her request. The parties will reconvene on March 16.

Homicide Defendant Contacts Victim’s Family from Jail

During a March 6 status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt imposed a stay-away order upon hearing that a homicide defendant made contact with the victim’s family.

Edward Brown, 60, is being held in connection to the murder of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney on the 2300 block of 11th Street NW on Feb. 5, 2018. According to court documents, Mahoney sustained multiple wounds to his hands and face, along with two fatal stab wounds to his neck.

Brown is convicted of two counts of first-degree murder while armed of a senior citizen and one count of robbery while armed of a senior citizen.

A victim advocate informed the prosecution that Brown had called one of Mahoney’s children from jail, leading the prosecution to request a stay-away order.

Defense attorney Megan Allburn had no objection to the order, and she assured the prosecution that it won’t be an issue again.

Judge Brandt imposed a stay-away order for all four of Mahoney’s children in the hopes that it will provide the family with “peace of mind.”

Allburn made representations that she would like to eventually file a motion for a new trial, which would not affect the current sentencing.

Judge Brandt noted that it’s been five years since the incident, stating that “this chapter needs to close for everybody’s sake.”

Brown’s sentencing is scheduled for March 24.

Defense Forced to Disclose Trial Strategy to Readmit Evidence

The homicide trial for the murder of a 10-year-old girl continues with defense counsel being forced to disclose their strategy in regards to social media evidence in the case.

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 Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

On March 6, Murchison’s Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller requested the readmission of a message allegedly sent by Muchinson in a group text between four of the six co-defendants. The prosecution previously removed the message from the evidence presented in court.

Weller disclosed the relevance of this message to Judge Okun in an ex parte meeting because she said she didn’t want to reveal her defense strategy to the prosecution.

However, Judge Okun wouldn’t admit the message unless the prosecution was able to make an informed argument on its relevance as well.

After this decision, Weller disclosed that the defense wanted the message readmitted because it wasn’t Murchison who sent that message. The prosecution did not object and the message was readmitted into evidence.

This isn’t the first time social media evidence has been discussed in this case.

On Feb. 27, defense attorneys raised concerns about the prosecution bringing in social media evidence to prove the existence of criminal gang activity and conspiracy to commit the drive-by shooting that killed Wilson.

They shared the concern that the jury might naturally attribute statements made by one defendant on Instagram to all defendants because they are on trial together. The posts specifically points to the use of the word “gang” and the alleged gang vanity name ‘DF’.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Okun allowed the evidence to be admitted. However, if more than one defendant appeared in a photo, any mentions of “gang” or ‘DF’ must be redacted, or the defendants not specifically associated with the Instagram account must be removed from the photo.

Additionally, to be abundantly cautious, Judge Okun would give a limiting instruction to the jury that each defendant’s social media evidence may only be attributed to that defendant during deliberations.

On Monday, after the jury was brought in, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department criminal investigator. Initially, the investigator informed the jury that his job involved using social media to identify individuals who are potentially members of gangs or crews.

The defense immediately objected to this statement, and the parties spent the next 20 minutes privately discussing this part of the officer’s testimony.

After they resumed the trial, Judge Okun instructed the jury that they were not to consider that statement during deliberations.

Following this decision, the prosecution’s questions revealed that, through his work, the witness identified ‘DF’ as a shorthand vanity name associated with Wellington Park, the neighborhood the defendants resided in at the time of the shooting.

The prosecution was unable to complete their line of questioning, so all parties are scheduled to reconvene and continue questioning the witness on March 7.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Sexual Assault Case

On March 6, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein accepted a defendant’s guilty plea for assault with the intent to commit third-degree sexual abuse.

Talib Kudsy was originally charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, burglary, and third-degree sexual abuse by use of force. The charges are regarding his alleged entry to an unlocked apartment on the 100 block of I Street, SE.

Defense attorney Todd S. Baldwin stated that the defense agreed to enter an Alford Plea.

With the Alford plea, Kudsy pleaded guilty to the charge, but also maintained his innocence in regards to the accusation.

Baldwin read to the court the plea offered by the prosecution, which included a guilty plea to a third-degree sexual assault, three years in prison, a $12,500 fine, up to 10 years supervised release, and a requirement to register as a sex offender in exchange for the dismissal of other charges along with any future enhancement.

He also requested that the defendant be mentally examined before his sentencing date.

Judge Epstien granted the request

According to a proffer of facts, after entering the apartment the defendant walked into the victim’s room, touched her on her inner thigh, and attempted to climb into bed with her and assault her.

After that, the victim started screaming and that’s when the 24-hour home nurse went in and stopped him. The nurse was employed to assist the victim who is a double amputee.

According to court documents, the defendant was intoxicated when he was found by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers. He also made sexual comments to the female officers while in jail.

The defendant was described as “unmanageable” by the DC Jail, documents state.

Kudsy’s sentencing date is scheduled for June 9.

Mass Shooting Trial is ‘Right on Schedule,’ Prosecutor Says

Despite conflicts with jurors, prosecutors said they still believe they’ll deliver their closing remarks on March 8.

During a March 6 proceeding, prosecutors brought four witnesses to testify against Travis B. Littlejohn, 37. Littlejohn is accused of shooting and wounding four people on the night of July 5, 2019. The incident occurred on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan called the case to order, she informed the defense and prosecution that the court received an email from a juror Sunday night.

Raffinan said that this juror was requesting to be excused from their responsibilities to attend an uncle’s funeral down South.

Both legal parties were hesitant to excuse this juror from the trial because two other jurors were excused the week before.

However, Judge Raffinan told the attorneys it would be best to excuse the juror requesting an excused absence for his wife’s uncle’s funeral. The attorneys did not protest. This excuse marks the third excused juror in the case.

During the third trial day on March 2, a juror requested to be excused from her civil duties. The morning of the trial the juror came to court in tears, explaining that the night before she experienced a “shoot-out” in her neighborhood.

She told Judge Raffinan that because of her experience, she did not think she could be impartial in her judgment of this case.

When asked to tell the court about what happened, the juror told Judge Raffinan that there was a quadruple shooting in her neighborhood.

She said that her apartment and others on her block were hit by stray bullets, which is when she went on social media and advocated for stricter gun laws.

She appeared shaken as she was red in the face and sobbing. Both the defense and prosecution agreed that she should be allowed to excuse herself from the case.

The first juror to be excused was excused for unrelated matters. Twelve jurors remain on the panel.

Aside from determining juror conflict resolution, four witnesses were called into court on Monday. These witnesses included a passer-by civilian, the trauma surgeon on call the night of the shooting, the sister of a victim, and the detective assigned to the case. To leave time to discuss jury matters, Judge Raffinan released the jury promptly at 4:30 p.m.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 7 at 10 a.m. with more witness testimony.

Lawyers To Add Additional Closing Statements After Jury’s Self Defense Question

Jury deliberations were halted in a non-fatal shooting case after the jury raised questions about self defense.

Stefen Farmer, 52, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly firing three non-fatal shots at the victim. The shooting happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE, on Feb. 25, 2021.

Before jurors were initially released to deliberate on the case on March 6, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted the prosecution’s request to not allow the defense to claim self-defense during closing statements.

However, he went on and told counsel that he should instruct the jury otherwise. They will be confused about where they should stand when it comes to self-defense since it was mentioned earlier in the trial, he said.

Both parties asked the judge to not instruct the jury, claiming that it would be leading if he did.

Judge Epstein agreed.

During the trial on Monday, defense attorney Nikki Lotze, who tried to show self defense, called a Metropolitan Police department (MPD) officer to prove to the jury that the police were looking for a gun that could have been hidden by the victim following a blood trail that he left behind.

She said the officer has been working with the prosecution all week and answering questions, however when she asked him some specific questions he told her I will answer you in court.

The witness said police were not only looking for a possible hidden gun, but also any evidence or maybe another victim since there were two blood trails.

After the witness testified, the prosecution started their closing statements, saying Farmer was guilty of shooting the victim with intent to kill. By shooting the victim three times the only explanation is the shooting with intent to kill, the prosecutor said.

There is no evidence to show that the victim had a gun on him, the prosecutor continued.

Lotze restated that the defendant was not guilty and the victim did have a gun, which is why Farmer took out his gun and shot him.

Even though she did not directly mention self-defense, Lotze alluded to the notion.

The prosecution failed to provide evidence, other than the blurry video, of the shooting, she said.

She also stated that the police did not take any additional steps to conduct any search in finding a gun that could have been stashed or ask the individuals who were present about the firearm.

“The government failed so utterly and the only fair response is to find Farmer not guilty” she stated.

After hearing the closing argument, the jury was given final instructions from Judge Epstein and sent to deliberate. While deliberating, they asked for instructions on self-defense, which were excluded from the previous instruction due to the prosecution’s request.

Jude Epstein along with the prosecution and the defense agreed to give them the instructions and resume with additional closing statements regarding the context of the instructions on the next trial day.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.

Document: Arrest Made in Connection to a Non-Fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 6, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, at about 5:49 pm, the suspect brandished a handgun and fired at a victim. The suspect fled the scene and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Later that evening, 23-year-old Ryan Parker was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Sets New Trial Date in Assault Case

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park set a new trial date for an assault case.

Cordell Lesene, 36, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm because of a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for allegedly shooting an individual on Feb. 6, 2022, on the 100 block of 57th Place, SE.

According to court documents, the victim and defendant were shouting at one another, when the defendant shot the victim as he was running away.

During the March 6 hearing, the parties addressed defense attorney Andrew Ain’s motion to continue the trial. The prosecutor opposed the motion because of concerns with witness availability.

Judge Park agreed and set a new trial date for May 16, although this date may be changed depending on the parties’ schedules.

The prosecutor continued by addressing a concern regarding the defendant’s wheelchair.

The prosecutor requested that the defendant not sit in a wheelchair, or have one visible during trial. In one of the video clips the prosecutor will show the suspect walking, and he is worried it could influence the jurors seeing Lesene in a wheelchair.

Judge Park did not rule on this but said that it could further be addressed at the next hearing.

The parties are scheduled to return April 21 for a trial readiness hearing.

Murder Defendant Compliant with Release Terms

During a March 6 hearing, defendant Dohn Harmon demonstrated that he has been compliant with his terms of release.

Harmon is currently facing one charge of first-degree murder while armed for the death of 18-year-old Kelvin Goggins. Harmon allegedly shot Goggins in the head during a drive by shooting on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE. The incident occurred a little after midnight on July 1, 2020, with the victim died from the injuries less than an hour after MPD arrived at the scene.

Harmon, 24, is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). As part of his release, he is subject to random drug testing.

In a previous hearing in December 2022, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted an amendment to the GPS release conditions to allow the defendant an opportunity to seek employment while on release.

The official indictment charges for the case are currently pending on the action of a Grand Jury.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe is now presiding over the case due to a caseload transfer.

The hearing was continued to May 26.

Defendant Considers Plea Offer in Child Sex Abuse Case

A preliminary hearing was moved in order for a defendant to consider a plea offer extended by the prosecution in a child sexual abuse case.

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.

In an interview with the police, one of the victims said the defendant would force his fingers inside her, put his mouth on her vagina, and force her mouth on his penis. The other victim said she experienced similar kinds of abuse during her interview, describing an instance where the defendant forced his penis into her vagina while she was showering.

Defense attorney Brandon Burrell said the defense needed time to examine hundreds of files sent by the prosecution and to consider the plea offer before a preliminary hearing could take place.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein continued the case and rescheduled the preliminary hearing from March 3 to March 17.

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