Sister Hopes to Gain Justice For Brother’s Death

In closing arguments at Jean-Paul Kearney’s murder trial on March 22, the prosecution said an argument between two longtime friends turned deadly.

Jean-Paul Kearney, 36, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 4, 2021, on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.

“I hope he [Kearney] gets life in prison, my brother and Kearney used to be so close I used to call him my uncle,” Harris’ sister told D.C. Witness.

Prosecutors say Harris was stalked and killed in an ambush by Kearney with a semi-automatic handgun.

A witness said he saw an individual with a handgun dressed in black, walk across a tree-lined street and open the door of a grey-colored SUV.

Prosecutors also showed security camera footage of a similar vehicle driving out of a parking lot with the lights turned off, alleging that Kearney used his mother’s grey Chevy Equinox in committing the homicide.

Other prosecution evidence shows two people arguing on the night of the incident and Harris’ black Jaguar allegedly being stalked by Kearney on a motorcycle.

The jury bean deliberations on March 22.

Homicide on Alabama Ave, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on March 21 on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, officers found two juvenile males in the roadway suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the juveniles, 16-year-old Traev’on Green died on the scene.

The other juvenile was taken to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Case Acquitted: Parties Deliver Closing Arguments in Homicide Case

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

After a three-week trial, defense attorney Jessica Willis and the prosecution delivered their closing arguments.

Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or place of business in relation to the shooting of Aujee Tyler. Sutton allegedly shot Tyler, 22, after an altercation on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

“These are legitimately emotional issues being addressed,” said DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan. “I want the jury to make a decision based on the evidence they hear, not based on the comments they hear in the gallery; public participation is only to the extent of being present,” he continued before closing arguments began on March 21.

The prosecution opened the closing argument portion of the trial by saying the alleged crime was “intentional, premeditated first-degree murder,” not self-defense. The prosecutor said that Sutton held issue with being told what to do, and when Tyler held moral ground by telling him not to steal cars, Sutton snapped.

When Sutton returned to the stoop on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, he walked with determination, retrieved his firearm, pointed his weapon at Tyler, and continued to fire unprompted sixteen times, the prosecutor said.

When the defense held the floor for closing, Willis said Sutton, “did what the law allows him to do, he acted in self-defense.”

Willis informed the court that Tyler carried firearms of his own and had a gun charge from 2016.

She also said the prosecution gave selective arguments, failed to call key witnesses, relied heavily on gory autopsy photographs, and trusted their noncompliant witnesses to deliver the full story.

She closed her argument by pleading with the jury, “please do not let the passage of time obscure what happened here.”

Willis said Sutton was sixteen-years-old at the time of the incident and deserved the realization that he was “a misguided kid in an impossible situation just trying to survive it.”

The prosecution concluded the trial with their rebuttal, saying “what’s the best way to take out a professional boxer? With a gun, because you can’t take eleven shots to the body.”

The jury is set to return for deliberation on March 22.

Juror’s Illness Postpones a High Profile Murder Trial

A sick juror interrupted the ongoing murder trial on March 22 for those charged with the murder of 10-year-old Mayikah Wilson on July 18, 2018. The nearly five-year-old case has been the subject of considerable media and public interest.

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 a drive by shooting on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

The court was alerted to the juror’s illness before the scheduled proceedings.

Trial is expected to resume March 23.

Judge Denies Defense Motions Before Trial

A judge denied defense attorneys Rachel McCoy and Stephen Logerfo motions to suppress evidence the day before jury selection in a homicide case.

Jermaine Washington, 39, is being charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing of Keon Terell Bonner, 40. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW and 3500 block of Center Street, NW on Oct. 26, 2021.

The parties had a motion hearing before jury selection March 21 to discuss the suppression of statements from Washington in an interview and a photo line-up identification of Washington from a witness.

The witness who made a positive identification of Washington had an unobstructed view of the incident as well as both parties involved.

McCoy and Logerfo argued that the identification conditions were suggestive.

However, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who issued the identification, said he had no prior knowledge of the case before the process.

In addition, a motion to suppress statements made by Washington was filed by McCoy and Logerfo in regards to a conversation between Washington and two MPD detectives at Washington’s residence on Nov. 7, 2021.

The attorneys argued that the conversation could have been interpreted by Washington that he was under arrest due to its suggestive nature, and he was not read his Miranda rights.

The lead detective that talked to Washington said it was a casual conversation, no firearms were visible or used to intimidate Washington, the detectives were not wearing officer uniforms, and no one touched or arrested Washington at all during the conversation.

Logerfo questioned why an officer with a body-worn camera that could have recorded the conversation did not accompany the detectives when they visited Washington.

“If you wanna question my integrity that’s fine but my word is the truth,” the detective said.

Both motions were denied by DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Jury selection is slated to begin March 22.

Judge Criticizes Police Policy in Sexual Assault

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt criticized the thoroughness of a Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) investigation of a sexual assault case during a March 22 preliminary hearing.

“A man’s liberty is at stake,” Judge Brandt said.

The 38-year-old defendant is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse linked to an incident on Feb. 28 at the Generator Hotel and Hostel on the 1900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The victim says she was staying in the same room with the defendant, even though they just met. Then after she declined multiple sexual advances Rosales came up behind her at a desk and started to touch her inappropriately.

An MPD detective testified there was sufficient evidence to charge the defendant.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Aubrey Dillion asked if police questioned the victim about whether she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged attack.

The detective testified it is not protocol to ask sensitive questions to someone who’d just experienced a sexual assault.

Judge Brandt said the MPD should rethink its approach in these cases to gather as much evidence as possible.

The detective said he asked the victim if she had been under the influence, but she responded no. However, the officer emphasized it wasn’t standard procedure to gather that kind of information.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue on March 28.

Trial Pushed Back in Brother’s Murder Case

On March 22, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted a motion for a trial date to be continued in a murder case involving two brothers.

Joseph Smith, 60, is charged with voluntary manslaughter while armed for allegedly stabbing his 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, in their family home located on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9, 2019.

Joseph’s defense attorney filed a motion to have the trial continued due to some personal matters.

However, the prosecution opposed the motion, arguing that it has been a long time since the incident occurred, and the trial should not be pushed back any longer.

The sister joined in on the hearing, saying that “the justice system has failed my brother [decedent].” She told Judge Okun that he should not have to wait any longer for justice to be served for his murder.

Due to several issues involving rescheduling of the trial, Judge Okun granted the motion, for now, saying the issue would be revisited in the coming months to see if there are any earlier dates available for the trial.

Parties are expected back in court on Jan. 3, 2024.

Defendant Returns to Court 2 Years After Guilty Verdict

A defendant in a domestic violence case was summoned to DC Superior Court for allegedly violating his parole conditions.

He was charged with armed assault with intent to kill on May 6, 2019. Soon after, William McKenzie went to trial. On Oct. 1, 2020, McKenzie, 45, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. All of his other charges were dismissed.

McKenzie thought that his case was closed on Dec. 8, 2020, after he was sentenced. But, he was mistaken when he was recalled to court for a probationary show cause hearing on March 20.

During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney John R. Fowler informed DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan that McKenzie has a bench warrant in Alabama from 2002. Fowler also said he and his client have attempted to “get picked up” for this warrant on two separate occasions.

Both times were unsuccessful.

After this brief explanation, Judge Ryan said it was clear that McKenzie has been in full compliance with his probationary conditions and that the outstanding bench warrants mistakenly triggered a violation in the system.

Fowler assured Judge Ryan that he and McKenzie would work to squash the warrant. Judge Ryan discharged the show cause hearing.

Prosecution Continues Trying to Prove Criminal Gang Activity in 10-Year-Old Murder Case

During a March 21 trial, the prosecution called two witnesses who testified regarding a gang-related shooting the defendants allegedly took part in.

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 Forensic Scientist testified about pictures and evidence she collected from a shooting in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood back in 2017.

The witness identified pictures she took of the victim’s face and injuries while she was at George Washington University Hospital.

She also identified every picture she took of the crime scene location, including 39 different bullets and cartridge casings that were collected on sight.

During cross-examination, Murchison’s defense attorney Carrie Weletz asked the witness if she was the only one who discovered and identified the evidence. The witness said she discovered and identified some of the evidence.

Weletz continued addressing that the Department of Forensic Science lost its credibility back in 2019 and is now no longer able to conduct any internal testing.

After the prosecution asked the witness to clarify, the witness stated that only a section of the department lost their credibility and it was not the one she worked in.

A former US Attorney General investigator also testified about the search he conducted on multiple phones that were recovered from the alleged gang members, discussing call history.

The witness’s testimony is to be continued after the jury was sent home early because a juror fell ill.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 22.

Jury Begins Deliberations in Haltiwanger Murder Trial

The jury in the Shaka Haltiwanger murder trial couldn’t reach a verdict after its first day of deliberations March 21.

Haltiwanger, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device while armed, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

However, the jurors did ask DC Superior Court Rainey Brandt if they could watch police videos of conversations with a key witness in the case. Some of the material was presented during the trial.

Haltiwanger is accused of killing Anthony Kelly on Sept. 10, 2021, on the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE. He says his actions were in self-defense.

After discussions with the defense and the prosecution lawyers, Judge Brandt denied the request, saying, “The jury must rely on recollections of what they saw and heard at the trial.”

Deliberations are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow at 9:30 am.

Document: Metro Police Shooting on Howard Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a metro police involved shooting that occurred on March 16 on the 1100 block of Howard Road, SE.

According to a press release, a suspect and a victim had a confrontation on a Circulator bus, which led to the suspect chasing the victim off the bus. While off the bus, the suspect assaulted and stabbed the victim.

After calls for the suspect to drop the weapon, a metro transit police officer discharged, striking the suspect.

Both the suspect and the victim were taken to local hospitals and treated for their injuries.

Case Acquitted: Homicide Defendant Explains Why He Discharged His Firearm

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

On March 20, the defendant in a homicide case testified for the second day in DC Superior Court, recounting the shooting that led to the death of former professional boxer, Aujee “Quick” Tyler.

During Monday’s trial, Sutton told the court that he saw an L-shaped bulge in Tyler’s pants the day of the incident, which he thought was a firearm. Sutton said Tyler allegedly told him he would “kill [his] little ass and take everything.”

Sutton said that in that split second he was scared and didn’t want to lose his life, so he fired his gun.

The defendant said he fled to a nearby apartment building where he knew he’d be safe. In a string of events, the defendant said he made his way to his brother’s home, warned his parents of possible retaliation, and was taken to hide in North Carolina.

When asked by defense attorney Jessica Willis why he fled to North Carolina, Sutton said, “I was 16, I was just doing what my father told me.”

After Sutton concluded his testimony, the defense called a neuropsychologist to testify. DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan accepted the defense’s motion to consider the doctor as an expert opinion witness, despite protest from the prosecution.

This witness said that, when under extreme stress, a person’s behavior and ability to make decisions could be inhibited. With further explanation the doctor said logical parts of our brain are overcome by fear triggering a flight, fight, or freeze response.

Furthermore, the witness said that the more a person is exposed to traumatic triggers, the more they’re ‘primed,’ leading to quicker responses in similar situations.

Jessica Willis, Sutton’s attorney, asked the witness if this type of fear could develop into an extreme response––like discharging a weapon sixteen times.

“The more fearful the situation, the more extreme the response – it is a continuum,” the witness said.

Trial is set to resume March 21.

Jury Retires To Deliberate In A Murder Case

On March 20, the defendant took the stand before the defense rested their case to convince the jury that he acted in self-defense.

Twenty three-year-old Shaka Haltiwanger is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device while armed, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in connection with the shooting of Anthony Kelly, 39. The incident took place in an apartment building on the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE.

On Monday, Haltiwanger testified in front of the jury about the day he shot Kelly. According to his testimony, he used to sell drugs to Kelly’s father regularly. The night before the shooting he came to the father’s apartment, sold him drugs and spent the night, which, he said, was what he usually did.

According to the defendant, in the morning, Kelly woke him up with a gun to his head asking him to leave the apartment. He stated that the victim was drunk and thought that Haltiwanger was not moving fast enough, which led Kelly to throw him out of the apartment even after Kelly’s father tried to calm him down.

When defense attorney Wole Falodun asked him what happened after he left the apartment, the defendant said the victim followed him down the hallway into the staircase yelling and threatening to kill him, saying “I am going to drag your ass”.

The defendant then said the victim grabbed him by his jacket, which was wrapped around his waist and that’s when the defendant unzipped his backpack, took his gun out and shot Kelly without even turning around.

“It was him or me and I just saved my life,” the defendant said.

During cross-examination, the prosecution asked the defendant about a phone call he had with his sister while in jail. On the call, the defendant told his sister that he needed a good lawyer because he did not believe the one he had was on his side..

The prosecution played a portion of the clip in which the sister is heard asking, “if you were scared and you did it?

In the same clip, Haltiwanger is heard answering with “that is not the case.”

The prosecution used the clip to show Haltiwanger was not scared when he shot the victim.

After the testimony, the prosecution delivered their closing statement, asking the jury for the only fair verdict — a guilty verdict.

The prosecution stated that self-defense has no place in this case, saying the only reason it was brought up is because there is nothing else to claim. The defendant shot the victim as he was walking away from him trying to leave the building, the prosecution continued.

According to the prosecution, an eyewitness testified that she saw Haltiwanger shoot Kelly as he walked away. The prosecution also showed the jury the murder weapon, saying such a huge gun is not for self-defense.

The defense’s closing statement started with telling the jury that the prosecution is only relying on eyewitness testimony that has been inconsistent. The witness’s testimony was different every time she was asked about the incident, and the prosecution picked the one that helped their case.

Falodun ended his argument by pushing the self-defense angle. He was defending himself because he was scared for his life, Falodun said.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave the jury their final instructions before they were dismissed.

Jury deliberation is scheduled to begin on March 21.

Autopsy Photos Shown in Murder Trial Trigger A Mother’s Grief

During trial on March 20, a family member hugged a grieving mother as she shed tears for her murdered son as prosecutors showed photos of the killing.

Jean-Paul Kearney, 36, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 4, 2021, on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.

“It’s like stitches being ripped out– this is worse for me than the actual death. Seeing the pictures and hearing the video [and] audio,” the mother told D.C. Witness.

Kearney is also charged with assault on a police officer while armed for allegedly firing four gunshots as officers were trying to exercise a search warrant. According to court documents, a sergeant conducted three “knock-and-announces” before ordering his officers to break down the front door.

During the proceeding, a D.C. medical examiner told prosecutors Harris’ death was a homicide, not a suicide based on the seven bullet wounds that entered and exited his body.

Defense attorney Michael Madden asked the expert if it was possible to determine who the shooter was based on the bullet wounds. The answer was no.

The prosecution also played a video in which Kearney says in an apparent reference to the police investigation, “She might of fucked up. The officers can’t search the car without a warrant”.

The trial is set to reconvene March 21.

Hearing Continued in 3-Defendant Homicide Case

A sentencing was delayed for three defendants in a murder case while one of the accused asked for more time to consider a plea offer from the prosecution. Keith Baham’s defense attorney requested a 30-day extension to review the plea deal, extended to all, in the case.

Raymond Avent, 23, Tyler Stringfield, 24, and Baham, 23, are charged with allegedly murdering Rafiq Hawkins, 23, on March 23, 2019, on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Avent, Baham, and Stringfield are facing multiple counts including 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 and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition.

In addition, the trio is accused of unlawfully entering a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property worth less than $1,000, two counts of destruction of property $1,000 or more, and leaving the scene while armed after a collision causing injury to an animal.

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

Meanwhile, the other two defendants must postpone acting on the plea agreement until Baham decides whether to accept or reject it.

All parties are expected back in court on April 25.

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