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Witness Testifies About Stolen Vehicle Used in Drive-By Shooting

A man charged with stealing the vehicle used in a drive-by shooting testified before the jury in a five-year-old homicide 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.

The vehicle used in the shooting that killed Wilson was a black Toyota Infiniti with the bumper missing. The witness is charged with carjacking in connection with a July 1, 2018, incident in which a woman was attacked, and the assailants stole her black Toyota Infiniti with a missing bumper.

The witness used the vehicle as personal transportation. He replaced the missing bumper with a different one from his brother’s black Infiniti that was recently totaled. However, the replacement bumper would detach.

After the bumper fell off in front of police, and the witness was forced to walk back and get it, he decided to sell the car. He said he had multiple conversations with a close friend to decide what to do with the car. 

The witness gave the keys to his close friend. The friend took the car, returned later, and gave the witness $125 for the car. Approximately one month later, the witness was arrested for the carjacking.

Between the witness selling the car and his arrest for the carjacking, the same car was allegedly used to conduct the drive-by shooting that killed Wilson.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives assigned to the case interviewed the witness after his arrest in August of 2018. According to the interview transcript, the detectives told him that they wanted to talk about the car, which had his DNA in it.

The detectives also disclosed to the witness that there were rumors going around regarding his involvement in the shooting, and that Clay Terrace was planning to retaliate. The detectives told him “The way they’re plotting over there, you have no chance,” according to the interview transcript. 

The defense was unable to complete their cross-examination, so all parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 16 to continue questioning the witness.

Judge Denies Acquittal Motion in Haltiwanger Murder Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt dismissed an acquittal motion in the murder trial of Shaka Haltiwanger on March 15 setting the stage for the defendant to testify on his own behalf.

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. 

Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations on  Monday. However, Haltiwanger’s attorney, Wole Falodun, said his client wants to explain what happened first. 

Haltimanger said he acted in self-defense. 

In her ruling Judge Brandt said the evidence presented by the prosecutors shows Haltiwanger murdered Kelly.  She noted that in addition to physical and DNA evidence linking Haltiwanger to the Sept. 10, 2021, shooting of Anthony Kelly, an eyewitness said, “She saw Mr. Haliwanger shoot Mr. Kelly.” 

“Mr. Haltiwanger acted in disregard of extreme risk of injury” to Kelly, Brandt said

According to court documents, the incident began as an argument between Haltiwanger and Kelly in an apartment on the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE.  In the ensuing struggle prosecutors say Haltiwanger pulled a pistol out of his backpack and shot Kelly.  The victim died on the scene from a single bullet wound in the back.

In the trial’s morning session, a deputy medical examiner from the District of Columbia used graphic photos of Kelly’s body to describe the extent of his fatal injuries.  Testifying for the prosecution, the medical examiner showed a picture of a bullet hole in Kelly’s back where the bullet entered and a larger exit wound on his chest.  The medical examiner said Kelly died from massive blood loss as the bullet pierced his heart and lungs. 

Falodon pressed the medical examiner about whether she could say exactly how close the shooter was to the victim based on bullet residue on the body. The witness said the fatal shot was probably fired from at least three feet away. 

Falondun also noted that the autopsy report incorrectly identified the location of a bruise on Kelly’s arm.  The witness said the error was a “typo” that was corrected in a later report.

Case Acquitted: Victim’s Wife Testifies About the Day the Father of Her Children was Killed

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

The prosecution called their last three witnesses in a murder trial, including the victim’s wife to convince the jury the defendant was guilty before resting their case.

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 connection to the shooting of Aujee Tyler, 22. The shooting occurred on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. 

On March 15, Tyler’s wife stated that Sutton spent most of his time with Tyler. The witness said a few days before the shooting she was in the car with Tyler when he had a conversation with the defendant. She stated that Tyler asked Sutton and his other friend to give him a tire bumper because the bumper on his car was broken. 

According to the witness’s testimony, the car Sutton and his friend had was stolen and it was the same model and color as her and Tyler’s car. 

The witness also said Sutton refused to give Tyler the bumper and as a result, the victim  got mad and threatened Sutton with calling the police.  

According to the witness, Sutton said, “ it does not matter, that’s my shit”. 

During her testimony, the witness stated that the day after the argument she saw Sutton hanging out with Tyler in the car while she was with her husband on FaceTime. She also said that she did not see them argue about the pumper again. 

When the witness was asked about how she found out about her husband, her testimony in front of the Grand Jury was different from her testimony during her interview with the detective a few days after the shooting. 

The witness said she lied back then to save Tyler’s friends who moved him to the hospital because they were scared of getting in trouble for messing with the crime scene. 

Defense attorney Jessica Wills questioned the witness about her different testimonies multiple times. Out of frustration, the witness started to talk when there was no question. 

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan had to tell her that she needs to stay quiet until there is a question asked. 

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 16.

Witness Demonstrates How Gun Works in Murder Trial

During a trial on March 14, one of the witnesses demonstrated how a gun works in front of the jury.

Shaka Haltiwanger, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, possession a large capacity ammunition feeding device while armed, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for allegedly shooting Anthony Kelly, 39, in the back on Sept. 10, 2021, on the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE. 

Court documents say that Haltiwanger allegedly shot Kelly in the back after the defendant and the victim argued over Haltiwanger selling Kelly’s father drugs.

The first witness, a criminal scientist that specializes in firearms and cartridge cases, explained the different types of weapons and also bullets and cartridges. He discussed how cartridges are identified and how they look once a bullet is shot from a gun.

The prosecutor handed the witness the murder weapon and asked him to explain the parts in front of the jury.

Additionally, the prosecutor handed him a 50-round magazine that holds the bullets and asked him to insert it into the firearm. 

Another  witness, who works in the Firearm Registration Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), testified that neither Haltiwanger or Kelly were registered for possessing firearms. The men have never been registered to possess a firearm in the District of Columbia.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt presided over the trial. 

The trial is set to continue tomorrow on March 15.

Prosecution Uses Detectives Testimony to Establish Criminal Gang Activity in 10 Year Old’s Murder

The prosecution in a homicide case continues to convince a jury that the drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl was related to criminal gang activity.

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.

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who was assigned the murder case of Carl Hardy, which occurred in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood. Hardy was allegedly a member of a rival gang.

This incident is being considered in regards to the conspiracy charge brought against Quincy Garvin and Saquan Williams. The defendants, who are also charged with the murder of Makiyah, were convicted for Hardy’s murder in July of 2022.

The detective testified on the incident itself, the search warrants that led to Willams and Garvin’s arrest, and several Instagram reports on accounts associated with Williams and Garvin. The prosecution played videos posted by the individuals depicting them with multiple firearms, one of which police believe was the murder weapon in the Hardy case.

The detective also said an Instagram report from an account that is associated with Garvin contained group chat messages where the recipients, including some of the six defendants in the trial, refer to Hardy’s murder as well as Garvin’s arrest.

During cross-examination, the defendants’ attorneys established through the detective that none of their clients were persons of interest in the Hardy murder.

All parties are scheduled to return to continue trial on March 15.

Trial Begins in Shooting of Lifelong Friend 

On March 14, a jury assigned to a murder case heard opening statements from both parties regarding the murder of a father, who was also the defendant’s lifelong friend. 

Jean Kearney, 35, is charged in connection to the murder of Dontra Harris, 33, and the assault of a law enforcement officer. Kearney has seven charges against him, including first-degree murder while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges. 

Harris was murdered on April 4, 2021, on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE. The defendant then assaulted an officer on May 13, 2021, as a group of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were trying to serve a search warrant at his residence. 

The prosecution explained, in their opening statement, the timeline of the incidents that led to the shooting and the incident on May 13, 2021. 

According to the prosecutor, the defendant had been following the victim on the day of the incident after an argument. In the evening, Kearney allegedly waited for Harris at the parking lot of his apartment complex and ambushed him when he returned from visiting his father. 

Prosecutors explained that the victim and the defendant used to have a very close friendship since childhood, explaining that the defendant even called Harris’ dad “pops”. 

The prosecutor told the jury that after their arguments concluded, the jury would realize the only just verdict for this case would be a guilty verdict. 

On the other hand, defense attorney Michael Madden told the jury “Jean Paul Kearny is not guilty,” stating that the prosecution has no strong and clear evidence to prove that his client had been the perpetrator for any of the incidents.The prosecution’s evidence was circumstantial, at best, Madden said.

He went on to argue that during the May 13, 2021, alleged assault on law enforcement, Kearney believed that the people at his door were the victim’s family trying to get revenge for his alleged involvement in the killing of Harris. He feared something would happen if he did not protect himself, Madden said.  

Madden asked the jury to consider the only just verdict for this trial – a not guilty verdict.

To begin arguments, the prosecution called various witnesses to the stand. Among them, Harris’ mom. 

She told the court that Harris’ favorite role was being a father, and he loved his children unconditionally. She explained that the last time she saw him was actually the day of the shooting.

Trial is slated to resume March 15.

Defendant Waits for Bed in Drug Treatment Facility

During a status hearing on March 15, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe confirmed that the defendant is currently in drug treatment.

Ronnie Melson, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Demetrius Jones 15 times. 

The incident allegedly occurred on Nov 6, 2020, on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE.

In last week’s hearing, Melson tested positive for fentanyl on multiple occasions. Pretrial services recommended that Melson enter a drug treatment facility, although he would have to get clean to do so.

Currently, Melson is detoxifying in a treatment facility in DC. Once he is fully detoxed of the drugs in his system, he would qualify for in-bed treatment at either the current drug treatment facility or another in DC. 

The prosecution wanted to confirm what safety measures would be taken after Melson is admitted.

Pretrial services said that Melson would still be on GPS monitoring, but he would not be under home confinement. The pretrial services representative said that the court would be notified if Melson leaves the facility without authorization.

The parties are scheduled to return May 11.

Defense Requests a Continuance to Review Plea Offer

During a felony status conference on March 15, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun agreed to continue a case to allow the defense more time to review a plea offer.

A twenty-year-old defendant is charged with unarmed carjacking, kidnapping while armed, and first-degree sexual abuse by force against a victim for an incident that allegedly occurred on July 11, 2021, on the 500 block of Crittenden Street, NW.

During the hearing, the defense requested to continue the case due to discussions over whether or not the defendant would accept a plea offer.

According to court documents, the victim had been sitting in her car when an unknown male approached her. He climbed in her car, without consent, and directed her to an alley.

The documents further states that the defendant allegedly raped the victim and stole her car.

The parties are scheduled to return April 4 for a felony status conference.

Case Acquitted: Prosecution Arrests One of its Witnesses in Murder Trial 

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

On March 14, one of the prosecution’s witnesses testified in front of the jury while handcuffed after he was detained for failing to show at court. 

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 the home or place of business in connection to the shooting of Aujee Tyler, 22. The shooting occurred on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. 

The prosecution arrested one of their witnesses Tuesday morning and brought him to court to testify.

While testifying the witness stated that he was a close friend of Tyler. He was also not cooperative in answering any questions from both the prosecution and the defense, answering every question with “ I do not recall”. 

The prosecution and the defense had to read answers from his Grand Jury testimony back in 2018.

According to the prosecution, the witness was there when the shooting happened and he helped carry Tyler to the car that took him to the hospital. 

However, the defense showed a video of what went on after and during the shooting, saying the witness did not help carry Tyler to the car nor did he get in the car with others. 

The witness was not able to identify himself in the video or answer any questions, which led defense attorney Jessica Wills to suggest that the witness’s testimony was misleading. 

A US Marshal testified about the day he arrested Sutton in the state of Ohio. According to witnesses, Sutton ran up the stairs when the Marshals asked the homeowner about him. The witness then stated that he ran upstairs and arrested him while he was hiding in a bedroom closet. During the arrest, Sutton gave them a fake name, but the Marshals had already been able to identify him. 

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan told the jury that they would begin their deliberation no later than March 21 after one juror raised concerns about the length of the trial. 

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 15. 

Jury Trial Date Remains The Same Despite Delayed DNA Evidence

During a March 14 status hearing prosecutors experienced a delay on their DNA evidence due to missing a large amount of other evidence in the case. 

James Harper, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Bret Desmarteau on May 27, 2021, on the 100 block of Sheridan Street, NE. 

Despite the lack of DNA evidence, both parties requested that the jury trial date remain the same. 

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’keefe granted the motion to keep the jury trial date and also gave both parties a hard deadline on giving motion statements as well as expert notices. The deadline set was April 24.

The next hearing is scheduled for May 22. 

Prosecution Calls More of Their Witnesses in 6 Co-Defendant Trial 

On March 13, the prosecution called two detectives who were involved in two other shootings that happened in the area of Wellington Park. 

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.

The detectives were questioned about multiple shootings that occurred around the area of Wellington Park. Both detectives said there were two different shootings that are, according to the prosecution, allegedly connected to gang activity in the neighborhood.

According to the witnesses testimonies, the first shooting occurred in a parking lot on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE. The second shooting occurred at an apartment complex across the street on Elvans Road, SE.

After the jury was dismissed, the parties discussed evidence that has not yet been introduced in the trial. 

The evidence includes Instagram live videos depicting Michals, Jeffers, and Murchison involved with other individuals who, according to the prosecution, are all members of an alleged gang in Wellington Park. 

The defense objected to the evidence and stated that it is irrelevant and the prosecution should not be allowed to use it as evidence. 

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun allowed the prosecution to use most of the evidence while taking into consideration the defense’s request and asked them to cut out a few parts of it.   

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 14. 

Prosecutors Use Experts and Eyewitnesses to Build Murder Case

Using a combination of expert testimony and eyewitness accounts, the prosecution continued to build its murder case against Shaka Haltiwanger on the third day, March 13, of his trial in District of Columbia Superior Court. 

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. 

In all, the prosecution brought nine witnesses to the stand in an effort to prove that Haltiwanger shot and killed Anthony Kelly after the pair argued Sept. 10, 2021. The crime took place on the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE. 

Responding to reports of a shooting, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Kelly, 39, in the foyer of a Greenway neighborhood home suffering from a gunshot wound. He died later. 

Questioned by prosecutors, an expert in DNA identification testified that samples matching the suspect were found on the magazine of the murder weapon as well as the victim’s jacket and inside the getaway car.  

An Investigating officer noted in his testimony that a set of keys was found in a jacket at the crime scene. The keys allegedly opened the vehicle that was used to hide the murder weapon. 

Another officer testified that he saw a white car drive by that appeared suspicious,  but he was unable to stop it. That investigator also found a firearm lodged in the wheel well of a nearby car after reports that Haltiwanger had been “fiddling with it.”

However, a fingerprint specialist for the MPD was unable to match Haltiwanger’s prints with the gun or the wheel well where the weapon was found. An MPD toxicologist stated that both the victim and Haltiwanger had been drinking at the time of the shooting.  Kelly’s blood alcohol content was almost four times the legal limit.

In cross examination, Haltiwanger’s attorney, Wole Falodun, suggested that Kelly might have provoked a fight as an “angry drunk.”

Another witness told the jury that Haltiwanger was required to check in with her every week as part of his release conditions for a pending felony charge from 2020. However, he failed to show up for an appointment three days before the shooting.

Prosecutors also brought a woman to the stand who lives in the building where the original confrontation between Haltiwanger and Kelly took place.  She testified that over a stairwell, she overheard someone state “I’m gonna drag your ass.” Moments later, she said she heard a gunshot, and immediately called the police.  

Falodun countered by getting the woman to admit she couldn’t identify the source of the voices. 

Another witness said she saw someone hide near the car used to hide the murder weapon.  The individual drove off in another car. 

The trial is set to resume on March 14.

Defense Still Waits for Prosecution’s Test Results Following DNA Abnormalities

Regarding abnormalities found in the prosecution’s DNA test in late November of last year, counsel discussed when the prosecution would be able to provide the defense with test result on DNA evidence.

Samuel Mack, 57, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Erica Ward in an apartment on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on Dec. 30, 2020. According to court documents, the two used to be in a relationship and began arguing the night after Mack brought their son over to visit. Mack was apprehended that same night. He was released under the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) the following March. He is not permitted to leave home from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  

During the Momday’s status hearing, two prosecutors said they were unsure what went wrong during the initial DNA testing and are hoping to receive the new results by the end of May to send over to the defense.

 DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’keefe asked the prosecutors where they retrieved the DNA from in the case.

The prosecutor responded and said that DNA was taken on clothes, the firearm that was used in the homicide, and the gun’s magazine. 

The next status hearing is set for May 19.

The jury trial is scheduled for June 3, 2024.

Document: Homicide on 11th Street, SE

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide that took place on March 12 on the 500 block of 11th Street, SE.

According to a press release, three men were shot in a car. Two of the victims, 34-year-old Othaniel Gaither and another individual, whose identity has not been released, succumbed to their injuries.

The third individual sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds.