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Shooting Defendant Denied Release After Waiving Rights to DNA Testing

At a status hearing on May 30, Tiaquana Chandler, 41, waived her right to independently DNA test items found at the scene of a crime.

The defendant has been charged with aggravated assault while armed and first-degree burglary. Chandler along with her child, a juvenile, were allegedly involved in the non-fatal shooting of a man on March 28 on the 3400 block of 13th Street SE.

The defendant waived her right to test evidence found at the scene at an independent lab which was her right under the Innocence Protection Act (IPA). The evidence included two ammunition cartridges, a jacket, and a ring. DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples accepted the waiver. 

Chandler’s defense attorney requested that she be released from the DC jail stating that scheduling conflicts primarily prevented her release. The defense proposed 24-hour home confinement with GPS tracking. 

Two witnesses who were allegedly present during the incident, said they’d been threatened if they reported it to the police. Due to the nature of the charges and concern for the safety of the witnesses, Judge Staples denied the defense’s request for release.

Chandler’s trial readiness hearing is set for July 7, with jury selection beginning on July 10.

Defendant in Gruesome Murder Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ Denying Original Confession

On May 30, prosecutors attempted to prove that a murder defendant is a flight risk and potentially dangerous to others at his detention hearing. 

Lavaughn Barnes, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 59-year-old Abdul Arias-Lopez on Nov. 4, 2022 on the 1300 block of Kearny Street, NE. Barnes allegedly tased Arias-Lopez, kicked and punched him, then dragged him into his sister’s basement where he repeatedly stabbed him.

According to court documents, on Feb. 15, Barnes was shown Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) video by detectives indicating he admitted tasing Arias-Lopez just minutes after he came over to Barnes’ sister’s house to paint the kitchen. 

Barnes allegedly said in the interview that he bought an ax to “try to get rid of the evidence.” During the hearing prosecutors showed records of Barnes purchasing an ax.

Barnes allegedly confessed to detectives that he used the ax to dismember the victim, then threw then the body parts in the trash. 

In the video interview, the defendant allegedly showed signs of remorse by saying “I need to pay for what I have done.” 

Since then, Barnes has recanted his confession by pleading not guilty in court. 

Barnes’ lawyer, Anthony Matthews, says that because Barnes has cognitive disabilities and a lawyer wasn’t present at the time the confession is invalid. 

Records from the website where Barnes allegedly purchased a taser show that he received a full refund for the weapon which he told the store he never received, even though that taser was registered by police as one of the murder weapons.

Court documents of the defendant’s phone contacts show that Barnes had “Stinkin Spanish A***” as Arias-Lopez’s contact.  

Defense attorney Anthony Matthews objected to every exhibit on grounds of relevance whether the evidence shows that Barnes is a flight risk or danger to society. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun admitted all of the government’s exhibits. 

Judge Okun set the detention hearing to continue on June 7, contingent on the lead detective’s being available at that time to testify. 

Judge Urges More Rehab for Defendant After Passing Drug Test

On May 30, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz required a defendant to continue court-sanctioned rehabilitation meetings, despite the defendant’s negative drug test. 

Keon Mitchell, 25, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident occurred on June 24, 2022, on the 5000 block of Hayes St, NE. 

Following his arrest, the defendant was placed in the Reintegrating Alternative Personal Program (RAPP), from which he was discharged for having his first negative drug test on May 24. 

That implies he is on the path to recovery. His attorney celebrated Mitchell’s good result, and requested an extension for a plea bargain under consideration. 

The attorney said that Mitchell had just recently become sober, thus needing more time to process the plea. He requested an additional three weeks before another hearing. 

Judge Leibovitz remarked on Mitchell’s improved appearance, and said he “looked good” following his recent involvement in the program. 

Mitchell is currently living with his grandmother. As a recovered drug addict herself, his grandmother understands what Mitchell is going through and said she will stand with him throughout his recovery.

She maintains that Mitchell is doing well and she has seen an improvement in the defendant.

Mitchell is also participating in Project Empowerment, a transitional employment program that aims to ensure job security for D.C. residents facing barriers to employment.

As Mitchell continues in the program, he said to Judge Leibovitz that “[he] is past sanction base”. 

Judge Leibovitz answered that “If [he] thinks that [he’s] past sanction base, then [he] doesn’t understand how serious drug addiction is”. She then urged him to stay sober and clean, and to continue doing regular drug tests. 

Mitchell’s next court hearing is scheduled for June 28. 

Document: Suspect Sought in a Homicide: 300 block of M Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in a homicide that occurred on May 28, on a Metro car, before arriving to the Waterfront Metro Station on the 300 block of M Street, SW.

The shooting cost the life of 17-year-old Brendan Ofori.

Document: Homicide: Unit block of Mississippi Avenue, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on May 28, on the unit block of Mississippi Avenue, SE.

The shooting cost the life 26-year-old David Daniel Quarles.

Prosecution Says Defense Made ‘Bold Allegations’ in 30-Year-Old Murder Case

During a felony arraignment on May 26, the prosecution argued the defense made “bold allegations” claiming the wrongful use of the defendant’s medical records and not providing him adequate healthcare.

William Ransford, 59, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 39-year-old Debra McManus, on Oct. 23, 1993 near Ballou High School. 

Defense attorneys Dana Page and Molly Bunke argued that the prosecution convinced the DC Jail to turn over confidential information regarding Ransford’s medical records and therefore violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The defense then requested Ranford’s release and the dismissal of the case alleging misconduct by the prosecution.

“Release in this case is an appropriate remedy for the violations here,” the defense maintained.

The defense also requested Ransford be held at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) as opposed to the DC Jail, as the defendant is allegedly not receiving proper medical care.

The prosecution, however, asserted that the defense’s argument was, “In fact untrue; it was simply a lie.” The prosecution continued to claim they never had any intention to use the defendant’s medical records.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that the prosecution did not violate HIPAA in this case and denied the request for the case’s dismissal. The judge, however, is not prepared to make a decision about Ransford’s release yet.  

The defense requested a status hearing, which is slated for Sept. 7 at 9:30 am.

Defendant’s Presence Waived at Status Conference for Murder Charge

On May 26, a defendant waived his right to appear at a felony status conference hearing regarding a second-degree murder charge.

Sherman Holley, 45, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 53-year-old James Brooks Jr. The incident occurred on Jan. 15 on the 200 block of 37th Street, SE.

Holley said he did not want to be transported for the scheduled conference, according to his defense attorney Jesse Winograd.

The prosecution agreed with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report that found the defendant competent, but the defense did not offer an opinion as they will be conducting their own testing. 

Additionally, the prosecution noted they will proceed with the indictment. It’s due Nov. 20, according to a ruling by DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

The next status conference is slated for July 26 at 9:30 am. 

Document: Homicide: 4000 Block of 4th Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on May 27, on the 4000 block of 4th Street, SE.

The shooting cost the life of 43-year-old Antwoin Wilson.

Document: Traffic Fatality: 3600 Block of Benning Road, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a traffic fatality that occurred on Sept. 19, 2022, on the 3600 block of Benning Road, NE.

The incident caused life-threatening injuries to 43-year-old Carlos Aguiar.

Aguiar succumbed to his injuries on May 21.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Non-Fatal Shooting

Diandre Caesar, 29, was arraigned on gun charges in a May 26 hearing for allegedly assaulting an individual following an altercation.

Caesar entered a not guilty plea for three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of second-degree cruelty to children, one count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition in an incident on June 28, 2022 on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the incident began as an argument between the defendant and an individual who had his family with them, before being shot at by Caesar with a pistol.  

Caesar is on release awaiting further proceedings on the condition he participates in a High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), gets drug testing and GPS monitoring. 

Joseph Fay, Caesar’s defense attorney, requested that his release conditions be altered during the period between the arraignment and the trial on the basis of the defendant’s previous compliance. 

“[His] GPS non-compliance amounts to taking the trash out,” he argued, and stated that Caesar’s alleged noncompliance for drug usage was due to his medication that tested positive for amphetamines.

Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) appeared in court to counter the defendant’s claims of compliance, saying that the defendant’s specific medications would not have led to a positive amphetamine test and that he had also violated his 10 p.m. curfew.

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied the defendant’s request based on the seriousness of charges pending. 

Judge Hertzfeld set a trial readiness date for Oct. 16 and the trial for Oct. 30. 

Homicide Co-Defendants Request Continuance Pending Grand Jury Outcome

In a May 26 hearing, defense attorneys for co-defendants Demonte Gibson and Tre’quan Nelson asked for a 45-day extension pending grand jury indictments.

Gibson, 26, and Nelson, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2021. The incident occurred on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW.  

Asani Forte, 25, who was also present in court, is charged with accessory after the fact to the assault with intent to kill for his alleged connection to King’s murder. 

Defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Rachel Cicural requested Gibson’s other case, a third-degree felony, trail this case based on an overlapping witness testimony and potentially incriminating evidence in both cases. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt spoke privately to DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park, who presides over the third-degree felony charge, to discuss the coinciding cases. 

Judge Park will decide the next steps for the third-degree felony charge. 

The next hearing in the homicide case is set for July 25.

Defense gets Time to Review DNA Evidence in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park granted the defense until June 23 to file a motion that would potentially limit DNA evidence introduced on May 22. 

Demonte Gibson, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and armed robbery for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 7, 2021 on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. 

According to court documents, the victim was out grabbing something to eat when Gibson allegedly shot him in the left leg, then stole cash that fell out of his pockets. 

During the hearing, defense attorneys raised concerns about the admissibility and accuracy of recently introduced DNA evidence about a firearm. 

After discussion between the parties, an extension was granted by Judge Park for the defense to consider filing a motion, which seeks to exclude unqualified expert testimony, while also independently evaluating disclosed evidence. 

The prosecution requested a trial date be set but that request was denied by Judge Park. 

The next status hearing is set for July 14.