New Witness Disclosure Causes Delay 48 Hours Before Five-Year-Old Double Homicide Trial is Scheduled to Begin

Court-ordered sanctions that forced the prosecution to introduce a new witness have caused yet another trial delay for a double homicide case.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61st Street, NE on April 25, 2018.

In previous hearings, D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sanctioned numerous witness testimonies due to missing and deleted Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) body-worn camera footage from the night of the crime.

In an attempt to maneuver around Judge Brandt’s sanctions, the prosecution interviewed an additional witness and notified the defense of the new witness 48 hours before Walker’s trial was scheduled to begin on Feb. 23.

According to defense attorneys Prescott Loveland and Kevann Gardner, the prosecution’s new witness was a former drug dealer to one of the prosecution’s “key” witnesses. This key witness was a former sexual partner of Walker and is a practicing prostitute.

Loveland and Gardner also made Judge Brandt aware that one of the prosecution’s witnesses has been reading publicly available court documents containing motions, pleadings, and other important information regarding the case.

The witness also told the prosecution that he searched Walker’s name on Facebook and recognized the third profile down as the shooter.

Due to these incidents, the defense requested that Judge Brandt put all documents from this case under seal both retroactively and going forward.

Loveland and Gardner also requested Judge Brandt continue this case for 30 to 60 days and push the trial date back.

Judge Brandt agreed to the continuance but made it clear that she wants to see this case tried in 2023 as Walker has been in jail for five years.

To allow the prosecution time to contact their witnesses, a preliminary trial date was set for April 20.

All parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 23 to officially reschedule Walker’s trial date.

Defendant Brought to Tears After Pleading Guilty to Assault

During a Feb. 22 status hearing, the defendant in a firearms case pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after shooting a man in the foot.

The incident occurred Sept. 7, 2021, on the 200 block of 36th Street, SE. According to court documents, Ameer Culbreath, 48, assaulted the victim while at a party. After a scuffle between the two, the defendant brandished a firearm in his direction. The victim, in an attempt to stop the attack, lunged forward and knocked the gun from Culbreath’s hand, discharging the weapon. The victim was struck in the foot from the stray shot.

Culbreath was arrested Sept. 12 on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to a proffer of facts, the prosecutor said she had witnesses who could attest to the shooting and call into light the defendant’s criminal record.

The attorney began to list each of Culbreath’s past offenses, but was interrupted by the defendant’s tears.

During the reading of the charges, he leaned in toward his defense attorney, Adam D. Harris, and confided in him. The court marshal retrieved tissues for the defendant and DC Superior Court Judge Sean C. Staples called a brief intermission.

Judge Staples said he wanted Culbreath to hear the prosecution’s words and understand with complete clarity the charges that he was pleading guilty to.

Before the prosecution continued, Harris told Judge Staples that Culbreath confessed that he was unaware that he had harmed the victim in this case and this was the first time Culbreath heard about the injuries he’d inflicted to the victim’s foot.

The prosecution said the victim survived and has since received several surgeries to reconstruct the damage done to his foot.

After seeing how this information negatively affected Culbreath, the prosecutor quickly wrapped up her closing statement and allowed Judge Staples to proceed with the hearing.

Culbreath wiped his tears, sat up straight, and took a deep breath. He then assured Judge Staples that he was ready to continue with his guilty plea.

The case will reconvene April 25 for sentencing.

Neighborhood Dispute Turned Deadly- Defendant Indicted for Murder

Defense attorney Dana Page will not challenge the results of multiple mental competency evaluations of a defendant in a murder case.

Jamaarr Morgan, 22, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. He was originally charged with first-degree murder of Jacques Benjamin Russ, 44, on the unit block of 61st Street, NE on Dec. 14, 2021.

Morgan has been held at DC Jail since March 1, 2022, and was transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in July for further evaluation.

According to court documents, one witness living in the same neighborhood as Russ stated that he suffered from mental illness, had harassed others nearby, and that he walked around like a “Billy bad ass.”

That witness had multiple disputes with Russ but said he had not ordered a “hit” on him.

Another witness stated that Russ was very paranoid and accused neighbors of watching his movements and stalking him.

Morgan was staying at a hotel nearby the incident, and checked out shortly after the homicide, according to court documents. Another witness told the police that Russ told an unknown individual “You ain’t seen me”.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 21 to pick a trial date.

Defendant Resists Marshals After Preliminary Hearing

After a preliminary hearing, a defendant in a murder case resisted U.S. Marshals and shouted, “Get off me” as she left the courtroom.

Latasha Gray, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of Anthony Thomas, 40. The incident occurred on the 4200 block of 7 Street, NE on Feb. 7.

Gray and Thomas were engaged in a romantic relationship and lived in the apartment with their two children. According to court documents, a dispute over an expensive pair of shoes for their child preceded the shooting.

Thomas was pronounced dead on the scene, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo had to repeatedly warn defense attorney Joseph Yarbough on Feb. 21 to remind Gray to be respectful during the proceedings. Gray was also charged with second-degree cruelty to her children and simple assault prior to the homicide.

Prosecutors played a 911 call placed minutes after the shooting. One witness is heard crying out “Oh my God, what are you doing mommy?”

“Call them, get them here!” Gray states in the call, asking for help.Thomas is heard in the background moaning in pain on the floor.

The couple’s children said they were sleeping before they were awakened by the gunshot.

Yarbough stated that Gray had “no intentions” to murder Thomas.

Gray told homicide detectives she opened the drawer looking for cigarettes, took out a gun, then exclaimed, “What the fuck!” Gray says the gun then accidentally fired, and Thomas was shot in the abdomen.

Judge Demeo said there was probable cause in this case and that Gray could not have mistakenly shot Thomas as she claimed.

Judge Demeo also stated the court needed to take into consideration how the murder would affect the couple’s children long term. Gray is being held at DC Jail pending trial.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 24.

Witness Testifies About the Day A Drive-by Shooting Killed Her 10-Year-Old Sister

The prosecution called several witnesses to try to convince the jury that only a guilty verdict was just in a case involving the murder of a 10-year-old girl.

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

The witnesses included Makiyah’s older sister, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responded to the scene, a real estate and facilities manager of a local public school, an IT lead for surveillance retrieval at the MPD and a resident of Wellington Park.

The victim’s sister, who also endured a gunshot during the July 16, 2018 incident, said Makiyah had gone to get a snack from the ice cream truck near their Clay Terrace home. She was eating the snack on the front porch when shots were first fired.

According to the sister, there were three other individuals with them on the porch when the shooting took place.

She said she remembers a black car showing up at the entrance of Clay Terrace and hearing several gunshots. The sister said her initial reaction was to duck her and her sister’s head down to avoid getting hit.

After struggling to open the door to their home, Makiyah’s sister, alongside the victim and a few other individuals, stumbled into their house. She said Makiyah got up and started holding her chest.

Makiyah collapsed into her sister’s arms. Even though the sister was shot herself, officers had to remove Makiyah from her arms to be able to perform CPR, but she never let go of her hand.

“I was not worried about that, I was worried about my sister,” she stated.

During cross examination, defense attorney John Zucker, who was representing Taylor, repeatedly asked the sister why she never mentioned the “beef” between Wellington Park, a gang the defendants are allegedly a part of and Clay Terrace, the name of the neighborhood Makiyah was shot, to the prosecution when she testified in 2018.

The testimonies along with photos that were used left the victim’s family in tears. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun reminded the audience to limit their reaction as to not sway the jury’s verdict.

A lady, who took the place of another witness the prosecution originally selected to testify, said she saw Michals, Cobbs, Murchison, another defendant ,who she refused to identify in court, and others who are not involved in the trial at a trap house, where she lived, all the time. The lady was a neighbor to the intended witness who recently died before the trial began.

The witness was not cooperative while she answered the prosecution’s questions. She kept answering with; I do not know, or no which led the prosecution to retrieve her answers from Grand Jury testimony.

The witness previously testified that Michals, Cobbs and Murchison had guns on them all the time except when police were around.

The witness also testified, during her Grand Jury testimony, that she had knowledge from social media of a “beef” between Clay Terrace and Wellington Park .

Other witnesses who spoke to the jury Tuesday included an administrator for Knowledge Is Power Program( KIPP) public schools in DC, the lead for the MPD Information Technology team and a the first responding officer to the scene.

The trial is set to resume on Feb 22.

Document: Suspect Wanted in Connection to a Non-Fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 21, on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to a press release, at about 5:39 pm, officers located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds.

Document: 21-Year-old Killed in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 21, on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, at about 10:36 pm, officers located 21-year-old Jayvon Jones and two other adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All of the victims were transported to a local hospital.

Jayvon Jones was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Defense Plans to Conduct Independent DNA Testing in Murder Case

During a Feb. 17 hearing, defense attorney Roderick Thompson expressed his desire to conduct independent testing on behalf of a murder defendant.

Daniel Fleetwood, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 26-year-old Shana Donahue on May 28, 2020, on the 2900 block of N Street, SE. The incident is listed as domestic violence.

The prosecution informed the court that they provided the defense with the evidence they would use.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan said motions are due on March 3 and responses are due on March 23.

A motions hearing is set for April 14.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 15.

Document: Vehicle Wanted in Connection to a Non-Fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 19, on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE.

According to a press release, at about 6:56 pm, officers located an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

Judge Tells Defendant to ‘Do Better,’ During Sentencing

During the sentencing hearing of defendant Eric D. Smith, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced him to 82 months of incarceration followed by 10 years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed after Smith, 52, accepted a plea deal in December of 2022.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree child sex abuse. He was originally charged with three counts of second-degree child sex abuse and simple assault.

The crime occurred on July 16, 2022, when police responded to a sexual abuse allegation at an apartment complex on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. The victim reported that a man had assaulted her and touched her butt without consent. Smith was then identified as the offender by the victim and was arrested at the apartment complex, according to court documents. The victim was a minor during the offense.

Smith openly apologized to the victim and described this case as a “wake-up call,” saying he is a “changed man”.

Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Milton discussed Smith’s lengthy criminal history, including robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, and explained his time is running out and he must “do better everyday”.

In addition to the sentence, Smith has to register as a sex offender as well as contribute $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Defendant Faces 8.5 to 12 Year Sentence After Taking Plea for Voluntary Manslaughter

On Feb. 17, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon in two separate case before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

In one case, Alexis Hawkins, 46, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed on Aug. 14, 2022, in connection to the murder of 41-year-old Cynthia Stewart on the 3900 block of 4th Street, SE. In another she was charged with the non-fatal stabbing of another woman on July 13, 2022, on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to a proffer of facts, on July 13, 2022, Hawkins was involved in a verbal disagreement with a woman in the hallway of an apartment building. The defendant pursued the victim after she turned to leave and stabbed her in the shoulder.

In the other incident on Aug. 14, the victim was inside of a residence with two other people when the defendant stormed into the home and began to argue with Stewart.The verbal disagreement evolved to a fist fight and Hawkins then obtained a knife and began to stab the victim. Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution stated they would not indict Hawkins on any other matters.

According to defense attorney Damon Catacalos, he informed Hawkins that the maximum sentence for an assault with a deadly weapon offense is 10 years in prison and the maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter is 30 years in prison.

The parties agreed on a 8.5-12 year sentence range.

The sentencing was scheduled for May 12.

Judge Reschedules Hearing to Give Counsel More Time to Prepare

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled a preliminary hearing on Feb. 21, giving the parties more time to prepare.

A 68-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse by force and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly raping and stabbing an unknown victim. The incident occurred on Feb. 15 on the 4200 block of Clay Street, NE.

During the hearing, defense attorney Todd Balwdin requested to continue the preliminary hearing in order to gather more evidence and possibly negotiate a plea offer.

The prosecutor agreed and Judge Brandt ruled the hearing to continue at a later date.

Judge Brandt also paused the case; however, she did not explain her reasoning for the pause.

The defendant is currently being held.

The parties are scheduled to return March 14 to continue the preliminary hearing.

Defendant Takes Plea Offer for 3 Out of 13 Charges in Homicide Case

A defendant in a homicide case pleaded guilty to three charges, including murder during a status hearing on Feb. 17.

Glen Dolfdord, 29, was charged with 13 counts, including with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intention to kill while armed, possession of firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, second-degree cruelty to children while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm after shooting 26-year-old Raheem Murray. The incident occurred on Feb. 2, 2020, on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE. In addition to killing Murray, Dolford also shot two other victims, who ended up surviving.

In return for pleading guilty, Dolford would spend 22 years in prison for second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan went through all procedural questions to ensure Dolford understood what he was doing. When asked if he was satisfied with the work of his lawyers, Dolford stated that he was not.

Dolford, his defense attorneys Frances D’antuono and Stephen Brennwald, and Judge Raffinan deliberated after Dolford’s statement. They discussed the issue in private for some time.

After the conversation, Judge Raffinan repeated the question.

Dolford changed his answer, saying he was in fact satisfied with the work of his lawyers.

Judge Raffinan accepted the plea agreement.

A sentencing hearing was set for May 25.

Document: 32-Year-Old Killed in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 19, on the 1200 block of H Street, NE.

According to a press release, at about 11:09 pm, officers located 32-year-old Kenithy Manns suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges

A defendant charged with the murder of an 18 year old was arraigned at DC Superior Court Feb. 17.

The DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS) arrived and found the door to the vehicle unlocked. The DCFEMS pronounced 18-year-old Noel Prince Nicol dead at the scene.

During the arraignment, the 22 -year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and an unlawful possession of a firearm.

Jordan Jones is being held without bail.

According to court documents, on Oct. 14, 2021 at approximately 4:20 p.m., a detective located a blue Chevrolet Malibu in front of 2000 block of Savannah Place, SE. A person with their hands exposed and what appeared to be blood on them was spotted by the detective. There was no movement inside of the vehicle.

On Oct.11, 2021, at around 6:00 p.m., the defendant is allegedly seen entering the decedents vehicle on camera footage. Minutes later, the defendant is supposedly seen exiting the vehicle.

There was a significant amount of blood all throughout the interior of the vehicle, mostly on the interior of the front passenger door and door frame, documents stated.

The decedent was never see exiting the vehicle again.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled the next hearing for March 31.

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