Judge Sentences Defendant Above Mandatory Minimum

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a defendant to 4-years of incarceration and 3-years of supervised release for a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

On Jan. 23, 2020. Emanuel Talyor, 38, along with Stanley Brown, 29, were allegedly charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting on the 1600 block of F Street, NE. The shooting wounded Jimmy Beynum, 36, resulting in his death six days later.

Taylor was sentenced by Judge Lee on Jan. 31. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in October of 2022. The agreement both parties settled on was a 3-5 years sentence and to drop two previous misdemeanor charges.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden, on behalf of Taylor, tried to convince Judge Lee that Taylor should be sentenced to the mandatory minimum which is 3 years taking into consideration his work thus far while in jail participating in programs and working on bettering himself.

The prosecution asked for 4.5 years of incarceration, reiterating Talyor’s criminal history and his multiple past firearm possession offenses. In addition, the prosecution linked Taylor to the homicide committed by Brown and his attempt to dispose of the firearm.

Taylor begged Judge Lee continuously throughout the hearing to find it in his heart to give him another chance and sentence him to the 3 year mandatory minimum, saying prison is tough and he wants to be around his mother, 12-year-old daughter and people who love him.

“I choose life, I choose life”, Taylor said.

Judge Lee raised serious concerns about Taylor’s criminal history being more than 19 pages long, his many unlawful firearm possession offenses, and the chances he wasted in the past.

“Gun violence is destroying everything good about the District of Columbia”, Judge Lee added.

Judge Lee granted Harden’s request to make a recommendation for Talyor to be held in the Federal Correctional Institution Schuylkill in the state of Pennsylvania where he is closer to his family.

“Seven-years? I do not get it man”, said Taylor as the marshal walked him out of the courtroom.

Homicide Defendant Uses Self Defense in Request for Release

A lawyer representing a homicide defendant accused of murdering a 13 year old attempted to get him released on account of self-defense during a presentment hearing on Jan. 31.

Jason Lewis, 37, is charged with the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Karon Blake. Lewis allegedly shot Blake on the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE on Jan. 7 as Blake approached Lewis’ property. A camera mounted outside of Lewis’ home captured the incident.

Defense attorney Lee Smith attempted to rationalize Lewis’ actions, stating that he was acting in self defense, believing himself to be in danger.

The prosecution argued that Lewis intentionally extended his arm across his property and shot, therefore making him the aggressor. The prosecution pointed out that the series of events was clearly shown in the video.

“There was no basis for reasonable fear at the time,” the prosecution said.

Smith responded by continuing to make a case for Lewis, stating he was an upstanding citizen, held a legal firearm license, called 911 upon the incident happening, and had no criminal record. Smith argued that Lewis should be released and that he was not a danger to society.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied this request.

“This offense is exceptionally concerning, and there is significant evidence against him,” said Judge Pipe. She was not willing to release him or hold him in home confinement.

Lewis is being held without bond. The next hearing is set for Feb. 13.

Judge Decides to Move Forward in Murder Case Despite Only Having Circumstantial Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found in a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31 that there was substantial probability that a jury could convict a defendant of murder.

Tyriq Williams, 31, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly murdering Terry Clark, 20, on Jan. 7 on the 1200 block of Half Street, SE.

Judge Epstein said he found substantial probability for second-degree murder against Williams because there was no evidence of self-defense and no explanation for the calm demeanor Williams portrayed after the shooting.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case explained that there had been a single .09 millimeter casing found a few feet south of Clark’s body.

The prosecution displayed surveillance footage from the Navy Yard Metro Station, which portrayed the moments leading up to the shooting and the incidents after the shooting. The footage shows Williams, a female, and Clark exiting an escalator. The detective said Williams and the female were together, but they did not appear to have any relationship to Clark.

The detective said there was no actual footage of the shooting, Clark falling down, or WIlliams possessing a firearm and that there are no eyewitnesses.

The detective also explained that a witness in the case, who did not see the shooting, was the only person to call 911. That witness could not identify a suspect. However, the witness did identify that the person standing next to Clark’s body was wearing a dark coat. According to the detective and surveillance footage, Williams had been wearing a tan coat.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley showed the detective numerous videos of Williams and the female leaving the train and what appears to be Clark rushing up to them and shouting something while motioning in the air.

Mosley proceeds to show further footage where Clark exits the metro station, heading right, where Williams proceeds to follow for a few seconds then returns to the metro station.

Mosley clarified with the detective that there had been no weapons or ammunition recovered at Williams’ residence and that there had been no forensic evidence connecting Williams to the crime. The detective agreed with Mosley on these instances.

Mosley asked the detective if the woman seen with Williams could provide any further information.

The detective explained that the woman did not mention seeing Williams with a firearm and did not see Williams shoot anybody.

The detective also described that the entrance wound was to the right eye of Clark, although the surveillance footage shows Williams behind Clark a little bit before the incident.

The defense clarified with the detective that numerous pedestrians had walked past Clark on the ground and that it could not be confirmed if anything had been taken off his person.

The prosecution requested that substantial probability be established.

Mosley disagreed, explaining that Clark could have been the initial aggressor leaving Williams’ case to self defense.

Mosley requested that Williams be released to home confinement being that he is 31 and has no prior criminal history and is a positive role model in the community.

Judge Epstein denied the request and kept Williams in custody.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene for a felony status conference on March 24.

Prosecution Pushes for Information on Whereabouts of Victim’s Body

In a Jan. 31 status hearing, the prosecution said a plea agreement would only be drafted if the defendant gave information on the location of the victim’s body.

Issac Moye, 46, is being charged with second-degree murder in connection to the disappearance and presumed death of 24-year-old Unique Harris. Harris was last seen around the 2000 block of Hartford Street SE on Oct. 10, 2010. Her body was never found.

Moye was seen arguing with Harris the night she went missing and was pinged by GPS tracker multiple times the following day by that area of Hartford Street.

Moye is currently being held at DC Jail.

Defense attorney Jason D Tulley discussed a motion filed before another judge in connection to other cases to argue for better representation of eligible black jurors.

“Only 30 percent of perit jurors are black, down 15 percent from the 45 percent of eligible black jurors,” Tulley said. He said he does not believe this motion will cause delay before the trial date.

Moye’s next hearing is scheduled for April 26.

Defense May Pursue Independent DNA Testing in Double Homicide Case

During a Jan. 31 hearing, defense attorney Franz Jobson discussed a possibility for independent DNA testing in a murder case.

Keanan Turner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to kill in connection to allegedly shooting Wanda Wright, 48, and Ebony Wright, 31, as well as the injuring another victim on the 2000 block of Good Hope Court, SE on April 12, 2021.

Jobson said there were technical difficulties in obtaining some evidence, and he would be ready by the next hearing date to determine if independent DNA testing would be pursued.

Turner, 33, is said to be the father of Ebony’s child.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, members of DC Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene shortly before MPD because of an active fire alarm. DC Fire and EMS said the cause of the fire was burning documents that Ebony served to Turner for child support through DC Family Court.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14.

Trial Date Approaches Nearly Five Years After Homicide of 1-Year-Old Child

A defendant in a murder case is scheduled to proceed with trial five years after the initial murder occurred.

Thirty-two-year-old Brian Wooden is charged with two counts of first-degree cruelty to children and two counts of felony murder for the death of his girlfriend’s son, one-year-old Carter Sanders, on May 26, 2018, on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE.

Wooden’s attorney, Marnitta King, confirmed alongside the prosecution that they are prepared to move forward with trial, which is set to begin on June 12.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt informed the prosecution and defense that motions will be due on April 7 and any responses by May 12 for the case to be ready for trial.

On the night of May 16, 2018, Sanders was found unresponsive on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE. Despite all life-saving procedures, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Upon inspection of the body, the medical examiner noted visible trauma to the victim’s face, abdomen, and back. The medical examiner ruled that the contusions were not accidental.

While interviewing the victim’s mother, she told officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that she had not seen visible injuries on the victim prior to leaving the victim with Wooden that morning. The victim did not have any prior illnesses that would account for his drastic change in health, according to court documents.

Wooden told police that around 9 a.m. he dropped the victim off with his uncle while he attended domestic violence training. Wooden’s brother then picked up the victim from the uncle, and the victim was returned to Wooden around 11 a.m. Wooden noted that the victim had a red mark on his forehead, which he associated with a rug burn.

Later that day Wooden took the victim to the pool, court documents state. After returning from the pool, Wooden said he noticed the victim was sleepy but just associated that with exhaustion from the pool. Wooden told detectives that he and the victim slept for a few hours. After waking from his nap, Wooden said he noticed that the victim was unresponsive.

Wooden called 911 and performed CPR as directed by the dispatcher until DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived.

The next hearing is scheduled for May 19.

After Much Debate, Defense Attorney’s Motion for Continuance Approved Again

The defense attorney in a sexual assault case has once again been met with resistance in a request for a continuance.

Attorney Michael Lawlor’s client was charged with four counts of sexual assault in 2019. At the time of the assault, both the alleged assailant and the victim served as officers under the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The assault occurred while both were off duty and at a spa owned by the defendant’s wife, as stated in court documents. It was while receiving a cellulite treatment at this spa that the victim said she was assaulted.

On Jan. 30, Lawlor submitted a motion for continuance. This request would further delay the trial’s start date to allow newly appointed co-counsel time to familiarize himself with the case.

In a previous hearing, Lawlor said he hoped to obtain local counsel to assist him on this case so as to “represent his client to the best of his ability.” In just a week’s time, Lawlor recruited defense attorney Brian McDaniel as co-counsel.

Both the prosecutor and DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan were reluctant to support this motion.

After reading the motion for continuance, the prosecution urged Judge Raffinan to deny the request because he said Lawlor did not put in substantial effort to obtain local counsel and prepare him for this hearing.

Taking this into consideration, Judge Raffinan inquired as to why Lawlor enlisted McDaniel into the case.

Lawlor said he chose McDaniel because he is both “incredibly qualified” and a friend of his.

McDaniel mentioned that he was grateful for Lawlor’s praise and wished to oversee this case as co-counsel, should Judge Raffinan support it.

Since it was made clear to her that McDaniel was eager to stay on this case, Judge Raffinan approved the motion for continuance and set the next available date for the trial to begin.

Due to an immense increase in caseload from all legal parties, and backlog from the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial is now set to begin on June 10, 2024.

The trial is slated to begin nearly 5 years after the initial complaint was filed.

Defence Attorney Waits Over a Year for Client’s Indictment

During a Jan. 31 felony status hearing, the prosecution delayed filing for an indictment in a sexual assault case for the fourth time.

In 2020, the then 29-year-old victim discussed the alleged assault in a therapy session 15 years after the incident. The victim’s therapist reported the allegations to the Child and Protective Services Agency (CPSA) hotline, triggering an investigation.

The accused in question was an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) 4th district. He’d met the victim in 2005 when she conducted an interview for her 10th grade history and government class. The victim was 15-years-old at the time of the assault.

According to court documents, she and the accused participated in inappropriate relations over an extended period of time.

In the most recent status hearing, the prosecution filed a motion to postpone the indictment of the defendant by another 6 weeks per COVID-19 protocols. However, the prosecutor failed to mention why he was requesting a time extension.

The defense attorney on the case, Joseph L. Wright, moved to dismiss this request, saying his client has been “extraordinarily patient in this trial.”

Wright added that he hasn’t heard a reasonable excuse for the trial’s delay and emphasized that “nothing has happened in this case” for over a year.

When the original judge’s caseload was transferred to DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, she agreed to uphold this regulation. She said the protocol gave the prosecution time and an extension to delay indictment proceedings to compensate for a growing caseload.

Regardless of Wright’s reasoning, Judge Raffinan disagreed with him, saying she was inclined to maintain the original COVID policy and set an alternate hearing date.

Judge Raffinan set a new indictment deadline in the case for June 6.

The next hearing in this case was scheduled for March 23.

Document: Homicide in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 30, on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, at about 8:21 am, officers located 39-year-old Lennette Clark suffering from apparent trauma inside of a residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Street Level Entrance Door ‘Difficult to Lock,’ Apartment Manager Tells Jury in Sex Abuse Trial

A difficult to lock door, at street level, was shared through witness testimony on the first day of arguments in a sex abuse trial.

The case, which had been unsolved for years, involved a 47-year-old defendant who is charged with first-degree burglary, kidnapping, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse with force, robbery, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while threatening the victim in connection to a sex assault on June 12, 2010, on the 1700 block of Lanier Place NW. The defendant was apprehended on March 8, 2019.

On Jan. 30, a prosecutor called the manager of the apartment building where the incident took place to the stand.

The manager told the jury that the victim was his tenant for 15 years. He also said there were two ways into the victims apartment, the main entrance and another one at street level.

However, the door lock for the entrance at street level was difficult to lock, the witness continued.

A journalist who worked with the victim at the time of the crime said he was concerned when the victim went home late because Saturdays at work are typically the longest and busiest.

He said she told him about her encounter with the cops and what happened the morning after the assault when she arrived at work.

“I offered to stay on her couch that night, and she took me up on that offer,” he said.

A public defense trial lawyer, who had known the victim personally for more than ten years at the time of the offense, said the victim called him and told him about the incident.

She admitted that she had gone out the night before and had come home around 2 a.m. to get ready for bed, he said.

That’s when she saw a man, either fully or partially nude, standing beside her bed. Before the attack started, she said there was a battle, he continued.

When the victim called, she reportedly seemed disturbed, he said.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Jan. 31.

Judge Sentences Defendants for Murder of 25-Year-Old

On Jan. 27, two defendants were sentenced for the murder of a 25-year-old man.

Keshawn Taylor and Rashaad Winston opened fire against Tyree Brox on the 5100 block of Bass Place, SE on December 21, 2020.

On Friday, Taylor was sentenced to 12 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter while armed with five years of supervised release. He must also register as a gun offender for two years. In addition to his sentence, Taylor is also required to pay $100 to the victims of violent crime act, enroll in a drug treatment program and get therapeutic counseling.

Winston was sentenced to 72 months in prison with five years of supervised release for aggravated assault with being a grave risk while armed. He must also pay $100 to the victims of violent crime act fund and register as a gun offender along with therapeutic counseling, seeking out a male role model and job training.

Both defendants were initially charged with felony murder while armed – aggravating circumstances and second-degree murder while armed.

Taylor, 24, was also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. Taylor wasn’t sentenced under the Youth Act.

Winston, 26, was charged with robbery while armed. He was sentenced under the Youth Act.

Both defendants are currently facing gun possession charges in Maryland for an unrelated case.

Elizabeth Weller, Taylor’s defense attorney, said he has developmental problems, including emotional and maturity challenges, and is not the best at expressing himself.

She said the defendant wasn’t treated fairly since, after being freed, he immediately resumed his previous practices, including couch surfing, which led to his residing with Winston.

“I’m amazed that you are still here,” DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt told Winston, 26, referring to the losses and experiences he had in his life.

In a letter to the judge, Brox’s family said he was a devoted brother, father, artist, and community leader. The victim’s family said Brox was attempting to make his community once again what it was when he was a child by reintroducing block parties, barbecues, poetry nights, and back-to-school drives for the kids in town.

“My life is over since my son died,” Brox’s mother wrote in a letter the prosecutor read in court.

Defense Reveals More Scrutiny is Needed for Evidence Review in Homicide Case

Parties in a homicide case, discussed an order authorizing transfer of evidence that was filed on last week during a motion hearing regarding a homicide case.

Alphonso Walker, 44, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit a robbery, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection to allegedly shooting of 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.

During the Jan. 30 hearing, both parties argued over an unpublished article regarding forensic science research.

“Arguing over an unpublished piece of work is a waste of time,” DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Bradnt said in response. She then asked defense counsel to call their first witness.

Jessica Willis, Walker’s attorney, called an expert witness in forensic science standards and research.

In regards to the article, the witness explained that a term in the text changed its meaning, therefore, it has to undergo more scrutiny or examination.

Redirect testimony will begin on the next hearing date set for Feb. 3.

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

During a Jan. 27 hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan arraigned Eugene Williams on five counts connected to a murder on Feb. 8, 2022.

Williams was indicted on first-degree murder premeditated while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a concealed weapon outside a home or business.

Williams, 17, is accused of shooting 16-year-old Deshawn Francis. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed on April 29 and has been held at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) since.

During the hearing, defense attorney, Kevann Gardner pleaded not guilty on behalf of Williams.

Anthony Green, a co-defendant of William, is scheduled to be arraigned on March 3.

Green, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly aiding and abetting the shooting of Francis during the course of an attempted robbery on Feb. 8 on the 100 block of Chesapeake Street SE.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 3.

Judge Sets Trial Date for Homicide Case With Two Defendants

At a status hearing on Jan. 27, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein scheduled a trial date for two defendants in a homicide case.

Twenty-six-year-old Georgio Hyles, charged with first-degree murder while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license. Omar Williams, 26, is charged with attempted robbery while armed and felony murder while armed. The defendants allegedly shot Anthony Depetris on Nov. 5, 2021. According to court documents, the two defendants allegedly approached Depetris, 26, on the 3500 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, and shot him multiple times.

Despite a request from the prosecution and Hyles’ defense attorney Teresa Kleiman to hold the initial privacy assessment Friday, defense attorney Stephen Logerfo, who represents Williams, requested that the hearing be pushed further back to allow time for a review of the prosecution’s evidence against his client.

Judge Epstein compiled and scheduled the hearing for a later date.

Due to the high number of cases that were backed up due to court closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Epstein made it clear that a speedy trial was not possible.

He set the trial date for Oct. 7, 2024, despite the defense’s request to begin the trial sooner.

The next hearing is slated for March 3.

Defense Requests to Cancel Next Hearing If Defendant Is Not Found Mentally Competent

In a status hearing on Jan. 27, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein agreed to the defense’s request to cancel the next status hearing if a defendant is not found mentally competent.

Daniel Simon, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Michael Jones. According to court documents, Simon allegedly beat Jones, 52, with a metal pole on the 200 block of 15th Street, NW on Jan. 4. Jones suffered blunt force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon being interviewed by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives after detainment, Simon did not appear to understand the questions and his responses were unintelligible. The interview was terminated.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey motioned for a competency screening on behalf of Simon, which was granted and ordered earlier this week.

At Friday’s status hearing, Harvey also requested that the next status hearing be canceled if Jones requires further screening.

Simon, who was not present at the hearing, is currently detained at the DC Jail and waiting for his competency exam.

The next status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2 but is subject to change according to the results of Simon’s screening.

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