Defendant Refuses Transfer to DC Area Prison Due to Concerns for Safety

A defendant refused to transfer to a prison in close to the DC area over safety concerns. His unwillingness to transfer is causing disturbances for his upcoming trial.

Levi Ruffin, 44, is currently serving an 18 years sentence for a sexual assault case that occurred in 2015. He is also being charged with 29 other charges, including first-degree burglary offenses committed during release while armed and against a minor, kidnapping offenses committed during release, three counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person while armed with one of those counts including an addition of offenses committed during release.

The charges continue with a number of assault charges including, assault with a dangerous weapon committed during release, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed that was committed during release, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse by force while armed that was committed during release, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Ruffin also has a number of sexual abuse charges that include first-degree sexual abuse.

The defendant was found guilty of committing sex offenses against two or more victims while the defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon, which was also committed during release and third-degree sex abuse.

During a status hearing on Jan. 25, Ruffin refused to be transferred to a DC area prison for preparation for trial because he said his life would be in jeopardy.

These offenses allegedly occurred between December 1999 and 2000, on July 2, 2003, June 3, 2007, and Sept. 8, 2007, on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW, the 1400 block of Euclid Street, NW, the 1700 block of Harvard Street NW, and the 1400 block of Columbia Road, NW.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt explained that she had no authority over which DC area prison Ruffin would be transferred to. That decision lies with the Bureau of Prisons.

Judge Brandt also explained that Ruffin would need to be held in the DC area for his upcoming trial on Nov. 6. She also stated that if Ruffin wished to remain virtual, he could waive his right to a virtual trial and have a bench trial instead.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern explained that he needed to confer with his client.

McEachern said he had not been able to talk with Ruffin due to a change in Ruffin’s prison counselor in West Virginia.

McEachern also said he is set to discuss matters with Ruffin sometime next week.

Judge Brandt said she expects a hearing to discuss DNA evidence and a preliminary trial readiness hearing to occur at the next hearing, which is scheduled on Feb. 15.

Judge Approves Prosecution’s Request For Indictment Extension

On Jan. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the prosecution’s motion to extend an indictment for a defendant charged in connection to a shooting that killed Demetris Levar Johnson.

Nyjell Outler, 20, is facing charges for second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder that occurred on March 20, 2021, on the unit block of Madison Street, NE. The shooting happened at a gender-reveal party for one of the defendant’s friends. Outler is currently being held at the DC Jail.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens opposed the motion, but, after a private conference with the prosecutor, Judge Raffinan found good cause to extend the indictment clock. The reason for good cause was not discussed in court.

Outler’s next hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 16.

Victim’s Mother Led from Courtroom After Viewing Daughter’s Death

There was apparent tension in the courtroom when the victim’s mother watched her daughter’s death as a video of the incident played in court.

Twenty-three-year-old Celot Carr was arrested on Dec.16, 2022, after a warrant was issued in connection to a shooting resulting in the death of Kyndall Myers, 18. The shooting occurred on June 26, 2022, on the 800 block of Quincy Street, NW.

During a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective recounted the events leading up to the shooting. He narrated the footage depicting the shooting of Myers and two other victims.

He said the video showed “a flash of light consistent with gunshots.” The witness then got out of his seat, approached the screen, and pointed to exactly where Myers stood and narrated the details of the crime, including her death.

The detective said the suspect was aiming to shoot at a group of men who were leaving a party.

According to the prosecutor, the vehicle Carr allegedly stole circled the block more than once based on GPS tracking the police placed on the car days before the incident.

From the left side of the courtroom, Myer’s mother bursted into tears and made her way out of the courtroom.

Several of Myer’s family members followed her out into the hallway. In an effort to console the victim’s family, the court marshall retrieved tissues from behind the bench.Throughout the hearing, glances were exchanged between Myer’s family and those present in support of the defendant.

After cross examination of the witness, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein said he found probable cause because the evidence placed the defendant at the scene of the crime.

Evidence for this conclusion included physical surveillance of the defendant’s stolen vehicle and shell casings recovered from the vehicle floor. The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected the shell casings found in the vehicle to an armed robbery involving Carr from December 2022.

Judge Epstein ordered Carr to return to DC jail where he is already being held for the armed robbery offense.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2023.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking a suspect for an assault with a dangerous weapon that happened on Friday, Jan. 20 in the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

At approximately 11:28 am, MPD officers responded to a call about gunshots at the address, and found an adult male with gunshot wounds.

Homicide Trial Set Two Years After Incident

A homicide co-defendant’s trial date was set for Sept. 17, 2024, nearly two years after the incident.

Tamera Brown and Robert Baskerville appeared in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein for the murder of Darron Holmes Jr.

On Jan. 25, Brown, 26, pleaded not guilty to her five indicted charges, including two counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with intent to kill, obstruction of justice, and first-degree murder while armed.

Baskerville, 29, was indicted on four charges, including first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

On April 16, 2022, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched for sounds of gunshots on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Holmes, 28 was found lying in front of the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE with multiple sustained gunshot wounds. All life-saving measures failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holmes was the father of Brown’s two children. He had sole custody. According to court documents, the day before the incident, Brown, 26, repeatedly banged on the door of the victim’s residence, demanding he surrender their children to her.

Holmes called his mother to inform her of the situation, and his mother then called Brown in an attempt to calm the situation. During this call, Brown was on speakerphone with the victim’s mother and an additional witness.

According to the witness’s interview with the MPD, during this call, Brown stated “No, if he don’t give me my kids right now, I’m going to kill him, and I’m gonna kill you too!”.

After the phone call, Holmes’ mother called the police to inform them of the situation. When MPD officers arrived, Brown was no longer there. Holmes identified himself and declined police assistance, advising that his ex-wife just wouldn’t stop knocking at the door.

In the early afternoon on the day of the incident, detectives followed Brown and another individual, later discovered to be her father, to the third district police station. Brown was subsequently interviewed by police regarding Holmes’s murder.

While under oath, she denied having ever threatened to kill Holmes or his mother. Additionally, she said she went to Holmes’ residence alone but had been driven away by a person whom she did not know.

After driving away, Brown said the unknown person stopped the car and exited the vehicle. She then drove the vehicle, with her children, to her father’s residence.

Brown did not want to reveal who had driven her and her children away from the victim’s residence because she said the person “saved” her after Holmes allegedly grabbed and choked her. She also denied having a current boyfriend but advised that her children knew of her previous boyfriend whom they knew as “Two”.

The oldest of Holmes and Brown’s two children was interviewed by MPD after his mother.

He told the police that someone wearing the clothing of his mother’s boyfriend, whom he knows as “Two,” had shot his father using “Two’s” gun. Brown’s son also told police that “mommy did nothing wrong.”

After this interview, an arrest warrant for Baskerville was issued. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. His charge was later upgraded to first-degree murder while armed.

Brown is on release and Baskerville is currently being held in the D.C. Jail.

Judge Epstein set a trial date for Sept. 17, 2024, to allow the defense to receive new evidence from the prosecution.
All parties are scheduled to return to court on March 10 at 11:30 p.m for a felony status conference hearing. This hearing is projected to determine how the parties are moving forward in the case.

Document: Decedent Identified in Southwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 21 on the 4700 block of 1st Street, SW.

According to a press release, at about 10:41 pm, officers located 56-year-old Morgan Francis inside a residential building suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Murder Case Potentially Delayed as Defense Finalizes Expert Witness Notice

A murder defendant appeared before D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Jan. 24 to continue preparing for his trial, which is set to begin on April 3.

Khalid Claggett, 39, has been indicted on three charges, including first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm during release, in connection with allegedly shooting 30-year-old Isaac Aull Jr. on June 11, 2021, on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

Claggett’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, stated that the defense has a potential expert witness the prosecution has not yet been notified of.

Judge Raffinan has requested the defense file their expert witness notice by Feb. 10. After the prosecution has been notified, they may request to re-evaluate the trial date if needed based on the information provided by the notice.

On the day of the incident in question, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were dispatched to the location and found Aull with gunshot wounds sustained in his torso, back, and neck. He showed no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court documents, surveillance footage of the incident depicts Aull and another unknown subject firing weapons in the direction of a car Claggett was a passenger in. After these alleged shots, Claggett exited the vehicle and began running after Aull and the additional unknown subject with what the footage suggests is a handgun in his right hand.

Dashcam footage from the time of the incident was obtained from a car that was stopped on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE. This footage depicted Aull crawling into the street, suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the leg, when Claggett ran up to him, weapon in hand.

The weapon appeared to malfunction, causing Claggett to back away from Aull until he fixed it. Claggett then returned to Aull, who was still moving, and fired what appeared to be eight shots in Aull’s direction.

“A portion of those shots appeared to have been discharged as the defendant was standing over the decedent finishing him off.” according to court documents.

All parties are scheduled to appear for another status hearing on Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Motion to Withdraw Counsel in Murder Case.

Due to high prejudice to the prosecution, case complexity and inconvenience for all parties involved, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied the defense’s motion to withdraw counsel in a murder case involving six defendants.

Twenty-five–year-old Quentin Michals, along with Qujuan Thomas, 24; Antonio Murchison, 29; Gregory Taylor,22; Marquell Cobbs,20; Darrise Jeffers,23; Isaiah Murchison, 22; and Mark Price, 28, are charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, possession of a firearm and 19 other charges in relation to a shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018. The shooting took place on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE and wounded several other bystanders.

Defense attorneys Errin Scialpi and Karen Minor filed a motion to withdraw as counsel on behalf of Michals. But, Judge Okun denied the motion to withdraw since the factors to deny the motion strongly outweighed the factors to grant motion.

Michals’ attorneys continued to push the motion, expressing concern that Michals needs an attorney who he is comfortable with as the trial date approaches.

“For your own sake work with them as closely as you can,” Judge Okun told Michals.

The trial date is scheduled for Feb. 6.

Judge Shuts Down Defense Attorney’s Request to Delay Sexual Assault Trial

During a status hearing on Jan. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a defense attorney’s request to set the beginning of a sexual assault trial at a later date out of frustration with his workload.

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

Lawlor urged Judge Raffinan to set the beginning of the trial for later this Spring. He said he was overwhelmed with his caseload and thought it best to seek local counsel for the sake of his client.

When pressed by the prosecution, Lawlor added that he was set aback by the retirement of the previous attorney on this case, Jenifer Wicks.

Judge Raffinan insisted that this was no excuse seeing that Wicks retired nearly 2 years prior in the fall of 2021.

However, Lawlor provided a series of seemingly adequate excuses stating that he was assigned to about a dozen of the upcoming “January 6th” cases set to begin this year.

Raffinan disputed the gravity of the cases, saying “There are deadlines that are set. I’ll be sympathetic to someone who is responsive” alluding to Lawlor’s lack of communication with both the prosecution and the court in this matter.

Judge Raffinan set the upcoming status hearing to occur on Jan. 31 and urged Lawlor to “respond to his emails by Friday.”

D.C. Police Officer Awaits Indictment for First-Degree Sexual Abuse

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a defendant’s waiver for independent DNA testing on Jan. 24.

After the judge issued an arrest warrant for a 29-year-old man on July 13, 2022, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested him on July 14, 2022, on the unit block of New York Avenue, NE. the defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly conducting a sexual act with a child under the age of 16 on the 1600 block of V Street, SE.

As of Tuesday, evidence is pending review as the prosecution and the defense prepare for trial.

According to the prosecutor, an indictment is scheduled to be filed in mid-February.

The defendant was released after the hearing and is scheduled to return back to court on March 17 for another felony status hearing. He was initially released three months after his arrest from DC jail on Oct. 13, 2022, and put under the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Multiple members of the defendant’s family accompanied him during this hearing, including a woman who was pregnant whom he walked out of the courtroom with.

According to the Washington Post, the defendant was a DC police officer for three years prior to his arrest.

No Video Surveillance of Defendant with Victim, Lead Detective Says

During a Jan. 23 preliminary hearing, the lead homicide detective of a homicide case (MPD) said there is no surveillance footage of the defendant with the 32-year-old victim on the night of his murder.

Even so, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ultimately found probable cause in the case of the shooting that left Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi dead. The defendant, 27-year-old Deonte Eugene Patterson, is being held in connection to the incident which occurred on the 1800 block of 9th Street NW on Aug. 23, 2021.

On Monday, with the lead detective on the stand, the prosecution began by reviewing photographs and video footage from the night of the incident.

The timeline of that night, according to the detective’s testimony, began with the defendant and a witness entering Mirror Lounge, a club in Northwest DC.

Footage played by the prosecution showed Patterson entering the club without being checked at the door. Approximately 25 minutes later, footage from the doorway of Mirror Lounge showed Patterson and two witnesses leaving the club.

According to the lead detective, who examined these videos, there was no evidence of the victim in nor around Mirror Lounge. Additionally, there was no footage that shows Patterson with the victim.

Minutes after Patterson and the two witnesses left the club, the lead detective was able to identify a recording of shots around the time of the crime that he described as a “volley of fire.”

The detective testified that the MPD recovered three .45-caliber casings and five .40-caliber casings from the location of the shooting.

The detective then described the moments following the shooting, detailing a car accident that involved the defendant and the two witnesses. The detective stated that the accident occurred “moments right after” the shooting.

The accident, which caused Patterson to be ejected from the car “like a frisbee,” according to defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein, left him with numerous injuries.

There was uncertainty about whether or not Patterson had been driving, yet his DNA was not found on the driver’s seat nor the air bags.

However, Patterson’s DNA was found on the trigger and magazine of a Glock 40 semi compact automatic handgun that was recovered from the scene of the car accident. The detective noted that they also ran this gun through the a national ballistics network, which associated it with the shooting.

Finally, when asked about the efforts to arrest Patterson following these incidents, the detective confirmed that MPD had been searching for Patterson for the past year. The detective detailed press releases, social media posts, and news conferences relating to Patterson’s arrest warrant. He suggested that Patterson was aware of these efforts but didn’t turn himself in.

After reviewing the evidence and speaking with the detective, the prosecution argued that there was substantial probability in this case and asked that Patterson be detained.

Sapirstein mentioned an incident in 2019 where Al-Mahdi shot at Patterson. She argued that Patterson was acting in self-defense, noting the two different calibers of casings that were recovered from the crime scene.

Judge Raffinan ultimately found probable cause as to second-degree murder while armed and cited Patterson’s year of evading the MPD as reason to consider him a flight risk.

Towards the close of the hearing, Patterson addressed Judge Raffinan directly.

“I’m not a flight risk,” he told her, “and I’m not a danger to society.”

Judge Raffinan told him that although she would take into consideration what he said, it doesn’t change her mind.

Patterson’s family and friends who populated the audience grieved and consoled each other as he was led out of the courtroom.

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

Court Process for Fatal Stabbing Case Continues

A status hearing on Jan. 23 reported timely progression in the case of a 2018 homicide.

Antonio Jackson, 36, has been held at DC Jail since 2018 in connection to an incident that occurred on the 500 block of Oakwood Street, SE on March 29, 2018. According to court documents, the incident left 52-year-old Maria Evans dead after she sustained multiple stab wounds to her torso.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan held a status hearing on Monday to examine the progress of the case. Her first matter was checking on Jackson’s new defense attorney, Molly Bunke.

Bunke recently joined defense attorney Jessica Willis on the case after Jackson’s former defense attorney, who worked alongside Willis, withdrew from the case.

The defense reminded Judge Raffinan that they’ve already filed motions to suppress identification testimony and exclude lay witness testimony.

Judge Raffinan requested any additional motions from either side to be filed by Feb. 17 with responses due by March 3 to ensure that everything is received in a timely manner.

A motions hearing is scheduled for April 28.

Homicide Defendant Continues to Refuse Mental Competency Exam

A homicide defendant continued to refuse to take a mental competency exam on Jan. 24, leaving the prosecution to question his intentions.

Joseph Melton, 54, is being accused of allegedly murdering Kevin Chamberlain, 48, and stabbing another victim on Jan. 14, 2020, on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW and the 800 block of Vermont Avenue, NW. Melton is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, and possession of prohibited weapon.

This is the fifth straight occurrence in which Felton has refused to take a mental exam.

He said he has immunity, but the prosecution said he is intentionally evading court proceedings.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun agreed with the prosecution, although defense attorney Thomas Healy said he has concerns about Felton’s competency.

Judge Okun scheduled another mental observation hearing in 45 days, saying he feels there will not be much change in Felton’s position.

The trial is scheduled for April 24.

Parties are scheduled to return to court on March 10 for another mental observation hearing.

Judge Reschedules Hearing Due to Defense Attorney’s Illness

Mohamed Goodwin’s status hearing, originally scheduled for Jan. 23 was rescheduled, due to his defense attorney, Lee Smith’s, sudden illness.

Goodwin is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devonte Wilson on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW on Dec. 3 2020. Wilson was discovered at approximately 8 p.m. by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) after being dispatched in reference to a traffic accident.

Goodwin is also being indicted on first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business.

Police found Wilson with visible gunshot wounds to his right neck and shoulder. Wilson was taken to Washington Hospital Center Medstar for treatment, and was pronounced braindead, according to court documents.

The status hearing was rescheduled to Jan. 26.

Judge Moves Homicide Defendant’s Court Date

Homicide defendant, Kenneth Stewart’s trial has been moved from Feb. 13 to Feb. 21.

Stewart, 61, is accused of stabbing Connecticut man Courtney Jones, 54, on July 23, 2020, on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. He was charged with first-degree murder on July 24, 2020.

Stewart’s defense attorney, Dominique Winters, requested a private meeting with Judge Marisa Demeo during today’s hearing. The discussion was off the record.

However, after this meeting, the defense requested more information from the prosecuting attorney as well as whether the prosecution will be using jail recordings.

The judge ruled that this information would need to be shared with the defense by Feb. 6.

Furthermore, the prosecuting attorney also requested certain information from the defense. This information would need to be shared by Jan. 27.

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