Defendant Receives 7 Year Sentence for Obstruction Charge

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a defendant on Jan. 5 to seven years in prison for obstruction of justice.

Torey Stockton, 24, was accused of killing 23-year-old Jasmine Light on Jan. 17, 2018, by shooting into a crowd outside of a convenience store on the 1500 block of U Street SE.

On July 21, Stockton was acquitted on first-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

However, he was found guilty of obstruction of justice for calling his then-girlfriend, from the DC Jail, and asking her to delete incriminating evidence from his social media accounts.

He is required to also serve five years of supervised release.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on Jan. 4, on the 200 block of 15th Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 8:40 am, officers located 52-year-old Michael Jones suffering from apparent blunt force trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Jan. 4, 41-year-old Daniel Simon was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Rafinnan granted on Jan. 4 a continuance for a pending preliminary hearing.

Andre White, 49, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Darnell Bernard Shaw Jr. on Nov. 9, 2022, on the 1300 block of Congress Street SE.

Judge Raffinan granted defense attorney Quo Mike Judkins‘ request for a new preliminary hearing date during the hearing on Wednesday while they await the prosecution’s evidence.

The new date for the preliminary hearing is Jan. 25.

Murder Defendant’s Trial Set to Begin in August of 2024

During a status hearing on Jan. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan set a jury trial date for a homicide case.

Barbara Sanders, 56, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Thurman Lee Knight on March 17, 2019, on the 500 block of Montana Avenue NE.

The prosecution informed Judge Raffinan of the evidence in the case that has already been tested and will be tested soon.

Judge Raffinan gave defense attorney, Mathew Davies until July 20 to submit drafts of a motion and order DNA testing.

The Pretrial Services Agency also advised the court of the defendant’s compliance with her release conditions.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 28.

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 Dec. 31, on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

According to a press release, at about 10:18 pm, officers located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Police Arret Suspect in 15th Street Homicide

On Jan. 4, officers from the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division located 41-year-old Daniel Simon and transported him to the Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide division.

Simon is suspected of murdering 52-year-old Michael Jones on the 200 block of 15th Street, NW.

He is being charged with second-degree murder.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 3, on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

According to a press release, at about 5:58 pm, officers located 33-year-old Benjie Byers and two other adult males and one juvenile male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Benjie Byers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Updated Traffic Fatality: 14th Street and New York Avenue, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality resulting from a vehicle crash that occurred on Dec. 30 on 14th Street and New York Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division engaged in a traffic stop of a 2001 Buick LeSabre in the 700 block of 15th Street, NW. The Buick had an erroneous license plate and was not registered. The Buick sped away from the police during the traffic stop by turning right towards the 1400 block of New York Avenue, Northwest. The Buick then drove through the Northwest junction of 14th Street and New York Avenue while the traffic light was red.

A 2013 Chevrolet Sonic was moving south on 14th Street, Northwest, with a green traffic light at the time. The Buick LeSabre was struck by the Chevrolet Sonic in the left rear, which sent the Buick spinning and causing it to enter a crossing on the east side of the intersection. The Buick LeSabre struck two adult female pedestrians heading southward in the vicinity of a walk sign.

The decedent was identified as 31-year-old Shuyu Sui.

The driver of the Buick LeSabre was detained on-scene by United States Secret Service Uniformed Division and was later transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Spiro Stafilatos was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, no permit, and misuse of tags.

Prosecution and Defense Agree on 12-14 Year Plea Deal for Murder Defendant

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed during a Jan. 3 hearing.

Kyrie Wells, 20, was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and carrying a pistol without a license on Nov. 19, 2020.

According to court documents, authorities were dispatched to the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Sept. 26, 2020, and discovered 25-year-old Anthony Lee suffering from a gunshot wound.

During their investigation, detectives discovered there were four shooters and they were all caught in surveillance footage outside of the liquor store where the shooting occurred. Three of the shooters were seen on surveillance tape in front of the store, and a fourth was seen on its side.

The security footage from the night of the shooting was presented to two officers who are familiar with the locals who frequent the vicinity of MLK Avenue and Mellon Street, SE. They were identified as Niko Hall and Wells. Both men received the same charges.

The investigation also showed that Hall and Wells both uploaded images on Instagram four hours before the murder in the same attire as was captured on camera the night of the murder.

Defense attorney David Benowitz stated at the hearing on Tuesday that his client was aware of the 40-year maximum sentence for the offense. The prosecution and defense have agreed to a 12- to 14-year sentence in prison.

Hall is slated for a jury trial in October 2023.

As part of his plea, the prosecution agreed to dismiss the four other charges.

Parties are scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing on April 13.

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 Jan. 2, on the 1100 block of 1st Place, NW.

According to a press release, at about 4:35 pm, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. Shorty after, an adult male victim walked into a local hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 2, on the 1200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, at about 10:10 pm, officers located two juvenile male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One of the victims was pronounced dead.

The decedent was identified as 17-year-old Martez Toney.

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

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating suspects in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 2, on the 1400 block of Spring Road, NW.

According to a press release at about 12:08 am, officers located an adult female victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.

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 Jan. 2, on the 100 block of Ridge Road, SE.

According to a press release, at about 1:00 pm, the preliminary investigation suggests a juvenile male victim was shot from a vehicle. The suspect vehicle then fled the scene.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality resulting from a traffic crash that occurred on Dec. 30, on 14th Street and New York Avenue, NW.

At approximately 4:30 pm, a traffic stop on the driver of a 2001 Buick LeSabre. The Buick had an erroneous license plate and was not registered. The Buick sped away from the police during the traffic stop by turning right towards the 1400 block of New York Avenue, Northwest. The Buick then drove through the Northwest junction of 14th Street and New York Avenue while the traffic light was red.

A 2013 Chevrolet Sonic was moving south on 14th Street, Northwest, with a green traffic light at the time. The Buick LeSabre was struck by the Chevrolet Sonic in the left rear, which sent the Buick spinning and causing it to enter a crossing on the east side of the intersection. The Buick LeSabre struck two adult female pedestrians heading southward in the vicinity of a walk sign.

One of the females was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The other female remains in critical condition.

The driver of the Buick LeSabre was apprehended on the scene, and he was then taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

On Dec. 30, 35-year-old Spiro Stafilatos was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, no permit, and misuse of tags.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Dec. 30, on the 900 block of 12th Street, SE.

According to a press release, at about 6:09 pm, officers located 32-year-old Reekey Garner suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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