Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 23, on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.
According to a press release, at about 11:10 pm, officers located 30-year-old Dimitri Remache suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At a status hearing on Feb. 24, stand-in attorneys for both the prosecution and defense were forced to set a date for the next hearing without any knowledge on the case.
Christian Monge, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 31-year-old Brittanie Clark. Monge allegedly stabbed Clark in a residence on the 5000 block of First Street, NW on Aug. 31, 2021, after Clark and Monge’s girlfriend had gotten into an altercation about their relationship.
Due to a scheduling miscommunication, Monge’s defense attorney Anthony Matthews was not able to make the hearing. Kevann Gardner, who was in the courtroom for an earlier hearing, served as a stand-in.
The prosecution also required a stand-in due to undisclosed circumstances.
Because the attorneys on both sides were stand-ins, they did not have enough knowledge or information about the case for the hearing to proceed.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled the next hearing, but it is subject to change according to the schedule of the attorneys on the case.
The next hearing is scheduled for April 3.
During a Feb. 24 hearing, both the prosecution and defense agreed they did not want to delay the June 13 deadline for a Grand Jury
Malik Seltzer, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Paris Odemns on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept. 15, 2021.
The prosecution offered a 2-month extension for a possible plea offer. However, if no plea offer was extended, then the Grand Jury deadline would still be set for June 13.
Kevann Gardner, attorney for the defendant, requested the prosecution provide a document that includes the witnesses and evidence that will be presented at trial. The prosecutor consented.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled the next status hearing for April 28.
During a Feb. 24 status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rejected a motion to release a defendant to home confinement in a homicide case.
On Nov. 30, 2022, 23-year-old Anthony Lewis was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the homicide of 19-year-old Cameron Clemons that occurred on May 28 on the 600 block of Otis Place, NW.
Lewis’ representation, Julie Swaney, requested release into home confinement with hopes of a more positive environment for the defendant on the basis that Lewis acted out of self-defense. However, Judge Okun decided to reject the motion in accordance with a previous judge’s decision.
At a preliminary hearing on Jan. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein, who reviewed this case, found substantial probability and held Lewis at the DC Jail.
“There’s nothing I heard that would make me reconsider Judge Epstein’s decision.” said Judge Okun.
Swaney said the defendant had a criminal history, but the charges were all non-violent crimes and Lewis never had trouble showing up to court when supposed to.
She also noted Lewis’ previous charge for attempted carrying of a pistol without license outside of home or business but explained that Lewis was simply carrying a gun to protect himself due to the dangerous nature of his neighborhood.
According to Swaney, the defendant has an uncle who works for the state in Maryland that could provide a positive influence for Lewis and help him avoid potential problems in DC, so she requested that Lewis be released to house arrest with his uncle.
Sawney also said the defense believes there is a strong case for self-defense as the accident occurred after an altercation between Lewis and a group of unknown individuals.
However, the prosecution opposed the argument because Clemons was not part of the group of unknown individuals involved in the conflict.
Both counsel and Judge Okun then had a private conversation at the bench, which resulted in Judge Okun’s recommendation that Lewis be placed in the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) of the DC Jail.
The next status hearing is scheduled for May 12.
DC Superior Court Judge Brandt granted a motion to continue a murder trial to August 2024.
William Davenport, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14, 2021, on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE.
Jacqueline Cadman, Davenport’s defense attorney, filed a motion to continue the trial based on reasonings explained in a private discussion with the judge. The prosecution had no opposition to the continuance.
Cadman also filed a motion to modify release conditions, including getting rid of Davenport’s curfew and changing drug testing frequency for her client.
The defendant must now continue to wear a GPS monitoring device and check in with pretrial services (PSA) once a week. Davenport will also have to report for random drug testing and no longer has a curfew.
The next status hearing is scheduled for May 12.
During a Feb. 24 status hearing in the case of a sexual abuse, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt stated that she expects a “short trial.”
The sexual abuse incident occurred on May 22, 2021, near Rea Rose Plaza on the 2900 block of Adams Mill Road, NW. According to court documents, the victim was walking through a nearby trail when the defendant ran up behind her, attacked her, and sexually assaulted her.
The 34-year-old defendant, who appeared via WebEx for the hearing, is charged with third-degree sexual abuse through force and kidnapping.
Defense attorney Rachel Cicurel, who also appeared via WebEx, and the prosecutor, who was present in the courtroom, agreed on a Nov. 13 trial date. The trial is expected to last for three days.
Judge Brandt acknowledged that there is no indication that the defendant is “anything but compliant” with his pretrial regulations in accordance with the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).
A status hearing was scheduled for Aug. 17.
During a trial readiness hearing on Feb. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted the defense’s request for another hearing shortly before trial to confirm that the subpoenaed witnesses would appear.
A defendant, 33, is charged with first-degree sexual abuse under aggravating circumstances while armed, a civil protection order violation, attempted first-degree sexual abuse under aggravating circumstances while armed, kidnapping while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly kidnapping and raping an unknown victim on April 18 and 19, 2022, on the 500 block of Atlantic Street, SE.
During the hearing, defense attorney Donna Beasley requested to have one more hearing before the start of trial because the witnesses she subpoenaed have previously failed to show. Judge Demeo granted the request for a hearing a week from Friday.
Judge Demeo also mentioned that she had sent counsel questions for which she expects to use during the jury selection process. The prosecution had a few changes and they were addressed to the court.
The prosecution added three questions, including whether or not the juror or a family member had training in the medical field regarding medicine, if a family member had medical training or knowledge in the area of asphyxiation, and if a witness having immunity would make their testimony difficult for a juror to believe.
Judge Demeo accepted the first two questions, and denied the third one, saying it would be inappropriate to ask.
The prosecution plans to also have two expert witnesses on March 8 and the defense will call two witnesses during the trial.
The parties are scheduled to return for a trial readiness hearing on March 3.
During a Feb. 24 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a three-week continuance requested by both the defense and prosecution.
Aaron Murchison, 26, is currently being held at the D.C. Jail without bail on a second-degree murder charge for his alleged connection to the murder of Jamontate Brown.
The prosecution requested a three-week continuance in order to sort more information out because there was no new movement in the case. The defense concurred with the continuance.
During Friday’s hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner also said he is planning on filing a motion to modify Murchison’s release conditions.
The defense did not provide evidence of why they are filing the motion to modify release conditions as more details are to come during the next felony status hearing.
Gardner said he spoke with Open City Advocates, a DC based non-profit that works to provide innovative solutions for improving juvenile legal defense, about previous work with Murchison. Gardner said he hopes to file the motion before the next hearing.
According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE after hearing gunshots on Oct. 16, 2022. Brown, 32, suffered 11 gunshot wounds to the body. The victim was pronounced dead shortly after EMS responded to the scene.
Technicians on the scene recovered 80 cartridge casings, four live rounds of ammunition, and 22 fragments from the crime scene.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Changes to a homicide defendant’s attorney caused delays in setting a trial date during a status hearing on Feb. 24.
Thomas Fields Jr., 37, is being charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping while armed, and tampering with physical evidence. He was charged after he allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Marquita Lucas on Aug. 17, 2019, on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt suggested that counsel set a new trial date.
However, defense attorney Ronald Resetartis brought up several issues that are preventing the trial from happening anytime soon, including D.C. Superior Court Marisa Demeo, the judge who would be presiding over the trial, having no availability for six months.
Resetartis also said Fields would be receiving a new lawyer because he was leaving the case.
All parties agreed that a new trial date should not be set until the new lawyer was officially assigned to the case.
A status hearing was set for March 31.
A child sexual abuse defendant was given a warning for failing to meet release conditions by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo during a felony status hearing on Feb. 24.
The defendant is currently facing one charge of second-degree child sex abuse due to an incident on Aug. 18, 2022. The incident occurred on the 1800 block of Anacostia Road, SE. The defendant has been accused of groping and exposing himself to two minors in a shower at a public pool.
The defendant is currently released on personal recognizance and is being monitored by pretrial services.
A pretrial services representative stated that the defendant failed to meet compliance requirements on Feb. 12 when he did not complete a weekly phone call to check in with an officer. Based on court documents, this is the only case of noncompliance.
During the hearing, the defendant said he had lost his phone on Feb. 11 and was unable to make a call.
Judge Demeo warned the defendant that regardless of personal situations, the phone call must be completed to maintain his release condition.
Court documents state that the defendant allegedly caressed one of the boys’ backs and placed his hand beneath his underwear. The defendant then exposed his genitals and started rubbing that area in front of both minors.
The defendant previously rejected a plea offer in October 2022, leading the prosecution to have “exhausted” any circumstances of the case not going to trial. As of Friday, no trial date has been set.
The next hearing is a felony status conference scheduled for April 24, which the prosecution said would likely be converted to an arraignment.
Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.
The jury selection for a murder defendant was continued for Feb. 27 because defense attorney, Jessica Willis, said the prosecution withheld evidence.
Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with 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 for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Aujee Tyler. The shooting occurred on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.
During a Feb. 23 hearing, Willis said a portion of the lead detective’s notes were redacted when given to the defense.
She said the portion that was redacted included the notes that said a witness identified “Baby Arc from Potomac Yard” as the actual gunman and that the witness personally recognized “Baby Arc.”
“This is a classic invasion of Brady. There is no way we could investigate ‘Baby Arc’ the day jury selection is set to begin” Willis said.
The prosecutor stated that her and her colleague weren’t originally assigned at the start of this case, so she isn’t sure why there were portions that were redacted. Nevertheless, she said she would contact the detective and ask him to come in.
After an hour-long break, the prosecutor’s attempts at calling the detective failed.
In case the detective is unable to attend in person, she asked DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan about the possibility of setting up Webex so the detective could participate remotely.
Judge Ryan gave his approval.
After parties have concluded their discussions on this matter, jury selection is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27.
During a Feb. 24 motions hearing, parties discussed the defense’s motion to exclude jail calls between the defendant and his family members.
Jean Kearney is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 5, 2021, on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE. Kearney is also being charged with assault on a law enforcement officer while armed.
There were jail calls on May 16 between the defendant and his sister and on May 17 between the defendant and his mother that the prosecution has as evidence.
Defense attorney, Michael Madden said he would like the phone calls to be excluded.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan instructed the defense to submit a written motion by March 3 after which she would issue a decision.
The parties are scheduled to return for further discussions on March 9.
On Feb. 24, a judge denied bond to a first-degree murder defendant as a recent video shows him jumping over a table and stabbing another inmate while in D.C. Jail.
Jermaine Harris, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE, on Jan. 6, 2020. Court documents explain that Walters walked into the Washington Hospital Center suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on his body. He was later pronounced dead.
During Friday’s status hearing, the prosecutor informed the judge that the defense rejected a plea agreement. The agreement was that if the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder while armed for Walter’s murder, Harris would only have spent six to ten years in prison.
The plea offer also dropped additional charges stemming from a prison stabbing Harris participated in on Jan 6. There is video evidence showing Harris’ involvement.
Harris rejected the plea agreement offer because he only wants six years.
Defense attorney Jonathan S. Zucker told the prosecutors that it is “unlikely” for the prosecution to win the trial. Zucker said that in the previous trial, which ultimately ended in a mistrial, a majority of the jurors would have found Harris not guilty.
However, the prosecution stated that a new jury could come up with a completely different outcome, believing that Harris is ultimately a danger to the community.
“You will never know what you will get with a D.C. jury,” said DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. Judge Brandt denied bond, stating that Harris action’s in regards to the prison stabbing made him no longer trustworthy.
A jury trial is scheduled for June. 3.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating suspects and a vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 23, on the 1800 block of M Street, NE.
According to a press release, at about 7:58 pm, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 23, on the 1800 block of Fredrick Douglass Place, SE.
According to a press release, at about 4:23 pm, officers located 23-year-old Stefon Sampson suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
