Hearings Rescheduled in Sexual Assault Case Due to COVID-19 Quarantine

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo rescheduled a motions hearing and the trial date for a sexual assault defendant due to his exposure to Covid-19.

The 33-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and violation of a protection order protection for an incident on the block of 500 block of Atlantic Street, NE on April 19.

The defendant’s unit has been placed under quarantine at the DC Jail until Oct. 4.

His trial date was rescheduled from. Oct. 3 to Nov. 10.

The prosecutor said a plea was offered to the defendant, but it hasn’t been accepted or rejected yet.

The defendant’s motion hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.

All parties were notified by Judge Demeo to submit their evidence and motions to her by Oct. 7.

Judge Removes GPS Monitor in Child Sexual Assault Case

During a Sept. 26 felony arraignment, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a motion to have a defendant’s GPS monitor removed.

On Oct. 8, 2020, the complainant disclosed to the Metropolitan Police Department that she had been raped by the defendant on the 100 block of V Street, NE. The complainant, who was 13 years old at the time, said she was related to the defendant “by way of marriage,” according to police records. On Oct. 26, 2020, the defendant was arrested and charged with first-degree child sex abuse. The 38-year-old defendant told the police that he was not wearing a condom, and he also kissed the victim on the mouth.

During the Monday arraignment, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said the defendant has been in compliance with his terms of condition for nearly two years, and that “he’s doing well.” The defendant was moved from the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) to GPS monitoring a year ago.

Judge Demeo requested a report on the defendant’s compliance from Pretrial Services. An officer from the agency called in via Webex to report that the defendant has been checking in weekly via phone and has not violated his stay-away orders.

The prosecutor did not contest the motion to remove the GPS.

Citing the “extensive period of time” the defendant has been compliant with his conditions of release, Judge Demeo granted the motion, but continued the stay-away orders, weekly phone check-ins and mental health services.

Judge Demeo also arraigned the defendant on three new charges, including first-degree sex abuse and two counts of second-degree child sex abuse.

Harvey entered a plea of not guilty to each of the four on behalf of the defendant.

Once the defendant was arraigned, Judge Demeo said that given the case had “been around for a while,” she wanted to schedule a date for trial.

Harvey and the prosecution agreed upon a trial beginning on Nov. 8, 2023. Both parties said they expect to need two to three days each to present their cases.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 28 for a status hearing.

Judge Postpones Preliminary Hearing in Domestic Violence Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee rescheduled a preliminary hearing in a domestic violence case due to the defense wanting more time to continue plea negotiations.

The 18-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to kill, assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and four counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence. He allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend’s new partner on Aug 2. on the 1600 block of Fort Dupont Street, SE.

During a Sept. 26 hearing, defense attorney Craig Ricard, asked for more time to speak with his client to discuss the plea offer.

Judge Lee rescheduled the preliminary hearing for Oct. 18.

Witness Speaks to Alleged Abuse Incident During Murder Trial

During a Sept. 22 jury trial, the prosecution called four witnesses to share their knowledge of body-worn camera and surveillance footage relating to the victim and defendant around the date of the murder.

Darnell Sterling, 57, was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of Olga Oora, his 34-year-old girlfriend. According to court documents, Sterling was the last person reported to have seen Oora before her disappearance on July 17, 2020.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer shared her experience reporting to the Twelve12 apartment building located on the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW on July 13, 2019. The MPD officer said she was called to the scene after a neighbor of Sterling’s reported a noise complaint. The officer stated she noticed “fresh” bruises and wounds on Oora’s shoulder, knees, lips, and feet.

The officer also said the victim was noticeably upset as she was “speaking loudly, crying, and just emotional.” When the officer went to retrieve Oora’s phone from the defendant’s apartment, she noticed “fresh red marks on the ground that looked like blood” outside of the apartment door.

In court, the officer identified photos she had taken of Oora and the blood on the floor.

In relation to this incident, the prosecution submitted a motion requesting Judge Maribeth Raffinan allow statements made from the victim to the EMTs.

“I was beating up by my boyfriend for no reason,” Ooro told EMTs on July 13, 2019, continuing, “can you just give me some bandage and a icepack? I don’t want to go to the hospital right now, I just want my phone.”

The prosecution also called the head of security, who was also the defendant’s neighbor, to identify Sterling in several security footage tapes the witness had pulled during the initial investigation.

In the videos, the defendant can be seen entering the apartment building through the Harris Teeter parking garage at 4:11 a.m. on July 17, 2020, instead of entering through the front door.

A MPD detective from youth and family services was the first person to interview Sterling after connecting him and Oora’s child. According to the detective, Oora’s son was with his uncle and distraught he hadn’t seen his mother in two days.

In the interview, Sterling responded “that’s crazy” when the detective told him Oora hadn’t been seen in two hours. He then said, “I called and texted her but she didn’t call me back.”

The detective’s sergeant also took the stand to confirm the footage shown to the court of the first interview with Sterling from her body worn camera.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled the trial to resume on Sep. 28.

Document: Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing in Northwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide on the 5100 block of 2nd Street, NW on Sept. 25.

A medical examiner noted that the cause of death was death was by sharp force injuries.

Police have not released the identity of the victim pending notification of family.

Preliminary Hearing Date Set for Murder Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a preliminary hearing for a murder defendant who was arrested on Sept. 13.

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.

During Friday’s hearing, Seltzer’s defense attorney, Craig Ricard, and the prosecution, settled on a preliminary hearing date where they plan to address matters pertaining to the case as it progresses. No other details about the hearing were discussed.

Ricard estimates that the hearing will last all day, saying “there are a lot of moving parts.”

Parties are set to return for the hearing on Oct. 6.

Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty In Connection to Death of 40 Year Old

During a Sept. 23 hearing, a 37-year-old homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder while armed.

Jermaine Washington, 37, allegedly stabbed 40-year-old Keon Bonner to death on Oct. 26, 2021 on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted the defense’s request to go to trial.

Judge Brandt said she wants both parties to arrive at court with co-council members to give a less experienced attorney the opportunity to gain more experience as they integrate into homicide cases.

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12. A trial date is set for March 21, 2023.

Sexual Assault Case Ready to Go to Trial, Judge Says

During a Sept. 22 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee discussed how parties should present their evidence ahead of a jury trial in a sexual assault case.

The defendant, 53, is being charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing himself on a woman in her apartment located on the 1000 block of North Capitol Street, NE on March 11, 2021.

Judge Lee asked the prosecutor to outline the evidence she planned to present as the trial nears. The prosecutor said that aside from testimony from custodians of the apartment building, she expected to present surveillance footage of the hallway.

The relevant footage was seven hours long without any cuts, she told the judge. She requested to call a summary witness, with prior approval of the summary from the defense. The abridged version would only be two and a half hours, she said.

When defense attorney Wole Falodun appeared to begin to comment, Judge Lee interjected, saying he would not entertain a request to show the jury the unabridged footage. “We’re not going to sit here and watch seven hours of hallway video,” Judge Lee said.

The defendant said he and Falodun had to be able to present a relevant defense, which could include additional parts of the footage.

The prosecutor said although she was ready for trial, she was wasn’t available until late October.

Judge Lee said he had several other jury trials after that point, keeping him busy through December. “We’ve done everything but try this case,” Judge Lee said.

“I’m ready today,” the defendant said.

According to court documents, the complainant called Metropolitan Police Department from the lobby of her apartment building, telling officers the defendant confronted her in her hallway with a knife and forced her to let him into her apartment. He hit her several times on her head, chest and back, and raped her, according to court documents.

The victim said she was able to escape when the defendant allowed her to use the restroom, running down the stairs from the fourteenth floor to call the police in the lobby.

When officers arrived, they escorted her back up to her apartment, where the defendant was located. He opened the door for officers and was arrested. The complainant confirmed to officers that he was the man who had raped her.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 28 for a status hearing.

Defendant’s Actions Enabled Murder, Prosecutor Says

The prosecution delivered their opening arguments in the trial of a defendant who allegedly “allowed Turner to kill, assault, and destroy property.”

Ronnika Jennings, 44, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, obstruction of justice and conspiracy in connection with the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

According to court documents, Jennings, 43, is accused of providing information from confidential databases while she worked as a clerk for the 7th district Metropolitan Police Department. She was employed at the department for 14 years.

Jennings allegedly provided information to Derek Turner, who is accused of shooting McPhatter.

The prosecutor told jurors that Jennings would look Turner’s name up in different ways such as using his social and police identification number to make sure she was being thorough. When she finished, she would inform him of any information the police may have regarding what he has been up to.

“Ms. Jennings’ weapon of choice was that computer terminal,” the prosecutor told the jury.

He also told jurors that Turner’s GPS tracker was modified by Jennings so nothing could ever be linked to him. According to the monitor, Turner was always home.

However, a detective started to sense that something was wrong. The detective could see that Turner had been searched for several times and he was able to learn that Jennings was the one always looking for reports on Turner because you need an ID to enter the database.

The prosecution presented an image of what these reports look like, listing several reasons of how Jennings’ actions were dangerous.

Turner could have located the witnesses if he wanted, the prosecutor said. This is because all of their personal details, including names and addressed are on the database.

Jennings and Turner also shared various phone calls and text messages that were presented in court. Each time Turner committed a crime, he would immediately contact Jennings.

Two and a half hours after the murder of Devin Hall, Turner called Jennings, asking what the police knew about the suspect.

Defense attorneys Russell Hairston and Alvin Thomas were not able to deliver opening arguments.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the trial to resume on Sept. 21.

Document: Homicide in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 24, on the 2300 block of 15th Street, NE.

At approximately 12:59 a.m, officers located 32-year-old David Scott suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Judge Sets 2024 Trial Date for Homicide Defendant Accused of Killing Girlfriend

On Sept. 23, a DC Judge set a trial date for a 2021 murder case revolving around a couple’s dispute about food.

Idrissa Fall, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 29-year-old Dara Northern on July 18, 2021, on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW.

The prosecution asked Judge Brandt for another hearing because they have not tested the evidence based on “the nature and collection” of the evidence ahead of a jury trial.

According to court documents, Northern and Fall, also known as “Idy,” had an argument the night before the shooting. Northern allegedly made plans to attend a reggae club with a witness.

Fall followed Northern down the stairs where the witness said, “Hi Idy” and Fall then replied saying, words to the effect of, “stop playing with me with that gay sh**,” according to court documents. The witness said he saw Fall grabbing at his waistband.

The witness said, minutes later, a gunshot was heard coming from the passenger side of a vehicle where Northern had appeared to be shot through the passenger window.

Judge Brandt set the next hearing for Dec. 9. Fall is expected to go to trial on May 6, 2024.

Judge Denies Defenses Request to Lift Murder Defendant’s Curfew

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied defense attorney Pierce Suen’s request to lift a murder defendant’s curfew.

Raymond Jones, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shootings of 22-year-old Antoine Jenkins and 62-year-old Antwan Brown on the 700th block of 13th Street, SE on March 14.

During the Sept. 23 hearing, Suen requested that Judge Okun revoke his defendant’s curfew on account of his compliance with measures implemented by pretrial services. Suen also cited Jones’ ability to maintain a job and his childcare duties as grounds for this request.

The prosecution countered the defense, stating that Jones’ prior gun arrests suggest he is dangerous, and, as a consequence, his curfew should remain intact.

Judge Okun agreed with the prosecution, declining to lift Jones’ curfew.

The next hearing is set for Jan. 27, 2023, as counsels prepare for a Grand Jury hearing.

Defense Rejects Plea Offer in Murder Case

A prosecutor presented a plea offer for a murder defendant before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. The defense rejected this proposal.

On the evening of June 24, 2021, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE, where 27-year-old Damohn Gill was allegedly stabbed by 29-year-old Aaron Jackson.

During a Sept. 23 hearing, both Jackson’s defense attorney, Megan Allburn, and the prosecution conceded that they are currently in the “pre-indictment phase” of this case. The prosecutor said he hopes to gather and organize enough evidence to proceed in that direction.

Jackson is charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, Jackson and Gill were allegedly childhood friends. Jackson allegedly stabbed Gill nine times in response to a “verbal dispute” that ensued at the time of the incident.

In addition to outlining counsel’s plans to move forward with an indictment, the prosecution also proposed a plea offer that would impose a sentence between 10.5 to 12.5 years in prison.

“No,” Jackson said after this offer was revealed.

Parties expect to return to court on Jan. 12, 2023, to further discuss matters pertaining to the case.

Preliminary Hearing Date Set for Murder Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a preliminary hearing in a murder case after after his arrest on Sept. 13.

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.

During a Sept. 23 hearing, Seltzer’s defense attorney, Craig Ricard, and the prosecution, set a date to address matters pertaining to the case as it progresses.

Ricard estimates that the hearing will last all day, saying “there are a lot of moving parts.”

The preliminary hearing date was set on Oct. 6.

Plea Negotiations Ongoing for 2020 Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee set a date for ongoing negotiations over a global plea deal in a 2020 murder case during a Sept. 23 status hearing.

Mohamed Goodwin, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in connection to the shooting of 25-year-old Devonte Wilson on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW.

The plea deal would cover two cases, including the current murder case and another firearm possession charge.

In the murder case, Goodwin rejected the prosecution’s original plea offer on June 16, and a counter offer was made by the defense on July 20. During the Friday hearing, defense attorney Lee A. Smith III requested another date for further discussion.

The prosecution made a final note as the hearing came to a close about a 2013 homicide case in which the murder defendant did not accept a “plea offer similar to Goodwin’s.” Instead, he was given a sentence that was 20 years longer.

The prosecution said if the 2013 defendant accepted the plea offer, he would have been released last Friday. He concluded that the murder defendant eventually committed suicide while being held in jail.

On Dec. 3, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched in reference to a traffic incident. Upon arrival, officers found Wilson inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck, unconscious and not breathing. Wilson succumbed to his injuries the next day. Goodwin was arrested later that month.

The hearing to further discuss plea negotiations is set for Nov. 4.

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