Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting offense that occurred on Feb. 11, on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.
According to a press release, at about 1:24 pm officers located evidence of a shooting but no victim. The MPD was later notified of a walk-in shooting victim located at a local hospital.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 10, on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.
According to a press release, at about 9:54 am, officers located a female victim suffering from non-life threatening injuries. During the investigation, officers found that the victim and the suspect were involved in an argument. After striking the victim with a metal box, the suspect fled the scene before MPD’s arrival.
An officer was searching for the assault suspect throughout the preliminary inquiry. An individual was seen by the officer entering the passenger side of a parked car. The policeman approached the man because he thought he might be the assailant. The individual was repeatedly ordered by the officer to get out of the car and cease reaching.
In response to the subject’s refusal to obey, he reached for his belt. The person was struck by the officer’s single gunshot. The guy was taken out of the car and handcuffed. He was sent to a neighborhood hospital for treatment. The patient had a quantity of suspected cocaine in his possession while he was receiving treatment.
On Feb. 10, 38-year-old Steven Shaw was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
On the same day, 59-year-old Wallace Lewis was arrested and charged with assault with significant bodily injury and threats to do bodily harm in connection the assault.
The MPD officer involved was placed on administrative leave.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating suspects in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 7, on the 300 block of Ridge Road, SE.
According to a press release, at about 10:59 pm, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo presided over a Feb. 10 motion hearing which discussed a pervasive issue in 23 different felony cases.
All cases involved in the motion hearing selected their juries during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading defense counsel to question the representation of the jury pools.
The defendants in these cases invoked their right to a trial by jury in which the jurors represent a fair cross-section of the community. In order to determine if their fair cross-section rights were violated, the defendants’ requested necessary materials relevant to the jury selection process.
The court expects to depose Avenu, the third party company that assisted in the jury selection process, said Judge Demeo.
Judge Demeo said that she assumes the parties will be able to agree on a proposed protective order for Avenu that won’t disclose any of their proprietary information.
She acknowledged that this process has been ongoing and unclear, and she expressed her hopes that the deposition will occur in a “timely fashion.”
Since the hearing was centered around a litigation issue, all defendants’ appearances were waived, including the 11 defendants involved in homicide cases.
Isaac Moye, 54, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 24-year-old Unique Harris. Harris appeared to be missing when she was not found in her home on the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE. Harris has been missing since Oct. 9, 2010, and was presumed dead in 2018, although her body has still not been found.
Carson Posey, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 28-year-old Shantal Hill on April 15, 2020, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.
Tony McClam, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed against a minor, three counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime, two counts of assault with intent to kill, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. McClam, allegedly killed 11-year-old Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.
Ch’Juan Robinson, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly killing 32-year-old Louis Kingsbury on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW on April 29, 2020.
Toney Aiken, 52, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 23-year-old Kendra Smith on Sept. 6, 2004 on the 4300 block of D Street, SE.
Nathaniel Bates, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm after being convicted of a prior crime of violence, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. All charges were offenses committed during release for allegedly killing Eddie Crist, 28, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW on May 8, 2020.
Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder regarding the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, on April 25, 2018 near the 400 block of 61 street, NE.
Kaevon Sutton,22, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license regarding the alleged shooting of Aujee Tyler, 22, on March 19, 2018 on the 3500 block of Station Road, SE.
Thomas Field Jr, 39, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, four counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, kidnapping while armed, three counts of tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree murder while armed for the alleged stabbing of Marquita Lucas, 24, on Aug. 17, 2019 in the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE.
Kenneth Stewart, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting Courtney Jones, 54, on July 23, 2020 on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Stephon Darnell Williams, 32, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of his 49-year-old father, Stephen Magruder, on Sept. 11, 2020 on the 700 block of 51 Street, NE . Before the shooting, the two reportedly got into an argument over $5 and a physical altercation took place, D.C. Witness previously reported.
The next motion hearing for all the defendants is scheduled for April 14.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 10, on the 1900 block of 18th Street, SE.
According to a press release, at about 5:52pm, officers located an adult male shooting victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Melvin Henderson.
Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.
During a Feb. 10 status hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked for a trial date to be pushed back due to a personal scheduling conflict.
Gardner is representing 25-year-old Tierra Posey, who allegedly murdered 21-year-old Tia Carey on Jan. 6, 2020. The incident occurred on the 2700 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE at a Valero gas station.
Posey has been indicted on second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business.
Her trial was set to begin on June 28, but Gardner asked DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo to reschedule because of a family vacation that he had planned for early July.
Judge Demeo granted Gardner’s request and rescheduled the trial for March 11, 2024, which was the earliest available date for both parties.
Both parties agreed to return in September to establish a new schedule for the trial.
A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.
In a status hearing on Feb. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rescheduled a trial start date in a homicide case because one of the defense attorneys is serving as replacement counsel for a 2020 case.
Dennis Chase allegedly shot Anthony Orr, 30, on Dec. 7, 2020, on the 400 block of Xenia Street, SE. Orr was shot in the head and then pushed out of a car.
Chase was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed but was indicted for first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
Judge Okun pushed back the trial start date by roughly 6 months as defense attorney Megan Allburn is serving as replacement counsel in a trial for a 2020 case that is expected to take around two to three months.
Judge Okun has scheduled the new trial start date for Sept. 23, 2024. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
The next status hearing is slated for April 14.
On Feb. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun arraigned a defendant on 11 charges in a felony arraignment hearing for a homicide case.
Juan Peterson is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of four individuals on May 15, 2021, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Only one of the victims, later identified as 28-year-old Lester Howard, succumbed to their injuries.
Peterson, 32, was arraigned on first-degree murder, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed committed during release, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence committed during release, second-degree cruelty to children committed during release, and two counts of accessory after the fact while armed committed during release.
Peterson pleaded not guilty to the charges listed and is currently being held at the DC jail.
The next status hearing is slated for March 9.
During a status hearing on Feb. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan allowed a defendant to search for new counsel.
Tony Morgan, 29, and Martinez Raynor, 23, are being held for allegedly shooting Malik McCloud, 19, on Oct. 20, 2018, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.
Morgan is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed under aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Raynor is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, felony murder while armed under aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed.
In a previous hearing earlier this week, Morgan said he wanted new representation in his case.
According to defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein, Morgan had a change of heart after that hearing and was considering keeping her as his attorney.
After an ex-parte between Sapirstein, Morgan, and Judge Raffinan, Morgan decided he would still like new representation.
Raynor’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, said he wished to sever the co-defendants, and have Raynor tried separately due to potential conflicts with Morgan gaining new representation. As of Feb. 10, the defendant’s are slated for trial on July 3.
Judge Raffinan denied the severance, saying both the prosecution and Sapirstein believed that the current trial date should still work.
The prosecution requested that they be notified of the new counsel for Morgan, so they can send the appropriate documents. Judge Raffinan granted this order.
The parties are scheduled to return on Feb. 16 for a status hearing.
During a status hearing on Feb. 10, co-defendants waived their rights to have DNA testing in murder case.
Chakeatia Jackson, 38, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and Jaquell Jackson, 19, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly murdering Tarshaqua Chappell, 37, on Sept. 15, 2021, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. Jackson is Jaquell’s mother.
Defense attorneys Errin Scialpi and Brian McDaniel said their defendants wished to waive their rights to DNA testing.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan confirmed with both defendants that they understood their rights to have independent DNA testing performed, before accepting the waiver.
Jackson is currently released with GPS monitoring, while Jaquell is being held at the DC Jail.
McDaniel requested that Jaquell be released from custody and into home confinement with GPS monitoring.
Judge Raffinan denied Jaquell’s release.
The parties are scheduled to return Sept. 13 for a status hearing.
During a status hearing on Feb. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan accepted a guilty plea in from a defendant accused of murder.
Wesley Scott, 22, is 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 destruction of property worth $1,000 or more for murdering David Young, 28, and shooting another on April 3, 2020, on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE.
Scott pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
Judge Raffinan confirmed that Scott understood his rights to DNA testing and trial, and accepted the plea offer.
The parties are scheduled to return for a sentencing hearing on July 14, 2023.
In the sentencing of convicted triple homicide defendant Rakeem Willis, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced him to 125 years in prison.
Willis, 38, was convicted of killing 26-year-old Javon Abney, 26-year-old Sean Shuler, and 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood on Jan. 26, 2020, on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE. Each count of first-degree murder while armed carried a 40-year sentence, totaling 120 consecutive years incarcerated. An additional 5 years were added for the guilty charge of fleeing a law enforcement officer.
During the Feb. 10 hearing, Judge Ryan explained that Willis “ambushed and murdered three young men” with no motive or explanation for the killings ever found.
Multiple victim impact statements were read by relatives of the victims. The prosecutor also read statements on behalf of those who were not in the courtroom. Multiple statements pleaded with the judge to sentence Willis to the maximum possible sentence.
After the victim impact statements, Willis’ defense attorney Howard McEachern recommended that the court consider the sentencing on the not-guilty charges established in the verdict as well. Additionally, McEachern explained the importance of rehabilitation in guiding the sentencing.
Willis was given a chance to speak regarding his sentencing, but he declined.
Prior to reading out the sentence, Judge Ryan spoke about the defendant’s upbringing and criminal history, stating that the defendant had previous crimes of violence, such as assault with intent to kill in 2014.
In addition to the 125-year sentence, Willis also has to register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the victims of violent crimes fund per each guilty charge, totaling $400.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) os investigating a homicide tat occurred on Feb. 10.
According to a press release, 42-year-old Thomas Goodman was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds on the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue SE. He died at the scene.
During a Feb. 8 non-jury trial for a domestic violence case, DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer M. Anderson denied the defense’s motion to dismiss their case.
The incident occurred on Aug. 13, 2018, in an apartment on the 5000 block of Washington Avenue, SW. The defendant allegedly assaulted the victim after they argued about his infidelity. He is being charged with first-degree sexual abuse and simple assault.
Judge Anderson resumed the trial Wednesday with her ruling on the defense’s motion to dismiss. Judge Anderson said that while she agreed with the defense’s argument against the conscientiousness of the case, she did not find there to be gross negligence nor a sufficient violation of the prosecution providing evidence to the defense
Body camera footage that contained the victim’s initial testimony was cleared from the police’s database six months after the initial upload. The defense said on Feb. 7, the first day of trial, that the prosecution’s failure to preserve this crucial evidence is in fact a violation.
Judge Anderson refuted this claim and ruled that the notes collected from the detective on the case was sufficient to carry on the case.
After this ruling, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman moved to enact four separate regulations, including:
Judge Anderson listened to each party’s arguments and approved these sanctions for the trial.
On Wednesday, the victim gave her account of the events leading up to Aug. 13, 2018, and the alleged rape.
To conclude her questioning for the day, Cadman said the reality of the situation was that the victim hadn’t seen the defendant for two weeks and missed him.
The defense said the victim suspected that he’d been with someone else while he was away and when she saw him that morning, she had voluntarily gone into his bedroom and was intimate with him to secure their relationship.
Cadman then argued that the victim classified their intimacy that day as non consensual after she found the text messages from another woman because she wanted to punish the defendant for his infidelity.
During the hearing, the victim interrupted Cadman and told her she was wrong. She said she wouldn’t have slept with the defendant because she was upset with him, and the sex that was forced upon her was not by her own omission.
According to court documents, the victim allegedly confronted her boyfriend when she’d found texts from another woman on his phone. Additionally, she discovered that he’d changed her contact name to “Mom,” to conceal her identity when out on dates.
After the victim and the defendant settled their argument and returned home, the defendant allegedly grabbed the victim, picked her up and took her to his bedroom. There he told her he “wanted her.”
According to the victim’s testimony, the victim said she struggled against the defendant and told him to stop. Even so, the defendant continued to make forced sexual advancements.
The victim said she suffered from a panic attack and it was triggered by the defendant’s aggression. She said she hyperventilated for moments before making her way to the bathroom and vomiting.
The defendant took the victim to Providence Hospital to seek care, according to court documents. It was there that the victim confided in a nurse to “get [him] away.”
The attending nurse called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and reported the interaction. Officers arrived on scene with the understanding that there was an incident of domestic violence.
Judge Anderson continued the trial to Feb. 9 when the victim will take the stand.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt left the courtroom as both parties continued to argue during a hearing on Feb. 9 for a double homicide case.
Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61 Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker has been held awaiting trial since December of 2018.
At the request of Judge Brandt, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer came in for questioning in regard to missing notes from the night of the incident. Due to the longevity of this case, not much information was provided about the notes or the events that occurred that day.
There were also questions about the officer’s body-worn camera and the footage from the night of the incident.
Footage was deleted due to inaccurate categorization, and the officer did have interactions with witnesses.
The missing notes and footage caused concern for Walker’s right to access material evidence.
Defense attorneys Prescott Loveland and Kevann Gardner previously filed a motion to dismiss the case due to implications that the missing evidence hindered Walker’s ability to have a fair trial.
After the officer was excused from the courtroom, Loveland and the prosecution continued arguing over the proposed motion to dismiss. The arguments between the attorneys began to escalate to an unprofessional level. Behavior Judge Brandt has warned all parties to stop in previous hearings.
“You’re all grown attorneys-this look is not cute,” Judge Brandt told counsel. She then left the courtroom, ending the hearing.
Judge Brandt is slated to rule on the motion to dismiss in the next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 13.
