Defendant Pleads Not Guilty for the Murder of A Mother-of-Two

During a March 3 arraignment, a defendant pleaded not guilty to six charges in connection to a 2022 case.

Dominique Brown-Young, 21, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection to the fatal shooting of Deshaun Cupid, 30. The shooting occurred on the 700 block of 18th Street, NE on March 10, 2022. According to court documents, her children were present at the time of the murder.

On behalf of Brown-Young, attorney Molly Bunke alerted the court he was pleading not guilty to all six charges.

Counsel for both parties requested a trial date for July 2024.

Brown-Young is expected to return to court for a status hearing on May 26.

Sex Abuse Defendant Pleads Guilty to Assault

During a March 3 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo accepted a guilty plea in from a sex abuse defendant.

Brandon Brown, 33, was initially charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping while armed.

During the Friday hearing, he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of obstructing justice.

According to court documents, the victim was granted a temporary protective order against Brown on April 11, 2022 after the defendant strangled her.

On April 19, 2022, the victim was sitting in parking lot when the defendant entered her vehicle and brandished a pocketknife demanding she drove to the defendant’s residence, court documents state.

Once at the residence, he demanded the victim unlock her cellphone and he began looking through it. He saw something he didn’t like and began to choke and punch the victim in the ribs and in the head.

Additionally, he insisted that the victim engage in oral sex with him before stopping to check the victim’s cellphone and repeating the cycle of abuse.

When the Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the location, the officers saw the defendant with his underwear and pants pulled down, standing over the victim who was crouched in the corner crying wearing only her bra and underwear.

Judge Demeo accepted the plea offer.

The parties are scheduled to return for a sentencing hearing on May 12.

Victim’s Injuries Were Not Life Threatening in Non-Fatal Shooting, Trauma Surgeon Says

Trial for a non-fatal shooting between lifelong best friends continues.

Stefen Farmer, 50, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged connection to a Feb. 25, 2021, non-fatal shooting that happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE.

The trauma surgeon that took care of the victim at the hospital on the day of the incident testified that the victim had been alert and awake when he arrived at the hospital, and that none of his injuries had been life threatening.

The victim sustained two gunshot wounds, even though Farmer allegedly shot the gun a total of three times. The last shot missed the victim, according to court documents. Doctors originally thought the victim had sustained three gunshot wounds, but after further exams they realized the wounds on the victim’s leg was an entry and exit wound from the bullet.

The defense is slated to call their only witness on March 6, with closing statements for the trial to be done that afternoon.

Prosecution Calls Victim to Relay Experience During Mass Shooting Trial

Prosecutors in a non-fatal shooting trial asked the victim to recount his experience during the shooting.

Travis B. Littlejohn, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for a non-fatal shooting incident. The shooting wounded four individuals on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on July 5, 2019, at 11:27 p.m.

During the March 2 trial, the prosecution called three witnesses to attest to the incident.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Officer who testified the day prior and continued his testimony in court.

The prosecution picked up where the court had left off on March 1, with the witness’s body-worn cam footage from the incident. The footage showed the witness interacting with one of the four victims whom he rendered aid to.

The witness said that he was dispatched to Minnesota Avenue after a report of shots fired. When he arrived at the scene, he quickly attended to the victims who were shot and called for medical personnel.

While on the scene, the witness said he was approached by someone in the area. This unnamed individual informed the officer that a video was circulating on Instagram that showed the incident occurring.

Defense attorney Russell B. Hairston objected to the display of the officer’s body cam footage that showed this video being viewed in real-time. DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sustained the defense’s objection and restricted the video from being shown.

In a swift line of questioning, Hairston asked the witness about his 25-day suspension while on the force.

Hairston completed his line of questioning by inquiring about whether the witness had checked the scene for bullet casings. The witness told Hairston he had not.

The prosecution redirected the witness and asked why he hadn’t paid more attention to these casings. The witness said he was more concerned about the safety of the citizens at the scene than searching for casings because if someone had sustained deadly injuries while in his care, then there would be “other problems.”

The next witness, one of the four victims, described the events leading up to the shooting that occurred on July 5. He said he and his friend had been drinking since 11 a.m. that day and polished off “a lot of Jose Cuervo.” Both the men found themselves with another friend later that evening at Malcolm Liquor located across the street from where the shooting would occur.

The witness said the three of them left the liquor store and joined a group of people across the street. The group was gathered on the sidewalk outside of the Shell gas station. The witness told the jury that he saw one of his friends arguing with a man darker than himself who had long dreads.

Neither of these descriptions currently matches the defendant.

After this altercation the man returned to his vehicle and turned into the shell gas station. Moments later, the car zipped back around, and a person started shooting into the crowd of people. It was here that the witness said he was shot.

This witness testified to having a firearm in his possession during the time of the incident. He also has an open criminal case of his own for the unlawful possession of a firearm associated with this incident.

The defense speculated if this witness’ testimony was part of a broader deal with the prosecution.

The final expert witness worked as a crime scene processor with the DC Forensic Sciences Department and documented the crime scene on July 6, 2019. The prosecution’s goal for this witness was to validate crucial evidence in the case.

This evidence included ballistics observations and documentation of the bullet casings and cartridges the witness found at the crime scene. The witness said there were three different types of bullet casings found at the scene – implying three separate firearms.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 6 with more witness testimony.

Hearing Scheduled While Awaiting Indictment Charges in Second-Degree Murder Case

During a felony status conference on March 3, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted the prosecution more time for the next hearing while waiting for indictment charges from a pending Grand Jury.

Gary Rush is currently facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to the death of Keena Dowtin after a fatal motor vehicle collision on Sept. 20, 2020. The collision occurred near Fort Dupont Drive and Fort David Drive in Southeast, DC.

The prosecution also discussed a sealed matter with Judge Okun during the hearing, with the information unknown to the rest of the court.

Rush, 40, sustained injuries due to the collision and was transported to a hospital for medical care shortly after police arrived at the scene. A toxicology screening revealed levels of PCP in the defendant’s blood at the time of the crash.

Court documents also show evidence that Rush was traveling at a rate of 78.87 miles per hour, more than 50 miles per hour over the speed limit on the block of the crash.

Rush was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). The defendant was ordered to be present at the courthouse for the next hearing.

The next felony status conference is scheduled for April 28.

Defendant Waives Right to Independent DNA Testing in Double Homicide Case

During a March 1 status hearing, a murder defendant said he was “choosing not to test” because “everything is good for [him].”

Keanan Turner, 33, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to kill. Both victims Wanda Wright, 48, and Ebony Wright, 31, were murdered on the 2000 block of Good Hope Court, SE on April 12, 2021.

Defense attorney Franz Jobson said that, contrary to prior concerns, he and his client would not be seeking independent testing.

The prosecution in this case said three evidentiary items from three separate locations were collected to submit to a lab for testing.

These items included a plastic bottle retrieved from the apartment where the murders took place, a seized motor vehicle correlated with the crime, and unnamed items from the home the defendant was arrested in.

According to the prosecution, the results from the testing came back positive for the DNA of the victims, but not the defendants.

The remainder of time was used to set the court’s case schedule.

The prosecution estimated that the length of the trial would take two weeks, expecting 15 to 20 witnesses. The defense is yet to have a finalized list of their witnesses.

The next status hearing is scheduled for April 6.

Two Misdemeanor Matters Dismissed for Homicide Defendant

During a March 3 status hearing, the prosecution began by requesting the dismissal of their client’s two misdemeanor matters before discussing her homicide charges.

Alisa Randall, 35, is charged with the second-degree murder of Ronald Jones, 59, that occurred on July 15, 2019, on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW. According to court documents, Jones suffered two superficial stab wounds on his left arm and one fatal stab wound to his upper chest.

Randall had previously been examined by a psychiatrist who determined that she was not competent and would not obtain competence.

Because of her incompetence, the prosecution expressed concerns regarding Randall’s ability to be committed in two other ongoing misdemeanor cases related to her failure to appear in court.

The prosecution requested the misdemeanor matters to be dropped. DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan agreed to dismiss them without prejudice.

The prosecution and defense attorneys Dana Page and Ashley Prather argued whether or not the court has authority to order another mental evaluation by the Department of Behavioral Health after Randall had already been found incompetent.

The defense also previously filed a motion for dismissal on Oct. 11.

Judge Raffinan determined that, although counsel will need to proceed with an oral argument at some point, it makes sense for them to contest these matters in writing as of now.

A status hearing was scheduled for March 31.

Case Acquitted: Multiple Witnesses Testify Regarding Stolen Car Associated with Homicide Case

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

On the second day of a jury trial in a murder case, multiple witnesses testified regarding evidence of a stolen car associated with the homicide.

Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Aujee Tyler, 22. Tyler was shot multiple times on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE on March 19, 2018. Despite all life-saving efforts, he passed away at Washington Hospital Center later that day.

A witness testified on March 2 that a white Nissan Altima was stolen from her in February 2018. The same Altima was recovered after the homicide with evidence Sutton had been driving the car.

Court documents state that a different witness had an argument with Sutton because the car was stolen. The witness also said Sutton was seen after the homicide in the driver’s seat of the Altima about a block away from the scene.

An MPD detective testified that while executing a search warrant for a residence, Sutton was allegedly staying at, the Altima key fob and stolen license plate were recovered. The original owner of the car confirmed those were hers.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released the jury early due to a scheduling conflict with a witness.

The trial is slated to resume on March 6.

Judge Releases 2 Sex Abuse Defendants During Presentment Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond released two defendants and held another facing felony charges during a presentment hearing on March 1.

One defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for crimes committed against two victims. According to defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein, he was enrolled in a drug treatment program when the warrant for his arrest was issued. Judge Raymond granted him release into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), so he could continue attending the drug treatment program.

His conditions of release include GPS monitoring and a stay-away order. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 23.

Another defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse and assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse. The incident allegedly occurred on Feb. 28 on the 1900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. According to court documents, the defendant and victim were both staying in the same four-person hostel room. The defendant attacked the victim when the two were alone in the room together.

Although defense attorney Aubrey Dillon objected to the prosecution’s request for the defendant to be placed on GPS monitoring, Judge Raymond determined that electronic monitoring was an appropriate condition given the circumstances.

The defendant’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 17.

Evidence in an Assault Trial is Too Much for Defendant’s Mom To Bare

During the testimony of several witnesses in a non-fatal shooting trial, the defendant’s mother was seen crying in the courtroom.

On March 1, when the prosecution displayed the video of the incident, the defendant’s mother could be seen crying. According to court documents, the victim and the defendant were lifelong friends.

A forensic scientist who worked at the scene of the crime testified about her experience to the jury. As part of evidence, the prosecution brought out clothing articles that were worn by the victim on the day of the assault that were saturated with the victim’s blood.

When the prosecution asked the witness to explain what the exhibit was, several jurors also visibly reacted to the items of clothing.

In addition to the scientist, the prosecution called several Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers and detectives that were dispatched to the scene.

During the lead detective’s testimony, the prosecution exhibited footage from a RING doorbell that had a captured surveillance footage of the incident. A RING doorbell is a doorbell that has a camera built into it, in which the owners have access through their phone to any of the footage that the doorbell records.

The lead detective said, on the day of the incident, the victim avoided telling officers who the shooter was. It wasn’t until a few days later that the victim’s sister told detectives that she had heard, from mutual friends, that “Stef”, a nickname Farmer goes by, had been the one to shoot her brother.

The victim then corroborated the story.

Trial resumed on March 2.

Witness Forced to Testify in Multi-defendant Murder Case

A witness was forced to testify after receiving a compulsion order in a March 1 multi-defendant murder trial.

Gregory Taylor, 26, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

The prosecution called a rapper to the stand who had been shot in the leg in an incident on July 9, 2017. The incident was allegedly connected to various gang rivalries or “beefs” associated with this case.

The rapper was served with a compulsion order, forcing him to testify in this trial by the chief judge. The order was delivered after the prosecution had troubles with the witness’s testimony regarding the defendants.

On the stand, the witness said he did not know any of the defendants except Jeffers. He also stated that he did not have any “beef” with Wellington Park, which is the gang the defendants are said to be members of.

The prosecution also called four other witnesses to provide information on incidents that occurred in May, July, and August 2017 as evidence for conspiracy charges.

Witness testimony was pushed back after objections from defense attorneys regarding bodycam footage for an incident in Potomac Gardens in August. 2017, DC Superior Court Judge Okun dismissed the jury so he could review the video in depth.

Judge Okun said he would provide a resolution for this evidence and give parties the opportunity to resolve conflict over the admissibility of other content at the next hearing. Judge Okun said he does not expect to call the jury back until the afternoon.

The trial is scheduled to resume March 6.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

During a March 1 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz issued a bench warrant for a child sex abuse defendant, who is on release.

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with one count of failure to register as a sex offender in the District of Columbia.

Stuart Johnson, the defendant’s defense lawyer, said he has not been able to get into contact with the defendant.

According to court documents, he was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in South Carolina involving a 12-year-old child on Nov. 11, 1998. He was required to register as a sex offender for 10-years upon release.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, the defendant failed to re-register as a sex offender.

He pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender on Dec. 14, 2022 and was sentenced on Feb. 10.

He received a 20-month suspended sentence and three years of supervised release, with one year probation. He was required to register as a sex offender within 24 hours of being released as part of his probation.

The prosecution claimed that the defendant did not register within 24 hours of release and still has not done so.

Sex Abuse Defendant’s Probation Compliance Improves, Judge Finds No Violations

After multiple hearings in which probation issues were raised, D.C. Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he is recognizing improvement in a convicted defendant’s ability to comply with his release requirements.

Marcus Frederick entered a guilty plea for attempted first-degree child sex abuse, simple assault, and violation of a civil protection order in September of 2019 for sex offenses with his juvenile neighbor.

Frederick, 53, was previously struggling to comply with his probation requirements including regular drug testing, submitting monthly payments to the Victims of Violent Crimes (VVC) fund, and attending psychological sexual offender treatments after his release in 2020.

The court was made aware of Frederick’s non-compliance issues in June of 2022 when he failed to attend his polygraph appointment as well as six consecutive drug testing appointments. He also repeatedly failed the drug tests he had taken up until that point.

Because he began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms hours before the hearing was scheduled, Frederick’s attorney, Jacqueline Cadman, made a last-second decision, advising him to remain outside of the courthouse and appear virtually.

Since June, Frederick has been able to improve upon these issues. He has been able to obtain and secure employment and has been consistently attending his scheduled probation appointments.

Though Judge Iscoe recognized his improvement, Frederick still has yet to pass his court-ordered drug tests and make any of his required VVC fund payments. However, Judge Isoce told Frederick he wants to see him succeed and did not find any probation violations.

Judge Iscoe ordered Frederick to begin attending the psychological sex offender treatments, resume making monthly VVC fund payments and requested he undergo an alcohol addiction assessment due to him repeatedly failing drug tests.

“Keep up the good work, and don’t give me a reason to revoke probation” Judge Iscoe told Frederick.

All parties are scheduled to return for another show cause hearing on May 18.

Non-Fatal Shooting Trial Continues Into First Day of Witness Testimony

A non-fatal shooting trial started with prosecutors calling several witnesses including an owner from a Shell gas station and a Metropolitan Police Department officer.

Travis Littlejohn, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for a non-fatal shooting incident at a Shell Gas station located on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on July 5, 2019. According to court documents, there were four victims who sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds after a confrontation.

Following the jury selection on Feb. 28, attorneys delivered their opening arguments. A prosecutor said a heated exchange took place, which led to the defendant to allegedly shoot four victims. Despite the fact that none of the victims’ injuries were life-threatening, they could have all easily died, he stressed.

A Shell gas station owner, the first witness to testify, said the gas station was equipped with six cameras that were pointed at Clay Place and Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Footage shown in the courtroom displayed an inaccuracy with the timestamp displayed.

Defense attorney Russell Hairston questioned who was in charge of fixing the cameras when they malfunction and who has the authority to alter the system’s dates.

According to the witness, the only people with access to the camera system are him and the maintenance man.

An MPD patrol officer discussed his body worn camera footage, which was shown in court.

“I been hit man. It didn’t go all the way through, it’s just burning,” the first victim is heard telling officers. The victim was discovered on the scene with a gunshot wound to the neck.

He is frequently overheard telling officers that a woman he considered to be a second mother was shot as well, but she had left the scene.

Dispatch is heard on the body camera footage informing officers that a second victim was discovered nearby, in front of a Chase bank. The victim was shot in the shin and inner ankle.

According to court documents, the third victim was found laying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his right ankle and a fourth victim was located at Prince George’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the right thigh.

In addition to witness testimony, a juror was dismissed after his electronic bike was stolen outside the courthouse shortly after the lunch break.

The trial is expected to resume on March 2.

Document: Arrest Made in Connection to a Non-Fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 6, on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE.

According to a press release, at about 9:03 am, the suspect brandished a handgun and fired at the victim. The suspect then fled the scene.

On March 1, 29-year-old Delonte Smith was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

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