Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on Nov. 3, on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW.
According to a press release, at about 2:02 pm, officers located two adult male victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
On Nov. 5, 2021, the first victim, 34-year-old Delonte King succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
On Feb. 27, 25-year-old Demonte Gibson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.
On Feb. 28, both the victim and a friend to both parties said the defendant was acting weird on the day of the shooting.
Fifty-year-old Stefen Farmer 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 allegedly firing three non-fatal shots at a victim. The shooting happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE, on Feb. 25, 2021.
The victim said he and Farmer were friends their whole lives and that they usually hung out around the same neighborhood where the shooting occurred.
According to the victim, on the day he was shot, he had gone out to the neighborhood to see some friends. While walking, he said he saw Farmer sitting in his car and proceeded to talk to him.
The victim said something felt off with Farmer, but he was not sure what. He said Farmer asked him for two dollars because the defendant had given the victim’s son $10. The victim told Farmer that he did not have two dollars, and he should not have given his son money.
The victim said that Farmer got mad and reached down and pulled a gun on him.
Farmer attempted to leave the car when the victim forced the door closed and ran. While running, Farmer fired three shots, one went through the victim’s right thigh, and another went into his left hand. The third shot missed him due to another witness shoving Farmer.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Nikki Lotez repeatedly asked the victim whether or not he possessed a gun that day.
Lotez said Farmer shot the victim because the victim allegedly had a gun. This all supposedly occurred because of the argument about money, she said.
Lotez then said the victim ran from the scene and, with the help of a friend, was able to stash his gun before the police arrived. She said that was why the victim did not give the police any information regarding the shooter on the scene.
Both Farmer and the victim’s friend, who the defense said helped the victim hide the gun, said Farmer didn’t do anything wrong.
He did not give the defense or the prosecution any additional information. When asked about the specifics of the incident, he said that he does not know or remember what occurred.
However, another friend of both the victim and Farmer, who also testified, ran towards the neighborhood when he heard the shots and was interviewed by police on the scene.
The friend also said Farmer had been acting odd.
The trial is scheduled to continue on March 1.
DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold two defendants charged with murder on Feb. 27.
James Jones, 41, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 57-year-old David Wright and 54-year-old Nathaniel Howard in their residence on the 3300 block of D Street, SE on Feb. 26.
Jason Tulley, Jones’ defense attorney, argued that there was a lack of probable cause in the case. He stated that there was a lack of evidence to prove premeditated intent and cited inconsistencies in witness testimony.
However, the prosecution argued motive was evident in the case.
Judge Raymond found probable cause and cited the defendant’s previous involvement in other felony cases, including an armed carjacking, as support for the hold.
Jones is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on March 10.
Judge Raymond also held Demonte Gibson, 25, in connection to the death of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2022. Gibson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting King on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the report of a shooting where they found King and a second adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transferred to the hospital where King later passed away.
Defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked the judge not to find probable cause, saying a witness misnamed the defendant and pointed to issues with the police previously issuing an arrest warrant for the wrong person. Gardner also described the defendant as not dangerous, requesting release.
The prosecution argued that there were no issues with the identification of the defendant and that the investigation was conducted thoroughly. They argued that the defendant posed safety concerns to the community if released.
Judge Raymond found probable cause for the murder charge and held the defendant without bail.
Gibson’s next hearing is set for March 9.
The judge also held two domestic violence defendants. Their charges include simple assault, destruction of property less than $1000, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Each defendant is also involved in other domestic violence matters with the court. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court in March.
One domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault, obstructing justice, and destruction of property was released with two stay away orders. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on March 20.
During a Feb. 24 hearing, the prosecution noted that there has been a plea offer sent to two out of the three defendants.
Eighteen-year-old Nelfy Hernandez, 20-year-old DeAndre Levy, and 18-year-old Trey Prillerman are allegedly charged with first-degree murder regarding the shooting of a group of teenagers that resulted in the death of Taijhon Waytt, 17. The shooting took place on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW on Aug. 10, 2020.
A plea offer was sent to Hernandez and Prillerman but has not yet been sent to Levy.
Although there was no material in the car that Levy’s defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, wants tested, he said there is no other evidence from the scene that he could test because the prosecution has already tested everything.
“We filed a notice before we began testing and never received a response,” the prosecution said.
The parties are scheduled to return for further discussions on March 3.
Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.
On Feb 27, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan granted the defense’s request to notify the jury of a prosecutorial violation after the prosecution failed to hand over sufficient evidence in a first-degree murder case.
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 a home or place of business in connection to the shooting of Aujee Tyler, 22. The shooting occurred on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.
Jury selection for the case was delayed after the prosecution failed to provide the notes of the lead detective. The prosecution argued that because of the transition from physical to digital copies of evidence coupled with the numerous changes made by prosecution attorneys, the notes of the detective were not included in the evidence provided to the defense.
The notes included information about a phone call that was made on the day of the shooting from a female who reported it, stating that the shooter was “lil’ ark.” From there the responding detective linked the alias to another individual unrelated to the case.
However, upon further investigation, the prosecution found that the other individual was incarcerated at the time of the shooting, therefore could not have been responsible for Tyler’s death.
Attorney Jessica Wilis on behalf of Sutton argued that the prosecution failed to hand over sufficient evidence which violates Sutton’s constitutional rights to a fair jury trial and is also a violation of a rule requiring prosecutors to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense.
She claimed that the exclusion of evidence for roughly five years made it impossible for the defense to try to investigate for an alternative suspect and that the prosecution withheld the evidence because it weakened their case.
Willis ended her argument by requesting to dismiss the case, release Sutton so he can help the defense to have more evidence, or inform the jury of the prosecution’s violation.
The prosecution argued that even though they failed to disclose important information, there is still enough evidence for the case to continue as facial recognition of a photo of the incident had been used to identify Sutton. Sutton’s alias is also “lil’ ark”.
After hearing both arguments, Judge Ryan found a clear violation of the rule.
Given the severity of the case, Judge Ryan rejected the defense’s request for dismissal and release of the defendant. However, he did accept the defense’s request for a jury instruction to notify the jury of the violation and restricted the detective from testifying in the trial.
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on Feb. 28.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 26, on the 5100 block of Sheriff Road, NE.
According to a press release, at about 3:42 pm, officers located two adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The decedents have been identified as 34-year-old Harold Bogan and 32-year-old Wayne Sheppard.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 23, on the 200 block of 55th Street, NE.
According to a press release, at about 5:06 pm, officers located an adult male victim at a local hospital seeking treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Feb. 21, on the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.
According to a press release, a 2019 Tesla Model 3 carrying five people was going south in the left travel lane in the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, at around 7:50 a.m. The Tesla impacted a 2018 Toyota C-HR before slamming into a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML-350 head-on after crossing the solid-double yellow lines and moving into the northbound lane of traffic. The Tesla was then struck by a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox that was also moving in the direction of north.
The driver of the Tesla, 21-year-old Mohammed Islam was pronounced dead on Feb. 26.
During a Feb. 24 hearing, the defense asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to release a child sex abuse defendant’s passport.
“Its been about a year and [the defendant] has not been able to go to Guatemala to see his family,” defense attorney, Hannah Claudio said.
According to Claudio, the defendant has children and his 93-year-old sister, who isn’t in great health, in Guatemala who he wants to visit.
“He is not a flight risk,” she said.
The prosecution vehemently objected.
“Right now he is facing charges that are very serious,” the prosecutor said. “He was abusing people in his truck. If convicted he could be sentenced to life in prison.”
The prosecutor said the defendant has a strong incentive to not return if he leaves the country.
According to court documents, the 63-year-old defendant engaged in multiple sexual acts with multiple girls between the ages of 9-13 from 2004 to 2010.
According to court documents, the sexual assaults took place while his spouse, who ran an in-home daycare at their apartment, would leave the kids with the defendant for a number of hours.
Judge Raffinan said she is not prepared to make a decision but will make a ruling at the next scheduled hearing on March 31.
She asked the defense to file the motion for the defendants passport to be released to him by March 6 and the prosecution must respond by March 20.
DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo set a new date for a motions hearing due to witness availability.
Kenneth Stewart, 61, is currently facing charges of first-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Stewart allegedly stabbed the victim, 54-year-old Courtney Jones, on July 23, 2020.
The hearing held on Feb. 27 was originally set as a motions hearing for the 2020 homicide case; however, it was converted to a virtual status hearing. The defense waived the defendant’s appearance for the hearing.
The stabbing occurred on the side of the road on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Stewart, among other witnesses, were together in a car, driving home from a day of shopping, according to court documents. The driver of the car pulled over on the highway due to Stewart’s aggressive behavior towards the victim. Stewart allegedly got out of the car once it had pulled over, opened the car door on the victim’s side, and started stabbing him.
Jones died from the injuries he endured at the Prince Georges Hospital nearly two and a half hours after the crime had occurred.
Stewart has been held at the D.C. Jail with no bail since the incident took place. This case is set to go to trial on June 19, 2024, nearly four years after the initial incident took place.
The next motions hearing is set for June 28.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the defense’s motion for release to a half-way house to guarantee the safety of the victim.
The 43-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for an alleged sexual act on Nov. 3, 2022, on the 5500 block of Chillum Place, NW.
The victim was screaming while the defendant licked her face and neck, according to court documents Another male, who was present in the house, said to the defendant “don’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to do.”.
The defendant reportedly pushed her onto the bed and removed her pants and underwear when she attempted to leave. He placed a black handgun in front of her. The victim reported being in fear for her life after he told her “that’s the shit that gets people killed” before he licked and penetrated the victim’s vagina with his penis while he was on top of her, according to court documents.
On Feb 24, during a motions hearing, defense attorney Thomas Healy requested that the defendant be released to a half-way house he previously contacted and was able to reserve a bed. The defense stated that since the defendant’s DNA was not found on the victim’s private area and the victim’s DNA was not found on defendant’s private areas it’s an allegation, and the defendant is not guilty.
The prosecution opposed the defense’s request, stating that the defendant is not able to follow orders outside of jail or inside based on his prior criminal record, including first-degree theft, drug possession, assault with dangerous weapons, and escape from an institution.
In addition, DNA test results showed the defendant’s DNA was found on the victim’s neck and cheeks.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant also sent his uncle a letter that included the victim’s phone number, address and name asking the uncle to “scare that lying bitch”. DC Jail also informed the prosecution of the defendant’s attempts to call the victim.
The prosecutor said tampering with witness charges will be added to the defendant’s case.
The defense responded by saying a motion regarding the added charges will be filed regarding those charges. The defendant also waived his right to independent DNA testing.
The defendant’s request for release has been previously denied more than one time and nothing has changed since then.
A status hearing is scheduled for April 4.
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 Feb. 25, on the 4400 block of Quarles Street, NE.
According to a press release, at about 8:44 pm, officers located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives have made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on Feb. 26, on the 3300 block of D Street, SE.
According to a press release, at about 1:17 pm, officers located 57-year-old David Wright and 54-year-old Nathaniel Howard inside a residence, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Later that day, 41-year-old James Jones was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder while armed.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 25, on the 1500 block of First Street, SW.
According to a press release, at about 8:44 pm, officers located 30-year-old Kevin Sharp suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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.
