Hearing Pushed Back in Child Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee delayed a preliminary hearing on Nov. 7 for a sex abuse defendant to allow counsel more time to prepare.

The defendant, 35, is charged with three counts of first-degree sex abuse in connection with several reported incidents between January and August of 2021 and one sometime between 2016 and 2018. The victims were around six or seven years old when these incidents happened, according to court documents, and were the children of two of his cousins.

The charges were brought against the defendant on Nov. 4, during a day of presentments that defense attorney Jesse Winograd noted went until 8 p.m.

With Monday’s hearing being the next business day, Winograd said the defense was “not prepared to go forward with the preliminary [hearing] at this time.”

The parties agreed upon a preliminary hearing date of Dec. 15, even though Judge Lee said he may have to ask another judge to hear the case on his behalf because he anticipated being in another trial that week.

The three children disclosed to social workers that the defendant had touched them inappropriately and repeatedly: one child reported the defendant “sexually touched her and ejaculated in her mouth” in August 2021. All three described the defendant frequently touching them or making them touch each other over a long period of time. The children said the abuse would occur whenever he was asked to babysit them.

One of the victims also reported having seen pornographic videos of the defendant with all three of the children on his phone. She told police that once, she went through the defendant’s phone and got him to delete a video of them by almost sending it to her mother and father.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 15 for the preliminary hearing.

Judge grants extension to provide updates on Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted on Nov.4 a continuance for a hearing on DNA testing and to discuss potential motion deadlines.

Jamil Whitley, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32-year-old Kevin Redd on July 11, 2020, on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE.

During the Friday hearing, the prosecutor told Judge Lee that he would be able to provide an update on ballistic testing and cellular location information. The prosecutor said those items were not yet available.

Whitley’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said she is not prepared to perform DNA testing. The attorney requested an extension.

Judge Lee found it reasonable to grant more time to both parties to follow up on DNA testing and receive updates on ballistic testing and cell phone location data at the next hearing.

Whitley’s next hearing date is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2023.

Judge Postpones Trial Due To Absence Of Two Jurors

During a Nov. 7murder trial, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo initially delayed the start of the proceeding to await the arrival of two members of the jury.

Derek Turner, 31, and Ronnika Jennings, 44, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy in connection to the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

The third co-defendant, 33-year-old, Duan Hill, is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice in this matter.

Turner is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Devin Hall on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

As parties awaited the arrival of the two missing jurors, Judge Demeo asked counsel members if they had any motions or arguments that needed to be presented.

Defense attorney Michael Madden notified Judge Demeo that he planned on bringing in a witness that would only be available on Nov. 8 due to his involvement in another case.

The prosecution had no complaints with Madden’s witness.

The prosecution also indicated that a witness would testify about Turner’s jail inspection. The prosecutor said there was video and audio evidence that would be vital to connect Turner to having contact with Jennings.

Judge Demeo asked all members of the defense if there were any objections to the prosecutors introducing the video and audio recording of a conversation held between Turner and Jennings.

There were objections from Jennings’ defense attorney Russell Hairston regarding a phrase she said to Turner that was not mentioned in court. Hariston said it would violate her fourth amendment right to privacy.

Judge Demeo told Hairston to review the audio and video recordings with the prosecutors to take out all parts of the clips that are in violation of Jennings’ amendment rights.

Judge Demeo let all members of the jury go home for the day.

The next day of the trial is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Document: Suspect and Vehicle Sought in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect and vehicle in connection to a homicide that occurred on Nov. 4, on the 700 block of N Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 4:44 pm, officers located 15-year-old Makai Green, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle is described as a dark-in-color Mercedes.

Third Person Indicted in Co-defendant Murder

During a Nov. 4 court proceeding, parties involved in a co-defendant murder introduced a third defendant to the case and scheduled a trial date.

Dijon Williams, 24, and Daivion Williams, 23, are both charged with two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business in connection to the shooting of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on the 1400 block of 14th Street NW.

U.S. marshals brought an additional defendant to the stand, 23-year-old, Steven Washington, who DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt said was arraigned by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 21, according to court documents. An indictment was allegedly returned that established probable cause on his behalf.

Washington is charged with conspiracy as well as two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the murder of Thomas.

At the hearing, parties collaborated with one another to schedule a trial date.

After substantial discussion, Judge Brandt decided to vacate a May 20, 2024, trial date in favor of a June 5, 2023, trial date.

Judge Brandt then asked if parties planned to conduct DNA testing, to which the prosecution said there was a possibility, but that it was unlikely.

Washington’s defense attorney, Quo Mieko Judkins, requested her client’s release, citing his virtually blank criminal record, except for one arrest.

Judge Brant accepted this request, placing him on 24-hour home confinement. She was unable to get in contact with pretrial services to address the terms of his release.

Similar to Judkins, Daivion’s defense attorney, Andrew Ain, also asked that his client be released, stating “he has learned a lot through his incarceration and knows his priorities.”

“The defendant’s record on release is atrocious,” the prosecution said.

Judge Brandt concurred with the prosecution, denying Ain’s request and informing the court of Daivion’s “laundry list” of violations. He has allegedly breached the terms of his release six consecutive times.

Daivion will continue to be held at the DC jail.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on January 10, 2023, for a motions hearing prior to trial.

Co-Defendants Accept Plea Agreement in Homicide Case

During a hearing on Nov. 4, co-defendants Kenneth Swann, 19, and Marquelle Hodges, 18, accepted a global plea offer from prosecution.

Swann and Hodges were originally charged with second-degree murder in connection to the homicide of 17-year-old Damari Deon Wright that occurred on July 9 on the 3500 block of Hayes Street NE.

Swann pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for a sentence of 10 years in prison with five years on supervised release. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is 30 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000, according to the DC Superior Court Sentencing Commission’s Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines.

Hodges pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of accessory after the fact with the intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

Hodges’ plea term was not decided. He must wait until sentencing to find out his term length. According to the guidelines, Hodges could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and/or a $37,000 fine for the accessory charge and 5 years in prison and/or a $12,500 fine for the gun charge.

“The amount of time in the plea is not appropriate,” the prosecutor read from the victim’s mother’s impact statement. The whole family believes the defendants would still be a danger to the community when they are released, he said.

After taking everything into consideration, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted the pleas.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2023.

Parties Wait on DNA Evidence Results

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued a case on Nov. 4 to determine the appropriate case course with other cases involving Nathaniel Bates.

Bates, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Eddie Crist on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW, on May 8, 2020. According to court documents, members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Crist on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

In addition to first-degree murder, Bates is also charged with robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Defense attorney Pierce Suen sent out requests as far back as April to the prosecution for the defendant’s personal property that was seized and the phone evidence.

The prosecution has until Nov. 14 to respond to the defense requests.

DNA is also being tested and the results are expected by Nov. 21

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Prosecution Prepares Global Plea for Defendant in Domestic Violence Case

On Nov. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Arthur Errol expressed concerns after a defendant asked “could you explain to me what just happened” after his release request was denied.

The 31-year-old defendant is charged with assault with a deadly weapon following a domestic violence dispute.

Judge Errol said he was concerned because he didn’t believe the defendant was told the purpose of a preliminary hearing before the defendant decided to waive his rights to the hearing.

According to court documents, the defendant was on release under the high-intensity supervision program (HISP) following a charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home and place of business.

The prosecution said they are reviewing the defendant’s gun possession case regarding a pending sentencing and are preparing a global plea offer for the defendant. While preparing the offer, the prosecution requested that the defendant remain held at the DC Jail because he poses a danger to the community.

Defense Attorney Ferguson Evans requested the defendant to be released under HISP or placed on home confinement.

“I ask that my client be released to handle some of his personal matters,” Evans said. “He has his own apartment and needs to make some arraignments seeing as to how he will be facing some time.”

Judge Errol decided to hold the defendant for the safety of the community.

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Judge Tells Prosecutor to Disclose Evidence to defense

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted on Nov. 4 a continuance to provide evidence to the defense.

Kirk Spencer, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 49-year-old Marcus Covington on Feb. 23. 2021, at the Anacostia Metro Station located on the 1000 block of Howard Road, SE.

During the Friday hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman told Judge Lee that the defense hasn’t received any information on the evidence in the case since the indictment.

Cadman said she contacted the prosecutor regarding information they have and don’t have along with the need for forensic details.

The prosecutor said she needs until the end of the week of Nov. 7 to upload any information on the case’s evidence.

The prosecutor said she is still discussing the testing strategy and will have an update by the next hearing.

Judge Lee told the prosecutor that disclosing evidence to the defense has to be a priority. The prosecution has routinely failed to disclose evidence and other material to the defense throughout the entire process, according to D.C. Witness reporting.

He said he would like to set a status hearing date to close the loop on the issue.

Spencer’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21.

Document: 15-Year-Old Fatally Shot in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 4, on the 700 block of N Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 4:44 pm, officers located 15-year-old Makai Green, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: 15-Year-Old Arrested

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on Oct. 13, on the 500 block of 48th Place, NW.

According to a press release, at about 3:40 pm, officers located 15-year-old Andre Robertson Jr. suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On Nov. 4, a 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 4, on the 2700 block of F Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 7:31 am, officers located 35-year-old Thomas Washington suffering from multiple sharp force injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Defendant Prepares for Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt allowed counsel to switch a Nov. 3 proceeding from a trial readiness hearing to a status hearing to give the defense more time.

Gerald Lewis is charged with the second-degree murder of 59-year-old Antonio Felder. Lewis allegedly struck Felder with his car while Felder was standing at a bus stop on the 1500 block of 14th Street, NW.

His defense attorney Jason Kalafat said he is still awaiting an expert to examine the car used by the defendant at the time of the crime. The defense would like to identify parts of the car that could lead to problems such as crashing.

Pretrial services said the defendant, who is not detained, has been very compliant while on release.

A status hearing was scheduled for Jan. 23, 2023, where parties intend to discuss a trial date. The defendant has permission to appear virtually at the next hearing.

Homicide Co-Defendant Pending Release to Georgia

During a Nov. 4 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt said she plans to grant a homicide co-defendant release back home to Georgia under the high-intensity supervision program (HISP) upon approval from Georgia.

On April 21, 2020, brothers, Daivion Williams, 24, and Dijon Williams, 23, allegedly opened fire on 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW. Thomas was transported to Washington Hospital Center where he succumbed to his injuries later that morning on Oct. 20, 2020.

Steven Washington, 23, was also apprehended for his alleged role in the homicide but was not mentioned because he was indicted on the behalf of a grand jury. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license.

Washington’s defense attorney Quo Judkins requested his release on 24-hour home confinement at his mother’s residential home in Georgia.

According to defense counsel, Washington has no prior confinement history.

Judge Brandt recognized Washington has no prior confinement history, but she said he has a criminal arrest history.

However, she is okay with his release conditions because a detective from Georgia, who is familiar with the case, is housing Dijon Williams in Monroe Georgia County Jail.

Washington will be held in the DC jail for the next two weeks until Georgia authorities approve his release with DC pretrial services.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023, and the new trial date is scheduled for June 5, 2023.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse

D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan approved Nov. 4 a defendant’s plea deal, effectively waiving his right to trial and DNA testing.

William Romero, 23, was initially charged with one count of second-degree child sex abuse and one count of attempted second-degree child sex abuse in connection with an. incident involving a 5-year-old victim on Dec. 28, 2021.

In the Friday hearing, Romero pleaded guilty to all counts.

In discussion of the plea terms, the defendant pleaded guilty to both counts and the prosecution agreed to dismiss any additional charges from the complainant and to not pursue any other indictment.

Romero acknowledged that he will have to register as a sex offender for a 10-year period and that this case may impact his immigration status.

On Dec. 28, 2021, Romero was arrested after his sister reported that he had sexually abused the victim, according to court documents. On the day of the incident, Romero was looking after his sister’s 7-year-old and 5-year-old children, when the 5-year-old victim went into her mother’s bedroom. The defendant followed the victim, pulled down both their pants, and sexually abused the child by licking the victim’s genitalia and rubbing his genitalia against hers.

The defendant is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2023.

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