Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

After two days of preliminary hearings, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ruled that a fatal shooting of a mother of two has enough evidence to go to trial.

On March 10, Metropolitan Police Department detectives located 30-year-old Deshaun Cupid in the driver’s seat of her Gray Infiniti sedan. Her two-year-old and one-year-old children were unharmed in their car seats. Cupid was later pronounced dead later that evening.

On June 3, Dominique Brown-Young was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

During the Aug. 15 preliminary hearing, the prosecutor alleged that Brown-Young planned to shoot and kill Cupid’s boyfriend and that Cupid was not the intended target.

In surveillance video from the 700 block of 17 Street, NE and Benning Road, Brown-Young is seen dressed in all black with a bright-blue baseball hat walking towards the lobby of a building on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. While inside, he is seen talking to four or five men for a few minutes when he receives a phone call and he is seen rushing out of the lobby and into the courtyard.

The next time he is seen, he is sprinting to another building within the same complex, opening the door, and motioning for someone to follow him. At that point, cameras pick up another suspect, whose name was not revealed in court, dressed in a light gray hoodie and black pants. The suspect is seen following Brown-Young. Brown-Young then removes his bright blue baseball cap and is seen putting a black ski mask over his face.

A person of interest is observed on the phone telling Brown-Young and the suspect what direction the victim’s car was headed as it is seen driving toward Benning Road, NE. Seven gunshots are heard a few seconds after Brown-Young and the suspect are seen heading toward the victim’s vehicle, which was off-camera. Video then shows Brown-Young and the suspect running away while keeping their hands in their pockets.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke, claimed that there was no proof of his possession of a firearm, no proof that he was acquainted with the victim, and no evidence that anyone had pointed to Brown-Young as the shooter.

She also told the court that everyone knew the defendant as “NuNu” and that he didn’t have any other nicknames. However, when the suspect was questioned by police about the identity of the other man who was with him at the time of the shooting, he replied, “Jay,” and claimed that “Jay” was the one who shot the victim.

According to the prosecution, Brown-Young is the individual in the surveillance video.

“The defendant identified himself in the still shot, the defendant’s mother identified him, and other witnesses identified him,” the prosecutor said. He asked Judge Brandt to find probable cause for the charge of first-degree murder while armed.

Judge Brandt ruled that there was enough evidence to establish probable cause.

“This was a brazen daylight shooting in a residential neighborhood where anybody could be walking up and down the street that could have been injured or killed, two babies that were in the backseat could have been injured or killed,” she said as she gave her decision.

After Judge Brandt found probable cause, Bunke requested her client’s release from DC Jail, saying he is not a danger to the community.

“At 16 he got a job at Harris Teeter for two years to help his mom around the house, he is one month away from getting his CDL,” she said.

The prosecution said, “His support system, he had that 6 months ago, your honor. He had it when he took a gun and shot seven times into a car.”

Judge Brandt agreed to keep Brown-Young detained. “I’m not playing fast and loose with public safety.”

Brown-Young is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 7 for a status hearing.

Document: Arrest Made in Northeast Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on March 10, on the 700 block of 18th Street, NE.

MPD officers located 30-year-old Deshaun Cupid inside a vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead later that evening.

On June 3, 20-year-old Dominique Brown-Young was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Judge Denies Motions by Prosecution in 2018 Homicide Case

During an Aug. 12 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the prosecution’s motions in a 2018 homicide case.

Edward Brown, 60, is charged with robbery of a senior citizen while armed and two counts of first-degree murder of a senior citizen while armed in connection to the stabbing death of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney on Feb. 5, 2018.

During the hearing, parties convened to discuss two motions the prosecution filed in 2019, including a motion to introduce evidence of the defendant’s other crimes during the upcoming trial scheduled for Aug. 29.

According to the prosecution, witness’s made statements about conversations they had with Brown a week before the murder. One witness said the defendant talked about a business agreement he made with a dealer regarding money on food stamps in exchange for crack cocaine. The defendant told the witness when he caught the person, he was going to “cut his throat,” showing the witness a greenish brown pocketknife. Another witness said the defendant said he kept a knife on the driver’s side of his car.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens opposed introducing the witness statements because there is no allegation that the murder weapon is a knife and introducing any statements like that to a jury would be prejudicial.

“It’s a wholly irrelevant threat… It’s extremely speculative to say that the knife is the murder weapon at all,” Stevens said.

The prosecution also discussed a motion to preclude the defense from making a self-defense claim because the weight of the evidence does not support a self-defense claim.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley opposed the prosecution’s motion to preclude the defense from making a self-defense claim.

“I think it’s entirely way too early to preclude the defense from making arguments that they could put forth evidence for,” Mosley said. “I believe that you can make a rational argument for self-defense,” he continued, “a struggle ensued.”

Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecution that there was no evidence to suggest that the defendant was acting in self-defense, but will allow the defense to make those claims if they choose to do so.

“There’s nothing on the record that suggests this was self-defense,” Judge Brandt said. “[But] if the defense plans on mounting a self-defense claim, I’m asking for at least a courtesy proffer before opening statements.”

Judge Brandt denied the prosecution’s motion to include witness statements until the prosecution can provide more evidence that the murder weapon is a knife.

“Those statements are highly inflammatory,” Judge Brandt told the court. “I’m going to reserve a ruling on the knife until I hear what a medical examiner has to say.”

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23. The hearing will be focused on preparing for trial, which is scheduled for Aug. 29 and predicted to last for two weeks.

Motion Hearing Continued for Murder Defendant in Quarantine

A defendant accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend’s partner was unable to appear in court for a Aug. 17 motion hearing due to being in COVID-19 quarantine.

Christian Johnson, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Lavonte McCloud on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE on Nov. 25, 2021. McCloud suffered multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries later that day.

During Wednesday’s hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun told all parties that he was going to continue the hearing because Johnson, along with many other defendants, are quarantining at the DC jail.

Defense attorneys Dominique Winters and Ashley Whidby said that Johnson has been in quarantine for a long time and are optimistic he will be out soon.

According to court documents, a witness called Johnson to bring a child, whom they shared, to McCloud’s apartment. Johnson and the witness met at the front of the apartment building and got into a verbal altercation about washing their child’s coat. McCloud told the witness to stop arguing with Johnson and go back inside the building. However, once she entered the apartment, she heard gunshots fire.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Sept. 15.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case, Releases Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause during the second day of a preliminary hearing but released the defendant under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) ahead of trial.

Jose Ramos, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal death of 58-year-old Eduardo Cruz on Jan. 29.

The preliminary hearing spanned over two days. During the second day of proceedings on Aug. 12, Judge Brandt initially ruled that the case did not have probable cause for second-degree murder but changed her ruling once the prosecution argued that the probable cause could be found for second-degree murder if the while armed charges were withheld.

“Probable cause is a low standard, I can find probable cause for second-degree murder but not while armed,” Judge Brandt said. “I think the government’s evidence is weak and I’m going to release Mr. Ramos.”

The victim’s daughter was present in the courtroom and asked Judge Brandt to keep the defendant detained.

“No one should live this living hell I’m living,” Cruz’s daughter said. “Please your honor, I’m begging you, leave him in custody where he can’t hurt no one.”

Judge Brandt expressed her condolences and thanked Cruz’s daughter for her statement but said she couldn’t keep Ramos in custody because there’s no evidence that proves he killed Cruz beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Our criminal justice system is built on ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’… You got probable cause but there were at least three other people in that apartment,” Judge Brandt said. “There’s not enough evidence right now for the court to reasonably say that Mr. Ramos was the one who struck the deadly blow.”

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy stated that upon release, Ramos would reside with his family in a different state.

Ramos has been ordered to stay away from the apartment building on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, anyone who lives in the apartment building, and the victim’s family. The stay away order includes electronic communication and sending messages through a third party. Ramos has also been ordered to report to pretrial services once a week.

On Jan. 24, Ramos and Cruz allegedly got into a physical altercation in an apartment complex on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Ramos and Cruz lived in the same apartment building and were arguing about the noise and traffic Ramos seemed to bring to the apartment complex. According to court documents, witnesses heard a struggle and then heard Cruz asking for forgiveness in Spanish. Ramos and a group of others allegedly insulted Cruz and physically attacked him in response.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers discovered Cruz, unconscious and unresponsive, inside of a parked vehicle on the grounds of a local outdoor recreational area on the 4800 block of Colorado Avenue, NW. Cruz suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including bleeding to the brain. Despite all life-saving efforts, Cruz succumbed to his injuries five days later.

The MPD is conducting an ongoing investigation regarding the other individuals.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Document: Arrest Made in Georgetown Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested a man in connection to a shooting that occurred on Jan. 31, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

At approximately 6:13 p.m., officers located 27-year-old Tarek Boothe suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital later that day.

On Aug. 16, 24-year-old Range Reynolds was arrested in Kingston, Jamaica and charged with first degree murder while armed. He will be extradited to Washington, DC.

Document: Arrest Made in a Third Degree Sex Abuse Case

Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested a 29-year-old woman in connection to a sexual abuse.

On Aug. 15 on the 4000 block of Georgia Avenue, NW a 29-year-old woman approached the victim and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim and then fled the scene.

She was arrested and charged with third degree sexual abuse.

Parties Hold Off Scheduling Preliminary Hearing Date

Parties held off scheduling a preliminary hearing date for a defendant charged with murder for the stabbing death of a 42-year-old man.

Michael Dolson, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing death of 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas, Jr. On March 14, officers were alerted of a stabbing inside of Cloud Lounge located on 1919 9th Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers located Thomas barely conscious and suffering from puncture wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital an hour later, according to court documents.

During the Aug. 15 proceedings, parties expressed concern over setting a preliminary date when the case has not been indicted.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set a new status hearing for Oct. 14

Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt arraigned co-defendants Dijon Williams and Daivion Williams on conspiracy, 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 home/business.

The charges stem from a homicide on July 21, 2020, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers found 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas suffering from a gunshot wound.

During the Aug. 15 felony arraignment hearing, defense attorneys David Knight and Pierce Suen pleaded not guilty on behalf of Dijon and requested the prosecutor’s evidence to be turned over to the defense, including parts of the Grand Jury transcripts.

“We really do need the transcripts from the Grand Jury,” Knight said.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain also pleaded not guilty on behalf of Daivion and made the same request as co-counsel.

“The government is willing to turn everything over to the defense,” the prosecutor said. She said she intends to provide body worn camera evidence as well as parts of the Grand Jury transcripts.

Ain introduced a motion to release Daivion under the high-intensity supervision program (HISP).

“I had a lot to think about in the 24 days I have been locked up,” the Daivion said. “If you release me, I will try 100 percent to be perfect. My plan when I do go home is to work from home in customer service, answering phone calls.”

Ain argued that if Daivion is released, his girlfriend, who was in the courtroom, has a home in Georgia where he could stay.

“Wow, I did not expect to hear those words coming from you. Thank you,” Judge Brandt said. “Despite how articulate you were, I will not be letting you out today, but I am not completely closing the door at a later date. If I were to release him, and I’m not saying I will, but I would be more comfortable with him staying in the District of Columbia.”

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in W. Virginia Ave Homicide

Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested 19-year-old Nelson Davis in connection to the homicide of 45-year-old Jason Ford on Aug. 15.

The offense occurred on June 25 on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE.

Davis is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Reschedules Sentencing in Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled the sentencing in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor.

Jerry Barton pleaded guilty on March 8 to one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

The sentencing was set to occur on Aug. 12 but couldn’t be completed as the court did not have results from a test to determine the defendant’s risk of committing another sexual offense.

“There are some issues that have come up that you just need to understand, so I don’t want to rush through that,” Judge Brandt said.

Barton, who has been on pretrial release since Sept. 30, 2019, appeared in plainclothes in court.

At a previous hearing, the parties met in court and Judge Brandt ordered that the Court Services and Supervision Agency (CSOSA) conduct the test. Defense Attorney Anthony Matthews said he conducted a test on behalf of the defense, but CSOSA did not perform one for the court.

During Friday’s hearing, Matthews was dismissed as a result of a miscommunication. Defense Attorney Thomas Healy is slated to assume the role of Barton’s attorney.

Judge Brandt set a status hearing on Aug. 24 in order for Barton and his new attorney to acquaint themselves with the case.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 14, at approximately 9:45 p.m., on the 3900 block of 4th Street, SE.

MPD officers responded to the location for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found 41-year-old Cynthia Stewart inside of a residence, suffering from apparent stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Officer-Involved Shooting of Domestic Violence Suspect

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department shot a suspect believed for be involved in a domestic violence incident near the 1900 block of Mississippi Avenue SE on Aug. 12.

Rahman Mills, 29, was shot and charged with aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Homicide Defendant Arraigned on Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun arraigned a defendant on first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying concealed weapons outside a home or business in violation of the 2nd Emergency act of 2014.

Samuel Mack, 56, allegedly shot 35-year-old Erica Ward in an apartment on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on Dec. 30, 2020. According to court documents, the two used to be in a relationship and began arguing the night after Mack brought their son over to visit. Mack was apprehended that same night. He was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) the following March where he is not permitted to leave home from 9pm-6am.

During the Aug. 10 felony arraignment hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman pleaded not guilty on behalf of Mack and requested the court extend Mack’s curfew by one hour so that Mack would have more time to finish a carpet installation job in Maryland. Cadman said Mack is in full compliance and that his work often requires him to stay late.

“It could go much later than 1opm but he could really use that extra hour,” Cadman said.

The prosecution opposed extending Mack’s curfew.

Judge Okun held off on making a ruling because there was no pre-trial services representative present during the hearing.

“Honestly, I need to hear from pre-trial so we’re going to have to pass this until pre-trial is here,” Judge Okun said.

Mack is currently scheduled to stand trial in June 2024. The trial is expected to last one to two weeks.

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Two Homicide Cases

During an Aug. 10 hearing, a defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed in two homicide cases.

Rasheed Young, 44, fatally shot 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE. Young also fatally shot 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr. on May 18, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.

“I’m ready to plead guilty today, your honor,” Young said.

A plea offer was placed on the record during an Aug. 5 hearing, but DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued the case to allow defense attorney Kevin Mosley to discuss the plea offer with the defendant.

Young was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed for Rogers shooting and second-degree murder while armed for Richardson’s shooting.

According to court documents, Rogers and Richardson both suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to the body and succumbed to their injuries despite life-saving efforts.

Richardson’s family was also present via WebEx and expressed frustration with the prosecution’s plea offer.

“There is no justice for the Richardson family or the Rogers family,” Richardson’s sister told the court. “I’m asking you, your honor, to please reject this plea offer.”

Judge Okun conditionally accepted the plea offer but stated he will not officially accept the plea offer until he has heard from the victim’s families and has viewed the pre-sentencing report.

Young is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14.

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