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Judge Finalizes Release Conditions for Defendant Implicated in Co-defendant Murder 

During a Nov. 18 status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt finalized release conditions for a man who was arrested last month for his alleged involvement in a co-defendant murder case. 

Steven Washington, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the shooting of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on the 1400 block of 14th Street, NW on July 21, 2020.

The two other co-defendants charged in Thomas’s murder are 24-year-old Dijon Williams, and 23-year-old Daivion Williams.

According to court documents, Washington was apprehended in Georgia and extradited to DC on Oct. 21, where he was arraigned by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

At the proceeding, Judge Brandt elaborated on the terms of Washington’s release, ordering 24-hour home confinement and the installation of a GPS ankle monitor to ensure the defendant abides by these conditions.

Regarding these stipulations, Washington’s defense attorney, Quo Mieko Judkins, inquired about the possibility of her client obtaining verifiable employment. 

The prosecution objected to this request, citing the “serious nature of his charges.” Judge Brandt concurred.

Washington will be released this evening and travel to Georgia to serve his home confinement term.

An employee from Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) confirmed the viability of this arrangement, informing the court that the defendant can attend check-ins via Zoom.

Parties are expected to return to court on Jan 10, 2023, for a status hearing.

Seven Homicides in First Half of November

There have been nine non-fatal shootings and seven homicides so far this month.

Graphic by Mark Lu

Three Homicide Defendants Sentenced So Far This Year

Three people who were detained in 2022 received sentences in the same year.

As of Nov. 15, D.C. Witness shows 313 murder suspects, charged with first- or second-degree murder, were sentenced since January 2015.

Graphic by Mark Lu

Document: Arrest Made in a Non-Fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 20, on the 500 block of 51st Street, NE.

According to a press release, at about 6:42 pm, officers located a juvenile male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

On Nov. 16, 24-year-old Terrance Robinson and a 16-year-old juvenile were arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun). Two handguns were recovered at the time of their arrest.

Homicide Co-Defendant Says He lied Under Oath 

During a Nov. 16 hearing, one of three men convicted for the murder of a 17-year-old girl took the stand to testify that he previously lied under a God-given oath because he didn’t know God then.

James Mayfield, 23, and Robert Moses, 23, are charged with 13 and 25 counts respectively, including first-degree murder, drive-by or random shooting, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery while armed, and conspiracy among others in connection with the Aug. 10, 2017, shooting, at the intersection of Saratoga and Montana Avenues, NE, that killed 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor. 

Phillip McDaniel, 26, an accomplice who was arrested and charged in 2017 for his involvement in Sydnor’s murder, signed a plea deal to lessen his sentence to second-degree murder. This deal included his testimony against Moses and Mayfield. 

According to court documents, the shooting was connected to a feud between a crew from the Saratoga neighborhood and the defendants’ crew from the Langdon Park neighborhood— Sydnor was not connected with either.

The prosecutor opened court on Wednesday with transcripts that recorded a conversation between Defense Attorney Steven Kiersh and McDaniel. 

The conversation was consistent with McDaniel repeatedly indicating he played a role in the murder as the driver but denied actually committing the crime because he didn’t pull the trigger. 

Defense attorney Veronice Holt countered the prosecutor’s argument, saying the transcripts were “extremely prejudicial” because McDaniel never agreed to the prosecutor’s set of facts about him being an active shooter. He said he was the driver and Mayfield told him where to park, she said.

The prosecutor wanted DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to know that McDaniel signed a plea deal for second-degree murder and that just because he didn’t pull the trigger doesn’t excuse his actions in committing the murder.

Holt withdrew her argument after Judge Raffinan agreed to the set of facts from McDaniels accepting the plea he was given. 

Holt was the first to cross-examine McDaniel about his phone and the day of his initial arrest on Aug. 10, 2017.

More exhibits were displayed, including a video of McDaniel’s interview conducted on the day of his arrest. McDaniel was seen pulling the fire alarm three times and placing his hand in his private area looking for Zanacs.

“I was in a space I wasn’t use to,” McDaniels said. “I was afraid of the situation.”

McDaniel was questioned about what motivated him to be a part of the Aug. 10 shooting.

He deflected the question but, after a while, indicated that after being shot at the day before by crew members from the Saratoga neighborhood.

“I was going to do whatever it took,” he said referring to him plotting his revenge on that corner. 

Holt asked him to confirm if he was a liar, and he said he lied before but wouldn’t say he is a liar.

McDaniel was then shown a video of him talking to a detective. In the video, he said, “I was tricked into doing something I didn’t know what they were going to do. I swear on the right hand of God.”

McDaniel said he “didn’t know God back then.” He proceeded to tell the jury that he sold and did drugs, which were the cause of his actions. He made three sales before, during, and after the shooting, he said. The prosecutor began her redirect to the jury regarding McDaniel siding with them in account of his actions. 

McDaniel’s testimony allowed him to be moved from the Central Detention Facility to Correctional Treatment Facility at the DC Jail as a result of his assault for being a “snitch or rat.”

According to McDaniel’s child’s mother, the day McDaniel got arrested she called James Mayfield for money to be able to speak to McDaniel. 

Holt mentioned that she was given $55,000 to testify and give the police access to Mayfield and Moses’ Instagram accounts, which she confirmed. 

The prosecutor and the defense were asked to approach after Holt mentioned the amount of money she was given. The prosecutors confirmed it was not given to her directly but accommodated her move and living expenses.

The next witness said she heard the gunshots and saw two men running towards a gold Honda.

According to the witness, she was about to walk her dog when the shots went off, and she looked out the window to see what happened. She said she then saw two men and told the detectives where she saw them. 

“I seen the men and only knew skin tone and what was on them when I seen them running,” the witness said.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 17.

Defendant Charged in Homicide that Went Unsolved for 30-Years

During a Nov. 9 hearing, prosecutors brought a cold case homicide detective to the witness stand regarding a 1992 murder that didn’t have an arrest until 30 years later. 

Ron Wright, 47, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the brutal murder of Ricardo Burbano on the 100 block of Q Street, NW in March of 1992. According to court documents, Burbano’s body was found on the 900 block of Chillum Road in Hyattsville, Md. 

Wright became a suspect from a witness testifying to dropping Burbano off at a specific apartment on the 100 block of Q Street, NW. That was the last time the witness said he saw Burbano before he took a nap for approximately 30 minutes to an hour before calling him. He didn’t get an answer and decided to head back home.

At the time Wright was living there with his mother and brother. 

According to the detective, a search warrant was issued for the apartment located at the 100 block of Q Street, NW where detectives located a red carpet that matched fibers found on Burbano.

The carpet was lifted in 2002 where a red brownish stain was located. The stain tested positive for Burbano’s blood. 

Witnesses came forward after the murder because they were allegedly informed by Wright that he had participated in the murder.

When questioned ten years after the homicide, Wright gave a different story that didn’t align with his previous testimonies nor the witnesses. 

Other suspects were questioned like Wrights’ mother, stepfather, friend, and brother.  Wright’s brother was excluded because he was serving a 26-year sentence in prison for another homicide. 

According to court documents, the victim’s nose and mouth were covered with blood-soaked duck tape then his head was wrapped in a brown plastic bag. He had a bootlace and a necktie around his throat. His ankles were bound with a black shoelace. Three of his teeth were missing and his fingernail was also missing but found in his pocket with one-hundred dollars and a safe deposit box key. He suffered eleven blunt forced inflictions to his skull. He had two stab wounds to his chest and back. He was wrapped in an orange blanket that was bound together by plastic cords.

The prosecutor and the detective agreed that this case went cold after never making a match to a suspect after Wright gave DNA samples to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The detective said he strongly believed more than one person was involved in the murder. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rober Okun said that was enough evidence to prove probable cause.

“Due to Wright not having a criminal history besides the unlawful possession of marijuana in 2004, which doesn’t measure to today’s law. I will hold him on home confinement here in DC until further notice,” Judge Okun said.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Unanimous Guilty Verdict Released in Triple Homicide Trial

On Nov. 16, 2022, jurors unanimously delivered their verdict for a triple homicide that took place in 2019.

Rakeem Willis, 31, was found guilty of three counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and one count of fleeing a law enforcement officer.

He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shootings of 26-year-old Javon Abney, 26-year-old Sean Shuler, and 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood, on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place SE on Jan. 26, 2019.

Willis’ co-defendant, 33-year-old, Jonathan Winston, was acquitted due to a lack of sufficient evidence to satisfy allegations on Nov. 8, 2022.  

A sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10. 

Prosecutor finds clothing and three vehicles On Scene of Homicide

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted a continuance on Nov. 4 for the defense to decide if they wished to independently test DNA evidence in the case. 

Darius Robertson, 29, and Antonio Hensley, 30, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 33-year-old Andre Robertson on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace NE on Oct. 2, 2021. The assault occurred on Oct. 1, 2021. Darius is the victim’s cousin.

During the Friday hearing, the prosecutor said he does not intend to do any additional testing.

The prosecutor said he found a variety of clothing and three vehicles at the scene. Two vehicles belonged to Hensley and one to Robertson.

He also said he turned in all evidence to the defense, including body worn cameras, surveillance videos, police paperwork, and reports on various subjects. 

Robertson’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, said he sent an email to the prosecutor stating that the vehicles are inaccurate compared to the defendant’s vehicle.

Judge Lee said he believes both parties need to decide whether they would like to conduct any testing.

Judge Lee scheduled the next hearing on March 10, 2023. Both defendants are being held without bail.

Judge Denies Homicide Defendant’s Release After He Fled Area For 2 Years

During a Nov. 9 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause for a homicide defendant after reviewing evidence and learning that the defendant fled the District for two years. 

Dreaun Young, 19, is charged with second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Michael Brittingham on Aug. 6, 2020, on the 600 block of 46th Street, SE. On Aug. 29, 2022, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) located and arrested 19-year-old Dreaun Young in Hollywood, Calif. for an ongoing rape case before later finding out that he was wanted by the US Marshalls for a murder charge. He was extradited to Washington, DC on Sept. 20.

“Young fled for two years and had to be aided by someone else because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense with no established credit line,” Judge Okun said. “Therefore acting with a conscious disregard.”

As part of the prosecution’s argument, evidence of Young and Brittingham in a verbal confrontation was shown to the judge.

According to the witness, Brittingham and Young were arguing over money. Brittingham allegedly sold drugs in the area and Young owed him money.

The video also showed Young standing in front of an ice cream truck when Brittingham went to his car and came back to get into Young’s face and possibly assaulted him. The video displayed Brittingham doing these actions before he was shot nine times at close range.

“The shooter was identified as Young by an officer on the scene from a prior arrest,” the prosecutor said. “If he acted out of self-defense, he wouldn’t have fled the scene to Maryland and then to California where he resided for two years after the shooting.”

Defense Attorney Dana Page argued that the video wasn’t of good quality to prove Young was the shooter and that if he was it was self-defense. She said Brittingham was known to be violent due to allegations of him possibly being involved in a double homicide.

“If my client was present in the video he fled because he feared for his life since those other individuals on the scene took off after him knowing they are gang members and possibly may be connected to a double homicide,” Page said. “Those individuals didn’t seem chaotic about Brittingham’s death, but more in a rush to leave after the suspect fled the scene. It’s apparent something was taken off the body and handed to the ice cream man.” 

Page also mentioned, after the crime occurred, Young’s brother was brutally beaten by gang members who were searching for Young. 

“I  understand both of the parties’ viewings of the video, but I will have to side with the prosecution,” Judge Okun said. “It is apparent that there is some form of argument going on between the two, but the victim is clearly holding a hotdog and not seen with a gun. The video doesn’t even display the assault Brittingham allegedly did and for him to be shot nine times at close range is not an act of self-defense.” 

Judge Okun detained Young at the DC Jail for the safety of the community. 

According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a shot spotter alert on the 600 block of 46th Street, SE, where they located a male victim not breathing but suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the right thigh, left thigh, left shoulder, center chest, upper back, lower middle back and torso. Brittingham was pronounced dead on the scene.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25

Prosecution Delivers Closing Arguments in Murder Trial

The prosecution delivered closing arguments on Nov. 16 after an 8-week murder trial that included over 80 witnesses. 

Derek Turner, 31, and co-defendant 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. 

Jennings is also charged with assault with intent to kill and several counts of accessory of murder after the fact. 

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

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. 

During Wednesday’s trial, the prosecution delivered their closing arguments. 

“Evidence of this trial has proved that Mr. Turner and Ms. Jennings entered into a conspiracy to assault, kill, and destroy the property of people in Trenton Park,” the prosecution said.  

The prosecution drew a “roadmap” for the jury, connecting the various shootings and murders to the text messages and phone calls exchanged by the co-defendants. 

The prosecution began by presenting ShotSpotter audio recordings of the gunshots in various shootings. 

“Did you hear those shots? Mr. Hall heard them right before being killed,” said the prosecutor. 

The prosecution said that Turner’s 10mm glock “echoes throughout all of these acts of violence.” In other words, they said that Turner used the same 10mm glock in the various shootings and two murders. 

Additionally, the prosecution discussed the McPhatter shooting, displaying a still image of a school playground that captured a white car fleeing the scene of the shooting. The prosecution identified this as Turner’s white Lexus. 

Afterwards, the prosecutor argued that the defendants were guilty of a violent crime conspiracy and an obstruction conspiracy. 

Highlighting how Turner called Jennings after each shooting and murder occurred, the prosecution focused on a 24 minute phone call between Turner and Jennings that occurred after the police seized Turner’s white Lexus. 

The prosecutors argued that Turner expressed concern about whether or not the police would find the 10mm glock he had stored in the car. 

Jennings queried Turner and his associates through WALES NCIC and Cobalt, which are confidential Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) databases, the prosecutor said. 

“Jennings was handing out information,” he said. “Turner was able to use to facilitate his crimes of violence.”

In addition, the prosecution argued that Hill assisted Turner’s former girlfriend, so she could provide a statement to Turner’s attorney and accept responsibility for his firearm charges. 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo set the trial to continue with closing arguments from the defense on Nov. 17.

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

Metropolitan Police Department detectives have made an arrest in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 10, on the 1200 block of 5th Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 8:46 am, officers located a juvenile male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Re-Opened Case for Man Convicted of Killing His Best Friend is Placed Under Seal

During a Nov. 15 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo placed a homicide case under a private seal when the prosecutor said an important document was missing, which resulted in a vacated trial.

Eugene Burns, 30, was convicted in 2017 of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for fatally shooting his best friend  Onyekachi Osuchukwu III while on release from jail.  The case was reopened on appeal in 2020.

Following the prosecution’s motion to postpone the trial date, Judge Demeo vacated the trial after speaking with both parties privately.

Instead, a status hearing was scheduled for Dec. 13, so counsel could set a new trial date.

In July 2017, the prosecution ruled Osuchukwu’s death as a  premeditated murder following a drug-related dispute, according to court documents. Allegedly, Burns began to plot the murder of his friend, inviting him into DC to do so. On Nov. 14, 2015, the victim was lured into Burns’ mother’s house, where Burns allegedly shot him five times. 

Osuchukwu was found by the police on the 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE in November 2015. He had succumbed to gunshot wounds by the time emergency workers arrived.

After fleeing the scene, Burns returned the next day with relatives to discover Osuchukwu dead.

In the first trial, after seeing all the evidence and hearing a testimony from Burns himself, who changed his original story to self-defense, the jury sided with the prosecution and convicted him of all charges.

Three Witnesses Deliver Testimony in Co-defendant Murder Trial

During a Nov. 15 jury trial, the prosecution in a murder trial discredited the defense’s expert witness, citing unqualified credentials and termination for behavioral conduct. Two other witnesses also delivered testimony at the proceeding.

James Mayfield, 23, and Robert Moses, 23, are charged with more than twelve counts each in connection to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor on Aug. 10, 2017, at the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE. The defendant’s charges include first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Mayfield and Moses were allegedly carrying .40 and .45 caliber guns and fired over ten rounds at people standing on Saratoga Avenue. One of the bullets struck Sydnor while she was driving, killing her. 

Three other bystanders were struck in the shooting, sustaining injuries from the stray bullets.

As part of its argument on Nov. 15, the defense summoned a  forensic biology specialist as an expert witness, but, during the prosecution’s redirect, it was revealed that the witness had been rejected as an expert witness in other matters twice on account of his “premedical sciences” degree.

The witness said the state court system did not accept this major despite the fact that he engaged in the same coursework as biology and chemistry students. 

In addition, the witness disclosed that he had been terminated from two places of employment throughout his career, citing sexual harassment allegations as the cause for one of his terminations.

The defense failed to offer any redirect after the prosecution completed her cross-examination of the witness.

Following the witness’ testimony, the defense continued their cross-examination of another witness who was questioned during Monday’s proceeding. The man suffered a fractured leg and hip from the incident as he reportedly fell out of his wheelchair in response to the sound of gunshots.

Rather than receiving medical care at the scene, the victim said he had been driven home after the incident to drop items off before an ambulance was called to his residence. Three hours had reportedly elapsed between the time of his injury and the time of care.

Mayfield’s defense attorney, Veronice Holt, asked the witness why he waited 3 hours to seek treatment while in “excruciating pain.” The witness declined to answer the question, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination.

Holt revealed the witness’ criminal record, which includes several charges of drug possession and distribution.

The prosecution did not provide a redirect after the defense.

In light of the witness’s refusal to provide additional information, another witness, Phillip McDaniel, was called to the stand. This man allegedly acted as the getaway driver during the incident.

During his testimony, Holt played footage of his interview with detectives from Aug. 10, 2017, where he admittedly lied to officers. 

There, McDaniel said he implicated a fictitious character he manufactured named “Beau” as the suspect. Several parallels existed between his own physical attributes and those of Beau’s, namely, height, build, complexion, and tattoos.

“I was trying to lie myself out of the situation,” the witness admitted after looking at the footage. 

When Holt referenced his involvement in the incident, she questioned why he wore a ski mask in the middle of the summer if he was not involved in the crime. 

“It’s the new style,” McDaniel responded.“Everyone wears them.”

Before Holt could ask any additional questions and the prosecution could begin their cross-examination, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan stopped proceedings for the day. 

Parties are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 16 to continue the trial.

Despite Disagreeing with Appeal Ruling, Judge Releases Convicted Murderer After 10 Years

After the DC Court of Appeals ruled that a man convicted of murder be released, DC Superior Court Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring suspended his sentence during a hearing on Nov. 15. However, she said she did not agree with the finding that he was safe to return to the community.

Lamont Terry, 58, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery on Nov. 14, 2014. He was initially charged on Feb. 14, 2012, in connection with the death of 27-year-old Chet Matthews on the 1100 block of Ohio Drive, SW on May 25, 1992. 

The case had gone cold for almost 20 years when a witness came forward and confessed to having helped Terry rob Matthews and witnessing Terry shoot Matthews with a shotgun, consistent with the murder weapon determined by the 1992 autopsy.

Terry was sentenced to 15 years to life for murder and an additional five years to 15 years for attempted armed robbery. He was held in prison from 2014 to 2022, when the DC Court of Appeals granted his appeal, mandating that Judge Josey-Herring suspend the rest of his sentence and release him.

On Tuesday, Judge Josey-Herring said that although she will comply with the order, she still believed him a danger to the community and was uncertain about the appellate court’s finding that he had been sufficiently rehabilitated.

“That’s easy to say when it’s not your family member who is dead,” she said.

Judge Josey-Herring also discussed the facts of the case, including that he walked free for almost 20 years despite the circumstances of the incident.

Terry pulled Matthews out of the car he was riding with a woman, according to court documents, then shot him while he was already on his knees.

“I thought it was a senseless murder, and I still do,” Judge Josey-Herring said.

The prosecutor said the judge could still find that Terry was not qualified for release because she could argue he didn’t meet the threshold of having an “extraordinary and compelling case for release.” 

However, Judge Josey-Herring responded that with the mandate from the Court of Appeals, the Tuesday hearing was not the time to litigate the facts of the case.

Judge Josey-Herring resentenced Terry on both counts, but suspended the new sentence, leaving him on supervised probation for five years.

“Thank you. I can’t express it enough—thank you,” Terry told Judge Josey-Herring.

It will take three days for Terry to be processed out of the jail. He will also have to drug test upon request for six months, pay $200 no later than January 2023 and register as a life-time gun offender.

As the hearing concluded and Terry was brought out of the courtroom, Judge Josey-Herring turned her attention to members in the audience who had been disruptive, asking them to “maintain your composure so that I can do my job, thank you.”