Judge Advocates for Defendant in Murder Case

D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt advocated for a defendant’s right to discuss a plea deal with his attorneys during a Feb. 9 hearing in a murder case.

Micheal Dolson, 37, is being charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the murder of Kenneth Thomas Jr., 42, at the Cloud Lounge, located on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW

on March 14, 2022.

Defense attorney Anthony Matthews previously filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the prosecution failing to file an indictment before the 9 month deadline. The prosecution requested and was granted an extended time before the motion was filed.

Matthews argued that the main issue now is Dolson’s potential release. Dolson is currently serving a sentence that is slated to end in April for a case Judge Brandt also presided over.

Judge Brandt said release is not possible at this time and that if Matthews wanted to argue for his client’s release, he would have to at a future hearing.

Matthews and the prosecutor expressed that plea negotiations had been discussed, but the prosecution was under the assumption that the defense rejected the offer.

However, Judge Brandt talked to Dolson directly, and he expressed he did not have enough time to talk to Matthews about the offer.

“Mr. Dolson emits a quiet strength,” Judge Brandt said. ”If he’s telling me he needs more time, I know that from experience to be true.”

The prosecution said a discussion needs to happen with the family before the plea offer deadline can be extended.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 24.

Female Defendant Held in Jail After Shooting Partner

A judge held one homicide defendant charged with second-degree murder while armed during presentment hearings on Feb. 8.

Twenty-five defendants were brought before DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond.

Latasha Gray, 35, is being charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Anthony Thomas, 40, on Feb. 6 on the 4200 block of 7th Street SE.

On the evening of the incident, Gray and Thomas were allegedly engaged in an argument.

The defendant allegedly found the gun in a drawer at which point she said it accidentally discharged, hitting Thomas. Thomas was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead on Feb. 7.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough argued there was no probable cause for a second-degree murder, stating the incident was an accident. Yarbough spoke to the defendant’s good character and her commitment to her children.

However, Judge Raymond found substantial probability for the second-degree murder and denied the defendant’s request for release.

Gray is being held without bail and given a stay-away order. She is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 21.

In another felony case, Judge Lloyd Nolan Jr. decided to release Jovon Jackson on Feb. 7.

Jackson, 26, who is charged with second-degree sex abuse on April 30, 2021, on the 2600 block of Birney Place SE.

The accuser said that the defendant forced himself on her while she was asleep and intoxicated. She said she told the defendant to get off of her, but he allegedly replied “I thought you wanted it.”

Jackson was released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) and instructed to return to court on March 23.

Judge Raymond confirmed Feb. 8 that Jackson reported for GPS installation and orientation as ordered.

Two domestic violence defendants were also released.

One defendant was charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm, while the other was charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children and simple assault.

Both defendants were given stay-away orders and are scheduled to return to court in March.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Feb. 8, on the 600 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

According to the preliminary investigation, a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser was moving westbound in the 600 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast, at about 5:54 p.m. At that moment, a pedestrian crossed the street in the center of the block between driving vehicles and the work zone. The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser struck the pedestrian as they crossed into the westbound travel lane.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The decedent has been identified as 66-year-old James Timothy Tarrants.

Witness Questioning Persists for Third Day in a Row in Sex Abuse Trial

During a Feb. 8 non-jury trial, counsel resumed witness questioning in a domestic violence case.

The defendant is being charged with first-degree sexual abuse and simple assault. The alleged incident occurred on Aug. 13, 2018, in an apartment on the 5000 block of Washington Avenue, SW. The argument ensued after the victim found texts from another woman on the defendant’s phone, which resulted in an alleged nonconsensual sexual altercation between the two.

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer M. Anderson began the third day with counsel questioning the victim. Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman continued her attempt to invalidate the complainant’s claims of assault by inquiring into her various testimonies given throughout the four year duration of the case.

The complainant relied heavily on the argument that she “did not recall” the specificities of her testimonies. Many of her answers to the defense’s questions regarding the detail of what occurred on Aug. 13, 2018, was “I don’t recall.” She attributed any inconsistencies to the sheer amount of time that has elapsed since the assault.

After questioning the accuser, the prosecution called a detective on the case in 2018. At the time, he was a veteran on the force with a 30 year rapport with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The witness recounted his introduction to the case on the day of the incident and the several interviews he conducted with the complainant and defendant.

The defense played various audial testimonies collected from these interviews and continued to poke holes in the accuser’s account of the incident.

For example, the complainant said that the defendant choked her, but according to court documents she told the detective and medical personnel on the case that no physical assault occurred. Finally, evidence of choking failed to appear during the accuser’s medical examination.

The prosecution redirected the witness and argued that the defendant is likely to have assaulted the complainant because of his own variability in whether or not he and the accuser had sex that day. According to court documents, it was only after the defendant was asked for a DNA swab that he admitted to having sex with the victim on Aug. 13, 2018.

The final witness was the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) who was responsible for conducting the complainant’s Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE). The court accepted this witness as an expert witness.

When conducting the SAFE exam in 2018, the witness documented every observation made regarding the complainant’s physical state. The witness said that she observed blunt trauma to the complainant’s vaginal walls, but no marks or bruising to the complainant’s extremities.

The defense asked the witness in cross examination if the trauma found in the vagina is consistent with nonconsensual sex? She said that there is no definitive way to tell if the sex is consensual or not based on these vaginal marks.

To conclude the day’s trial, the defense once again requested the defendant be acquitted on both charges.

Judge Anderson denied the defense’s motion and scheduled the next hearing for Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Sexual Assault Defendant Awaits The Decision Of His Case

On Feb. 7 a judge decided to continue a non-jury trial despite counsel’s requests to dismiss a sexual assault case.

On Aug. 13, 2018, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in his apartment on the 5000 block of Washington Avenue, SW.

The request for dismissal includes deleted body-worn camera footage of the initial investigation.

During the trial on Feb. 7, the prosecution called a former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, a retired MPD officer, and a retired sexual assault MPD detective as their witnesses, all of whom participated in the case on Aug. 13, 2018.

A MPD sexual assault detective was called by officers following their initial conversation with the victim. On a recording, the detective is seen asking the victim if she wanted to file a sexual assault complaint, however, she responded that she was tired and just wanted to go home.

During their interview, the detective asked twice if the victim had been sexually assaulted. She said no to both inquiries.

After leaving the hospital two of the officers failed to title their body-worn camera footage, according to the order.

On Aug 14, 2018, the day after the victim left the hospital, she called the detective and asked to file a sexual assault complaint. According to witness testimony, the case was then updated from a sexual assault allegation to first-degree sexual assault.

According to court documents, the footage was deleted on Feb. 16 and 17 2019, which is more than 90 days after the incident happened.

As a result of the missing footage, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asked for the case to be dismissed. She was able to question the credibility of the prosecution’s evidence, which was a summary of officers’ body-worn camera footage written by a detective. She stated that the victim’s tone and demeanor on camera while she was in the hospital are crucial to this case.

She also stated that due to the MPD sexual assault department and the prosecutor’s failure to retrieve the body-worn camera footage when the complaint was filed, the defendant’s due process right to a fair jury trial was violated. The only evidence he has is not available, which Camdan said was bad faith and gross negligence.

The prosecution claimed that neither bad faith nor gross negligence are valid. The prosecution also added that the defendant’s due process rights were not violated and that there is a medical record and more witnesses who can testify.

Camdan previously filed a motion to exclude the defendant’s testimony at the hospital from evidence because it was a violation of the defendant’s Marinda rights.

But, the prosecution said the testimony wouldn’t be used as evidence.

The defense also filed a motion to suppress part of a nurse’ testimony, stating that she will be only explaining why she does her job. The prosecution agreed. However, both motions were later withdrawn.

According to court documents, the defendant and the victim got into an argument prior to the incident as a result of cheating allegations.While waiting for their vehicle in a local auto body shop, the victim looked through the defendant’s phone. The victim claimed he was cheating because she found that the defendant had her number saved as “mom” in his phone.

After they arrived at the defendant’s apartment their argument continued.The victim stated that she informed the defendant that she was having an asthma attack however, he did not believe her, picked her up, threw her on the bed, and started to kiss her chest. Then, she asked him to stop, but he did not.

While crying and screaming, the victim allegedly asked the defendant if he was going to rape her and he responded it was not rape. Then the defendant forced his penis inside her vagina while he was choking her which led to her vomit, according to court documents. The defendant then took the victim to the hospital for her asthma attack, which is when the police were contacted by hospital staff.

The defendant’s wife, mother, mother in law, sister, brother and brother in law were all there to support him.

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Anderson asked for the trial to continue, allowing the prosecution to call their witness to testify.

The non-jury trial is scheduled to resume on Feb 8.

Defense Requests a Continuance After Privately Discussing Proposed Peal Deal

Over two years after her arrest, a murder defendant appeared in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo to discuss a proposed plea deal.

Nijinsky Dix, a 38-year-old former professor at the University of Notre Dame, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged connection to the shooting of Terry Hickman.

Dix’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, and the prosecution prepared a plea deal for Dix’s status hearing on Feb. 8, but after a private conversation with Judge Demeo, Harden requested a continuance.

The shooting occurred on Nov. 14, 2020, on the 1000 block of 4th Street, NW. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a 911 call regarding gunshot sounds coming from inside an apartment building.

According to court documents, when the officers arrived on the scene they found Hickman lying face down, with multiple gunshot wounds. Dix was kneeling next to him with the murder weapon in hand. She was arrested at the scene.

During her interview with MPD detectives, Dix repeatedly told the officers she struggled with memory problems and asked them for information that would help remind her of the incident.

When the detectives showed her a photo of Hickman in an attempt to help her remember, she began crying, saying “Get it away from me.”

Dix has rejected previous plea deals, and it is unknown, at this time, why Harden decided to request a continuance after her conversation with Judge Demeo.

All parties are scheduled to return to court to continue discussing the plea deal on Feb. 13.

Judge Allows Defendant to Seek New Lawyers in Murder Case

During a status hearing on Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan allowed a defendant to seek new representation.

Tony Morgan, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting Malik McCloud, 19, on Oct. 20, 2018, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

Judge Raffinan and defense attorneys Lisbeth Sapirstein and Wole O. Falodun had a lengthy bench discussion, which concerned an issue that Morgan wanted to address. The issue was not disclosed to the public.

Judge Raffinan informed the prosecutor that Morgan wanted new representation in his case and that could cause conflicts with the trial date set for July 3.

The prosecutor said she believed that if Morgan could find new lawyers by Friday’s hearing then, she feels, the current trial date should remain on schedule.

The parties are scheduled to return for a status hearing on Feb. 10.

Judge Finds Probable Cause Defendant Committed Murder

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause that the defendant allegedly murdered another individual on May 30, 2022.

James Jackson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly murdering Christian Gabriel Monje, 29, on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

The prosecutor called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective on the case as a witness. The detective identified Jackson in the courtroom as being the suspect involved with the murder.

The prosecutor proceeded to show surveillance footage, which displayed the church steps where the murder had occurred. According to the surveillance, Monje approached the steps of the church with a bag and proceeded to sit on the retaining wall for an hour before an individual approached him.

Due to a gap in the video, there is no footage of the altercation between the individual and Monje. The surveillance does show Monje lying on the steps with his back against the retaining wall.

The prosecutor then showed surveillance footage from an alley next to the church, which displayed an individual running through the alley with a bag and passing next to a dumpster that was blocked by a car.

The detective stated that they recovered a P-80 9mm pistol underneath the dumpster, along with a magazine and ammunition. DNA evidence connected Jackson to the magazine.

The prosecution continued to show numerous other surveillance angles, which displayed the individual’s face. Surveillance also displayed the individual placing his jacket into a flower bed, which was later obtained by authorities.

The detective also mentioned that a witness heard a gunshot and saw an individual wearing all black clothing on the steps with Monje, however the witness could not identify the suspect due to problems with their eyesight.

The defense confirmed with the detective that there was no DNA evidence on the firearm, jacket, or ammunition that connected to Jackson.

The detective also stated that the bag the individual took from Monje had not been recovered, although Monje’s family received the victim’s drivers license in the mail from an unknown source.

The prosecution said there was substantial probability and probable cause that Jackson committed the murder, while the defense argued the evidence was circumstantial at best and does not think substantial probability or probable cause should be ordered.

Judge Demeo found probable cause that Jackson allegedly murdered Monje. She said the surveillance video also indicates that the defendant stole the bag from the victim.

Jackson’s cell phone was also placed in the vicinity of the murder when it took place.

Judge Demeo did not find substantial probability in the case.

“Since he is gone, our family cannot go on anymore”, Monje’s mom told D.C. Witness . She said she is heartbroken because she will not get to watch Monje experience the bright future he had ahead of him.

The parties are scheduled to return for a felony status conference on April 26.

Parties Argue Over Language in Murder Case

Parties had a lengthy debate on whether the language used by expert witnesses should be altered to be more comprehensible by the jury during a Feb. 8 hearing.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44. The shooting occurred in the 400 block of 61 Street, NE on April 25, 2018.

A representative from The Innocence Project argued that the jury could misinterpret the meaning of evidence if loaded language like “verification,” “consistent with,” and “identification” are used by expert witnesses. The Innocence Project has paired with scientists to investigate wrongful convictions and push for better verification in forensic analysis.

Defense attorney Jess Willis and the prosecution spoke at length about their language proposals, citing previous scientific studies and testimony from expert witnesses in firearm and toolmark analysis.

Tensions were high due to time constraints in preparation for the upcoming trial. DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt expressed her concerns and warned parties if continued the next trial date will not be until 2024.

“I need more time to digest this and put this into writing…stay tuned,” Judge Brandt said.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9.

Judge Continues Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

On Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan continued a preliminary hearing for a 2022 sex abuse case.

The 24-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse on Dec. 12, 2022, on the 3000 block of 16th Street NW.

According to a press release, the victim was standing near a bus stop when the defendant allegedly approached her, brandished a handgun and made the statement, “suck my dick.”

The accuser said that despite her refusal, the defendant kept brandishing the pistol and making attempts toward her sexually. She claimed that he was exposing his penis while lowering his pants with his other hand.

During Wednesday’s hearing, defense attorney Charles O’Banion asked to reschedule the hearing to review the plea offer.

O’Banion also asked Judge Raffinan to grant his client’s release, saying the defendant has never had any history of assaults.

But, the prosecutor objected to release, arguing that the firearm that was on the defendant at the time of the arrest was obtained illegally.

She also stated that he has another case in Georgia that is pending. That case involves methenamine, driving without a license, and possession of marijuana.

“The defendant has no history of assault conduct but the conduct that is charged here is extremely serious and poses a danger to the community,” she said.

Judge Raffinan agreed with the prosecution and rejected O’Banion’s request for release.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 22 to give the defense time to consider a plea offer.

Defendant’s Attorney in Homicide Case Refutes Charges

A defense attorney in a homicide case refuted kidnapping allegations during a presentment hearing on Feb. 7.

Isaiah Trotman, 31, is currently being charged with first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and kidnapping after allegedly shooting 64-year-old Robert Cunningham on Feb. 1 on the 1000 block of Potomac Avenue, SE.

On the day of the incident, Trotman injured three other victims in addition to Cunningham. He is accused of shooting two of the victims in the leg and another in the arm. He allegedly threatened them, pointed a gun at them, and told them to leave the metro station. This chain of events is what led to both the kidnapping and assault accusations.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough said there was no substantial probability or probable cause for the kidnapping charges, stating there was no intent to kidnap any of the victims because there was no purpose in doing so.

“A requirement of kidnapping is purpose of confinement,” said Yarbough.

The prosecution replied by emphasizing that the Trotman exerted control over the victim through violence.

He pointed a gun at the victim and told her to get off the bus, the prosecutor said.

Cunningham was killed when he stepped in to defend the other victims.

“In one day, the defendant terrorized four individuals,” said the prosecution.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan said he believes there is substantial probability and probable cause. He denied the defense’s request for release.

The next hearing is set for Feb. 16.

Motion Hearing Continued Due To Missing Evidence

A matter was continued in a Feb. 7 hearing due to missing evidence in a double homicide case.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave a warning to both parties on the conduct presented before the court. “This isn’t about your egos, it’s about Mr. Walker…Cut it out,” Judge Brandt said.

Defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Prescott Loveland argued for a motion to dismiss due to deleted and missing body-worn camera footage and notes from police officers at the scene the day of the incident. Officers have still yet to turnover case notes from five years ago.

Judge Brandt requested the officer take the stand to provide more information about the missing case notes on Feb 9.

“Nothing associated in this case is more important than this missing information,” Judge Brandt said.

Judge Brandt continued the matter due to information that needed to be reviewed.

The next hearing is scheduled to discuss a different motion on Feb. 8.

Prosecution and Defense Argue Over Professionalism in Court During Murder Case

During a felony status conference hearing on Feb. 7, the prosecution and defense argued over civility when the defense failed to provide a courtesy copy of their release plan to the prosecution.

William Ransford, 59, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly murdering Debra McManus, 39, on Oct. 23, 1993, in the area of 4th and Trenton Streets, SE.

The defense came prepared to discuss the release of Ransford with three separate options the attorneys said would prove sufficient.

The prosecution, however, did not receive the release plan because it was sent late on Feb. 6, and not easily accessible.

The prosecution proceeded to make comments targeting the defense’s professionalism, saying that they have refused to provide her with a courtesy copy of some reports. The prosecutor elaborated by saying she requested contact information from the defense, which was never provided.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke proceeded to argue her position for Ransford being released by proposing three different release plans.

Bunke argued that due to Ransford’s terminal illness and the fact that the case occurred 30 years ago, he was no longer a threat to the community.

The prosecution said that although Ransford has a terminal illness, he has been convicted of numerous other crimes since the murder in 1993, such as robbery, escape from an institution, and attempting to distribute a controlled substance.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied Ransford’s release.

The parties continued to discuss a motion to dismiss the case due to a HIPAA violation that occurred when the prosecution shared medical information with other sources.

The defense proceeded to give the prosecution a redacted copy of a medical document, which the prosecutor argued would not give her the ability to address how to move forward in the case with her supervisor.

Judge Raffinan ruled that the prosecutor only be allowed to discuss the redacted version.

The parties are scheduled to return for a motion hearing on March 27.

DC Judge Holds Co-Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held co-defendants charged with assault with a dangerous weapon during presentment hearings on Feb. 6.

A total of 37 defendants had hearings before Judge Lloyd Nolan, Jr.

Judge Nolan granted a request to hold co-defendants in connection to a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 6 in a parking garage on the 100 Block of M Street, NE.

Defendants Shatia Penn, 24, and Desmond Barr, 21, were allegedly involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical with two individuals. As the victims drove away three shots were fired at the vehicle.

Defense attorney Lola Ziadie requested that no probable cause be found on the assault charge for Barr, asserting he was not physically responsible for shooting the gun. This request was refuted by the prosecution and probable cause was found by the judge.

Judge Nolan also held two domestic violence defendants. One defendant charged with contempt was held without bond because of another open domestic violence case. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 13.

Another domestic violence defendant was held. The defendant was charged with violating a CPO and contempt and was held with a $25 bond and a stay-away order. She is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 14.

Two domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include attempted threats to do bodily harm, attempted possession of a prohibited item, and simple assault. Both defendants were given stay-away orders and instructed to return to court on March 2.

Judge Transitions Homicide Defendant from DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

Given an expert witness’s recommendation and a homicide defendant’s outbursts, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein authorized the release of the defendant from the DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Daniel Simon, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the murder of Michael Jones, 52, on the 200 block of 15 Street, NW on Jan. 4.

On Tuesday, a hearing was held to rule on whether the defendant was competent enough to stand trial.

His defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, obtained an expert to evaluate the defendant. However, the defense has no record of the evaluation.

The expert allegedly deemed the defendant incompetent to stand trial.

Throughout the hearing, Simon was adamant about speaking for himself rather than the attorney doing it for him. He repeatedly expressed concerns, to Judge Epstein, about being unaware of why he was being held.

“What is my conviction?” he asked, interrupting Judge Epstein.

The prosecutor said he was unable to rule against or for anything due to the lack of knowledge about the defendant’s mental capacity, so he asked for another competence screening with a new expert.

Judge Epstein scheduled the new screening and set another mental observation hearing, where parties will discuss the status of the defendant’s mental state, for Feb. 27.

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