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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter 

Rodney T. Lindsay pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Feb. 7 at the D.C. Superior Court. 

Lindsay, 55, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for stabbing Terrance Gause, 53, on Aug. 14, 2021, on the 700 block of Adrian Street, SE. 

Lindsay’s Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative let the court know that, as of Feb. 2, Lindsay has been fully compliant with his high intensity supervision program (HISP) conditions.

Voluntary manslaughter holds a maximum 30 year sentence or a $250,000 fine. 

The defense attorney requested that Lindsay remain on release while he awaits his sentencing date. According to his defense attorney, Lindsay is not a threat to the community. 

The prosecutor requested for the defendant to continue following the stay away order which prohibits him from contacting or being around the victim’s family. 

D.C. Superior Court Judge Raffinan granted the defense attorney’s request, and reiterated that Lindsay must remain compliant with his release terms until sentencing. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality from a traffic crash that occurred on Feb. 3, on the 3000 block of 20th Street, NE.

The preliminary investigation at about 11:43 pm, a 2004 Infiniti G35 was traveling up the 3000 block of 20th Street, NE.

The Infiniti’s driver lost control of the car and slammed into a Jeep Cherokee that was parked on the curb facing west. Because of the intensity of the collision, a Nissan Xterra was pushed into a BMW 3 Series, which in turn was pushed into a Jeep. Following a 20-foot detour northward, the Jeep leaped the curb before coming to a final stop on the sidewalk.

The driver of the Jeep, 22-year-old Andy Carino was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on Feb. 6, on the 4200 block of 7th Street, SE.

According to a press release, at about 11:33 pm, officers located 40-year-old Anthony Thomas, Sr., inside of an apartment suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The suspect was apprehended at the scene.

Latasha Gray, 35, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Requests to Represent himself in Jury Trial

A non-fatal shooting defendant expressed on Feb. 2 that he wanted to represent himself. 

Victor Leon Coley, 61, was charged with assault with Intent to kill while armed, the incident took place on the 300 block of 40th St, NE in which two victims were shot, one victim was shot in the back and the other in the right leg. The incident took place on Nov. 6, 2013, and the defendant has yet to have a trial. Coley has been in DC jail for over five years.

“Your Honor I have to go back to tell my family I don’t have a court date, now the judge moving it back. I want to represent myself your honor.” the defendant said.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan advised Coley that it was not in his best interest to represent himself in court as it would be extremely difficult to cease all his discoveries and evidence to support himself in a trial. 

One of Coley’s defense attorneys, Jesse Winograd, requested a renewal of the motion for release into a 90-day outpatient treatment program where the defendant can get follow-up services, including housing. 

Another defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, emphasized that the defendant has not been receiving his heart medication while in prison. 

“Mr. Coley can show me gaps in his record when he does not receive his medication and the same exact issue has happened before. This is a medication that is keeping him alive,” Weletz said.

Judge Ryan said he understands Winograd’s request, but rejected the motion for release because the case is still pending. 

The next hearing is a jury trial that is scheduled for April 24. 

Document: 25-Year-Old Killed in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 4, on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE.

According to a press release, at about 7:17 pm, officers located 25-year-old Darnell Peoples suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 4, on the 1400 block of Spring Road, NW.

According to a press release, at about 4:04 pm, officers located 39-year-old Aaron Robinson inside of the vestibule of a residential building. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on Feb. 4, on the 1100 block of 21st Place, NE.

According to a press release, at about 5:04 am, officers located 32-year-old Gregory Wilkins inside of an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Feb. 4, 27-year-old Diamond Stevenson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. The detectives revealed the offense was domestic in nature.

Judge Reschedules Status Hearing for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

In the Feb. 3 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert D. Okun held a status hearing, however the defendant was not in attendance. 

The 60-year-old defendant allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a child under the age of 18 on the block of  1400 Morris Road, SE in August 2021. He is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping against a minor, first-degree child sex abuse where the victim was under age 18 and the actor had significant relationship with victim,second-degree child abuse where the victim was under age 18 and the actor had significant relationship with victim. 

Judge Okun said defendant will be in a medical procedure later this month and won’t be available to attend his trial on Feb. 21. 

The defendant was released under the s High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). 

A pretrial services representative reports that the defendant has been in compliance with release conditions, sayinghere has been no notice of any arrest or warrants since his release. In addition, the defendant has tested negative for a drug use.

The jury trial for Feb. 21 was vacated. A status hearing is scheduled for March 29. All parties have agreed that the defendant can attend the hearing remotely.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Defendant in Homicide Case

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found probable cause and held a defendant in a 2022 homicide case. 

Jerome Israel is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting ChaQuan Barbett on Aug. 23, 2022, on the 2300 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. 

The prosecution offered a plea deal for two cases Israel, 19, is currently being tried for, including Barbett’s murder and a carjacking case. The plea deal would have lowered Israel’s charges for both cases to two counts of unarmed carjacking, aggravated assault, and second-degree murder resulting in a minimum sentence of 25 years. Despite his family urging him to take the deal from the audience, Israel rejected the offer.

Israel’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, questioned the lead detective on the case about the surveillance footage of the incident and eye-witness interviews. The detective said the complexion, hairstyle, or particular clothing details of the suspect could not be determined by the surveillance footage. Reed also pointed out that the eyewitnesses’ interviews had different descriptions of the suspect.

The eyewitness that identified Israel as the suspect was parked near the scene of the crime when the alleged shooting occurred.

The prosecution said that while the witness’s description was vague, Israel matched it and was later identified as the suspect when the witness was shown a photo of him.

Seven days after the alleged shooting, Israel was arrested for an armed carjacking incident in which a stolen car crashed and Israel allegedly fled the scene, according to court documents. 

From the crash, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers recovered a firearm and an open container of juice. Both items were tested for DNA as well as the deployed airbag of the car from the crash. Israel’s DNA was found on all three items.

The firearm recovered from the car crash also linked Israel to Barbett’s murder through evidence recovered at the scene of the shooting.

The defense said there were no grounds to find probable cause as testing of evidence showed signs of other individuals’ DNA. The defense also questioned Barbett’s identification as the suspect because the witness who identified him had previously been arrested for intent to distribute and sell cocaine. The witness’ connection to the incident is unclear.

However, after arguments from the prosecution and defense, Judge Raffinan said the surveillance footage, ballistics evidence, and witness testimonies sufficient enough to find probable cause.   

Reed requested that Israel be released under certain conditions due to his lack of a violent history and drug use. 

However, the defense’s request for Israel’s release under the high-intensity supervision program (HISP) with house arrest and a curfew was rejected.

Judge Raffinan agreed with the prosecution that the defendant was a danger to society due to approximately seven previous carjacking incidents. 

All parties are scheduled to return for a status hearing on April 27. 

Jury Selection Continues for Murder Trial

The jury selection for six of nine co-defendants charged in the murder of a 10-year-old girl is scheduled to continue on Feb. 7.

Qujuan Thomas, 24, Quentin Michals, 25, Marquell Cobbs, 20, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Gregory Taylor, 26, are charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation and other charges in connection to the fatal drive-by shooting that killed 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

During Monday’s jury selection, 75 potential jurors attended to be interviewed by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

The prosecution read out over 100 names of witnesses that will be testifying in this case.

The defense expects to call up to 16 of those witness.

Jail Separation Order Puts Defendants’ Safety in Jeopardy, Says Defense Team

During a Feb. 3 status hearing, defense attorneys for multiple co-defendants charged in a conspiracy case argued that the separation order the prosecution imposed has been a “logistical nightmare for the jail.”

Co-defendants Nkobia Edwards, 20, Charles Hill Jr, 22, Dominique Franks, 22,  Melvin Morris, 24, Michael Mason, 19,  Dajuan Jones, 23, and Alvin Jackson, 28,  are incarcerated for their alleged conspiracies and involvement in a non-fatal construction site shooting. 

The shooting occurred on the 3300 block of 34th Street, NW on June 17, 2021. According to court documents, a car pulled up to the construction site and three gunmen exited the vehicle to open fire on the site before hopping back into a stolen vehicle and fleeing the scene. A vehicle pursuit lasted approximately 30 minutes before Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers captured the car and its four occupants.

Additionally, Mason and Jones are also facing additional charges for their involvement in the murder of 21-year-old Brea Moon, which occurred on the 3900 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on April 7, 2020.

Jones and Jackson are also allegedly charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for a shooting that occurred on the 5000 block H Street, SE on May 2, 2020.  

Apart from the other co-defendants, Mason is allegedly charged with the murder of 18-year-old Antwuan Roach, which occurred on the 3800 block of East Capitol Street, NE on May 22, 2020.

Both murders were believed to be gang-related incidents, according to court documents.

Due to a prosecution separation order, all co-defendants have been separated in the DC jail for over 16 months.

The prosecution listed the reasoning behind the separation as crew-related issues and misconduct by the defendants, noting that they accessed cell phones and social media while in jail. DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein  questioned the purpose of the separation when it comes to addressing the issues behind it. 

Attorneys Howard McEachern and Gemma Stevens  representing Edwards, attorney Shawn Sukumar representing Hill, attorneys Megan Allbrun and Julie Swaney representing Morris, attorney David Knight and Prescott Loveland representing Jones, attorney Euphus Belu-John representing Jackson, and Ain Andrew all joined to request the separation order to be waived.

The defense claimed that their clients’ access to education is paused since the separation order prevents them from being in the DC Jail’s communal classroom. They also argued that the defendants’ safety is in jeopardy due to their placement among members of an alleged rival group. 

Judge Epstein said he needed time to discuss the issue with DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee before deciding on the separation waiver request. 

During the Friday status hearing, the prosecution also informed the court of standing plea offers, stating that one of the defendants, who was not present in court, pleaded guilty. The prosecution is still waiting on others to respond. 

On behalf of Mason, attorney Andrew rejected the plea offer, while the others asked for more time. 

Even though the offers are wired, Mason’s rejection of his plea offer did not affect the others because he holds an additional murder charge not listed in DC Courts, besides the murders of Moon and Roach, said prosecution. 

Frank, Hill, and Jackson, along with others, had their families present in the courtroom for support.  

For the ease of future hearings, Judge Epstein split the defendants into three groups, with some overlapping into multiple. 

  • Group 1: Edwards, Franks, Morris, and Hill.
  • Group 2: Hill, Mason, Jones, and Jackson. 
  • Group 3: Jones and Jackson.

Status hearings for the groups are scheduled for March 17. 

Judge Schedules Motion Hearing to Continue After Hearing from 2 Experts 

During a motions hearing on Feb. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt oversaw two witness testimonies which could impact whether or not they will be used at trial.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed under aggravating circumstances, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts attempt to commit robbery while armed, and two counts of first-degree murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit a robbery for allegedly murdering Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE. 

During the Feb. 6 motions hearing, the parties finished listening to two separate expert witnesses who discussed the idea of what language to use during trial in a way the jury would understand. 

The next motions hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8. 

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Six Felony Charges 

Johnwann Elliot was officially arraigned on Feb. 6 during a felony arraignment court hearing. 

On March 15, 2022, Elliot, 29, allegedly shot Nikia Young. Young, 37, was seen on surveillance footage walking through the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE when she encountered the defendant who shot her seven times to the body and face. 

Defense attorneys Kevin O’Sullivan and Roderick Thompson are representing Elliot. O’Sullivan entered a not guilty plea for first-degree murder while armed during release, unlawful possession of a firearm during release, two counts of possession of a firearm during a violent offense during release, and carrying a pistol without a license. 

Defense counsel also invoked Elliot’s right to a speedy trial for the homicide case.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers collected several witness testimonies from the scene that afternoon, including statements from the victim’s family and friends, according to court documents. When questioning the friends and family of the victim, officers inquired into possible motives, including a rumor that the victim allegedly stole a firearm from the defendant. 

Even though Elliot is associated with a local address, he was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) in a hotel room on May 19, 2022. 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffian set a status hearing for June 6. 

Physician Assistant Accused of Sexual Abuse Awaits Trial Date

During a Feb. 6 status hearing, the prosecutor confirmed that a pre-indictment plea offer given to a sexual abuse defendant was rejected on the record. 

A 48-year-old physician assistant is charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a patient or a client. The incident allegedly occurred at Metro Lab, a full-service testing facility on the 3400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, where he was formerly employed. 

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy affirmed that the defendant initially rejected the prosecution’s plea offer on Oct. 28, 2022.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein scheduled the next hearing following the 9 month indictment deadline. 

A felony status hearing is scheduled for June 7.

Judge Holds Defendant Charged With Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

During a presentment hearing on Feb. 3, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a defendant in relation to a non-fatal shooting.

The defendant, Larry Tunstall, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged connection to a shooting on Aug. 27, 2022. 

Tunstall, 23, allegedly struck an off-duty FBI agent’s vehicle while driving on the DC295 highway. When the agent attempted to flag the defendant down, Tunstall allegedly shot at his vehicle while passing Benning Road. 

Tunstall’s defense attorney, Chantal Jean-Baptiste, requested that the judge not find probable cause due to the fact that Tunstall did not fit the description given by the agent. The defense also claimed that there was not enough information to identify Tunstall as a suspect. 

However, the prosecution argued that there was enough evidence to find probable cause as the vehicle used by the suspect was traced back to Tunstall’s home and someone who lives with him reported that he was driving the day of the incident. The prosecution also said  that there was probable cause for carrying a pistol without a license as the possible pistol was found in Tunstall’s home. 

The preliminary hearing is slated for Feb. 6 was waived, and a felony indictment is pending.

Tunstall continues to be held without bond at the DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16.