Stabbing Co-Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment, Other Suspect Held in Federal Prison

A stabbing defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Jan. 21, while his co-defendant is detained under federal auspices in another jurisdiction.

Ramie Saunders, 38, and D’andre Montgomery, 19, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon,and assault with significant bodily injury for their alleged involvement in a stabbing, which occurred in the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on April 17, 2025.

According to court documents, the Department of Corrections (DOC) reviewed surveillance footage at the time of the offense and found that Saunders and Montgomery, along with two other suspects, allegedly assaulted the victim in the common area of the jail’s housing unit, striking the victim with a sharp metal object.

During the hearing, Montgomery’s attorney, Charlotte Gilliland, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional rights, including a speedy trial. Gilliland also requested additional time to review a plea offer sent by prosecutors, though the terms of the plea were not discussed in court.

Saunders, who was scheduled to appear for arraignment as well, was not present due to his detention in a federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP) facility for an unrelated matter. Todd Baldwin, Saunders’ attorney, alerted the court that given Sanders’ absence Baldwin was unable to assert his client’s rights.

Judge Salerno urged parties to begin the writ process, creating a former order, to bring Sanders to Superior Court.

Montgomery is slated to return on March 11 for a status hearing, while no new date is set for Saunders.

Prosecutors Dismiss Jail Stabbing Case

In DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur’s courtroom, a non-fatal stabbing case involving a corrections officer and an inmate was dismissed by prosecutors on Jan. 23.

Dion Lee, 26, Tyrone Hawkins, 24, and Dionte Anderson, 26, are charged with conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution, for their alleged involvement in the stabbing of another inmate and corrections officer at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, which occurred on May 9, 2023. Both the corrections officer and inmate sustained injuries but survived the attack.

During the hearing, the prosecution alerted the court of their intent to dismiss the charges against the defendants. The reason for the dismissal was not discussed in open court.

Lee, Hawkins and Anderson remain detained in connection to unrelated matters.

No further dates were set.

Judge Grants Stabbing Suspect Another Drug Treatment Chance

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a stabbing suspect another opportunity to receive drug treatment in a residential a bed-to-bed program on Jan. 23.

Helen Harris, 54, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Aug. 8, 2024 on the 1500 block of F Street, NW.

According to court documents, officers found the victim at the incident location with a laceration on her forehead. Harris had allegedly assaulted the victim and cut her with a metal object after drinking.

Susan Ellis, Harris’ attorney, requested Harris be released and given another opportunity to undergo drug treatment.

Judge Arthur noted his concern as the defendant only “lasted four days” in treatment when he previously released her.

According to Ellis, Harris had issues with another individual at her previous drug treatment facility. Ellis argued that Harris was compliant with treatment, but the situation hindered her success.

Judge Arthur was hesitant to consider releasing the defendant because of her history of bench warrants.

The defense contextualized Harris’ absence, “She did lose her son, that is why she was a loss of contact,” Ellis said.

“Ms. Harris is in a different place than she was in October,” Ellis told Judge Arthur.

Judge Arthur granted the defendant another opportunity to receive bed-to-bed treatment.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene Feb. 27.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in 2025 Child Death

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 76-year-old Lawrence Perryman in connection with the death of 1-year-old Quamir Johnson, which occurred on March 12, 2025, on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. Perryman has been charged with First-Degree Murder-Felony Murder and First-Degree Cruelty to Children, with the investigation confirming the offense was domestic in nature.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in 2024 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 22-year-old Melvin Nathaniel Lee Jr., who is alleged to have been involved in the 2024 homicide of Matthew Ginyard, 22, in Northeast D.C. The incident occurred on March 22, 2024, when officers found Ginyard with fatal gunshot wounds on the 300 block of 59th Street, NE. Lee Jr has been charged with First-Degree Murder while Armed.

Document: MPD Investigating Death in November 2025 Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into the death of Leroy Farrow, 62, following a crash on Nov. 24, 2025, on the unit block of Irving Street, NE. Farrow, driving a silver 2017 Hyundai Elantra, lost consciousness, collided with a black 2014 Honda Accord, and struck a pole. He was hospitalized and later pronounced dead on Nov. 28, 2025. The cause of death was confirmed as injuries from the crash.

Judge Again Continues Sentencing For Carjacking Defendant to Obtain His GED

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe allowed another continuance in sentencing for 23-year-old James Borum to retake the math section of his GED exam in the DC Jail during a hearing on Jan. 23.

After entering a deal to dismiss all other charges, Borum pled guilty to armed carjacking on Aug. 1, 2024, for his involvement in an incident that occurred on the 1500 block of 30th Street, NW.

Defense attorney Quiana Harris stated that Borum had passed every section of the GED exam except math, which he hoped to retake.

Although the prosecution objected to the continuance, Judge Pipe emphasized that as long as Borum is incarcerated, it doesn’t matter whether he’s in the DC Jail awaiting sentencing or in prison after being sentenced– the victims just want to know he is behind bars.

However, she noted that this would be the last time she would grant a continuance, given how long this case has lasted. “I appreciate that he’s trying to get an education, and there is no pressure,” Judge Pipe said, “but I cannot keep delaying the sentencing.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 29.

Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty, Release Modified

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno granted a shooting defendant’s request to modify his release conditions after he entered a not guilty plea in a felony arraignment of the charges against him hearing Jan. 22.

Onterrio Wilkinson, 20, is charged with endangerment with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a Sept. 28, 2024 non-fatal shooting, which occurred on the 1900 block of Half Street, SW.

Wilkinson entered into a not-guilty plea for all six charges listed in the indictment.

Defense attorney Erica Arensman argued that the defendant’s behavior on release had been “if not completely perfect, close to perfect,” requesting Wilkinson’s release conditions to be modified and for his GPS monitor to be removed.

Despite the prosecution’s petition to retain GPS monitoring, Judge Salerno granted the defense’s request.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 26 for a trial readiness hearing.

Case Acquitted: ‘Eyes Open Like He Had Just Seen a Ghost,’ Claims Witness of Murder Suspect

Editor’s Note: Malik Seltzer was acquitted of the murder, and its corresponding charges, by a jury on Jan. 22, 2026.

Jurors in DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz’s courtroom heard an acquaintance testify that a homicide defendant fled the scene with “eyes open like he had just seen a ghost,” on Jan. 20.

Malik Seltzer, 30, also known as “Freak,” is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. Seltzer was allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Paris Odemns on the 400 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept. 15, 2021.

According to court documents, Odemns sustained five gunshot wounds.

The acquaintance, who was brought in by US Marshals to testify due to his detention in an unrelated case in Maryland, depicted Seltzer’s arriving at an apartment, while Odemns remained in a stairwell leading to the apartment.

The acquaintance testified he was inside the apartment with two women, one answered the door while he remained seated nearby. The acquaintance claimed he saw Seltzer ‘lip-talk,’ meaning whisper.

According to the acquaintance, Seltzer told the woman “I’m gonna bag him,” referencing Odemns.

Seltzer apparently left with Odemns. No longer than three minutes later, the acquaintance heard five-to-eight gunshots. The acquaintance testified he didn’t call the police because he was high on marijuana and Molly, street slang for the mood-altering drug MDMA, which he stated he smokes everyday.

According to Kevann Gardner, Seltzer’s attorney, the acquaintance told detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that he saw Seltzer “running fast as sh*t” back to the apartment. The acquaintance claimed Seltzer’s “eyes were bugging” and Seltzer repeatedly said “I just bagged his a**.”

Gardner presented video evidence of a conversation between the acquaintance and detectives where he apparently contradicted his current testimony saying to detectives “I don’t know what the f**k Freak said when he was at the door.”

“You essentially saw what he said, you did not hear what he said,” Gardner continued to the witness, “after you told the detectives you began to change your story.”

“Maybe he shot someone, maybe he didn’t. I don’t know,” said the acquaintance.

The acquaintance reported another friend arrived at the apartment and pulled out the only gun amongst the party, asking “where the drugs at?”

The acquaintance said on the interview footage in an apparent reference to the defendant, “Shorty ain’t got no gun” and “he ain’t do it, he a flunky.”

The defense argued the acquaintance’s involvement in the case and testimony as means to achieve a “get out of jail free” card. The acquaintance currently has pending armed robbery charges in Maryland and Virginia.

According to Gardner, on a call from jail, the acquaintance recorded as “not worried about that Virginia sh*t,” and he is “gonna get them to run this sh*t together.”

The prosecution argued the testimony was not affected by the acquaintance’s desire for leniency regarding his pending charges. The prosecution asked whether the acquaintance had been promised “anything at all” regarding his future cases by the United States Attorney’s Office or law enforcement, which he denied.

The acquaintance was asked whether he even wanted to be involved in the incident or this trial and he said “no, I did not want nothing to do with it,” in response.

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 21.

Document: MPD Investigating Varnum Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 21 on the 1300 block of Varnum Street, NE. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Malik Moore of Northeast, DC, was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in 2023 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in connection with a 2023 homicide. On May 20, 2023, Little Price Jr., 36, was found deceased from gunshot wounds on the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE. On Jan. 20, an 18-year-old male from Southeast was charged with First-Degree Murder while Armed for the crime, which he allegedly committed at age 15. MPD did not release the name of the suspect, a juvenile at the time of the murder.

Carjacking Defendant Released to Home Confinement

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a carjacking defendant’s request for release on home confinement on Jan. 21.

Devon Rogers, 27, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident on May 23 on the 800 block of 7th Street, NW.

During the hearing, Bryan Bookhard, Rogers’ attorney, requested Rogers be released on home confinement given that he has been held since May 2025.

Bookhard cited two civilian witnesses who claimed Rogers was not engaged in the crime.

The prosecutor opposed the request, since they claim to have evidence that Rogers was next to the victim’s car an hour after it got stolen. They requested that Rogers remain detained, citing his dangerousness.

However, Judge Arthur sided with the defense, and agreed to release Rogers on home confinement.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 11.

Judge Won’t Release Shooting Co-Defendant

DC Supreme Court Judge Jason Park rejected a shooting defendant’s request for release during a hearing on Jan. 20.

Nikia Cunningham, 31, and Bernard Vance, 31, are charged with robbery while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree cruelty to children, possession of firearm during crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, tampering with physical evidence, possession of unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The accusations date back to their alleged involvement in a robbery and shooting incident on March 28, 2023, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries during the crime.

On Dec. 16, 2025, a jury acquitted Cunningham of assault with intent to kill while armed and a count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

During the hearing, Cunningham’s attorney, Jesse Winograd, addressed Judge Park about possibly releasing Cunningham.

Winograd argued that the incident occurred more than three years ago, and Cunningham will have to wait for a re-trial, even though she was acquitted of assault with intent to kill –which he argued no longer makes her dangerous to the community, even though her child, was allegedly on her hip at the time of the shooting.

Winograd argued Cunningham had a strong self-defense case.

The prosecutor opposed the request due to the fact that Cunningham was previously convicted and sentenced in connection to a theft and assault case. According to the prosecution, Cunningham allegedly shot a man in the face, and she has been previously jailed.

Judge Park acknowledged the fact that Cunningham’s self-defense claims are strong, but he refuted the request due to her extensive criminal history. He told parties he’d be open to revisiting the request at a later time.

Parties are set to gather again on Jan. 27.

Defendant’s Friend Initially Claimed He Killed The Victim

A friend of a homicide defendant told police he was responsible for the incident in a jury trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Jan. 22.

Antonio Hawley, 23, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Aaron Wiggins, 26, on Oct. 6, 2021. The incident occurred on the 400 block of 13th Street, SE.

During the hearing, prosecutors called on an eyewitness, a close friend with Hawley who claimed responsibility for Wiggins’ death, stating, “It was something that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

The witness, who was also the owner of the weapon allegedly used in the murder, said the events of the October night “ruined everything in [his] life” and that “if [he] could go back in time and change it,” he would.

Police suspected Hawley was the shooter prior to their meeting with the witness, and pressed the witness during an interview. While he testified he initially attempted to take responsibility for the incident with detectives, the witness retracted the self-incriminating statements, claiming Hawley was indeed the shooter.

The witness claimed he was “feeling guilty for snitching” on Hawley. According to Julie Swaney, Hawley’s attorney, the witness was granted immunity from a charge of carrying a pistol without a license for his compliance during questioning with officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The eyewitness also testified that a mutual friend of his and Hawley had asked to buy the suspected murder weapon from him.

Prosecutors also called the other friend to testify regarding his relationship with Hawley and the eyewitness, and his knowledge of the gun.

The individual claimed he saw the bag containing the weapon multiple times around the residence of his partner at the time, where he and defendant visited frequently, but didn’t know the weapon was stored there. He also claimed to seeing the bag carried by Hawley and the eyewitness who claimed blame at different times.

Swaney questioned him about his alleged desire to purchase the weapon, which the eyewitness had asserted in earlier testimony but then denied it.

Following the witnesses’ testimonies, prosecutors called the medical examiner who performed Wiggins’ autopsy and ruled the manner of death a homicide, and stated the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 26.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

A shooting defendant rejected a plea deal before DC Superior Court Deborah Israel on Jan. 20.

Shawnette Greene, 49, is charged with robbery while armed among other counts for her alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on the 200 block of Allison Street, NW on Feb. 13, 2023 that left an individual suffering three gunshot wounds to the upper left leg.

During the hearing, Greene rejected a plea deal offered by the prosecution. The proposed agreement would reduce her charges to one count of assault with significant bodily injury and one count of carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 27.

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