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Judge Schedules Next Status Hearing in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled the next status hearing in a murder case for Feb. 17 in order to give the prosecution time to receive an indictment.

Jordan Jones is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Noel Prince Nicol on Oct. 11, 2021, on the 2000 block of Savannah Place, SE.

Defense attorney Rachel Cicurel requested the next status hearing take place before Feb. 18 to meet the nine-month deadline for an indictment return.

The next status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17.

Judge Approves Defense Attorney’s Motion for Independent Counsel 

On Jan. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted a defense attorney’s motion to implement independent counsel for a defendant charged in connection to the murder of a 62-year old man. 

D’Aundrey Scott, 28, is facing charges for first-degree murder, assault with the intent to kill, and two counts of arson, for his alleged involvement in four crimes that occurred on May 13, 2020, resulting in the death of Darryl Finney two days later. The crime occurred on the 900 block of H Street, NE. The assault occurred on the 1300 block of H Street, NE, and the two counts of arson happened on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE. 

Roderick Thompson, Scott’s defense attorney, said he filed the motion for independent counsel due to a conflict with the Public Defender Services (PDS). Scott accused another PDS client of committing the crimes he is being charged with. 

Thompson argued that independent counsel is most appropriate at this stage and, although the defendant wants PDS to remain as his counsel, it would be best for the court to grant him independent counsel. 

The prosecution opposed the motion, but the judge argued that due to the timing, with Scott’s trial date set for August, if they were to grant him independent counsel it would be best to do it sooner rather than later. 

The judge granted the motion, saying he would appoint a new attorney to the defense as soon as possible, saying the defendant, prosecution and current defense attorney would receive notice from his chambers. 

In court, Judge Epstein and prosecutors also discussed letters that the defendant sent to them, some of which were filed in a sealed motion. 

The prosecutor said that in some unsealed letters, the defendant accused another individual of committing the crimes he is being charged with. 

In the letters, the defendant said he needs to be released immediately. He also declared his dislike for the prosecution. 

Judge Epstein asked the defendant to stop sending letters to other parties in the case, saying the letters would not benefit him. 

Scott’s next status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15. 

New Evidence Prompts Judge to Postpone Sexual Assault Hearing

The hearing for a domestic violence defendant with a sexual assault charge was moved as defense anticipates new evidence from the prosecution. 

The 22-year-old defendant is currently charged with first-degree sexual assault, involving the rape of his ex-girlfriend. The alleged offense occurred on Dec. 13, 2022, on the 1800 block of Fourth Street, NE. 

In Thursday’s hearing, defense attorney Peter Odom requested to have the hearing pushed back 30 days from now. 

The defense requested more time to properly prepare for the hearing. 

Odom told DC Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein that they are still waiting for evidence from the prosecution, including a toxicology report.

The hearing was rescheduled for March 16 at 9 a.m. 

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in 2022 Homicide Case

During a preliminary hearing on Jan. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found substantial probability for a homicide case.

Ethan Cunningham, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old James Curtis on May 10, 2022, in an apartment building located on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE.

During the Tuesday hearing Ronald Resetarits, Cunningham’s defense lawyer, emphasized how Cunningham’s probation officer, who recognized him, was only provided images from the Ring doorbell camera and not a whole array.

Because the gun that was used in the incident was directed down rather than at the victim’s body, he said Cunningham had no intention to hurt or kill.

Regardless of the gun’s direction, the prosecutor asked Judge Brandt to find substantial probability based on witness identifications and security footage from the doorbell camera.

“Cunningham pulled his mask down several times during the preliminary hearing,” she said. “Anybody in the courtroom could identify him as the one on the Ring camera.”

Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecutor.

“Cunningham has been identified four different times,” she said. “You can see his face in the ring camera. It’s him. It’s clear.”

According to Judge Brandt, apartment complex staff members called officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and identified the individual they saw that day at the apartments as Cunningham.

Cunningham was also named in a number of anonymous tips and identified by his probation officer.

“The prosecutions case is overwhelming strong,” Judge Brandt said.

Cunningham’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

During a Jan. 25 status hearing, a 23-year-old murder defendant decided to reject a plea offer for murder and two of the eight charges over two separate cases.  

Ky’Lee Palmer, 23, is accused of allegedly shooting 60-year-old Barron Goodwin in the 800 block of 51st Street SE on Feb. 12, 2020.  

Palmer was not officially connected to Goodwin’s murder until 2022 upon his arrest in connection to an armed kidnapping. According to court documents, the victim of that kidnapping revealed to detectives that Palmer had previously confided about his involvement in the 2020 homicide. 

Palmer was indicted on one count of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and destruction of property of $1,000 or more in relation to the homicide case. Those indictment charges are in addition to a kidnapping while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm charge in relation to a 2022 kidnapping case. 

The plea offer would have dropped the rest of the charges Palmer faced. 

The prosecution asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan for a hold on the defendant, admitting that this case is “fairly unique” in that Palmer will be held regardless due to his involvement in the kidnapping case. 

“The intent transfers,” the prosecution said, explaining that although Goodwin wasn’t Palmer’s intended victim, Palmer still intended to commit homicide. 

The prosecution argued that their evidence, including a dispute between the defendant and a witness living at the targeted home, the GPS location on Palmer’s phone, and surveillance video of a stolen car, should be enough to hold him in connection to this case. 

Although the prosecution argued that Palmer’s phone GPS location showed him in the area of the crime when it occurred, the defense refuted the accuracy of this evidence.

Defense Attorney David Akulian said cell towers register multiple block ranges, arguing that Palmer’s phone being in the general area of the crime “tells us just about nothing.”

Akulian also reminded Judge Raffinan that there is no DNA or physical evidence that connects Palmer to the destruction of the car that was supposedly used to perpetrate the shooting. He asked for Palmer’s release. 

Judge Raffinan told the parties that she would need more time to review the specific facts of the case before she could determine the weight of the evidence.

A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Defendant Refuses Transfer to DC Area Prison Due to Concerns for Safety

 A defendant refused to transfer to a prison in close to the DC area over safety concerns. His unwillingness to transfer is causing disturbances for his upcoming trial.

Levi Ruffin, 44, is currently serving an 18 years sentence for a sexual assault case that occurred in 2015. He is also being charged with 29 other charges, including first-degree burglary offenses committed during release while armed and against a minor, kidnapping offenses committed during release, three counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person while armed with one of those counts including an addition of offenses committed during release.

The charges continue with a number of assault charges including, assault with a dangerous weapon committed during release, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed that was committed during release, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse by force while armed that was committed during release, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

 Ruffin also has a number of sexual abuse charges that include first-degree sexual abuse.

The defendant was found guilty of committing sex offenses against two or more victims while the defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon, which was also committed during release and third-degree sex abuse.

During a status hearing on Jan. 25, Ruffin refused to be transferred to a DC area prison for preparation for trial because he said  his life would be in jeopardy.

These offenses allegedly occurred between December 1999 and 2000, on July 2, 2003, June 3, 2007, and Sept. 8, 2007, on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW, the 1400 block of Euclid Street, NW, the 1700 block of Harvard Street NW, and the 1400 block of Columbia Road, NW. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt explained that she had no authority over which DC area prison Ruffin would be transferred to. That decision lies with the Bureau of Prisons.

Judge Brandt also explained that Ruffin would need to be held in the DC area for his upcoming trial on Nov. 6. She also stated that if Ruffin wished to remain virtual, he could waive his right to a virtual trial and have a bench trial instead. 

Defense attorney Howard McEachern explained that he needed to confer with his client. 

McEachern said he had not been able to talk with Ruffin due to a change in Ruffin’s prison counselor in West Virginia. 

McEachern also said he is set to discuss matters with Ruffin sometime next week.

Judge Brandt said she expects a hearing to discuss DNA evidence and a preliminary trial readiness hearing to occur at the next hearing, which is scheduled on Feb. 15.

Judge Approves Prosecution’s Request For Indictment Extension

On Jan. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the prosecution’s motion to extend an indictment for a defendant charged in connection to a shooting that killed Demetris Levar Johnson.

Nyjell Outler, 20, is facing charges for second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder that occurred on March 20, 2021, on the unit block of Madison Street, NE. The shooting happened at a gender-reveal party for one of the defendant’s friends. Outler is currently being held at the DC Jail.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens opposed the motion, but, after a private conference with the prosecutor, Judge Raffinan found good cause to extend the indictment clock. The reason for good cause was not discussed in court. 

Outler’s next hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 16.

Victim’s Mother Led from Courtroom After Viewing Daughter’s Death

There was apparent tension in the courtroom when the victim’s mother watched her daughter’s death as a video of the incident played in court.  

Twenty-three-year-old Celot Carr was arrested on Dec.16, 2022, after a warrant was issued in connection to a shooting resulting in the death of Kyndall Myers, 18. The shooting occurred on June 26, 2022, on the 800 block of Quincy Street, NW.

During a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective recounted the events leading up to the shooting. He narrated the footage depicting the shooting of Myers and two other victims. 

He said the video showed “a flash of light consistent with gunshots.” The witness then got out of his seat, approached the screen, and pointed to exactly where Myers stood and narrated the details of the crime, including her death. 

The detective said the suspect was aiming to shoot at a group of men who were leaving a party.

According to the prosecutor, the vehicle Carr allegedly stole circled the block more than once based on GPS tracking the police placed on the car days before the incident.

From the left side of the courtroom, Myer’s mother bursted into tears and made her way out of the courtroom. 

Several of Myer’s family members followed her out into the hallway. In an effort to console the victim’s family, the court marshall retrieved tissues from behind the bench.Throughout the hearing, glances were exchanged between Myer’s family and those present in support of the defendant. 

After cross examination of the witness, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein said he found probable cause because the evidence placed the defendant at the scene of the crime. 

Evidence for this conclusion included physical surveillance of the defendant’s stolen vehicle and shell casings recovered from the vehicle floor. The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected the shell casings found in the vehicle to an armed robbery involving Carr from December 2022. 

Judge Epstein ordered Carr to return to DC jail where he is already being held for the armed robbery offense. 

The next hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2023. 

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking a suspect for an assault with a dangerous weapon that happened on Friday, Jan. 20 in the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

At approximately 11:28 am, MPD officers responded to a call about gunshots at the address, and found an adult male with gunshot wounds.

Homicide Trial Set Two Years After Incident

A homicide co-defendant’s trial date was set for Sept. 17, 2024, nearly two years after the incident.

Tamera Brown and Robert Baskerville appeared in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein for the murder of Darron Holmes Jr. 

On Jan. 25, Brown, 26, pleaded not guilty to her five indicted charges, including two counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with intent to kill, obstruction of justice, and first-degree murder while armed.

Baskerville, 29, was indicted on four charges, including first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

On April 16, 2022, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched for sounds of gunshots on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Holmes, 28 was found lying in front of the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE with multiple sustained gunshot wounds. All life-saving measures failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holmes was the father of Brown’s two children. He had sole custody. According to court documents, the day before the incident, Brown, 26, repeatedly banged on the door of the victim’s residence, demanding he surrender their children to her.

Holmes called his mother to inform her of the situation, and his mother then called Brown in an attempt to calm the situation. During this call, Brown was on speakerphone with the victim’s mother and an additional witness.

According to the witness’s interview with the MPD, during this call, Brown stated “No, if he don’t give me my kids right now, I’m going to kill him, and I’m gonna kill you too!”. 

After the phone call, Holmes’ mother called the police to inform them of the situation. When MPD officers arrived, Brown was no longer there. Holmes identified himself and declined police assistance, advising that his ex-wife just wouldn’t stop knocking at the door.

In the early afternoon on the day of the incident, detectives followed Brown and another individual, later discovered to be her father, to the third district police station. Brown was subsequently interviewed by police regarding Holmes’s murder.

While under oath, she denied having ever threatened to kill Holmes or his mother. Additionally, she said she went to Holmes’ residence alone but had been driven away by a person whom she did not know.

After driving away, Brown said the unknown person stopped the car and exited the vehicle. She then drove the vehicle, with her children, to her father’s residence.

Brown did not want to reveal who had driven her and her children away from the victim’s residence because she said the person “saved” her after Holmes allegedly grabbed and choked her. She also denied having a current boyfriend but advised that her children knew of her previous boyfriend whom they knew as “Two”.

The oldest of Holmes and Brown’s two children was interviewed by MPD after his mother. 

He told the police that someone wearing the clothing of his mother’s boyfriend, whom he knows as “Two,” had shot his father using “Two’s” gun. Brown’s son also told police that “mommy did nothing wrong.”

After this interview, an arrest warrant for Baskerville was issued. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. His charge was later upgraded to first-degree murder while armed.

Brown is on release and Baskerville is currently being held in the D.C. Jail. 

Judge Epstein set a trial date for Sept. 17, 2024, to allow the defense to receive new evidence from the prosecution.
All parties are scheduled to return to court on March 10 at 11:30 p.m for a felony status conference hearing. This hearing is projected to determine how the parties are moving forward in the case.

Document: Decedent Identified in Southwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 21 on the 4700 block of 1st Street, SW.

According to a press release, at about 10:41 pm, officers located 56-year-old Morgan Francis inside a residential building suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Murder Case Potentially Delayed as Defense Finalizes Expert Witness Notice

A murder defendant appeared before D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Jan. 24 to continue preparing for his trial, which is set to begin on April 3.

Khalid Claggett, 39, has been indicted on three charges, including first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm during release, in connection with allegedly shooting 30-year-old Isaac Aull Jr. on June 11, 2021, on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. 

Claggett’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, stated that the defense has a potential expert witness the prosecution has not yet been notified of.

Judge Raffinan has requested the defense file their expert witness notice by Feb. 10. After the prosecution has been notified, they may request to re-evaluate the trial date if needed based on the information provided by the notice.

On the day of the incident in question, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were dispatched to the location and found Aull with gunshot wounds sustained in his torso, back, and neck. He showed no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court documents, surveillance footage of the incident depicts Aull and another unknown subject firing weapons in the direction of a car Claggett was a passenger in. After these alleged shots, Claggett exited the vehicle and began running after Aull and the additional unknown subject with what the footage suggests is a handgun in his right hand. 

Dashcam footage from the time of the incident was obtained from a car that was stopped on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE. This footage depicted Aull crawling into the street, suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the leg, when Claggett ran up to him, weapon in hand.

The weapon appeared to malfunction, causing Claggett to back away from Aull until he fixed it. Claggett then returned to Aull, who was still moving, and fired what appeared to be eight shots in Aull’s direction. 

“A portion of those shots appeared to have been discharged as the defendant was standing over the decedent finishing him off.” according to court documents.

All parties are scheduled to appear for another status hearing on Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Motion to Withdraw Counsel in Murder Case.

Due to high prejudice to the prosecution, case complexity and inconvenience for all parties involved, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied the defense’s motion to withdraw counsel in a murder case involving six defendants. 

Twenty-five–year-old Quentin Michals, along with Qujuan Thomas, 24; Antonio Murchison, 29; Gregory Taylor,22; Marquell Cobbs,20;  Darrise Jeffers,23; Isaiah Murchison, 22; and Mark Price, 28, are charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, possession of a firearm and 19 other charges in relation to a shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018. The shooting took place on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE and wounded several other bystanders. 

Defense attorneys Errin Scialpi and Karen Minor filed a motion to withdraw as counsel on behalf of Michals. But, Judge Okun denied the motion to withdraw since the factors to deny the motion strongly outweighed the factors to grant motion.  

Michals’ attorneys continued to push the motion, expressing concern that Michals needs an attorney who he is comfortable with as the trial date approaches. 

“For your own sake work with them as closely as you can,” Judge Okun told Michals.

The trial date is scheduled for Feb. 6. 

Judge Shuts Down Defense Attorney’s Request to Delay Sexual Assault Trial

During a status hearing on Jan. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a defense attorney’s request to set the beginning of a sexual assault trial at a later date out of frustration with his workload.

In 2019, Michael Lawlor’s client was charged with four counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting a coworker. At the time of the assault, both the assailant and the victim served as officers under the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). According to court documents, the assault occurred while both were off duty and at a spa owned by the defendant’s wife. It was while receiving a cellulite treatment at this spa that the victim said she was assaulted. 

Lawlor urged Judge Raffinan to set the beginning of the trial for later this Spring. He said he was overwhelmed with his caseload and thought it best to seek local counsel for the sake of his client. 

When pressed by the prosecution, Lawlor added that he was set aback by the retirement of the previous attorney on this case, Jenifer Wicks.

Judge Raffinan insisted that this was no excuse seeing that Wicks retired nearly 2 years prior in the fall of 2021. 

However, Lawlor provided a series of seemingly adequate excuses stating that he was assigned to about a dozen of the upcoming “January 6th” cases set to begin this year. 

Raffinan disputed the gravity of the cases, saying “There are deadlines that are set. I’ll be sympathetic to someone who is responsive” alluding to Lawlor’s lack of communication with both the prosecution and the court in this matter. 

Judge Raffinan set the upcoming status hearing to occur on Jan. 31 and urged Lawlor to “respond to his emails by Friday.”