Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Mansluaghter in 2019 Fatal Shooting

During a June 29 hearing, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to a fatal shooting.

Lavelle Watts, 28, is charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the death of 28-year-old Kalin Middleton.

On Sept. 3, 2019, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were sent to Prince George’s Hospital Center after receiving reports of two victims who were shot and transported to the hospital. One of the victims, Middleton, later died from his wounds and was pronounced dead. Almost a year later, in December 2021, Watts was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The offense of voluntary manslaughter while armed carries a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled Watts to be sentenced on Sept. 30.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Homicide of Mother of Six

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a homicide defendant’s guilty plea, waiving the trial.

Gregory Johnson, 31, is charged with one count of second-degree murder while armed and one count of carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the death of 32-year-old Passion Pleasant.

On Feb. 5, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Pleasant unconscious on the side of Southbound 295 near East Capitol Street. Pleasant suffered multiple gunshots and stab wounds following an altercation with Johnson, according to court documents.

Johnson’s plea deal encompasses three separate cases, including Pleasant’s homicide, a domestic violence case, and a misdemeanor.

In the domestic violence case, Johnson is accused of pointing a gun at his former lover in front of his young child.

According to court documents, Johnson’s misdemeanor is related to a physical altercation, in which Johnson attempted to hit his girlfriend’s former lover with a baton.

As part of the plea deal, prosecution is waiving step back and enhancements, will not seek charges on indictment, and is waiving charges associated with the misdemeanor. Prosecutors asked Judge Okun to impose a 162 to 264-month sentence.

“The defendant’s actions were voluntary and on purpose,” the prosecution said.

Johnson was reportedly in a relationship with Pleasant, who was a mother of six children, according to news reports.

Judge Okun conditionally accepted Johnson’s guilty plea, and will fully accept the plea upon further review of the plea-sentencing report.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 16 Years in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentences a defendant in a 2020 homicide case to 16 years in prison.

On Nov. 18, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department received a call about a man with a weapon entering a residence that was under construction that was located on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE. Minutes later the department received another call about the victim, Elias Flores, being shot at the same location. Upon arrival, officers found Flores unconscious with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

George Miller, 27, was arrested on Dec. 10, 2020, and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

An impact statement was read by the sibling and the wife of the victim.

“It is not easy but on behalf of my family, I want to speak directly to the defendant. I want you to look at my face. My brother was a hard-worker, honest, and a good person, but you took him from us,” the victim’s sibling told the court in an impact statement.

“Why would you take him away from us in that way,” the victim’s wife said. “He was just working to provide for his family. Why did you do it?”

The prosecutor asked Judge Okun to impose the maximum sentence of 20-years in prison.

“Although Millers claims that it was an accident and a robbery went wrong, he still brandished a gun and pulled the trigger. It was an extremely reckless crime,” said the prosecutor.

Miller’s defense attorney, Pierce Suen, told the court that his client is remorseful and takes full responsibility for his actions that day. Suen asked Judge Okun to impose the minimum sentence of 12-years in prison, citing Miller’s lack of criminal history and childhood. Suen also told the court that Miller was working two jobs at the time to support his family.

“I would like to say that I take full responsibility for what happened that day,” Miller said. “I don’t even sleep at night. I get nightmares every night about this. I am so sorry to everyone.”

Judge Okun sentenced Miller to 16 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In deciding on a sentence, Judge Okun said he considered both the nature of the offense and Miller’s criminal history.

Judge Okun will recommend that Miller serve his sentence at the FCI Cumberland medium security correctional institution in Maryland.

Victim’s Family Expresses Concern Over Delays in Fatal Hit-And-Run Case

A family member of a victim killed in a deadly hit-and-run expressed frustration over the slow speed of judicial proceedings as a homicide defendant sought more time to consider a plea deal.

Kyle Wooden, 34, is charged with two-counts of second-degree murder for his alleged connection to the May 31, 2021, vehicular collision that killed 82-year-old Donald Malloy and 79-year-old Mattie Young.

According to court documents, Wooden allegedly ran a red light on Bryant Street, NW and struck a Nissan Altima occupied by both victims with a Chevrolet Tahoe as the victims attempted to drive northbound onto North Capitol Street, NE. Wooden allegedly fled the scene after the crash but turned himself in the following day.

The plea deal would downgrade the second-degree murder charges to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and criminal negligence.

The defense said Wooden required more time to reach a final decision, referencing concerns with the sentencing range and the proposed charges.

“Based on the facts of this case, I thought this should have been negligent homicide rather than involuntary manslaughter,” defense attorney Jonathan Zucker said.

The defense wanted to proceed with a bench trial because of the “fine legal line,” but this request was denied by the prosecution.

“The plea deal is not changing, so his only options are to accept or reject it,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecution read a written statement from a son of one of the victim’s, who was in attendance, denouncing the protracted resolution of the case and accusing the defendant of intentionally delaying the trial while he suffers from “debilitating grief.”

“It has been simply too much for too long,” the statement read. “Enough is enough.”

Referencing obstacles with concurrent availability, Judge Maribeth Raffinan tentatively scheduled a jury trial for Jan. 30, 2024, in the event that Wooden rejects the plea deal. The prosecution estimated that the trial would last two weeks.

“I’m sure [this trial date] is not satisfactory,” Judge Raffinan told the family member. “There are delays in light of the pandemic and also in light of other issues in the case… We need to set it for that date.”

Judge Raffinan scheduled a Sept. 23 status hearing to give the defendant his final opportunity to accept or reject the plea deal. In the interim, Wooden will remain released under the high intensity supervision program.

Document: Arrest in 2013 Homicide Case

The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest in connection to a 2013 homicide.

At approximately 1:07 p.m, on Nov. 6, 2013, MPD officers responded to the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located four adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to a press release.

One of the four victims, Dennis Foster, 65, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On June 28, officers arrested 59-year-old Victor Coley with first-degree murder while armed.

Child Sex Abuse Defendant Pleads Not Guilty, Set for Trial

During a June 28 hearing, a 74 year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to five counts of second-degree child sex abuse with aggravating circumstances. His trial is about a year away.

The defendant was detained on Jan. 31 for multiple attempted child sex abuse assaults from the late 2000s as well as other child sex abuse cases between 2011 and 2015. The defendant was released on GPS monitoring on Feb. 9.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2023. The trial is expected to last for two weeks.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 14.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Codefendants in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo schedules a preliminary hearing for co-defendants in a homicide case that occurred earlier this year.

Maurice Williams, 19, and Seaun McDowney, 18, are accused of the shooting death of 20-year-old Marquette White. On Jan. 21, Metropolitan Police Department officers received a call for a shooting on the 3800 block of Commodore Joshua Barney Dr, NE. Upon arrival, officers located White suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital the same night.

Judge Demeo scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 12 to decide if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

On April 28, Williams and McDowney were arrested in Georgia and were extradited to Washington D.C. in mid-June.

Williams and McDowney are charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Murder Case Pending Indictment

A prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on June 28 that he was still working towards an indictment for a murder defendant accused of stabbing another man nine times.

Aaron Jackson, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 27-year-old Damohn Gill on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE on June 24, 2021. Members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Gill unconscious, unresponsive, and suffering from nine stab wounds before he succumbed to his injuries that night.

During the hearing, the prosecutor told Judge Okun he expected to have the indictment ready by the end of the summer.

According to witnesses, Jackson and Gill were childhood friends and were involved in a verbal dispute when the stabbing occurred.

Defendants charged with murder in the District of Columbia must be indicted within nine months after their order of detention is issued, according to DC code.

In light of the prosecution’s expected indictment date, Judge Okun scheduled Jackson’s trial to begin on May 6, 2024.

The prosecutor also indicated a plea offer was sent to Jackson’s defense attorneys, Megan Allburn and Alvin Thomas.

Allburn requested an additional hearing date to address the plea offer in order to give them more time to discuss the offer with Jackson.

A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Homicide Defendant Refuses to Stay in Hearing, Demands New Attorneys

A homicide defendant refused to proceed with a June 27 status conference unless the judge agreed to appoint him new attorneys.

Daryl Thompson, also known as Darryl Tompkims, is indicted on 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged roles in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern. Roberts, 29, was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern, 23, was fatally shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016.

The 33-year-old defendant expressed his desire to fire his defense attorneys Dana Page and Pierce Suen upon entering the courtroom.

Thompson told DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan that his attorneys, despite his fervent objections, proceeded to challenge a Nov. 10, 2021, report filed by the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) that found him competent to stand trial.

The judge initially found Thompson incompetent to stand trial on Aug. 28, 2018, ordering the defendant to receive treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied the prosecution’s request for forced medication to restore competence on Sept. 8, 2021.

“I will turn around and go back to my cell until you appoint me a new attorney,” Thompson told Judge Raffinan. “I do not want Dana Page and Pierce Suen representing me.”

Thompson has repeatedly refused to complete psychological evaluations since his 2016 arrest.

“I refuse to do another competency evaluation,” Thompson said.

Judge Raffinan decided to deny the defendant’s request at this point in the judicial process.

“They are very experienced lawyers,” Judge Raffinan said. “For this phase, I am not going to replace these attorneys.”

Thomspon refused to remain in court, saying the case could not proceed in his absence. Escorted by US Marshalls, he left the courtroom while continuing to yell “these are not my attorneys!”

The defense requested to remain on the case. According to Suen, new representation would not address the root cause of the conflict because “any counsel would have to explore the competency issue.”

“It is our position that he is presently incompetent to fire his attorneys,” Suen said.

The prosecution did not object.

Judge Raffinan agreed to move forward with a hearing to rule on Thompson’s competency to stand trial.

The prosecution filed an opposition to the defense’s motion to assign the burden of proof of competency to the prosecution during the hearing.

Judge Raffinan scheduled a status conference for July 26 to address the prosecution’s opposition to the defense’s motion and to schedule the hearing to address Thompson’s competency.

Defendant in Domestic Violence Case Accepts Plea Deal

A defendant in a domestic violence case accepted a plea offer from the prosecution.

Eric Crutchfield pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm on June 27. In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor dismissed the initial simple assault charge.

The defendant is currently awaiting sentencing at the DC Jail.

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 14.

Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

During a June 27 hearing, a homicide defendant rejected a plea agreement as parties discussed pending DNA evidence.

Terrell Poe, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the Sept. 23, 2020, shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Washington on the 4000 block of Chester Street.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) heard 11 gunshots fired before units responded to the area and found Washington lying unconscious, according to court documents. Washington was transported to the George Washington University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries that day.

During the hearing, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee he had extended a plea offer in which all other charges would be dropped if Poe pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Poe rejected the plea offer.

The prosecutor also told Judge Lee he expected DNA results to be available by October. Judge Lee instructed the prosecutor to give Poe’s defense attorney, David Akulian the report as soon as it becomes available in order to avoid trial delays.

Poe’s trial is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024.

His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9 to discuss the results of the prosecution’s DNA testing.

COVID Continues to Delay Homicide Trial

A homicide trial continued to be postponed on June 27 because one of the defense attorneys tested positive for COVID-19.

Co-defendants Saquan Williams, 20, and Quincy Garvin, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, criminal street gang affiliation and conspiracy in connection to the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Carl Hardy on the 1200 block of I Street, SE, on Sept. 10, 2017.

Garvin’s defense attorney, Kevin Robertson informed DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun via Webex on June 22 that he tested positive after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The trial was originally scheduled to resume on June 27, following CDC guidelines, which recommends a five-day isolation period for fully vaccinated individuals if by the fifth day they are fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving.

The trial continued to be delayed because Robertson did not meet the requirements and could not leave isolation.

Judge Okun tentatively scheduled the trial to resume on June 28, but it is postponed until Robertson is able to leave isolation.

Murder Defendant Arraigned, Scheduled for Trial

Darrell Moore, 44, was arraigned on first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on April 3, 2021, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found 37-year-old Julius Hayes lying between two parked vehicles, suffering from six gunshot wounds on the 300 block of 18th Street, NE. Witnesses said they heard Moore and Hayes in an argument before the shooting.

Hayes succumbed to his injuries one hour after being found by MPD officers.

During the June 27 arraignment, Moore’s defense attorney Kevin Irving entered a plea of not guilty on all counts.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled a jury selection date for trial on Feb. 26, 2024.

Moore’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16, when parties will discuss any outstanding evidence matters.

Homicide Defendant Arraigned on Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee arraigned a defendant on first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Kirk Spencer, 27, is accused of shooting 49-year-old Marcus Covington on Feb. 23, 2021, at the Anacostia Metro Station on the 1000 block of Howard Road, SE. According to court documents, the attending physician at the hospital declared Covington brain dead the following day.

During the June 27 arraignment hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman entered a plea of not guilty on Spencer’s behalf.

Parties scheduled a trial date for March 18, 2024.

Judge Lee asked the prosecutor about what evidence he planned to test in the months leading up to the trial. The prosecution explained there was no DNA evidence, however, the prosecution may test ballistics evidence.

The prosecution only has cell phone data as evidence.

Judge Lee instructed the prosecution to notify Cadman immediately after receiving the ballistics report in order to avoid delays.

Spencer’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause in a 2021 homicide case.

Dearay Wilson, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 53-year-old Jeremy Black on the 1400 block of R Street, NW on June 29, 2021. According to court documents, Black and three other individuals were on a walk on 15th Street, NW when four individuals, one being Wilson, exited a white Chevrolet Equinox SUV, fired several rounds of ammunition towards Black and the other three individuals, and then fled the scene.

“I can’t say, at this point there is substantial probability, but I can easily say there is probable cause,” Judge Okun said, citing possible evidence contamination and a questionable chain of custody of Wilson’s clothing.

During the preliminary hearing on June 24, the prosecution called a detective from the homicide branch of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who assisted with the investigation.

The prosecutor showed surveillance footage of a white SUV coming to a stop in an alley on R Street. Four individuals exited the car and fired into the block when Black was crossing the street.

According to the detective, MPD officers found 52 shell casings on the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted DNA testing on the casings and found Wilson’s DNA on four casings. Two casings also matched the gun found on Wilson at the time of his arrest, which was a black Glock 10mm semi-automatic with a laser.

The prosecutor then showed surveillance footage of Wilson entering MedStar Washington Hospital Center 20 minutes after the shooting. He was wearing the same clothes.

Wilson requested treatment for a gunshot wound between his right thumb and pointer finger, which he wrapped in a white t-shirt.

A few days after the shooting, MPD discovered the car seen in the surveillance footage. Multiple blood stains, on the right rear passenger side of the car, where Wilson was allegedly seen exiting and entering the vehicle. DNA testing matched the bloodstains to the defendant.

The prosecutor noted that ATF is undergoing an investigation into a contamination event. Information about which cases and what evidence were affected by the contamination were not yet available.

Wilson’s defense attorney, Anne-Marie Moore, asked the detective whether any eyewitnesses identified Wilson as one of the four suspects.

No, the detective replied.

Moore then questioned the detective about the chain of custody of Wilson’s clothes, which were taken from the hospital, saying she received conflicting statements from multiple sources about who had handled the evidence. The detective was not able to confirm the chain of custody.

Moore argued that the prosecution’s case was based on improperly seized DNA evidence and a lack of eyewitness identifications. She requested Wilson be released under the high-intensity supervision program due to his lack of prior convictions, family support, and full employment status.

However, the prosecution requested Judge Okun find probable cause if not substantial cause, as well as keep Wilson detained at the DC Jail without bond.

“There’s a lot of evidence that indicates Mr. Wilson committed the offense he’s charged with,” Judge Okun said.

Judge Okun ruled that despite mitigating factors, Wilson will be detained because of the nature of the offense and the weight of the evidence.

“This is an awful offense,” Judge Okun said. “One of the most serious offenses that can be committed.”

Wilson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23.

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