The Metropolitan Police Department arrested June 26 a suspect in connection to a homicide that took place on the 200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.
Police arrested 18-year-old Derrico Johnson on first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting 16-year-old Justin Johnson on May 26.
According to a press release, officers found Justin suffering from gunshot wounds. He displayed no signs consistent with life and remained on scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in Northeast on June 26.
At approximately 12:41 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of 50th Street, NE due to reports of gunshots.
Upon arrival, officers located 23-year-old Markel Ford suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occured on the 800 block of Quincy Street, Northwest.
At approximately 12:09 a.m., officers arrived on the scene and located 18-year-old Kyndall Myers suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the shooting death of 15-year-old Blue Bryant.
At approximately 9:20 p.m., officers responded to the 1700 block of 8th Street, NW due to reports of a shooting, according to a press release. Upon arrival, officers located a Bryant and an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds.
On June 26, Bryant succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE an located 45-year-old Jason Ford suffering from a gunshot wound on June 25.
He died on the scene.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Rafinnan heard arguments concerning prior representation of two co-defendants during a June 24 hearing.
Robert Moses, 23, and James Mayfield, 22, have been charged in connection to the death of 17-year-old Jamahri R. Sydnor . On Aug. 10, 2017, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of a shooting. Officers found three victims on the scene, two of which suffered non-lethal wounds. Sydnor was found on the intersection of Saratoga and Montana Avenue, NE suffering from gunshot wounds.
Moses and Mayfield face multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, threat to kidnap or injure a person, first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of an unregistered firearm, attempt to commit robbery while armed, obstructing justice, and conspiracy while armed.
The main conflict surrounded a witness who had previously been represented by Moses and Mayfield’s current defense attorneys, Steven Kiersh and Sweta Patel.
“Ms. Patel gleaned a whole lot of information from witness #30,” conflict counsel attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein stated.
The prosecution’s main concern was that Kiersh and Patel could use privileged information from private client-attorney discussions in cross-examination.
Kiersh clarified that his co-counsel, Kevin Mccants, would cross-examine the witness in Kiersh’s place. Sapirstein and her co-conflict attorney, Errin Scialpi, argued that Kiersh’s prior knowledge could still impact questioning.
Veronice Holt, Patel’s co-counsel, pointed out that if a conflict is found, Moses and Mayfield may be required to change counsel, which could push back their trial date.
In response to the prosecutor’s request for a briefing schedule, Judge Raffinan agreed to return to the matter at another date.
Judge Raffinan also addressed the defense’s concerns over the destruction of a key murder weapon.
According to the prosecution, documents provided by the U.S Attorney’s Office in Greenbelt lacked a signature from the individual who authorized the destruction of the weapon. The prosecution is requesting documents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to investigate the issue.
Mayfield and Moses are scheduled for a motion hearing for July 29.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee denies a motion to dismiss indictments in 2015 murder case.
Joseph Brown, 32, and his former co-defendant, Rondell McLeod, 29, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the deaths of Amari Jenkins, 29, on Aug. 15, 2015, and Antwan Baker, 21, on Nov. 12, 2015.
McLeod’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, and Brown’s attorney, Brian McDaniel, filed motions to dismiss the indictments against the two as a result of errors with ballistic evidence. The Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) made a false determination based on ballistic evidence that was presented to a grand jury. DFS incorrectly linked the bullets found at the two different crime scenes.
Kiersh requested to dismiss the indictments for his client on May 1, 2020. McDaniel, joined the motion to dismiss on Apr. 6, 2021.
“The amount of information presented apart from the false ballistics report was substantial,” said Judge Lee. “I cannot dismiss this indictment because there still remains evidence that proves probable cause.”
Evidence given to the grand jury included numerous eyewitnesses, forensic pieces, and camera footage that linked Brown and McLeod to Jenkins’ and Baker’s deaths.
In addition to two counts of first-degree murder while armed, Brown is also charged with conspiracy, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intention to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
McLeod is also charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intention to kill while armed, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed.
Judge Lee scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 12.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson continued a motion hearing on June 23 to give the prosecution more time to gather evidence.
William Davenport, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14, 2021, on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE.
During Thursday’s motion hearing, Davenport’s defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman filed a motion for the court to reconsider the probable cause and detention findings from Davenport’s preliminary hearing in November 2021. Cadman argued that since the surveillance video of the robbery and the still shots from the footage were precluded, the prosecution’s case has been substantially weakened.
“Given that you cannot establish identity from the homicide video, we’re asking the court to reconsider the probable cause and detention findings,” Cadman said.
The prosecution argued that there is still motive evidence, which the prosecution has been gathering since the robbery video and still shots were precluded in April. But, the prosecutor said the evidence could not be present during the hearing.
However, Judge Dayson, who originally viewed the surveillance video of the robbery and the still shot evidence, said the prosecution could not establish motive for the defendant without presenting new evidence.
During a preliminary hearing on Nov. 17, 2021, the prosecution established probable cause and detention by using video footage of Davenport being robbed the night before the homicide as well as footage of the murder of Turner the following day.
According to DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, the surveillance video was not clear enough for identification, but the surveillance video of the robbery identified Davenport as the shooter.
Judge Brandt ruled that the prosecution violated Rule 16 which states that upon the defendant’s request, the prosecution must provide the defendant with a copy of the defendant’s prior criminal record that is within their possession, custody or control. As a result, during an April 28 hearing, Judge Brandt ruled that the video of the robbery and the still shots from the video were not admissible.
“If the video is out, if the stills are out, how are you going to get to this conversation about Mr. Davenport,” Judge Dayson asked the prosecution. “You have to tell me the evidence that gets you from point A to point B.”
The hearing is scheduled to continue on July 21.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denies the defense’s request for a second competency evaluation for Joseph Melton.
Melton, 53, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intention to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business (prior felony), and possession of a prohibited weapon. Melton’s connected to a double-stabbing and murder that occurred on Jan. 14, 2020.
Melton refused to participate in the original evaluation so the results could not be presented in court.
“I don’t need to talk to the psychiatrist,” Melton said. Okun cited Melton’s refusal to participate as the reason not to order a second evaluation.
Melton’s counsel recently changed so defense attorney Kevin Mosley was not yet fully prepared. “Asking for this evaluation creates a weird dynamic that’s hard to navigate,” Mosley said of his relationship with Melton.
The court set a trial date for April 24, 2023.
Judge Okun scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 3.
During a mental observation hearing on June 23, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found a homicide defendant competent to stand trial.
Rasheed Young, 44, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.
According to court documents, on June 11, 1996, Rogers was playing basketball with friends on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE when he was shot four times. Witnesses reported that Rogers was the only one targeted.
Judge Okun denied Young’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley request for Young’s release from the DC Jail.
After Judge Okun’s denial, Mosley requested Young be placed in the mental health unit of the DC Jail.
Mosley said Young believed he was placed in a program to make him complaisant. The defense attorney said that despite telling the defendant he was not placed in any type of program, Young continued to say he was put in a program to be complaisant.
Judge Okun accepted the request and said he will send a recommendation to the DC Jail.
The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.
On June 23, a defendant in a homicide case rejected a plea offer from the prosecution, opting instead to proceed with trial.
Jaykell Mason, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed in connection to the death of 29-year-old Terence Dantzler. The incident occurred on Feb. 13, 2020, on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW. Metropolitan Police Department officials discovered Dantzler after responding to a report of a shooting.
Defense attorney John Armstrong stood in for Mason’s regular lawyer, Roderick Thompson.
If the offer was accepted, Mason’s charges would have reduced to two counts of second-degree murder while armed and one count of felony assault on a police officer while armed.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled a trial for March 4, 2024.
Mason is set for a status hearing on Dec. 9.
A homicide defendant accused of murdering a 27-year-old man pleaded guilty on June 23 to second-degree murder while armed.
On July 21, 2021, Rondez Tibbs entered a convenience store on Martin Luther King Avenue, SE, according to court documents. He approached 27-year-old Malcolm Johnson and attempted to take a cross body bag from him which led to a struggle between Johnson and Tibbs. Surveillance video shows Johnson fighting off Tibbs and, in the midst of the fight, Johnson’s handgun went off. Both individuals in the fight were shot.
The victim is later seen getting into the defendant’s parked vehicle and driving towards Talbert Street, SE where he later crashed into a moving vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. Johnson was found in the vehicle unconscious and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the stomach.
Terms of the plea deal include a sentencing recommendation of 9.5 years to 14 years in prison. Tibbs, who was on probation at the time, also had his probation revoked. Tibbs was on probation for robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He will have to serve the remainder of the sentences for those convictions, which equals out to more than 3 years. The time will run concurrently with the plea offer’s sentence.
The prosecution stated that the decedent’s family objected to the plea deal but plans to issue an impact statement at the sentencing.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan accepted the guilty plea and set a sentencing date for Oct. 7.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled additional hearings prior to the trial of a man connected to a 1998 murder.
Giles Warrick, 63, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances in connection with the sexual assault and death of 29-year-old Christine Mirzayan. Mirzayan was found dead on Aug. 2, 1998, with multiple laceration wounds in a wooded area on the 3600 block of Canal Road, NW.
During the June 22 hearing, Warrick’s defense attorney, Stephen Mercer, requested more time to review the prosecution’s evidence with the defense’s expert. Mercer told Judge Lee that he expects to decide whether additional testing is needed by mid-July.
Warrick is suspected of being the “Potomac River Rapist,” who was responsible for a series of rapes in Maryland and DC between 1991 and 1998.
According to court documents, the DNA evidence found in Mirzayan’s case matched samples from six then-unsolved rape cases in Montgomery County, Maryland. The homicide investigation continued for over 20 years until Warrick’s arrest in 2019.
Judge Lee scheduled a hearing to discuss the defense’s decision on July 26.
Judge Lee scheduled an additional hearing on Sept. 16 to discuss multiple defense motions to suppress the prosecution’s DNA evidence, the search of Warrick’s residence, and Warrick’s statements to detectives on Nov. 12, 2019.
On June 17, a defendant was sentenced to 21-years in prison for the murder of 27-year-old Sierra Johnson.
In connection to Johnson’s death, 28-year-old Joseph Fox was arrested and indicted on one count of second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, Johnson and Fox had an on-and-off relationship since 2014, including a domestic violence incident in 2017. The two reconnected on the night of Johnson’s death, with Fox sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle when Johnson was shot.
Johnson succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital that night. According to the autopsy report, she was four months pregnant.
On March 29, Fox accepted a pleaded guilty to all charges. The prosecutor and defense attorney Elizabeth Weller agreed to recommend a sentence of 14 to 21 years of in prison.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer found Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in her vehicle parked on the 2500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW on Jan. 19. Her two young children were in the backseat of the car.
Before the sentencing, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee listened to victim impact statements from the members of Johnson’s family. The family was emotional as they stood in front of Judge Lee and asked him to give Fox a life sentence.
“You have left a hole in my heart,” Johnson’s mother said to Fox. “I can never forgive you for what you did to my child.”
Johnson’s oldest sister, who now has custody of the victim’s children, told Judge Lee of the lingering trauma that the children have after the night of the incident.
“They tell me, ‘the man killed mommy. He kept shooting mommy,’” she said.
“I couldn’t save my sister,” said Johnson’s brother. “But I hope the court system can save another sister’s life.”
After the family members spoke, the prosecution asked Judge Lee to accept the plea deal that both parties had agreed to despite the family’s disapproval.
The prosecutor argued that the plea deal was appropriate because of Fox’s early acceptance of responsibility and demonstration of remorse. The prosecutor also cited the mitigating circumstances caused by Fox’s traumatic childhood experiences that led to mental health issues that continued to plague him.
Judge Lee accepted the parties’ plea deal.
“I’m truly sorry and remorseful for my actions,” Fox said. “I wish there was more I can do for the family and kids.”
After taking into consideration the arguments from both sides and the family’s victim impact statements, Judge Lee sentenced Fox to 21-years of imprisonment with five years of supervised release, during which Fox will have to attend mental health treatment and register as a gun offender.
“This set of circumstances is one of the most difficult of my entire career in the Superior Court.” Judge Lee said. “This sentence does not recognize the significance of the pain and loss inflicted.”
Johnson’s family loudly objected to the sentence, claiming that Fox deserved life in prison. As the protests began escalating, some of the family members attempted to reach the defendant in the well. The family was escorted out of the courtroom by US Marshals.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced two murder defendants on June 17 for their role in a 2020 homicide case.
In February, Randle Price and Marwin Thomas pleaded guilty to fatally shooting 33-year-old John Pollard II on the 3200 Block of Hiatt Place, NW in 2020.
Judge Okun sentenced Price, 30, to 9.5 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter while armed. Thomas, 28, received an 11-years sentence for voluntary manslaughter while armed.
As part of the plea deal, the prosecution and defense agreed to recommend a sentence of 7.5 years to 11 years in prison for both defendants.
The prosecution argued to sentence Price and Thomas to serve 11-years in prison. However, Price’s attorney’s, Joseph Wong and Rachel Cicurel, argued that Price should receive a 7.5-year sentence because he is intellectually disability, which impairs his ability to foresee and understand his actions.
“We are asking for that severe punishment to be proportional to the offense,” Cicurel told the judge. “There is a difference between reacting and spiraling out of control than pulling a gun and ending a life.”
Thomas’s attorney, Russell Hairston, also argued against Thomas serving the maximum 11-years in prison. Hairston said Thomas has come a long way since the homicide.
During his time in jail, Thomas wrote a book on what he has gone through and what he would like to do when he gets out. The book details that Thomas wants to lecture and mentor kids in D.C. about the rage he has encountered and how there are better ways to handle it.
During the sentencing, many of Pollard’s family members had an opportunity to address the court.
“I want to let these young men know that they took a piece of my heart. I hope they never have to go through this. This is a feeling no one should ever feel,” Pollard’s father said. “I hope they can learn from this and give back to society… Maybe the system can help them instead of corrupting them to be worse.”
