Homicide Defendant’s Attorney Challenges Psychologists’ Credibility

During a Sept. 14 hearing, defense attorney Dana Page attempted to examine an expert witness’s credibility after he determined that a murder defendant was competent to stand trial.

Bobby Jordan, 47, who is also known as Hillman Ray Jordan, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto that occurred on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE on March 1, 2019.

During the hearing, the prosecution recalled their expert witness to the stand. The witness, a licensed critical psychologist, said he believes Jordan is capable of standing trial.

“There wasn’t anything he said that was overly concerning,” the psychologist said. “I believe Mr. Jordan is competent.”

The expert said Jordan told him someone was following him, but the witness said it was not uncommon for people, being charged with a crime, to say that.

The psychologist agreed with other expert witnesses’ testimonies in saying that Jordan suffers from schizophrenia and his symptoms include delusional ideations and paranoia.

However, in court, the expert witness told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee, “Mr. Jordan does not currently present a fixed delusion.”

During cross-examination, Page questioned the witness about past judges who ruled that his testimony, on separate occasions, as not credible or less credible. She also showed the court several posts from the expert’s Facebook page after asking him about his personal biases.

Page said the posts on the expert witness’s social media page were “anti-Black Lives Matter.” One post included a speech from Donald Trump, which Page pointed out, was soon after the death of George Floyd.

Another post was of an article, “Damages on whites done by blacks”.

Towards the end of his cross-examination, the witness told Judge Lee, “There were a couple of places, in retrospect, that I wish I would’ve followed up”.

The hearing is set to continue on Sept. 15 with the expert witness back on the stand.

Judge Sets Hearing Date to Discuss DNA Results in Manslaughter Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set a hearing date to discuss results from DNA testing.

Joseph Smith, 64, is charged with voluntary manslaughter for allegedly stabbing his 62-year-old brother Arnold Smith on April 9, 2019, on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE.

In a status hearing on Sept. 15, the prosecution announced that DNA evidence for this case has not yet been received.

Judge Okun then proposed to set a hearing date to discuss results, expressing his hopes that DNA evidence will soon be processed and submitted.

The hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Smith’s defense attorney, Jacqueline Cadman, requested that her client appear remotely. Judge Okun accepted this request.

Prosecution Focuses on Defendant’s Actions During Opening Statements

The prosecution’s opening statement during a murder trial Sept. 14 linked a 57-year-old defendant to the murder of his girlfriend.

Darnell Sterling is charged with the second-degree murder and contempt for violating a stay-away order in connection to the murder of Olga Ooro, 34, on July 17, 2020, on the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

During opening arguments, the prosecution noted Sterling’s actions before and following the murder, showing how his statements to police didn’t reflect his actions.

On July 16, 2020, Sterling, Ooro, and the Ooro’s child went to dinner at the Navy Yard. They returned to Ooro’s apartment around midnight. According to the prosecution, Sterling changed into different clothing and left in his father’s Volkswagen.

Sterling changed his clothes twice more the same day before driving to Ocean City, Maryland.

While Sterling was supposed to be in Ocean City, he returned to Ooro’s apartment with a utility dolly and a large piece of fabric. He used Ooro’s key to get in and out of the building, said the prosecutor.

Sterling is seen loading a bundle of fabric into his vehicle and then drove across the Bay Bridge. He returned to DC.

However, when interviewed by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Sterling said he left Ooro’s apartment after an argument the night she was last seen.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern said this case was not a homicide, but a missing persons case. He said Ooro’s body was never found. He continued to say there was no evidence of a crime at the apartment to support the charges.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled the trial to resume on Sept. 15.

Judge Denies Request for Defendant’s GPS Monitor Removal

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a motion filed by the defense during a Sept. 14 felony arraignment to modify a homicide defendant’s release conditions.

Chakeatia Jackson, 38, and her eldest son 18-year-old Jacquell Jackson were both charged with second-degree murder while armed for the murder of 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell. Chakeatia was arrested and charged on Dec. 9, 2021, she is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program. Jaquell was arrested and charged on Dec. 16, 2021. He is being held at the DC Jail.

Errin Scialpi, Chakeatia’s defense attorney, filed a request to remove Chakeatia’s GPS tracking device.

The circumstances have changed in the defendant’s life, and she has remained compliant with the conditions of her release, Scialpi said.

Chakeatia is also searching for employment, Scialpi said.

The defendant said the GPS monitor causes her pain and leaves bruises.

Judge Raffinan denied the request.

Chakeatia is scheduled for hearing for Nov. 4.

Judge Schedules Murder Hearing to Resume in Late September

During a Sept. 13 preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a preliminary hearing for a homicide case to resume in later in the month.

JD Wheeler, 23, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 23-month-old Legend King Wheeler on the 2300 block of Chester Street, SE on Nov. 24, 2021.

During the hearing on Sept. 13, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective said he received a radio call to respond to a residence where a minor was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. MPD arrived on the scene to find a blood trail from the stairwell to an apartment, where they then found one of the witnesses holding the victim on the stairwell.

According to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office (OCME), the cause of death was a single gunshot to the right side of Legend’s head just above the teeth line. The gunshot fractured the base of the brain, injuring the brain stem before exiting the right side of the head.

The prosecutor showed surveillance footage that identified Wheeler entering the apartment building before and after the shooting. According to the detective, Wheeler’s clothes were in bags in the area of the actual crime scene where they then found a loaded magazine cartridge but no gun.

According to the prosecutor, although a gun wasn’t retrieved from the scene, it is believed that the gun was disposed of due to surveillance footage of Wheeler going into an alley away from the cameras and reappearing empty-handed.

During cross-examination, defense attorney, Jacqueline Cadman, emphasized the discrepancies between the witnesses’ testimonies.

Parties were not able to finish the hearing, so Judge Okon scheduled the proceedings to resume on Sept. 20.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Second Plea Offer from Prosecution

A murder defendant rejected a plea deal for second-degree murder Sept. 13.

Tyree Irving, 25, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed on Feb. 27, 2019, for the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Davane Williams on Jan.15, 2019.

During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution offered Irving a plea deal for 10-14 years in prison for the lesser charge of second- degree while armed.

The prosecution also mentioned Irving was offered another plea deal in 2019 for 20-24 years for second-degree murder while armed, which he rejected.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) The fatal shooting took place on 1200 North Capitol Street, NW, where they found Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey discussed the next steps for a homicide defendant during the hearing.

According to court documents, video footage shows Irving approaching Williams and an unknown individual. He is then seen walking behind William at which time he takes out a semi-automatic and shoots William in the back multiple times before fleeing the scene.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set the next status hearing for Nov. 4.

Document: Suspects Wanted for Homicides in the District

The Metropolitan Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating suspects who are wanted for homicides in the district.

On Aug. 23, on the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW, 32-year-old Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi was found suffering from a apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

There is a warrant out for the arrest of 26-year-old Deonte Patterson.

On Dec. 20, 2021, on the 200 block of Allison Street, NW, 17-year-old Samuel Hernandez was located suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Herson Guzman, 19, is wanted in connection to the murder.

On Aug. 10, on the 5100 block of Call Place, SE, 25-year-old Aryeh Wolf was found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

There is a warrant out for the arrest of 27-year-old Avery Miller.

Judge Sets Expert Notice Deadlines for 2020 Homicide Case

During a Sept. 14 status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee set expert notice deadlines for parties in a 2020 homicide case.

Ravel Mills, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without license outside a home or business in connection to the murder of 28 year-old Toussaunt Strong on April 18, 2020, on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman informed Judge Lee that she identified a laboratory, Signature Science, to conduct additional DNA testing.

She said the lab received forensic evidence from the case on Sept. 2 and requires 60 days to process the DNA.

Judge Lee set a deadline for the defense to send out its expert notice for Nov. 28, anticipating that Cadman would receive test results by Nov. 2.

Additionally, the prosecution is determining whether to use a representative from Shot Spotter, a gunshot detection system, as an expert witness in the trial.

Judge Lee set the prosecutor’s expert notice deadline for Nov. 1.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30.

Blood Found on Shirt Defendant Last Seen Wearing, Analyst Says

A DNA expert testified, during a homicide trial Sept. 13, that blood was found on a shirt the defendant was last seen wearing.

Edward Brown, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing death of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney on Feb. 5, 2018, on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW.

Brown and Mahoney’s DNA were found on a black long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans that Brown was wearing in surveillance footage, said a DNA analysts who worked on the case.

Mahoney is last seen entering his apartment at 10:03 p.m, on Feb. 3 according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s lead detective on the case.

His notes stated that at 1:16 a.m, on Feb. 4, Brown is seen coming from the direction of Mahoney’s apartment and getting into the elevator; wearing a Redskins jacket, black long-sleeve shirt, burgundy and gold sock cap, blue jeans, and black shoes.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Kevin Mosley created reasonable doubt in the detective’s investigation. Mosley noted that several unidentified persons had interactions with the victim and Brown that detectives never tried talking too.

The prosecution called two more witnesses to the stand. Both were from Bode Technology, the first expert witness was a forensic biology analyst and the second was a senior DNA analyst.

The biology analyst testified to testing the Redskins jacket that Brown was seen wearing in the surveillance video, for blood. The jacket tested negative for any presumptive blood.

Mosley had the expert witness point out every spot on the jacket she tested for blood. The expert pointed to 11 areas that tested negative.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled the trial to resume on Sept. 14.

Defendant Receives 6-Month Jail Sentence for Molesting Sister

On Sept. 14, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a teen defendant to 6-months at the DC Jail for molesting his sister in a 2021 sex abuse case.

On the evening of Oct. 17, 2021, the mother of 19-year-old Tieyon Garnett found her son and the 9-year-old victim sitting together on the couch. Neither was wearing pants. The victim told her mother that the defendant had penetrated her anus with his “private part,” and had been touching her buttocks and vagina.

Although Garnett initially denied these accusations, he later accepted full responsibility for sexually abusing the victim. Garnett was charged with first-degree child sex abuse on Oct. 27, 2021.

During the Sept. 14 sentencing, the victim and her mother were called to the stand. The mother reported that Garnett’s actions have driven a wedge between their entire family with the victim was having breakdowns and lashing out daily.

She then relayed the victim’s desire for Garnett to serve jail time. “My son deserves the consequences that will be handed to him,” Garnett’s mother told the judge.

The mother requested a stay-away order from her daughter be imposed on Garnett. However, she did not request a similar order for herself.

“For an adult man to have sex with any 9-year-old is one of the most reprehensible things a person can do,” the prosecutor said. He added that the incestuous nature of the act violated fundamental human principles, and called for at least one year of jail time.

Still, the prosecutor maintained that a Youth Rehabilitation Act sentence was most appropriate, considering Garnett’s young age and cooperative behavior throughout the entire legal process. He also believed that such a sentence would empower Garnett to actively work through any underlying issues that may have driven his reprehensible actions.

In response, defense attorney Quo Mieko Judkins read aloud a statement from Garnett, in which he expressed significant remorse for his actions, and wished his sibling a full emotional recovery. “I’m sorry this happened. I wish I could take it back,” Garnett wrote. “I love [the victim and I am] trying to do better.”

Judkins requested a much lighter sentence than that put forth by the prosecution. She noted Garnett’s unwavering compliance throughout all legal proceedings, as well as his lack of a prior criminal history. Judkins also emphasized Garnett’s practical efforts to get back on track, such as his commitment to graduating high school and gaining acceptance into a music program at the University of D.C.

Judkins underlined that Garnett’s harshest sentence was arguably the “scarlet letter” he would be branded with when attempting to reintegrate into society. The “sex offender” label, and the civil death accompanying it, would plague Garnett for the rest of his life, heavily impacting his future employment, housing, education, romantic, and social prospects, his attorney said.

Judkins expressed hope that mental health treatments and counseling would address Garnett’s behavior in relation to this offense specifically, insisting that any polygraphs, GPS monitors, or substance abuse treatments would be extraneous and unnecessary.

In Garnett’ expressed love and appreciation for his family, a desire to better himself academically and professionally, and remorse for his actions. “I’m very messed up about this,” he said.

Judge Okun acknowledged that this was a very difficult sentencing. He agreed that a youth act sentence would be appropriate, given Garnett’s compliance during pretrial release. Still, with the sheer severity of Garnett’s offense and the acute suffering he’d subjected his sibling to, Judge Okun felt that a jail-free sentence would be unjust and insufficient.

Judge Okun sought a compromise between the two proposed sentences, settling on a suspension of 24 months including 6 months of jail time, 3 years on probation, and 90 hours of community service.

Garnett would be required to undergo mental health evaluations and treatment and pursue a full-time job and education once released. Judge Okun mandated that Garnett register as a sex offender for the next 10 years. He also issued a stay-away order from the victim.

Should Garnett comply with all conditions, Judge Okun assured him that his conviction would be set aside, enabling Garnett to move forward without the conviction staining his public record.

“You’re still so young,” Judge Okun told Garnett. “You’re going to have your whole life ahead of you,” continuing,”I hope that when you get out, you can be a productive member of society, and never come back to this courthouse again.”

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on Sept. 15, 2021, on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE.

MPD officers located 37-year-old Paris Odemns suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

On Sept. 13, 2022, 27-year-old Malik Seltzer was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Five Witnesses Take Stand Monday in Ongoing Homicide Trial

A homicide trial continued on Sep. 12 with the prosecution calling five witnesses to the stand.

Edward Brown, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the murder of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW, on Feb. 5, 2018.

Mahoney was found in a pool of his own blood in his apartment in his senior living center, according to court documents.

The prosecution called an expert in forensic pathology, someone who examines the bodies of people who have died unexpectedly, to determine the cause of death.

The expert testified that Mahoney died about 48 hours before the autopsy and 3-5 hours after eating. She said the stab wounds were likely inflicted by a single assailant, and the assailant was most likely left-handed, due to the angle of the blade when it punctured the body.

The pathologist said she based her estimation on Mahoney’s time of death on the degree of food digested in the victim’s stomach, the temperature of the body when found on the scene, and the degree of lividity—or the settling of blood in the body after death—in the body.

The witness also mentioned surveillance of Mahoney carrying food to his apartment prior to his death and the food having been consumed before investigators arrived at the crime scene.

A technician for DC Housing, who is responsible for accessing and downloading surveillance footage from Mahoney’s building, provided police with the surveillance from the building in the days leading up to the death, during the estimated time of death, and after the murder occurred.

A neighbor from Mahoney’s senior living facility told the jury about all the people Mahoney had contact with the victim on the day of his murder.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled the trial to resume Sept. 13. She said she expects the prosecution to rest by the end of the day on Tuesday.

Judge Modifies Homicide Defendant’s Release Conditions, Removing Him from Supervision Program

A DC Superior Court judge modified the release conditions of a homicide defendant during a hearing on Sept. 13.

On Oct. 25, 2021, the Metropolitan Police Department received calls about a stabbing on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. Upon arrival, officers found 26-year-old Aaron Langford still alive and conscious. He was taken to a local hospital but died from his wounds shortly after.

Charles Haythe, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, a witness told police that Haythe was the victim’s boyfriend.

During the hearing, defense attorney Megan Allburn said Haythe was in full compliance with the conditions of his release, which included a GPS monitor, curfew and several stay away orders. She requested that Haythe be downgraded from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) to personal recognizance, and that his stay away orders be lifted. Haythe was released from jail on Jan. 12.

“Yes, he’s been compliant,” the prosecutor said, “but it doesn’t really matter how much he was in compliance, based on the facts of the case.”

Allburn said the defense had a “different view” on the facts of the case.

Even though D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun agreed that the severity of the charges was a relevant consideration, he granted the defense’s motion in part. Haythe was released from HISP and GPS monitoring.

Allburn also requested that the stay away order from Haythe’s previous place of residence, which still belongs to him, be lifted.

The prosecutor said the apartment was close in proximity to an eyewitness and that there is still a tangible safety concern for that witness.

Allburn said the defense would be fine with keeping in place the stay away order from the witness but because “the defendant and [the witness] are essentially perfect strangers,” Haythe could be allowed to return to his apartment without it necessarily posing a threat to the witness.

Judge Okun agreed, lifting the order to stay away from Haythe’s apartment.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene for another hearing on Jan. 27.

Homicide Defendant’s Attorneys Challenge Psychologists’ Evaluation Results

The results of a mental evaluation for a murder defendant were challenged by the defense.

Bobby Jordan, 47, who is also known as Hillman Ray Jordan, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto. This incident occurred on March 1, 2019, on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

During the hearing, which took place on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13, two expert witnesses testified about their findings on Jordan’s mental state.

Both witnesses are experts in forensic psychology.

According to one of the witnesses, Jordan suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, citing auditory delusions as the symptom that most frequently impairs his ability to form rational and logical thoughts.

After conducting several interviews with Jordan from April of 2021 to October of 2021, the expert witnesses concluded that he was competent to stand trial, saying the determination was rooted in the defendant’s demonstrated abilities to effectively work with his counsel and exhibit a factual, rational, and logical understanding of his case.

The experts drew this conclusion from the progress Jordan displayed during their initial evaluation in April of 2021 to their fourth and final evaluation in October of 2021. Both psychologists said the defendant was “alert” and “less distracted,” during their last evaluation, which attributed to his improvement while on a medicine regimen, taking part in cognitive behavioral therapy, developing better sleeping habits, and abstaining from substances over the 6-month period.

Despite this conclusion, Jordan’s defense attorneys, Dana Page and Christen Philips, said Jordan was incompetent to stand trial based on the previous three evaluations that deemed him incompetent.

Page questioned one of the witnesses’ credibility, citing their Facebook posts, which she alleged were “anti-Black Lives Matter” in nature. She speculated as to whether the witnesses’ “racial biases” influenced their competency evaluation of Jordan.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee permitted both parties to question the witness about racially biased concerns.

The hearing is set to continue for the next few days as the witness is further questioned and a determination can be reached.

Judge Reviews Motion to Reconsider Defendant’s Bail

During a Sept. 13 hearing, a judge considered a motion for reconsideration of a murder defendant’s release. The prosecution urged the judge to reconsider the facts in the case and revoke the defendant’s release.

Jose Ramos, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 58-year-old Eduardo Cruz’s Jan. 29. Cruz was found dead in a car in the Carter Barron Ampitheater parking lot located on the 4800 block of Colorado Avenue, NW. According to court documents, a medical examiner listed Cruz’s manner of death as blunt force trauma, which police say stemmed from an altercation at the victim’s apartment on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

According to the prosecutor Ramos allegedly “spearheaded” a severe assault on the victim in which he was beaten with “hands, feet, and possibly other readily available objects.”

In his motion, the prosecutor also presented four reasons, and various transcripts, that illuminated why DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt should reverse her Aug. 12 decision for release. The prosecution’s argument included four pillars, the defendant’s criminal history, the nature of the offense, the weight of evidence against Ramos and the danger he posed to the community.

The motion stated that Ramos was arrested for assault four time with two resulting in convictions for second-degree assault in Prince George’s County and simple assault in DC.

The prosecutor’s motion also mentioned Ramos’ latest arrest in which he was apprehended in Fairfax County, at the end of August, for an outstanding warrant connected to a 2019 assault case. The prosecutor said the warrant was issued for Ramos’ failure to appear in a June 15 court hearing as another argument against his release.

Judge Brandt entertained the prosecution’s motion, asserting that the bench warrant called for thorough consideration. Judge Brant admitted she failed to notice the warrant during her initial bail review, and that if she had, she would have focused on it more.

“An omission of this significance is an inaccurate record,” Judge Brandt said.

According to Judge Brandt, the bench warrant coupled with Ramos’ criminal history, and the weight and nature of the evidence and outstanding charges against him, might have compelled her to deem him too much of a threat to his community and thus not eligible for release.

Ramos’ defense attorney, Rachel McCoy, contended that Ramos’ absence was not voluntary nor of negligence. She said the defendant was arrested on the morning of the hearing and was not allowed to go to the hearing.

However, the prosecutor said Ramos’ failure to attend the hearing on June 15 was because he was found carrying 17 bags of cocaine at a 7-Eleven. According to the prosecution, Ramos had been “cutting it very close,” and was not on track to arrive on time for the hearing.

The prosecution also called attention to Ramos’ refusal to speak to officers when he was initially arrested in Fairfax, due to being “high” on cocaine. According to the prosecution, Ramos’ intoxicated state would have presumably impacted his ability to appear in court later that day, regardless of whether he was arrested.

Both McCoy and Judge Brandt agreed that the prosecution’s assertions were speculative and didn’t conclusively indicate that Ramos wasn’t planning to appear in court.

Judge Brandt said the prosecution’s arguments were worthy of further consideration but did not make a decision on Ramos’ release conditions. Before doing so, Judge Brandt insisted she would need more information regarding Ramos’ activities on the day he was arrested, as well as the time he was scheduled to appear in court.

Ramos is currently being held in jail in Fairfax County.

His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Search