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Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea Deal for Voluntary Manslaughter in Baby Mother’s Death

During a Sept. 8 hearing, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home. 

Carl Jones, 45, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing murder of 39-year-old Ladonia Boggs on April 27 at 2311 15th Street, NE. 

According to the proffer of facts, Jones and the victim had an argument about their deceased child. Jones said he believed Boggs had a part in the child’s death. 

During this argument, Jones brandished a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen and right calf. After stabbing the victim, he called 911 on the victim’s phone and then left the scene with the phone.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled Jones to be sentenced on Dec. 9. 

Prosecution Focuses on Inconsistencies in Defendant’s Statements During Closing Arguments

During the closing arguments on Sept. 7, a prosecutor emphasized the inconsistencies in a sex abuse defendant’s story, including the conversations with detectives to the story he told on the stand during the trial.

A 31-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse — incompetent, including a lesser charge of fourth-degree sex abuse. The defendant is accused of entering a residence and engaging in sexual acts while the victim was asleep. This incident occurred on Jan. 23 in an apartment on the 900 block of Florida Avenue, NW.

The defendant said he gave the victim his number to message him about cannabis. He said the two had been flirting with each other earlier that night.

But the prosecution said there was no evidence of text messages or contact information found on either phone. 

The prosecution also presented footage of the defendant touching himself in the lobby of the building inappropriately that night. The prosecution said the defendant’s DNA was found on the victim’s thigh.

Male DNA was found on the outside of the victim’s vagina, according to the prosecutor.

Defense attorney Dennis Boyle argued that the testimonial given by the phone expert was not credible. The defense told jurors that phone data showed evidence of text messages. 

Boyle also told jurors that a “rational person” would call the police or fight against the defendant. He challenged the credibility of the victim and witness.

However, the prosecution explained that the victim and witness were intoxicated, so the victim did not wake up when the defendant began to make sexual contact.

After parties completed their closing arguments, D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan gave the jury instructions on the deliberation process. 

The jury began deliberating on Sept. 8. 

Judge Denies Release of Homicide Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee denied releasing a 43-year-old homicide defendant. 

Keith Toney is charged with first-degree shooting while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly shooting 45-year-old Melton Grant on June 22, 2019. 

Judge Lee denied defense attorney Pierce Suen’s request to release Toney citing his criminal record. 

During the Sept. 8 hearing, the defendant also waived his right to additional DNA testing.

According to a court document, the murder allegedly resulted from playful banter between Toney and Grant. The two were heard arguing weeks before the incident.

Toney is set to return back to court on Jan. 6 for a trial readiness hearing. The trial is set to begin on Jan. 18. 

Stabbing Was In Self Defense, Homicide Defendant Says

During a Sept. 8 hearing, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder on the basis of self-defense.

Rodney Lindsay, 55, is charged with second-degree murder while armed after stabbing 53-year-old Terrance Gause on Aug. 14, 2021, on the 700 block of Adrian Street, SE. According to court documents, Gause was the aggressor and intoxicated at the time of the incident. Lindsay stabbed the victim seven times in the right shoulder, hip abdomen and back. Lindsay turned himself in to authorities.

During the hearing, Lindsay’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, pleaded not guilty on Lindsay’s behalf. He said the incident occurred out of self-defense.

Lindsay was released on Sept. 15, 2021. He has remained in compliance with his High Intensity Supervision Program conditions.

Counsel is currently discussing plea negotiations and D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a 60-day continuance in the case.

Judge Raffinan scheduled a status hearing for Nov. 18.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant to 20.5 Years in Homicide Case 

On Sept. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a homicide defendant to 20.5 years in prison for second-degree murder and for carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business.

Gregory Johnson, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on June 29 in connection to the shooting of 32-year-old Passion Pleasant on the side of Southbound 295 near East Capitol Street on Feb. 5. Metropolitan Police Department officers found the victim on the side of the road suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to a press release. Pleasant and Johnson were in a romantic relationship.

Along with the second-degree murder charge was an assault against the mother of his child, and a misdemeanor for possession of a pistol without a permit. 

“Gregory, you took my youngest and I want to hate you, but I know there’s good in you,” Pleasant’s mother said. 

The impact statement given by Pleasant’s son reflected on past abuse his mother endured from Johnson.

“Greg, do you remember the one promise you made to me? You promised you would never put your hands on my mom again,” the victim’s son said.

When Johnson’s family was called to give their statements, members of both families hugged. 

Johnson apologized directly to Pleasant’s family and to the mother of his child. 

Along with the 20.5-year prison sentence, Johnson will also serve five years on supervised release.

When released, Johnson must register as a gun offender, receive mental health and anger management treatment, and obey a stay away order from the mother of his child. Johnson is also required to attend a domestic violence intervention program.

As Trial Begins for Homicide Case, Judge Dismisses Juror  

Shortly after a homicide trial began on Sept. 7, a juror informed DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt that she and the defendant were distantly related. Since the relation created a conflict of interest, the juror was dismissed.

Edward Brown, 61, is charged with the robbery of a senior citizen while armed, as well as two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the murder of  71-year-old Michael Mahoney on Feb. 5, 2018 at the Garfield Terrace Apartments located on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW.

Supervisors at Mahoney’s senior living facility found him dead in his apartment, lying in a large pool of dried blood. His radio was playing music at full volume, according to court documents. 

During opening arguments, the prosecution emphasized how much Mahoney valued his home and his friends, including Brown.

The prosecutor said Mahoney and Brown had a private conflict, which culminated in Brown fatally stabbing Mahoney several times and stealing $600 in social security money, which Mahoney had withdrawn earlier that day. 

As part of the prosecution’s argument, counsel introduced several pieces of evidence, such as surveillance footage showing Brown entering and exiting the apartment complex two days before Mahoney was found dead and after the victim was last seen.

Parts of the outfit Brown was wearing in the footage later tested positive for blood in a forensic examination, said the prosecutor. 

 The prosecution also called in four witnesses Wednesday to testify. The first, an officer who had been called to the scene, recalled that he initially presumed Mahoney’s death to be of natural causes.

He explained that every previous death he had encountered at Garfield Terrace was of the same sort. The officer then admitted to emptying the contents of Mahoney’s wallet in order to identify him and help out the detective.

“I never thought this would be a criminal homicide case,” said the officer.

Defense Attorney Gemma Stevens said Brown should not be found guilty of the armed robbery nor the murder of Mahoney, discounting the prosecution’s use of surveillance footage. None of it distinctly showed Brown approaching or leaving Mahoney’s apartment, she said. 

Stevens added that no one actually witnessed Brown holding a knife. She added that there were opportunities for several other house guests to have tampered with Brown’s clothing prior to it being tested for forensic evidence.

Mahoney’s two daughters were called to testify. Each described Mahoney as a generous, fun-loving, and devoted father who always kept his apartment neat and organized. Neither reported Mahoney ever asking them for money, nor expressing financial concerns. 

A maintenance supervisor at Garfield Terrace recounted the day he first discovered Mahoney lying dead on the floor of his apartment.

Having felt concern for Mahoney’s well-being after receiving no response to his multiple knocks on the victim’s door, the supervisor said he used a copy of Mahoney’s keys to enter his apartment. In order to enter, he said he recalled needing to turn the key twice, which indicated that the door was unlocked.

During the cross-examination, the supervisor told defense attorney Kevin Mosley that he had not received any noise complaints from Mahoney’s apartment during the days surrounding his death. He also admitted he didn’t know whether any of the complex’s cameras were working that day.

The supervisor reported a history of safety concerns within the building, saying many strangers used alternate entrances to evade security to enter the building. The supervisor explained that the strangers would “take advantage” of the tenants by selling them drugs. 

 The jury was shown several photographs of bloodstains on the carpet and walls of Mahoney’s apartment. Photos of the victim’s bedroom, showed a room in disarray with Mahoney’s papers, money and cards scattered all over his bed.

Judge Brandt scheduled the trial to resume on Sept. 9. 

View more stories about this case, here.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 7, on the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

At approximately 4:47 p.m., officers located 30-year-old Kendrick Phillips along with two other victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Phillips was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The two other victims received treatment for non-life-threatning injuries, according to a press release.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

On Aug. 10, Metropolitan Police Department detectives located 52-year-old Leslie Simpson on the 200 block of Savannah Street, SE.

She was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

As a result of the MPD detective’s investigation, 65-year-old Steven Dreher who was the suspect in this case was located deceased as a result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Fatal Shootings Decrease in August from 20 Recorded in July, data Shows

Fatal shootings in August decreased by 33 percent from July.

D.C. Witness data shows 14 shootings in August compared to 20 fatal shootings in July.

In total there were 15 homicides in August, including one fatal stabbing.

On Aug. 14, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department found 41-year-old Cynthia Stewart inside of a residence, suffering from apparent stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Aug. 25, 45-year-old Alexis Hawkins was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed, according to a press release. Due to defense counsel’s unavailability, Hawkins preliminary hearing was rescheduled from Sept. 6 to Oct. 6.

She is currently being held without bail at the DC Jail.

Of the 15 homicides, one was classified as being domestic violence.

Fifty-two-year-old Leslie Simpson was killed in a shooting that occurred on Aug. 10 in the Shipley Terrace neighborhood on the 200 block of Savannah Street, SE.

According to a press release, police identified a suspect as 65-year-old Steven Dreher. Officer found the suspect dead in Laurel, Md. suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police apprehended two suspects out of the 15 homicides in August.

In August, police also apprehended a homicide suspect charged in the shooting of 1-year-old Legend Wheeler.

On Nov. 24, 2021, MPD officers responded to the 2300 block of Chester Street, SE for reports of a juvenile male victim, unconscious and suffering from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. Legend was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

According to a press release, on Aug. 23, JD Wheeler, 23, was charged with second-degree murder.

He is currently being held at DC Jail and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 13.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality involving a pedestrian that occurred on Sept. 4, at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Southern Avenue, SE.

At approximately 8:29 p.m., a driver that is operating a vehicle that was traveling northbound on the 900 block of Southern Avenue, SE. A pedestrian started to cross Southern Avenue. Injuries were caused when a vehicle failed to stop at a red traffic light on Southern Avenue and struck a pedestrian in the intersection.

The decedent has been identified as 25-year-old Jasmine Butler.

Domestic Violence Defendant Gets Time to Review Plea Deal

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for late-September to give defense attorney Craig Ricard time to discuss the prosecution’s plea offer with his client. 

The defendant is being held for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with the intent to kill while armed during the crime of violence. 

During the Sept. 6 hearing, Ricard asked for a protection order for the defendant, but Judge Lee denied the motion. 

Judge Lee asked for the client to be brought forth with an exact sentencing term before he can agree to sign an order of protection for the defendant. The prosecution was also asked to prepare all the witnesses and material before the next hearing. 

 The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26 to discuss the plea agreement.

Judge Gives Parties Time for Plea Negotiations

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee continued a hearing Sept. 6 for a homicide case so that defense attorney Albert Amissah could discuss a plea offer with his client. 

David Beale is charged with first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting 43-year-old George Johnson, Jr. on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE on May 7, 2018.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 28.