Motion Hearing Continued for Murder Defendant in Quarantine

A defendant accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend’s partner was unable to appear in court for a Aug. 17 motion hearing due to being in COVID-19 quarantine.

Christian Johnson, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Lavonte McCloud on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE on Nov. 25, 2021. McCloud suffered multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries later that day.

During Wednesday’s hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun told all parties that he was going to continue the hearing because Johnson, along with many other defendants, are quarantining at the DC jail.

Defense attorneys Dominique Winters and Ashley Whidby said that Johnson has been in quarantine for a long time and are optimistic he will be out soon.

According to court documents, a witness called Johnson to bring a child, whom they shared, to McCloud’s apartment. Johnson and the witness met at the front of the apartment building and got into a verbal altercation about washing their child’s coat. McCloud told the witness to stop arguing with Johnson and go back inside the building. However, once she entered the apartment, she heard gunshots fire.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Sept. 15.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case, Releases Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause during the second day of a preliminary hearing but released the defendant under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) ahead of trial.

Jose Ramos, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal death of 58-year-old Eduardo Cruz on Jan. 29.

The preliminary hearing spanned over two days. During the second day of proceedings on Aug. 12, Judge Brandt initially ruled that the case did not have probable cause for second-degree murder but changed her ruling once the prosecution argued that the probable cause could be found for second-degree murder if the while armed charges were withheld.

“Probable cause is a low standard, I can find probable cause for second-degree murder but not while armed,” Judge Brandt said. “I think the government’s evidence is weak and I’m going to release Mr. Ramos.”

The victim’s daughter was present in the courtroom and asked Judge Brandt to keep the defendant detained.

“No one should live this living hell I’m living,” Cruz’s daughter said. “Please your honor, I’m begging you, leave him in custody where he can’t hurt no one.”

Judge Brandt expressed her condolences and thanked Cruz’s daughter for her statement but said she couldn’t keep Ramos in custody because there’s no evidence that proves he killed Cruz beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Our criminal justice system is built on ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’… You got probable cause but there were at least three other people in that apartment,” Judge Brandt said. “There’s not enough evidence right now for the court to reasonably say that Mr. Ramos was the one who struck the deadly blow.”

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy stated that upon release, Ramos would reside with his family in a different state.

Ramos has been ordered to stay away from the apartment building on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, anyone who lives in the apartment building, and the victim’s family. The stay away order includes electronic communication and sending messages through a third party. Ramos has also been ordered to report to pretrial services once a week.

On Jan. 24, Ramos and Cruz allegedly got into a physical altercation in an apartment complex on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Ramos and Cruz lived in the same apartment building and were arguing about the noise and traffic Ramos seemed to bring to the apartment complex. According to court documents, witnesses heard a struggle and then heard Cruz asking for forgiveness in Spanish. Ramos and a group of others allegedly insulted Cruz and physically attacked him in response.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers discovered Cruz, unconscious and unresponsive, inside of a parked vehicle on the grounds of a local outdoor recreational area on the 4800 block of Colorado Avenue, NW. Cruz suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including bleeding to the brain. Despite all life-saving efforts, Cruz succumbed to his injuries five days later.

The MPD is conducting an ongoing investigation regarding the other individuals.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Document: Arrest Made in Georgetown Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested a man in connection to a shooting that occurred on Jan. 31, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

At approximately 6:13 p.m., officers located 27-year-old Tarek Boothe suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital later that day.

On Aug. 16, 24-year-old Range Reynolds was arrested in Kingston, Jamaica and charged with first degree murder while armed. He will be extradited to Washington, DC.

Document: Arrest Made in a Third Degree Sex Abuse Case

Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested a 29-year-old woman in connection to a sexual abuse.

On Aug. 15 on the 4000 block of Georgia Avenue, NW a 29-year-old woman approached the victim and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim and then fled the scene.

She was arrested and charged with third degree sexual abuse.

Parties Hold Off Scheduling Preliminary Hearing Date

Parties held off scheduling a preliminary hearing date for a defendant charged with murder for the stabbing death of a 42-year-old man.

Michael Dolson, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing death of 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas, Jr. On March 14, officers were alerted of a stabbing inside of Cloud Lounge located on 1919 9th Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers located Thomas barely conscious and suffering from puncture wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital an hour later, according to court documents.

During the Aug. 15 proceedings, parties expressed concern over setting a preliminary date when the case has not been indicted.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set a new status hearing for Oct. 14

Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt arraigned co-defendants Dijon Williams and Daivion Williams on conspiracy, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and carrying a pistol without a license outside home/business.

The charges stem from a homicide on July 21, 2020, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers found 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas suffering from a gunshot wound.

During the Aug. 15 felony arraignment hearing, defense attorneys David Knight and Pierce Suen pleaded not guilty on behalf of Dijon and requested the prosecutor’s evidence to be turned over to the defense, including parts of the Grand Jury transcripts.

“We really do need the transcripts from the Grand Jury,” Knight said.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain also pleaded not guilty on behalf of Daivion and made the same request as co-counsel.

“The government is willing to turn everything over to the defense,” the prosecutor said. She said she intends to provide body worn camera evidence as well as parts of the Grand Jury transcripts.

Ain introduced a motion to release Daivion under the high-intensity supervision program (HISP).

“I had a lot to think about in the 24 days I have been locked up,” the Daivion said. “If you release me, I will try 100 percent to be perfect. My plan when I do go home is to work from home in customer service, answering phone calls.”

Ain argued that if Daivion is released, his girlfriend, who was in the courtroom, has a home in Georgia where he could stay.

“Wow, I did not expect to hear those words coming from you. Thank you,” Judge Brandt said. “Despite how articulate you were, I will not be letting you out today, but I am not completely closing the door at a later date. If I were to release him, and I’m not saying I will, but I would be more comfortable with him staying in the District of Columbia.”

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in W. Virginia Ave Homicide

Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested 19-year-old Nelson Davis in connection to the homicide of 45-year-old Jason Ford on Aug. 15.

The offense occurred on June 25 on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE.

Davis is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Reschedules Sentencing in Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled the sentencing in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor.

Jerry Barton pleaded guilty on March 8 to one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

The sentencing was set to occur on Aug. 12 but couldn’t be completed as the court did not have results from a test to determine the defendant’s risk of committing another sexual offense.

“There are some issues that have come up that you just need to understand, so I don’t want to rush through that,” Judge Brandt said.

Barton, who has been on pretrial release since Sept. 30, 2019, appeared in plainclothes in court.

At a previous hearing, the parties met in court and Judge Brandt ordered that the Court Services and Supervision Agency (CSOSA) conduct the test. Defense Attorney Anthony Matthews said he conducted a test on behalf of the defense, but CSOSA did not perform one for the court.

During Friday’s hearing, Matthews was dismissed as a result of a miscommunication. Defense Attorney Thomas Healy is slated to assume the role of Barton’s attorney.

Judge Brandt set a status hearing on Aug. 24 in order for Barton and his new attorney to acquaint themselves with the case.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 14, at approximately 9:45 p.m., on the 3900 block of 4th Street, SE.

MPD officers responded to the location for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found 41-year-old Cynthia Stewart inside of a residence, suffering from apparent stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Officer-Involved Shooting of Domestic Violence Suspect

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department shot a suspect believed for be involved in a domestic violence incident near the 1900 block of Mississippi Avenue SE on Aug. 12.

Rahman Mills, 29, was shot and charged with aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Homicide Defendant Arraigned on Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun arraigned a defendant on first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying concealed weapons outside a home or business in violation of the 2nd Emergency act of 2014.

Samuel Mack, 56, allegedly shot 35-year-old Erica Ward in an apartment on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on Dec. 30, 2020. According to court documents, the two used to be in a relationship and began arguing the night after Mack brought their son over to visit. Mack was apprehended that same night. He was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) the following March where he is not permitted to leave home from 9pm-6am.

During the Aug. 10 felony arraignment hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman pleaded not guilty on behalf of Mack and requested the court extend Mack’s curfew by one hour so that Mack would have more time to finish a carpet installation job in Maryland. Cadman said Mack is in full compliance and that his work often requires him to stay late.

“It could go much later than 1opm but he could really use that extra hour,” Cadman said.

The prosecution opposed extending Mack’s curfew.

Judge Okun held off on making a ruling because there was no pre-trial services representative present during the hearing.

“Honestly, I need to hear from pre-trial so we’re going to have to pass this until pre-trial is here,” Judge Okun said.

Mack is currently scheduled to stand trial in June 2024. The trial is expected to last one to two weeks.

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Two Homicide Cases

During an Aug. 10 hearing, a defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed in two homicide cases.

Rasheed Young, 44, fatally shot 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE. Young also fatally shot 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr. on May 18, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.

“I’m ready to plead guilty today, your honor,” Young said.

A plea offer was placed on the record during an Aug. 5 hearing, but DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued the case to allow defense attorney Kevin Mosley to discuss the plea offer with the defendant.

Young was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed for Rogers shooting and second-degree murder while armed for Richardson’s shooting.

According to court documents, Rogers and Richardson both suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to the body and succumbed to their injuries despite life-saving efforts.

Richardson’s family was also present via WebEx and expressed frustration with the prosecution’s plea offer.

“There is no justice for the Richardson family or the Rogers family,” Richardson’s sister told the court. “I’m asking you, your honor, to please reject this plea offer.”

Judge Okun conditionally accepted the plea offer but stated he will not officially accept the plea offer until he has heard from the victim’s families and has viewed the pre-sentencing report.

Young is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14.

Case Acquitted: Homicide Defendant Arraigned

Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

Defendant arraigned on homicide charges during an Aug. 12 hearing.

Tierra Posey, 24, was charged with second-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 21-year-old Tia Carey on Jan 6, 2020, on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

The attorneys asked for more time to continue plea negotiations.

According to Posey’s defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, a counteroffer was given to the prosecution yesterday.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Posey’s next court appearance for Sept. 16 to review the status of negotiations.

Judge Postpones Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun decided to continue a status hear Aug. 12 for a felony domestic violence case.

A sex abuse defendant is charged with second-degree sex abuse of a minor, three counts of second-degree sex abuse of a minor with aggravating circumstances, and attempted second-degree of a minor with aggravating circumstances.

Judge Okun granted a mutual continuance to give the defendant time to consider a plea offer from the prosecution.

The defendant was originally charged in 2020, but the case experienced many delays due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The indictment on multiple abuse counts took place in February 2022.

The defendant’s next hearing was scheduled for Aug. 18.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 11, on the 2000 block of Florida Avenue, NW.

At approximately 9:31 p.m., MPD officers responded to a location after hearing the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found two male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One of the victims succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The decedent has not yet been identified.

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