Man Sentenced for Shooting 21 Year Old in the Back

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for shooting a 21-year-old man multiple times in the back in 2018.

Co-defendants Kewon Hunter and Stephon Evans were charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd. On July 30, 2018, Boyd was found unconscious in a roadway in front of the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in his torso. He died from his injuries within the hour, according to court documents.

Hunter, 22, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in February.

Boyd’s mother made a victim impact statement during Hunter’s sentencing hearing on April 26. His grandmother submitted a written victim impact statement, which was read by a prosecutor during the proceedings.

In the letter, Boyd’s grandmother stated that she “forgives [Hunter] and hopes he forgives himself.”

The victim’s mother attended the hearing via telephone and expressed her disagreement with the defendant being allowed to plead down to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. She said she only “wants justice for her son.”

As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to recommend a prison sentence of 10-12 years followed by five years of supervised release. Before Judge Robert Okun made his decision, he recommended that Hunter participate in an anger management and substance abuse assistance program and obtain employment after his release.

Defense attorney Betty Ballester asked Judge Okun to sentence her client under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which would allow his case to be sealed from public view if he completes certain requirements. Hunter was 17 years old at the time of the homicide, and Ballester argued that a person with the brain of a child cannot think things through. Judge Okun acknowledged that Hunter met the requirements of the YRA, but declined to impose it as part of the sentence.

Hunter was sentenced to 12 years in prison with 5 years supervised release. He will be required to register as a gun offender.

Evans, 21, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

New Attorney Appointed to Represent Defendant Accused of Armed Sexual Assault

A man indicted on 21 charges including first-degree sexual abuse while armed was appointed a new lawyer due to a conflict of interest that precluded the DC Public Defender Service from representing him.

The victim was sitting in her vehicle in the Garfield Heights neighborhood on the night of March 20, 2018, when the 21-year-old defendant allegedly approached her with a handgun and ordered her to open the door. He then allegedly made the victim drive to an alley and raped her before forcing her to drive to Anacostia Park, take her clothes off and jump into a body of water.

Criminal Justice Act Panel attorney Andrew Ain was appointed to replace public defender Joseph Wong during the most recent hearing for this case on April 25 due to a conflict of interest with the PDS.

Prior to the change in counsel, the defendant asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to release him from DC Jail. Judge Raffinan told him his newly appointed attorney would have to file a motion for his release.

“I can file the motion myself,” the defendant said. “I never needed a lawyer in the first place. I just want to go home to my mother.”

After parties were dismissed from the hearing, the defendant explained to those left in the room how he felt betrayed.

“Look, judge, I just want to go home to my mom. I went through a trial and nothing happened. I should at least be able to go into home confinement,” the defendant said. “You told me to trust you, and I did. So why you cannot trust me?”

Judge Raffinan told the defendant that he should direct any questions about the case to his lawyer. Another status hearing is scheduled for May 16.

Parties Deliver Opening Arguments in Domestic Violence Trial

Attorneys made their opening statements after a DC Superior Court judge swore in 16 jurors for a domestic violence trial.

The defendant is charged with one count of cruelty to children, one count of threatening to kidnap or injure a person and one count of simple assault.

“Choices have consequences, and the defendant chose violence,” the prosecutor said.

The defendant is accused of tackling a woman outside of a homeless shelter they were staying at as she held their 18-day-old baby in a car seat. He allegedly yanked the car seat from the mother, causing the newborn to fly out of the seat and fall headfirst onto the concrete, and continued attacking her as the child lay motionless on the ground.

The prosecutor said the entire ordeal was caught on surveillance video and will be shown throughout the course of the trial.

“You will see his choices, you will see his violence,” they said.

The prosecutor told jurors they will hear from multiple pedestrians who came to the infant’s aid. The infant suffered two fractures to the skull, brain bleeding, swelling on the forehead and swelling around the eyes.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley began his opening statement by saying his client did not beat his child. He argued that the events leading up to this day were what led to the altercation. He said the defendant did not spend the night before the incident with the victim, instead staying with the mother of his first child, which he alleges enraged the victim.

The defense alleges that when the defendant went to pick up his second child and infant to take them to the homeless shelter, he found his son sitting in his own urine and the mother refused to take care of him unless the defendant stayed the night with her. Mosley alleged the mother of the defendant’s kid had consumed four small bottles of wine the morning of the assault and was still drinking at 10:00 a.m. when the events unfolded.

“Too drunk to take care of their son, too drunk to hold her balance,” he said.

Mosley claims that the reason the 18-day-old newborn was flung out of the car seat was due to the mother not securing the car seat properly.

“He had no intention of harming his son, he was simply trying to protect his son from his drunken out-of-control mother,” he concluded.

The trial is scheduled to resume on April 26.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Case of Deadly East Corner Neighborhood Shooting

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a defendant committed second-degree murder while armed in reference to an East Corner neighborhood shooting.

On the morning of Dec. 14, 2021, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 44-year-old Jacques Russ lying in a roadway on the unit block of 61st Street, NE, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The following March, 21-year-old Jamaarr Morgan was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

During Morgan’s preliminary hearing on April 25, a prosecutor called one of the detectives who worked on the case to testify about his investigation. He said a .357 shell casing, blue hat, black computer bag, AirPods and broken eyeglasses were found at the crime scene.

The prosecutor displayed images of an individual believed to be Morgan inside a metro facility and on the second floor of a Quality Inn.

The detective said Morgan kept giving officers different stories when he was questioned. Eventually, Morgan said Russ had punched him multiple times, injuring him and prompting him to decide he could not do anything but shoot Russ.

The prosecutor countered Morgan’s claim by saying that Russ was not found to have sustained any injuries on his hands.

During defense attorney Dana Page‘s cross-examination of the detective, it was revealed that Russ has dealt with mental illness and was known to be paranoid about being robbed.

The prosecutor asked Judge Milton Lee to find probable cause. She said Morgan bringing a gun to the crime scene indicated he went into the situation with the intent to shoot Russ.

Page argued that the only actual evidence is what Morgan recounted to detectives after the incident.

“If he wanted to defend himself, he would have taken the sock and rock out of his bag to hit him,” she said.

“Why should I believe Morgan’s statement?” Judge Lee asked Page.

“The reason behind it is the final version of his statement and the fact that detectives could not get any more information,” Page replied.

Judge Lee said this homicide did not constitute first-degree murder while armed as no motive is demonstrated, but he did find probable cause for second-degree murder while armed, saying there was little claim to self-defense.

After Judge Lee made this ruling, Page argued that her client should be released from DC Jail into the High Intensity Supervision Program with GPS monitoring, citing his lack of a criminal record.

The prosecutor countered that Morgan left for New York after the homicide and then came back.

Judge Lee decided to continue Morgan’s detention, saying he is a fight risk since he previously left Washington and allegedly armed at the scene.

Parties are scheduled to meet in court for a status hearing on July 12.

At the defense’s request, Judge Lee ordered a preliminary screening to determine the defendant’s competency to stand trial. A mental observation hearing is scheduled for May 11.

Homicides by Day of the Week in 2021

In 2021, Fridays saw more homicides than any other day of the week, according to D.C. Witness data.

Hearing Plans Change Following Arrest of Third Co-Defendant Amid Plea Negotiations in Murder Case

Defense attorneys in a murder case asked for more time to negotiate a plea offer and gather information in the aftermath of a third defendant’s arrest.

Darquise Montgomery was arrested on March 14 for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Anthony Lee on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, on Sept. 26, 2020. Montgomery is charged with murder alongside Niko Hall and Kyree Wells, who were arrested in 2020.

During an April 22 status hearing, attorneys in Hall and Wells’ cases agreed to reschedule an Innocence Protection Act hearing due to Montgomery’s arrest. Attorneys said they hope to reach a disposition for the two by the next hearing.

Montgomery’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller, said she did not want to move forward with the IPA inquiry since she was just appointed a month ago and wanted to go forward with a motion she filed for her client’s release from DC Jail.

Judge Rainey Brandt granted the request and gave the prosecutor two weeks to respond to Weller’s bond review motion. The prosecutor said he plans to have a response by the end of next week.

Wells’ attorney, David Benowitz, asked Judge Brandt to transfer his client to the Young Men Emerging (YME) program, a housing unit run by the Department of Corrections, because he is serious about continuing his education. Judge Brandt said she could not order the transfer but could recommend it. Montgomery is also a part of the YME program.

Judge Brandt noticed the young men had a lot of supporters in the audience and encouraged them to keep their heads high.

“Do not let the stress of the situation take over your mind. Just look in the crowd knowing you have help and something to fight for,” she said.

Montgomery was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, assault with the intent to kill while armed and two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 10.

Homicide Defendants Most Likely to be in the 25-30 Age Range, Data Shows

A plurality of the homicide defendants arrested since the beginning of 2020 was in the 25 to 30-year-old age range at the time of their arrest, according to D.C. Witness data.

Causes of Domestic Violence Related Homicides Over a Two-Year Period

Eleven homicides occurred due to domestic violence issues from April 20, 2020, to April 20, 2022, according to D.C. Witness data. This graphic explains the gender of the victims and the manner of their deaths.

Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced for Assaulting, Threatening his Girlfriend

A domestic violence defendant was sentenced to serve three years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend.

During the sentencing hearing on April 22, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said Jonathan Ashworth threatened to kill his girlfriend and pulled a knife on her in the presence of children. In February, Ashworth pleaded guilty to threatening to injure or kidnap a person and assault with a dangerous weapon.

A portion of the victim’s impact statement was read in court. In it, she stated that her children were taken away from her and she does not want that to happen to anyone else.

“On previous occasions, Jonathan had a gun even when he was on probation and that is when he threatened to kill me,” the victim wrote.

Ashworth has a history of violating court orders and came into the sentencing with a criminal history score that Judge Ryan called too high for his age. The defendant has gone through several periods of incarceration throughout his life.

Judge Ryan said Ashworth’s father was in jail for a long time while he was growing up in an impoverished part of the city.

Ashworth ended up leaving the area to go to school in North Carolina due to behavioral issues. His academic experiences suggest that he should have had an Individualized Educational Program during this time, defense attorney Bruce Cooper said.

The prosecutor requested consecutive prison sentences between 60 and 80 months for each of the defendant’s two convictions. He argued that the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence he served for a previous offense did not work for him. The prosecutor also said Ashworth has yet to show remorse, as he allegedly coerced, dominated and exerted pressure over his girlfriend in letters he wrote during the case.

Cooper said his client was on PCP on the night of the crime and has had a toxic relationship with the victim for a very long time. Since he has been in jail and being medicated, he has been polite, Cooper added while requesting a three-year sentence.

Cooper also said his client is ready to apologize to the victim today in court, but Judge Ryan denied the request, saying, “he is not talking in court to anyone while locked up”.

Ashworth plans to live with his family in North Carolina upon his release from custody.

“I need more time to start a life with my new girlfriend,” Ashworth said. “I love my kids, and I am tired of going over and over the same thing; just want to start over.”

“Your past is holding you back,” Judge Ryan told him. “I think you are worth saving, but I have to protect the victim and the community first. You have been very dangerous to the community and this girl.”

Judge Ryan sentenced Ashworth to three years for assault with a dangerous weapon and a fully-suspended two years for threatening to injure or kidnap a person. He strongly recommended the defendant receive a dual diagnosis evaluation, treatment and counseling.

“You are a very young man and you have the ability to change the course of your life,” Judge Ryan told Ashworth. “You are capable of it and you need to do it.”

Document: Police Apprehend Suspect Wanted in Reference to Deadly Shooting

A Maryland man who was wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with second-degree murder while armed has been arrested.

On the morning of Feb. 27, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 32-year-old Michael Whitehead suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 100 block of N Street, NW, according to a press release. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On April 18, police informed the public that they have identified their suspect as 33-year-old Darrow Johnson, of Clinton, Md. Johnson was arrested on April 21.

Document: Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting at Peruvian Ambassador’s Home

A 19-year-old Maryland man has been identified as the decedent in an officer-involved shooting at the residence of the Peruvian Embassy Ambassador.

On April 20 at approximately 7:57 a.m., members of the United States Secret Service responded to the occupied residence for the report of a burglary in progress, according to a press release. There, they found multiple broken windows and the suspect, Gordon Casey, in the backyard with a metal pole. Officers ordered Casey to drop the pole and one of them fired a taser at him, but it did not work. Two officers then fired their pistols at Casey, who died from his injuries.

Document: Officer Fatally Shoots Woman Dressed in Special Police Officer Uniform

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s internal affairs bureau are investigating an officer-involved shooting that killed a 42-year-old woman.

At approximately 5:57 a.m. on April 23, MPD officers responded to the report of a shooting on the 800 block of Crittenden Street, NW, according to a press release. They found Erica Graham inside a residence, wearing a Special Police Officer uniform and striking a handgun against a doorframe.

Graham was not a licensed Special Police Officer in Washington. Police say they later determined that Graham shot a woman, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, before officers arrived at the scene.

Officers voiced numerous commands for Graham to drop the firearm, but she did not comply. After she pointed the handgun toward the officers, one of them shot Graham, who died from her injuries.

Man Sentenced for His Role in Transgender Woman’s Murder

A defendant was sentenced for his role in the 2016 robbery turned murder of a transgender woman.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee did not mince words during the April 22 sentencing hearing, saying to Shareem Hall that unless he is locked up, “you just reign hell down on the city.”

Hall, 28, was one of four people to face murder charges in connection with the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, who was shot during the early hours of July 4, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. She died from her injuries nine days later.

Dodds was a transgender woman, part of a group of people visiting Washington, one of the prosecuting attorneys said during the sentencing. She said Dodds’ aunt could not make it to the hearing but submit a letter for the prosecutor to read. In it, she stated that the actions of the men who participated in her niece’s homicide caused the death of someone special and she hopes they learn there are consequences to their actions and one day can be better.

Hall pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Defense attorney Dorsey Jones said Hall began experiencing issues when his father died in 2013. His client does not plan to stay in the city after he finishes his prison sentence.

Hall addressed the court, saying to Judge Lee that he wants to apologize to the victim’s family and anyone who has been hurt by his actions. He hoped Judge Lee will allow him the chance to be a good role model for his children.

“I ask you for the opportunity to be great,” Hall said.

Judge Lee then gave his opinion, saying the defendant violated his probation for a 2013 burglary charge for which he was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. His conviction could have been sealed from public view had he completed the requirements imposed on him.

Judge Lee presided over the burglary case. He said Hall “wasted the chance that he was given” and will not get another pass from him.

Hall was sentenced to seven years for first-degree murder while armed, four years for conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and four years for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrent and he will receive credit for the more than five-and-a-half years he has served at DC Jail.

The sentence from the 2013 burglary case that Hall now has to serve will run consecutive to the sentences in his newer case. He will have access to drug treatment, mental health treatment and a halfway house after his sentence is complete.

Judge Lee ended the sentencing hearing by wishing the defendant luck.

Hall is the third person to be sentenced for his role in Dodds’ death. Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little were sentenced to eight years for voluntary manslaughter in December 2021.

The case against Cyheme Hall, who is indicted on 16 counts including felony murder while armed in connection with Dodds’ death, remains open.

Attorneys Will Not Test DNA Evidence Ahead of Trial for Deadly Mass Shooting

Prosecuting and defense attorneys in the case of a deadly mass shooting do not plan to test DNA evidence ahead of the two co-defendants’ upcoming trial.

The mass shooting took place on the morning of Jan. 25, 2021, outside the New 7 Market on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The shooting took the life of 22-year-old Edward Wade and injured several others.

Aaron Adgerson, 18, and Terrance Oxner, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wade’s death. The two recently rejected a plea offer and are scheduled to go on trial in November.

During the defendants’ most recent hearing on April 22, both parties relayed that they will not be testing any DNA evidence. They also discussed a motion for Adgerson’s release from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

The prosecutor opposed the motion, arguing that they do not believe the defendant was a shooter but he was still involved in a serious and premeditated crime. She also argued he’s a flight risk.

Adgerson previously escaped the Psychiatric Institute of Washington after his arrest. His attorney, Michael Madden, said the defendant was not fully detoxed at the time and left through an already open gate. Madden pointed out that his client has since had no issues at the DYRS. He is enrolled in a program to get his GED and took part in a socialization program but did not complete it. He could stay with a family member in the event of his release from custody.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said there are “not enough new circumstances” for him to consider release.

Both defendants will remain in custody as they await their next hearing, which is scheduled for June 26.

Child Sex Abuse Defendant’s Competency to Stand Trial Remains in Question

The competency of a child sex abuse defendant to stand trial remains in question after a Department of Behavioral Health doctor was unable to form an opinion based on his most recent psychological evaluation.

The defendant is charged with six counts of first-degree child sex abuse of a victim less than 12 years old. He was initially charged in April 2018 and found incompetent to stand trial the following August. In May 2020, he was released from St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington’s psychiatric institution, into the High Intensity Supervision Program for outpatient treatment. The following October, the defendant was charged with armed kidnapping and detained at DC Jail.

During his most recent hearing on April 21, the defendant was arraigned on charges of armed burglary, armed kidnapping, armed robbery and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in his more recent case.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt read the report by the doctor who was unable to form an opinion on the defendant’s competency. The doctor recommended the defendant be readmitted to St. Elizabeths for treatment of his competency issues and depression symptoms.

Defense attorneys Heather Pinkney, Bernadette Armand and Laura Rose asked for a 60 to 80 day timeframe for their client to be evaluated by a member of the DBH as well as an expert from the prosecution.

Judge Brandt was hesitant to delay this case any further. “Start advance planning,” she told the parties. “It is time to give [the defendant] the administration of justice he deserves. Sometimes we forget that there’s a person stuck in the tug of war,” she said.

Judge Brandt addressed the defendant towards the end of the hearing. “I was moved by your candor in the DBH in respect to the attorney/client relationship you have made with Ms. Pinkney,” she said. Pinkney indicated that she will remain on this case until the very end.

“You feel like you are abandoned; you are far from abandoned. I want you to know you are not alone. Pick up the phone and call your lawyers because I know they will talk to you whenever you need,” Judge Brandt told the defendant. She reassured him she was going to try to get the case moving at a faster pace.

Experts from both parties will record the evaluation. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 13 to discuss the findings.

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