Judge Determines Deadly Shooting Case Has Enough Evidence to Go to Trial

A prosecutor presented a volume of video evidence during a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Omar Williams, 25, is accused of shooting 26-year-old Anthony Depetris while trying to rob him on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2021.

The homicide occurred to the west of Minnesota and B Street, SE, an intersection near the border of the Greenway and Fort Dupont neighborhoods surrounded by residences, according to court documents.

During a March 14 preliminary hearing, the prosecutor called the lead detective on the case to the witness stand. One of the videos she presented showed an altercation between two individuals with Depetris in the middle of the street and a vehicle that drove away in an alley. A total of 13 exhibits were admitted into evidence.

The prosecutor said Deptris was wearing an expensive jacket ranging from $1,000 that could have been the motive for the defendant to rob him.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee made a finding of probable cause. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 3. In the meantime, Williams will remain held at DC Jail.

Document: Suspect Sought in Deadly Stabbing

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man.

At approximately 1:03 a.m. on March 14, officers responded to the 1900 block of 9^th Street, NW, for the report of a stabbing. There, they found Kenneth Thomas Jr. suffering from a stab wound, according to a press release.

The suspect they are seeking was captured by a nearby surveillance camera. Images were included in the press release.

Document: Woman Killed in Fairlawn

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman.

At approximately 12:01 p.m. on March 15, officers responded to the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. They found 37-year-old Nikia Young suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: Two Men Fatally Shot in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a double homicide.

At approximately 3:21 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of 13th Street, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 22-year-old Antoine Jenkins and 62-year-old Antwan Brown. Both men succumbed to their injuries.

Prosecutor Describes Harassment Woman Suffered During Sentencing of Domestic Violence Defendant

A domestic violence defendant was sentenced for first-degree unlawful publication, stalking and threats to do bodily harm.

Carlton Robertson entered the courtroom late for his sentencing on March 14 and took a seat.

The prosecutor described the repeated harassment the victim suffered. The defendant posted videos of her online and people would walk up to her to ask about them, he said.

The victim did not offer a statement because she does not want to be questioned about what happened to her anymore, instead simply wanting to be left in her own peace.

Judge Rainey Brandt asked public defender Thomas Healy if any of his client’s friends have been contacting the victim. Healy denied this but said other random people were bothering her. Her phone number and address have been leaked onto social media in the past.

In a recorded statement, Robertson said he would never engage in this behavior again. Judge Brandt said she is not having him locked up because the victim wanted to show mercy. She imposed suspended sentences for all three charges, to be followed by a period of supervised probation.

The prosecutor recommended the defendant be ordered to receive anger management treatment and abide by a stay away order from the victim and her family. The defense found it redundant to include her family, but the prosecution wanted to ensure that they were not bothered by the defendant.

The defense asked Judge Brandt to impose the Youth Rehabilitation Act, as it has helped other people during probation. The YRA would allow Robertson’s case to be sealed if he successfully completes his sentence.

Judge Brandt assessed the circumstances of the case, including the nature of the offense as well as the defendant’s young age and minimal criminal history score. She said she could not fathom a circumstance where these types of charges are masked from the community, pointing out that the victim had information about her put on a public forum. Judge Brandt also noted that the defendant already has a criminal case on his record. The YRA request was denied without prejudice.

It took planning and initiative for the defendant to commit this crime, Judge Brandt noted. The offense tarnished the victim’s image, threatened her family and troubled her peace of mind.

Robertson received a one-year suspended sentence for the unlawful publication and stalking charges and a six-month suspended sentence for the threats charge. Judge Brandt warned the defendant that she is giving him an incentive, but if he is in violation of his probation, he will get 24 months of jail time.

Conditions of Robertson’s probation include abiding by the stay away order, receiving a mental health evaluation and refraining from the use of illegal drugs and marijuana.

Parties Deliver Closing Arguments After Murder Defendant Questions Witnesses

Murder defendant Chad Hawthorne questioned three witnesses during the sixth day of his trial. The day’s proceedings wrapped up with attorneys delivering their closing arguments.

Hawthorne, 41, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett while he slept in an apartment on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, during the early hours of May 22, 2017. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearms offenses.

The three witnesses who testified on March 15 included the leaseholder of the apartment. He was previously called to testify for the prosecution but took the stand again after being subpoenaed by the defense. Hawthorne asked him about his prior drug use with Bassett as well as lies he has allegedly told police in the past.

After the prosecution cross-examined the witnesses, the parties delivered their closing arguments.

The main point of the prosecution’s argument was that the defendant had both the motive and the opportunity to murder Bassett. Prior to the incident, Bassett had allegedly stolen from the defendant. Hawthorne allegedly talked about this incident for days, feeling disrespected by someone he frequently looked out for. The prosecutor also noted how they had medical evidence and witness testimony, all showing consistencies with the evidence that was provided.

Public defender Steven Kiersh spoke about the door to the apartment being left open, which allowed people to come in and out at any point of the day, suggesting that someone other than Hawthorne could have committed the crime.

Kiersh also argued that the detective’s interrogation tactics with Hawthorne were extreme and may explain why there may have been inconsistencies in his story. He said there is not exact evidence pointing to Hawthorne as the killer.

The jurors are expected to receive their instructions on March 16 before beginning deliberations.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Shootings of Homeless Victims

A suspect in the shootings of five homeless men in Washington and New York City has been apprehended.

On the morning of March 15, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division arrested 30-year-old Gerald Brevard, of Southeast, DC.

Brevard is alleged to have shot three people in Northeast, DC over the past two weeks. One of the victims, 54-year-old Morgan Holmes, died from their injuries.

At approximately 2:54 a.m. on March 9, a Metropolitan Police Department officer on the 400 block of New York Avenue, NE, saw a tent fire. Emergency personnel found Holmes dead. An autopsy determined his cause of death to be multiple stab and gunshot wounds, according to a press release.

The other two shootings took place in New York City. One of them was fatal.

Brevard has been charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incidents in Washington.

Interview Footage Examined During Trial for Fatal Apartment Shooting

A murder trial resumed with jurors viewing footage of a police interview with the defendant.

Chad Hawthorne is on trial for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett in an apartment on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The homicide took place during the early hours of May 22, 2017.

The proceedings began with the lead detective on the case taking the stand, answering brief questions about his role in the case.

The prosecution showed multiple videos of the defendant and witnesses walking around the basement and first floors of the apartment moments before the shooting. One exhibit showed Hawthorne conversing with a witness in a doorway.

Before Hawthorne was arrested, he had a voluntary interview with a detective. In it, he described being at the crime scene when the shooting occurred.

“This night he let in four guys,” Hawthorne said. “While I was sleeping, I heard gunshots and fled.”

Hawthorne would pay $40 a week to stay in the apartment when he needed space from arguing with his mother. He said he always had a problem with people coming in and out of the apartment but never was concerned because it happened constantly.

In the early parts of the interview, Hawthrone said an individual he has known for years told him authorities were looking for him.

As the interview progressed, the detective wanted to know what Hawthrone remembered from the night of the murder. Hawthorne said he remembered one of the witnesses and the unknown male in the black hoodie arguing before he used the bathroom. That is when he heard gunshots and fled the scene.

This statement was different from one he gave previously when he said he was sleeping when the gunfire rang out.

“Wait, I am confused, you say you were woken up by gunshots earlier,” the detective said. “So did they wake you up or did you hear them after you used the bathroom?”

Hawthorne told the detective he used the bathroom outside and cameras will back his story. As he arrived back to the room, Hawthorne said it was the unknown male in a black hoodie arguing with Bassett.

“After I came back from using the bathroom outside they were still arguing,” he said. “The guy was standing right next to me when he was shooting. I did not ask any questions. I just put on my shoes and grabbed some clothes and left.”

The detective sat back in his chair.

“The guy was standing right next to you shooting somebody,” He said. “You feel safe enough to put on your shoes and get your shirt. Because earlier you told me you were sleeping, then you tell me you ran out of the apartment with your socks on. Now you tell me you had on shoes.”

Around the three-hour mark of the interview, the lead detective stepped out of the room so another detective could speak with him. This detective took a more aggressive approach to his questioning.

“I have been doing this for a long time, you have been filling in blanks of what the witnesses told you. I need you to tell me the story from what you saw and heard,” the detective said.

The detective had reason to believe Bassett had stolen his car when his spare key went missing. “I am going to tell you something that is going to clue you in on where we are in our investigation,” he said. “We know the guy that died last night has been victimizing you.”

At 3:37 p.m., DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo had the interview paused, deciding the jury had been given enough information for the day. The proceedings are set to resume on March 15.

Jurors View Interrogation Footage During Murder Trial

Prosecutors finished showing jurors the five-hour video of murder defendant Chad Hawthorne’s interrogation during the fifth day of his trial.

Hawthorne, 41, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett in an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Ave, SE, during the early hours of May 22, 2017.

On March 14, the video resumed with the defendant questioning the detective’s knowledge of the history between him and Basset.

“Anybody would tell you I looked out for Basset,” Hawthorne said. “I did not have a bad relationship with Bassett. Bassett picked his fights and I do not.”

“We understand you looked out for him from time to time but we know that you and Bassett had your issues,” the detective responded. “We found your spare key to your car in his backpack at the murder. Look, you have been around the block too many times. You knew someone in that apartment had your spare key.”

Hawthorne maintained he had nothing to do with Bassett’s death.

“I can’t gain nothing from whooping someone’s ass. It will make me feel good for a sec. But after that I’m either hurting or in jail,” the defendant said.

The detective then told Hawthorne people were saying he killed Bassett in cold blood.

“Stop letting people tell your story,” the detective told him. “It’s either you’re a cold m*********** killing people or you defended yourself.”

The defendant took a long pause before asking the detective what he would do if he was in his shoes.

“All I have done is look out and this is the thanks I get,” he said. “I just gave you money the other day and the day after that and you repay me by breaking into my car. One thing I can not stand is someone pretending to be something they are not.”

Public defender Steven Kiersh crossed- examined the lead detective about the interrogation tactics the detective in the footage used. The lead detective admitted they lie or withhold certain information from the person they are interviewing.

“Do you think it is appropriate the way [the detective] conducted the interview? He was very vulgar and animated with my client,” said Kiersh

“We will always do what is best to solve a case,” the lead detective responded. “If we have to lie or withhold information, we will do that. If we have to be aggressive or sympathetic we will do that. We abide by the rules that are given and will continue to do so.”

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the proceedings to resume on March 15.

Manslaughter Sentencing Postponed as Defendant Continues his Education

Parties met in court to discuss the possibility of changing the sentencing date for a young man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2019.

Dazmine Anderson, now 20, is awaiting sentencing for the fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on Oct. 7, 2018, on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

The defendant was scheduled to be sentenced on March 11. During a hearing that day, defense attorney Madelyn Harvey said her client has been doing very well at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. He is close to finishing high school and is expected to get his degree within the next few months. A DYRS official confirmed that he has completed all required community service hours.

The prosecutor said that if Anderson continued to do well in school and went on to college he would not only be willing to put off the sentencing, but also consider a lighter sentence given that he has been in custody for nearly three-and-a-half years by now.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked if the victim’s family was alright with this decision. The prosecution responded saying the family had been disappointed with the plea agreement from the beginning and had stopped contacting the prosecuting attorney.

Judge Lee accepted the joint decision from the prosecution and defense and rescheduled the sentencing for June 24.

Murder Defendant Receives New Public Defender

The defendant charged in 36-year-old Jimmy Beynum’s murder wrote a letter to the judge assigned to his case asking for a new attorney.

Taylor Emanuel, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with a shooting that killed Beynum on Jan. 23, 2020.

“Mr. Taylor, you sent me a letter, and you sent it by federal express. I don’t want you to think you have to go through all that expense to write me something,” DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee told the defendant during a March 15 hearing.

In the letter, Emanuel asks for his public defender, Russell Hairston, to be replaced with Brandi Harden.

“You and Mrs. Harden will hopefully develop a working relationship,” Judge Lee said.

Another hearing is scheduled for April 4 but Judge Lee said this may be pushed off in order to give Hardi enough time to review the case.

Murder Trial Cancelled After Defendant Pleads Guilty

Approximately one month before a 2019 murder case was set to go to trial, the defendant accepted a plea deal.

Diquan Lucas pleaded guilty to shooting 33-year-old Brian Butler in his apartment on the 2100 Block of I Street, NE. On Sept. 9, 2019, Lucas entered the apartment and saw Butler in the living area. An argument broke out between the two which quickly became physical. Lucas then pulled out his gun and shot Butler several times, according to court documents. The 25-year-old defendant was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Lucas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on March 11. The defense is petitioning for him to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which would allow his case to be sealed if he successfully completes his sentence.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson and the prosecutor agreed to recommend an eight-year prison sentence.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee accepted the plea and scheduled Lucas to be sentenced on June 16.

Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly Shooting at Construction Site

A Maryland man pleaded guilty to killing Elias Flores while he was working at a construction site in Deanwood.

On Nov. 18, 2020, police officers found Flores on the first floor of a house under construction on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE. The 48-year-old had been shot in the head.

Less than a month later, George Miller was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. During a March 14 hearing, the 27-year-old defendant pleaded down to second-degree murder while armed.

As part of the plea deal, parties agreed not to seek an upward or downward departure from the sentencing guidelines applicable to Miller.

A medical examiner reported Flores was shot once under his left eye—the bullet had traveled through the decedent’s brain and exited through the right side of his head, causing irreversible damage. A neurosurgeon declined to conduct surgery on Flores because of the risk of death but Flores was pronounced dead five days later on Nov. 23, according to court documents.

Video surveillance caught a man riding a “Jump” bike tapping on the window of a vehicle with a gun before leaving to a construction site and returning around the time of the shooting, which was deciphered by the medical examiner and confirmed by media footage.

Detectives cross-referenced pictures and criminal records to identify and apprehend Miller, who worked at a plastic company a block away from the area of the shooting. Miller had allegedly stolen raw materials from the construction area after killing Flores.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled Miller to be sentenced on June 28.

Co-Defendants Indicted on Five Counts in 2020 Murder Case

Two co-defendants were arraigned on a five-count indictment for their alleged roles in a deadly shooting on a September night in 2020.

Anthony Lee was 25-years-old when he was shot to death on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on Sept. 26, 2020. Niko Hall, 30, was arrested in October 2020 and Kyree Wells, 19, was arrested in November 2020.

During a March 11 hearing, the two were arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

Both Wells and Hall pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Hall’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, renewed a motion for her client’s release due to his medical circumstances. King said Hall was shot several years ago and the DC Jail is not equipped to provide the physical therapy Hall needs to recover. She said her client has no prior convictions or plans to flee if released.

The prosecutor opposed the request. He said the defendant was receiving treatment in jail and would pose a danger to the community if released.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the request, saying this was at least the fourth time defense counsel has renewed this motion.

“I am not revisiting this issue again” she said.

Judge Brandt said she would prefer to go ahead and schedule a jury selection date to begin the trial process. However, the prosecutor in this case said it might be preferable if a status hearing was held before scheduling trial dates.

A status hearing is scheduled to take place on April 22.

Defendant’s Ex-Girlfriend is First to Testify on Third Day of Murder Trial

Prosecutors called four witnesses to the stand during the third day of Chad Hawthorne‘s murder trial, starting with the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.

Hawthorne, 41, is accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett during the early hours of May 22, 2017, in an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

The defendant allegedly spent the rest of the night at his ex-girlfriend’s house after the shooting. When the prosecution called her to the witness stand on March 9, she could not recall the testimony she gave before a grand jury in 2018.

The prosecutor pointed the witness towards her prior statements about what Hawthorne told her. Apparently, she said Hawthorne said to her that Bassett had been shot, he heard arguing before the gunfire and whoever was arguing with Bassett must have killed him.

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh was sympathetic to the ex-girlfriend during his cross-examination. She told Kiersh that when a detective questioned her about the homicide prior to the grand jury proceedings, he “leaned” on her so hard that she began to cry.

The next witness spoke to the victim’s drug problems. The defense did not cross-examine her.

Then, the prosecution called a Department of Forensic Sciences member who was tasked with taking data out of electronic devices and collecting information. The forensic scientist explained several logs of outgoing calls and locations data related to the investigation. She was asked about Facebook messages Hawthorne received, including one that claimed an individual was “snitching” and advised the defendant to turn off his location.

Finally, the leaseholder of the apartment took the stand. He had come home from New York at approximately 1:00 a.m. on the day of the shooting and was later awoken by Bassett asking to stay the night there, which he allowed. The leaseholder told the jury when he woke up again later in the morning, Hawthorne was gone. The next time he woke up, it was to a rapid succession of gunshots, he said.

The leaseholder jumped awake and saw who he believed to be Hawthorne flee the scene. He responded by running across the street to call 911. While he was gone, one of the men staying there ran to a neighbor’s apartment to call 911.

“You have had five long years to think and mule over this event. Do you think that Chad Hawthorne killed Antonio Basset,” the prosecutor asked the witness.

“Yes, I do,” he replied.

“No further questions, Your Honor,” the prosecutor said.

Kiersh barely let the prosecutor take his seat before he started his cross-examination.

He began by asking if he had seen a gun.

The witness said no.

“Did you see any weapon?” Kiersh asked.

“I did not.” The witness replied.

Kiersh asked the witness if he had used drugs. The witness said he is drug-free.

“What about alcohol-free?” Kiersh asked

The witness responded, “well, no.”

“So you had a few drinks the day of the murder?” Kiersh asked.

“I only had one beer In New York,” the witness said.

Kiersh inquired about medications the witness takes that may make him drowsy. The witness said they do not make him sleepy.

Kiersh also emphasized that the witness was paid for his testimony. His testimony was always paid for through witness compensation. However, the witness said he was not paid for the statements he made to the police. During re-direct, he told the prosecutor he offered his testimony before knowing he would be paid.

The prosecutor had planned to call the lead detective to the stand, but he was unavailable to appear in court. DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo decided to let the jury go early.

The leaseholder is subpoenaed by the defense to testify on March 14.

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