Defense Challenges Prosecution’s Link to Murder Defendant

In an Oct. 24 jury trial, the defense challenged an eyewitness on his initial description of a defendant, and an expert witness relayed statistical findings that weakly linked a sweatshirt to the defendant’s DNA.

On Aug. 10, 2017, Robert Moses, 23 and James Mayfield, 22, allegedly approached the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE while armed with .40 and .45 caliber handguns. Collectively, the defendants allegedly fired over ten rounds at people standing on Saratoga Avenue. One of the bullets struck 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor in the head as she was driving, killing her. Three other bystanders were also struck and injured by stray bullets.

Moses was arrested on Aug. 10, 2017, while Mayfield was arrested on Dec. 28, 2017. The defendants are charged with more than a dozen counts each, including first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Before the jury was called, Mayfield’s defense attorney Veronice Holt introduced a motion to postpone a witness’ testimony, that was scheduled in afternoon, during which the prosecution planned to present a very small sweatshirt worn by Mayfield when he was arrested in December of 2017.

Holt said the prosecution intended to highlight Mayfield’s skinny frame, which matched a characterization put forth by a witness to the Aug. 10 shootings.

However, she said this description was inconsistent with Mayfield’s appearance when Sydnor was murdered in August 2017. By the time he was arrested, Mayfield had suffered from a medical illness that rendered him hospitalized for two months and caused him to lose substantial weight.

Holt added that the prosecution failed to give her advanced notice about their plans to present the sweatshirt, only introducing it to her after the trial had already begun. She asked that the witness’ testimony be delayed to give her time to construct an argument in response.

Holt maintained that calling attention to Mayfield’s small and dirty clothing, which she described as “something a homeless person would wear,” would unnecessarily embarrass him in front of the jury,

Prosecutors assured defense counsel that the sweatshirt would only be used to help the jury visualize Mayfield’s body size at the time and that no references would be made to its cleanliness nor Mayfield’s housing status.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the defense’s motion to postpone the testimony, concluding that evidence of Mayfield’s weight loss was not prejudicial to him as the defense would have the opportunity to contextualize Mayfield’s weight loss during their cross-examination.

An eyewitness, who saw someone shooting toward Saratoga Ave while he was driving on Aug. 10, 2017, described the shooter as having shoulder-length dreadlocks and wearing a purple patterned sweatshirt and a ski mask pulled up to his nose.

In her cross-examination, Holt referenced notes taken by the detective he spoke to, which did not include any mentions of the suspect’s hair. Still, the witness maintained that he did in fact mention the shooter’s hair in his initial account.

The defense called an expert witness in DNA and serology.

The expert conducted a thorough review on the forensic reports conducted by a different expert, using a computer software designed to analyze DNA.

The software was specifically designed to disentangle complex DNA samples involving multiple potential people, and report how likely it was that each person’s DNA contributed to the sample.

According to the expert, when analyses were initially run on the sweatshirt described by the witness, the software determined that Mayfield likely contributed to 8 percent of the DNA. It also found that a different individual accounted for 86 percent of the DNA on the sweatshirt’s interior.

The expert witness is set to continue with their testimony during trial on Oct. 25.

Document: Vehicle Sought in a Non-Fatal Shooting Offense

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting offense that occurred on Oct. 24, on the 2000 block of 5th Street, NW.

According to a press release at about 5:54 pm, officers located one juvenile male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Judge Takes Back Release Option While Defendant Is Pending Vehicular Homicide Case

After learning that the defendant is awaiting another hearing for a vehicular homicide on Oct. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe decided against releasing him.

Karlos Bibb, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of Jamya Williams on July 3 after causing a four-vehicle car crash.

According to court documents, Williams, 20, was traveling eastbound through the intersection of 14th and K Street NW when an Acura TLX traveling at high speeds of 60 to 70 mph going northbound on 14th street ran the red traffic light striking Wiliams.

Williams was found in her car unconscious and unresponsive. Williams was rushed to George Washington University Hospital for treatment where she later died from her injuries.

Witnesses and video footage from a nearby building and a dash camera identified Bibbs and another assailant getting out of the car shortly after the crash and fleeing on foot.

Bibbs is currently being held at the DC Jail pending the investigation for the homicide and a sentencing for assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence that occurred on Nov. 29, 2021.

In the 2021 incident, Bibb’s entered a parked vehicle from the rear left passenger door with a victim inside, according to court documents. Bibbs then grabbed the victim by the back of his neck and demanded he give up his wallet. The victim declined the demand.

Bibbs then took out a black 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun and demanded again. The victim declined again.

In response, Bibbs began to hit the victim over the head and arm as they struggled for the weapon. The victim feared for his life and exited the car as the struggle continued. Bibbs continued to hit the victim as he lay on the ground outside of the vehicle prior to an officer’s arrival.

An officer, who was driving with his body-worn camera activated, saw Bibbs assaulting the victim. The officer activated his lights when Bibbs fled on foot. As Bibbs tried to escape the officer, he knocked himself unconscious.

Members of the local Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Bibbs lying there bleeding with a black 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun. The victim positively identified Bibbs while being treated for his injuries at Howard University Hospital.

Defense attorney Brian Shefferman asked Judge O’Keefe to postpone Bibbs’ sentencing because of the pending hearing for Williams’ death.

Shefferman described the investigation into Williams’ murder to be very “voluminous in evidence.” Prosecutors have not presented a plea offer for Bibbs in the homicide case.

The prosecutor is willing to postpone this case to see if a plea will be offered.

Judge O’Keefe mentioned he was going to release the defendant with the hope that he understood his mistakes and would try to integrate back into society. However, those conditions were revoked until Shefferman provides an update on the homicide case.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 6, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 1:07 pm, officers located four adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. On Oct. 21, one of the victims was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 21-year-old Christian Mitchell.

Document: Arrest Made in a Non-Fatal Shooting Incident

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 24, on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 6:28 pm, officers found two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds.

On Oct. 24, 24-year-old Ojahri Hart and 19-year-old Yahweh Chambers were arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Grants New Release Conditions For Homicide Defendant

On Oct. 19, defense attorney Anthony Matthews requested for the defendant involved in a drive-by shooting to have his home confinement conditions revised, since he is in full compliance with pretrial services.

Eric Smith, 23, was charged with first-degree murder in June of 2018 for the fatal shooting of Rondell Wills on the 200 block of 50th Street, NE. Wills’ death was the result of a drive-by shooting. He was not the intended target.

According to news reports, Wills, 38, died from a fatal gunshot wound in the neck because he was trying to protect his children when the shooting occurred.

Court documents identified Smith as the driver.

Matthews informed DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan that he plans to conduct independent testing on the behalf of Smith.

The prosecutor indicated they will be also retest DNA in Smith’s case. Testing was already conducted before by the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS).

Judge Raffinan revised Smith’s release conditions from in-person check-ins with a curfew from 12 p.m. to 8 a.m. to weekly check-ins with pretrial services one time a week via phone with the stay-away order still in place.

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Witness’s Health Concerns Delay Deposition

During an Oct. 21 hearing, parties were intended to schedule a deposition date for one of the witnesses in a murder case, but the date was postponed due to the witness’s health.

David Rhodes, 54, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the May 9 stabbing of 47-year-old Georgette Banks on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE. Banks was stabbed multiple times in the neck, chest and arms. The defendant and the victim were in a relationship.

Rhodes was also quarantined at the DC Jail at the time and if the prosecution wants to present a deposition, all parties must be present.

The prosecutor gave the defense approval to conduct a cross-examination on the witness but argued that the defense requested additional information about the witness that was not necessary for cross-examination.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee informed the prosecutor that a disposition requires the defense to have all necessary information needed for the deposition by the prosecution.

The prosecutor also expressed doubt if the witness would appear for the deposition since the witness has frequent medical appointments.

Judge Lee is recommended that the witness virtually present online if she couldn’t physically make it to court.

Instead of setting a deposition date, Judge Lee scheduled an additional status hearing for Nov. 16 to address the witness’s health status update and discuss the scope of the deposition.

Judge Grants Continuance in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted on Oct. 21 a continuance for a status hearing for parties involved in a homicide case.

Kevin Sewell, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during in the time of crime of violence for his role in the death of his father, 43-year-old Kevin Lamont Robinson on Nov. 30, 2014, on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE. Sewell’s co-defendant, 36-year-old Charles Jeter, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for his part in the victim’s death.

During the Friday hearing, the prosecution delivered additional evidence to the defense, but the prosecutor said that any information regarding the evidence will not be disclosed.

Jude Lee said the parties need to meet two weeks prior to the next hearing to discuss motions they wish to file and all evidence in the case. The next hearing will also identify what the parties have produced since the last hearing.

A jury trial for Sewell is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2024. Jeter’s trial date has yet to been decided.

Judge Lee scheduled the parties to return to court on Nov. 2.

Sex Abuse Defendant Requests New Attorney

A sex abuse defendant asked to be assigned new representation, citing disagreements with his current attorney, during an Oct. 24 hearing.

The 39-year-old defendant, charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sexual abuse and burglary told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee that he felt his defense attorney, Anthony Smith, was not serving his interests.

“I told him I don’t think he’s working in my favor,” he said.

The prosecutor did not oppose the motion, but expressed doubt that the defendant’s concerns about Smith were legitimate.

On July 8, the complainant told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers that the defendant opened the door to her apartment, which is located on the 100 block of I Street, SE, which had been unlocked, and approached her.

She said that he groped her thigh, said he wanted to have sex with her and climbed into her bed with his penis exposed. It was then that a witness entered the room and pulled him away, according to court documents.

The defendant stayed in the apartment building, walking around an interior courtyard, and was arrested in the early morning on July 9.

According to the court documents, the defendant exposed himself to a female officer while in handcuffs. He was charged with burglary and assault with intent to commit third-degree sexual abuse.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 31.

Judge Removes Sex Abuse Defendant’s Ankle Monitor After DNA Results Come Back

A sex abuse defendant’s conditions of release were modified after the results of a DNA test corroborated his defense during an Oct. 24 hearing,

The 39-year-old defendant, was charged on May 16 with first-degree sex abuse and first-degree burglary in connection with an April 28 incident on the 1400 block of R Street, NW.

According to court documents, the defendant knocked on the complainant’s door, and as soon as she let him in, he grabbed her by the neck and forced her into the bedroom. He then forced her to bend over and penetrated her anus, she told police.

At the Monday hearing, defense attorney Todd Baldwin said that anal swabs detected no presence of male DNA following the incident. He said the result would “exclude my client from possibility.”

The prosecutor disagreed with this characterization, saying no presence of male DNA did not definitively mean no assault occurred. She also noted that the defendant’s DNA was found on the complainant’s neck, consistent with her report that he choked her.

Based on the results of the DNA test, Baldwin moved to have the defendant’s ankle monitor removed.

“He’s been completely compliant with his conditions,” Baldwin said, noting that the defendant was set to start tomorrow as the head chef at a new restaurant and didn’t want to be seen with an ankle monitor.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked about the restaurant and the defendant provided details. It has a seven-course tasting menu, he said, and it is French.

“All right, all right,” Judge Lee said. “You don’t have to sell me on the restaurant.”

Judge Lee ordered the defendant’s ankle monitor be removed. The defendant will continue to have stay-away orders from the complainant and the scene of the crime and must check in with authorities via a phone call weekly.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 28.

DC Non-Fatal Shootings Mostly Focused in Southeast, Data Shows

According to data from D.C. Witness, the majority of homicides and assaults with a dangerous weapon that occurred between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18 took place in Southwest, D.C.

D.C. Witness data indicates there have been seven non-fatal shootings in Northwest, D.C. As of Oct. 18, there was one stabbing-related homicide in that area of the city.

The graph shows that Southeast, D.C, has the highest rate of homicides. Three of the four homicides involved firearms. The fourth was a stabbing.

So far this month, there have been nine homicides and 21 dangerous weapon assaults.

homicides/ADW counts:

manner of homicides/ADW counts:

Graphic by Natalie Goodman and Celia Okoro

Counsel Disputes Transfer of DNA Evidence In Connection to 2019 Murder Case

Parties discussed Oct. 21 issues over DNA testing and the transfer of evidence in connection to a 2019 murder case.

Diantre Smith, 46, is charged with one count of second-degree murder while armed, one count of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, eight counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, one count of leaving after colliding resulting in personal injury, three counts of leaving after colliding resulting in property damage/injury to an animal, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and seven counts of assault on a police officer while armed in connection to the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Nyesha Galloway on Dec. 20, 2019, in a wooded area on the west side of the 400 block of 42nd Street NE.

During the Friday hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo began by stating that she does not yet have a ruling in regard to the defense’s motion to reconsider severing the defendant’s counts and that the motion remains pending.

In regards to recent DNA testing, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey and the prosecution deliberated the issues surrounding the conditions of the transfer.

Previously, the prosecution made representations that all DNA results and evidence were provided to the defense, but the file is too big to upload.

The prosecution has since placed the evidence on a thumb drive and sent it to the defense.

On Dec. 20, 2019, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the sound of 11 gunshots coming from a wooded area known as Fort Mahan. While canvassing the area, officers found Galloway in an unconscious and unresponsive state, suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. She was pronounced dead the following day.

The next hearing is set for Dec. 16.

Document: Suspect Sought in Reference to a Non-fatal Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 23, on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW.

At about 6:25 pm, officers located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Document: Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 23, on the Unit block of N Street, SE.

At about 12:53 pm, an off-duty police officer heard the sounds of gunshots and located 31-year-old Kavaughn Washington, inside of a vehicle, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Additional Arrest Made in 2020 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives have made an additional arrest in a homicide that occurred on July 21, 2020, on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW.

At about 5:04, officers located 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On June 1, a 22-year-old and 23-year-old adult male were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. On October 20, 23-year-old Steven Washington was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

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