Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun presided over a July 22 status hearing where a homicide defendant rejected a plea deal.

Gary Rush, 40, is charged with second- degree murder in connection to the murder of Keena Dowtin in Fort Dupont Park on Sept. 20, 2020.

According to court documents, the defendant was driving with Dowtin as his passenger and swerved to avoid hitting a deer. However, the car ended up striking a tree, which resulted in Dowtin’s death.

At the hospital after the incident, the defendant tested positive for PCP, a hallucinogenic drug.

The prosecution’s plea deal would have allowed the defendant to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and serve between five to nine years in prison.

The case is pending indictment. Rush was released under the high intensity supervision program in January 2021.

Judge Okun scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 12.

Judge Continues Motion Hearing for Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson continued a motion hearing for a 2021 homicide case as she waits for the defendant to be released from quarantine at the DC Jail.

William Davenport, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14, 2021, on the 400 block of 2nd St, NW. According to court documents, Turner suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body and succumbed to his injuries later that day.

Despite hearing arguments from both parties, Judge Dayson refrained from making a ruling on the defense’s motion for release, insisting upon waiting for Davenport’s release from quarantine.

“I’ll rule when Mr. Davenport is present,” Judge Dayson said.

The July 21 hearing was a continuance of a previous motion hearing that occurred on June 23, where defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman filed a motion for the court to reconsider the probable cause and detention findings from Davenport’s preliminary hearing in November 2021.

During the hearing, Judge Dayson heard arguments from both the prosecution and defense regarding Davenport’s detention status. The prosecution decided to not add on more evidence despite requesting more time for preparation during the previous June 23 hearing.

Cadman previously argued, during the June 23 hearing, that since the surveillance video of the robbery and the still shots from the footage were precluded, the prosecution’s case had been substantially weakened.

The surveillance footage of the incident was precluded from evidence following the prosecution’s violation of not disclosing pertinent information to the defense, such as specific written statements, oral statements, documents and objects.

Without it, Cadman said, legal identification of Davenport and relevant witnesses are near impossible.

The prosecutor requested that Davenport remain in detention. Due to the hole left by the omitted surveillance footage, prosecutors maintained that Judge Dayson focus on other factors to determine Davenport’s detention or release.

Of these factors, prosecutors highlighted the fact that Davenport has been arrested 17 times since 2012, the nature of Davenport’s crime of violence, and Davenport’s alleged distribution of drugs in front of a local shelter.

“There is no case law that says the weight of these factors change the closer you get to trial and the further you are from arrest,” Judge Dayson stated.

Judge Dayson said her concern is that, due to the omission of the tapes, the prosecutor’s case will not stand in trial.

The prosecution still maintained that there was more evidence but was not willing to disclose it.

“I’m supposed to assess evidence that I hear and know about,” Judge Dayson said.

Prosecutors claimed that the omission of the video and still shots does not detract from the previous finding of probable cause in Davenport’s preliminary hearing.

Cadman requested that Davenport be placed under the high intensity supervision program (HISP). She said Davenport would be able to attain employment and live with family upon release.

Cadman also noted that Davenport is working with fellow inmates to create a non-profit called “Stay Out” to help former inmates reintegrate into society.

“Given the weakness of the government’s argument, release is the only appropriate option,” Cadman said.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on July 29.

Jury Aquits Homicide Defendant on Almost All Charges in 2018 Drive-By Shooting

A jury found a homicide defendant not guilty of all charges except for obstruction of justice in connection to a 2018 drive-by shooting that killed one person and injured three others.

Torey Stockton, 24, was accused of killing 23-year-old Jasmine Light on Jan. 17, 2018, by shooting into a crowd outside of a convenience store on the 1500 block of U Street, SE.

Returning its verdict on July 21, the jury found Stockton not guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The jury did, however, find Stockton guilty of obstruction of justice for calling his then-girlfriend, Kayla Thompson, from the DC Jail and asking her to delete incriminating evidence from his social media accounts.

Thompson also faced an obstruction of justice charge as Stockton’s co-defendant for erasing social media evidence but was found not guilty by the jury.

Light’s family attended the hearing virtually via WebEx. The trial began July 7. Deliberations began July 19.

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy asked for Stockton’s release as he awaits the sentencing date. He has been detained since his arrest in June 2018.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo rejected this request, referring to pending felony charges, including, as the prosecutor described, “multiple counts of assault on a police officer.”

“We would be very concerned about his release into the community at this point,” one of the two prosecutors said.

Judge Demeo scheduled the sentencing for Sept. 16.

Motion Hearing Rescheduled IN homicide Case

During a hearing on July 22, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a new date for a motion hearing.

Derek Turner, 31, and Ronnika Jennings, 44, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, obstruction of justice and conspiracy in connection with the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

Turner is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting of 23-year-old Devin Hall on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

Jennings is accused of providing Turner with confidential information during her time as a customer service representative for the Metropolitan Police Department. Another co-defendant, Duan Hill, 33, is currently charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Parties were unable to continue addressing the motions in the case because Turner is currently under quarantine at the DC Jail until July 28.

The trial is estimated to last eight to 9 weeks with the prosecution expecting to call around 80 witnesses.

Judge Demeo scheduled the motion hearing to continue on Sept. 6, which was originally supposed to be the first day of jury selection. The trial has been tentatively scheduled for Sept 7.

Judge Gives Prosecution Time for Indictment, Continues Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued a felony status conference.

Christian Monge, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 31-year-old Brittanie Clark.

The case was continued to give time for the prosecution to secure an indictment. There is also a pending plea offer.

Monge was unable to attend the hearing on July 22 because he is currently quarantined at DC Jail. He is going to be quarantined until July 24.

On Aug 31, 2021, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of a stabbing at 5000 block of First Street, Northwest. Upon their arrival, Clark was found unconscious and unresponsive. Clark suffered puncture wounds to the torso. Despite all lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after.

Monge’s next court appearance is scheduled to occur on Sept. 8.

Judge Sentences Defendant in Fatal Hit-And-Run Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a man convicted of a fatal hit and run to 180 days in prison.

Tylek Dunkins, 20, pleaded guilty to leaving after colliding with personal injury. Dunkins was initially charged with second-degree murder; however, after the prosecution reviewed the speed, it was determined that the speed was lower than reported. The defendant’s charges were reduced to a misdemeanor.

On Oct. 24, 2019, Dunkins was driving eastbound on East Capitol Street, when he struck Amoni Richardson, 15, who was crossing the street with a friend, according to court documents. Approximately 18 minutes later, she was pronounced dead.

Multiple members of both families spoke during the July 22 sentencing. A victim impact statement was read by Amoni’s mother in court.

Dunkins’ mother and sister also spoke about how Dunkins has been incredibly impacted by this incident.

The family lost Dunkins’ brother months before Dunkins was charged and this has weighed significantly on him and the family as a whole, his mother said.

Dunkins delivered a tearful statement as well. Throughout the proceedings Dunkins was visibly remorseful.

Defense attorney, Joseph Wong, described how Dunkins “panicked in the moment” and immediately called his mom and asked what he should do after he fled the scene.

The main point of the defenses’ argument was imploring Judge Raffinan to “separate the actions from the result.”

Dunkins also has a pending trial case in Maryland for felony charges.

In addition to Dunkins180-day sentence, he will also serve 2 years on probation, is required to fulfill 90 hours of community service and pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

While on probation, Dunkins must get grief counseling, vocational counseling/training, not drive in DC without a valid permit, get drug testing, alcohol testing, enroll in an alcohol treatment program, enroll in a drug treatment program and enroll in an educational program.

Homicide Defendant Arraigned on Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt arraigned a defendant on first-degree murder while armed and possession of firearm during a crime of violence. Both of these charges were for offenses committed during release.

Rashon Hall, 26, is accused of fatally shooting 22-year-old Joseph Simmons alongside the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. According to court documents, Simmons suffered apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the July 22 arraignment hearing, defense attorney Dana Page entered a plea of not guilty on Hall’s behalf.

Although the prosecutor was ready to set a trial date, Page said new co-counsel will be appointed and requested a continuance to pick a trial date once that counsel is appointed.

Page also said the prosecution has not indicated any additional DNA testing on case materials. However, since a new prosecutor has not been appointed to the case, she said she is in the process of reviewing evidence to see if additional testing needs to be conducted.

Hall’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Killing His Girlfriend

During a July 22 hearing, a defendant pleaded guilty to one count voluntary manslaughter while armed.

On Feb. 8, 2021, Ronald Miller, 43, stabbed his 28-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Hardy, to death. Hardy was found inside a residence on the 1600 block of E Street, NE, with multiple stab wounds to her neck and body. Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I killed her. She was trying to set me up,” Miller told the officers when they arrived at the scene.

According to court documents, Miller claimed that Hardy attempted to stab him after arguing with him about money.

However, defense attorney Jason Tulley clarified that although Miller believed he was being set up, he thought he was acting in justifiable self-defense according to the law.

“When he says self-defense, he actually and honestly believes it was,” Tulley said.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted Miller’s guilty plea and expressed appreciation towards the defendant for his attention towards his case.

“You were right there following along,” Judge Brandt told the defendant. “I appreciate your attention to the details.”

Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18.

Document: Arrest Made in Northeast Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on Feb. 21.

At approximately 2:50 a.m., officers located 80-year-old Dennis Stroy, inside of a medical facility, suffering from trauma. On March 20, Stroy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On July 20, 62-year-old Leon Odoms was arrested and charged with second degree murder.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Sex Abuse Case

During a preliminary hearing on July 20, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee found probable cause in a sex abuse case between a teacher and a student.

The 40-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly engaging in romantic and sexual activities with multiple under-aged victims. At the time of the alleged offenses, the defendant was the victim’s teacher.

According to court documents, the defendant is also accused of engaging in sexual activities with multiple other students. These investigations were separate from this case.

The prosecutor called the lead detective in charge of the investigation.

The detective said he initially contacted the complainant as a part of another investigation into another former student’s allegations against the defendant. During a phone interview, the complainant “broke down and became emotional” and said she and the defendant had been in a romantic relationship while she was still a student.

Throughout the investigation, the complainant provided screenshots of her text conversations and emails with the defendant to the detective, which the prosecutor showed in court.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman cross-examined the detective on the findings of previous investigations into the defendant’s conduct with students. Cadman asked the detective about an investigation into allegations in 2019 that the defendant engaged in sexual activity with students.

The detective said a student reached out to him in the course of the 2019 investigation and said while the defendant was “overly playful” with students, he had never made any “creepy advances” and was never inappropriate. The investigation was closed afterward.

The detective also said he closed an investigation into an alleged offense between the defendant and another student in 2017 when he found the defendant did not break any DC laws.

According to the detective, the complainant told him that she never reached out to school or law enforcement authorities concerning her relationship with the defendant before her interview. She said she didn’t want to report what happened because of how she felt towards the defendant.

Cadman asked about the detective’s interviews with several witnesses, two of which were close friends with the complainant.

He said one of the friends was not aware of any sexual acts between the defendant and the complainant, while the other friend was not aware of any romantic or sexual relationship between the two.

Cadman said the complainant was currently involved in a civil lawsuit against the defendant and the school for $70 million, giving her “70 million dollars’ worth of reasons for lying.”

Despite the complainant’s credibility issues, Judge Lee found probable cause.

The defendant’s next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

Judge Arraigns Murder Defendant, Trial Date Not Yet Set

Vernon Parrish, 38, was arraigned on first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found 53-year-old Ronald Bailey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in his residence on the 5200 block of E Street, SE on Sept. 26, 2021. Bailey, who was still conscious at the scene, told the officers Parrish, his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, shot him before succumbing to his injuries an hour later.

Bailey’s girlfriend told MPD officers Parrish began making threatening statements toward the two after he became aware that Bailey was romantically involved with her eight months prior.

Parrish was also arraigned on assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly threatening the ex-girlfriend at gunpoint prior to Bailey’s shooting.

When interviewed by MPD officers, the ex-girlfriend told them Parrish is “crazy and a stalker.”

During the July 21 arraignment, defense attorney Billy Ponds entered a plea of not guilty on all counts on behalf of Parrish.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled an additional hearing on Sept. 23 to set a trial date and to discuss potential DNA testing.

Motion Hearing Continued in Homicide Case

During a hearing on July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled a new date for a motion hearing.

Eric Beasley, 31, is charged with first-degree murder in a case connected to the hit and run of 45-year-old David Farewell on Sept. 4, 2020, on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE.

Beasly was unable to attend the hearing due to being quarantined at DC Jail, therefore the parties were unable to continue addressing the motion.

Judge Raffinan scheduled the continued the hearing for Aug. 1.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Assault on Co-worker

During a July 19 hearing, a defendant pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

William Rausch, 42, was originally charged with third-degree sex abuse. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault in front of DC Superior Judge Marisa Demeo.

According to a proffer of facts, on March 17, 2011, a woman went out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with her colleagues. When she went back to the office to retrieve her coat after the night out, she got trapped in the entrance way of the double door. Rausch was contacted because he had the keys to unlock the doors. Upon his arrival, he unlocked the interior door and told the victim that he wanted to speak with her in which she readily accepted.

Rausch then locked her into a conference room, turned off the lights, pushed her against the table, and pressed himself against her backside.

Rausch pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault that holds the potential penalty of 180-days in jail and/or a fine of $1,000.

Judge Demeo scheduled the sentencing hearing for Sept. 16.

Document: Traffic Fatality That Killed a 40-Year-Old Woman

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that killed a bicyclist on July 20.

At approximately 8:09 a.m., a bicyclists was traveling on the right side of a Mack truck traveling southbound on the 900 block of 21st Street, NW. At the intersection of 21st Street and I Street, NW, the Mack truck began a right hand turn at which time the bicyclists was struck. The bicyclists succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 40-year-old Shawn O’Donnell.

Sex Abuse Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

A child sex abuse defendant rejected a plea deal during a July 20 hearing.

The defendant was indicted on 17 counts, including first-degree child sex abuse where the defendant was under the age of 12 and second-degree child sex abuse where the victim was under the age of 12. All of the counts included language of the sex offenses being committed against two or more victims. According to court documents, the sexual abuse was allegedly done to multiple children, who attended a home-run daycare program, beginning in 2004.

The 62-year-old defendant was arrested on March 8 on the 2400 block of 17th Street, NW.

On behalf of their client, defense counsel rejected a plea deal, which included pleading guilty to first-degree child sex abuse, second-degree child sex abuse, attempted child sex abuse, and misdemeanor child sex abuse.

According to the prosecution, the plea deal would have dropped 13 of the 17 charges.

The defendant is represented by defense attorneys Jason Tulley and Hannah Claudio.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled a status hearing for Feb. 24, 2023.

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