Judge Releases Domestic Violence Defendant, Placing Him on 24-Hour Home Confinement

After a domestic violence defendant waived his preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe released him into home confinement with GPS monitoring.

The defendant is accused of repeatedly assaulting multiple victims, including his sister, in his home before threatening them with a gun on at least two separate occasions.

He was arrested for assaulting his sister and another individual. According to court documents, the defendant waived the weapon at the victims while shouting, “I’ll shoot y’all–I’ll kill y’all.”

The defendant was charged with first-degree assault with a dangerous weapon on June 27.

During the June 30 hearing, defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur asked Judge O’Keefe to release the defendant from the DC Jail, citing the defendant’s lack of prior convictions, employment status, and community support.

Judge O’Keefe pointed out that although the defendant had no prior convictions, he has had many contacts with the juvenile court since 2014. “These prior contacts with the court are pretty concerning,” said Judge O’Keefe. “Some of them are violent.”

The prosecutor objected to Yallery-Arthur’s request for release, arguing there had been a prior incident between the defendant and his sister earlier this year. Additionally, the prosecutor said she had video footage from the police of the defendant waving a gun in an unrelated incident. The gun was similar to the one used in the domestic violence incident.

Yallery-Arthur responded that the defendant was not a danger to the public because the incident occurred in the defendant’s home, not in public.

“He didn’t go out looking for trouble,” said Yallery-Arthur.

Judge O’Keefe decided to release the defendant into home confinement with GPS monitoring and a stay-away order from the victims in this case.

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

During a June 30 hearing, a homicide defendant rejected a plea deal in connection to a 2021 stabbing.

Warren Tyson, 52, is charged with second-degree murder of 21-year-old Michael Johnson. On Oct. 22, 2021, members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District received a call about a stabbing on 49th Street and East Capitol Street, SE.

Terms of the plea offer were not disclosed in open court.

According to court documents, Tyson had previously sent numerous sexual texts to Johnson’s underage daughter, asking her to send explicit pictures of herself to him. According to the documents, he also bought her gifts.

The day of the homicide, Johnson, Johnson’s minor child, and Tyson had gone to McDonald’s together.

One of the witnesses told an officer the victim said he decided that was the day [Tyson] was going to jail, according to court documents.

Johnson confronted Tyson on the way back from McDonalds, which made Tyson panic and drive at a high rate of speed. Johnson and another witness jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to call 911. Tyson then stopped the vehicle, approached Johnson and began stabbing him, according to court documents.

Instead of a trial, a status hearing was held Thursday to make up for a previously vacated hearing because there was new evidence in the case.

Tyson’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 6, 2023.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Tyson to return back to court for a status hearing on Sept. 9.

Detective Testifies in Preliminary Hearing for Murder Defendant

A lead detective in a murder case said a defendant’s GPS monitoring device placed him at the scene of a murder.

Devon Edwards, 19, is charged with first- degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting death of Dmaree Miller on the 3300 block of 12th Street, SE on Jan. 4. According to court documents, Miller and his friend were trying to purchase a firearm from Edwards and another suspect. During the interaction, Edwards allegedly shot Miller while trying to rob him.

During the preliminary hearing on June 29, the prosecution called a detective from the homicide branch of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who led the investigation. According to the lead detective, the group, all in Miller’s car, drove to the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE.

The prosecution showed surveillance footage from the afternoon of Jan. 4 on Congress Street, SE, showing Edwards, Miller and Miller’s friend driving and walking around the area before driving off.

The footage later showed the car return with four individuals getting out and walking toward the location of the crime.

Edwards was under supervised release for a different case and was under GPS-monitoring at the time of the crime.

A recording of the GPS tracking shows Edwards being at the crime scene at the time of the murder. According to the detective, Edward’s movements on the GPS tracker match the surveillance videos.

Miller’s friend identified Edwards as “Wink,” and provided a photo of him to police.

Edwards was also identified by another witness who referred to Edwards as “Eddy.” Edward’s defense attorney, Prescott Loveland, pointed out that this witness lied to the police regarding a relationship with the other suspect in this case.

Edwards was arrested on March 22. When searching his apartment, which is located less than a block from the crime scene, MPD detectives found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a laser and extended magazine.

According to the detective, the pistol was a “ghost gun,” meaning the parts were did not have serial numbers.

Parties were not able to finish the preliminary hearing on June 29. DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the proceedings to resume on June 30.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant to 2 Years in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a domestic violence defendant for assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted kidnapping.

Zhong Chen was initially charged with kidnapping while armed for an incident that occurred on Sept. 27, 2021. Chen accepted a plea deal in March 2022. As part of the plea agreement, Chen was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted kidnapping.

The assault was against Chen’s spouse and occurred at the Shanghai Tokyo Cafe in Washington, D.C.

“I would first like to apologize to my brother’s wife and three children,” said the defendant’s sister during the sentencing on June 30. She explained that Chen was under immense stress and had always been a good son to their parents.

During the plea deal Chen admitted that he was trying to convince the victim not to end their marriage. He agreed that he was not defending himself or anyone else and was of sound mind.

“It demonstrates a very aggressive physical attack on someone who was or appeared to be incapable of defending herself,” Judge Ryan said of the video and photographic evidence.

“I have had to do a lot of healing,” said the defendant’s son in a very emotional impact statement. “I do not wish to have my father in my life, I just wish him the best from afar.”

Chen was sentenced to 28-months for assault with a dangerous weapon, 14 of which are suspended, as well as 24-months for attempted kidnapping, suspending all but 10 months.

“I’m not here to debate whether or not my son or wife have spoken the truth,” Chen said. “I regret what I did, and I apologize to the victims.”

Chen will serve 2-years in DC Jail followed by three years of probation with mandated participation in the domestic violence program, a mental health assessment and an evaluation for gambling addiction and treatment.

Ryan cited cross-cultural differences, an oral history of domestic violence, and a zero criminal history score as elements he took into account when deciding Chen’s sentence.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Mansluaghter in 2019 Fatal Shooting

During a June 29 hearing, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to a fatal shooting.

Lavelle Watts, 28, is charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the death of 28-year-old Kalin Middleton.

On Sept. 3, 2019, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were sent to Prince George’s Hospital Center after receiving reports of two victims who were shot and transported to the hospital. One of the victims, Middleton, later died from his wounds and was pronounced dead. Almost a year later, in December 2021, Watts was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The offense of voluntary manslaughter while armed carries a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled Watts to be sentenced on Sept. 30.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Homicide of Mother of Six

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a homicide defendant’s guilty plea, waiving the trial.

Gregory Johnson, 31, is charged with one count of second-degree murder while armed and one count of carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the death of 32-year-old Passion Pleasant.

On Feb. 5, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Pleasant unconscious on the side of Southbound 295 near East Capitol Street. Pleasant suffered multiple gunshots and stab wounds following an altercation with Johnson, according to court documents.

Johnson’s plea deal encompasses three separate cases, including Pleasant’s homicide, a domestic violence case, and a misdemeanor.

In the domestic violence case, Johnson is accused of pointing a gun at his former lover in front of his young child.

According to court documents, Johnson’s misdemeanor is related to a physical altercation, in which Johnson attempted to hit his girlfriend’s former lover with a baton.

As part of the plea deal, prosecution is waiving step back and enhancements, will not seek charges on indictment, and is waiving charges associated with the misdemeanor. Prosecutors asked Judge Okun to impose a 162 to 264-month sentence.

“The defendant’s actions were voluntary and on purpose,” the prosecution said.

Johnson was reportedly in a relationship with Pleasant, who was a mother of six children, according to news reports.

Judge Okun conditionally accepted Johnson’s guilty plea, and will fully accept the plea upon further review of the plea-sentencing report.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 16 Years in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentences a defendant in a 2020 homicide case to 16 years in prison.

On Nov. 18, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department received a call about a man with a weapon entering a residence that was under construction that was located on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE. Minutes later the department received another call about the victim, Elias Flores, being shot at the same location. Upon arrival, officers found Flores unconscious with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

George Miller, 27, was arrested on Dec. 10, 2020, and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

An impact statement was read by the sibling and the wife of the victim.

“It is not easy but on behalf of my family, I want to speak directly to the defendant. I want you to look at my face. My brother was a hard-worker, honest, and a good person, but you took him from us,” the victim’s sibling told the court in an impact statement.

“Why would you take him away from us in that way,” the victim’s wife said. “He was just working to provide for his family. Why did you do it?”

The prosecutor asked Judge Okun to impose the maximum sentence of 20-years in prison.

“Although Millers claims that it was an accident and a robbery went wrong, he still brandished a gun and pulled the trigger. It was an extremely reckless crime,” said the prosecutor.

Miller’s defense attorney, Pierce Suen, told the court that his client is remorseful and takes full responsibility for his actions that day. Suen asked Judge Okun to impose the minimum sentence of 12-years in prison, citing Miller’s lack of criminal history and childhood. Suen also told the court that Miller was working two jobs at the time to support his family.

“I would like to say that I take full responsibility for what happened that day,” Miller said. “I don’t even sleep at night. I get nightmares every night about this. I am so sorry to everyone.”

Judge Okun sentenced Miller to 16 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In deciding on a sentence, Judge Okun said he considered both the nature of the offense and Miller’s criminal history.

Judge Okun will recommend that Miller serve his sentence at the FCI Cumberland medium security correctional institution in Maryland.

Victim’s Family Expresses Concern Over Delays in Fatal Hit-And-Run Case

A family member of a victim killed in a deadly hit-and-run expressed frustration over the slow speed of judicial proceedings as a homicide defendant sought more time to consider a plea deal.

Kyle Wooden, 34, is charged with two-counts of second-degree murder for his alleged connection to the May 31, 2021, vehicular collision that killed 82-year-old Donald Malloy and 79-year-old Mattie Young.

According to court documents, Wooden allegedly ran a red light on Bryant Street, NW and struck a Nissan Altima occupied by both victims with a Chevrolet Tahoe as the victims attempted to drive northbound onto North Capitol Street, NE. Wooden allegedly fled the scene after the crash but turned himself in the following day.

The plea deal would downgrade the second-degree murder charges to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and criminal negligence.

The defense said Wooden required more time to reach a final decision, referencing concerns with the sentencing range and the proposed charges.

“Based on the facts of this case, I thought this should have been negligent homicide rather than involuntary manslaughter,” defense attorney Jonathan Zucker said.

The defense wanted to proceed with a bench trial because of the “fine legal line,” but this request was denied by the prosecution.

“The plea deal is not changing, so his only options are to accept or reject it,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecution read a written statement from a son of one of the victim’s, who was in attendance, denouncing the protracted resolution of the case and accusing the defendant of intentionally delaying the trial while he suffers from “debilitating grief.”

“It has been simply too much for too long,” the statement read. “Enough is enough.”

Referencing obstacles with concurrent availability, Judge Maribeth Raffinan tentatively scheduled a jury trial for Jan. 30, 2024, in the event that Wooden rejects the plea deal. The prosecution estimated that the trial would last two weeks.

“I’m sure [this trial date] is not satisfactory,” Judge Raffinan told the family member. “There are delays in light of the pandemic and also in light of other issues in the case… We need to set it for that date.”

Judge Raffinan scheduled a Sept. 23 status hearing to give the defendant his final opportunity to accept or reject the plea deal. In the interim, Wooden will remain released under the high intensity supervision program.

Document: Arrest in 2013 Homicide Case

The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest in connection to a 2013 homicide.

At approximately 1:07 p.m, on Nov. 6, 2013, MPD officers responded to the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located four adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to a press release.

One of the four victims, Dennis Foster, 65, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On June 28, officers arrested 59-year-old Victor Coley with first-degree murder while armed.

Child Sex Abuse Defendant Pleads Not Guilty, Set for Trial

During a June 28 hearing, a 74 year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to five counts of second-degree child sex abuse with aggravating circumstances. His trial is about a year away.

The defendant was detained on Jan. 31 for multiple attempted child sex abuse assaults from the late 2000s as well as other child sex abuse cases between 2011 and 2015. The defendant was released on GPS monitoring on Feb. 9.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2023. The trial is expected to last for two weeks.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 14.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Codefendants in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo schedules a preliminary hearing for co-defendants in a homicide case that occurred earlier this year.

Maurice Williams, 19, and Seaun McDowney, 18, are accused of the shooting death of 20-year-old Marquette White. On Jan. 21, Metropolitan Police Department officers received a call for a shooting on the 3800 block of Commodore Joshua Barney Dr, NE. Upon arrival, officers located White suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital the same night.

Judge Demeo scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 12 to decide if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

On April 28, Williams and McDowney were arrested in Georgia and were extradited to Washington D.C. in mid-June.

Williams and McDowney are charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Murder Case Pending Indictment

A prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on June 28 that he was still working towards an indictment for a murder defendant accused of stabbing another man nine times.

Aaron Jackson, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 27-year-old Damohn Gill on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE on June 24, 2021. Members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Gill unconscious, unresponsive, and suffering from nine stab wounds before he succumbed to his injuries that night.

During the hearing, the prosecutor told Judge Okun he expected to have the indictment ready by the end of the summer.

According to witnesses, Jackson and Gill were childhood friends and were involved in a verbal dispute when the stabbing occurred.

Defendants charged with murder in the District of Columbia must be indicted within nine months after their order of detention is issued, according to DC code.

In light of the prosecution’s expected indictment date, Judge Okun scheduled Jackson’s trial to begin on May 6, 2024.

The prosecutor also indicated a plea offer was sent to Jackson’s defense attorneys, Megan Allburn and Alvin Thomas.

Allburn requested an additional hearing date to address the plea offer in order to give them more time to discuss the offer with Jackson.

A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Homicide Defendant Refuses to Stay in Hearing, Demands New Attorneys

A homicide defendant refused to proceed with a June 27 status conference unless the judge agreed to appoint him new attorneys.

Daryl Thompson, also known as Darryl Tompkims, is indicted on 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged roles in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern. Roberts, 29, was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern, 23, was fatally shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016.

The 33-year-old defendant expressed his desire to fire his defense attorneys Dana Page and Pierce Suen upon entering the courtroom.

Thompson told DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan that his attorneys, despite his fervent objections, proceeded to challenge a Nov. 10, 2021, report filed by the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) that found him competent to stand trial.

The judge initially found Thompson incompetent to stand trial on Aug. 28, 2018, ordering the defendant to receive treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied the prosecution’s request for forced medication to restore competence on Sept. 8, 2021.

“I will turn around and go back to my cell until you appoint me a new attorney,” Thompson told Judge Raffinan. “I do not want Dana Page and Pierce Suen representing me.”

Thompson has repeatedly refused to complete psychological evaluations since his 2016 arrest.

“I refuse to do another competency evaluation,” Thompson said.

Judge Raffinan decided to deny the defendant’s request at this point in the judicial process.

“They are very experienced lawyers,” Judge Raffinan said. “For this phase, I am not going to replace these attorneys.”

Thomspon refused to remain in court, saying the case could not proceed in his absence. Escorted by US Marshalls, he left the courtroom while continuing to yell “these are not my attorneys!”

The defense requested to remain on the case. According to Suen, new representation would not address the root cause of the conflict because “any counsel would have to explore the competency issue.”

“It is our position that he is presently incompetent to fire his attorneys,” Suen said.

The prosecution did not object.

Judge Raffinan agreed to move forward with a hearing to rule on Thompson’s competency to stand trial.

The prosecution filed an opposition to the defense’s motion to assign the burden of proof of competency to the prosecution during the hearing.

Judge Raffinan scheduled a status conference for July 26 to address the prosecution’s opposition to the defense’s motion and to schedule the hearing to address Thompson’s competency.

Defendant in Domestic Violence Case Accepts Plea Deal

A defendant in a domestic violence case accepted a plea offer from the prosecution.

Eric Crutchfield pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm on June 27. In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor dismissed the initial simple assault charge.

The defendant is currently awaiting sentencing at the DC Jail.

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 14.

Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

During a June 27 hearing, a homicide defendant rejected a plea agreement as parties discussed pending DNA evidence.

Terrell Poe, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the Sept. 23, 2020, shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Washington on the 4000 block of Chester Street.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) heard 11 gunshots fired before units responded to the area and found Washington lying unconscious, according to court documents. Washington was transported to the George Washington University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries that day.

During the hearing, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee he had extended a plea offer in which all other charges would be dropped if Poe pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Poe rejected the plea offer.

The prosecutor also told Judge Lee he expected DNA results to be available by October. Judge Lee instructed the prosecutor to give Poe’s defense attorney, David Akulian the report as soon as it becomes available in order to avoid trial delays.

Poe’s trial is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024.

His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9 to discuss the results of the prosecution’s DNA testing.

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