Defendant Pleads Guilty to Deadly Shooting in Garfield Heights Neighborhood

A defendant pleaded guilty to a 2019 shooting that killed a 23-year-old man.

Andre Smith was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of Delwaun Lyons on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE, on July, 2019. After spending more than two-and-a-half years detained at DC Jail, the 34-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon during an April 11 hearing.

Smith and Lyons were standing next to one another before Smith pulled a gun from his waistband and shot Lyons in the back of the head, according to the prosecution. Smith was arrested with the murder weapon on Aug 22, 2019.

According to court documents, Lyons was involved in a shootout the day before his death.

As part of the plea deal, attorneys agreed to recommend a prison sentence in the seven to 13-year range, which will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced June 17.

Document: 15-Year-Old Fatally Shot in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a shooting that killed 15-year-old Malachi Jackson.

At approximately 10:50 p.m. on April 11, officers responded to the 3000 block of 13th Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found Jackson suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man Sentenced for Firearm Offense After Prosecutors Drop Murder Charge

A defendant was sentenced to a period of supervised probation for a firearm charge after prosecutors dropped his second-degree murder charge as part of a plea deal.

Jerome Myles was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed after 19-year-old Antonio Dixon was shot to death on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE, on the afternoon of Oct. 20, 2018. The 23-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license last December.

“You are not a success story yet, but you are on the trajectory of one,” DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee told Myles during the sentencing hearing on April 8.

When given the opportunity to address the court, Myles began by apologizing to the defendant’s family, though they were not present in court. The prosecutor said the family is frustrated with the plea deal and felt that going to court would have only frustrated them more.

The prosecutor argued against sentencing Myles under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which would allow his record to be sealed from public view if he successfully completes his probation.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden felt this was unfair. She argued that Myles was in the range of who the YRA was designed for. She offered to continue the sentencing to have an independent third party write a report to show that Myles deserved the benefit of the YRA.

Harden spoke about how her client immediately began pursuing his GED once he was detained at DC Jail. Myles was incarcerated for approximately nine months before being released into the High Intensity Supervision Program. Once released, he enrolled in Project Empowerment, a nonprofit that helps adults find jobs and gain career skills.

Judge Lee said he “denied the youth act all the time,” mainly when he found the crime violent and heinous enough to believe people should be aware of it. He ultimately agreed to sentence Myles under the YRA.

Myles said he was “damaged” when the shooting happened and he is still picking up the pieces. He ended his statement by saying he “wants to be the man his family wants him to be and who the court expects him to be.”

Judge Lee told the defendant he should be thankful for his family above all else. Had he been convicted of his initial charge, Judge Lee said Myles could have spent the next 20 to 25 years in prison, only seeing his family on visiting days. He advised Myles once more, that if he were to re-enter the criminal justice system, he would only be cheating himself.

Judge Lee sentenced Myles to a fully-suspended 20 months with 15 months of probation. He must also complete 100 hours of community service and register as a gun offender. Upon exiting the courtroom, Myles and his family hugged and conversed with Harden.

Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly Shooting in Northeast, DC While Prosecutors Drop Homicide Charge in a Separate Case

One of the defendants who was charged in the fatal shootings of 21-year-old Michael Taylor and 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd made a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a lesser homicide offense in the case of Taylor’s death and a non-homicide offense in the case of Boyd’s death.

Stephon Evans was one of five men charged with Taylor’s death and one of two men charged with Boyd’s death. Boyd was killed on the evening of July 30, 2018, while Taylor was killed on the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2019. Both men were shot in Northeast, DC.

Evans was 18-years-old when he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Taylor’s death less than two weeks after the homicide. The following June, he was indicted on charges including first-degree murder while armed in connection with Boyd’s death.

After more than three years of pretrial detention, Evans entered guilty pleas in both cases during his most recent hearing on April 8. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in the case centered on Taylor’s death and carrying a pistol without a license in the case centered on Boyd’s death.

Parties agreed to recommend a sentence in the eight to 13-year range for the manslaughter charge as part of the plea deal. They also agreed to recommend that whatever sentence he receives for the pistol charge run concurrent to the sentence in the manslaughter charge.

The prosecution said Evans approached Taylor on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE. He then fired his pistol in Taylor’s direction, striking the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene.

Carlos Turner, Naquel Henderson, Tavist Alston and Alonzo Brown were also charged with murder for their alleged roles in Taylor’s shooting. They are currently awaiting trial at DC Jail.

Kewon Hunter, who was charged alongside Evans in Boyd’s death, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in February.

Evans is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7.

Percentage of Shooting Related Homicides Stays Relatively The Same

The percentage of homicides stemming from shootings between Jan. 1 and March 31 of each year has stayed mostly consistent, regardless of the number of homicides.

Deadly Stabbing Case Handed to Jury After Closing Arguments

The trial for the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch wrapped up with attorneys delivering closing arguments before the nearly four-year-old case was handed to the jury.

Marquette Jordan is accused of stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

The DC code describes first-degree murder as a purposeful killing or a killing while committing certain crimes. During closing arguments on April 7, a prosecutor told jurors that premeditation could be instantaneous and without a second thought. They alleged that Jordan grabbed a butcher knife, started swinging it at Lynch while he was on the ground and stabbed him six times, demonstrating an intent to kill.

The prosecution said Jordan and his girlfriend were engaged in an argument that turned physical. Lynch allegedly angered Jordan when he tried to intervene. Earlier in the trial, multiple witnesses testified that Lynch was not yelling at Jordan, with one of them describing the conversation as an “old man talk” from Lynch.

The armed robbery charge is based on the allegation that Jordan took keys from Lynch’s pocket while he layed on the ground. Prosecutors have also accused the defendant of assaulting his girlfriend that night during their argument.

Defense attorney Elliot Queen said Jordan and his girlfriend did argue, but it never got physical. He said his client did not swing at her or slap her, as still pictures of her from that night only show her with blood on her nose and a scratch on her arm. Queen argued this is not consistent with somebody who had been in a physical altercation hours prior.

Jordan testified in his own defense towards the end of the trial. He said he pushed Ivan, prompting Ivan to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious, D.C. Witness previously reported. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Ivan on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment.

“What makes the most sense is what Mr. Jordan said happened,” Queen said.

The prosecution argued that the defendant’s testimony contradicted that of other witnesses. Queen challenged the credibility of those witnesses, noting how some of them offered differing explanations as to why they waited to call 911. One said he was afraid of what Jordan may do, while another said they did not realize Lynch had been stabbed.

“Ten minutes is a lifetime. No reasonable person would wait 10 minutes to call 911,” Queen told jurors.

After the parties completed their closing arguments, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave the jury their instructions before sending them to begin deliberating. The deliberations were scheduled to resume on April 11.

Defendant Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Woman in Her Apartment

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on felony sex abuse charges for forcing himself on a woman in her Kingman Park neighborhood apartment.

Richard Goodwin came to the apartment at the victim’s invitation in February 2021 and attempted to initiate non-consensual sexual contact, according to the prosecution. Despite her resistance, the defendant forced himself on her twice before leaving the scene.

“The crimes to which Mr. Goodwin pled guilty are horrendous and outside any range of what we should be able to expect from anyone in this community,” Judge Neal Kravitz said.

Goodwin, 29, was arrested within hours of the assault. He was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse but pleaded out on two counts of third-degree sexual abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors. As part of the agreement, both parties recommended concurrent prison sentences in the two to four-year range.

Judge Kravitz acknowledged defense attorney Jason Tulley’s description of the offense as out of character for his client as well as Goodwin’s difficult upbringing and current family situation. Still, he said the crimes “warrant a significant period of incarceration.”

“To the extent there’s mitigation here, it has already been accounted for in the plea agreement,” Judge Kravitz said.

After hearing from attorneys and considering their arguments, Judge Kravitz sentenced Goodwin to two years for each charge. The sentences will run concurrent. The defendant, who has been held at DC Jail since his arrest, will receive credit for time served.

As a result of his convictions, Goodwin will be required to register as a sex offender for ten years. He will spend five years on supervised release once he finishes serving his time.

Document: 10-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries After Motor Vehicle Collision

Four days after a van collided head-on with a Metrobus on the 3300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, the van’s 10-year-old passenger succumbed to his injuries.

During the early hours of April 3, the van was traveling northbound when it crossed a yellow line and crashed into the southbound-traveling Metrobus, according to a press release. The driver of the van, 47-year-old Demetrius Fultz, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young passenger, Amir Fultz, was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. He died on April 7.

Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced on Misdemeanor Charges for Starting Fire in Apartment

Exactly two years after he was initially charged with arson, a domestic violence defendant was sentenced for three misdemeanor charges.

“I first want to start off by apologizing,” Clarence Bowler said when given the opportunity to address the court. “I put a lot of people at harm because I reacted.”

Bowler punched the victim, a romantic partner, in the face before starting the fire, according to DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

“You probably have experienced or seen or witnessed domestic violence in your own life,” Judge Leibovitz told the defendant, urging him not to let the cyclical effects of such violence continue.

On April 7, Bowler pleaded down from the felony arson charge to simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property less than $1,000. He was sentenced the next day.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough noted that his client has no prior convictions, was compliant with his pretrial release conditions and expressed sincere remorse for his actions.

“I appreciate Mr. Bowler has accepted responsibility,” Judge Leibovitz said. She sentenced the defendant to 90 days for the simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm charges and 180 days for the destruction of property charge. All three sentences were suspended.

The prosecutor wanted Bowler to spend time on probation so he can demonstrate that his compliance with court orders was not just for the sake of putting his case behind him. Bowler will spend one year on supervised probation on the conditions that he participates in a domestic violence intervention program and refrains from harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking the victim.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting

A suspect was arrested in the aftermath of a shooting that left one man dead.

At approximately 10:23 a.m. on April 6, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 4800 block of North Capitol Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 41-year-old Douglas Jerome Johnson suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The suspect, 25-year-old D’Andre Brewer, was apprehended by responding officers.

Johnson was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Brewer was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Man Sentenced for Series of Sexual Assaults in Capitol Hill Neighborhood Homes

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a Maryland man to 39 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults committed in 2016 against three men in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Bryant Webster broke into three homes and sexually assaulted the occupants over a 50-day period from mid-August to September 2016, according to the prosecution. The 38-year-old defendant was apprehended at the scene of the third attack. In July 2019, he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed and one count of second-degree sexual abuse.

One of the victims said he fell into “the darkest despair of my life” after the assault when given the opportunity to speak during the April 6 sentencing.

“It’s terrifying to think that there are people, like the defendant, who are hunting human beings,” he said.

A prosecutor said Webser’s actions took an “incredible amount of premeditation.” The second two victims were bound with duct tape and gagged with a t-shirt as they were assaulted at gunpoint, according to the prosecution.

The defendant previously tried to withdraw his guilty plea. According to court documents, Webster felt pressured to plead guilty after being shown photographic evidence the prosecution had against him one day before opening arguments were set to take place. The prosecution maintained they shared the photo with defense counsel more than a year before the guilty plea.

The requests to withdraw the plea were denied.

“He cannot be rehabilitated if he cannot take responsibility for his actions,” said Judge Marisa Demeo.

Webster was sentenced to 39 years in prison. After completing his sentence, he will remain on supervised release for the remainder of his lifetime. He must also register as a sex offender for life.

Murder Defendant Removed From Courtroom for Disrupting His Trial

The defendant accused of murdering 48-year-old Ivan Lynch was removed from the courtroom during the eighth day of his trial.

Prosecutors allege that Marquette Jordan stabbed Lynch to death during the early hours of April 28, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. On April 6, the 30-year-old defendant took the stand to testify in his own defense.

When Jordan began his testimony on April 5, he said he got into an argument with Lynch and pushed him, D.C. Witness previously reported. He testified that Lynch choked him until he went unconscious and woke up to find Lynch on the floor. Despite this, a Metropolitan Police Department officer later called by prosecutors said Jordan never told her he needed medical attention.

When prosecutors cross-examined Jordan, he would often go off on a tangent and avoid answering their “yes” or “no” questions. After stepping down from the witness stand and sitting next to his lawyer, Elliot Queen, he began to raise his voice and make hand gestures that caught the attention of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. He was removed from the courtroom for his behavior. Upon being brought back, Judge Brandt warned the defendant that he could only stay in the courtroom if he controls himself.

Seemingly agitated from the robust cross-examination, Jordan continued to raise his voice and make hand gestures, prompting marshals to escort him out of the courtroom once again. Judge Brandt asked him if he would like to be present when prosecutors present their rebuttal case.

Jordan has said he left the apartment on the night of the homicide to call 911, bringing his girlfriend’s children with him. He was with the children when he was apprehended by police later that day.

Jurors saw images of the children from a police officer’s body-worn camera during the trial proceedings. Jordan misrepresented his name and date of birth during the police stop. Prosecutors called an MPD officer who testified that Jordan said he was in his uncle’s apartment.

Jordan said he lied to the police because he did not know what happened and did not want to be stereotyped because of his criminal background.

A witness from the Office of Unified Communications said there was no evidence the defendant called 911 as he said he did.

Following Queen’s cross-examination of one of the police witnesses, Jordan once again frustrated Judge Brandt and prosecutors with his conduct. Judge Brandt eventually decided he was done for the day.

The trial was scheduled to resume the next day.

Jordan faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

Murder Defendant Testifies During His Trial

The man accused of murdering 40-year-old Ivan Lynch in 2018 took to the witness stand to testify in his own defense.

Marquette Jordan is on trial for allegedly stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. He was charged with threat to kidnap or injure a person and assault with a dangerous weapon, but prosecutors decided to drop those charges.

On April 5, defense attorney Elliot Queen began his direct examination of his client by asking about his relationship with the witnesses he knows personally.

“Other than the witness that was my girlfriend, we were all good friends and I have love for them,” Jordan said.

Jordan testified that he and his girlfriend were together all day on April 29, 2018, watching their kids play at a local playground. With nothing else to do, the two decided to hang out with Lynch and celebrate his birthday. Lynch, Jordan, Jordan’s girlfriend and a mutual female friend headed over to the apartment together.

“There was a lot of joking between Ivan and I during the car ride,” Jordan recalled. “The vibe was great until we got to the apartment. Ivan did not want me there, he wanted to be left alone with the girls.”

Things had died down between Jordan and Lynch until Jordan got into an argument with his girlfriend. Lynch confronted Jordan, telling him that if he has a problem with her, he should handle it with him.

Jordan testified that he pushed Lynch, prompting Lynch to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Lynch on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment.

Many of the answers Jordan gave to his lawyer’s questions had to be stricken from the record because he went beyond the parameters of what he was allowed to talk about. DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt eventually asked Queen to stick to yes or no questions. Queen decided to conclude his direct examination instead.

Before the jury entered the courtroom, Queen argued a motion for judgment of acquittal on the murder and robbery charges.

“There was no premeditation or deliberation on Jordan’s part. The prosecution has not proven that this is premeditated,” he said. “There have been 28 witnesses and there is no evidence of premeditation and these eyewitness testimonies have not been credible.”

Queen went on to argue that his client did not use a knife to stab Lynch. “Nor can we say a knife was on his person or if a robbery even occurred,” he said.

The prosecutor shot back, arguing that premeditation as it was explained to the jury can happen in a matter of seconds.

“For the robbery, after the stabbing, the defendant went through the decedent’s pockets taking his phone and wallet,” she said. “When he was later arrested the decedent’s keys were found on Jordan’s person. A witness also gave testimony that he could not find the knife after the stabbing.”

Judge Brandt denied the defense’s motion. Johnson is expected to be cross-examined on April 6.

Defendant Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Victim at Gunpoint in 2006

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve more than a decade in prison for an armed sexual assault that took place 16 years ago.

During the early hours of March 25, 2006, the victim was babysitting her friend’s child when she encountered Christopher Grooms, who she recognized as someone she had seen with her friend in the past. According to the prosecution, Grooms entered the home and forced the victim into the child’s bedroom, where he raped her at gunpoint.

“To you she’s a stranger, but to her you’re a life-changing force,” Judge Marisa Demeo told Grooms during the April 5 sentencing hearing.

The victim was pregnant at the time of the assault. In a victim impact statement, she described the trauma and anxiety she endured and its strain on her pregnancy. She lost a close friend because they did not believe Grooms could do something like this.

In 2020, advances in DNA technology led to investigators finding a match between the male DNA profile from the victim’s rape kit and Grooms’ DNA profile, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

The 36-year-old defendant was arrested in April 2021. The following December, he took a plea deal for attempted first-degree sexual abuse while armed with aggravating circumstances.

Grooms has previously been convicted of attempted first-degree sexual abuse for a 2008 offense involving a different victim. The prosecution argued that, as a repeat offender, Grooms poses a serious threat to the community. They asked Judge Demeo to impose a 12-year prison sentence.

Defense attorney Jason Clark requested an eight-year prison sentence. He noted a major car accident his client was in, which caused him to lose one of his legs and motor functions in his hands. Clark argued that this will preclude Grooms from being able to commit more crimes.

“You’ve been on a path of destruction your whole life, whether on other people or yourself,” Judge Demeo told the defendant after hearing from both parties. She pointed out that both of Grooms’ parents had stable jobs while he grew up, and he looked up to many uncles.

“You had a lot more direction than other people have,” she said

Judge Demeo sided with the prosecution’s recommendation and sentenced Grooms to 12 years in prison, which will be followed by ten years of supervised release. He will remain a registered sex offender for life. Judge Demeo recommended that Grooms participate in sex offender, drug and mental health treatment. She will also order him to stay away from the victim.

Woman Arraigned on Murder, Firearm Charges

A woman was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged role in a 2020 shooting at an apartment in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood.

On the evening of Nov. 14, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 44-year-old Terry Hickman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the apartment, which is located on the 1000 Block of 4th Street, SW. Nijinsky Dix was apprehended at the crime scene, allegedly holding a gun, according to court documents. Police believe the homicide was domestic in nature.

The 38-year-old defendant was indicted on March 16 and arraigned during an April 6 hearing. Defense attorney Brandi Harden entered a plea of not guilty on her client’s behalf.

Harden told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo that the prosecution is looking over a potential plea deal from the defense.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 22.

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