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Prosecution Completes DNA Testing in 2020 Homicide Case

The prosecution informed DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee Aug. 1 that DNA testing was complete, but the defense is still waiting on a completed case file to decide what independent testing to do.

Ravel Mills, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged connection to the shooting of 28-year-old Toussaunt Strong on April 18, 2020, on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE.

The prosecutor told Judge Lee he had reached out to Bode Technology, a forensic services company, and received the final DNA testing report, which completed the prosecution’s testing.

The parties, however, are still waiting for Bode Technology to upload the complete case file.

“I think there’s a chance the defense may want to do DNA testing,” said Mills’ defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman. “But we’ll need to see the full case file to determine the extent of what testing we’ll do.”

Cadman said she did not expect the delay to affect the trial date, which is set for Jan. 4, 2023.

Judge Lee scheduled an additional hearing on Sept. 14 for Cadman to confirm whether the defense would conduct DNA testing.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide on Valley Ave, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 29 on the 900 block of Valley Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 49-year-old Jeffrey Oxner suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

 Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s text tip line by sending a text message to 50411.

Defendant Sentenced for Two Counts of Contempt

A sexual abuse defendant accepted a plea offer July 29 for two counts of contempt.

Kennedy Davis, 47, was originally charged with kidnapping while armed, first-degree sex abuse and first-degree sex abuse by force for an incident that occurred on Feb. 9. According to court documents, Davis sexually assaulted an ex-girlfriend on the 2800 block of Q Street, SE.

Davis was released in 2020 for unrelated charges and, according to the prosecutor, Davis “violated a stay away order multiple times by contacting [the victim] by phone and being within 100 yards of [the victim].”

This violation accounted for two charges of contempt. 

“There were hundreds of violations that comprised the two accounts” the prosecutor said. 

 Davis expressed that he would like to remain at a local correctional treatment facility, so that he could better himself.  

D.C. Superior Court Judge Demeo accepted the plea agreement and sentenced the defendant to two consecutive six-month sentences. She also recommended that the defendant serve his sentence at CTF.   

“It’s a good plan for him to try to complete the programs he is already in,” Judge Demeo said.      

She also ordered Davis to have no contact with the victim.  Other cases will be dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement.

Judge Sets Trial Date Nearly 5 Years After 10-Year-Old was killed

On a July 29 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set a trial date for 5 co-defendants in the 2018 homicide case of a 10-year-old girl.  

Qujuan Thomas, 24, Quentin Michals, 25, Marquell Cobbs, 20, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Gregory Taylor, 26, are charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation and other charges in connection to the fatal drive-by shooting that killed 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE. 

According to court documents, Wilson was getting ice cream when she was shot. She suffered a gunshot wound to the back which penetrated multiple organs. 

During the Friday hearing, all parties had difficulty scheduling a trial date due time constraint issues among multiple attorneys. 

“We’re going to have many issues with this many lawyers and a case this long,” Judge Okun told the court. “I think ultimately I’m going to have to choose a date that doesn’t work for everybody.” 

The trial is currently set to begin in February of 2023.

Quanisha Ramsuer, whose case was severed from the other defendants, is set for a hearing for Sept. 16, when parties are slated to set a trial date.

Mark Price, 28, and Antonio Murchison, 29, are set for trial on May 30, 2023.

Judge Sets Trial Date for Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set a trial date for a 2018 murder case.

Mark Price, 28, and Antonio Murchison, 29, are charged with first-degree murder, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, seven counts of criminal street gang affiliation, felony, or violent misdemeanor, conspiracy, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and one count of aggravated assault knowingly grave risk, for the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson.

Price is two of nine suspects charged for the murder, but he will be tried separately from his co-defendants.

On July 16, 2018, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to 300 block of 53rd Street, NE after reports of gunshots. According to court documents, numerous individuals were suffering from injuries. The victim was found unconscious and was pronounced dead. 

Jury selection is set to begin on May 24 The trial is scheduled to begin on May 30, 2023 and is expected to run for six-to-eight weeks.  

The other defendant, except of Quanisha Ramsuer are slated for a jury trial in February 2023.

Document: Homicide on Livingston Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 28 on the 4300 block of Livingston Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 26-year-old Rasheed Cureton suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s text tip line by sending a text message to 50411.

Judge Continues With Preliminary Hearing In Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee continued a preliminary hearing for a murder defendant. 

Jose Ramos, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. Ramos was unable to attend the July 28 hearing as he is currently quarantined at the DC Jail. He will be quarantined until Aug. 5.

Ramos is charged with the homicide of 58-year-old Eduardo Cruz. 

On Jan. 25, Metropolitan Police Officers (MPD) discovered Cruz, unconscious and unresponsive, inside of a parked vehicle. Upon being rushed to the hospital Cruz was found to be suffering from suspected bleeding to the brain, among other possible internal injuries. Despite all life saving efforts, Cruz succumbed to his injuries on Jan. 29.

According to court documents, Ramos was neighbors with Cruz and was suspected of engaging in gang activity.  Cruz, who was not known to engage in activities such as drinking or drug use, was irritated by the noise and traffic Ramos seemed to bring to the apartment complex. Witnesses said they heard loud screams and sounds early that morning. 

Cruz was heard asking for forgiveness repeatedly while Ramos and a group of others allegedly insulted him and physically attacked him, according to court documents.

Ramos’ next court date is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Judge Addresses Motion in Trial Readiness Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan listened to motion arguments in a triple-homicide case. 

Rakeem Willis, 31, has been charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer for his alleged connection to the deaths of 26-year-old Sean Shuler, 26-year-old Javon Abney, and 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood. 

His co-defendant, Johnathan Winston, 33, has also been charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

On July 28, prosecutors filed a motion to exclude expert testimony, targeting one of the defense’s witnesses, a cell site data expert. According to prosecutors, there are approximately 100 calls included in the evidence, totaling 12 hours. The prosecution’s main objection was that no expert opinion report was supplied for the witness, which undermines their ability to prepare for the trial.

“I don’t know if holding a hearing on it will necessarily assist the court,” prosecutors said. 

“The prosecution’s so-called report is not a report,” defense counsel said. “All it does is plot points.”

Pushing back, prosecutors argued that a report must be served by any proponent or opponent of an issue who will offer expert opinion. The prosecutors asserted that they have a right to know how the defense’s expert testimony will differ from theirs. 

Prosecutors estimated that their trial case may take two to three weeks to present and will encompass roughly 40 witness testimonies. Within the group of witnesses, three experts are slated to take the stand, including a cell site data expert, a firearm examiner, and a medical examiner. 

Judge Ryan said he will make a ruling on the motion after reviewing the prosecution’s report.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving also filed a motion to sever Winston and Willis’ cases, which has not yet been ruled on either.

Defense counsel also mentioned that Winston’s brother is being held in a separate case, causing Winston to live in restrictive housing.

Judge Ryan recognized that the restrictive housing was unnecessary and disadvantaged Winston. 

According to court documents, the incident began on Jan. 26, 2019, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Pl. SE. Officers found Shuler, Abney, and Hagood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The three men were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Willis and Winton’s trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 10.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Teenage Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause July 27 in a homicide case that occurred earlier this month.

Alphonso Oliver, 33, is charged with second degree murder for the death of 16-year-old Levoire Simmons. The shooting occurred the night of July 5 around 1:10 a.m. on the 700 block of Kenilworth Terrace, NE. Oliver turned himself in to the police on July 11. 

Oliver, who was on supervised release at the time of the murder, left prison after serving a 12-year sentence for aggravated assault in March, according to the Bureau of Prisons. He was on parole.

A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department homicide branch testified in court on the details of the investigation.

The prosecution argued that Oliver was neither afraid of the victim nor did he act in self-defense but with malicious intent and asked Judge Okun to find probable cause. 

“It’s not an issue of identity because he turned himself in and has been forthcoming,” said defense attorney David Richter. Richter asked Judge Okun not to find probable cause. 

“According to the probable cause standard, I do find that the government has shown that the defendant didn’t act in self defense and I do find probable cause,” said Judge Okun, granting the prosecution’s request. 

Oliver will remain at the DC Jail as Judge Okun could not find “any condition or combination of conditions that would protect the community.” 

Judge Okun scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 20. 

Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Waives Right to Independent DNA Testing

This case was acquitted on Nov. 9, 2022.

A murder defendant told DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan he will not conduct any independent DNA testing on the biological materials recovered in his case. 

Mike Bidgell, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the shooting of 18-year-old Marquis Harrod on June 6, 2020, on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. 

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Harrod exiting a liquor store, approaching Bidgell’s vehicle, and talking to him. After a brief period of time, gunshots were fired and Harrod fell to the ground as Bidgell drove away. 

The prosecutor listed the biological materials that had been collected from the crime scene, including DNA from inside the vehicle and from bottle caps recovered at the scene. According to the prosecutor, none of the materials will be tested for DNA matches. 

After accepting Bidgell’s waiver of his right to conduct independent testing, Judge Raffinan confirmed with the parties that the case was on track for trial. 

The prosecutor told Judge Raffinan she expected the case to last one week. 

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel estimated the defense’s case to take one to two days. 

The trial is scheduled for Oct. 17. 

Bidgell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7 for parties to address outstanding motions. 

Homicide Defendant Sentenced After Considering Withdrawing Guilty Plea

During a July 28 hearing, a homicide defendant was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 12-years for voluntary manslaughter for the shooting death of 22-year-old Michael Taylor and one year for carrying a pistol without a license for the death of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd. 

Stephon Evans, 22, was one of five men charged with Taylor’s death and one of two men charged with Boyd’s death. Taylor was killed on the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2019, and Boyd was killed on the evening of July 30, 2018. Both men were shot in Northeast, DC. 

Evans was initially scheduled to be sentenced during a July 11 hearing, but DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted continuance after defense attorneys Jesse Winograd and Thomas Healy said they would like to consult with their client on whether Evans would like to withdraw his guilty plea. 

On Thursday, defense counsel said that Evans is not seeking to withdraw the guilty plea but will maintain his innocence in the death of Boyd. 

“Mr. Evans was very remorseful for the killing of Mr. Hunter,” Winograd said to the court. “[but] he maintains his innocence in the case of Mr. Boyds.”

Judge Okun agreed to move forward and imposed his original sentence. Evans will serve 12 years in prison, which will be followed by 5 years of supervised release and registering for a gun offender upon release. 

Judge Okun also recommended that Evans complete his GED, receive mental health treatment, and enroll in anger management classes upon release. 

“I hope for your sake and the community’s sake that you can comply with the conditions of supervised release,” Okun said.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Killing his Friend

During a hearing on July 27, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to one count of negligent homicide. 

Terry Hunter, 68, was charged in connection to the death of his friend, 69-year-old Randolph Peoples, on March 6 along 19th Street and L Street, NE. 

According to court documents, Hunter told detectives he and Peoples had been drinking and smoking together when they got into a physical argument while they were sitting in Hunter’s vehicle. Hunter drove off with Peoples in the passenger seat and heard yelling to stop. After continuing to drive a couple of blocks, Hunter saw Peoples’ head in the passenger door with the seat belt around his neck.

Hunter immediately stopped the vehicle and performed CPR on Peoples. Emergency services began medical treatment upon arrival but ultimately pronounced Peoples dead later that night. 

On July 6, the prosecutor offered Hunter a plea deal agreeing to stop seeking an indictment on involuntary manslaughter should the defendant plead guilty to negligent homicide, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan accepted Hunter’s guilty plea, she heard a statement by Peoples’ daughter. 

“I had pleaded with my father to stay away from this man for years because he was not a good influence on my father,” she told Judge Raffinan, explaining how Hunter and Peoples had known each other since childhood. 

According to Peoples’ daughter, Hunter would repeatedly take advantage of Peoples’ financial generosity to buy drugs. She said the defendant was mad at her father the day of his death for refusing to go to the ATM to withdraw money to buy more drugs. 

“My father was dragged on the floor like a dog over three blocks by someone he called a friend,” she said. 

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller objected to the daughter’s statement, arguing it was more appropriate for a sentencing rather than a plea. 

Judge Raffinan agreed and told the parties she would take Peoples’ daughter’s statement into consideration at the sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 14. 

Document: Homicide on 4th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that took place on July 27 on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers found two adult males and one adult female suffering from gunshot wounds.

Both adult males, 19-year-old Ronald Brown and 41-year-old Tijuan Wilson succumbed to their injuries. The adult female is listed in critical condition.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s text tip line by sending a text message to 50411.

Systems Error Results in Judge Adjusting Homicide Defendant’s Trial Date

Due to a court systems error, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee adjusted a homicide defendant’s trial date from May 30, 2023, to Nov. 13, 2023. 

Roger Hamilton, 41, has been charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving for allegedly striking and killing 42-year-old Vincent Childs with a vehicle. According to court documents, Hamilton was allegedly operating a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer while under the influence of alcohol. On March 2, 2018, Hamilton’s vehicle mounted a curb and fatally struck Childs on the 3200 Block of Wheeler Road, SE. 

Judge Lee also issued a scheduling order July 27 to construct a timeline for motions filing and deadlines. 

The prosecutor said there is a potential for a plea deal but are still continuing negotiations with the defense.

“I think we still have the possibility of productive conversation, but at this point I have nothing to present to the court,” the prosecutor said. 

Defense attorney Neveen Hammad stood in for Joseph Scrofano to represent Hamilton. 

Hamilton is scheduled for s trial readiness hearing on Oct. 13, 2023.

Parties Pause Indictment Deadline for Sex Abuse Defendant Pending Plea Negotiations

Parties agreed to pause the 90-day indictment deadline to continue plea negotiations for a 19-year-old defendant charged with first-degree sex abuse, kidnapping while armed, and armed carjacking. 

On July 11, 2021, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers received a call from a complainant reporting that an unknown individual entered her vehicle, forced her at gunpoint to drive to an alley on the 500 block of Crittenden Street, NW, raped her, and then stole her car. 

The unknown individual was identified as the defendant when the DNA profile obtained from the victim’s swab resulted in a match with an arrestee from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division six-months after the incident, according to court documents. 

During a hearing on July 26, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun she was still in plea negotiations with defense attorney Howard McEachern and requested a continuance for the hearing. 

The defendant was detained for this case on Jan. 12. DC law requires criminal defendants to be formally charged within 90-days of their initial detention.  

Judge Okun agreed to toll the time for the defendant’s formal indictment until September 23, when the defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled. 

The defendant is currently being held at the DC Jail.