Former Priest Serving Time for Sex Abuse Goes on Trial for Other Charges

On Nov. 29, a former Catholic priest went on trial for two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse. The non-jury trial ended with a DC Superior Court judge finding him guilty of one of the two counts.

The victim was raised with a reverence for priests, the prosecutor said in her opening statement. A life-long Catholic, she attended a Northwest, DC parish near her home. There, she met the defendant, Urbano Vasquez, a priest who she learned was from Mexico just like her. He presided over a mass of the present body for her late husband.

In the Spring of 2017, the victim went to church for confession. Vasquez heard her confession.

“What happened… during that sacred interaction was a sexual assault,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant touched the victim’s breast over her clothing on two occasions during the interaction in question.

The victim said she thought it was an accident at first. She said she backed up from Vasquez, but he allegedly touched her breast in a similar manner again. She had wanted to say more during the confession but felt too uncomfortable to continue.

“I just wanted to run away,” she said on the witness stand.

In November 2018, the victim told another priest from the same parish about the alleged incident. This priest contacted law enforcement on her behalf, D.C. Witness previously reported. She also told her mother on the same day of the alleged incident. Her mother told her to stay away from Vasquez, the victim said.

Vasquez has since been convicted of three counts of second-degree child sex abuse and one count of misdemeanor sex abuse. He was sentenced to a total of 15 years for these offenses. The two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse for which the defendant was put on trial on Nov. 29 were initially part of a seven-count indictment in this case.

“My faith is not in priests, my faith is in God,” she said.

The victim’s mother and the priest who the victim came to also took the stand. During closing arguments, defense attorney David Ritcher pointed out how both of these witnesses are only testifying to what they were told by the victim, rather than their first-hand observations. He argued that the evidence was not enough to satisfy the burden of “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Judge Juliet McKenna ultimately concluded that the evidence was only strong enough to find the defendant guilty of one of two misdemeanor sex abuse counts. Parties then proceeded to sentence Vasquez and the victim returned to give an impact statement.

“Why did he hurt me when I was in pain already,” she asked. She said the question weighed deeply on her soul, though she knows it cannot be answered in this forum.

Judge McKenna imposed the maximum sentence of 180 days, noting the position of authority Vasquez was in at the time of the offense.

Vasquez is currently in the custody of DC’s Department of Corrections, where he will serve the 180-day sentence. He will eventually be transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.

Judge Schedules Felony Status Conference for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a felony status conference for a murder defendant.

Shaun Brown, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 47-year-old Dametrics Evans on Oct. 25 on the 4900 Block of G Street, SE. According to court documents, Evans was already unconscious when Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on the scene. However, an adult male victim was found conscious suffering from gunshot wounds. As of Oct. 25, the male victim has been in critical but stable condition.

During the Nov. 29 hearing, Brown was not present in court because he was in quarantine at DC Jail. It was not clear when he will be out of quarantine.

Defense attorney Marnitta King raised concerns regarding her client’s mental competency. According to court documents, Brown was unable to look detectives in the eye during interviews due to psychological issues.

The prosecution said they plan to DNA test the shell casings and a knife that was discovered at the scene of the incident by MPD officers.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Dec. 17 and a preliminary hearing for Jan. 7.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigative a homicide that happened on Nov. 28.

According to a press release, at approximately 6:29 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE, for the report of a shooting. There, they found 28-year-old Deandre Hunter suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Defense Attorney Alleges Mistreatment of Jailed Client

A defense attorney requested a murder defendant’s release from DC Jail due to the facility’s conditions of confinement.

Aaron Brown is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on the 600 block of S Street, NW, on March 1, 2020. Brown is one of four defendants in this case.

During the Nov. 24 hearing, defense attorney Joseph Yarbough argued for his 25-year-old client to be released with GPS monitoring. He motioned for release in response to the U.S. Marshal Service’s report on their inspection of the jail.

Yarbough said the issues at the jail “are pervasive, not specific to one person at the jail.” He also cited the acting marshal for the U.S. District Court of Washington, Lamont Ruffin, who referred to a “systemic failure” at the jail because the facility did not meet U.S. standards in the investigation.

“Brown’s been in some of the units that have the worst conditions,” Yarbough said. Brown is seeking help for medical treatment, has had a fear for his safety at the jail and experienced abuse from the guards, according to Yarbough.

The prosecution cited the behaviors and pushback received from Brown at the jail. The prosecutor said some of the issues were self incited, including him breaking the water sprinkler and destroying a light fixture in his cell.

In response, Yarbough said that Brown has been complaining about issues at the jail but nothing is done about it, so he “had to break things to get attention” from the guards and the jail conditions “interfere with the implicit rights of an individual,” such as the lack of food and water, as well as standing sewage.

Calling the conditions “unconstitutional” for pre-trial detainees, Yarbough expressed that the Department of Corrections is “unable and unwilling essentially to remedy any of these issues.” While the court has “instructed the DOC to remedy for a long time, it’s never changed a thing,” Yarbough said, “you can’t detain a person if it’s affecting punishment on a person.”

Judge Dayna Dayson said there can be a remedy, but it may not be the one that Yarbough is seeking.

The prosecutor said they can consider these conditions but are looking in the interest of the safety of the community. Because of Brown’s background, his “dangerousness” has not changed, according to the prosecution. However, the prosecution stated that “the defense seeks systemic changes that the Judge is very sympathetic to, but this is not the forum or venue to do that.”

Yarbough argued that the best remedy to the situation is release since other efforts the court has made to fix the issues didn’t work.

Judge Dayson did not agree that release is the remedy for Brown because of the seriousness of his criminal charges. She did not accept the motion during the hearing but mentioned that she will look more into the matter. Dayson said she understands they are “talking about overall moral issues” and there are “other options for remediation.”

The next hearing is Dec. 10.

Crime Alerts: November 28-29

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 29.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:18 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 2600 block of Douglas Place, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males and one Black female. All were armed with handguns.

A crime alert was sent out at 3:15 a.m.due to an attempted gun robbery in the 2100 block of Vermont Street, NW. A suspect was stopped.

Document: November 27 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Nov. 27 homicide.

At approximately 1:34 p.m. officers responded to the 2300 block of 25^th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 22-year-old Deshaun Gladden with gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: November 25 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 25.

At approximately 9:28 p.m. officers responded to the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 25-year-old Lavonte McCloud with gunshot wounds and transported them to a local hospital. They later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case, Schedules Another Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a felony status conference for a murder defendant after ruling that the case against him has enough evidence to go to trial.

Vernon Parrish, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Ronald Bailey on June 5, 2019. That afternoon, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 5200 Block of E Street, SE, and, upon arrival, found 52-year-old Bailey inside of a residence with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he was eventually pronounced dead, according to a press release.

During the Nov. 23 hearing, a medical expert took the witness stand to analyze the autopsy report of Bailey. She testified that Bailey sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the right thigh and one to the abdominal area. The gunshot wound to the thigh fractured the femur and the shots in the abdomen caused damage to vital organs. Pictures of the autopsy were admitted as evidence.

Judge Milton Lee agreed with the prosecution that there was significant probable cause and gave parties time to determine how to proceed with the case.

Parrish is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 25 for a felony status conference.

Judge Allows Murder Defendants to Visit Family For Thanksgiving

A DC Superior Court judge allowed two homicide defendants to visit family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Brothers Dijon Williams and Daivion Williams are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 21, 2020. Both are currently on release in Georgia.

During the Nov. 24 hearing, defense attorney David Knight asked Judge Dayna Dayson if 22-year-old Dijon Williams could be allowed to visit family for Thanksgiving. Dijon Williams is on GPS monitoring. Judge Dayson allowed his curfew to be extended to 10:00 p.m. to have dinner with his family for the holiday.

Judge Dayson also allowed defendant 23-year-old Daivion Williams to travel to South Carolina from Nov. 24 through Nov. 26 to be with family for Thanksgiving. Defense attorney Kristin McGough filed a motion for him to travel while on GPS monitoring for the holiday.

The prosecutor opposed these motions out of safety for the community. After addressing that he tested positive for marijuana in August, the prosecutor said “Dijon Williams hasn’t taken this case that seriously.”

“Dijon and Daivion have never appeared in DC Court so it’s hard for them to understand they are part of a Murder I case,” the prosecution said. While Dijon is not the alleged shooter in this case, with his involvement in the crime he could still be convicted of first-degree murder while armed, according to the prosecution. The prosecution also referred to the “attitude problem” of Dijon Williams.

Judge Dayson brought up the option of home confinement for Dijon Williams to address his previous curfew violations.

Knight said that this is a marijuana use issue, not a curfew issue. “Reporting used be an issue for Dijon but isn’t anymore. He missed a couple of curfews by 15 to 20 minutes. One was 40 minutes a month ago,” Knight said.

Knight agreed Dijon is getting home later than his curfew but stated there was traffic when he was coming home from drug testing, as shown by his GPS. Knight said he doesn’t live near the metro, so that is not an option for transportation.

Judge Dayson responded by mentioning that Dijon should leave earlier to account for traffic.

The prosecution said it is best to come back in a few weeks. Knight is still waiting on receiving the most recent drug test results for Dijon.

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Police Chief Holds Press Conference on Fatal Shooting of Peace Corps Man

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) held a press conference on an arrest made in a shooting that killed a Peace Corps executive.

Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said 53-year-old Jeremy Black was shot and killed by “individuals engaged in reckless behavior” on the 1400 block of R Street, NW, on June 29. Black had just walked out of a nearby restaurant with his wife and friends when he got caught up in the gunfire.

“There is no place for this type of violence in our communities,” Chief Contee said. “I am here today to bring justice to Mr. Black and his family.”

Chief Contee said he spoke with Black’s wife when the arrest warrant was issued. “She simply said to me, ‘thank you’ and that she was ecstatic about the news,” he said about her response.

On Nov. 24, 25-year-old Dearay Anthony Wilson was arrested for second-degree murder while armed in relation to the homicide, Contee told the public.

The MPD is still evaluating if the $25,000 reward will be given but Chief Contee said that science was the reason the arrest was made. They are still looking for possible additional suspects.

Washington field office and special agent in charge Charlie Patterson also spoke and gave his condolences. He noted they had scientists at their Annandale lab who tested evidence.

Chief Contee said he will be debriefed on the fatal shooting of a one-year-old in Southeast, DC, after the press conference, with more information to come.

Defense Questions Forensic Scientist’s Reliability During Murder Trial

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

The trial for the fatal shooting of Daniel Parker continued on Nov. 23 with a forensic scientist and an individual who was at the scene of the shooting taking the witness stand. During the hearing, the focus was placed on a forensic scientist who testified.

Dewayne Shorter is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 38-year-old Parker on July 26, 2017, on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, 49 cartridge casings were found around the scene of the shooting. They were the type of cartridges used in a high-velocity assault rifle. The medical examiner who recovered over 15 fragments of casings from the victim’s clothing and body at the scene testified during the trial. He noted how the victim had so many gunshot wounds that he could not provide an exact count of entry and exit wounds.

The prosecution called a forensic scientist from the Department of Forensic Sciences to testify. She had performed a daylight canvassing of the area where Parker was killed the morning after the shooting. During the proceedings, she matched photographs of evidence found at the scene to locations on a map of the area. The evidence included bullet marks on multiple vehicles, the sidewalk, and a metal fence. It also included multiple cartridge casings, live ammunition and bullet fragments.

In their cross examination, defense attorneys Jon Norris and Gemma Stevens pointed out that the forensic lab has since lost its national accreditation. They also emphasized that the scientist did not arrive on the scene until seven or eight hours after the shooting.

The prosecution then called in a friend of the victim who had been present at the shooting. The witness made in court identification of Shorter as a man he knew by the name of “Wayne”. He testified that, while he had known about the defendant getting shot in April 2017, he had no knowledge of whether or not Parker was involved. He also testified that Parker had begun using the drug molly daily in January 2017. He said Shorter was exhibiting signs of paranoia and staying away for days at a time.

The witness said that Parker was always armed and had told him to make sure he had his gun on him at all times.

During the shooting, the witness was inside the apartment and upon hearing the shots, grabbed his gun to return fire. Out of the apartment window, he saw someone he believed to be Shorter and had exchanged fire with him. The prosecution noted that the witness had testified before a grand jury that he was sure that the shooter was Wayne.

During cross-examination, the defense noted that the witness never made any identification of the shooter to police or anyone in authority until the grand jury testimony. They also asked whether Parker had ever explicitly said that Wayne was the person after him. The witness denied this.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo said that the trial will resume on Nov. 29. The prosecution plans to call a medical examiner and a firearms expert to testify.

Shorter, 33, is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm while armed during a crime of violence.

Parties Question Detective About Evidence Recovered During Homicide Investigation

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson heard arguments on a motion to suppress evidence in a murder case.

Edward Brown, 59, is charged with robbery of a senior citizen while armed and first-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney on Feb. 5, 2018.

Back in 2019, Brown’s attorney at the time, Kevin Irving, motioned to suppress all physical evidence from the apartment in which Mahoney was found. In it, he alleged that officers searched and seized items without a warrant. “Therefore, all evidence theretofore recovered is fruit of the poisonous tree and should be suppressed,” Irving went on to state.

More specifically, Irving alleged in his motion that a forensic scientist responded to the apartment and started searching it before an assistant United States attorney approved the search warrant telephonically and a judge signed it.

During the Nov. 23 hearing, a detective on the case was asked by a prosecutor about whether a key witness, referred to as “W-2”, had further items of evidentiary value on the day of the incident. The detective said W-2 was interviewed at the homicide branch in the late evening but led officers back to her apartment to offer more evidence.

The detective described W-2 as talkative and cooperative. W-2 reportedly pointed out various clothes in the living room of the one-bedroom apartment, one on which the detective identified clear blood stains. W-2 continued to offer more evidence until advised by officers not to disrupt the scene. The detective said he subsequently initiated a search warrant with an MPD lieutenant, the U.S. attorney’s office and an on-call judge. He also called in uniformed officers, the lead detective in the case and forensic technicians to secure the area for evidence collection.

According to the defense’s motion to suppress, a witness allegedly told police that a person he knew as “Ed” had been in the apartment two days before the homicide, and that he had also seen him there with W-2 on the day of the homicide. W-2 then allegedly told police she let Brown use her apartment while she was away and that he’d changed his clothes there.

Brown’s current defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, asked the detective specifically about the first time he was in W-2’s apartment, prior to her offering more evidence to the officers. He had trouble remembering whether he had even entered W-2’s apartment the first time while responding to the incident. Mosley made clear the timestamps and substance offered by Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage. He also alleged that the detective failed to review crucial evidentiary materials before the hearing.

“We are in a hearing for a motion to suppress evidence,” Mosley said to the detective. “I know this was four years ago, but you didn’t bother to look at any BWC footage before taking the stand today so we’re left here with your memory and you made no effort to refresh your memory.”

“You didn’t prepare for that portion of my questioning, is that correct?” Mosley asked the detective at one point. “No, sir,” the detective replied. “The way you’re asking the question, no sir.”

Judge Dayson continued the motion hearing to Nov. 24. Brown remains held at DC Jail.

Judge Continues Hearing to Give Defendant Time to Seek Medical Assistance

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a murder defendant at his lawyer’s request so he could receive medical assistance.

William Davenport, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14 on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE. Judge Dayna Dayson recently ruled that there is enough evidence to go to trial. She also rejected the argument that Turner was killed in self-defense, as he was shot four times in the back.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asked Judge Dayson to continue the Nov. 23 bond review hearing so Davenport could see a doctor at the DC Jail for a finger injury he sustained while detained.

The case is currently pending indictment, which the prosecution says will be filed by mid-December. Davenport’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 29.

Pretrial Evidentiary Proceedings Begin in Murder Case as New Defense is Appointed

A DC Superior Court judge began pretrial evidentiary proceedings in a murder case on Nov. 23.

Terrance Prue is charged with the murder of 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on June 5, 2019, on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE. Prue, 21, was arrested the following November and a grand jury went on to indict him on charges of first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and five gun-related offenses. He is scheduled to go to trial in May.

The adjudication of Prue’s case was held up amid COVID-related restrictions on court operations. Prue’s defense attorney at the time, Brandi Harden, had filed two unsuccessful motions—the second one a week before Prue was indicted—to dismiss the case on the argument that her client’s speedy trial rights were violated.

During the hearing, parties discussed pretrial evidentiary proceedings in accordance with the Innocence Protection Act, which grants defendants a right to seek out independent testing of DNA evidence.

The prosecution said they would be re-testing firearm and ballistics evidence from a related felony case in which Prue was charged was unlawful possession of liquid PCP and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed. Items they say were recovered during the murder investigation include a cell phone and articles of clothing, which will be submitted for additional DNA testing.

James King, who now represents Prue, opposed the re-testing of evidence on the grounds it is irrelevant. “This is not about admissibility, this is about if Mr. Prue wants to do any independent testing of DNA evidence,” Judge Kravitz replied.

Judge Kravitz suggested the defense just request independent testing of all DNA testing in the case but also warned about the potential cost. King told Judge Kravitz he can submit a motion on the issue.

Judge Kravitz scheduled another hearing for Jan. 19 to discuss pretrial motions. The defense’s motions are due on Dec. 20 and the prosecution’s responses are due on Jan. 12, 2022.

Document: One Killed, Another Injured in Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a shooting on Nov. 23 that killed one person and injured another.

According to a press release, police responded to the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE, at approximately 3:27 p.m. for the report of a shooting and found two men with gunshot wounds. One of them, 23-year-old Robbie Johnson, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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