Case Against Defendant Accused of Shooting Girlfriend Has Enough Evidence to Go to Trial, Judge Rules

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in the case against a domestic violence defendant accused of shooting her girlfriend.

The victim was shot in Benning Ridge in December 2021. Responding officers found her wounded in a black BMW. The defendant was arrested in Virginia a little less than a month after the incident. The prosecution alleges that she shot the victim while the two were in the vehicle.

During a March 14 preliminary hearing, an officer explained what he saw at the crime scene. He interviewed the victim and had a search warrant for the BMW, which he said was found six to 10 blocks away from the scene of the shooting. Shell casings were also found in it.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder. When officers questioned her, she did not answer because she was in shock. She gave a statement after she arrived at the hospital.

In her statement, the victim alleged that the defendant tossed the gun into a fence after shooting her. Officers were unable to find a weapon.

The prosecutor argued there was more than enough evidence to establish probable cause. They alleged she stayed outside the jurisdiction to avoid arrest and mentioned she has two gun charges on her record.

After finding probable cause, Judge Lloyd Nolan ruled that the defendant will remain in custody awaiting trial. He cited her criminal history and lack of cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 10.

Document: Motorcyclist Killed in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a deadly traffic crash at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Howard Place, NW.

At approximately 5:23 p.m. on March 16, a 2008 Toyota Sienna Van made a left turn onto the 600 block of Howard Place, NW, when a 2019 Yamaha Motorcycle crashed into the Toyota at an apparent high rate of speed. The motorcyclist, 29-year-old Michael Thomas, was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a press release.

Judge Allows Government to Collect DNA Sample from Murder Suspect

A DC Superior Court judge allowed the government to collect a buccal swab from the defendant charged in a deadly shooting outside an apartment building.

Jarvis Jackson is accused of shooting 23-year-old Deont’e Minor to death in the parking lot of a Washington Highlands apartment complex on the evening of March 20, 2021. The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder while armed.

During the most recent hearing for this case March 16, defense attorney Roderick Thompson voiced his opposition to the prosecutor seeking a warrant for a buccal swab of his client. The prosecution believes a mask and beanie found at the crime scene belonged to Jackson.

The crime scene is located by the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Thompson argued the mask and beanie could easily be “street trash” and the evidence was not strong enough to conduct a buccal swab, calling it “invasive and an invasion of privacy.”

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he understood the argument, but pointed out that video evidence shows only two people at the scene when the shooting took place.

After Judge Lee allowed the buccal swab to be conducted, defense counsel requested Jackson’s release from DC Jail into home confinement. Judge Lee denied the request.

“Home confinement can’t stop or prevent behavior, it can only track it,” he said.

Parties are scheduled to meet in court again on May 26.

Judge Denies Request to Dismiss Murder Case, Schedules Felony Arraignment

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to dismiss a murder case during a hearing that took place on the same day prosecutors filed an indictment against the defendant.

Nijinsky Dix, 38, is accused of shooting 44-year-old Terry Hickman to death in an apartment near the Southwest Waterfront on the evening of Nov. 14, 2020. Police believe the homicide was domestic in nature.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 16, the prosecutor informed Judge Marisa Demeo that they have delivered all evidence to the defense via a USB drive. Dix and Hickman’s cell phone, police reports and photos were included on the drive.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden said all she got was a thumb drive that doesn’t work.

“The prosecution has provided basic evidence,” she said. “Nothing of substance, just crime scene photos and an autopsy report. I do not disagree that a thumb drive was given. But we are not in a better position. On that note, I will be asking for a dismissal of the case and that my client be released.”

After the prosecutor showed Harden how to work the drive, parties transitioned to discussing plea negotiations. The prosector extended a plea offer for second-degree murder but the defense wants the charge reduced to voluntary manslaughter instead.

The prosecutor has not taken their plea offer off the table. He said he would like to speak with the victim’s family about the plea before making a final decision.

The formal indictment in this case, which includes charges of first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, was returned on the same day parties met in court.

“By the indictment coming today, the plea offer would be post-indictment. It has been prejudiced all around,” Harden said. “I received discovery 16 months later and my client has not had a chance to accept or decline a pre-indictment plea offer.”

Harden asked for the case to be dismissed entirely because of this. She filed a motion to dismiss the case or, in the alternative, release her client on March 10.

Judge Demeo denied the request. She said the prejudice against the defendant is speculative because there is no benefit of a sentence when you accept a plea offer pre or post-indictment.

Dix is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment charges on March 30.

Man Pleads Guilty to 2006 Sexual Assault

A man accused of sexually assaulting a stranger back in 2006 accepted a plea offer.

According to prosecutors, on Jan. 27, 2006, Landrell Jordan pulled a gun on a woman and forced her into an alleyway on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. He then stole several items from her and forced her to perform oral sex on him before fleeing the scene.

The victim wiped her mouth on a scarf before calling the police and going to the hospital. DNA found at the scene was inconclusive at the time. However, in 2019, analysts found several sperm fractions on the scarf. After using the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, investigators found that the DNA matched the profile of a single convicted felon with a high margin.

This match was Landrell Jordan. He was 43-years-old when he was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed.

During a March 15 hearing, Jordan pleaded down to attempted first-degree sexual abuse while armed with aggravating factors. Parties agreed to recommend a prison sentence of 10 to 12 years as part of the plea deal. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun asked the defendant if he was guilty of the crime before accepting the plea deal.

“Yes,” he responded.

Defense attorney Rachel Cicurel said her client would like to remain in his current jail holding. He has been working towards his GED and being sentenced would cause him to have to start over. The defense asked for the sentencing to be delayed six months.

The prosecutor objected to this saying it was unfair to the victim, who had waited already waited all this time. Judge Okun considered this and decided to compromise at four months.

Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29.

Judge Determines Deadly Shooting Case Has Enough Evidence to Go to Trial

A prosecutor presented a volume of video evidence during a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Omar Williams, 25, is accused of shooting 26-year-old Anthony Depetris while trying to rob him on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2021.

The homicide occurred to the west of Minnesota and B Street, SE, an intersection near the border of the Greenway and Fort Dupont neighborhoods surrounded by residences, according to court documents.

During a March 14 preliminary hearing, the prosecutor called the lead detective on the case to the witness stand. One of the videos she presented showed an altercation between two individuals with Depetris in the middle of the street and a vehicle that drove away in an alley. A total of 13 exhibits were admitted into evidence.

The prosecutor said Deptris was wearing an expensive jacket ranging from $1,000 that could have been the motive for the defendant to rob him.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee made a finding of probable cause. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 3. In the meantime, Williams will remain held at DC Jail.

Document: Suspect Sought in Deadly Stabbing

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man.

At approximately 1:03 a.m. on March 14, officers responded to the 1900 block of 9^th Street, NW, for the report of a stabbing. There, they found Kenneth Thomas Jr. suffering from a stab wound, according to a press release.

The suspect they are seeking was captured by a nearby surveillance camera. Images were included in the press release.

Document: Woman Killed in Fairlawn

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman.

At approximately 12:01 p.m. on March 15, officers responded to the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. They found 37-year-old Nikia Young suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: Two Men Fatally Shot in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a double homicide.

At approximately 3:21 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of 13th Street, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 22-year-old Antoine Jenkins and 62-year-old Antwan Brown. Both men succumbed to their injuries.

Prosecutor Describes Harassment Woman Suffered During Sentencing of Domestic Violence Defendant

A domestic violence defendant was sentenced for first-degree unlawful publication, stalking and threats to do bodily harm.

Carlton Robertson entered the courtroom late for his sentencing on March 14 and took a seat.

The prosecutor described the repeated harassment the victim suffered. The defendant posted videos of her online and people would walk up to her to ask about them, he said.

The victim did not offer a statement because she does not want to be questioned about what happened to her anymore, instead simply wanting to be left in her own peace.

Judge Rainey Brandt asked public defender Thomas Healy if any of his client’s friends have been contacting the victim. Healy denied this but said other random people were bothering her. Her phone number and address have been leaked onto social media in the past.

In a recorded statement, Robertson said he would never engage in this behavior again. Judge Brandt said she is not having him locked up because the victim wanted to show mercy. She imposed suspended sentences for all three charges, to be followed by a period of supervised probation.

The prosecutor recommended the defendant be ordered to receive anger management treatment and abide by a stay away order from the victim and her family. The defense found it redundant to include her family, but the prosecution wanted to ensure that they were not bothered by the defendant.

The defense asked Judge Brandt to impose the Youth Rehabilitation Act, as it has helped other people during probation. The YRA would allow Robertson’s case to be sealed if he successfully completes his sentence.

Judge Brandt assessed the circumstances of the case, including the nature of the offense as well as the defendant’s young age and minimal criminal history score. She said she could not fathom a circumstance where these types of charges are masked from the community, pointing out that the victim had information about her put on a public forum. Judge Brandt also noted that the defendant already has a criminal case on his record. The YRA request was denied without prejudice.

It took planning and initiative for the defendant to commit this crime, Judge Brandt noted. The offense tarnished the victim’s image, threatened her family and troubled her peace of mind.

Robertson received a one-year suspended sentence for the unlawful publication and stalking charges and a six-month suspended sentence for the threats charge. Judge Brandt warned the defendant that she is giving him an incentive, but if he is in violation of his probation, he will get 24 months of jail time.

Conditions of Robertson’s probation include abiding by the stay away order, receiving a mental health evaluation and refraining from the use of illegal drugs and marijuana.

Parties Deliver Closing Arguments After Murder Defendant Questions Witnesses

Murder defendant Chad Hawthorne questioned three witnesses during the sixth day of his trial. The day’s proceedings wrapped up with attorneys delivering their closing arguments.

Hawthorne, 41, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett while he slept in an apartment on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, during the early hours of May 22, 2017. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearms offenses.

The three witnesses who testified on March 15 included the leaseholder of the apartment. He was previously called to testify for the prosecution but took the stand again after being subpoenaed by the defense. Hawthorne asked him about his prior drug use with Bassett as well as lies he has allegedly told police in the past.

After the prosecution cross-examined the witnesses, the parties delivered their closing arguments.

The main point of the prosecution’s argument was that the defendant had both the motive and the opportunity to murder Bassett. Prior to the incident, Bassett had allegedly stolen from the defendant. Hawthorne allegedly talked about this incident for days, feeling disrespected by someone he frequently looked out for. The prosecutor also noted how they had medical evidence and witness testimony, all showing consistencies with the evidence that was provided.

Public defender Steven Kiersh spoke about the door to the apartment being left open, which allowed people to come in and out at any point of the day, suggesting that someone other than Hawthorne could have committed the crime.

Kiersh also argued that the detective’s interrogation tactics with Hawthorne were extreme and may explain why there may have been inconsistencies in his story. He said there is not exact evidence pointing to Hawthorne as the killer.

The jurors are expected to receive their instructions on March 16 before beginning deliberations.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Shootings of Homeless Victims

A suspect in the shootings of five homeless men in Washington and New York City has been apprehended.

On the morning of March 15, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division arrested 30-year-old Gerald Brevard, of Southeast, DC.

Brevard is alleged to have shot three people in Northeast, DC over the past two weeks. One of the victims, 54-year-old Morgan Holmes, died from their injuries.

At approximately 2:54 a.m. on March 9, a Metropolitan Police Department officer on the 400 block of New York Avenue, NE, saw a tent fire. Emergency personnel found Holmes dead. An autopsy determined his cause of death to be multiple stab and gunshot wounds, according to a press release.

The other two shootings took place in New York City. One of them was fatal.

Brevard has been charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incidents in Washington.

Interview Footage Examined During Trial for Fatal Apartment Shooting

A murder trial resumed with jurors viewing footage of a police interview with the defendant.

Chad Hawthorne is on trial for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett in an apartment on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The homicide took place during the early hours of May 22, 2017.

The proceedings began with the lead detective on the case taking the stand, answering brief questions about his role in the case.

The prosecution showed multiple videos of the defendant and witnesses walking around the basement and first floors of the apartment moments before the shooting. One exhibit showed Hawthorne conversing with a witness in a doorway.

Before Hawthorne was arrested, he had a voluntary interview with a detective. In it, he described being at the crime scene when the shooting occurred.

“This night he let in four guys,” Hawthorne said. “While I was sleeping, I heard gunshots and fled.”

Hawthorne would pay $40 a week to stay in the apartment when he needed space from arguing with his mother. He said he always had a problem with people coming in and out of the apartment but never was concerned because it happened constantly.

In the early parts of the interview, Hawthrone said an individual he has known for years told him authorities were looking for him.

As the interview progressed, the detective wanted to know what Hawthrone remembered from the night of the murder. Hawthorne said he remembered one of the witnesses and the unknown male in the black hoodie arguing before he used the bathroom. That is when he heard gunshots and fled the scene.

This statement was different from one he gave previously when he said he was sleeping when the gunfire rang out.

“Wait, I am confused, you say you were woken up by gunshots earlier,” the detective said. “So did they wake you up or did you hear them after you used the bathroom?”

Hawthorne told the detective he used the bathroom outside and cameras will back his story. As he arrived back to the room, Hawthorne said it was the unknown male in a black hoodie arguing with Bassett.

“After I came back from using the bathroom outside they were still arguing,” he said. “The guy was standing right next to me when he was shooting. I did not ask any questions. I just put on my shoes and grabbed some clothes and left.”

The detective sat back in his chair.

“The guy was standing right next to you shooting somebody,” He said. “You feel safe enough to put on your shoes and get your shirt. Because earlier you told me you were sleeping, then you tell me you ran out of the apartment with your socks on. Now you tell me you had on shoes.”

Around the three-hour mark of the interview, the lead detective stepped out of the room so another detective could speak with him. This detective took a more aggressive approach to his questioning.

“I have been doing this for a long time, you have been filling in blanks of what the witnesses told you. I need you to tell me the story from what you saw and heard,” the detective said.

The detective had reason to believe Bassett had stolen his car when his spare key went missing. “I am going to tell you something that is going to clue you in on where we are in our investigation,” he said. “We know the guy that died last night has been victimizing you.”

At 3:37 p.m., DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo had the interview paused, deciding the jury had been given enough information for the day. The proceedings are set to resume on March 15.

Jurors View Interrogation Footage During Murder Trial

Prosecutors finished showing jurors the five-hour video of murder defendant Chad Hawthorne’s interrogation during the fifth day of his trial.

Hawthorne, 41, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett in an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Ave, SE, during the early hours of May 22, 2017.

On March 14, the video resumed with the defendant questioning the detective’s knowledge of the history between him and Basset.

“Anybody would tell you I looked out for Basset,” Hawthorne said. “I did not have a bad relationship with Bassett. Bassett picked his fights and I do not.”

“We understand you looked out for him from time to time but we know that you and Bassett had your issues,” the detective responded. “We found your spare key to your car in his backpack at the murder. Look, you have been around the block too many times. You knew someone in that apartment had your spare key.”

Hawthorne maintained he had nothing to do with Bassett’s death.

“I can’t gain nothing from whooping someone’s ass. It will make me feel good for a sec. But after that I’m either hurting or in jail,” the defendant said.

The detective then told Hawthorne people were saying he killed Bassett in cold blood.

“Stop letting people tell your story,” the detective told him. “It’s either you’re a cold m*********** killing people or you defended yourself.”

The defendant took a long pause before asking the detective what he would do if he was in his shoes.

“All I have done is look out and this is the thanks I get,” he said. “I just gave you money the other day and the day after that and you repay me by breaking into my car. One thing I can not stand is someone pretending to be something they are not.”

Public defender Steven Kiersh crossed- examined the lead detective about the interrogation tactics the detective in the footage used. The lead detective admitted they lie or withhold certain information from the person they are interviewing.

“Do you think it is appropriate the way [the detective] conducted the interview? He was very vulgar and animated with my client,” said Kiersh

“We will always do what is best to solve a case,” the lead detective responded. “If we have to lie or withhold information, we will do that. If we have to be aggressive or sympathetic we will do that. We abide by the rules that are given and will continue to do so.”

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the proceedings to resume on March 15.

Manslaughter Sentencing Postponed as Defendant Continues his Education

Parties met in court to discuss the possibility of changing the sentencing date for a young man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2019.

Dazmine Anderson, now 20, is awaiting sentencing for the fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on Oct. 7, 2018, on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

The defendant was scheduled to be sentenced on March 11. During a hearing that day, defense attorney Madelyn Harvey said her client has been doing very well at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. He is close to finishing high school and is expected to get his degree within the next few months. A DYRS official confirmed that he has completed all required community service hours.

The prosecutor said that if Anderson continued to do well in school and went on to college he would not only be willing to put off the sentencing, but also consider a lighter sentence given that he has been in custody for nearly three-and-a-half years by now.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked if the victim’s family was alright with this decision. The prosecution responded saying the family had been disappointed with the plea agreement from the beginning and had stopped contacting the prosecuting attorney.

Judge Lee accepted the joint decision from the prosecution and defense and rescheduled the sentencing for June 24.

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