Murder Defendant Receives New Public Defender

The defendant charged in 36-year-old Jimmy Beynum’s murder wrote a letter to the judge assigned to his case asking for a new attorney.

Taylor Emanuel, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with a shooting that killed Beynum on Jan. 23, 2020.

“Mr. Taylor, you sent me a letter, and you sent it by federal express. I don’t want you to think you have to go through all that expense to write me something,” DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee told the defendant during a March 15 hearing.

In the letter, Emanuel asks for his public defender, Russell Hairston, to be replaced with Brandi Harden.

“You and Mrs. Harden will hopefully develop a working relationship,” Judge Lee said.

Another hearing is scheduled for April 4 but Judge Lee said this may be pushed off in order to give Hardi enough time to review the case.

Murder Trial Cancelled After Defendant Pleads Guilty

Approximately one month before a 2019 murder case was set to go to trial, the defendant accepted a plea deal.

Diquan Lucas pleaded guilty to shooting 33-year-old Brian Butler in his apartment on the 2100 Block of I Street, NE. On Sept. 9, 2019, Lucas entered the apartment and saw Butler in the living area. An argument broke out between the two which quickly became physical. Lucas then pulled out his gun and shot Butler several times, according to court documents. The 25-year-old defendant was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Lucas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on March 11. The defense is petitioning for him to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which would allow his case to be sealed if he successfully completes his sentence.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson and the prosecutor agreed to recommend an eight-year prison sentence.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee accepted the plea and scheduled Lucas to be sentenced on June 16.

Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly Shooting at Construction Site

A Maryland man pleaded guilty to killing Elias Flores while he was working at a construction site in Deanwood.

On Nov. 18, 2020, police officers found Flores on the first floor of a house under construction on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE. The 48-year-old had been shot in the head.

Less than a month later, George Miller was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. During a March 14 hearing, the 27-year-old defendant pleaded down to second-degree murder while armed.

As part of the plea deal, parties agreed not to seek an upward or downward departure from the sentencing guidelines applicable to Miller.

A medical examiner reported Flores was shot once under his left eye—the bullet had traveled through the decedent’s brain and exited through the right side of his head, causing irreversible damage. A neurosurgeon declined to conduct surgery on Flores because of the risk of death but Flores was pronounced dead five days later on Nov. 23, according to court documents.

Video surveillance caught a man riding a “Jump” bike tapping on the window of a vehicle with a gun before leaving to a construction site and returning around the time of the shooting, which was deciphered by the medical examiner and confirmed by media footage.

Detectives cross-referenced pictures and criminal records to identify and apprehend Miller, who worked at a plastic company a block away from the area of the shooting. Miller had allegedly stolen raw materials from the construction area after killing Flores.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled Miller to be sentenced on June 28.

Co-Defendants Indicted on Five Counts in 2020 Murder Case

Two co-defendants were arraigned on a five-count indictment for their alleged roles in a deadly shooting on a September night in 2020.

Anthony Lee was 25-years-old when he was shot to death on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on Sept. 26, 2020. Niko Hall, 30, was arrested in October 2020 and Kyree Wells, 19, was arrested in November 2020.

During a March 11 hearing, the two were arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

Both Wells and Hall pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Hall’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, renewed a motion for her client’s release due to his medical circumstances. King said Hall was shot several years ago and the DC Jail is not equipped to provide the physical therapy Hall needs to recover. She said her client has no prior convictions or plans to flee if released.

The prosecutor opposed the request. He said the defendant was receiving treatment in jail and would pose a danger to the community if released.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the request, saying this was at least the fourth time defense counsel has renewed this motion.

“I am not revisiting this issue again” she said.

Judge Brandt said she would prefer to go ahead and schedule a jury selection date to begin the trial process. However, the prosecutor in this case said it might be preferable if a status hearing was held before scheduling trial dates.

A status hearing is scheduled to take place on April 22.

Defendant’s Ex-Girlfriend is First to Testify on Third Day of Murder Trial

Prosecutors called four witnesses to the stand during the third day of Chad Hawthorne‘s murder trial, starting with the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.

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

The defendant allegedly spent the rest of the night at his ex-girlfriend’s house after the shooting. When the prosecution called her to the witness stand on March 9, she could not recall the testimony she gave before a grand jury in 2018.

The prosecutor pointed the witness towards her prior statements about what Hawthorne told her. Apparently, she said Hawthorne said to her that Bassett had been shot, he heard arguing before the gunfire and whoever was arguing with Bassett must have killed him.

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh was sympathetic to the ex-girlfriend during his cross-examination. She told Kiersh that when a detective questioned her about the homicide prior to the grand jury proceedings, he “leaned” on her so hard that she began to cry.

The next witness spoke to the victim’s drug problems. The defense did not cross-examine her.

Then, the prosecution called a Department of Forensic Sciences member who was tasked with taking data out of electronic devices and collecting information. The forensic scientist explained several logs of outgoing calls and locations data related to the investigation. She was asked about Facebook messages Hawthorne received, including one that claimed an individual was “snitching” and advised the defendant to turn off his location.

Finally, the leaseholder of the apartment took the stand. He had come home from New York at approximately 1:00 a.m. on the day of the shooting and was later awoken by Bassett asking to stay the night there, which he allowed. The leaseholder told the jury when he woke up again later in the morning, Hawthorne was gone. The next time he woke up, it was to a rapid succession of gunshots, he said.

The leaseholder jumped awake and saw who he believed to be Hawthorne flee the scene. He responded by running across the street to call 911. While he was gone, one of the men staying there ran to a neighbor’s apartment to call 911.

“You have had five long years to think and mule over this event. Do you think that Chad Hawthorne killed Antonio Basset,” the prosecutor asked the witness.

“Yes, I do,” he replied.

“No further questions, Your Honor,” the prosecutor said.

Kiersh barely let the prosecutor take his seat before he started his cross-examination.

He began by asking if he had seen a gun.

The witness said no.

“Did you see any weapon?” Kiersh asked.

“I did not.” The witness replied.

Kiersh asked the witness if he had used drugs. The witness said he is drug-free.

“What about alcohol-free?” Kiersh asked

The witness responded, “well, no.”

“So you had a few drinks the day of the murder?” Kiersh asked.

“I only had one beer In New York,” the witness said.

Kiersh inquired about medications the witness takes that may make him drowsy. The witness said they do not make him sleepy.

Kiersh also emphasized that the witness was paid for his testimony. His testimony was always paid for through witness compensation. However, the witness said he was not paid for the statements he made to the police. During re-direct, he told the prosecutor he offered his testimony before knowing he would be paid.

The prosecutor had planned to call the lead detective to the stand, but he was unavailable to appear in court. DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo decided to let the jury go early.

The leaseholder is subpoenaed by the defense to testify on March 14.

Document: March 13 Homicide Victim Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department has identified a March 13 homicide victim.

At approximately 2:22 p.m. officers responded to the 1100 block of 1^st Place, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 36-year-old Morris Mitchell with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: Police Investigate Shootings of Homeless Men in New York, Washington

Metropolitan Police Department and New York Police Department are investigating five shootings in Washington and New York City that they believe were committed by the same person. Two of these shootings were fatal and all of the victims were experiencing homelessness at the time they were shot.

At approximately 2:54 a.m. on March 9, an MPD officer on the 400 block of New York Avenue, NE, saw a tent fire, according to a press release. Emergency responders found an adult male dead. After an autopsy was performed on him, the cause of death was ruled to be multiple stab and gunshot wounds, according to a press release.

Two non-fatal shootings of homeless victims took place in Washington as well- one on the 1100 block of New York Avenue, NE, during the early hours of March 3 and another on the 1700 block of H Street, NE, during the early hours of March 8.

“From the first incident, the Metropolitan Police has spared no resource in our efforts to identify the suspect behind these cowardly acts,” said MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III. “We are committed to sharing every investigative path, clue and piece of evidence with our law enforcement partners to bring this investigation to a swift conclusion and the individual behind these vicious crimes to justice.”

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

On the evening of March 12, New York City police responded to a 911 call for an unidentified male shooting victim. The victim was found with gunshot wounds to the chest and neck and pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunshots at approximately 6:00 a.m., according to a press release.

“Our homeless population is one of our most vulnerable and an individual praying on them as they sleep is an exceptionally heinous crime,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “We will use every tool, every technique and every partner to bring the killer to justice.”

The NYPD and MPD are joining the ATF to investigate these offenses.

“Our Washington and New York City field offices have been working hand-in-hand with the DC metropolitan police and the New York Police Department from the outset,” said ATF Director Marvin Richardson. “One of these shootings occurred within blocks of our Washington DC headquarters. We have used our advanced ATF systems to conduct real-time analysis backed up by our ATF National Lab in Maryland to expedite the evidence and assist in the investigations and Washington DC and New York City. Our three agencies are one team.”

Document: March 11 Homicide Victim Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department has identified a March 11 homicide victim.

At approximately 2:22 p.m. officers responded to the 3800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 60-year-old Donnell Henderson with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Plea Offer Remains Outstanding as Murder Defendant Doubts New Counsel

A public defender said he is struggling to communicate with his client, who is charged with two homicides.

Rasheed Young is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rodgers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE. He is also charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson on May 20, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.

The 44-year-old was arrested in relation to both homicides in December 2020 and has remained in custody ever since.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 10, defense attorney Kevin Mosley said he has tried to speak with his client about the case on five different occasions but only had three substantive conversations.

“I’ve never had a preliminary hearing or nothing [sic]. Everything about this case is illegal. The police never investigated. Everything they did, everything the government did is illegal,” Young told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. “I’m not going to be an informant working with the police.”

Judge Okun tried to assure the defendant that his lawyer is not connected to the police, and told him he needs to talk to Mosley in order for the attorney to effectively assist him.

Okun asked if the defense was requesting a competency evaluation in light of these issues. Mosley said he hasn’t had the necessary conversations with the defendant to make that determination and instead asked for a 45-day continuance to familiarize himself with the case as well as try to speak with the defendant. Mosley was appointed to the case in February.

The prosecutor had no objection to the postponement but also noted that there was a plea offer on the table that was offered in June of 2021 and that the defendant should take the time to consider it sooner rather than later. Young has changed lawyers on multiple occasions since that time.

The plea agreement would require the defendant to plead guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed in both cases with a sentencing range of six to nine years. A five-year supervised release period would follow.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for April 29.

Sex Abuse Defendant Waives 90-Day Indictment Deadline

A defendant facing kidnapping, carjacking and sex abuse charges consented to the deadline for indictment being extended.

The defendant is accused of holding a woman at gunpoint in her car and forcing her to drive to an alleyway in a residential part of Petworth, where he then raped her. He allegedly drove off in her car with her clothes, leaving her to seek help from a nearby homeowner, according to court documents.

More than six months passed before the defendant, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested. He is charged with armed carjacking, kidnapping while armed and first-degree sexual abuse while armed.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 8, the defendant agreed to waive the 90-day deadline for an indictment. The 100-day deadline for a trial reportedly goes into effect on April 26, which the defendant is also expected to waive at his next hearing.

The prosecutor said they had already provided initial discovery to the defense as well as a preliminary plea offer. They requested a preliminary hearing date with enough time for the defendant to consider the offer. Defense attorney Howard McEachern had no objection.

A preliminary hearing was not scheduled. The defendant is scheduled to return to court for a felony status conference on April 6.

Defendant Denied Pretrial Release in Burglary, Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to release a defendant accused of breaking into a woman’s Pleasant Plains apartment and sexually assaulting her friend.

The 31-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse. The victim alleges that, in January, she saw the defendant in an elevator as she made her way to the apartment and was later awoken by him sexually assaulting her. The defendant was arrested shortly after.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 8, the defendant chose to address the court.

“I have learned from my mistakes when I was 18 and the charge I got at 21,” he said. “I work for UPS and they will continue to hold my position for up to a year. I always kept an honest job. I am a pillar in the community. A mentor. I am not a bad person.”

Defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur asked Judge Maribeth Raffinan to release his client from DC Jail.

“The defendant’s mother and father are in the courts and this process has been very traumatic for both them and my client,” he said. “We are looking for release so he can continue to work and take care of his people. He will abide by all rules if he is placed on GPS monitoring.”

The prosecution opposed this request, citing the defendant’s criminal history and the violent nature of the alleged crime.

“He committed a crime while being released for another,” the prosecutor said. “This was a violent crime, where he and students attacked a transgender student.”

Based on the charges in the case and the defendant’s prior history, she denied the request for release.

Yallery-Arthur requested a two-week continuance so parties can continue discussing the plea offer that has been extended in this case. Judge Raffinan scheduled parties to reconvene on March 21.

Child Sex Abuse Defendant Offered Plea Deal

A prosecutor extended a plea offer to a man facing multiple child sex abuse charges.

The 23-year-old defendant is accused of sexually abusing two girls in their Brightwood home when they were 5 years old and 7 years old. He is charged with two counts of first-degree child sex abuse and one count of second-degree child sex abuse but has not yet been indicted.

During a March 10 hearing, the prosecutor disclosed the terms of the plea deal, which she sent to the defense the previous day. If accepted, the defendant would plead guilty to one count of second-degree child sex abuse and one count of attempted second-degree child sex abuse. In return, the prosecutor would not seek to include aggravating factors that could enhance the defendant’s sentence, such as the victims being less than 12 years old.

Defense attorney Julie Swaney said she briefly discussed the plea deal with her client, but they would need a few weeks to make a decision. The offer is set to expire on April 14.

The defendant was released into home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program in February. The Pretrial Services Agency reported that he has been compliant with all his release conditions.

Swaney asked Judge Maribeth Raffinan to lift her client’s home confinement order. The prosecution opposed any reduction of release conditions.

“The only way to ensure the safety of the community is to ensure he has no contact with children,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Raffinan said the home confinement could end after 30 days of compliance but he would remain on GPS monitoring and have a curfew. The defendant also must follow multiple no-contact orders, including one barring contact with anyone less than 18 years old.

The defendant’s next hearing is set for April 18.

Man Accused of Armed Sexual Assault Will Keep Current Public Defender

A defendant facing a 21-count indictment for his alleged role in an armed sexual assault will be keeping his current legal counsel.

The 21-year-old defendant is accused of breaking into a woman’s vehicle and forcing her at gunpoint to drive to an alley, where he raped her. U.S. Park Police found her clinging to a ledge in the Anacostia River, where she alleged he forced her to enter despite her saying she could not swim, according to court documents.

The defendant was arrested on March 27, 2018. He was 17-years-old at the time.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 9, the defendant asked for his public defender, Joseph Wong, to be replaced with someone else. It would not be the first time an attorney left the case.

“You have a great counsel. A very competent one,” DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan told the defendant. “Now there will be a delay so they can catch up to speed on the case so they can represent you in the best way possible.”

This did not sway the defendant’s opinion. Still, after an ex-parte bench conference to address his concerns, it was decided that the current counsel will remain on the case.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 25.

The defendant was scheduled to go on trial last January. He is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed, assault with intent to commit armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, nine counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, threat to injure or kidnap a person, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, armed carjacking, unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and armed kidnapping.

Trial Date for Suspect in 2019 Homicide Delayed 9 Months

A DC Superior Court judge postponed a murder trial for a man arrested in November 2019 at the defense’s request.

Terrance Prue is accused of shooting 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore to death in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE, on June 5, 2019. A juvenile male was shot in the wrist but survived, according to court documents.

The 21-year-old defendant is indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed. He was scheduled to go on trial in May.

During Prue’s most recent hearing on March 10, defense attorney James King, who was assigned to the case less than four months ago, asked Judge Maribeth Raffinan to push the trial date back. Still, since his client has been held at DC Jail for more than two years now, King asked for the new trial to take place in 2022.

Judge Raffinan said her earliest availability right now is in February, though other dates may open up in the future. She said there may be space for a trial in late November, depending on the movement of other cases.

“Every other day someone’s trying to move something,” Judge Raffinan said.

Parties agreed to set a Feb. 13 trial date.

The prosecutor anticipates needing a maximum of four days to present their case. She said that at the time Prue was arrested, a firearm and ammunition were recovered. She said the caliber of the firearm did not match the one used in the homicide, but the caliber of the ammunition did.

Prue is scheduled to return to court on April 19 for a status hearing.

Unprovoked Man Allegedly Kills Fellow Patient at Psychiatric Hospital

A patient at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington’s psychiatric institute, is accused of killing a fellow patient. According to court documents, the defendant allegedly claimed to have “government secrecy technology” in his body and implied he needed to kill someone to obtain surgery.

Charles Lee, 28, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling David Dowdell in his hospital bedroom during the early hours of March 9. Dowdell was found surrounded by blood and signs of a struggle. A medical examiner pronounced him dead at 3:56 a.m. from trauma and strangulation, according to court documents.

Dowdell was charged with assaulting a police officer in 2020 but was found incompetent to stand trial and eventually sent to St. Elizabeths. He was found competent just days before his death but a judge decided to keep him at the hospital, as recommended by a Department of Behavioral Health report. His March 4 hearing was continued for a possible disposition.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows a man alleged to be Lee walking out of his room into the hallway before moving to the decedent’s room at approximately 2:52 a.m. Between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., St. Elizabeths staff check the patients’ rooms and hallways twice, according to court documents.

During a third round of checks, a resident nurse witnessed Lee allegedly twisting his foot on the decedent’s neck at approximately 3:27 a.m. She appears to yell down the hall for help and approximately five minutes later, staff removes Lee from the room.

Lee said he attended the University of California at Riverside and studied business before dropping out. When speaking with detectives, he allegedly talked about killing someone because he needed surgery. When a detective asked Lee why he would need to kill someone to get surgery, he responded that he just needed to kill someone, according to court documents.

Lee said he walked in when he believed the victim was sleeping and then began choking him with his hand. He told police he had sharpened a plastic spoon to stab the decedent to death—which did not work. When Dowdell fainted from downward pressure on his throat, Lee allegedly stepped down on his neck using his knee and foot to make sure he was dead.

Lee said he was sorry he had to kill the decedent but told officers he’s glad everyone is safe. He also explained he has never killed anyone in the past because he can usually control himself, but the fight this time was too intense.

The sharpened spoon, which was made up of four sharpened spoons shaved to a point and wrapped together, was found in Lee’s bedroom at St. Elizabeths during a search warrant.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey was appointed to represent Lee, who is scheduled to appear in court next on March 22 before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

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