Jurors in Domestic Violence Trial Begin Deliberating

Jurors in a domestic violence trial began deliberating after hearing attorneys question the defendant and make their closing arguments.

The defendant is charged with cruelty to children, threat to kidnap or injure a person and simple assault. He is accused of attacking a woman outside a homeless shelter as she held their 18-day-old son in a car seat, injuring the baby in the process.

The last day of the trial on May 3 began with defense attorney Kevin Mosley finishing his direct examination of his client, asking questions about the altercation at the shelter.

The defendant said he was agitated because the woman took the phone they shared, and he wanted it back.

“She was being uncooperative,” he said. “She’s not giving me what I asked for.”

He said he reached to retrieve the phone from her jacket pocket when “she threw her body on me and stepped on my feet.” The woman tripped and fell when the defendant took his feet out from under her.

The defendant said he told her to stay down to keep the situation from getting out of hand, unaware his son was able to get out of the car seat.

“I’m trying to figure out why I drove from D Street to First Street without my son being strapped in,” he said.

The defendant admitted to getting into a physical altercation with the woman after seeing his son hit the ground from falling out of the car seat. He said he picked up the child and asked the woman why he was not strapped into the car seat.

Security footage presented in court shows the defendant picking up his son and handing him over to someone off-camera while he continued to interact with the woman.

The shared phone could be seen next to the car seat. The defendant picked the phone up and walked toward his vehicle. When the woman stood up, she could be seen swinging the empty car seat from hand to hand before walking in the direction of the defendant’s car.

“I was about to get in the car. I was instructed to bring his [the baby’s] bag with his diapers and formula to the building,” the defendant said. He said he would bring the bag to her so she would not have to go back to the car to get it.

“I didn’t want further interaction with her,” he said.

The defendant drove around the block and returned to the shelter. He wanted to stay but left when he found out the woman and child were going to the hospital.

The defendant was informed that Child Protective Services was getting involved. He went to the hospital, picked the woman and his son up and took them to the woman’s mother’s home.

Throughout his testimony, the defendant maintained that his son falling out of the car seat was an accident.

During cross-examination, prosecutors focused their questioning on the events leading up to the altercation. The defendant said the woman had been drinking since the morning. When he saw his son for the first time that day, he had a full diaper and had not been changed.

After the child fell from the car seat, the defendant allegedly threw the woman to the ground and eventually pulled out some of her hair. The prosecution says 22 seconds elapsed between the time the defendant picked his son up and when he threw the woman to the ground. They claim he did not look at his son once during that time.

“I was so mad at her that I wasn’t thinking about him,” he said.

Prosecutors argued that the defendant did not cradle his baby or make sure he was okay.

“I looked at his face when I picked him up; then he started crying,” the defendant rebutted.

Prosecutors asked the defendant if he kicked the woman.

“I kicked the ground beside her,” he responded. “I’m asking her why he wasn’t strapped into his car seat.”

In the video footage, the woman is seen crawling away from the defendant when he puts his hand on her head and pushes her down. The prosecution asked why he did not try to break her fall.

“How would I do that? How would that be possible?” he responded.

During re-direct examination, Mosley asked some more questions about how the altercation at the heart of this case played out.

“It was like one minute he was in the car seat and the next he was on the ground,” his client said.

The defendant said he was not sure what made the woman fall to the ground.

“I moved my feet, and she started falling,” he said. “I grabbed the first thing on her.”

After the parties rested, they gave closing arguments.

Prosecutors focused their arguments on the idea that the defendant engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of bodily harm, as the baby sustained bodily injury as a result. They said the security footage backs this up.

“[He] created a great risk for that child when he went up to her and attacked her,” one of the prosecutors said.

Prosecutors alleged that the defendant told the woman, “I’ll kill you, bitch” and told the jury the defendant admitted to assaulting the woman on the witness stand.

“The baby can’t speak for himself, but you can speak for him by finding [the defendant] guilty,” they concluded.

Mosley called what happened an accident. He claimed the woman was drunk from consuming alcohol all day, and the defendant did not get physical with her until he saw his son on the ground.

“He [the defendant] is not guilty of cruelty to children,” Mosley said.

Mosely argued that the prosecution relied on video footage and witness testimony to try and prove their case but alleged the witnesses were “willing to cure their story.”

Mosley concluded by telling the jury to take the emotions out of evaluating the evidence.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave the jury their instructions and sent them to begin deliberating.

Defendant in 2016 Homicide Case Accepts Plea Deal

The defendant in a 2016 homicide case accepted a plea deal three months before he was scheduled to go on trial.

Clinton Womack was indicted on 26 counts including first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 45-year-old Terry Crutchfield on Dec. 6, 2016, on the 1500 block of Olive Street, NE. He was scheduled to go on trial in August.

During the most recent hearing for this case on May 4, defense attorney Steven Kiersh said his client would like to accept a plea offer from the prosecution.

Womack, 32, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for the prosecution dismissing the rest of his indictment charges. Parties agreed to recommend concurrent eight-year prison sentences for both charges. He would receive credit for the nearly five-and-a-half years he has served at DC Jail since his arrest.

The defendant was scheduled to go to trial once in 2018, twice in 2019 and once again in 2020, D.C. Witness reported.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted the plea and scheduled Womack to be sentenced on July 8.

Document: Deadly Shooting in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man.

At approximately 3:39 p.m. on May 4, officers responded to the 2300 block of Green Street, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found Davon Sullivan suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: 59 Year Old Stabbed to Death in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 59-year-old man in Northwest, DC.

At approximately 2:49 a.m. on May 4, officers responded to the 3000 block of Rodman Street, NW, for the report of an unconscious male, according to a press release. There, they found Daniel McKinney in the hallway of a residential building, suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Domestic Homicide Case Has Enough Evidence to Go to Trial, Judge Rules

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a domestic homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial, ordering that the defendant remain detained at DC Jail as he awaits his next court date.

Marcus Isom is accused of stabbing his uncle, 67-year-old Michael Stover, to death in a home on the 500 block of 55th Street, NE, on Jan. 3. He is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Isom’s preliminary hearing began on May 5 with the lead detective on the case describing the events leading up to the homicide.

The victim and defendant got into an argument when Isom, 42, accused Stover of stealing money from him during a New Year’s Eve party, according to court documents. Eventually, Stover stopped entertaining the conversation and laid on the bed face-up. A witness who was in the room at the time alleges that this is when Isom stabbed the victim in the abdomen. Isom allegedly told the witness to sit down, threatening to hurt her next.

The witness said she refused to call the police while the defendant was in the room in an effort to protect herself. She did not see the knife.

Defense attorney Jason Clark argued that the eyewitness’ story had too many holes and is not credible enough.

“The witness’s ability to obtain evidence is questionable,” he said.

The witness said they were smoking marijuana at the time. She also has short-term memory loss and cannot see far away.

Clark said the witness’s formerly intimate relationship with Stover created bias. During interviews with the police, the witness called Isom weird for trying to talk to her knowing she was involved with his uncle.

The prosecutor argued that Judge Robert Okun should find probable cause.

“When the decedent was stabbed, he was laying in his bed with his hands behind his back,” she said. “This was an act of violence and eyewitness testimony corroborates with the evidence.”

Judge Okun found probable cause, saying the witness’ information was corroborative and there is no evidence of self-defense. He ruled that Isom should remain detained based on his arrest history, the nature of the offense and the weight of the evidence.

A felony status conference is scheduled for July 13.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in January Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in the case of a deadly January shooting in a Bellevue neighborhood residence.

Jinard Kearney, 35, is currently charged with second-degree murder while armed.

On Jan. 19, 32-year-old Darryl Hall was shot and killed in an apartment on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SW. An autopsy determined that he sustained two gunshot wounds to his back and one under his left armpit, according to court documents. Police believe the homicide was domestic in nature.

During Kearney’s preliminary hearing on May 3, a prosecutor called a Metropolitan Police Department detective to the witness stand and displayed photo and video evidence. He only questioned the detective for a few minutes, but defense attorney Quo Judkin‘s cross-examination took hours.

Judkins asked the detective about each witness one by one and went into great detail about the sequence of events surrounding the homicide. She argued that because there was no motive, no video footage proving her client was the last one seen with the victim, no blood spatter on the defendant and no weapon recovered, probable cause should not be found.

The prosecutor countered by pointing out witness statements that the defendant and victim were the only ones in the apartment at the time of the shooting. Clothing that did not belong to Hall was found in the apartment and video footage shows him leaving the building without clothes. The prosecutor also said the defendant was seen with a firearm earlier that day.

The defendant allegedly told a witness, “I don’t know what came over me.”

After Judge Rainey Brandt ruled that the case has enough evidence to go to trial, Judkins asked for his client’s release from DC Jail into the High Intensity Supervision Program with GPS monitoring. Judge Brandt quickly denied the request. Citing his previous convictions and pending misdemeanor cases, she said Kearney should remain detained to keep the community safe.

Kearney’s next hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Attorneys Debate Sex Abuse Defendant’s Competence to Stand Trial

Attorneys debated if the defendant in a 2019 sex abuse case is competent to stand trial.

Prosecutors have accused the defendant in this case of sexually assaulting two women while burglarizing three homes in Northwest, DC. He is indicted on 33 counts, which include charges of first-degree and third-degree sex abuse.

The defendant is being represented by Mani Golzari and Ashley Guzman. During opening statements, the defense counsel argued that the defendant fails to grasp basic concepts and has severe cognitive limitations that inhibit him from proceeding to trial. The defense team also asserts that he lacks factual and rational understanding.

The prosecution disagreed with this stance, arguing that the defendant understands his charges and the nature of the offenses he’s accused of committing, as someone who has cycled through the criminal justice system since he was 11 years old. They said he understands the basic facts of the legal system and has been heard having conversations about complex legal issues at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington’s psychiatric institution. Despite his low IQ, they assert the defendant is competent to stand trial.

The defense counsel called an expert in clinical forensics and neuropsychology to the witness stand during the first day of the proceedings on April 27. As someone who has evaluated the defendant three times over the course of three years, they have concluded that he is not competent to stand trial. This expert said the defendant has cognitive limitations and exhibits “childlike” behavior. He was appointed a legal guardian and has had trouble making decisions independently.

This particular expert disagrees with the personnel at St. Elizabeths Hospital, who believe the defendant is competent to stand trial.

During cross-examination, the prosecution reminded the court that the defendant was aware of concepts such as a hung jury, probation, legal parties, certain types of evidence, plea deals and sentencing guidelines. They said his competency was not questioned in his previous cases, with parties saying he was “undoubtedly competent.”

The prosecution also questioned how the expert evaluated the defendant and the conclusions drawn from the evaluations.

The Jackson hearing spanned from April 27 through April 29, with proceedings scheduled to pick back up on May 23.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Misdemeanor Sex Abuse, Simple Assault Offenses

A suspect has been arrested in relation to two misdemeanor sex abuse offenses and one simple assault offense.

The 42 year old is accused of making unwanted sexual contact with two victims on the morning of May 2- one at approximately 8:42 a.m. on the 3200 block of N Street, NW, and another at approximately 9:20 a.m. on the 2100 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. He was apprehended by responding officers after the second incident.

The suspect is also accused of placing his arms on a victim’s shoulder and back area near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, NW.

Document: Deadly Shooting in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a deadly shooting in Northeast, DC.

At approximately 3:17 p.m. on May 2, officers responded to the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 45-year-old Junior Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: 58 Year Old’s Death Ruled a Homicide

The death of a 58-year-old man in January has been ruled a homicide.

At approximately 12:00 a.m. on Jan. 25, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Eduardo Cruz in a vehicle on the 4800 block of Colorado Avenue, NW, unconscious and unresponsive. He had injuries consistent with an assault, according to a press release.

On Jan. 29, Cruz succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy determined his cause of death to be complications from blunt force trauma and his manner of death was ruled a homicide. Police say the investigation suggests the offense that took Cruz’s life occurred in a home on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Murder Case to be Retried

Less than two weeks after jurors in a murder trial delivered a partial verdict, a DC Superior Court judge set a retrial date.

Marquette Jordan is accused of stabbing 40-year-old Ivan Lynch to death on April 28, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. Jordan, 30, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. The jury found him not guilty of armed robbery and first-degree murder while armed but could not make a decision on the other charges or the lesser-included homicide offenses.

During the most recent hearing for this case on April 26, the prosecution told Judge Rainey Brandt they plan to retry the case on charges of second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Jordan urged his lawyer, Elliot Queen, to ask Judge Brandt to recuse herself from the case, believing her to be biased against him. Judge Brandt denied the request.

“Mr. Jordan has contributed to the court’s aggravation and tone because he can’t sit like an adult who is on trial for his liberties,” Queen said.

Queen requested Jordan’s release into home confinement, given that he has been acquitted of the most serious charge he faced. Prosecutors opposed the request, saying the defendant has a previous aggravated assault conviction, has been involved in multiple incidents at the DC Jail and is a flight risk.

Judge Brandt told Queen she would look over a written bond review motion before making a decision.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10. with the trial beginning on Aug. 16.

Document: 2 Teenage Murder Suspects Apprehended in Georgia

Two suspects in a January homicide were apprehended in Georgia.

At approximately 8:36 p.m. on Jan. 21, Metropolitan Police Department detectives responded to the 3800 block of Commodore Joshua Barney Drive, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 20-year-old Marquette White suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On April 28, members of the Atlanta Police Department apprehended 19-year-old Maurice Williams, Jr. and 18-year-old Seaun McDowney, who were wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for first-degree murder while armed in connection with White’s death.

Document: Suspect Arrested After Woman Fatally Stabbed in Northeast, DC

A man was arrested in the aftermath of a fatal stabbing that police believe was domestic in nature.

At approximately 2:52 a.m. on April 27, officers responded to the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE, for the report of a stabbing. They found 39-year-old Ladonia Boggs suffering from an apparent stab wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

That same day, 44-year-old Carl Jones was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Case of Deadly Assault

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause for a second defendant charged in connection with a deadly assault near the intersection of Clay Terrace and 53rd Street, NE.

Antonio Hensley, 29, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 33-year-old Andre Robertson. He is charged alongside the victim’s cousin, 33-year-old Darius Robertson.

Andre was assaulted close to midnight on Oct. 1, 2021, and died from his injuries the next day. Darius was arrested the following December.

A judge ruled that his case had enough evidence to go to trial during a preliminary hearing on Feb. 18. Hensley was arrested five days later.

During Hensley’s preliminary hearing on April 26, the lead detective displayed several items of evidence, including surveillance footage and phone records.

The footage depicts the cousins and another individual fighting when Hensley enters the frame and brandishes what appears to be a firearm.

He seemingly knocks Andre onto his back before Darius charges the victim, beating him while he was on the ground unconscious. Hensley appeared to attempt to stomp on the victim before leaving the scene.

During cross-examination, defense attorneys Austin Terrance and Kevann Gardner questioned the detective on the legitimacy of the witness’ statements.

None of the witnesses interviewed saw the attack. Instead, they only heard of the attack or saw the aftermath.

The defense team established that there was so much PCP in the victim’s system that first responders could smell it. Gardner concluded his line of questioning by noting how Hensley has no relationship with the victim nor bias towards him. He was also didn’t communicate with Darius before or after the incident.

Gardner said there Is no preponderance of the evidence that could prove Hensley had any intent to kill the Andre. Gardner argue that Hensley was only standing by, and the fight approached him. He said there was no way of deciding who delivered the fatal blow.

The prosecutor replayed the footage of the incident, saying the two men beat another person to death. He asked Judge Milton Lee to find probable cause for the charge of second-degree murder.

Judge Lee ruled that there was enough evidence to establish probable cause.

“He had nothing to do with this and he did it anyway,” he said as he gave his decision.

After Judge Lee found probable cause, Austin requested his client’s release from DC Jail under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), saying he is not a danger to the community and has a family that depends on him.

The prosecution asked for him to remain detained based on the nature of the alleged offense and Hensley’s criminal history, which includes two prior arrests in 2017 for allegedly selling PCP and carrying an illegal firearm.

Judge Lee agreed to keep Hensley detained, saying “it is not even a close call.”

Hensley is scheduled to return to court with Darius on June 3 for a felony status conference.

Domestic Violence Trial Resumes With Prosecution Calling 5 Witnesses

A domestic violence trial continued into its second day with the prosecution calling five people to the witness stand.

During the second day of the trial on April 26, the prosecutor called a security officer at the shelter to testify. This witness said they heard an argument between the victim and defendant and saw the defendant attack the victim.

Two officers who were present at the scene took to the witness stand. One of them recalled the woman having bloody lips. During cross-examination, it was revealed that when the victim was asked whether she had a bloody lip or if she was wearing red lipstick, she replied that she was wearing red lipstick.

Three more witnesses delivered testimony before the court took a lunch break. During the break, the defense attorney was notified that he had come in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo told him to get a rapid test. He tested positive.

The trial was scheduled to resume on May 2.

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