Judge Releases Murder Defendant Under Supervision Program During Preliminary Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt agreed to release a defendant from DC during the third day of a preliminary hearing over the prosecution’s objection.

Howard Fritts, 55, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Charlie Miller in the 900 block of Ninth Street NW on May 29. Miller suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and abrasions to his elbows, knees, and face to include a laceration to the forehead. Despite life-saving efforts, Miller succumbed to his injuries less than an hour after the incident.

The preliminary hearing spanned over three days and concluded with Judge Brandt making a finding of probable cause.

On July 6, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman and William Alley argued for Fritts to be released into home confinement under the high intensity supervision program.

Cadman said Fritts has reconnected with his family, and they want to help him get back on his feet.

“Thankfully he has a family to help him,” Cadman told the Court. “He has a reason to stay clean.”

Judge Brandt noted Fritts’ non-violent criminal history and released the defendant under the conditions that he wear an ankle monitor and he’s not allowed to leave the house unless there is a medical emergency or he’s meeting with his lawyers. Additionally, Fritts has been ordered to stay away from three homeless encampments.

“Mr. Fritts does not deserve to be locked up pending his date with justice,” Judge Brandt said. “When there are other defendants who do because they’re violent.”

The court also found that Fritts did not shoot the victim but acted in concert with the other unknown suspect when Fritts attempted to steal the victim’s phone.

“The evidence tends to point to another person being the shooter,” Judge Brandt said.

The MPD is conducting an ongoing investigation regarding the unknown shooter.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide on Minnesota Avenue, Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in the homicide of 30-year-old Israel Mattocks.

According to a press release, at approximately 11:44 a.m., officers located Mattocks suffering from an apparent gunshot wounds. On July 11, 21-year-old Darius Anderson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide on Atlantic Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 9 on the 100 block of Atlantic Street, SE.

At approximately 11:53 a.m., officers located an adult male and 33-year-old Amos Jones suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Jones was found dead at the scene.

Document: Arrest Made in Northeast Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on July 5 on the 700 block of Kenilworth Terrace, NE.

At approximately 1:10 a.m., 16-year-old Levoire Simmons was found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

On July 10, 33-year-old Alphonso Oliver was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Document: Decedent Identified in Northeast Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 9 on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

At approximately 2:40 a.m., officers located 23-year-old Brittany Palmer suffering from apparent stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: 17-Year-Old Killed In Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a shooting death of a minor that occurred on July 9 on the 3500 block of Hayes Street, NE.

At approximately 5:26 a.m., officers located 17-year-old Damari Deon Wright, in a vehicle, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Document: Homicide in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 9 on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

At approximately 2:40 a.m., officers located an adult female suffering from apparent stab wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to a press release, the decedent’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Murder Trial Begins for Defendant Accused of 2018 Drive-By Shooting

The trial of a man who allegedly killed one and injured three people began on July 7 with the prosecution saying the defendant was out for revenge.

Torey Stockton, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in a drive-by shooting that killed 23-year-old Jasmine Light and injured three other people on Jan. 17, 2018, on the 1500 block of U Street, SE.

In addition to first-degree murder, Stockton is also charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of obstruction of justice. His co-defendant, Kayla Thompson, is also charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly helping Stockton remove evidence.

During opening statements, the prosecution alleged that at the time of the shooting, Stockton was in the passenger seat of a silver sedan and shot into a group of people standing outside a convenience store where his associate was known to frequent.

“On Jan. 17, 2018, this defendant was out for revenge,” one of two prosecutors told the jurors. “He was there to send a message.”

The prosecution alleged that, after learning he was the only suspect for Light’s death, Stockton called his then-girlfriend, Thompson, from the DC Jail and told her to erase any incriminating photos and messages from his Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Instagram videos of Stockton waving a large handgun, threatening to keep shooting people until his gun was returned. Additional videos show the defendant bragging about this involvement in the shooting.

“After the defendant shot Jasmine Light, he was proud about it. He bragged about it.” said the prosecution, referring to Instagram posts on Stockton’s account.

Justin Okezie, one of Stockton’s defense attorneys, responded to the prosecution’s statement by telling the jurors to look at the facts of case, not just the words from social media posts.

“People in this generation go onto social media to resolve disputes. They say things they should never say,” Okezie said. “But that doesn’t mean they go commit crimes.”

Okezie then told the jurors that Stockton had an alibi and how Stockton’s family member and phone GPS data placed the defendant in Virginia at the time of the shooting.

After both parties completed their opening statements, the prosecution called three witnesses to the stand, beginning with the victim’s sister.

The sister appeared emotional as she described her relationship with her sister, which grew closer after their mother’s death more than 10-years ago. “That was my little sister,” she said. “She was my backbone.”

The first MPD officer who arrived at the crime scene recalled hearing gunshots and seeing an individual, Light, lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound on her head. The officer said he initially assumed Light was dead due to the amount of blood on the sidewalk but immediately called for an ambulance after hearing her take a breath.

After calling for the ambulance, the officer secured the scene and interviewed two witnesses who had also been shot. During cross-examination, the officer told Okezie none of the witnesses he interviewed were able to identify the shooter.

The lead technician, a forensic crime scene scientist for the Department of Forensic Science (DFS), who was responsible for collecting, documenting, and processing the evidence found at the scene, testified he collected 15 cartridge casings, six casing fragments, and a projectile found inside the convenience store for processing.

According to court documents, the target of the shooting was believed to be an associate of Stockton who had borrowed his “prized possession,” a gold Glock handgun.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the trial to resume on July 11.

Document: Second Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on July 9, on the 2500 block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to a press release, at about 5:26 pm, officers located 17-year-old Damari Deon Wright in a vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

On Aug. 9, an 18-year-old male was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

On Aug. 15, 18-year-old Kenneth Swann was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Page 1 of 8.9.22 Arrest Made in a Homicide 3500 Block of Hayes Street, Northeast

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Judge Conducts Felony Status Conference in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee oversaw a felony status conference in order to track the progress of a homicide case.

Javon Duckwilder, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Juwan Smith. The incident occured on Oct. 23 on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE when Metropolitan Police Department officials responded to a call of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound. Smith was found on the scene and immediately transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On July 8, the prosecution said it hopes to reach an indictment.

The prosecution also disclosed that firearm analysis was conducted results were sent to defense attorneys Thomas Healy and Jesse Winograd. Additionally, the prosecution noted that there is a substantial amount of surveillance footage collected from a gas station near the crime.

Although both parties requested a trial date, Judge Lee clarified that priority was given to cases with indictments.

Judge Lee said that if an indictment is found prior to the next hearing, both parties will proceed with Duckwilder’s arraignment.

Duckwilder’s next court appearance is scheduled to occur on Oct. 13.

Parties in Co-Defendant Murder Trial Deliver Closing Arguments

A co-defendant murder trial concludes with parties delivering their closing arguments before the case was handed to the jury.

Co-defendants Saquan Williams, 20, and Quincy Garvin, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, criminal street gang affiliation and conspiracy in connection to the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Carl Hardy on the 1200 block of I Street, SE, on Sept. 10, 2017.

During closing arguments on July 8, a prosecutor told jurors that the the motive behind the murder of Hardy was established.

“30 for 30. 30 rounds on behalf of 30 Glizzy,” the prosecution said.

The prosecution stated that Instagram group chat messages, Instagram live videos, music videos, and a key witnesses’ testimony all point to Williams and Garvin as the shooters. One of the witnesses, who sent in anonymous messages during the course of the investigation, identified the defendants and helped provide context to the murder.

“The time has now come to hold them responsible,” the prosecutor said. “The time has now come to hold them responsible for participating in a street gang. The time has now come to hold them responsible for shooting and murdering Carl Hardy.”

The prosecutor further asserted that Hardy was a part of the Glizzy Murder Gang with “Ant Glizzy” and the defendants, emphasizing that the gang was “thinning out their roster.”

“When you go in the back, look at the evidence,” the prosecutor said. “Don’t speculate. You will see they are guilty. No one is asking you to convict them because you don’t like them. . . Hold them accountable for killing Carl Hardy.”

Garvin’s defense attorney Steven Kirsch said that one of the prosecution’s witnesses committed perjury and that the witness was not credible. Kirsch said the witness was only trying to help the detectives because of the $25,000 reward.

Kirsch also said there is “absolutely no DNA that can be attributed to Quincy Garvin.”

“Ballistics is subjective,” he said. “There are a lot of factors. Someone else could have done the exam and come up with other results.”

Kirsch implored the jury to “use your sense of justice. Use your obligations to the U.S. Constitution. As tough as this case was and as tough as some of the evidence was; Quincy Garvin is innocent.”

Willimas’ defense attorney, Kevin Robertson, also said a key witness lied to the police and has major credibility issues. A crucial point to the closing was that there were “a lot of people holding the gun that was recovered from Mr. William’s room.”

He played a music video depicting many people holding the same type of gun that was connected to the case. He also pointed out that the guns could be props.

“Just because there was DNA on it doesn’t mean he used it,” Robertson said. “In the end there is only one decision to make, and that is not guilty.”

The prosecution argued that there was no firearms recovered from Garvin’s home, the prosecutor argued that this was “not because he didn’t have one, not because he didn’t have access. They moved the guns. That’s why they didn’t find the guns.”

After the parties completed their closing arguments, D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun gave the jury their instructions before sending them to begin deliberating.

The jury is set to begin deliberations on July 11.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Brutal Stabbing Case

During a preliminary hearing on July 8, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz found substantial probability in a murder case based on the defendant’s identification from two witnesses.

Cana Browne, 25, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing 42-year-old Ebony Morgan on May 10 on the 100 block of P Street, NE. According to court documents, members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Morgan unconscious with a stab wound to her neck. Morgan succumbed to her injury five days later.

During the proceedings on July 8, defense attorney Amy Phillips questioned the credibility of the witnesses’ identifications and argued both witnesses had incentives to falsify their testimonies. According to Phillips, Morgan’s friend did not like Browne and told a version of events tailored to her own needs. She also had a history of lying to the police.

The second witness, Phillips argued, “is explicitly trying to get benefits with the police” concerning unrelated cases. According to court documents, the witness asked the detectives if he could “get a little something to keep everything clean” and for the detectives to “squash” his warrant.

MPD detectives recovered video footage of the incident, which showed an individual following Morgan and making a striking motion immediately before Morgan fell to the ground. Both individuals were off-camera during the event, but their shadows were visible in the video.

The detectives interviewed two witnesses who identified the individual in the video as Browne. The first witness, a friend of Morgan’s, told detectives she talked to the defendant about the stabbing, to which Browne laughed and said to the effect of “she kept playing with me so I stabbed her.”

The second witness identified Browne as “Smiley.”

The prosecutor responded by pointing out Morgan’s friend was familiar with both Browne and Morgan. Although the friend acknowledged she had conflict with Browne in the past, she told the police they had reconciled and had no reason to falsify her identification.

Additionally, the prosecutor argued if the second witness was trying to fabricate information to claim benefits for himself, he could have given the police more useful information than just an identification.

The prosecutor also said the defendant made multiple false statements to the police that indicate consciousness of guilt. According to the prosecutor, Browne told MPD officers she had never been to the crime scene before and she had never been associated with the nickname “Smiley.” Both statements were determined by the police to be false upon further investigation.

Judge Leibovitz agreed with the prosecutor that the witnesses who identified Browne in the video did not have any motive to mislead the police. The individual in the video was properly identified as the defendant, especially considering “literally no other person has been identified as another suspect in this case,” she said.

The prosecutor then asked Judge Leibovitz to maintain Browne’s detention at the DC Jail, pointing out the brutal nature of the stabbing, the defendant’s lack of remorse, and prior bench warrants for missing court appearances.

Although Phillips argued Browne didn’t have a history of violent behavior, Judge Leibovitz agreed with the prosecutor that the defendant should not be released.

Browne’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 8.

Judge Decides to Release Conspiracy Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo released a defendant under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on July 8.

Brianca Phillips, 25, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Brianca and her co-defendants, Vorreze Thomas Jr and Delonte Stevenson, are all charged in connection with the January 2021 death of 31-year-old Terrance Allen.

A prior factual issue was resolved over the question of who made the phone call that brought Thomas to the location where the shooting occurred. The call was made on Phillips’ phone, but arguments arose over who exactly made the phone call. Video evidence showed Phillips handing over the phone to Stevenson.

Phillips was released under orders of GPS monitoring and stay away orders from the co-defendants and the place where the shooting took place.

Phillips will reside with a sibling who resides outside of where the incident occurred. Phillips was deemed eligible for release due to her minimal past criminal history and job history. Judge Demeo pointed out that, before the shooting, Phillips was last employed in March and had even had a job lined up as a special police officer.

On July 11, Phillips will report to pretrial services to carry out her release orders.

According to court documents, on January 18, 2021, Stevenson and Thomas were seen on surveillance cameras firing at Allen, who was in the passenger seat of a vehicle. After the shooting, Thomas and Stevenson fled the scene.

Thomas and Stevenson rejected a plea deal from the prosecution in June.

Judge Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 2.

Judge Sets Status Hearing in 1998 Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee set July 8 a status hearing to review forensic evidence stemming from a homicide that occurred in 1998.

Kenneth Bryant Jr., is charged with robbery while armed and two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed in connection to the death of 35-year-old James Lane. Bryant was arrested and indicted on the charges in October 2019.

Bryant Jr. is currently housed in FCI Bennettsville, a federal prison located in South Carolina. His sentence, which originates from a separate case, ends in May 2025.

Defense attorneys Lauren Morehouse and Ronald B. Resetarits called for a hearing to review firearm evidence in the case. Prosecutors expressed that, due to the age of the case, they are still determining which materials need to be re-tested.

Morehouse and Resetarits also expressed concern over sealed and redacted documents that are critical to the case. They requested materials from the 1998 Grand Jury investigation and documents detailing contact information of key witnesses. According to counsel, one witness said Bryant confessed to the crime.

“The key for me is that the defense gets this in a time period that adequately allows them to prepare for trial,” Judge Lee said, requesting the prosecution communicate a time period when biological materials and redacted documents would be disclosed.

If defendant was unable to physically attend the hearing, Judge Lee recommended that counsel reach out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to allow Bryant to attend virtually. “I don’t want us to get caught in a situation where we can’t get him here in a timely manner,” he said.

On Aug. 10, 1998, Metropolitan Police Department officials responded to a report of a shooting on the 200 block of S Street, NW. Officers found Lane suffering multiple gunshot wounds and was subsequently transferred by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services to a nearby hospital.

Bryant’s trial date is set for Jan. 17, 2023.

Bryant’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case

After reviewing evidence, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan has found probable cause July 5 in a homicide case.

Johnwann Elliot, 28, is charged with first degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Nikia Young. On March 15, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. When officers arrived at the scene, Young was found with multiple lethal gunshot wounds to the face and body.

Prosecutors presented multiple exhibits of evidence, including surveillance footage of the shooting, items that were obtained from Elliot’s multiple residences, and aerial maps of the crime scene marked with the suspect’s flight path.

Surveillance footage extracted from MPD crime cameras, storefront businesses, and Metrobus security cameras show the suspect boarding a bus and exiting the same bus to shoot Young. The suspect is then seen fleeing the scene.

On the day of the crime, the suspect adorned ripped blue jeans, goggles, a ski mask, a watch with a red band, and multiple chains, including a “Jesus piece” and a Black Lives Matter medallion, according to testimony from an MPD detective on the case.

When MPD officers arrested Elliot in a hotel, they found a ballistic vest, a black and red bag, and multiple chains resembling the ones the suspect wore on the day of Young’s death, the detective said.

In addition to the hotel, MPD officers tracked Elliot’s phone to a residence on the 1200 block of 18th Place. Within a bedroom in the residence, officers recovered a watch with a red band and ski goggles similar the suspect’s outfit on the day of the murder.

“There is a good deal of corroboration in this case,” prosecutors said, highlighting the unique clothing articles retrieved from Elliot’s residence, the cell phone data, and surveillance footage.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson said Elliot has never been seen entering or exiting the 18th Place residence.

A friend of Young identified the suspect as Elliot. According to the detective’s testimony, the witness overheard a conversation between Elliot and another witness, in which Elliot said, “I had to kill that b***h.”

Thompson cited multiple inconsistencies with the witness’s recollection of events, questioning the witness’s credibility.

According to multiple witnesses, the motive stemmed from an incident where Young stole Elliot’s gun while he was unconscious.

However, Thompson says the motive is based off of unsubstantiated rumors, claiming the witnesses was “parroting innuendo and rumor that has been put forth by other folks.”

Thompson argued that there was no raw data to confirm that the path of the phone is consistent with Elliot’s movements. Furthermore, he notes that prosecution originally asked for substantial probability, but midway through the hearing moved down to probable cause, which is a lower burden of proof.

Judge Raffinan concluded that prosecutors have met the burden of proof for probable cause, citing the close up security footage, multiple witnesses’ identification of Elliot, and the items retrieved in the search warrant.

The prosecution requested that Elliot be held citing his prior criminal history, including two counts of robbery and unlawful possession of an unregistered weapon with a prior conviction. Additionally, Elliot struggled with compliance in his previous cases, neglecting to charge his GPS device and to check in with pretrial services.

Thompson emphasized the fact that Elliot’s last crime of violence occurred over 10 years ago. Thompson also argued that Elliot was compliant with probation requirements, and was on track to get a job at a grocery store.

Judge Raffinan deemed that the circumstances of Elliot’s charges, along with his prior convictions, render detention the best solution for the community.

Elliot is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 13 for a felony status conference.

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