Defendant Indicted on Murder, Firearms Charges

A defendant was indicted on four counts for his alleged role in a deadly Brightwood shooting nearly a year and a half ago.

On the afternoon of Oct. 1, 2020, 42-year-old Arthur Daniels IV was found in the front yard of a residence on the 6200 block of 8th Street, NW, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Less than three months after his death, Deon Walters was arrested and charged with murder.

Walters, 18, went on to be indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He was arraigned on March 2 and pleaded not guilty.

During that hearing, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said they are ready for trial. Still, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to schedule one at a later date.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for March 24.

Document: Two Men Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Tennessee Man

Two men were arrested in connection with a Congress Heights homicide.

At approximately 7:19 am on June 14, police officers responded to a shooting on the 1300 block of Congress Street in Southeast, DC. There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them, 21-year-old Albert Smith, of Grand Junction, Tn., succumbed to his injuries, according to a press release.

On March 2, pursuant to DC Superior Court arrest warrants, 32-year-old John Wilkins and 34-year-old Marcel Gavin were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Parties Relay Obstacles in Preparing Murder Case for Trial

Parties discussed multiple obstacles they encountered in a murder case that was set to go to trial in March.

Chad Hawthorne is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett to death on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on May 22, 2017. The 41-year-old defendant is indicted on charges of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Jury selection for Hawthorne’s trial was set to begin on March 2, but during a Feb. 28 hearing, the prosecution said they encountered issues with witnesses and ballistic evidence that may hold them back from being ready for trial.

The prosecutor said they received something by mail regarding ballistic evidence from the defense counsel’s expert but couldn’t articulate the contents and were unable to test it again with their preferred experts.

“The man knows what he’s doing,” said defense attorney Steven Keirsh of this expert, who he said he has been working with for a long time.

Towards the end of the hearing, defense counsel brought in multiple witnesses to be formally told they have a legal obligation to testify in trial. Judge Marisa Demeo explained to these witnesses what a subpoena is and their responsibilities in the trial.

Judge Demeo filed a material witness warrant for two witnesses who failed to appear after being reminded and contacted to attend. One officer who is supposed to testify in the trial also failed to show up but no warrant was issued.

The trial is no longer scheduled for its previously intended date. A trial readiness hearing is set for March 4.

The prosecutor requested that the defense be precluded from alluding in the trial that there may have been more than one shooter. Judge Demeo denied this request.

Judge Reduces Pretrial Supervision Requirements for Man Accused of Killing One-Year-Old Child

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to lessen the pretrial release conditions imposed on a man accused of killing his partner’s one-year-old child.

On May 16, 2018, emergency personnel responded to an apartment on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE, following a 911 call reporting an unconscious child. First responders found the child, Carter Sanders, and rushed him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head, according to court documents.

Brian Wooden is charged with felony murder and cruelty to children. The 32-year-old defendant has been released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) since July 2019. During his most recent hearing on March 1, defense attorney Marnitta King asked for him to be removed from HISP.

The prosecutor objected to this, though Judge Rainey Brandt ultimately granted King’s request. Wooden must call the Pretrial Services Agency once a week and abide by a stay away order for all children less than 18-years-old, with the expectation of his own children.

“This does not mean out of sight out of mind,” Judge Brandt warned the defendant. “If I get as much as one violation, I will send you straight to jail. You get one shot. That’s it.”

Wooden is scheduled to go on trial in April 2023. King mentioned she has an expert witness coming from California to prepare before the trial.

The next hearing for this case is scheduled for June 2.

Murder Defendant Waves Right to Independent DNA Testing ahead of Trial

A murder defendant waived his right to independently test DNA evidence ahead of his trial.

Jordan Marquette allegedly stabbed 48-year-old Ivan Lynch in the chest and back on March 1, 2018, on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 28-year-old defendant was arrested that same day and has since been indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, threat to kidnap or injure a person, carrying a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is scheduled to go to trial later this month.

DC defendants accused of violent crimes have a right to independently test DNA evidence obtained during the investigation, which in Marquette’s case includes swabs of blood from the kitchen floor of the crime scene, four cell phones, Marquette’s clothing and a metro card, according to the prosecution.

During a Feb. 28 hearing, the defense confirmed they won’t be testing any of the material.

As the trial date nears, defense attorney Elliot Queen adopted a motion to suppress evidence that was filed by previous counsel in July 2019, which is expected to be addressed during a motion hearing on March 11.

The prosecutor also made a request for an American Sign Language translator for one of the expert witnesses taking the stand during that hearing.

Judge Issues Writ for Sex Abuse Defendant’s Presence After Prosecutors File Five-Count Indictment

After a sex abuse defendant was indicted on five charges, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun issued a writ for the defendant to appear in court for his arraignment, as he is currently incarcerated in Maryland.

On Feb. 25, prosecutors indicted the defendant on one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, three counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor with aggravating circumstances and one count of attempted second-degree sexual abuse of a minor with aggravating circumstances.

The arraignment was planned for March 1, but the defendant could not attend due to his detention. He had been released on his personal recognizance in this case.

Defense attorney Bernadette Armand pointed out that her client cannot flee and argued it would be inhumane to bring him to the DC Jail simply for his arraignment given the issues with the facility’s conditions of confinement.

Prosecutors informed the court that a plea offer extended two years ago is still on the table for the defendant’s consideration. Armand wanted a renewed plea deal, but prosecutors say that they will not offer a new plea deal until the defendant is present in court to accept or decline the current one.

The arraignment is now scheduled for May 11.

Sexual Assault Defendant Scheduled for Trial After Rejecting Plea Offer

A sexual abuse defendant rejected a prosecutor’s plea offer and is now scheduled to go to trial next year.

The 33-year-old defendant is accused of attacking a woman who was walking through a trail near Rock Creek Park on her way to church in May 2021. He was arrested that same day and now faces charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse. Last November, the defendant was released into home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 1, the defendant rejected the prosecution’s offer to plead guilty to one count of third-degree sexual abuse. His trial is set to take place in January 2023.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt lifted the defendant’s home confinement order due to his employment status, requiring him to abide by a curfew instead.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 23.

Global Plea Offer in the Works for Murder Defendant

A prosecutor informed a DC Superior Court judge they are in the process of extending a plea offer to a murder defendant.

On December 3, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a report of a traffic accident. Upon arrival, they found 25-year-old Devonte Wilson inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Wilson succumbed to his injuries the next day and Mohamed Goodwin was arrested later that month. Goodwin, 33, was under the supervision on the Pretrial Services Agency at the time of his arrest.

During the most recent hearing for this case on Feb. 28, the court was informed that Goodwin may be accepting a global plea deal that would encompass this case as well as another one involving a firearm possession charge.

Defense attorney Lee Smith asked for a two to three-week continuance as they await the prosecution’s plea deal offer. Judge Milton Lee scheduled parties to reconvene on March 23.

Document: Arrest Made in December 2021 Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest in relation to a homicide that occurred on Dec. 15, 2021.

At approximately 6:50 a.m. officers responded to the Unit block of 61^st Street, NE, in response to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 44-year-old Jacques Russ with a gunshot wound. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On March 1, officers arrested 21-year-old Terrell Morgan and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Orders Parties To Resolve Disagreements After Rescheduling Manslaughter Defendant’s Sentencing

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a homicide defendant’s sentencing due to parties having disagreements over certain specifics of the sentence.

In February 2019, Terica Younger pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 43-year-old Talata Williams in a motor vehicle collision on the 2400 block of Good Hope Road, SE, during the early hours of Sept. 17, 2017. Younger’s blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit at the time of the crash, D.C. Witness previously reported. She also reportedly tested positive for fentanyl, a narcotic.

Judge Milton Lee said there was a misinterpretation between the defense and the prosecution within the terms of the sentencing agreement and that the sentencing set for Feb. 28 had to be rescheduled.

Parties need to verify if both supervised release and probation would be the accurate sentencing or reasoning should be shown why the defendant could not be on both at the same time.

Younger is now scheduled to be sentenced on March 28.

Plea Offer Extended to Sex Abuse Defendant

A sex abuse defendant was extended a plea offer approximately four months after the alleged crime.

The 31-year-old defendant is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting his girlfriend in November 2021. He also allegedly pulled a knife on her and threatened to “end both of them right there,” according to court documents. He faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree sex abuse.

On Feb. 25, the prosecutor said they already offered a plea deal for the defense’s consideration. The defendant recently replaced his lawyer.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 18.

Acquitted: Murder Defendant Arraigned, Scheduled for Trial

Editor’s note: On May 30, 2024 a jury acquitted Devonte Brothers of all charges connected to the homicide of Deron Leake. Brothers is still being held on homicide charges in another case.

A DC Superior Court judge arraigned a murder defendant on multiple charges and scheduled him for trial.

Deron Leake was 27-years-old when he was shot to death on Oct. 17, 2019. Following a reported altercation between multiple people that evening, 26-year-old Davonte Brothers allegedly received a handgun from another individual before firing multiple shots, killing Leake and injuring his friend. Brothers was arrested nearly a year later.

The prosecution has since returned an indictment and on Feb. 25 the defendant was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

During that hearing, Judge Milton Lee scheduled a trial to begin in November 2023.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on May 13.

Man Charged in 11-Year-Old Davon McNeal’s Death Pleads Guilty

One of the four men charged in the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Davon McNeal pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed with aggravating circumstances.

Nearly two years ago, McNeal was shot in the head during a July Fourth celebration on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE. Police did not believe him to be the intended target, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Four suspects were arrested in connection with McNeal’s death: Daryle Bond, Marcel Gordon, Christen Wingfield and Carlo General. They were all initially charged with first-degree murder while armed but a DC Superior Court judge ruled that their cases only have enough evidence to go to trial on charges of second-degree murder while armed.

On Feb. 28, 21-year-old General pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed with aggravating circumstances. As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to recommend a prison sentence from 13 to 16 years.

General is the last of the four defendants to be convicted. Bond, 20, Gordon, 26, and Wingfield, 24, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Feb. 18. As part of their plea deal, parties agreed to recommend a seven-and-a-half to nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Bond, a 10-year prison sentence for Gordon and a nine-and-a-half-year sentence for Wingfield, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

All four men will be sentenced on June 3.

Murder Defendant’s Plea Offer to Expire by New Preliminary Hearing Date

A DC Superior Court judge postponed a preliminary hearing for a murder case as the defense considers a plea offer.

Christian Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the deadly shooting of 25-year-old Lavonte McCloud on Nov. 25, 2021, on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. The 31-year-old defendant is currently being held at DC Jail.

When parties met on Feb. 25, defense attorney Bruce Johnson Jr. asked for a postponement because he needed more time to review the plea offer, which was set to expire at the start of the preliminary hearing.

Johnson later showed up to the hearing remotely, which Judge Robert Okun said would not work for these types of proceedings.

The preliminary hearing, which will determine if Johnson’s case has enough evidence to go to trial, is now scheduled for April 1.

Document: February 27 Homicide Victim Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department announced a homicide occurred on Feb. 27.

At approximately 5:10 a.m. officers responded to the 100 block of N Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 32-year-old Michael Whitehead with gunshot wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, according to the press release.

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