Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a homicide that occurred on Oct. 22.

At approximately 9:37 a.m. police responded to the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 21-year-old Michael Phillip Johnson with stab wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 27, officers arrested 51-year-old Warren Tyson and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Sex Abuse Case Dismissed

A DC Superior Court judge granted the prosecution’s motion to dismiss a sex abuse case.

The 22-year-old defendant was charged with first-degree sex abuse on Aug. 19. He was accused of brandishing a handgun and forcing a women to perform oral sex on him in a Northwest, DC, hotel room on Aug. 17.

During the Oct. 27 hearing, the prosecution said they were unable to make contact with the victim or any witnesses.

Judge Milton Lee ordered the defendant’s release from DC Jail in this case.

Judge Disqualifies Public Defender Service from Representing Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge disqualified the Public Defender Service (PDS) from representing a defendant in a reopened murder case.

In 2017, Eugene Burns was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the shooting of Onyekachi Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE, on Nov. 14, 2015. He was sentenced to 31 years in prison.

Following an appeal, Burns’ case was reopened in March 2020. He is now awaiting a new trial.

During the Oct. 27 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna found that an affidavit filed in support of Burns’ release contained fraudulent statements. Judge McKenna said there is no evidence that the Public Defenders Service (PDS) was aware of the fraudulence.

Judge McKenna will appoint Burns new representation.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 16.

Judge Schedules Non-Jury Trial for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a non-jury trial for a sex abuse case.

In 2019, the defendant was convicted of multiple counts of second-degree child sex abuse. He was sentenced to a total of 15 years.

The defendant currently has two misdemeanor sex abuse charges pending against him.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the non-jury trial for the misdemeanor charges to begin on Nov. 29. The trial is expected to last two days.

The prosecution is seeking to have the defendant’s previous crimes disclosed as evidence during the trial, but defense attorney David Richter is opposed to this. A motion hearing to discuss the matter is set for Nov. 18.

Judge Continues Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 27 felony status conference for a murder case.

Jacobi Williams, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 38-year-old Phillip Roache on Sept. 17, 2020, on the 7000 block of Blair Road, NW.

The prosecution requested the continuance so they could have more time to work on indicting the case.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled parties to reconvene on Dec. 17.

Plea Negotiations in Murder Case Ongoing, Parties Report

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 26 felony status conference for three murder defendants.

Co-defendants Malik Bynum, 21, Larry White Jr., 20, and Mark Fletcher III, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the July 2 shooting of 21-year-old Rosendo Miller on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Parties said they were in the process of plea negotiations and asked Judge Neal Kravitz to continue the hearing.

Judge Kravitz scheduled parties to reconvene on Nov. 11.

Four Witnesses Testify During Murder Trial

Four witnesses testified during the second day of a murder trial at the DC Superior Court.

Robert Dean, 63, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White with a screwdriver on March 31, 2018.

According to court documents, at approximately 4:58 p.m., the victim was driving in Northeast, DC, when she pulled into a McDonald’s parking lot on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NE, and entered the lobby, seeking help for her injuries while holding her neck. She was pronounced dead approximately 30 minutes later.

During the Oct. 26 proceedings, a long-time friend of Dean’s testified that he received a text from the defendant that read, “I feel that I am about to go to jail.” The witness then spoke to Dean on the phone and told him he would pick him up in a few hours. When the witness picked Dean up, the defendant said he had stabbed a woman after she had hit him in the face, he said.

A married couple who lived nearby Dean also took the witness stand. After his friend dropped him back off, Dean went to the couple’s apartment and stayed the night there. Dean also allegedly told the couple that he had stabbed a woman after she hit him in the face. The witnesses said Dean claimed to have followed the woman to her car to ask for money that she owed him. When he confronted her, she allegedly reached into her vehicle and struck him with an object.

During cross-examination, the witnesses confirmed to defense attorneys Jonathan Armstrong and Anthony Matthews that they believe Dean approached the victim with the sole intent of discussing the money she owed him.

The prosecution also brought in an expert witness to examine cell phone evidence. The forensic scientist explained how data was retrieved from the defendant’s phone to verify the authenticity of text and phone records.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo is presiding over the trial. Proceedings are set to resume on Oct. 27.

Crime Alerts: October 26-27

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 27.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:30 p.m. due to a shooting in the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect (s).

Document: Arrests Made in Two Homicides

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made arrests in relation to two different homicides on Oct. 26.

At approximately 3:23 p.m. on Oct. 8, officers responded to the 3900 Block of South Capitol Street, SW, due to the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located 33-year-old Lester Mangum inside of an establishment with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On October 26, officers arrested 20-year-old Kavell Miller and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

At approximately 8:31 p.m. on Oct. 25, officers responded to the 4900 block of G Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police located an adult female with gunshot wounds inside an apartment building. A second adult male victim was also located with gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

The adult female, 47-year-old Dametrics Evans, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the press release.

On Oct. 26, officers arrested 21-year-old Shaun Tyree Brown and charged him with first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an Oct. 25 homicide.

At approximately 10:28 p.m. officers responded to the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located 26-year-old Aaron Langford with stab wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

That same day, officers arrested 30-year-old Charles Haythe and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release. Later investigation showed the homicide was domestic in nature.

Document: Oct. 25 Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Oct. 25.

An investigation revealed that at approximately 12:09 p.m. a Metro Transit bus was in the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE, approaching Southview Drive when it was hit by a motorcycle. The impact caused the driver of the motorcycle, 30-year-old Ronnie Lyons, to be ejected, according to the press release.

Lyons was taken to a nearby hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries, according to the press release. The driver of the Metro Transit bus was also transported to a local hospital due to non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported, according to the press release.

Parties Deliver Opening Arguments in Murder Trial

A DC Superior Court judge swore in 14 jurors for a murder trial and parties gave their opening statements.

The defendant, 63-year-old Robert Dean Jr., is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White in the neck with a screwdriver on March 31, 2018, on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE.

During opening arguments, defense attorney Anthony Matthews argued that his client only used lethal force in defense of his own life.

Matthews raised two key points during his opening statement. He said that autopsy reports showed White was under the influence of the drug PCP during the incident and that the DNA swabs of the alleged murder weapon suggest it belonged to the victim.

The prosecution admitted White’s clothes into evidence to showcase the location of the stab wound. They also showed a video recording recovered from cameras at the crime scene.

The prosecution called three people to the witness stand. One of White’s relatives was asked to describe the victim’s personality. An eye witness was brought in to clarify the events that took place in the videotape that was admitted.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) firearms specialist also testified, as he and his partner were the first officers to arrive at the crime scene. The officer’s Body Worn Camera footage was also admitted as evidence.

Two jurors were excused: one because of COVID-19 related health concerns and another because of family issues.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Oct. 26.

Document: Arrest Made in August Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an August homicide.

At approximately 12:58 p.m. police reported to the 3700 block of First Street, SE, due to a report of gunshot sounds. Police located an adult male victim with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle. The victim, 43-year-old Anthony Mitchell, was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 26, officers arrested 39-year-old Brian Foster and charged him with first-degree murder while armed. according to the press release.

Judge Schedules Status Hearing for Reopened Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge set a status hearing for a reopened murder case.

In 2014, a jury found Arik Sims guilty of first-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and misdemeanor carrying a pistol in connection with the shooting of 29-year-old Lamar Fonville on Sept. 20, 2012, on the 4700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Following an appeal, the case was reopened in September 2019. The defendant is now awaiting a trial date.

During the Oct. 26 hearing, the defense made a request for Sims’ release, which was promptly denied by Judge Dayna Dayson.

The prosecution requested a continuance so they can have time to finish going over issues regarding discovery evidence with the defense.

Judge Dayson scheduled parties to reconvene on Nov. 19.

Document: October 26 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 26.

At approximately 2:08 a.m. police responded to the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located 40-year-old Keon Bonner in an alley with stab wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

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