Document: October 25 Homicide

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

At approximately 8:31 p.m. 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 locatedwith 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.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an Oct. 15 homicide.

At approximately 10:50 p.m. officers responded to the 1000 Block of 17^th Street, NE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 48-year-old Dabney Graham with stab wounds and transported her to a local hospital. On Oct. 18, she succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 25, officers arrested 44-year-old Artimas Gross and charged them with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Parties in Murder Case Discuss Possible Plea Bargains

Parties discussed the possibility of resolving a murder case involving two co-defendants with plea bargains.

Aaron Adgerson, 18, and Terrance Oxner, 21, are charged with the first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Edward Wade on Jan. 25 on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

During the Oct. 26 hearing, the prosecution said they sent Adgerson a plea deal this past week, which is still being discussed between the defendant and his attorney, Michael Madden.

The prosecution then suggested the possibility of a plea bargain for Oxner. His defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said they will consider the possibility of a plea bargain once she has received all of the discovery evidence.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ordered parties to discuss possible plea deals before the next court date, which is set for Dec. 8.

Towards the end of the hearing, Madden motioned for his client’s release. Judge Demeo denied the petition, pointing out that Adgerson is facing charges in another case involving an alleged attemp t to escape from custody.

Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 25.

Eldred Watts was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Zenus Epps, who was 33-years-old when he was shot to death on March 25, 2020, on the 3500 block of A Street, SE. Police arrested Watts two days later.

The 27-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter after making an agreement with prosecutors.

According to court documents, Epps was shot in the head at close range after leaving his girlfriend’s apartment. A witness identified Watts as the shooter. At the time, Watts and the defendant’s girlfriend were involved in a dispute. Another witness described another individual who was not apprehended by police.

The plea deal also allowed Watts to resolve another open case by pleading guilty to attempted robbery while armed.

According to court documents, the plea deal includes an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence would be 10 to 13 years of incarceration.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Watts to be sentenced on Jan. 14.

Crime Alerts: October 25-26

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m on OCt. 25 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 26.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:03 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 4900 block of G Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 2:46 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3500 block of Center Street, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Document: Suspect Arrested in Relation to Homicide

An arrest has been made in relation to a September homicide.

At approximately 12:19 p.m. on Sept. 17, police responded to the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police located 57-year-old Mark Johnson with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 24, 38-year-old Dwan Lovitt was arrested in Cary, North Carolina, on an arrest warrant for second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Document: Suspect Sought in Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a second-degree sex abuse incident that occurred on Oct. 25.

At approximately 3:13 a.m. the victim was asleep in the lobby of a hotel in the 300 Block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW, when they were awakened by the suspect engaging in unwanted sexual acts with them, according to the press release. The suspect then fled the scene.

The suspect was described as a Black male in his mid 50’s. He was approximately 5 foot 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a full black and grey beard. He was wearing a black shirt and jacket with dark pants. His name was possibly “Tony,” according to the press release.

Murder Victim’s Mother Speaks at Sentencing

“My oldest son was killed on my second son’s 34th birthday,” James Eric Ferrell‘s mother said before the Chief Judge of the DC Superior Court sentenced the man convicted of his murder to 18 years in prison.

In February 2020, MacArthur Venable pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting 34-year-old Ferrell on Oct. 31, 2018, outside a metro bus on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE, after the two had a disagreement.

Ferrell’s mother called the homicide “senseless” and “heartless.”

“I feel like the system is failing us all because people do not get rehabilitated in jail,” she said. Venable has a prior criminal record which is made up of almost entirely non-violent offenses.

Ferrell was the oldest of six children. Venerable was arrested on his youngest brother’s birthday, his mother said. The defendant was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, but pleaded down to second-degree murder while armed after making a deal with prosecutors. The plea deal included an agreement that 15 to 18 years would be an appropriate sentence for this case, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the Oct. 25 hearing, defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstien said Venable has “accepted responsibility for his conduct” and is “very sorry.”

During the Oct. 25 hearing, Chief Judge Anita Josey Herring acknowledged that someone in the audience was wearing a Black Lives Matter hat. She said that someone having to wear that symbol signifies that others may not believe it. She said they do matter, yet senseless incidents like this prove troubling for ideas such as BLM.

Judge Josey-Herring acknowledged how “horrible things” in Venable’s life led to the homicide, but said the defendant should not let his trauma control his actions.

“I apologize for letting my emotions dictate me,” Venable said.

Venable’s 18-year prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. He will receive credit for time served.

Murder Case Has Enough Evidence to Go to Trial, Judge Rules

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant, 58-year-old Eric Davis, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 41-year-old Theodore Riley.

On July 19, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Riley in a rear alley on the 1600 block of Gales Street, NE, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

During the Oct. 25 hearing, an MPD detective confirmed to defense attorney Pierce Suen that the alleyway is known for drug use as well as drug transactions.

The prosecution showed a photo from surveillance footage of the crime scene to to the detective, who identified the two men seen in the photo as Davis and Riley.

During cross-examination, the detective told defense attorney Pierce Suen he watched a few minutes of the surveillance footage before the event and about a minute after the event. The detective also confirmed to Suen that law enforcement’s belief there were only two people in the alley at the time of the event is based on video surveillance.

Suen also asked the detective if he interviewed any witnesses. The detective said he only did a door-to-door canvas of the area where the shooting happened.

The defense asked Judge Milton Lee to release his client into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), but he denied the request, saying he had concerns about the defendant’s criminal record.

The next hearing is set for Feb. 18.

Judge Continues Murder Case

A DC Court Superior judge continued a homicide case involving two co-defendants.

John McRae is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Marty McMillan on March 23, 2017, on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE. He is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

McRae’s co-defendant, Shaniah Davis, is charged with accessory after the fact. Her presence in court during the Oct. 22 hearing was excused, but her lawyer, Mary Kennedy, represented her in court.

The prosecution is conducting DNA testing and expect the results by the beginning of 2022. They said they are willing to share the results with the defense. McCrae’s attorneys, Russell Hairston and Randy McDonald, said their client has agreed to the DNA testing.

Judge Kravitz set a hearing date for Jan. 28. The trial is set to begin on April 20.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Double Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a double homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Marquis Bullocks, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shootings of 31-year-old Michael Pate and 28-year-old Djuan Proctor on Sept. 18 on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

During the Oct. 25 hearing, defense attorney Anne-Marie Moore requested a preliminary hearing. Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled one for Jan. 7.

Motion Hearing Set for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a motion hearing for a sexual abuse defendant.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for allegedly brandishing a bread knife and sexually assaulting a woman in March on the 1000 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

During the Oct. 25 hearing, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey requested a hearing to discuss multiple pending motions, which Judge Milton Lee set for Nov. 9.

Judge Sentences Manslaughter Defendant to More Than 8 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a homicide defendant to more than eight years in prison.

Last July, 29-year-old Steven Arrington-Rodgers pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting 25-year-old Martez Jackson on Nov. 9, 2020, on the 1400 block of Howard Road, SE.

During the Oct. 22 hearing, Judge Milton Lee sentenced the defendant to 100 months.

One of the several members of the victim’s family who attended the sentencing said Arrington-Rodgers destroyed her family and she sometimes wishes death upon him. Jackson’s best friend also showed the court photos of her and Jackson together.

With Judge Lee’s permission, the prosecution showed surveillance footage of the shooting.

During a preliminary hearing back in April, the prosecution said surveillance footage shows Jackson robbing Arrington-Rodgers at gunpoint and fleeing the scene in Arrington-Rodgers’ car, D.C. Witness previously reported. They said Arrington-Rodgers shot Jackson as Jackson drove away.

Arrington-Rodger’s mother made a statement apologizing to Jackson’s family for her son’s actions. She said her son always longed for his absent father, but he had a good male support system. She said her son was always gifted, but energetic with impulsive behavior.

His mother said her son has a bright future ahead of him because he has an “awesome mind.” She asked Judge Lee for leniency, because she is sure her son’s actions were not intended.

Defense attorney Douglas Wood said this is an unusual case. He said Jackson and Arrington-Rodgers did not know each other and that his client had no intention of killing Jackson. Wood said they are sure Jackson intended to cause harm because he had a loaded gun with him.

The prosecution pointed out that the defendant is not allowed to carry a firearm because of his past criminal offenses. They alleged that he had an illegal gun at the time of the incident due to his drug dealing, and that he shot the victim to “protect his product.”

The prosecution requested a 104-month sentence, arguing that Arrington-Rodger’s past criminal history makes him a danger to the community.

Arrington-Rodger made a statement to the courtroom. He apologized to the victim’s mother, and said he has cried over his actions. He said it was never his intention to kill Jackson. Arrington-Rodger said the victim’s family has “gained an angel.”

The defendant said he takes full responsibility for his actions, but called the prosecution disrespectful for making him “fight for [his] life and fight for [his] freedom”. Arrington-Rodger said he feels as if he is not allowed to defend himself because he has prior felonies. He also said he knew the victim intended to kill him because the victim had a loaded gun with him.

Arrington-Rodger’s prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Crime Alerts: October 24-25

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 25.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:25 p.m. due to a shooting in the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 11:32 p.m. due to a shooting in the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 2:04 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black female wearing a white shirt and purple leggings.

A crime alert was sent out at 5:31 a.m. due to a robbery in the Unit block of Van Buren Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as three Black males with a slim build who are armed.

Document: October 24 Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an Oct. 24 traffic incident that led to a fatality.

An investigation revealed that at approximately 3:58 a.m. a Toyota Camry was traveling on the E Street Expressway. The vehicle lost control, hitting a metal guard railing then a pole. The vehicle rolled onto its roof on the railing. Upon arrival, the driver, 24-year-old Saket Kanade, was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

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