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Second DC Superior Court Murder Trial of 2021 to Begin

The second murder trial at the DC Superior Court since the suspension of trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended is set to begin next week.

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

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to White’s home twice on March 18, 2018. Both times, White complained that she was trying to end a six-month relationship with Dean.

According to court documents, a witness said that, approximately one hour before the homicide, they received a text from Dean that read, “I feel that I am about to go to jail.” The witness said they later called Dean, who said he was angry with White for using his entire social security check-in two days and kicking him out of her apartment. 

At approximately 4:58 p.m. on March 31, 2018, White drove from her apartment on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE, to a McDonalds approximately one minute away. She walked into the building and requested assistance while holding onto her neck, which was “uncontrollably bleeding,” according to court documents. 

Six minutes later, officers arrived. Less than half an hour later, she succumbed to her injuries. 

Unaware of White’s injuries, the witness picked up Dean near White’s apartment. While in the vehicle, Dean told the witness that White hit him during an argument. He allegedly said he responded by, “stabbing the decedent up to thirty times with a screwdriver.” 

According to court documents, the doctor who performed the autopsy determined that White had two puncture wounds: one penetrating the left side of her neck and another penetrating the left side of her chest.

Dean was arrested on April 5, 2018, and charged with first-degree murder while armed, premediated. He was offered a plea deal later that year but it was rejected.

He previously had a trial scheduled for early 2020, but it was postponed. 

Jury selection for Dean’s trial is now set to begin on Oct. 18. The prosecution expects to have five expert witnesses and four to six law enforcement witnesses. 

Parties expect the trial to last two weeks. 

Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

A defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal shooting from earlier this year. 

NeQuan Carthens, who is also known as MeQuan Carthens, was initially charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Lagioria Brinkley on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE, on March 20. Brinkley, 37, died of a gunshot wound to the head, D.C. Witness previously reported. 

During the Oct. 15 hearing, the 20-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter.

According to court documents, Carthens’ plea deal includes an agreement between parties on a recommended sentence of ten years of incarceration followed by five years of supervised release.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson scheduled Carthens to be sentenced on Jan. 7.

Parties in Murder Case Debate Protective Order

A DC Superior Court judge ordered parties in a murder case to resolve their disagreements over a protective order on Oct. 14.

Tony McClam is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 11-year-old Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, on the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE. McClam, 31, is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Parties have been unable to come to an agreement over a protective order issued for Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage from a police officer. The protective order prohibits the footage from being shown to witnesses. The defense has argued that this infringes on McClam’s Sixth Amendment rights to participate in his defense and have effective counsel.

“The government has routinely, by the way of form, stock motions, requested, and been granted, overly restrictive and unconstitutional protective orders in D.C. Superior Court,” co-counsel Aubrey Dillon stated in a defense motion to vacate the protective order governing BWC materials. “The fact of the matter is that protective orders are not and should not be the norm.”

“I can’t believe that you can’t work this out,” said Judge Neal Kravitz. But the prosecution said it is unlikely they will be able to come to an agreement. 

“I don’t have a feeling that you have exhausted your efforts to work this out… I’m going to ask that you talk to each other,” Judge Kravitz said. 

McClam is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 5. His trial is set to begin on Nov. 29.

Judge Denies Request to Release Sex Abuse Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee denied an oral motion to release a sex abuse defendant from DC Jail on Oct. 14. 

The defendant is charged with third-degree sex abuse, assault with intent to commit any other offense, simple assault and misdemeanor sex abuse. On Aug. 7, the defendant allegedly attempted to sexually assault two women on the 1700 Block of Newton Street, NW.

The prosecution said they will extend a pre-indictment plea offer. 

Judge Lee scheduled the defendant to return to court on Oct. 20.

Judge Holds Three Homicide Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held three homicide defendants during presentments on Oct. 14.

A total of 35 defendants were brought before Judge Heidi Herrmann.

Kamar Queen, 24, and Erwin Duboise, 27, are both charged with first-degree murder in connection with a mass shooting that injured three and killed three others.

At approximately 7:33 p.m., police responded to the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW, according to a Metropolitan Police Department press release. On arrival, found found multiple gunshot victims. Three victims were pronounced dead on scene. Three other victims were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The three deceased victims were identified as 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 34-year-old Keenan Braxton and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.

Judge Herrmann held both defendants and scheduled them to return to court on Oct. 25.

Marcha Johnson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 20-year-old Rufus Davis on the Unit Block of O Street, NW, on Oct. 6.

Johnson, 43, was held and is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 26.

Three domestic violence defendants were also brought before Judge Herrmann. Their charges include simple assault and attempted threats to od bodily harm. All three were released and scheduled to return to court on Jan 6.

Crime Alerts: October 14-15

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 14 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 15.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:33 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 500 block of D Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with a medium build, dark clothing and wearing a white mask.

Document: October 14 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an Oct. 14 homicide.

At approximately 4:18 p.m. police responded to the 2000 block of Savannah Place, SE, due to a report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, police located 18-year-old Noel Prince Nicol and pronounced them dead on scene, according to the press release.

DC Sees Decrease in Homicides in September

Eighteen homicides occurred in DC during the month of September, with the youngest victim being 17 years old.

The teenager, Brian Villataro, was among three killed on the deadliest day in regards to homicides in DC in September.

At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Sept. 18, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting victim, according to a press release. There, officers found Villataro suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Two others were killed that day in a separate incident on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. Upon arriving on scene, police located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. After taking him to a local hospital, they located a second victim already at the hospital, according to another press release.

The victims have been identified as 31-year-old Michale Pate and 28-year-old Djuan Proctor.

No arrests have been made in relation to these homicides, according to D.C. Witness data.

September is the first month in 2021 to have all homicides result from shootings. Approximately 142 out of 175, or 82% of homicides in D.C. in 2021 were shootings, according to D.C. Witness data.

September saw a 10 percent decrease in homicides with 18 compared to 23 in August. Despite this, Ward 4 saw an increase in homicides, with one in August and six in September. All other wards saw a decrease in homicides.

September 2021 Homicide Data Visualization by Dhymond Revan

Document: Arrest Made in Mass Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a Sept. 4 mass shooting that killed three people.

At approximately 7:33 p.m. police responded to the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW. On arrival, MPD found multiple gunshot victims. According to the press release, three victims were found dead on arrival, and three other victims were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The three deceased victims were identified as Donnetta Dyson, 31, Keenan Braxton, 24, and Johnny Joyner, 37, according to the press release.

On Oct. 13, officers arrested 27-year-old Erwin Dubose, Jr., and 24-year-old Kamar Queen. They were charged with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

The case is still under active investigation. According to the press release, MPD currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 per victim for information leading to an arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for a homicide in D.C.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Defendants Charged in Child’s Death

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the case against a couple accused of causing their child’s death has enough evidence to go to trial.

Co-defendants Antonio Turner, 29, and Ta’jenna Eason, 32, are charged with first-degree cruelty to children and felony murder in connection with the death of their two-year-old son, Gabriel Eason, on April 1, 2020.  

Both defendants are released. During the Oct. 13 hearing, Judge Milton Lee continued the stay away order that prevents the two from interacting with minors.

Judge Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Nov. 22.

Judge Holds Off Ruling on Murder Defendant’s Release Request

A DC Superior Court judge held off ruling on a request to release a murder defendant from DC Jail. 

Lewkus Turner, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his cousin, 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi, on the 1700 block of 29th Street, SE, on Dec. 11, 2020. 

Defense attorney Jon Norris has motioned for his client’s release from DC Jail based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Oct. 13 hearing, Norris argued that being in jail poses a significant health risk to Turner, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19. When asked why his client is not vaccinated, Norris said his doctors advised against it. 

Judge Neal Kravitz decided to defer his ruling on the request, saying he needs more information about Turner’s health before making a decision. Norris said he would file a renewed motion and submit the appropriate information. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 12.

Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend Scheduled for Trial

A defendant accused of murdering his girlfriend, who went missing in July 2020 and has yet to be found, was scheduled to go before a jury in September. 

Darnell Sterling, 56, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 34-year-old Olga Ooro, who went missing on July 18, 2020. 

On that day, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers found Ooro’s child in Northwest, DC, unable to find his mother. The MPD’s Youth and Family Services Division initiated an investigation, but the homicide branch assumed investigative responsibility for the case due to the suspicious nature of her disappearance.

During the Oct. 14 hearing, the prosecution said they offered a plea deal that would be conditional on Sterling identifying Ooro’s location with standard protections in place. 

The defense, however, requested a jury trial date, which DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz set for Sept. 12. 

The trial is estimated to last a total of two-and-a-half weeks.

Sterling is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8 for a status hearing.

Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant during presentments.

A total of 19 defendants appeared before Judge Heidi Herrmann.

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault was held. He was scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on Oct. 27.

A defendant charged with simple assault and misdemeanor sex abuse was released with stay away orders.

A domestic violence defendant was also released. He is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000.

Both released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Jan 5.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have arrested a suspect in relation to an Oct. 6 homicide.

At approximately 8:21 p.m. police responded to the Unit Block of O Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located 20-year-old Rufus Davis with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

On OCt. 13, officers arrested 43-year-old Marcha Johnson and charged him with second-degree murder while armed according to the press release.