Eleven homicides occurred due to domestic violence issues from April 20, 2020, to April 20, 2022, according to D.C. Witness data. This graphic explains the gender of the victims and the manner of their deaths.
Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced for Assaulting, Threatening his Girlfriend
A domestic violence defendant was sentenced to serve three years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend.
During the sentencing hearing on April 22, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said Jonathan Ashworth threatened to kill his girlfriend and pulled a knife on her in the presence of children. In February, Ashworth pleaded guilty to threatening to injure or kidnap a person and assault with a dangerous weapon.
A portion of the victim’s impact statement was read in court. In it, she stated that her children were taken away from her and she does not want that to happen to anyone else.
“On previous occasions, Jonathan had a gun even when he was on probation and that is when he threatened to kill me,” the victim wrote.
Ashworth has a history of violating court orders and came into the sentencing with a criminal history score that Judge Ryan called too high for his age. The defendant has gone through several periods of incarceration throughout his life.
Judge Ryan said Ashworth’s father was in jail for a long time while he was growing up in an impoverished part of the city.
Ashworth ended up leaving the area to go to school in North Carolina due to behavioral issues. His academic experiences suggest that he should have had an Individualized Educational Program during this time, defense attorney Bruce Cooper said.
The prosecutor requested consecutive prison sentences between 60 and 80 months for each of the defendant’s two convictions. He argued that the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence he served for a previous offense did not work for him. The prosecutor also said Ashworth has yet to show remorse, as he allegedly coerced, dominated and exerted pressure over his girlfriend in letters he wrote during the case.
Cooper said his client was on PCP on the night of the crime and has had a toxic relationship with the victim for a very long time. Since he has been in jail and being medicated, he has been polite, Cooper added while requesting a three-year sentence.
Cooper also said his client is ready to apologize to the victim today in court, but Judge Ryan denied the request, saying, “he is not talking in court to anyone while locked up”.
Ashworth plans to live with his family in North Carolina upon his release from custody.
“I need more time to start a life with my new girlfriend,” Ashworth said. “I love my kids, and I am tired of going over and over the same thing; just want to start over.”
“Your past is holding you back,” Judge Ryan told him. “I think you are worth saving, but I have to protect the victim and the community first. You have been very dangerous to the community and this girl.”
Judge Ryan sentenced Ashworth to three years for assault with a dangerous weapon and a fully-suspended two years for threatening to injure or kidnap a person. He strongly recommended the defendant receive a dual diagnosis evaluation, treatment and counseling.
“You are a very young man and you have the ability to change the course of your life,” Judge Ryan told Ashworth. “You are capable of it and you need to do it.”
Document: Police Apprehend Suspect Wanted in Reference to Deadly Shooting
A Maryland man who was wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with second-degree murder while armed has been arrested.
On the morning of Feb. 27, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 32-year-old Michael Whitehead suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 100 block of N Street, NW, according to a press release. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
On April 18, police informed the public that they have identified their suspect as 33-year-old Darrow Johnson, of Clinton, Md. Johnson was arrested on April 21.
Document: Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting at Peruvian Ambassador’s Home
A 19-year-old Maryland man has been identified as the decedent in an officer-involved shooting at the residence of the Peruvian Embassy Ambassador.
On April 20 at approximately 7:57 a.m., members of the United States Secret Service responded to the occupied residence for the report of a burglary in progress, according to a press release. There, they found multiple broken windows and the suspect, Gordon Casey, in the backyard with a metal pole. Officers ordered Casey to drop the pole and one of them fired a taser at him, but it did not work. Two officers then fired their pistols at Casey, who died from his injuries.
Document: Officer Fatally Shoots Woman Dressed in Special Police Officer Uniform
Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s internal affairs bureau are investigating an officer-involved shooting that killed a 42-year-old woman.
At approximately 5:57 a.m. on April 23, MPD officers responded to the report of a shooting on the 800 block of Crittenden Street, NW, according to a press release. They found Erica Graham inside a residence, wearing a Special Police Officer uniform and striking a handgun against a doorframe.
Graham was not a licensed Special Police Officer in Washington. Police say they later determined that Graham shot a woman, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, before officers arrived at the scene.
Officers voiced numerous commands for Graham to drop the firearm, but she did not comply. After she pointed the handgun toward the officers, one of them shot Graham, who died from her injuries.
Man Sentenced for His Role in Transgender Woman’s Murder
A defendant was sentenced for his role in the 2016 robbery turned murder of a transgender woman.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee did not mince words during the April 22 sentencing hearing, saying to Shareem Hall that unless he is locked up, “you just reign hell down on the city.”
Hall, 28, was one of four people to face murder charges in connection with the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, who was shot during the early hours of July 4, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. She died from her injuries nine days later.
Dodds was a transgender woman, part of a group of people visiting Washington, one of the prosecuting attorneys said during the sentencing. She said Dodds’ aunt could not make it to the hearing but submit a letter for the prosecutor to read. In it, she stated that the actions of the men who participated in her niece’s homicide caused the death of someone special and she hopes they learn there are consequences to their actions and one day can be better.
Hall pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Defense attorney Dorsey Jones said Hall began experiencing issues when his father died in 2013. His client does not plan to stay in the city after he finishes his prison sentence.
Hall addressed the court, saying to Judge Lee that he wants to apologize to the victim’s family and anyone who has been hurt by his actions. He hoped Judge Lee will allow him the chance to be a good role model for his children.
“I ask you for the opportunity to be great,” Hall said.
Judge Lee then gave his opinion, saying the defendant violated his probation for a 2013 burglary charge for which he was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. His conviction could have been sealed from public view had he completed the requirements imposed on him.
Judge Lee presided over the burglary case. He said Hall “wasted the chance that he was given” and will not get another pass from him.
Hall was sentenced to seven years for first-degree murder while armed, four years for conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and four years for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrent and he will receive credit for the more than five-and-a-half years he has served at DC Jail.
The sentence from the 2013 burglary case that Hall now has to serve will run consecutive to the sentences in his newer case. He will have access to drug treatment, mental health treatment and a halfway house after his sentence is complete.
Judge Lee ended the sentencing hearing by wishing the defendant luck.
Hall is the third person to be sentenced for his role in Dodds’ death. Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little were sentenced to eight years for voluntary manslaughter in December 2021.
The case against Cyheme Hall, who is indicted on 16 counts including felony murder while armed in connection with Dodds’ death, remains open.
Attorneys Will Not Test DNA Evidence Ahead of Trial for Deadly Mass Shooting
Prosecuting and defense attorneys in the case of a deadly mass shooting do not plan to test DNA evidence ahead of the two co-defendants’ upcoming trial.
The mass shooting took place on the morning of Jan. 25, 2021, outside the New 7 Market on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The shooting took the life of 22-year-old Edward Wade and injured several others.
Aaron Adgerson, 18, and Terrance Oxner, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wade’s death. The two recently rejected a plea offer and are scheduled to go on trial in November.
During the defendants’ most recent hearing on April 22, both parties relayed that they will not be testing any DNA evidence. They also discussed a motion for Adgerson’s release from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
The prosecutor opposed the motion, arguing that they do not believe the defendant was a shooter but he was still involved in a serious and premeditated crime. She also argued he’s a flight risk.
Adgerson previously escaped the Psychiatric Institute of Washington after his arrest. His attorney, Michael Madden, said the defendant was not fully detoxed at the time and left through an already open gate. Madden pointed out that his client has since had no issues at the DYRS. He is enrolled in a program to get his GED and took part in a socialization program but did not complete it. He could stay with a family member in the event of his release from custody.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said there are “not enough new circumstances” for him to consider release.
Both defendants will remain in custody as they await their next hearing, which is scheduled for June 26.
Child Sex Abuse Defendant’s Competency to Stand Trial Remains in Question
The competency of a child sex abuse defendant to stand trial remains in question after a Department of Behavioral Health doctor was unable to form an opinion based on his most recent psychological evaluation.
The defendant is charged with six counts of first-degree child sex abuse of a victim less than 12 years old. He was initially charged in April 2018 and found incompetent to stand trial the following August. In May 2020, he was released from St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington’s psychiatric institution, into the High Intensity Supervision Program for outpatient treatment. The following October, the defendant was charged with armed kidnapping and detained at DC Jail.
During his most recent hearing on April 21, the defendant was arraigned on charges of armed burglary, armed kidnapping, armed robbery and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in his more recent case.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt read the report by the doctor who was unable to form an opinion on the defendant’s competency. The doctor recommended the defendant be readmitted to St. Elizabeths for treatment of his competency issues and depression symptoms.
Defense attorneys Heather Pinkney, Bernadette Armand and Laura Rose asked for a 60 to 80 day timeframe for their client to be evaluated by a member of the DBH as well as an expert from the prosecution.
Judge Brandt was hesitant to delay this case any further. “Start advance planning,” she told the parties. “It is time to give [the defendant] the administration of justice he deserves. Sometimes we forget that there’s a person stuck in the tug of war,” she said.
Judge Brandt addressed the defendant towards the end of the hearing. “I was moved by your candor in the DBH in respect to the attorney/client relationship you have made with Ms. Pinkney,” she said. Pinkney indicated that she will remain on this case until the very end.
“You feel like you are abandoned; you are far from abandoned. I want you to know you are not alone. Pick up the phone and call your lawyers because I know they will talk to you whenever you need,” Judge Brandt told the defendant. She reassured him she was going to try to get the case moving at a faster pace.
Experts from both parties will record the evaluation. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 13 to discuss the findings.
Document: Maryland Man Arrested in February Homicide
A Maryland man has been arrested in reference to a February homicide.
At approximately 5:10 a.m. on Feb 17, officers responded to the 100 block of N Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 32-year-old Michael Whitehead, of Hyattsville, Md., suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
On April 21, 33-year-old Darrow Johnson, of Clinton, Md., was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.
Man Arrested in Domestic Violence Incident After Woman Falls Out of Apartment Building
A suspect was arrested after a woman fell out of an apartment complex on the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, shortly after 7:00 p.m. The victim reportedly had a rope tied around her legs.
Officers arrived at the scene on April 21 to find the woman suffering from significant injuries and took her to a local hospital. As of a press conference later that night, she was in critical but stable condition.
“As officers were investigating and trying to determine information, a suspect arrived on the scene. He was distraught. He provided some information that lead us to believe that he was a suspect in this case and he has since been placed under arrest,” Second District Commander Duncan Bedlion said during the press conference.
The one-and-a-half-year-old child of the victim and suspect was reported missing in relation to the incident but later found with a family member.
A firearm was recovered from the apartment building. Bedlion also confirmed there were reptiles taken from the apartment and handed over to animal control.
Defendant Accused of Murder, Arson Rejects Plea Offer
A murder defendant accused of setting a man on fire rejected a plea offer.
During the early hours of May 13, 2020, firefighters found 62-year-old Darryl Finney suffering from burns to his back, legs and arms on the 900 block of H Street, NE. He told emergency medical service providers someone threw a firebomb at him, according to court documents. Finney succumbed to his injuries two days later.
D’Aundrey Scott was arrested less than a week after the victim’s death and currently faces charges of first-degree murder, arson and assault with intent to kill. The 27-year-old defendant rejected a plea offer during his most recent hearing on April 21.
The prosecution’s offer would have allowed Scott to plead out on charges of second-degree murder, arson, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill and destruction of property.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the defendant to go on trial in August 2023.
During the proceedings, the prosecutor said she received a letter from Scott she has yet to open.
Defense attorney Roderick Thompson said he has never had this happen and spoke privately with the prosecutor about the letter. He asked Judge Lee if he could have some time to speak to his client and research the situation.
Judge Lee gave Thompson two weeks to resolve the issue. The prosecutor will have two weeks to respond from there.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on June 24.
Detective Details Homicide Investigation After Man Found Dead in Elementary School Athletic Field
A Metropolitan Police Department detective detailed the investigation into the death of a man who was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a Capitol Hill neighborhood elementary school’s athletic field during a preliminary hearing.
Aaron Wiggins, 26, was shot multiple times on the night of Oct. 6, 2021. He was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy revealed that he sustained 12 gunshot wounds to the elbow, arms, hands, legs, hip and chest.
The following December, Antonio Hawley, 19, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. His preliminary hearing began on April 20 with testimony from the lead MPD detective on the case.
Surveillance footage examined during the investigation shows Hawley and a witness walking up to the entrance of the athletic field before a game and later leaving after the shooting. Defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein pointed out how the footage shows Hawley walking into the game wearing dark-colored leggings, a black compression shirt, black and white shorts and yellow football cleats. He did not appear to be wearing any type of head covering, such as a ski mask or hoodie, or holding any type of bag.
“If someone has just committed a shooting, they would probably keep their face covered,” Sapirstein said. “You wouldn’t rip off your mask and walk off.”
The witness accompanying Hawley was wearing a sweatshirt over his head, light-colored sweatpants, white shoes and a champion bag across his chest. An eyewitness described the shooter as being somewhere from 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall with a skinny build, dark complexion and a grey and white outfit. When Sapirstein asked the detective which of the two the description sounded the most like, the detective responded, “the description doesn’t match either one of them.”
Hawley is a 6-foot-1-inch Black man with a light complexion, according to court documents.
The detective said another witness told investigators the shooter was wearing white tights and a black hoodie.
Hawley and the witness were picked up by a friend at a nearby street after the shooting. When the friend asked the two what happened, Hawley responded, “We don’t need to talk about it,” the detective said.
During an interview with police, the witness who is seen with Hawley in the surveillance footage said “Slick”, which police believe is Hawley’s nickname, “shouldn’t have done that.” The witness told the detective he tried to stop the incident but it was too late.
Sapirstein argued that this witness could have been the one responsible for Wiggins’ death. She said her client told law enforcement he would be willing to take a lie detector test.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee ruled that the case has enough evidence to go to trial. After making the ruling, he heard arguments on the possibility of Hawley’s release from DC Jail.
Sapirstein said Hawley can live with a family member and would comply with all court orders if released. The prosecutor countered by calling Hawley’s record a “repeated demonstration” of failed attempts to obey court orders and the law.
“He has no clear intention to so I would ask the court to keep him detained,” the prosecutor said.
Judge Lee decided that Hawley will remain at DC Jail, citing his multiple contacts with the courts and an active warrant in Virginia.
“He has a very concerning prior history and deciding not to appear in Virginia shows that he may be a flight risk,” Judge Lee said.
The defendant is scheduled to return to court on July 12 for a status hearing. In the meantime, prosecutors have two weeks to hand over body-worn camera footage to the defense.
Woman Sentenced for 2 Assault Charges in Domestic Violence Case
A domestic violence defendant was sentenced for swinging a knife at a police officer and her sister.
“Everyone has their struggles, it’s how you deal with them,” Anna Ebiasah said during her sentencing hearing on April 19.
Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys acknowledged the defendant’s struggles with mental illness and her need for treatment. The defendant said the mental health services she’s been receiving have been helpful and she wants to set an example for her child.
The defendant’s sister attended the hearing virtually. She said she cannot make empty promises and say what the court wants to hear, but must actively try to get better for herself and her son.
Nearly a year ago, the defendant was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. In March, she pleaded down to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of simple assault.
DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell sentenced her to nine months for the attempted assault with a dangerous weapon charge and a consecutive 180 days for the simple assault charge. The sentences were fully suspended. The defendant will spend 18 months on supervised probation.
Judge Schedules Defendants Charged in Deadly Drive-By Shooting for Trial
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial for three co-defendants charged in connection with a deadly drive-by shooting.
The three, 18-year-old Nelfy Hernandez, 20-year-old DeAndre Levy and 18-year-old Trey Prillerman, are accused of firing into a group of teenagers on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, on Aug. 10, 2020. Taijhon Wyatt, 17, was killed in the shooting. During the most recent hearing for this case on April 18, the co-defendants were scheduled for trial.
Levy’s attorneys, Jonathan Zucker and Thomas Healy, are seeking their client’s release from DC Jail pending trial on the allegation that one of the witnesses lied about the case. This witness ties the three defendants to the scene of the shooting and is also currently held at DC Jail on unrelated criminal charges. The prosecutor said they are hoping this witness will agree to testify at the upcoming trial.
Douglas Wood, Hernandez’s attorney, said the “witness lied” during the proceedings. He requested Hernandez’s release from DC Jail on a similar basis. He argued it is unlikely this witness will agree to testify, and if he does, “he is going to lie.”
Hernandez is currently on course to complete his high school diploma. He has also completed several certificates and “is not wasting his time at the Department of Corrections,” Wood said.
The defendant has cut off his GPS monitor in the past, but Woods retorted that he did not flee his home after he did so. The prosecutor said he still has other extraditable charges in Maryland. They also said they have since recovered DNA from the car allegedly used in the drive-by shooting that matches Prillerman and Hernandez.
Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to continue the detention of all three defendants, who were visibly agitated by the ruling.
The trial is scheduled to take place in June 2023.
Document: Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 68-Year-Old Man
A suspect has been arrested in reference to the fatal shooting of 68-year-old Nathaniel Martin.
At approximately 6:05 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2021, officers responded to the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they located two adult men, including Martin, with gunshot wounds nearby. Both were transported to a local hospital. Martin eventually succumbed to his injuries.
On April 18, 30-year-old William Brock was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. The case remains under investigation.