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Document: Maryland Resident Killed in Traffic Accident

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on Dec. 14.

A preliminary investigation revealed that, at approximately 7:02 p.m., an individual was driving southbound on the  900 block of Southern Avenue, SE, in a Volkswagen Jetta, according to a press release. At the same time, 47-year-old Barry Taylor was crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk. The Volkswagen’s driver struck the victim, and then immediately stopped and remained on scene.

Taylor was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Forensic Specialists Testify at Murder Trial

Two Department of Forensic Science (DFS) personnel testified during a trial for the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy. The man who tried to help the victim after he was shot also took the stand.

Tony McClam is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, on the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE.

One of DFS personnel was an evidence processing specialist responsible for analyzing the alleged murder weapon, a pistol, and the magazines related to it. During the Dec. 14 proceedings, he testified that no blood or significant DNA was found on the weapon.

The third witness took Brown to a firehouse after he was shot. Defense attorney Jason Tulley asked him why he didn’t take Brown to a hospital instead.

“I knew a lot of the firehouses because I used to train there when I was trying to get certified,” he responded. “I felt they were closer than any hospital.”

Tulley then asked if the witness did anything to help the boy while he was in the car. “I didn’t think there was anything I could do as I was driving,” he said. “My girlfriend was in the car with me but she was calling 911.” 

The witness’ 911 call was admitted as evidence. Tulley asked the witness why the phone was hung up during the 911 call. “I only hung up because we had reached the firehouse,” he said. “They knew where I was taking him and I needed to talk to the emergency services that were already there.” 

The defense also admitted video footage of the witness making a U-turn while driving with Brown in his back seat. Tulley asked the witness why he turned the car around. “The boy told me where he lived but I heard him wrong,” he said, in tears. “When I re-asked for clarification, I realized I needed to turn around because I was going the wrong way.”

Finally, Tulley asked the witness about the boy’s vitals while in the car.

“After about five minutes he went unconscious,” he said. “All I could hear was his limp body moving around in the back seat and I thought to myself he might already be dead.”

The prosecution plans to have two expert witnesses testify during the next day of the trial.

Document: Suspect Arrested in September Homicide

A suspect has been arrested in a homicide that happened on Sept. 3.

At approximately 10:49 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE, for the report of a shooting. There, they were informed that two men arrived at a local hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them, 28-year-old Kalin Louis Middleton, died of their injuries.

On Dec. 14, 28-year-old Lavelle Watts was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that took place on the morning of Dec. 14.

At approximately 6:50 am, officers responded to the Unit block of 61st Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 44-year-old Jacques Rus unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Man Pleads Guilty to Metro Station Sexual Assaults

A defendant entered guilty pleas in a series of sexual assaults at the Chinatown-Gallery Place metro station.

Morgan Olah pleaded guilty to second-degree child sex abuse, two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse and one count of misdemeanor sex abuse of a child or minor during the Dec. 14 hearing.

In July 2020, the 25-year-old made explicit comments towards three girls ages 13, 14 and 16. In response, the girls told him they were 12-years-old and 13-years-old. Olah then groped all of the victims. He went on to sexually assault a fourth adult victim, according to the proffer of facts. 

Before taking the plea deal, Olah was charged with three counts of second-degree child sex abuse. He will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life as a result of his conviction. 

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled Olah to be sentenced on Feb. 23.

Judge Denies Request to Detain Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to detain a defendant accused of sexually abusing a patient.

The 36-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sex abuse of a patient for allegedly sexually assaulting someone while giving them a massage in 2019. The defendant is a licensed massage therapist at a local massage spa. He was arrested in May 2021 in relation to this incident.

He is currently on pretrial release in this case but the prosecutor said during the Dec. 14 hearing that he has failed to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for approximately 69 to 71 percent of the time since his initial charge. A representative from the PSA appeared in the hearing and noted that he was also unable to confirm his address.

“The record is clear, he’s been noncompliant,” Judge Marisa Demeo said.

The prosecutor asked Judge Demeo to hold the defendant at DC Jail. However, defense attorney Howard McEachern said he was able to contact the defendant and requested he remains released on the condition that he begins keeping up with the PSA weekly.

Judge Demeo decided not to hold the defendant because she said he has not attempted to contact the victim and McEachern was able to provide additional phone numbers.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 18 for a preliminary hearing to determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Document: Arrest Made in Double Homicide

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a double homicide that occurred on July 25.

At around 3:58 p.m. that day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 100 Block of Q Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 22-year-old Jovan Hill Jr. and 19-year-old Tariq Riley suffering from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A third victim was found at a local hospital being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

On Dec. 13, 20-year-old Jalen Browne was arrested for two counts of first-degree murder while armed.

Mass Shooting Defendants Likely to Reject Wired Plea Offer

The lawyer for one of two men charged in connection with a mass shooting said her client is likely to reject a wired plea offer that requires both defendants’ acceptance to go into effect.

Aaron Adgerson, 17, and Terrance Oxner, 21, are both charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Edward Wade on Jan. 25. Four other adult males, including Oxner, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the drive-by shooting. Neither defendant has been indicted in this case.

Adgerson’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, said during a Dec. 13 hearing that a wired plea offer was on the table but no official decision had been made by his client, who he last talked to a week ago. The plea deal would require both defendants to plead guilty to lesser-indicted charges of second-degree murder while armed and conspiracy to murder.

If one refuses, neither can take the plea.

Oxner’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said her client would likely be rejecting the plea offer and requested a schedule for setting an indictment and trial date.

Harvey expressed frustrations with the prosecution about evidence disclosure.

“[Oxner] has been incarcerated without an indictment for six months. Six months, discovery was to be provided,” she said. “I requested at every hearing to be provided with full discovery. I think there’s discovery outstanding, I think I have less discovery than others. I’m glad to set a status date and come back but I don’t want another 30 days out and doing nothing over again.”

The prosecutor said there were outstanding pieces of evidence that are expected to be uploaded later today.

“I’m requesting the discovery that would normally be provided at the time of indictment, which may not include grand jury and witness statements,” Harvey responded. 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo encouraged parties to resolve evidentiary issues informally but told Harvey if the government failed to share evidence she should file a motion to compel the prosecution’s cooperation, and a court intervention would be in order.

The next hearing is set for Jan. 27.

Adgerson is also charged with escape for allegedly attempting to leave the Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Northwest DC, following his arrest.

Editors Note: D.C. Witness defines a mass shooting as four or more victims shot.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Sexual Assault Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 53-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in June on the 3700 block of First Street, SE.

The victim told police she approached the defendant to see if he was okay because he looked like he needed help. The defendant allegedly groped her before grabbing her arm as if he were trying to pull her down. The victim kicked him and ran away before asking a woman nearby to borrow her phone so she could call the police, according to court documents.

The defendant is currently released into the High Intensity Supervision Program. During the Dec. 13 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the preliminary hearing for Jan. 14.

Document: December 10 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Dec. 10 homicide.

At approximately 10:06 p.m. officers arrived at the  2300 block of 4th Street, NE, due to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 34-year-old Davon Childs inside of an apartment complex with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

A second victim was also located outside with gunshot wounds and taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the press release.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Man Accused of Beating 76-Year-Old to Death

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a case where the defendant is accused of beating a 76-year-old man to death has enough evidence to go to trial.

Clifton Browne is charged with second-degree murder in Luther Brooks‘ homicide. Browne, 57, allegedly beat Brooks to death on Sept. 27. 

Police responded to Brooks’ home on the 1300 block of Kalmia Road, NW, that day for the report of an injured person. Upon arrival, they found him on a stretcher being taken to the hospital by emergency medical personnel. He was said to have sustained injuries from an alleged fall down the stairs. His head was wounded and he had multiple rib fractures, according to court documents.

Brooks died on Oct. 8, one week after the Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide branch began investigating the incident due to the seriousness of his injuries.

The doctor who performed Brooks’ autopsy noted that his injuries were too severe to be caused by a fall down the stairs, according to court documents. 

Browne was arrested on Dec. 6. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the preliminary hearing for Feb. 15 during the Dec. 13 hearing.

Child Sex Abuse Defendant Indicted on 15 Charges

A child sex abuse defendant was arraigned on fifteen charges during a Dec. 13 hearing.

The 59-year-old defendant is indicted on five counts of first-degree child sex abuse, four counts of attempted first-degree child sex abuse, three counts of second-degree child sex abuse, one count of third-degree child sex abuse, one count of first-degree sex abuse and one count of kidnapping. He allegedly sexually abused his 11-year-old niece multiple times over a one-week period.

He was arrested in January after describing many instances of the alleged abuse to detectives, according to court documents. He has been detained at DC Jail ever since.

A plea offer was already rejected during the hearing. Another hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14.

Document: Arrest Made in September Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a Sept.1 homicide.

At approximately 3:21 a.m. police responded to the 800 block of 3rd Street, SE, due to a report of an individual down. Upon arrival, members located 35-year-old Carl Harris with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

On Dec. 9, officers arrested 25-year-old Antoine Johnson and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Prosecutor Gives Update on Indictment Progress in Murder Case as Defense Requests Release

A defense attorney in a murder case requested his client’s release from DC Jail, citing the facility’s conditions as well as the lack of an indictment more than 17 months after the defendant’s arrest.

Glen Dolford is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Raheem Murray. On the afternoon of Feb. 2, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 26-year-old Murray on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. Another individual was taken to the hospital in critical condition, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. A third victim also went to the hospital with gunshot wounds to the arm and buttocks, according to court documents.

The prosecutor said she hopes to indict the 28-year-old defendant by the beginning of February. She wanted to complete the process sooner, but witnesses had multiple cancellations due to COVID exposure. 

While discussing his request for Dolford’s release, defense attorney Stephen Brennwald informed DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that his client is on parole in Maryland for a weapons offense. He said Dolford could resolve the arrest warrant that was issued in that case if he is released. 

Brennwald was unsure if the warrant was issued due to the rearrest or a technical violation.

The prosecutor said she did not anticipate release arguments taking place during the Dec. 10 hearing and asked for time to file something in writing. Judge Kravitz agreed to the request and instructed Brennwald to submit a written release motion.

Parties are slated to reconvene for a felony status conference on Feb. 8.

Judge Prepared to Sentence Sex Abuse Defendant to 6 Years

A DC Superior Court judge said she is prepared to sentence a sex abuse defendant to six years of incarceration in accordance with the plea deal he took.

Bertrand Lebeau pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual abuse and unlawful entry back in August for actions that took place on Aug. 29, 2019.

At the sentencing, the victim read her impact statement aloud to the court. She called the assault “something I will deal with for the rest of my life”. She also described her experience dealing with the aftermath of the assault “as if I was grieving the loss of the person I was before that night”. 

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland then took to the stand. He described representing Lebeau as “a true privilege”. He explained how Lebeau lived a fairly untroubled life as an accomplished musician until his early 20s when he was diagnosed with a mental illness, became the victim of abuse and was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. He said that he wishes there was a system other than prison to deal with cases such as his client’s. 

According to the proffer of facts, Lebeau was looking through an apartment window and saw the victim sleeping. He entered the apartment and the victim awoke to him performing non-consensual sexual acts on her. 

Lebeau only stopped when the victim forced him off her. She asked him if she had allowed him to enter her home. He said yes but she rebutted, saying she did not. Lebeau gave the victim his phone number and left the apartment. 

Lebeau’s mother also spoke before the court during the Dec. 10 proceedings. She said that her son was a well-behaved and kind child, but the traumatic events changed his life forever. She called her son “a wonderful, loving human being ”and noted that “since being in St. Elizabeths he is so much better”.

Lebeau was deemed incompetent to stand trial in 2019 and transferred to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for treatment. He was found competent in 2020 and remains at St. Elizabeths.

Lebeau told the victim in his statement that he “prays every day” that she overcomes any obstacles he placed in her life. 

Parties asked Judge Juliet McKenna to formally accept the sentence of eight years with two suspended followed by five years of probation, which was settled in a plea offer for second-degree sex abuse. Loveland asked to hold off on imposing the sentence until early next year so that they have time to ensure Lebeau will be receiving adequate mental health treatment when he enters prison.

Judge McKenna set a date to formally accept the plea on Jan. 25.