Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in Southwest, DC.
At approximately 8:33 p.m., officers responded to the 4100 Block of South Capitol Terrace, SW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 20-year-old Jacky Brooks of Hyattsville, Md., inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case only has enough evidence to go to trial on a lesser charge than what prosecutors initially filed after the defense attorney argued his client acted in self-defense.
Nathan Hunter was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 44-year-old Ronald McKnight in the head in a hostel bathroom on the 1600 block of 7th Street, NW, on April, 18, 2021. The defendant alleged that McKnight “bum-rushed” him in the bathroom.
Hunter, 40, allegedly fled the scene, going to his friend’s apartment and leaving McKnight in the bathroom. He later went to the police to discuss the incident.
The preliminary hearing spanned March 15 and 16. Prosecutors called the lead detective on the case to the witness stand to testify about his investigation. He said Hunter and McKnight were in the hostel bathroom together for more than 30 minutes.
During his conversation with law enforcement, Hunter’s hands were swollen and his thumb had been damaged. He eventually requested a lawyer.
The detective explained that from his many years as a detective and police officer, he believed that McKnight’s wounds were defensive. Defense attorney Frances D’Antuono pushed back on this statement, questioning his expertise in the matter. The detective acknowledged he was not part of the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner.
D’Antuono then called an expert in forensic pathology who has performed many autopsies to the witness stand. The doctor explained that there is a reference scale to give the range of PCP concentration, being 20 Nanograms per Milliliter to 240 Ng/Ml. According to a toxicology report, McKnight had 190 Ng/Ml of PCP in his bloodstream.
PCP is a dissociative hallucinogenic drug. During cross-examination, the prosecution asked the doctor if everyone’s reaction to PCP was the same. The doctor responded that it was not; however, the most common symptoms were aggravation, panicking or paranoia and sometimes violence. The prosecutor pushed harder on this asking if everyone’s experience would be different.
The doctor replied, yes.
D’Antuono noted past offenses McKnight allegedly committed, both of which are believed to have involved PCP. One offense was for a burglary while the other was for the defendant allegedly causing a nuisance in front of a 7-11. One of these cases was sent to a mental health court and the other was closed due to McKnight’s passing.
The final witness to testify was a private investigator hired by D’Antuono. He said he searched the crime scene and did not find any gun paraphernalia in the bag Hunter left behind.
The defense argued that the evidence indicates McKnight followed Hunter into the hostel, and then into the bathroom. At some point, a gun was pulled and a fight broke out, leading to the deadly shooting. D’Antuono argued that probable cause could not be found for second-degree murder or manslaughter.
The prosecutor countered that they were not seeking a finding of substantial probability, a higher standard than probable cause, but there was ample evidence to support a probable cause finding for the charge of second-degree murder. He argued the evidence only shows that two men had a fight in the bathroom and now one of them is dead.
The prosecutor said they cannot know for sure who had the gun first. He also alleged that Hunter failed to abide by the duty to retreat law that exists in Washington.
For the charge of second-degree murder while armed, Judge Robert Okun said that “while it was very, very close” he could find no probable cause. He instead found probable cause for voluntary manslaughter while armed.
Although D’Antuono requested his client’s release, the prosecutor countered saying that for a charge like this there is ample reason for Hunter to remain detained. Judge Okun decided to keep him at DC Jail for the time being.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for trial dates has been tolled. With that tolling order nearing its end, Judge Okun set an Aug. 4 trial date.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on April 20.
A DC Superior Court judge ruled that the case against a domestic violence defendant charged with assault with intent to kill while armed has enough evidence to go to trial.
The defendant is accused of stabbing his father inside the family home after an argument about money. During a March 17 preliminary hearing, Judge Robert Okun made a finding of probable cause.
“I don’t think it’s particularly close,” he said.
The prosecutor called a Metropolitan Police Department detective who assessed the crime scene to the witness stand. A certified Spanish interpreter, she interviewed several family members.
Witnesses told her the alleged altercation started when the victim refused to give the defendant money.
The detective said she thought the defendant took $40, though she was not sure. Still, she was confident that whatever sum the family members mentioned was found on the defendant when he was apprehended.
“It’s clear the defendant, in anger, decided to stab his father over $40,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor presented two pictures. The first showed cuts on the hand of a family member who was making breakfast when the alleged stabbing happened. She is partially blind but tried to stop the altercation, the detective said. One witness restrained the defendant and another called emergency services.
The second picture showed the victim’s injuries. The detective said her colleagues had to hold his intestines together.
“The picture was pretty gruesome,” Judge Okun said.
Defense attorney Julie Swaney argued that the circumstances of the incident may be “explored further” to consider factors such as self-defense and mental health. The detective testified earlier that family members had concerns about the defendant’s mental health.
The defendant was also charged in a misdemeanor domestic violence case about one month ago.
Swaney asked Judge Okun to consider allowing the defendant to move into temporary housing in the future. She had reached out to different places but has not found a space for him yet.
Judge Okun was not convinced. He ordered that the defendant remain held at DC Jail.
The next hearing is scheduled for April 19.
A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in the case against a domestic violence defendant accused of shooting her girlfriend.
The victim was shot in Benning Ridge in December 2021. Responding officers found her wounded in a black BMW. The defendant was arrested in Virginia a little less than a month after the incident. The prosecution alleges that she shot the victim while the two were in the vehicle.
During a March 14 preliminary hearing, an officer explained what he saw at the crime scene. He interviewed the victim and had a search warrant for the BMW, which he said was found six to 10 blocks away from the scene of the shooting. Shell casings were also found in it.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder. When officers questioned her, she did not answer because she was in shock. She gave a statement after she arrived at the hospital.
In her statement, the victim alleged that the defendant tossed the gun into a fence after shooting her. Officers were unable to find a weapon.
The prosecutor argued there was more than enough evidence to establish probable cause. They alleged she stayed outside the jurisdiction to avoid arrest and mentioned she has two gun charges on her record.
After finding probable cause, Judge Lloyd Nolan ruled that the defendant will remain in custody awaiting trial. He cited her criminal history and lack of cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 10.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a deadly traffic crash at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Howard Place, NW.
At approximately 5:23 p.m. on March 16, a 2008 Toyota Sienna Van made a left turn onto the 600 block of Howard Place, NW, when a 2019 Yamaha Motorcycle crashed into the Toyota at an apparent high rate of speed. The motorcyclist, 29-year-old Michael Thomas, was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a press release.
A DC Superior Court judge allowed the government to collect a buccal swab from the defendant charged in a deadly shooting outside an apartment building.
Jarvis Jackson is accused of shooting 23-year-old Deont’e Minor to death in the parking lot of a Washington Highlands apartment complex on the evening of March 20, 2021. The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder while armed.
During the most recent hearing for this case March 16, defense attorney Roderick Thompson voiced his opposition to the prosecutor seeking a warrant for a buccal swab of his client. The prosecution believes a mask and beanie found at the crime scene belonged to Jackson.
The crime scene is located by the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Thompson argued the mask and beanie could easily be “street trash” and the evidence was not strong enough to conduct a buccal swab, calling it “invasive and an invasion of privacy.”
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he understood the argument, but pointed out that video evidence shows only two people at the scene when the shooting took place.
After Judge Lee allowed the buccal swab to be conducted, defense counsel requested Jackson’s release from DC Jail into home confinement. Judge Lee denied the request.
“Home confinement can’t stop or prevent behavior, it can only track it,” he said.
Parties are scheduled to meet in court again on May 26.
A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to dismiss a murder case during a hearing that took place on the same day prosecutors filed an indictment against the defendant.
Nijinsky Dix, 38, is accused of shooting 44-year-old Terry Hickman to death in an apartment near the Southwest Waterfront on the evening of Nov. 14, 2020. Police believe the homicide was domestic in nature.
During the most recent hearing for this case on March 16, the prosecutor informed Judge Marisa Demeo that they have delivered all evidence to the defense via a USB drive. Dix and Hickman’s cell phone, police reports and photos were included on the drive.
Defense attorney Brandi Harden said all she got was a thumb drive that doesn’t work.
“The prosecution has provided basic evidence,” she said. “Nothing of substance, just crime scene photos and an autopsy report. I do not disagree that a thumb drive was given. But we are not in a better position. On that note, I will be asking for a dismissal of the case and that my client be released.”
After the prosecutor showed Harden how to work the drive, parties transitioned to discussing plea negotiations. The prosector extended a plea offer for second-degree murder but the defense wants the charge reduced to voluntary manslaughter instead.
The prosecutor has not taken their plea offer off the table. He said he would like to speak with the victim’s family about the plea before making a final decision.
The formal indictment in this case, which includes charges of first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, was returned on the same day parties met in court.
“By the indictment coming today, the plea offer would be post-indictment. It has been prejudiced all around,” Harden said. “I received discovery 16 months later and my client has not had a chance to accept or decline a pre-indictment plea offer.”
Harden asked for the case to be dismissed entirely because of this. She filed a motion to dismiss the case or, in the alternative, release her client on March 10.
Judge Demeo denied the request. She said the prejudice against the defendant is speculative because there is no benefit of a sentence when you accept a plea offer pre or post-indictment.
Dix is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment charges on March 30.
A man accused of sexually assaulting a stranger back in 2006 accepted a plea offer.
According to prosecutors, on Jan. 27, 2006, Landrell Jordan pulled a gun on a woman and forced her into an alleyway on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. He then stole several items from her and forced her to perform oral sex on him before fleeing the scene.
The victim wiped her mouth on a scarf before calling the police and going to the hospital. DNA found at the scene was inconclusive at the time. However, in 2019, analysts found several sperm fractions on the scarf. After using the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, investigators found that the DNA matched the profile of a single convicted felon with a high margin.
This match was Landrell Jordan. He was 43-years-old when he was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed.
During a March 15 hearing, Jordan pleaded down to attempted first-degree sexual abuse while armed with aggravating factors. Parties agreed to recommend a prison sentence of 10 to 12 years as part of the plea deal. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun asked the defendant if he was guilty of the crime before accepting the plea deal.
“Yes,” he responded.
Defense attorney Rachel Cicurel said her client would like to remain in his current jail holding. He has been working towards his GED and being sentenced would cause him to have to start over. The defense asked for the sentencing to be delayed six months.
The prosecutor objected to this saying it was unfair to the victim, who had waited already waited all this time. Judge Okun considered this and decided to compromise at four months.
Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29.
A prosecutor presented a volume of video evidence during a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Omar Williams, 25, is accused of shooting 26-year-old Anthony Depetris while trying to rob him on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2021.
The homicide occurred to the west of Minnesota and B Street, SE, an intersection near the border of the Greenway and Fort Dupont neighborhoods surrounded by residences, according to court documents.
During a March 14 preliminary hearing, the prosecutor called the lead detective on the case to the witness stand. One of the videos she presented showed an altercation between two individuals with Depetris in the middle of the street and a vehicle that drove away in an alley. A total of 13 exhibits were admitted into evidence.
The prosecutor said Deptris was wearing an expensive jacket ranging from $1,000 that could have been the motive for the defendant to rob him.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee made a finding of probable cause. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 3. In the meantime, Williams will remain held at DC Jail.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man.
At approximately 1:03 a.m. on March 14, officers responded to the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW, for the report of a stabbing. There, they found Kenneth Thomas Jr. suffering from a stab wound, according to a press release.
The suspect they are seeking was captured by a nearby surveillance camera. Images were included in the press release.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman.
At approximately 12:01 p.m. on March 15, officers responded to the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. They found 37-year-old Nikia Young suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a double homicide.
At approximately 3:21 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of 13th Street, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 22-year-old Antoine Jenkins and 62-year-old Antwan Brown. Both men succumbed to their injuries.
A domestic violence defendant was sentenced for first-degree unlawful publication, stalking and threats to do bodily harm.
Carlton Robertson entered the courtroom late for his sentencing on March 14 and took a seat.
The prosecutor described the repeated harassment the victim suffered. The defendant posted videos of her online and people would walk up to her to ask about them, he said.
The victim did not offer a statement because she does not want to be questioned about what happened to her anymore, instead simply wanting to be left in her own peace.
Judge Rainey Brandt asked public defender Thomas Healy if any of his client’s friends have been contacting the victim. Healy denied this but said other random people were bothering her. Her phone number and address have been leaked onto social media in the past.
In a recorded statement, Robertson said he would never engage in this behavior again. Judge Brandt said she is not having him locked up because the victim wanted to show mercy. She imposed suspended sentences for all three charges, to be followed by a period of supervised probation.
The prosecutor recommended the defendant be ordered to receive anger management treatment and abide by a stay away order from the victim and her family. The defense found it redundant to include her family, but the prosecution wanted to ensure that they were not bothered by the defendant.
The defense asked Judge Brandt to impose the Youth Rehabilitation Act, as it has helped other people during probation. The YRA would allow Robertson’s case to be sealed if he successfully completes his sentence.
Judge Brandt assessed the circumstances of the case, including the nature of the offense as well as the defendant’s young age and minimal criminal history score. She said she could not fathom a circumstance where these types of charges are masked from the community, pointing out that the victim had information about her put on a public forum. Judge Brandt also noted that the defendant already has a criminal case on his record. The YRA request was denied without prejudice.
It took planning and initiative for the defendant to commit this crime, Judge Brandt noted. The offense tarnished the victim’s image, threatened her family and troubled her peace of mind.
Robertson received a one-year suspended sentence for the unlawful publication and stalking charges and a six-month suspended sentence for the threats charge. Judge Brandt warned the defendant that she is giving him an incentive, but if he is in violation of his probation, he will get 24 months of jail time.
Conditions of Robertson’s probation include abiding by the stay away order, receiving a mental health evaluation and refraining from the use of illegal drugs and marijuana.
Murder defendant Chad Hawthorne questioned three witnesses during the sixth day of his trial. The day’s proceedings wrapped up with attorneys delivering their closing arguments.
Hawthorne, 41, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett while he slept in an apartment on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, during the early hours of May 22, 2017. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearms offenses.
The three witnesses who testified on March 15 included the leaseholder of the apartment. He was previously called to testify for the prosecution but took the stand again after being subpoenaed by the defense. Hawthorne asked him about his prior drug use with Bassett as well as lies he has allegedly told police in the past.
After the prosecution cross-examined the witnesses, the parties delivered their closing arguments.
The main point of the prosecution’s argument was that the defendant had both the motive and the opportunity to murder Bassett. Prior to the incident, Bassett had allegedly stolen from the defendant. Hawthorne allegedly talked about this incident for days, feeling disrespected by someone he frequently looked out for. The prosecutor also noted how they had medical evidence and witness testimony, all showing consistencies with the evidence that was provided.
Public defender Steven Kiersh spoke about the door to the apartment being left open, which allowed people to come in and out at any point of the day, suggesting that someone other than Hawthorne could have committed the crime.
Kiersh also argued that the detective’s interrogation tactics with Hawthorne were extreme and may explain why there may have been inconsistencies in his story. He said there is not exact evidence pointing to Hawthorne as the killer.
The jurors are expected to receive their instructions on March 16 before beginning deliberations.
A suspect in the shootings of five homeless men in Washington and New York City has been apprehended.
On the morning of March 15, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division arrested 30-year-old Gerald Brevard, of Southeast, DC.
Brevard is alleged to have shot three people in Northeast, DC over the past two weeks. One of the victims, 54-year-old Morgan Holmes, died from their injuries.
At approximately 2:54 a.m. on March 9, a Metropolitan Police Department officer on the 400 block of New York Avenue, NE, saw a tent fire. Emergency personnel found Holmes dead. An autopsy determined his cause of death to be multiple stab and gunshot wounds, according to a press release.
The other two shootings took place in New York City. One of them was fatal.
Brevard has been charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incidents in Washington.
