Three Witnesses Testify During Murder Trial, Including Victim’s Brother

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

The trial for the fatal shooting of Daniel Parker continued with a forensic scientist and a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer both testifying.

Dewayne Shorter is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Parker on July 26, 2017, on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE. Shorter, 33, is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm while armed during a crime of violence.

The first witness called during the Nov. 17 proceedings was a forensic scientist from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The prosecutor asked about the photos she took of the crime scene and the placards she placed around the scene. She said she gathered plastic bags as evidence because she wanted to check if they had drug residue on them.

The scientist said she found shell cases from different guns at the crime scene. She showed the jury a few of the shell casings.

She also showed the jury the firearm recovered from Parker’s waistband, along with its magazine. The scientist explained how she obtained Parker’s fingerprints from the firearm. When the prosecution asked why she had fingerprinted a deceased person, she said it was DFS policy at the time to fingerprint everyone involved in a crime.

Defense attorney Jon Norris asked the scientist if she had arrived at the crime scene after the shooting, which she had.

The next witness called was an MPD officer. The officer participated in executing a search warrant of a house located nearby the scene of the shooting in October of 2018. The officer was shown a photo of the house to confirm it was the one he searched.

The officer said he had retrieved an assault rifle from the house, and showed the rifle to the jury. The officer also showed another firearm that was recovered from the search. These are illegal in DC.

The officer said he also found drug paraphernalia, drug packaging, scales and money in the house. The officer was shown photos of the objects and he confirmed they were what he recovered from the house.

Norris asked the officer how many firearms he had recovered. He said he recovered three firearms: two handguns, both of which had extended magazines, and the assault rifle. Extended magazines are illegal in DC. The officer did not know who lived in the house at the time of the search but Norris said the people living in the house were affiliated with Parker.

Norris then asked the officer about a box of baking soda that was seen in a photo of bags of cocaine in the house. The officer explained that baking soda is used to increase the amount of cocaine, and is also used to turn cocaine into crack.

The last witness called was Parker’s oldest brother. The prosecution asked about their relationship. Parker’s brother said they were very close and he loves his brother.

The prosecutor asked Parker’s brother if he used to be involved in the sale of marijuana, and he said yes. Parker’s brother was then asked about his actions the day of the shooting. He said he worked all day, ran some errands and went home to sleep. He said his mother came to his house and said somebody told her somebody was shooting at his brother. Parker’s brother said he immediately went to the scene.

Parker’s brother said when he arrived at the scene of the crime, he saw his brother covered by a white sheet. He said a friend had told him Shorter shot his brother. The prosecution asked why he did not say this in his grand jury testimony, and he said this is because his friend was “high” at the time and he didn’t want to get Shorter in trouble.

Parker’s brother said he saw Shorter at the scene of the crime. He said Shorter told him he shot Parker by saying “you got bodies, I got bodies”. Parker’s brother said “having bodies” means to kill someone. The prosecution asked him if he had ever killed someone, and he said no.

The prosecutor continued, asking about a shooting Parker was involved in. Parker’s brother said his brother had told him he shot up a car, but the wrong person was inside. This happened around April 2017. He said his brother was mad about the shooting because he shot the wrong person and he wanted to “finish it off”.

Parker’s brother said he told Parker not to go after the person because their families were friends. When asked who Parker intended to kill, he said Shorter. Parker’s brother said a neighbor had told Shorter that Parker intended to kill him.

The prosecution asked Parker’s brother if their youngest brother had killed him, and he said no. Parker’s brother was asked about the relationship between Parker and their youngest brother, and he said they were very close.

Parker’s brother was then asked if his brothers used MDMA, and he said yes. He was asked if his brothers were “homicidal” about their drug use, and he said no.

The prosecution finished his examination by asking Parker’s brother if he had intimidated Parker’s ex-girlfriend, who previously testified. He denied this. He was then asked if he was covering up for the fact that his youngest brother really killed Parker. He responded, saying it was an offensive question and not true.

Norris asked Parker’s brother if his information about the shooting comes from other people, and he said yes. Norris asked him if he had told the grand jury that his friend told him Shorter had shot his brother, and he said yes. Norris showed him the grand jury statement, where he said his friend had heard the shots and ran off.

Norris asked about Parker’s drug use and how he was known to go on four to five day binges. Parker’s brother said that is not true because he saw Parker nearly every day. Norris then asked if he taught his brothers how to sell drugs and obtain weapons and he said no.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the trial to continue on Nov. 22.

Crime Alerts: November 17-18

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 9:00 a.m. on No. 18.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:13 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 400 block of M Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males wearing all-black clothing.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:11 a.m. due to a robbery in the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspects as four Black males in a grey BMW X5 with unknown Maryland tags.

A crime alert was sent out at 4:28 a.m. due to a robbery in the 4200 block of Massachusetts Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as four Black males in a Nissan Rogue.

A crime alert was sent out at 6:15 a.m. due to a stabbing in the unit block of Galveston Place, SW. Police identified the suspect as a Black female wearing all black and a face mask.

A crime alert was sent out at 8:40 a.m. due to a robbery in the 500 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing gray sweat pants, a gray hoodie and white shoes.

Prosecutor Discusses Plans to Test DNA Evidence Ahead of Murder Trial

A prosecutor discussed her plans for the testing of DNA evidence in a murder case set to go to trial next year.

Diquan Lucas, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Brian Butler in an apartment on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on Nov. 21, 2019.

The prosecutor gave notice of their intent to test DNA evidence in the case back in September. During the Nov. 17 hearing, she mentioned that the testing site is backed up and was informed that results wouldn’t be returned until March. The trial is scheduled to begin in mid-April.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked the prosecutor to try to expedite the testing process. She said she would try and get the results back earlier.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 7 to discuss any updates.

Lucas is also charged with first-degree burglary while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm in this case.

The defendant was arrested less than two weeks after Bulter’s death. He awaits his trial from DC Jail, where he has been held ever since.

Lucas rejected plea offers from the prosecution during his preliminary hearing on March 9, 2020. He rejected another plea offer on June 1, slightly less than two months before he was indicted.

When Judge Dayna Dayson scheduled the trial during an August hearing, the prosecution said they expect to need approximately two weeks to present their case. Defense attorney Roderick Thompson said he anticipates needing “three days, tops.”

Victim’s Friend Testifies About Day of Fatal Shooting at Trial

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responded to the fatal shooting of Daniel Parker testified in front of a jury on Nov. 16. Parker’s friend, who was at the scene of the homicide, also took the witness stand.

Dewayne Shorter, 33, is on trial for first-degree murder while armed in the death of 38-year-old Parker on July 26, 2017, on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE.

The doctor who performed Parker’s autopsy reported that the victim was shot so many times that he could not count the exact number of entry and exit wounds he sustained, according to court documents.

The MPD officer told the prosecutor that, upon arriving at the crime scene, he found Parker on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. When he realized that Parker was not showing signs of life, he checked the surrounding area for possible witnesses and began to set up barricade tape.

The MPD officer also said Parker had a pistol in the waistband of his pants. The prosecutor showed Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage to corroborate the testimony of the field training officer.

The second witness to testify was a friend of Parker who was present at the scene of the homicide.

Parker’s friend said he was friends with Parker’s brother before meeting Daniel. He testified that Parker’s brother, Daniel, and their third brother were known to make money on the side by selling marijuana. In addition, when asked by the prosecutor whether the Parker brothers were “stick-up boys”, he responded by saying he was not completely sure, but that he had heard rumors.

Parker’s friend was then questioned on the events that transpired the day of the crime. He testified that they were with other guests at a house in the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE, having a barbecue. Parker’s friend mentioned that they were hanging out outside, which was rare.

When asked why that was rare, he responded that there had been many shootings in the neighborhood and that being outside just felt dangerous. But he denied that he was scared of being outside due to a specific person’s threat.

Parker’s friend admitted to being high at the time of the crime. However, he recalled that Parker was speaking to his girlfriend when gunshots began to go off. He then mentioned that everyone scattered when the first shot went off. He did not see where the shots came from, but he knew they were coming from behind.

The trial is expected to continue on Nov. 18 with more witnesses.

Shorter is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm in this case.

Document: Arrest Made in March Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest has been made in relation to a March homicide.

At approximately 10:43 p.m. on March 13 officers responded to the 600 block of O Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located 29-year-old Nicolas Hawkins with multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On November 23, officers arrested 26-year-old Anthony Whitted and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release Request Amid Concerns Over Jail Conditions

A murder defendant will remain held at DC Jail following the denial of his release request.

John Philogene is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 34-year-old Evan Wood on March 27 on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE.

Back in September, Philogene’s attorney at the time, Wole Falodun, motioned for the 24-year-old defendant’s release into the High Intensity Supervision Program or home confinement. During the Nov. 17 hearing, defense attorney Michelle Lockard, who recently replaced Falodun, cited the poor jail conditions Philogene described to her and argued that her client won’t be a flight risk on GPS monitoring and does not pose a threat to the community.

The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the evidence against Philogene is strong – citing the court’s previous finding of substantial probability – and disagreeing with Lockard’s assessment that he does not pose a threat to the community.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna brought up the defendant’s adult criminal history, which consists of misdemeanor charges, and said he has violated a stay away order in the past. Citing this, she denied the release request.

Acknowledging the reports of unsanitary jail conditions, however, Judge McKenna said the US Marshals Service, who recently performed an unannounced inspection of the facility, will be present at DC Jail and have agreed to “promptly remedy these situations.”

Lockhard suggested waiting to schedule the trial and Judge McKenna agreed. Lockhard said the prosecution gave her more discovery evidence two days prior and she is taking time to look over the details of them.

The prosecution also said they will be providing the defense with Body Worn Camera (BWC) and surveillance footage shortly.

The prosecution extended the defendant a plea offer that would reduce his murder charge to one count of voluntary manslaughter, with a sentencing range of seven-and-a-half to ten years. The defense has yet to make a decision on this.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.

Parties Await Sex Abuse Defendant’s Decision on Plea Offer

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for a first-degree sex abuse defendant who has been offered a plea deal.

The 34-year-old defendant is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on the 5400 Block of B Street, SE, on April 3.

According to court documents, the victim and defendant met at a wedding. The victim and her boyfriend were driving the defendant home from the wedding when they got into a car accident that led to a physical altercation between the victim’s boyfriend and the other drivers. The boyfriend got arrested at the scene. Later, the victim and the defendant drove back to his home where he then allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The prosecution extended the deadline for their plea offer to Nov. 18, when parties are scheduled to reconvene for another hearing.

In the meantime, the defendant will remain released under the High Intensity Supervision Program. During the Nov. 16 hearing, defense attorney David Benowitz said his client is in compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

Defendant Requests Additional Counsel Ahead of Murder Trial

A defense attorney requested the appointment of additional counsel ahead of an upcoming murder trial.

James Mayfield and Robert Moses are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor. Sydnor was reportedly shot while driving on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, on Aug. 12, 2017.

James Mayfield is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of Jermaine Bowens and Elijah Henry. On Dec. 26, 2017, 38-year-old Bowens was found on the 2200 block of Douglas Street, NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The next day, 21-year-old Henry was found unconscious in a residence on the 1800 block of Bryant Street, NE.

Moses’ lawyer, Kevin McCants, asked DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz to appoint an additional attorney before his client’s trial begins in February 2022. During the Nov. 16 hearing, McCants said he motioned for additional counsel at the request of his client, who would like a “second opinion” on his case, though McCants said he was more than able to handle the case himself.

Judge Kravitz expressed concerns over whether or not a new attorney would be sufficiently prepared for the trial before its scheduled start date. Defense attorney Veronice Holtz, who is representing Mayfield in both his murder cases, expressed the same concern.

Judge Kravitz met privately with McCants and Moses to discuss the matter. Judge Kravitz said he would be reaching out to other defense attorneys to see if they would be available

Any attorney appointed by Judge Kravitz will take over as the lead counsel on Moses’ case, with McCants remaining as assistant counsel.

Mayfield and Moses are also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in a drive-by or random shooting offense committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, drive-by or random shooting, aggravated assault with grave risk while armed, obstruction of justice and conspiracy in that case.

The two remain held at DC Jail. Judge Kravitz scheduled a status hearing for Nov. 23.

Crime Alerts: November 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 16 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 17.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:01 p.m. due to a gun robbery in the 4500 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as two black men in all-black clothing and armed with handguns.

A crime alert was sent out at 6:39 a.m. due to a gun robbery on the corner of Southern Avenue and Suitland Road, SE. Police identified the first suspect as a black male with a slim build wearing a ski mask. The second was identified as a Black male wearing a black hoodie and surgical mask.

Detective Finishes Testimony During Preliminary Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in a murder case, ruling that it has enough evidence to go to trial.

Bernard Matthews, 42, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Diamonte Green on Feb. 16 on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective continued their testimony on Nov. 16. He had previously begun testifying on Nov. 12, D.C. Witness previously reported. During the cross-examination, defense attorney Andrew Ain asked questions about inconsistency in witnesses’ statements and other potential suspects.

Ain brought up the issue of a cream-colored Cadillac a witness told police they saw the shooting suspect leave in. Surveillance video shows that the Cadillac did not arrive near the scene until many minutes after the shooting. The video also shows an individual, who the police believe to be the defendant, leaving the scene on foot.

Ain questioned the detective as to why another individual, who was exchanging threatening messages with Green hours before the shooting, was never investigated. The detective just said they were not looked into.

Judge Neal Kravitz found probable cause but noted that “probable cause is a very low standard”. Matthews has been on release in the High Intensity Supervision program since April.

Judge Kravitz set another hearing for Feb. 1.

Defense Requests Murder Defendant’s Release Due To Jail Conditions

The attorney for a defendant charged in the death of Unique Harris, who went missing in 2010, requested his client’s release due to the conditions at DC Jail.

Isaac Moye, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Unique Harris.

Harris disappeared from her home on the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE, on the night of Oct. 9, 2010. She has yet to be found. In 2018, the court granted a petition for a presumption of death of a missing person and issued a death certificate for her. Moye was arrested in December 2020.

According to court documents, Harris’ children reported her missing in the morning when they realized she was not in the house but her car was still in the driveway. Moye was on GPS tracking at the time and tracking records indicate that he arrived at Harris’ home around 10:40 p.m. on Oct. 9 and left around 7:20 a.m. on Oct. 10.

Moye was arraigned on the murder charge – the sole count of the indictment – during the Nov. 16 hearing. He entered a plea of not guilty.

Defense attorney Jason Tulley filed a motion for Moye’s release based on the conditions at DC Jail. The prosecution had not yet replied to the motion at the time of the hearing so DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered them to do so by Nov. 19.

Tulley’s motion explains how his client has experienced similar conditions to what the U.S. Marshals Service’s report describes as inhumane. He said it is difficult to meet with his client due to them.

According to Tulley, a co-counsel will be assigned to the defense and then they can move forward with picking a trial date.

Judge Kravitz set a hearing on Dec. 1 to select a trial date.

Document: November 16 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 16.

At approximately 2:01 a.m. officers responded to the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 62-year-old Albert Young with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Ex-Girlfriend, MPD Officer Testify During Murder Trial

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

The trial for Daniel Parker’s murder continued with multiple witnesses testifying, including a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who was the victim’s neighbor and the victim’s ex-girlfriend.

Dewayne Shorter, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 38-year-old Parker on July 26, 2017, on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE. Shorter is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm while armed during a crime of violence.

An MPD officer was called to the witness stand. At the time of the shooting, the officer was neighbors with Parker and was able to identify on a map where the shooting happened.

The officer said he had a few conversations with Parker in the past and knew his two brothers. He said he often saw foot traffic going in and out of Parker’s house and assumed Parker was involved in drug transactions and had previously reported the activity.

On the day of the homicide, the officer said he had arrived home and had briefly spoken with Parker, who was throwing a party. While he was inside, the officer heard what he at first thought were fireworks, but realized they were gunshots. He then grabbed his radio and service weapon and ran outside.

Once outside, the officer saw Parker’s body lying on the ground and noticed a firearm in the waistband of Parker’s shorts. The officer was able to identify Parker’s body in a photo the prosecution showed.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens asked the officer if he was told not to talk to the prosecution. The officer denied this. Stevens then asked the officer why he did not want to talk to the prosecution. The office replied that he was off the clock and had already made his statement, so he did not find it necessary to speak to them when asked to.

The second witness to testify, Parker’s ex-girlfriend, said she dated the victim from 2016-2017 for about eight months but had known each other for years before. She said although they were broken up at the time he was killed, they continued to see each other.

When asked about Parker’s financial situation, she said he made extra money by selling marijuana. At the time of the shooting, the ex-girlfriend was sitting with her mother in a parked car and Parker was standing nearby, outside the car. The ex-girlfriend also thought she was hearing fireworks at first, but later realized she was hearing gunfire.

In her statement to the grand jury, the ex-girlfriend had said the shooter was wearing all black clothing, but during the trial, she said she was not sure what the shooter was wearing. When asked about the weapon that killed Parker, the ex-girlfriend told the prosecution she believed it was an assault rifle because it sounded like one.

One she realized she was hearing gunshots that day, she drove off and saw Parker run away, she said. She confirmed to the prosecution that she later went back to the crime scene to check on Parker and tell responding officers she was there.

The ex-girlfriend said she never saw Shorter shoot Parker. She said the only thing she is sure of is that Parker was killed and that her life has changed. The prosecution asked if a mutual friend of hers and Parker had told her what to say to the police, but she denied this.

The prosecution questioned the ex-girlfriend about the discrepancies in her grand jury statement and her statements made during the trial. She admitted to being under the influence during the grand jury testimony. The ex-girlfriend also said she had told the prosecution that at the time, she was “not in the right frame of mind”.

When asked what she was under the influence of, the ex-girlfriend said at the time she was “taking a lot of molly”. Molly is the street name for MDMA, a psychoactive drug. The prosecution asked if she had been arrested for possession of molly and the ex-girlfriend said yes. The prosecution said because her arrest happened multiple days before her grand jury testimony, she could not have been under the influence. The ex-girlfriend said the drugs must have still been in her system.

The prosecution asked the ex-girlfriend about Parker allegedly telling her that he had shot at someone. The ex-girlfriend said she did not take what he said seriously because, “[he] was always high on molly and not sleeping for four to five days”.

The ex-girlfriend was asked if she had originally said the shooter was a black man. The ex-girlfriend replied she did not know if the shooter was “God or the devil”.

Defense attorney Jon Norris asked the ex-girlfriend if she knew who the shooter was and she responded the same as when the prosecutor asked.

The ex-girlfriend also confirmed to Norris that she and Parker broke up because of his use of molly, which she said made him “snappy and agitated.” She said she did not know, however, if Parker and his brothers fought about molly use.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the trial to resume on Nov. 16 with more witnesses.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

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

On Nov. 15 at 9:34 a.m. officers responded to the unit block of 45^th Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 47-year-old Jamalijnanya Butler with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Officers arrested 22-year-old Malik Williams and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal at Preliminary Hearing

A murder defendant rejected a plea deal before a witness took the stand in a hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Jamil Whitley, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32-year-old Kevin Redd on June 11, 2020, at the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE. He was arrested the following August.

Whitley denied a plea offer extended to him by the prosecution. If he had taken it, he could have faced 13-18 years in prison.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective took the stand to review the details of Whitley’s arrest warrants during the Nov. 15 hearing. The detective said her unit was not the first to arrive at the crime scene, and therefore was not in charge of the investigation.

Madalyn Harvey, Whitley’s attorney, asked that the detective hand over any radio recordings from the night of the incident that covers any details in the affidavit. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted.

Judge Lee determined that the case has probable cause.

Whitley is scheduled to return to court Dec. 10 for a status hearing.

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