Crime Alerts: November 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 pm. on Nov. 15 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 16.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:33 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 2800 block of N Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as one White male and one Black male in a Toyota RAV4 vehicle.

A crime alert was sent out at 3:02 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE. Police identified the suspect wearing a white hoodie and dark pants.

Document: November 15 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Nov. 15 homicide.

At approximately 6:05 a.m. officers responded to the 1900 block of 14^th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult men with gunshot wounds nearby. Both were transported to a local hospital where one, 68-year-old Nathaniel Martin, succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

MPD Officer Testifies During Preliminary Hearing for Murder Case

A police officer testified before a DC Superior Court judge during a preliminary hearing to determine if the case against the man accused of fatally shooting Diamonte Green has enough evidence to go to trial.

Bernard Matthews, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Green on Feb. 16 on the 300 block of 33^rd Street, SE. Matthews is currently out on release in the High Intensity Supervision Program.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that Green was found lying on his back, having sustained approximately eight gunshot wounds. About 12 shell casings were found at the crime scene.

The prosecution showed the detective video footage from Feb. 16. The detective identified Matthews in the video based on his clothing, since Matthews was later apprehended wearing the same clothing. He also said in another video, Matthews’ face was shown on the camera.

Another video was shown of Matthews and a young man, identified as Matthews’ son, entering a nearby building. Throughout the video, Matthews and his son repeatedly enter and re-enter the building.

The detective said Matthews had received a text message from someone saying they were outside. Matthews and his son were seen exiting from the back of the building and entering a van. The detective said the shell casings from the crime scene matched a gun Matthews owns.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain asked the detective about the van that picked up the defendant and his son. The detective said a witness had identified the van but has yet to interview the driver and he currently does not know the relationship between Matthews and the driver.

The detective had found out Green and Matthews’ son were involved in a dispute, and had fought over Instagram direct messages.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the preliminary hearing to resume on Nov. 16.

Document: Arrest Made in 2019 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a 2019 homicide.

On Dec. 26, 2019, officers responded to the 1800 block of Corcoran Street, NE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males with gunshot wounds and transported them to a local hospital. On Dec. 27, one of the victims, 26-year-old Andre Carroll, succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Nov. 15 officers arrested 24-year-old Robert Hunter and charged him with second-degree murder while armed in relation to the homicide, according to the press release.

Judge Denies Defense Motion on DNA Testing in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense motion in a murder case to conduct DNA testing and stop the prosecution from consuming DNA evidence in light of the Department of Forensic Sciences’ (DFS) loss of its accreditation.

Daquan Gray, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of 15-year-old Jaylyn Wheeler on May 16, 2018, on the 600 Block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

The motion came after the prosecution gave notice of their intent to retest DNA evidence. According to the prosecutor, only one more round of testing can be done on the DNA evidence. Judge Neal Kravitz called the defense’s motion “gamesmanship” since Gray waived his right to conduct DNA testing under the Innocence Protection Act back in February 2020.

In the motion, defense attorney Dana Page states that her client learned that the DFS lost its accreditation after he waived his right to DNA testing. Page goes on to argue that Gray has the right to test material previously tested by the prosecution. She also wanted Judge Kravitz to prevent the prosecution from possibly consuming the material by testing it themselves.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, the timing of the defense’s motion was questioned due to the lack of activity or requests regarding the DNA until the prosecution decided to retest the evidence. Page responded, saying COVID’s impact on the vacating of the trial scheduled for September 2020 led her to forget. She argued that private testing would allow them to conduct different types of testing, however, when asked what they would do differently by the judge, Page was not forthcoming due to it being key to the defense strategy.

The prosecution argued that, although the firearms and crime scene DNA laboratories of DFS have come under scrutiny, there is no evidence of corruption or incompetence in this case. The prosecution also said the retesting was not a priority until recently due to his release from custody. Along with that, the private labs which conduct testing for the government are backlogged, so the testing will not be instantaneous, the prosecution said.

Judge Kravitz said the defense may suggest additional trials to the prosecution for the testing and submit another motion if needed. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 22.

McKenzie Pochiro wrote this article.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Motion for COVID Release

A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s request for a compassionate release based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

According to court documents, Gyamfi was shot three times: twice in the torso and once in the hip.

Defense attorney Jon Norris filed the compassionate release motion back in May. He also recently filed an emergency release motion, citing the conditions of confinement at DC Jail. While Judge Neal Kravitz denied the May motion, he said he was unable to rule on the later one. He said more information from the U.S. Marshal Service and the DC Jail must be obtained before he can make a ruling.

These decisions come in the wake of reports from the U.S. Marshals Service about the jail’s condition based on an unannounced inspection of the facility. The results of the inspection were sent to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division for review of potential violations of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, specifically in regard to the Central Detention Facility, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, defense attorney Jon Norris raised concerns over an alleged COVID-19 outbreak at the DC Jail. Norris said his client has health issues and turned down the COVID-19 vaccine because of them. However, in a motion, Norris explained that he was unable to find a study showing benefits from those with Turner’s health issues receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Judge Neal Kravitz said he has not received enough evidence that Turner should refuse the vaccine for health reasons and denied the motion. He said he suggests Turner get the vaccine to protect himself from COVID-19.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 26.

Document: November 14 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Nov. 14 homicide.

At approximately 4:49 p.m. officers arrived at the 2000 block of Bruce Place, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located two adult male victims on the 2000 block of Bruce Place, SE, with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a nearby hospital. One of the victims, 52-year-old David Williams, succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant After Finding Probable Cause

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that the case of a fatal stabbing at a Southeast, DC gas station has enough evidence to go to trial, but agreed to release the defendant into the High Intensity Supervision Program.

Tywan Morris is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 27-year-old Danielle Stuckey on Oct. 17 at a gas station on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

During the Nov. 15 preliminary hearing, the prosecution showed surveillance footage of the stabbing and the confrontation that preceded it.

In the footage, a green vehicle, which court documents identify as a 4-door Nissan Xterra, is seen pulling up to the first pump, which is close to a bus stop. A man, identified as 26-year-old Morris, leaves the car to go into the store and pay for his gas. He can be seen wearing a hoodie, black shorts and pants, sneakers and a chain around his neck. A Metropolitan Police Department detective on the case testified that he was wearing the same clothes, except for the hoodie and necklace, when he was arrested that same day. The defendant’s girlfriend and her child are also in the vehicle, according to court documents.

After returning to the car, Stuckey can be seen approaching him. She appears to shake his hand and look inside the vehicle. After this, she appears to become angry and a verbal argument between the two ensues. Stuckey paces in the parking lot during the confrontation.

Later in the video, Morris greets someone in a silver vehicle at the gas station with a hug. The argument continues, and at one point, Morris retrieves something from the silver vehicle. The detective said he believes the defendant was retrieving a knife based on his conversations with witnesses.

At one point, Morris’ girlfriend appears to become involved in the confrontation. According to court documents, she told police that Stuckey has tried to fight her in the past.

In the footage, Stuckey picks up a chair and appears to throw it at the defendant, who knocks her onto her back. It is then that the stabbing appears to occur.

The detective said Morris told him Stuckey hit him in the head at some point, but he did not see evidence of that in the video.

Judge Neal Kravitz ruled that the case had probable cause, but he still granted the defense’s request to release Morris into the High Intensity Supervision Program, citing his limited criminal history.

Jury Begins Deliberating in Murder Trial

A jury began deliberations in a murder trial after parties delivered their closing arguments on Nov. 10.

Steven Robin, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the Jan. 20, 2018 shooting of 20-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE.

Antonio McKenzie and Edward Brown are also charged with murder in Poindexter’s death, but they will they tried separately from Robin. Charles Young has also pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact voluntary manslaughter for his role as the getaway driver. He was recently sentenced to four years in prison, all of which were suspended, plus six months of probation, D.C. Witness previously reported.

DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson told the jury to examine the evidence presented by both parties to conclude if Robin was the person who committed the crime, had an intentional plan to kill and was in possession of a firearm at the time.

The prosecution argues that the victim was standing on the street when the defendant and three others drove to where Poindexter was, got out of the car and immediately began shooting. A total of 42 shots were fired, but the prosecution alleges Robin sought to “finish him off” before leaving the scene.

A witness said she saw the shooting happen from her balcony and another witness reported the car’s license plate as it drove by a few blocks later following the sound of gunshots, which the police later determined to have come from one of the shooters, the prosecution explained.

Two other witnesses who previously testified during the trial were mentioned as having reported to the police their accounts of the story. Both witnesses were not at the scene of the crime but reportedly heard what happened from the defendant.

The credibility of these witnesses was addressed, with the prosecution noting that these witnesses were known to lie in the past but the prosecution said they have since corrected their testimonies.

Defense attorney Kristin McGough argued that there is not enough evidence to distinguish that Robin himself committed the crime versus someone else.

Both witnesses who weren’t at the scene, McGough pointed out, have consistently lied because there was an incentive to tell the story so that the defendant was accused in hopes of a cash reward or freedom from another case they are a part of.

While Robin’s DNA was found on a water bottle in the car from the crime, McGough said there is no proof that the water bottle was in the car from the day of the shooting. McGough added that no cell phone data for Robin was displayed during the trial as a means to trace his locations on the date of the crime, nor is there evidence that he even had a firearm.

Parties now await a decision from the jury.

Attorney Requests Murder Defendant’s Release to Halfway House

A murder defendant’s attorney sought his client’s release into a halfway house.

The defendant, Travis Russell, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 44-year-old Michael Hooker on May 26, 2019, on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Hooker was determined to have died from a “sharp force to the right side of the neck.” He was found by responding officers with severe lacerations to his neck and a piece of glass was found in his wound.

Russell, 37, was detained at DC Jail upon his arrest in June 2019. According to court documents, in April 2020, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz agreed to the defense’s request to have Russell released to a halfway house. However, days later, the halfway house in question stopped taking new admissions. The following month, it shut down, which prevented Russell from being able to leave the jail, where he has now been for more than two years.

Back in July, defense attorney Mani Golzari motioned for his client to be released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) instead, with home confinement as an added condition if necessary, but that request was denied.

Golzari asked Judge Kravitz if he knew about any available halfway houses during the Nov. 12 hearing. Judge Kravitz said he did not know about any available houses.

Russell will remain held at DC Jail until further notice is given.

Judge Kravitz also asked the prosecution for an update on DNA testing that had been recently conducted during the hearing.

The prosecution said they have received results from the DNA testing and have shared the results with the defense. Golzari requested a 30-day continuance to allow for DNA to be further examined.

Judge Kravitz scheduled parties to reconvene on Jan. 18.

The trial is set to begin in June. The prosecution expects to call 20 witnesses.

Defense in Murder Case Waiting to Receive Evidence

The defense in a murder case expects to receive discovery evidence from the prosecution in three to four weeks.

Deangelo Glover, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32-year-old Tyrone William Wright on Jan. 19 on the 3800 block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to court documents, multiple expended .40 caliber and 9mm cartridge casings were found at the scene. The medical examiner reported that the victim received 17 gunshot wounds, six to the back of the head.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, the defense counsel requested another status hearing for after they receive discovery materials and have time to review them. Defense attorney David Knight requested a hearing date in February.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson scheduled parties to reconvene Feb. 4.

Defense Attorney in Murder Case Raises Concerns Over Conditions of Confinement

A murder defendant’s attorney raised concerns over the conditions in which her client is being held.

Rashon Hall, 25, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Joseph Simmons on the morning of Jan. 3 on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The shooting occurred just after 11:00 across the street from an elementary school, according to court documents. The medical examiner found that Simmons had multiple gunshot wounds in his back.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, defense attorney Dana Page voiced her client’s concerns about the conditions of the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF), where he is being held. Page asked Judge Danya Dayson to release Hall.

Page told Judge Dayson that Hall says there is mold in his cell. He also reports there is water leaking through the ceiling in the cell block leading to standing water in the block. Additionally, he says he has not received medications he is supposed to take daily for multiple weeks at a time.

Page noted that the cell block is extremely cold. She said when she visits clients there they shiver throughout the entire visit.

The prosecution said that, while there have been allegations that the conditions at the Central Detention Facility (CDT) are unhealthy, the conditions at CTF are better than those at CDF.

Judge Dayson denied the request for release due to the seriousness of the charges and the defendant’s previous firearms convictions. But she did acknowledge the conditions at DC Jail and said she would set an evidentiary hearing to examine the problem.

Judge Dayson set a hearing for Dec. 7 and will request the presence of a Department of Correction representative.

Crime Alerts: November 14-15

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 15.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:53 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3500 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:07 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 600 block of F Street, NW. Police identified the first suspect as a Black male with a slim build, wearing a black ski mask and a black and purple jacket. The second was identified as an 18-20-year-old Black male with a heavy set, wearing a black ski mask and armed with a knife. The third suspect was identified as a Black female who was 18-20 years old with a heavy set.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:41 a.m. due to a gun robbery on the corner of 29th and M Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as a Black male and a Hispanic male who were in a Jeep Cherokee vehicle with unknown MD tags.

A crime alert was sent out at 7:17 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 1800 block of 14th Street, SE. Police identified the suspect in a two-door black BMW vehicle.

Document: November 13 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Nov. 13 homicide.

At approximately 6:44 p.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of F Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Kenneth Harris inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: November 13 Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers are investigating a Nov. 13 traffic fatality.

An investigation revealed that at approximately 3:30 p.m. a vehicle struck a pedestrian in the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW. The pedestrian, 24-year-old Nina Larson, was stuck under the vehicle until emergency personnel arrived and transported her to a local hospital. Larson later succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

Search