Defense Counsel Withdraws From Murder Cases

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to withdraw from two murder cases.

Rasheed Young is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr. on May 20, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE. The 43-year-old is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.

Defense counsel Dorsey Jones motioned to withdraw from the case back in June. During the Sept. 10 hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo granted the motion but held it in abeyance until another lawyer can be appointed. The defendant said he will be in contact with his family to see if they can help him retain counsel.

The prosecution extended their plea offer until new counsel is appointed. Judge Demeo scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 14.

Sex Abuse Defendant in Quarantine

A sex abuse defendant was not present for his Sept. 10 hearing because, according to court documents, he is being held in quarantine at the DC Jail.

The 22-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for allegedly brandishing a gun and forcing the victim to perform sexual acts on him on Aug. 17 in a Northwest, DC hotel room following an argument.

Defense counsel was also not present for the hearing. Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 14.

Murder Defendant Requests New Counsel

A murder defendant requested new counsel on Sept. 9.

Darrell Moore is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Julius Hayes on the 300 block of 18th Street, NE, on April 3.

Moore, 43, said he and his current defense attorney, Kevin Irving, “don’t see eye-to-eye with case strategy.”

The prosecution had no objection to the defendant’s request. They also agreed to extend their plea offer’s deadline until the next hearing. The offer would allow Moore to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter while armed.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 1 to discuss the offer and the defendant’s request for new counsel.

Judge Denies Request to Dismiss Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial after rejecting the defense’s request to dismiss the case.

The defendant is charged with fourth-degree sexual abuse in a domestic violence case.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, defense attorney Thomas Healy sought to dismiss the case. Healy said the defendant is currently on pretrial release and struggling to get a job with the case still open. He argued that the case has been prolonged to the point that it should be dismissed as a violation of his client’s speedy trial rights.

Judge Milton Lee agreed to schedule a preliminary hearing but did not dismiss the case. He noted that many cases have been prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parties will reconvene for the preliminary hearing on Oct. 29.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a child sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing a relative multiple times, beginning when she was nine-years-old and ending when she was 11-years-old. The defendant also has a criminal case in Montgomery County, Md., involving the same victim, according to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified during the Sept. 8 hearing.

The defendant rejected a plea offer for attempted second-degree sex abuse. “I’m entirely prepared to prove my innocence,” he said.

The detective said she drove the victim and her grandmother around to identify locations where the alleged abuse took place. The victim identified locations on Alaska and Georgia Avenue, near the DC-Maryland border, she said.

The defendant allegedly began abusing the victim in his van when he moved to DC, according to court documents. The van was confiscated and both blue and black lights were used to find biological evidence, the detective said. None was found.

The victim said that the last time the abuse occurred was in a hotel room in Maryland, according to court documents. The detective was able to verify a reservation ticket and license belonging to the defendant that she obtained from a hotel in Silver Springs, Md. The detective said there was no security footage available from the hotel.

The victim reported the abuse in order to speak “up about something that’s been happening to me for years that shouldn’t have been happening,” according to court documents.

According to the detective, the victim had previously reported the abuse to a family member who told them not to report further. The family member later allegedly told the victim that, if she does report it, to blame a different family member. The defendant also allegedly threatened to kill the victim and himself if she tells anyone, according to court documents.

Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause. She scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 14. The defendant is currently being held at DC Jail.

Prosecution to Consider Unwiring Plea Offer for Murder Defendants

The prosecution is considering unwiring a plea deal they offered two co-defendants charged with murder.

Elton Wiggins, 55, and Devon Stephens, 35, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 34-year-old Eugene Isaac Jr., who was fatally shot on the 100 block of N Street, NW, on Feb. 15, 2020.

The prosecution’s plea deal is wired, meaning both men would have to agree to it, but they will consider unwiring it.

During the Sept. 9 hearing, Stephens’ defense attorneys, Raymond Jones and Lisbeth Sapirstien, also withdrew their motion to withdraw as counsel.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 29.

Domestic Violence Defendant Receives Suspended Sentence

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to two years of supervised probation.

Tavon Odoms was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

As part of a deal with the prosecution, he pleaded guilty to possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The prosecution said the victim and the victim’s family agree with the sentence recommended in the plea deal.

Judge James Crowell sentenced Odoms two one year, all of which was suspended, plus two years of supervised probation. As part of his probation, Odom must partake in drug, alcohol and employment services as deemed appropriate by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency. He must also partake in a mental health screening and evaluation.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a sex abuse defendant who did not show up to his Sept. 8 hearing.

The 34-year-old defendant is charged with third-degree sexual abuse.

Defense attorney Jonathan Willmont said he has not had recent contact with his client and does not know where he is. Judge Marisa Demeo said the court has also lost contact.

Judge Holds Sexual Assault Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a felony sex abuse defendant during presentments on Sept. 9.

A total of 30 defendants had hearings before Judge Lloyd Nolan.

A 23-year-old defendant was charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting a victim on the afternoon of Sept. 8 on the 1800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. A prosecutor said this was the defendant’s fifth open case.

Judge Nolan decided to hold him at DC Jail. His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.

Two domestic violence defendants were also held. One of them, who is charged with destruction of property in one domestic violence case and charged with destruction of property and unlawful entry in another, was brought to court on a bench warrant. She is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 20.

A domestic violence defendant charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstructing justice was also held. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 17.

Two misdemeanor sex abuse defendants were released with stay away orders and scheduled to return to court on Dec. 9.

Three domestic violence defendants were also released. Their charges include simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. All of them received stay away orders except for one defendant, who received a no Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. They are all scheduled to return to court on Dec. 9.

Crime Alerts: September 9-10

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 10.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:07 p.m. due to a shooting investigation on the corner of 16th and Good Hope Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 11:35 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 2300 block of Green Street, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with a medium build, wearing a white tee-shirt and blue jeans.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:08 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. Police stopped a possible suspect.

A final crime alert was sent out at 5:04 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Document: Man Arrest for Assault With Intent to Commit First-Degree Sexual Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a man for assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse on Sept. 8.

According to a press release, at around 2:50 p.m. that day, the 23-year-old suspect allegedly assaulted the victim on the 1800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. He was arrested by responding units.

Parties in Murder Case Prepare for Upcoming Trial

Parties in a murder case prepared to go to trial later this month.

Edward Brown, Steven Robin and Antonio McKenzie are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 29-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE, on Jan. 18, 2018.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said that all formal requests must be submitted by Sept. 15.

The three defendants are also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. McKenzie and Brown are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence. Brown is also charged with prisoner escape.

On Aug. 18, Brown and McKenzie were indicted on obstruction of justice charges for allegedly speaking with a fellow inmate who is one of the prosecution’s witnesses in this case. Judge Dayson previously allowed those cases to be included in the trial over the objections of Robin’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, who argued that including these obstruction cases in the murder trial will prevent her client from receiving a fair trial by causing prejudice against him, D.C. Witness previously reported. Judge Dayson said a jury should be able to differentiate between the accusations against the defendants without issue.

Former co-defendant Charles Young recently pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to voluntary manslaughter. According to court documents, as part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed not to call Young to testify at the upcoming trial.

Jury selection is set to begin on Sept. 27.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing, Issues Stay Away Order in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the case against a defendant accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend has enough evidence to go to trial.

Idrissa Fall, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Dara Northern on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the preliminary hearing to take place on Sept. 21.

Judge Dayson also issued a stay away order from a witness at the prosecution’s request. Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits did not object to this.

Domestic Violence Defendant Held in Quarantine

A domestic violence defendant who was prepared to accept a plea deal was unable to come to court due to being in quarantine.

The defendant is charged with first-degree cruelty to children. He has been held at DC Jail since he picked up the charge on March 24.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, a marshal informed the court that the defendant is in a unit required to quarantine. Judge Marisa Demeo rescheduled the hearing to Sept. 27, at which time he is expected to take the plea deal.

Crime Alerts: September 8-9

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 8 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept 9.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:51 p.m. due to a robbery in the 500 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, 200 pounds, with dreadlocks, wearing a black windbreaker style jacket, blue denim jeans and armed with a handgun.

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