Murder Defendant Ready to Take Plea Deal, Attorney Says

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing in a murder case to allow for plea discussions.

Shaquille Bynum, 19, and Sean Howard, 18, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 20-year-old Ibrahim Sesay on Jan. 6 on the 1300 block of 9th Street, NW.

Defense attorney Stephen Brennwald said Bynum was ready to enter into a plea agreement during the Nov. 5 hearing. From there, Judge Neal Kravitz continued the hearing to allow the defense to speak with Howard.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 1.

Crime Alerts: November 7-8

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 8.
A crime alert was sent out at 9:51 p.m. due to a shooting on the corner of 4th and L Street, NW. Police identified the first suspect as a Black male who was approximately 25 to 30 years old wearing a blue jacket, black pants, white socks and flip-flops. The second suspect was described as an adult male who was approximately 25 to 30 years old with a brown complexion and armed with a handgun.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:11 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 6:11 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 800 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as a Black female who was approximately 55 years old and a Black male with a skinny build and black clothing.

Document: Two Homicides on November 5

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials are investigating two homicides that occurred on Nov. 5.

At approximately 4:58 p.m. officers arrived at the 3500 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 26-year-old Anthony Depetris with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. officers responded to the 100 Block of Taussig Place, NE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located 32-year-old Antwonne Turner with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: November 3 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials are investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 3.

At about 2:02 p.m. officers arrived at the 2800 block of 14^th Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a local hospital, according to the press release.

On Nov. 5, one of the victims transported to the hospital, 34-year-old Delonte King succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

October Homicides Increase by 50% from September

Homicides in October increased by 50 percent from September and have outpaced homicides from October 2020, according to D.C. Witness data.

Homicides rose in the District of Columbia in October by 50 percent from September. Data also shows that twenty-seven homicides occurred in October compared to 24 in October 2020.

This year’s homicides included one officer-involved shooting. Deandre Johnson was shot and killed after what Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert J. Contee III called “an intense physical struggle.”

According to court documents, police officers were at an apartment on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE to serve 30-year-old Johnson with a Temporary Protection Order due to an alleged domestic violence incident from the day before. Once officers entered the apartment, they decided to arrest Johnson for assault with a dangerous weapon. Johnson allegedly resisted, which led to the struggle.

“Based upon initial interviews, it was reported that Mr. Johnson grabbed one of the officer’s firearms while in the holster,” Contee said. “It can be heard on the Body Worn Camera an officer stating, ‘he’s got my’ while almost simultaneously an officer discharged their weapon, striking Mr. Johnson in the back.”

However, D.C. Witness previously reported that Contee said the BWC footage does not “conclusively” show Johnson grabbing the gun from the officer’s holster.

Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene, Chief Contee said during a press conference. The three officers involved were put on on paid administrative leave until the investigation is finished.

Two of the homicides in October resulted from stabbings. The rest were shootings. In comparison, seven homicides from October 2020 were stabbings.

The stabbings included, Talaya Wright, 41, who was stabbed on the 600 block of Parkland Place, SE on Oct. 7. No arrests have been made in relation to this homicide.

Aaron Langford was stabbed in the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, on Oct. 25. Charles Haythe, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder in relation to the 27-year-old’s homicide. An investigation found the homicide to be domestic in nature, according to a press release.

The average age of victims is getting younger. In October the average age documents as 31-years-old. In October of 2020, the average age of victims was 33-years-old, according to D.C. Witness data.

Ward 7 saw their homicide count in October more than double that of September, with seven in October.

Ward 2 and Ward 3 had no homicides in September or October. Ward 2 has only had five homicides in total in 2021, with the last dating back to July. Ward 3 has had less, with only two homicides so far this year with the last dating back to April.

Wards 1 and 6 saw no increase in homicides.

Judge Postpones Decision on Accepting Plea Deal

Richard Goodwin, 29, was initially charged with first-degree sex abuse for the sexual assault of a woman on Feb. 15 in a residence on the 1500 block of F Street, NE. During a Nov. 5 hearing, he agreed to plead down to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

The plea deal includes an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence would be two to four years of incarceration run concurrently, according to court documents.

The prosecution also agreed to “dismiss and not indict on any other related charges.”

During the hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz said he wanted to “defer the ruling on whether or not I accept the plea deal until I can review the sentencing guidelines.”

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 10. In the meantime, Goodwin will remain held at DC Jail.

Trial Review: Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder for Stabbing Woman with Screwdriver

After seven days of trial proceedings, a jury convicted Robert Dean of second-degree murder while armed for stabbing a woman with a screwdriver. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charge of first-degree murder while armed.

At approximately 4:58 p.m. on March 31, 2018, Tamiya White drove into a McDonald’s parking lot on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NE, according to court documents. She entered the lobby holding her neck. A witness who called 911 said she pleaded for an ambulance and appeared to be bleeding heavily from her mouth, nose and neck. Approximately 30 minutes after she had pulled into the parking lot, the 38-year-old was pronounced dead.

The doctor who performed White’s autopsy determined she sustained a stab wound to the left side of her neck and the left side of her chest, according to court documents. The doctor noted that her wounds appeared to have been caused by a weapon consistent with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Dean, 63, was arrested less than one week after White’s death.

Dean’s attorneys, Anthony Matthews and Jonathan Armstrong, argued their client acted in self-defense, with one of them calling White a “200-pound screwdriver wielding psychotic on PCP.”

White tested positive for the drug PCP, a dissociative hallucinogen, in her autopsy. During the trial, a professor of systems pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania with expertise in toxicology testified that the methodology of tracing PCP in Tamiya White’s blood was accurate. The results also showed she had traces of cocaine in her system, the professor said.

During opening arguments, Matthews said the DNA swabs of the alleged murder weapon suggest it belonged to the victim.

The prosecution called a long-time friend of Dean’s to the witness stand during the second day of the trial. He said he received a text from the defendant reading, “I feel that I am about to go to jail,” on the day of the homicide. When the witness later picked Dean up, he said the defendant told him he stabbed a woman after she hit him in the face.

Text messages between Dean and White were admitted into evidence. In the messages, Dean was upset that she apparently kicked him out of her apartment, despite having paid her $450 for rent, D.C. Witness previously reported.

The prosecution also called a neighbor who took Dean in after the stabbing to the witness stand. The witness said he and his wife were unaware of the incident when they let him into their home.

On Nov. 5, a jury found Dean guilty of second-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 4. Judge Marisa Demeo gave his attorneys 30 days to motion for a new trial.

On May 5, 2022, Dean was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Read D.C. Witness’ timeline of this case.

Judge Continues Status Hearing for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing for a murder case.

Tondrick Murphy, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Marquis Jones. On Oct. 6, 2018, Jones was found on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

The case is currently set to go to trial in April.

Judge Milton Lee continued the Nov. 4 status hearing so the attorneys could have more time to discuss the trial status and address motions.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 18.

Domestic Violence Case Set for Trial

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a domestic violence defendant indicted on five charges to be tried in front of a jury in November 2022.

The defendant is charged with malicious disfigurement, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and cruelty to children in a domestic violence case.

During the Nov. 5 hearing, the defendant rejected a plea deal for aggravated assault with serious bodily injury.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled jury selection to take place on Nov. 2 and 3 with the trial to begin on Nov. 7.

The prosecution estimated they will call five to six witnesses to testify, including three civilian witnesses.

Parties are set to reconvene on May 13 for a status hearing.

Document: Jail Inspection Results Sent to Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

In a Nov. 1 letter, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Lamont J. Ruffin informed DC Department of Corrections Director Quincy Booth that he has forwarded the results of an unannounced inspection of DC Jail 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.

The Central Treatment Facility’s conditions, “were observed to be largely appropriate and consistent with federal prisoner detention standards,” the document states.

Crime Alerts: November 4-5

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 5.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:58 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 1000 block of New Jersey Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males wearing all black who were last seen in a Black Lexus with MD Tags.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:46 p.m. due to a stabbing in the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 12:47 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. The suspect is in custody.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:47 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 1900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males in a black sedan.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:02 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males who were approximately 18-27 years old and wearing black ski masks with black clothing.

Trial Date Set for First-Degree Murder Case

A murder case is set to go to trial in May.

Terrance Prue, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE, on June 5, 2019.

The prosecution previously extended a plea offer to the defendant, but Prue rejected it and decided to move towards a trial.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz set the trial to begin on May 5. Parties estimate it will last two weeks.

Parties will reconvene on Nov. 23 for a status hearing.

Judge Needs More Time to Decide Sentencing for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge postponed a sentencing for a murder defendant after hearing from the victim’s family.

Steven Robinson is convicted of second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28-year-old Shanika Williams on July 12, 2020, on the 800 block of 19th Street, NE.

“I don’t know who the state works for, but, in this case, it was not for Shanika Williams,” a member of her family said. “It’s hurtful that our system is not working on behalf of Shanika.”

The plea deal includes an agreement between the prosecution and defense to seek a sentence of 10 to 12 years, according to court documents. Sentencing guidelines, however, recommend a minimum of 14 years, Judge Neal Kravitz said during the Nov. 4 hearing.

“Robinson took a plea of guilty very early on in this case,” defense attorney Matthew Davies said. “He has been living under very poor conditions at the jail and it was under these conditions that he plead guilty.”

The prosecutor said she agreed to the lesser sentence because, “Robinson has taken responsibility at the earliest time in this case.” She recommended a 12-year sentence, the maximum length of time outlined in the plea agreement, saying, “[Robinson] is 29 years old. He has the ability to use his words. He has the ability to walk away.” She also said he has never completed probation successfully.

“[Williams] would always make us laugh,” her mother said. “She loved her children dearly. She did anything for her kids… I think [Robinson] deserves life.”

“Although the maximum sentence for second-degree murder while armed is 40 years, the parties agreed 10 to 12 years is the appropriate range,” Judge Kravitz said. “I can either accept the plea agreement and am required to give a sentence within 10 to 12 years, or I can reject the plea deal which would result in the case going to trial and the children would have to testify.”

Judge Kravitz said he believed the prosecution wanted to “avoid making [the children] relive the trauma.” After hearing from judge Kravitz, the victim’s mother said she did not want her grandchildren to have to testify in court.

After from Judge Kravitz, the victim’s mother said she did not want her grandchildren to have to testify in court.

“I don’t have faith in our justice system,” another member of William’s family said. “My nieces and nephew have already experienced the worst of the worst so what more is a trial?”

“Trials are inherently adversarial,” the prosecutor said. “There is no guarantee in the outcome… no matter how strong evidence may be.”

The prosecutor also said no sentence will compensate the loss of life.

Judge Kravitz said, “It’s extremely important to hear from the people in the community who are most affected [by the crime].”

“I’m not ready to decide whether or not to accept the plea agreement,” he went on to say.

Another sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Accessory to Murder

One of the defendants charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in February 2020 accepted a plea deal.

Elton Wiggins pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder while armed in the death of 34-year-old Eugene Isaac Jr on the 100 block of N Street, NW, on Feb. 15, 2020.

Wiggins, 55, is one of three defendants who were charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Isaac’s death. The case against 37-year-old Lejeezan Toudle was dismissed after a DC Superior Court judge ruled it did not have enough evidence to go to trial. Devon Stephens‘ case remains open. The 35-year-old’s competency to stand trial is currently under assessment.

Wiggins also pleaded guilty to using, carrying, possessing and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a District Court case, in which he is charged alongside Stephens.

During the Nov. 4 hearing, the prosecution said Wiggins is expected to serve 12 to 15 years in prison in total for both cases.

According to court documents, as part of the plea deal, parties agreed to seek a sentence of five to eight years for the Superior Court case and seven years for the District Court case, to be served consecutively.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Wiggins to be sentenced on Jan. 14.

Judge Orders Competency Exam for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a murder defendant’s transfer to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for an exam to determine if he is competent to stand trial.

Kavel Miller is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the Oct. 8 shooting of 33-year-old Lester Mangum on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

Back in September, the 20-year-old defendant was found incompetent to stand trial in a misdemeanor simple assault case he picked up last year.

With this in mind, Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the defendant transferred to St. Elizabeths so he could undergo a full competency examination in relation to his murder case.

Judge Kravitz also scheduled a Dec. 7 preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Mangum sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest, according to court documents. After being shot, the victim reportedly ran into a nearby market, where Metropolitan Police Department officers found him.

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