Parties in Murder Case to Coordinate DNA Testing

Parties in a 2019 homicide case discussed DNA testing during an Oct. 5 hearing.

Barbara Sanders, 56, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Thurman Lee Knight on March 17, 2019, on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE. She is currently on pretrial release.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies requested permission to conduct DNA testing. The prosecution also wishes to re-test the evidence, but cannot do so until the defense has reviewed the evidence and decided which items they want to test.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted the defense’s request, and parties confirmed that they would be in touch to coordinate DNA testing.

A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4.

Man Arraigned on Multiple Counts of Child Sex Abuse

A domestic violence defendant was arraigned on multiple counts of sexual abuse.

The defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree child sex abuse and one count of second-degree child sex abuse.

During the Oct. 5 hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said her client had been in quarantine and did not receive medical attention for a leg injury he sustained. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he would flag the issue for general counsel and put it in the docket.

The defendant is scheduled to go before a jury in June 2022. Judge Lee scheduled a motion hearing for Jun. 20.

Crime Alerts: October 5-6

The Metropoilitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 6.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:37 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was approximately 50 years of age with a slim build and dark complexion.

A crime alert was sent out at 5:45 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 100 block of Atlantic Avenue, SE. The suspect is in custody.

Murder Defendant in COVID Quarantine

A murder defendant was unable to appear in court for his Oct. 5 hearing due to being in quarantine.

David Rhodes, 53, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 47-year-old Georgette Banks to death on May 10 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

Defense attorney Joseph Wong said he was supposed to have been out of quarantine in time to attend the hearing, but his quarantine has been extended to Oct. 15. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 18.

Wong asked that the jail provide Rhodes with the ability to attend his next hearing remotely over video if he is still unable to be physically present in court by then.

“I will inquire but I don’t want to make any promises at this time,” Judge Lee said.

Judge Denies Motion to Compel in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to compel discovery evidence in a murder case.

Jereal Booker, 21, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, 18-year-old Talaya Campbell, in the head on Aug. 13 on the 500 block of Irving Street, NW.

During the Oct. 4 hearing, defense attorney Jason Tulley said he is seeking audio and video footage of witness interviews. He also said some of the discovery evidence may aid him in arguing for his client’s release.

The prosecution said they have provided more than the necessary information and are not required to give the defense the recorded witness interviews. They said they are, however, willing to provide other information.

When Judge Marisa Demeo asked him why he thinks the statements would help, Tulley said it could help him and his client make a decision if a plea deal is offered.

The prosecution said it was inappropriate for the defense to ask them for the recordings before the preliminary hearing, but Tulley disagreed, saying the evidence is electronic, and therefore easily transferable.

Judge Demeo denied the defense’s motion. The preliminary hearing, which will determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Parties in Murder Case Continue Plea Negotiations

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 4 hearing for a murder case after learning that parties remain in the process of plea negotiations.

Gary Massey, 25, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Gregory Mayo on March 29, 2020, on the 3000 block of 7th Street, SE.

The prosecution said they would like more time to discuss plea negotiations with defense attorney Ronald Resitarits.

Judge Milton Lee set the next hearing date for Oct. 19.

Judge Gives Prosecution Deadline to Turn Over Evidence in Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge set a deadline for the prosecution in a sex abuse case to turn over evidence.

The 68-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing two victims.

During the Oct. 4 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the prosecution to turn over evidence by Oct. 7. A preliminary hearing, which will determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, is scheduled for Oct. 21.

The defendant is currently being held without bond at DC Jail.

Indictment for Murder Case Coming Soon, Prosecution Says

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 5 felony status conference for a murder case currently awaiting indictment.

Daniel Fleetwood is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 26-year-old Shana Donahue on May 28 on the 2900 block of N Street, SE.

The prosecution said an indictment was expected soon. However, they did not have an exact date.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a felony status conference for Nov. 8. Fleetwood is currently being held at DC Jail.

Crime Alerts: October 4-5

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

A crime alert was sent out at 9:24 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 500 block of 42nd Street, NE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males who were approximately 20-30 years old with a medium build. Both were armed with handguns and one was wearing a black and grey mask.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:50 a.m. due to a shooting at I-295 and Eastern Avenue, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 3:28 a.m. due to a shooting at Minnesota and Good Hope Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 5:22 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 1200 block of H Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was bald with a heavy set. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt, dark pants and a blue ski mask.

Document: Suspect Sought in Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse offense that took place on Oct. 4.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. the suspect assaulted the victim with intent to force the victim to engage in a sexual act on the 2000 block of G Street, NW. The suspect fled the scene after the incident occurred, according to the press release.

The suspect is described as a Black male with a slim build and a goatee. He was seen wearing a blue shirt with white writing and a COVID mask, according to the press release.

As of Oct. 5, MPD updated the information with a photo.

Murder Case Set for Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial after learning that a plea deal has been rejected.

Darrell Moore, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Julius Hayes on April 3 on the 300 block of 18 Street, NE.

Moore was not brought from the DC Jail to the court to attend his Oct. 1 hearing for medical reasons.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving said his client has rejected a plea deal from the prosecution. Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Nov. 18.

Manslaughter Defendant’s Progress Acknowledged During Sentencing

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve a total of 14 years for one manslaughter charge and two assault charges.

“In the future, I strive to be a better citizen that gives back to the community,” defendant Juan Kibler said during his Oct. 1 sentencing hearing.

Kibler, 31, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 40-year-old Joseph Harris on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE, on May 7, 2018. The defendant was arrested 10 days later.

The following July, he was sent to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. He was charged with aggravated assault knowingly after getting into an altercation with a staff member who was knocked unconscious, D.C. Witness previously reported.

After making a deal with the prosecution, Kilber resolved these cases by pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with Harris’ death and aggravated assault knowingly in connection with the incident at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced the defendant to eight years for the manslaughter charge and six years for the assault charge.

Kilber also pleaded guilty to simple assault in a separate misdemeanor case he picked up in 2020. The 75-day sentence for that charge will run concurrent to the other two sentences.

“Mr. Kibler has had a long struggle with mental health and has benefitted from consistent health services and medication,” defense attorney Joseph Wong said during the Oct. 1 hearing. “I have seen a remarkable degree of progress. I think the sentence agreed by both parties is appropriate. The sentence is setting Kipler up with what he needs to make something with his life.”

Judge Demeo said Kibler has become more stable and, if he stays committed to his mental health treatment, he will reenter society as a better person.

Two of the victim’s brothers spoke at the sentencing. Both said they forgive Kibler for his actions.

“We all do wrong, but we have to make it right,” one of the brothers said.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 1.

At approximately 11:59 p.m. police responded to the 200 block of 53^rd Street, NE, due to a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers located 33-year-old Andre Robertson unconscious and transported him to a local hospital. On Oct. 2, he succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 3, an autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma, according to the press release.

Defendants Charged in Transgender Woman’s Death Reach Plea Agreement

Two defendants charged in the fatal shooting of a transgender woman entered guilty pleas on Sept. 30.

Metropolitan Police Department officers found 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds suffering from a gunshot wound during the early hours of July 4, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. She died the following July 13.

Co-defendants Jolonta Little and Monte Johnson went on to be indicted on 16 counts, including felony murder while armed in a bias-related (hate) crime, robbery while armed, robbery while armed in a bias-related (hate) crime, conspiracy in a bias-related (hate) crime, assault with a dangerous weapon in a bias-related (hate) crime, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed.

The two went to trial in 2019. A jury found them not guilty of several gun-related charges, but found Little guilty of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, D.C. Witness previously reported. A DC Superior Court judge declared a mistrial for the defendants’ felony murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury was deadlocked.

Back in June, the defendants were scheduled to go before a jury once again in early 2022. However, they ultimately resolved the case with a plea deal.

According to court documents, Little and Johnson agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter in this case. Johnson also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution in a separate case he picked up earlier this year.

The plea deal also included an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence in this case would be eight years of incarceration.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the defendants to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

Defense Counsel Seeks Release of Murder Defendants

The defense counsel for three murder defendants are seeking to have their clients released from custody.

Co-defendants Nelfy Hernandez, 18, Deandre Levy, 20, and Trey Prillerman, 17, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, on Aug. 10, 2020.

One of Prillerman’s attorneys, Elizabeth Weller, filed a bond review motion on Sept. 29. In it, she points out that her client has no prior convictions, has been doing well in school and has a supportive family.

Hernandez’s attorney, Douglas Wood, and Levy’s attorneys, Thomas Healy and Jonathan Zucker, plan to file bond motions as well. Judge Neal Kravitz ordered them filed no later than Oct. 6.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a bond review hearing on Oct. 21.

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