Judge Schedules Trial for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a defendant charged with first-degree sexual abuse to go before a jury in January 2022.

The 52-year-old defendant is accused of sexually abusing a victim while armed with a knife in March.

During the July 26 felony status conference, Judge Juliet McKenna set aside Jan. 12 through 27, 2022, for the trial.

Judge McKenna also scheduled an Aug. 26 hearing for the defendant’s bond review motion and a trial readiness hearing for Sept. 17.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Holds Murder Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a homicide defendant and released ten domestic violence defendants during presentments on July 26.

A total of 46 cases were presented before the court.

Malachi McFarland, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Kerry Odoms on April 15 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. He was held without bond and will return to court on Aug. 16.

Judge Judith Pipe released all ten defendants charged in domestic violence cases. Their charges include simple assault, unlawful entry, violating a civil protection order, threatening to injure or kidnap a person, threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property. Stay away orders were issued for all ten defendants. Two were put on GPS monitoring.

They are all scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8.

Crime Alerts: July 26-27

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on July 26 and 9:00 a.m. on July 27.

An alert was sent out at 2:30 a.m. due to a robbery at the 5000 block of H Street, NE. Police identified the suspects as three black Males.

Document: Homicide on the 1400 Block of V Street, NW

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 21.

At about 12:40 p.m. officers responded to the 1400 block of V Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Police located Kewionne Wilson with gunshot wounds and transported them to a local hospital. On July 26, Wilson, 28, succumbed to their injuries, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in 2019 Homicide

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

At about 6:58 p.m. on June 30, 2019, officers responded to the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Ja’Vontay Brown was found with gunshot wounds and transferred to a local hospital. Brown, 18, later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On July 26, police arrested 28-year-old Dalonte Harrison and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 2200 Block of 4th Street, NE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 23.

At approximately 9:42 p.m. officers responded to the 2200 block of 4^th Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Police found 47-year-old Louis Musgrove Jr. with gunshot wounds and transferred him to a local hospital. On July 25, Musgrove succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a homicide that occurred on July 26.

At approximately 3:58 p.m. officers responded to the 600 block of Jefferson Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Police found John Edmonds with gunshot wounds and transferred him to a hospital. Later on, Edmonds, 35, succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On July 26 police arrested 23-year-old Treavon Johnson and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Jury Finds Defendants Guilty of Murder

A jury found two co-defendants guilty of murder in the first homicide trial to come to the DC Superior Court in more than one year.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, were charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017.

The jury found Everett guilty of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, attempted robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, fleeing a law enforcement officer and four counts of obstruction of justice. He was found not guilty of two counts of obstructions of justice.

Hewitt was found guilty of felony murder while armed, conspiracy and attempted robbery while armed. He was found not guilty of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and first-degree murder while armed.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. They alleged that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

The verdict comes after a suspension of jury trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted more than one year. Former Chief Judge Robert E. Morin suspended jury trials in March. Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring authorized them to resume in April, with safety precautions in place, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the defendants to be sentenced on Oct. 14.

Judge Gives Defense Attorney in Murder Case More Time to Speak With Client

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 26 felony status conference for a murder case.

Herbert Smallwood, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 46-year-old Joseph Ogunjodu in his car on the 1600 block of 17th Place, SE, on June 30.

Defense attorney Anthony Mathews asked for more time to speak with his client before scheduling a preliminary hearing, which will ultimately determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled another felony status conference for Aug. 25.

Reopened Murder Case Moves Closer to Trial

A defendant in a reopened murder case may have dates for his new trial scheduled when parties reconvene in October.

In 2014, a jury found Arik Sims guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and misdemeanor carrying a pistol in connection with the shooting 29-year-old Lamar Fonville on Sept. 20, 2012, on the 4700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison.

In September 2019, Appellate Judge Catherine Easterly ruled that the case should be reopened after the defense said two hearsay statements were introduced into the 2014 trial without the witnesses being present to testify to the facts of the statements at the trial, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the July 26 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled an Oct. 26 status hearing for the 33-year-old defendant, at which time they may schedule a trial date.

Brothers Charged with Murder Ask for Curfew Adjustment

Two brothers charged in connection with a 2020 homicide asked a DC Superior Court judge to modify their curfews.

Co-defendants Dijon Williams, 22, and Daivion Williams, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas. Thomas was fatally shot during an alleged robbery on July 21, 2020, on the 4100 block of 14 Street, NW.

The two were living in Georgia when they were arrested, and are still currently there. Following their arrest, the brothers were released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring and a 6:00 p.m. curfew.

During the July 26 status hearing, both defendants asked Judge Danya Dayson to adjust their curfew to meet normal HISP requirements. Judge Dayson said she will rule on the request during the next hearing, pending information from Georgia’s pretrial services.

DC’s Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said they would try to have a representative from Georgia’s pretrial services at the next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Document: Double Homicide on the 100 Block of Q Street, NW

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a double homicide that occurred on July 25.

At approximately 3:58 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Q Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Police located two adults, 22-year-old Jovan Hill Jr., and 19-year-old Tariq Riley with gunshot wounds and transported them to a local hospital. They later succumbed to their injuries, according to the press release.

A third victim was located sometime later and was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to the press release.

Domestic Violence Defendant Requests New Council During Arraignment

A domestic violence defendant requested a new lawyer during his arraignment hearing.

The defendant was arraigned on eight counts including assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a high capacity ammunition feeding device and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance during the July 26 hearing.

Defense attorney Sabitiyu Abou asked Judge Michael O’Keefe to appoint a new attorney for the defendant. When Judge O’Keefe asked the defendant why he wanted to change council, he said, “I do not feel like my lawyer is on my side.”

Judge O’Keefe granted the request for a new attorney and scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 20.

Judge Holds Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

On July 23, 23 defendants were brought before the DC Superior Court for presentments.

Two domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant were released. One sex abuse defendant was held.

The held sex abuse defendant is charged with second-degree child sex abuse. The defense argued that the defendant should be released, given that he has cooperated with his conditions of release in previous misdemeanor cases. However, the prosecution argued that the defendant should be held because he allegedly committed a different sexual offense against a different child while previously released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold the defendant because of the evidence the prosecution presented, saying that she was not convinced the defendant would not present a danger to the community.

Judge Raymond scheduled him to return to court on Aug. 12.

A second sex abuse defendant is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse. He was released with a stay away order and scheduled to return to court on Aug. 12.

A domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Raymond released him with a stay away order and a No Harass, Assault, Threaten, or Stalk (HATS) order. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 5.

The other domestic violence defendant appeared on a bench warrant and is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 9.

Defendant Charged with Enticing a Child Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released two domestic violence defendants and held two sex abuse defendants during presentments on July 24.

In total, 25 defendants were brought before the court.

The defendant charged with enticing a child was held without bond, but his case was transferred to the district court.

The other sex abuse defendant is a fugitive from Virginia charged with sexual assault. He will be held at DC Jail as he waits for Virginia police to pick him up.

Two domestic violence defendants are charged with simple assault. Judge Lloyd Nolan released them on their promise to return to court with stay away orders from the alleged victims. Their next hearings are scheduled for Nov. 5.

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