Document: Arrest Made in Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a July 10 homicide.

At approximately 9:42 p.m. officers responded to the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, detectives found 34-year-old Vanessa Brooks-Williams with gunshot wounds and pronounced her dead on scene, according to the press release.

On July 21, officers arrested 37-year-old Klein Lawrence and charged him with first-degree murder. According to the press release, he was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer and carrying a pistol without a license.

Crime Alerts: July 21-22

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 21 and 9:00 a.m. on July 22.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:18 p.m. due to a shooting at the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second crime alert was sent out at 11:13 p.m. due to a shooting at the 2600 block of Bowen Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A third crime alert was sent out at 8:03 a.m. due to a shooting at the corner of 17th and Gales Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with short hair and a dark complexion wearing a black shirt, jeans, and armed with a handgun.

Judge Denies Release Request from Murder Defendant Awaiting Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide defendant should remain held at DC Jail as he awaits his preliminary hearing, which will determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Aaron Kenon is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 29-year-old Keith Frye on May 8 on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE. The preliminary hearing is set to take place in less than a week.

During the July 21 hearing, defense attorney David Akulian argued that his 43-year-old client should be released due to the limited evidence against him.

Akulian listed four witnesses and said that none of them claim to have seen the stabbing firsthand. Akulian also said the prosecution “would not be able to disprove” that Kenon acted in self-defense.

The prosecution, however, opposed the request to release Kenon. She argued that Kenon still presents a danger, citing security footage in which she says Kenon can be seen following Frye around a corner after their alleged initial scuffle.

The prosecution also said that Kenon admitted to carrying a large knife with him for self-defense purposes following the attack on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6.

Toward the beginning of the hearing, Judge Milton Lee commented, “this might be a pretty good self-defense case.” However, he said he was “not so sure” that Kenon’s alleged use of force was reasonable, telling parties this issue is probably going to be relevant in Kenon’s upcoming preliminary hearing on July 27.

Judge Lee ultimately decided to continue holding Kenon. He cited Kenon’s lengthy criminal record that spans multiple years, his multiple unsuccessful probations and the potential danger someone who regularly carries a large knife may pose.

Teenage Defendant to Serve 8.5 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter

A defendant will serve eight-and-a-half years for a homicide he committed at 16-years-old.

Titus Iracks is convicted of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in the shooting of 43-year-old Larry Harrell on June 13, 2018, on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE.

Iracks, 19, was sentenced to eight-and-a half-years for the voluntary manslaughter charge and nine months for the carrying a pistol without a license charge. The sentences will run concurrently, and he will receive credit for time served.

The defendant pleaded guilty back in 2019, but the judge stayed the execution of the sentencing. He was allowed to stay in the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to continue his education. He was able to take college classes while held at the Youth Services Center, a facility run by the DYRS, D.C. Witness previously reported. Iracks has since been transferred to the custody of the Department of Corrections, according to court documents.

In light of Iracks’ academic progress while held, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits asked Judge Danya Dayson to recommend that Iracks be placed somewhere he can take college courses during the July 21 hearing. He also asked her to recommend a facility that close enough to DC for him to have regular visits with his family.

Judge Dayson told Iracks that she hopes his time in prison will help him find something else to focus on and called his progress “quite remarkable.”

Harrell was shot while being robbed by Iracks and his 24-year-old co-defendant, Dearren Dawkins. Dawkins was sentenced to 9.5 years for his role in the homicide.

The two were initially charged with first-degree murder while armed in August 2018. They both agreed to plead down to voluntary manslaughter. Dawkins also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction while armed.

Iracks’ additional charges of conspiracy while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and felony murder while armed were also dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Murder Defendant Decides Against Pleading Guilty

A murder defendant decided against entering a guilty plea on July 20.

Terell Kevonte Blackman, 27, and Devin Smith, who is also known as Devin Hill, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28-year-old Michael Cunningham on Nov. 29, 2020, on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.

Smith, 26, was going to accept a plea deal that would have allowed him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, but it broke down in court and defense attorney Roderick Thompson asked for more time to go over the deal with his client.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee continued the hearing to Aug. 25.

Two Domestic Violence Defendants Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants during presentments on July 20.

Thirty-one defendants were presented in total. Five of them are charged in domestic violence cases.

A domestic violence defendant who was charged in a previous case with unlawful entry onto private property and Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation failed to appear for a hearing and was therefore held.

Another second domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault and CPO violation for allegedly violating his pretrial release orders in another case. He was held due to the alleged violation.

Judge Renee Raymond scheduled the two defendants to return to court on Aug. 10.

Three domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include simple assault and destruction of property. They were all given stay away orders and are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 2.

One domestic violence defendant’s presentment hearing was pushed to July 21 because he is in the hospital. The defendant is charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Defendant in Reopened 2014 Murder Case Receives New Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge appointed a public defender to represent a murder defendant whose case was reopened in 2020.

Gregory Green is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Derrick Williams who, according to court documents, was robbed and shot in front of his Southeast, DC, home on March 29, 2014.

Green was first charged with murder in April 2014. His first trial ended with a hung jury. The second time around, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder while armed and armed robbery. He was sentenced to 35 years for murder and seven-and-a-half years for robbery. But in 2020, his convictions were overturned and he was granted a new trial.

Public defender Joseph Wong is now representing Green.

During a July 20 ascertainment of counsel hearing, Judge Milton Lee pointed out how, at one point, Green expressed the intention to assert an ineffective assistance of counsel claim against his previous attorneys from the Public Defender Service (PDS). But Green said he is no longer pursuing that claim.

Green is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 21.

According to court documents, Green claimed that the court should not have denied his motion to suppress evidence that police obtained from his cell phone.

In an opinion, Associate Judge Stephen H. Glickman wrote, “Mr. Green argues that this evidence was the fruit of an illegal search and seizure arising from the presence of law enforcement agents in his home without a search warrant or other legal justification. Because we agree that the trial court should have granted the motion to suppress the cell phone evidence, and because the erroneous admission of that evidence at Mr. Green’s trial was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, we reverse his convictions.”

Crime Alerts: July 20-21

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out eight crime alerts between 9:00 a.m. on July 20 and 9:00 a.m. on July 21.

An alert was sent out at 9:15 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the area of 12th and I Street, NW. The suspect is in custody.

An alert was sent out at 10:29 p.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 600 block of Newton Place, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a white shirt and maroon/red shorts.

A third crime alert was sent out at 11:25 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation at the 1500 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Police identified the suspect as a 47-year-old Black male.

A fourth crime alert was sent out at 12:28 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 300 block of 7th Street, NE. Police identified a suspect as a 17 to 19-year-old Black male wearing a black hoodie and riding a rideshare bike.

A fifth crime alert was sent out at 12:30 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 300 block of 7th Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who is about 17 to 19 years old, wearing a black hoodie and riding a red share bike.

A sixth crime alert was sent out at 1:23 a.m. due to a stabbing at the 1400 block of V Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as being in a white vehicle.

A seventh crime alert was sent out at 1:32 a.m. due to an armed robbery at the 1700 block of Lamont Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as two young Black males wearing black clothing and black ski masks. They were last seen in a dark vehicle with tinted windows.

A final crime alert was sent out at 1:57 a.m. due to an armed robbery at the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with a slim build wearing a black ski mask, all black clothing armed with a handgun.

Judge Arraigns Homicide Defendant

A defense attorney in a homicide case voiced concerns over his client’s length and conditions of confinement during an arraignment hearing.

Tyrell Powell was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Semaj Alsobrooks on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, NE, on Sept. 4, 2019.

The 24-year-old defendant has now been indicted on charges of felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and assault with significant bodily injury. He pleaded not guilty to all counts during the July 20 hearing.

Defense attorney Jason Tulley said he has received “an absolute lack” of materials related to the case.

“The court has been overly generous to the government, giving them extra time to gather information to form the basis of this ruling, and they still do not have the information,” he said.

The prosecutor said she would give Tulley everything she could within the next week.

“This was the first time that Mr. Tulley raised anything while I’ve been on personally in a hearing, or to me in an email,” she said.

Tulley also asked for his client’s release, pointing out how long Powell may have to wait for a trial and the psychological effects of his conditions of confinement.

“Solitary confinement, which is what Mr. Powell has faced for all this time, has an incredibly detrimental effect on mental health,” Tulley said. “It is an emergency for Mr. Powell, and I believe it hasn’t been treated as such.”

Powell was charged with murder in November 2019. Judge Milton Lee acknowledged the length of his detention, but did not agree to release him.

“The defense has argued that the delay should rest on the prosecution, I reject that,” he said. “The reason for the delay has been pandemic related.”

Judge Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 10.

Prosecutors in Murder Trial Rest Their Case

After three witnesses took the stand on July 19, prosecutors in a murder trial rested their case.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017.

The prosecution alleges 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 allege that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

The witnesses called during the July 19 proceedings include a deputy from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who was involved in the arrests of both defendants. He detailed the two’s arrests and identified the defendants in court.

An MPD detective also testified, detailing how he downloaded evidence off cell phones used by the defendants. Another detective confirmed Everett’s voice from recordings of phone calls at the DC Jail.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Murder

A defendant charged in connection with a 2019 homicide resolved his case with a plea deal on July 20.

Vaughn Kosh pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting 38-year-old Alayna Howard in her apartment on the 1700 block of Capitol Street, NE, on Dec. 7, 2019. He also pleaded guilty to assault, aggravated assault while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for attacking members of Howard’s family.

According to court documents, the plea deal includes an agreement between Kosh and the prosecution that 15-20 years is an appropriate sentence for all the charges.

According to the proffer of facts, at about 5:14 a.m., the 49-year-old defendant forced open the door to Howard’s apartment, which was next door to his, and had a brief verbal altercation with a man before shooting him. The man fled outside the building and called the police.

When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on scene, they heard shots from inside the building. Kosh shot at Howard and her relative, killing Howard and wounding the other woman, according to the proffer of facts.

Later that morning, after receiving a warrant, officers entered Kosh’s apartment and found a .25 caliber handgun hidden beneath the cushions of an ottoman and two live rounds of ammunition in the toilet.

Kosh had an ongoing dispute with the male victim and had previous altercations with him. Kosh said that Howard did not clean her apartment, which caused odor and infestation issues in his. He also said that the male victim had broken into his apartment on multiple occasions.

Kosh said that he fired at Howard because she was the cause of the problems. He also said that he felt remorse for his actions but that Howard and the other victims had pushed him too hard for too long.

Kosh was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed, and was indicted last December. As a part of the plea deal he made, his charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm will be dismissed.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Kosh to be sentenced on Oct. 8.

Sex Abuse Defendant Pleads Out

A defendant initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse pleaded down to misdemeanor sex abuse.

On the morning of April 8, 2020, police responded to the 1700 block of V Street, SE, due to a report of a sexual assault, according to court documents. The victim told police that the defendant, Darius Robinson, sexually assaulted her. Robinson was later arrested after admitting his crime via text message to the victim.

Robinson is currently released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Defense attorney Wole Falodun asked Judge Marisa Demeo to take his client off home confinement so he can see his children, but she declined the request.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Robinson to be sentenced on Oct. 1.

One Domestic Violence Defendant Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released two domestic violence defendants and held one during presentments on July 19.

A total of 41 defendants were presented before the court.

A domestic violence defendant was charged with four counts of simple assault. He was held due to the seriousness of the accusations and given stay away orders. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 3.

Two domestic violence co-defendants were charged with cruelty to children. Judge Renee Raymond said officers arrived at their home for a welfare check and found locks on the cabinets and refrigerator along with multiple marks on the children. One of the defendants said that the locks were there to discipline the children after one of them ate cake out of a neighbors trash bin.

Judge Raymond released the two defendants and issued stay away orders from their children and anyone younger than 16-years-old. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 1.

Defendant Charged in 2 Homicides Receives Plea Offer

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s hearing after the prosecution put a plea offer on the record.

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.

Young picked up both of these cases in December 2020.

During the July 19 hearing, Young’s attorney, Dorsey Jones, said his client needs time to think about the prosecution’s offer.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled another hearing for Sept 9.

Jones motioned to withdrawal as counsel back in May, but Judge Demeo did not rule on it during the hearing.

Judge Continues Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing in a sex abuse case.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for allegedly forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him at gunpoint on Jan. 27, 2006, on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW.

The 44-year-old picked up the case in May 2020.

According to court documents, defense counsel did not show up to the July 19 hearing.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the next status hearing for Aug. 11.

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