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Parties Await Autopsy Report from April Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing to determine if the defense will be requesting a preliminary hearing to decide if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Nathan Hunter, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 44-year-old Ronald Mcknight on April 18, on the 1600 block of 7th Street, NW. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney Frances D’ Antuono said parties are still waiting on the autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. Antuno also said the defense still hasn’t received video evidence from the prosecution, who said they will turn it over as soon as possible. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 19.

Judge Releases Eight Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released eight domestic violence defendants during presentments on July 14.

In total, 25 defendants were presented before the court. 

The charges for the domestic violence defendants include simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to do bodily harm, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft.

Judge Judith Pipe issued stay-away orders for four of the released defendants. Three other defendants were given a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. One defendant received neither.

Seven of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 3. The other defendant will return to court on July 22.

Crime Alerts: July 14-15

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on July 14 and 9:00 a.m. on July 15.

A crime alert was sent out due to a robbery while armed in the 3300 block of Carpenter Street, SE. The suspects were identified as two Black males wearing white shirts and blue jeans.

Judge Schedules Prelim for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old relative in a Northwest, DC apartment on multiple occasions between August 2018 and August 2020. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Aug. 8.

Judge Denies Request to Release Murder Defendant Awaiting Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a July 14 hearing in a murder case to give the prosecution more time to indict the defendant. 

Knico Wheaton, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Tavon Cox on Jan 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 24th Street, NW. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney David Richter pointed out that his client has spent about 15 months in jail since his arrest, but still has yet to be indicted. Because of this, he asked Judge Milton Lee to release Wheaton into home confinement.

Citing the evidence in the case and Wheaton’s arrest history, Judge Lee said he did not feel comfortable releasing the defendant. However, he told the prosecution that they should return an indictment as soon as possible. 

Judge Lee scheduled Wheaton’s next hearing for Sept. 21. 

Trial Testimony Sheds Light on Homicide Investigation

Several witnesses were called to testify about different components of a homicide investigation during the two co-defendants’ trial.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting 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 who testified during the July 13 proceedings included an expert firearms and tool mark examiner. He said he examined the revolver believed to be the murder weapon and tested it for functionality.

“When I pulled the trigger the firearm functioned as designed, it was able to discharge a bullet,” he said.  

Phone records from a major mobile texting and phone call application company are also being used as evidence in this case. An executive employee at the company testified that the app allows users to message with a separate phone number that, while different from the phone’s standard SIM card phone number, is still trackable by phone records. 

Everett was the first of the two defendants to be arrested. He was taken into custody on May 12, 2017. A member of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force detailed the police chase that ended in his arrest.

He testified that the chase started on Highway 295, SE. After some time, Everett exited briefly to Highway 395 towards Howard Road. The chase eventually went back onto Highway 295, where Everett collided with a pole and was apprehended while fleeing on foot, the officer said. The officer also testified that Everett was driving 80 MPH throughout the chase. 

The trial will resume on July 14. 

Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy in this case. Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy and obstructing justice.

Sex Abuse Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge found a sex abuse defendant competent to stand trial on July 14.

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree sexual abuse for allegedly entering a home in Northwest, DC, and exposing himself in the victim’s bedroom on May 21. 

Defense attorney Ferguson Evans said he has a plea offer to discuss with the defendant. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 9 to give parties time to decide how they would like to proceed with the case.

Judge Holds One Sex Abuse Defendant, One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one sexual abuse defendant and one domestic violence defendant during presentments on July 13. 

In total, 31 defendants were presented. This included four domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant.

One defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing the victim into oral sex while he was driving. Judge Judith Pipe decided to hold him due to previous kidnapping and carjacking cases where, according to Judge Pipe, he did not comply with release conditions. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 4.  

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was given a stay away and scheduled to return to court on Aug. 11. 

Judge Pipe released three domestic violence defendants. 

One of the released domestic violence defendants is charged with simple assault and contempt. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 13. Another released domestic violence defendant is charged with assault with significant bodily injury. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 11. The third released domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 12.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in relation to a May 11 homicide.

At about 3:51 a.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Police found 43-year-old Kareem Elliot Watkins and pronounced him dead on scene from stab wounds.

On June 3  law enforcement officers in Fulton County, Georgia arrested Byron Brooks due to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant. After going through the extradition process, Brooks, 35, was charged with second-degree murder on July 8.

Crime Alerts: July 13-14

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out eight crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 13 and 9:00 a.m. on July 14.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:07 p.m. due to a robbery at the 2500 block of Naylor Road, SE. The suspect was identified the suspect as a 14-16-year-old Black juvenile male wearing black clothing, a black mask and is armed.

An alert was sent out at 12:02 a.m. due to a robbery at the 900 block of East Capitol Street, NE. The suspects were identified as three Black males with black ski masks.

An alert was sent out at 1:02 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 4200 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The suspects were identified as four juveniles who were armed.

An alert was sent out at 1:29 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 5000 block of Sargent Road, NE. The suspects were identified as four juveniles who are armed.

An alert was sent out at 2:06 a.m. due to a robbery at the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing black clothing, a black ski mask and armed with a handgun.

An alert was sent out at 3:03 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 1300 block of Parkwood Place, NE. The suspects were identified as two Black males and two Black females.

A crime alert was sent out at 4:07 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 900 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The suspect was identified as a Black male wearing white tennis shoes.

A final crime alert was sent out at 4:19 a.m. due to a robbery at the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as four Black males in an SUV.

Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant to Five Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to five years in prison.

Michael Cox, 35, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse back in March.

According to the proffer of facts, the victim was walking down a street on the 3900 block of Chesapeake Street, NW, in December 2020, when she saw the defendant approach her from behind. He placed a knife to her neck and said, “Do whatever I tell you, or I’ll kill you.” The defendant then threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. Two witnesses who heard the victim’s screams said the victim was eventually able to break free, but Cox came after all three of them with a knife. The three escaped, and Cox retreated inside a vehicle that did not belong to him.

During the July 13 hearing, Judge Milton Lee sentenced Cox to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He will receive credit for the approximately seven months he has already served in pretrial detention. He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

“I hope that you feel regret and guilt because you have hurt me in ways that I didn’t know how I could be hurt,” the victim told Cox in an impact statement. “I don’t want any other girl to go through this.”

Key Witness Continues Testimony in Murder Trial

A defendant who said she had close ties with two murder defendants continued her testimony at their trial.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting 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.

However, the defense attorneys deny that their clients were involved in a robbery. During opening arguments, Everett’s attorney, Michael Madden, said Heard was high on PCP and attempting to rob this witness on the day of the homicide. The witness confirmed on July 9 that she initially told the police this, but now says it was a lie.

During the July 12 hearing, defense attorney Nikki Lotze showed video footage of the witness’ testimony. The footage shows her changing her story after a detective told her she was “going to be f***ed” if she lied.

Lotze asked the witness if detectives intimidated her into lying about her story to keep herself safe. The witness denied this. 

“He wanted to convey the point that I better tell the truth,” she said. “The police were just doing their job.”

Lotze pointed to the witness’s previous testimony that she fell asleep in the getaway car shortly after the homicide, suggesting it indicates that she didn’t think she did anything wrong. The witness disagreed, saying she fell asleep because she was high at the time. 

Defense attorney Michael Madden also said her initial story had “an impressive amount of detail for a lie” during cross-examination.

On July 9, the witness confirmed that she was receiving a plea deal for her testimony and that she could have been charged with felony murder, but took a plea deal that capped her potential sentence at 15 years for robbery conspiracy. She said she is hoping to receive a probation-only sentence.

After her testimony concluded, a witness who was a corrections officer at the time of the homicide took the stand. He explained DC Jail policy with inmate phone calls, visits and interactions during recreation time. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said he will continue his testimony when the trial resumes on July 13.

Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy in this case. Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy and obstructing justice.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Child 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 second-degree child sex abuse and simple assault. He is accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old victim and assaulting an 11-year-old victim.

During the July 12 hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that the alleged offense happened when the defendant was left alone with approximately six children at an apartment complex on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

The detective said the defendant told him during an interview that he and the 12-year-old’s mother were smoking marijuana together and getting to know each other when the mother asked the defendant to talk to her daughter about dating. The mother denies this, according to the detective.

The detective also said the mother did not give the defendant permission to enter her house with no other adults present.

Once in the home, the defendant allegedly told the first victim to come into a bedroom with him.

According to court documents, the defendant allegedly touched the 12-year-old inappropriately and asked for a kiss. She told him, “no,” and ran out of the room.

When officers interviewed the children who were in the house at the time, they told officers that they tried to listen while in the hallway but the defendant told them to move, the detective said. 

After the first victim ran out of the room, the defendant allegedly asked to talk to the second victim and closed the door behind them. Once in the room, the defendant asked if she was dating or had a boyfriend, according to court documents. When the second victim tried to run away, the defendant allegedly grabbed her arm, but she was eventually able to get away.

The judge found probable cause and put Thompson on home confinement with GPS monitoring. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant during presentments on July 12. 

In total, 38 defendants were presented before the court. Six defendants were charged in domestic violence cases.

The one domestic violence defendant who was held is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats to do bodily harm. He is scheduled to return to court on July 27. 

Judge Judith Pipe released five domestic violence defendants, whose charges include simple assault, contempt, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000. One defendant was only given a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order, three were only given stay away orders and one was given both.

The released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 1 and 22.