Given Prosecutor’s Delay, Judge Considers Dismissing Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe is considering dismissing a shooting case based on what she says is the prosecution’s continued lack of preparedness during a hearing on March 23.

Malik Stone, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 2100 block of R Street, SE on July 30, 2025.

According to court documents, a witness reported hearing gunshots outside their apartment. When they looked outside on the balcony, they allegedly saw Stone shooting at two individuals. No injuries were reported.

Representing Stone, Natalie Murphy, complained about the prosecution and disputed the viability of the case.

Murphy told Judge Pipe the prosecution said on three separate occasions they would have an indictment by the May deadline and were working on DNA testing, but that progress has stalled. According to Murphy, the case has been ongoing for eight months without an indictment. Court records indicate the case was opened on Aug. 14, 2025.

The prosecution emphasized they plan on filing the indictment by the deadline but did not have a timeline on the DNA.

Murphy is also concerned about evidence from ShotSpotter, a software used to collect sounds of gunshots and pinpoint their location. She stated the arrest warrant cited 15 ShotSpotter notifications from the time of the shooting and that the prosecution did not turn over any of them. The prosecutor stated they were not up to date on any discovery issues but would try their best to turn over any remaining evidence as quickly as possible.

Judge Pipe expressed frustration with the prosecution, stating there’s been a history of their claiming to be prepared when they were not. She advised them that if the problems persist she would consider dismissing the case entirely.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 9.

Judge Issues Warrant For Carjacking Defendant Absent From Probation Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld issued a bench warrant after a carjacking defendant failed to appear in court after reportedly violating his probation on March 24.

Derrick Curtis, 25, was sentenced on Nov. 17, 2025 for charges of assault with intent to commit robbery and first-degree theft. These charges stem from his involvement in an unarmed carjacking incident on Dec. 30, 2024 at the intersection of 16th Street and Benning Road, NE.

Curtis was sentenced to two years imprisonment and three years supervised release, all time suspended in favor of one year probation.

According to court records, a notice of non-compliance was filed on Feb. 25 by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) reporting a violation by Curtis. Parties did not specify the nature of the infraction.

During the hearing, the prosecution requested Judge Hertzfeld issue a bench warrant for Curtis for missing the hearing and allegedly violating his probation terms.

As a result, Judge Hertzfeld issued the writ. If Curtis fails to complete the requirements of his probation, Judge Hertzfeld can require him to serve the two year prison sentence.

Parties will reconvene when US Marshals successfully execute the warrant.

Judge Denies Motions to Dismiss Homicide Case After Police Misconduct

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied two defense motions to dismiss a homicide case for police misconduct in a hearing on March 24.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, attempted robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of less than one year, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, on July 5, 2023.

According to the motion to dismiss the indictment filed on March 17 by Macedo’s defense attorneys, Jessica Willis and Rachel Cicurel, the prosecutors “committed multiple…violations by not disclosing exculpatory and impeaching information to the defense as soon as practicable.”

Judge Kravitz agreed that the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) did not act as soon as feasible. They were more focused “on efforts to win the case” than providing information favorable to the defense, said the judge.

Because of this, Willis argued that “dismissal is appropriate” for Macedo’s case.

Judge Kravitz ruled that dismissal of the charges is too severe of a sanction in this case. He said the USAO did not act in “bad faith” which is a requirement to warrant the dismissal of the charges.

Cicurel said prosecutors were made aware of an investigation into the previous lead detective on his case on Jan. 5, 2024. According to Cicurel, prosecutors did not disclose this information to the defense until March 9 and because of this, they were not acting “as soon as practicable.”

During the hearing, a USAO supervisor said they received notice from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) about the detective’s misconduct on Jan. 5.

Cicurel said this was a “unique call under unique circumstances” and that prosecutors failed to turn this over to the defense counsel “as soon as practicable.”

In court on March 18 and 19, parties debated emails that showed when USAO knew about the detective’s misconduct. The emails, sent in January and March 2024, referenced the former lead detective on the case, who was investigated for sexual misconduct that violated MPD policies.

The prosecutors did not disclose the officer’s misconduct until around a week before Macedo’s trial was scheduled to begin, and the defense did not know what the emails between USAO supervisors contained until the day before the March 18 hearing, according to Willis.

Prosecutors provided summaries of these USAO emails originally, but Cicurel said these were not representations of the extent of their violations.

A prosecutor said the defense’s argument contained inaccuracies and a “compressed timeline.”

According to Willis, the January 2024 email thread included multiple USAO Homicide Division supervisors and stated the detective would not be testifying in Macedo’s case. Willis said one of the prosecutors replied, “WTF. Are we going to make an affirmative disclosure?”

Willis said the email thread shows the prosecutors made a decision in January 2024 not to disclose information about the detective to the defense counsel.

A USAO supervisor, who parties informally questioned in court, said he did not believe in January 2024 that the detective’s misconduct pointed to “credibility” or “veracity.” He said he did not know why the email’s sender from USAO chose to replace the detective on the case.

The supervisor said the officers involved were “idiots,” but the incident did not go to their “credibility” or “veracity” in his mind. He said that he did not want to “put anyone on blast.”

Cicurel said if USAO supervisors did not see an issue with the detective’s “credibility or veracity,” then they did not read the MPD misconduct report. Cicurel read that in the documents, MPD found that the detective’s “misconduct has cast a shadow over [his] credibility and reputation as a law enforcement officer.”

When being questioned by Cicurel, the supervisor said that they did not completely read the MPD documents provided to them. As a result, Circurel said they missed crucial information about the credibility of the previous lead detective.

Cicurel noted that the MPD documents include conversation about the detective’s MPD-issued phone being wiped by the detective nine minutes after he was made aware he was under investigation. MPD did not find that he did so on purpose, but interview documents provided by the defense suggest that they know he “could” have done so.

According to another higher level USAO supervisor, who Judge Kravitz and the parties questioned, a March 2024 email concerned the former lead detective’s status on the Lewis List, a confidential database listing police officers with possible credibility issues.

The higher level supervisor said another Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) flagged that detective’s status as “green,” indicating AUSAs would not need to check with their supervisors before sponsoring an officer to testify in a case. According to the higher level supervisor, he said this email prompted him to flag the officer as “yellow,” indicating AUSAs would need to check with their supervisors.

The higher level supervisor flagged the detective as “yellow” in the database two months after receiving information about his misconduct from MPD. He said it was a “failure” on his part not to notify other USAO supervisors. He said he initially did not prioritize it because the detective was either on a no-contact order, meaning he was not allowed to speak with USAO about cases, or he was not taking cases at the time.

Judge Kravitz said the higher level supervisor acted, “more with laziness than intentionally with bad faith.” The judge said he does not think that the supervisors knew the “extent of the exculpatory information,” but he personally would have known if he read through the MPD finding.

Judge Kravitz suggested potential sanctions that would be less severe than dismissal. He proposed the defense could call the former lead detective as a witness. The failures of the “initial investigation” could be “reasons [for the jury] to doubt” Macedo’s guilt.

Judge Kravitz said he believes these sanctions “more directly” address the violations by the prosecution in this case. Cicurel asked for time to discuss the proposed sanctions and decide what they plan to implement moving forward.

Sanctions are expected to be decided before the jury arrives on March 25.

Shooting Co-Defendant Wanted a Sentence Allowing Her to ‘Beat the Odds’

Co-defendants in a non-fatal shooting case were sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park during a hearing on March 24.

A jury found Bernard Vance, 31, guilty of tampering with evidence on Dec. 19 2025 and subsequently Vance pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 2026 to attempted robbery with a prior conviction for his involvement in a robbery and non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 300 block Franklin Street, NE, on March 28, 2023. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the face.

Nikia Cunningham, 31, pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for her involvement in the incident.

During the hearing, the prosecutor read a statement from the shooting victim that said before the shooting, the victim had stable housing and employment. After he was shot, he lost his job and noted “three years later he is still trying to get his life back.”

The prosecutor requested Judge Park to impose a sentence totaling 43 months of imprisonment for Vance, 28 months for attempted robbery and 15 months for tampering with evidence. They argued it was “two separate criminal acts” of attempted robbery and then hiding the gun in a trash can when police arrived.

They concluded due to the severity of the incident, Vance’s past criminal history, and failure to comply while on probation, they believe tough sentence is necessary to ensure safety of the community.

Vance’s attorney, Wole Falodun, argued that the 15-minute duration of the shooting to the gun disposal was too brief to be classified as two distinct criminal acts. He requested 28 months of imprisonment, suspending six months. Falodun asked Judge Park to impose a sentence that can give Vance an opportunity to prove he has learned from his mistakes and is making better decisions moving forward.

In Vance’s letter to the judge, he said he takes full accountability for his action. “At the time of the offense, I struggled with drugs and mental health from past trauma,” Vance said. “I have grown and matured,” Vance concluded, “This is the last time I’m behind bars.”

For Cunningham, the prosecutors requested 32 months of imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearms with a prior conviction. They argued while she did not fire the gun she carried, bringing a gun to a tense situation leads to violent acts. They also noted she was under court supervision when the incident occurred.

Cunningham’s attorney, Jesse Winograd, claimed the prosecutor’s filings are slightly inaccurate because the gun Cunningham carried had nothing to do with the shooting. Winograd said the prosecution “can not say that the gun was used to threaten, it was only used in a possessory offense.”

Winograd explained Cunningham’s past criminal history and said she has been incarcerated for three years and has been a “poster child for rehabilitation.” According to Winograd, she has been heavily involved in classes and leadership programs in jail.

“She has used her trauma to help other people,” Winograd said. “I do not believe her incarceration is helpful to any one.”

Cunningham read a letter she wrote to Judge Park reflecting on her incarceration. She explained how she has used her time to educate herself and others about the law and has been getting college credits.

“I worked diligently to set an example for my peers,” Cunningham said. She requested Judge Park give her a concurrent sentence to the one she was currently serving in an unrelated case, but acknowledged it is up to the Judge to decide. She ended her letter and said, “Please allow me to beat the odds.”

According to Winograd, Cunningham has around two months left in her sentence for her other case.

Judge Park thanked both of the defendants for their well-thought out letters. He said when “sentencing, I am required to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the event and take into consideration the criminal history.”

As a result, Judge Park sentenced Vance to 28 months of imprisonment for attempted robbery and 10 months for tampering with evidence. Totaling 38 months of consecutive imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

Cunningham was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment, the minimum duration under court guidelines, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Park ordered this term to run consecutively to her existing sentence in an unrelated case.

No further dates were set.

Defendant Accepts Plea Deal After Shooting at Ex-Girlfriend’s Door

A defendant who shot at his former partner’s apartment door accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on March 25.

Dacquan Judd, 20, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Oct. 17, 2025 on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. No injuries were reported.

At the hearing, Judd’s attorney, Erin Griffard, told Judge Di Toro that her client accepted an offer from prosecutors that required Judd to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to not seek an indictment with additional charges and limit their sentence request to the bottom third of sentencing guidelines. Judd must also register as a gun offender in DC.

The prosecutors said that if the case had proceeded to trial, they would have proven that Judd fired multiple rounds at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment door, after an argument between them. There was no legal justification for Judd’s actions.

Judge Di Toro questioned Judd to ensure that he knowingly and willingly pleaded guilty.

After Judge Di Toro accepted Judd’s plea, the prosecutor made a motion to detain Judd until sentencing. The prosecutor acknowledged that there were no compliance issues with his current release, but because of the dangerousness of the crime, he believes Judd should be detained.

Griffard argued that Judd has been completely compliant with the home confinement, has a full-time job, and made no contact with the victim as part of the stay-away order.

Judge Di Toro denied the prosecution’s motion because of Judd’s failthful compliance.

Griffard presented the court with a letter from the victim providing context to Judd’s actions as “out of character.” The victim also requested that the stay-away order be removed.

Griffard then requested that Judge Di Toro lift Judd’s home confinement but the prosecutor objected because of how serious the incident was.

Judge Di Toro denied both of Griffard’s requests because she wants Judd to stay focused on his case and continue the good behavior, especially with sentencing quickly approaching.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 12.

Defense Withdraws Request to Dismiss Nail File Stabbing Case

A defense attorney told DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe she no longer wished to dismiss her client’s stabbing case after she confirmed she wasn’t missing evidence during a hearing on March 23.

Tania Murphy, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 2000 block of Georgia Avenue, NW on Oct. 31, 2025.

According to court documents, a fight broke out at a bus stop that reportedly involved the victim and Murphy. After police broke up that fight, another fight broke out at a nearby parking lot where Murphy allegedly stabbed the victim in the stomach with a nail file.

During the hearing, Murphy’s attorney, Camille Wagner, stated that she no longer requested to dismiss the case for want of body camera footage from prosecutors, since there wasn’t any. .

When discussing release, Wagner requested that Murphy’s GPS monitor be removed. The judge noted that Murphy has a non-extraditable warrant, a warrant in another jurisdiction that doesn’t allow her to be arrested in DC. The prosecution argued that because of the warrant and the charges that Murphy is facing that she should not have her GPS monitor removed.

Judge Pipe ruled she would not remove Murphy’s GPS monitor until she dealt with the outstanding warrant.

Wagner also told Judge Pipe that she was waiting for a response from the prosecution about the counter plea offer she sent them, which prosecutors said they were still considering.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 30.

Defendant Accused of Restaurant Stabbing Rejects Plea Deal

A defendant accused of stabbing someone in the back at a restaurant rejected a plea deal from the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on March 23.

Shelton Elder, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that left a victim hospitalized on Dec. 17, 2025, on the 1000 block of Vermont Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, Elder and the victim reportedly fought after Edler allegedly took a table from a group of girls at a restaurant and the victim told him to move. Elder allegedly pulled out a knife and later stabbed the victim in the back. The victim was hospitalized with a compromised lung.

During the hearing, the prosecution offered a plea deal in which Elder would plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and in exchange, prosecutors would not seek an indictment with additional charges.

Elder’s attorney, Peter Odom, rejected the plea offer on behalf of his client and asserted his right to a jury trial.

Parties are set to reconvene on June 8.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A defendant accused of a fatal pedestrian crash pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 24.

Kyree Young, 18, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree felony murder, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury, three counts of robbery, first-degree theft, and fleeing a law enforcement officer for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run that killed Donnel Phillips, 55, on May 7, 2025 at the intersection of 12th and U Streets, NW.

Young is charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.

According to court documents, Young allegedly stole a white Hyundai Santa Fe and robbed two individuals, both of whom sustained injuries during the incident. He then allegedly struck Phillips with the vehicle, who was standing at a marked crosswalk and later died from his injuries.

During the arraignment, Young’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, asserted his right to a speedy trial, and requested evidence favorable to the defense from the prosecution.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 22.

Homicide Defendant Sentenced to 107 Years for Shooting Spree

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a defendant to 107 years in prison on March 20 for his involvement in a 2020 shooting spree that resulted in multiple injuries and the death of a 13-year-old boy.

Reginald Steele, 27, was convicted on Nov. 19, 2025 of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, at the 600 block of S Street, NW, on March 1, 2020. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident.

Steele was also convicted of a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Feb. 22, 2020, on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, and a non-fatal shooting with no reported injuries on March 1, 2020 on the unit block of Channing Street, NE.

In addition to these charges, Steele pleaded guilty on Feb. 13, 2025 to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Aug. 3, 2021, at the DC Jail. One individual sustained wounds to the neck.

At Steele’s sentencing, prosecutors asked Judge Brandt to impose a sentence of 109 years.

“This number is not just an abstraction” prosecutors said, but a reflection of Steele’s actions.

Prosecutors argued Lukes’ murder wasn’t impulsive but that Steele and his friends “were hunting.” The prosecution continued that “they were looking for victims and ambushed [Lukes and his friends] in an alley.”

They only wanted to play basketball, prosecutors stated. They were just trying to get to the neighborhood court when they were hunted down and shot at in a crime that was “purposeful, planned, and intended.”

Prosecutors claimed when Steele was at the DC Jail he stabbed the brother of one of the boys playing basketball with Lukes. Despite having open felony cases, he did it anyway, prosecutors emphasized.

Additionally, prosecutors contended Steele hadn’t shown any remorse or accountability for his actions. They referenced a statement from Steele’s father in which he admitted Steele doesn’t like taking orders. This sentence is “how to protect the community from a man who will not be deterred by anything,” said prosecutors.

According to prosecutors, the impact of Steele’s crimes affect the entire community.

Steele “earned every minute of the 109-year-sentence,” prosecutors stated. “He made his bed, and now he must lie in it.”

Steele’s attorney, Megan Allburn, prefaced her sentencing remarks by telling Judge Brandt nothing she can say will diminish the losses felt in the courtroom.

There’s no question the community needs to be protected, Allburn said, but 109 years is excessive and says Steele isn’t capable of reform. Allburn pointed out that it was Steele’s birthday. He knows he’s likely going to die in federal prison, she said, but the prosecution is saying Steele’s life doesn’t matter by asking for that extreme sentence.

According to Allburn, Steele’s father was correct in saying Steele doesn’t like taking orders when being “barked at,” but he can be reasonable. If directions are calmly explained, Steele is more than willing to follow them, she said.

Allburn further argued Steele’s frontal lobe wasn’t fully developed at the time of the shootings, as he was only 21-years-old.

According to Allburn, Steele was a victim of street violence during his childhood and didn’t have the structure and education he needed growing up. She pointed out Steele’s struggles with reading as a testament to the failure of the education system.

Also, Allburn described the DC Jail as a dangerous, hostile, aggressive, and dirty place. Steele has taken responsibility for that stabbing and acknowledged his wrong, showing “growth and maturity,” asserted Allburn.

“Justice and mercy are not opposites, they’re partners,” Allburn claimed. She asked Judge Brandt to show both when imposing a sentence for Steele.

Given the opportunity to speak, Steele said he couldn’t talk about Lukes or the other people he “allegedly shot at” because he was filing an appeal.

However, Steele admitted guilt for the jail stabbing and told Judge Brandt that regardless of the sentence he received, he would rehabilitate himself. He said he wanted to do positive things and make it right for the day he returns home.

Judge Brandt said “this is a very hard day.” She gave her condolences to Lukes’ family and acknowledged Steele’s brother and family friend who were at every hearing supporting him.

To Steele, she said “I am truly sorry because I believe education is the key to everything. I am woefully sorry and embarrassed that the DC public school system has let you down.”

Judge Brandt said when she hears words like, “Steele’s incapable of rehabilitation,” she doesn’t agree. Everyone can change, she said, but Steele has to put his best foot forward.

She told Allburn she tries to be merciful. However, Judge Brandt also took into consideration the previous victim impact statement from Lukes’ mother at Steele’s co-defendants’ sentencing.

“It is within an extremely heavy heart that I impose this sentence,” Judge Brandt said.

Judge Brandt sentenced Steele to 45 years for first-degree murder. Steele received 14 years for each count of assault with intent to kill while armed and five years for each count of assault with a dangerous weapon. For the stabbing case, he received time already served.

He received five years for each count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two years for each count of carrying a pistol without a license, all terms served consecutively. The sentences for six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license will run concurrently with the other charges.

Steele received a total 107 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.

Judge Brandt told Steele because of the DC Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA), he is eligible to apply for release after 15 years. The IRAA allows individuals who committed crimes before age 25 and served at least 15 years to petition for sentence reduction. She also told him he has 30 days to file appeals.

No further hearings have been scheduled.

Homicide Defendant in Georgia Home Fails to Appear in Court

A homicide defendant, apparently in Georgia, failed to appear at a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 23.

Steven Washington, 26, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree felony murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, and attempting to commit robbery while armed. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Nurudeen Thomas, 30, on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW on July 21, 2020.

Washington failed to appear at the hearing, and his defense attorneys, Quo Judkins and Veronice Holt, stated they have been unable to contact him. An officer from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) also stated that she had been attempting to contact Washington with no success.

Washington is currently released in Georgia with GPS monitoring. According to Holt and the PSA officer, his GPS device was totally discharged on March 16, and came back online around March 21.

The GPS device now indicates Washington was at his residence in Georgia. However, he failed to keep his contact information updated for PSA, which is part of his release conditions.

The prosecution requested that Washington’s release be terminated, which Judge Park denied because he lives in another state.

Holt requested a couple of days to attempt to contact Washington.

Judge Park stated that he planned to issue a bench warrant, but gave Holt and Judkins until Wednesday to speak to Washington.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 25.

‘Her Life Mattered,’ Murder Victim’s Aunt Says at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a homicide defendant who fatally shot his romantic partner to 17 years in prison on March 20.

Pernell Sims, 35, pleaded guilty on Jan. 9 to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Tyshida Williams, 31, on July 30, 2023 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SW. Williams sustained one gunshot wound to her head. Sims and Williams were in a romantic relationship when the offense occurred.

As part of the plea agreement, parties agreed to a sentence range of 15-to-18 years, approved by Judge Edelman.

At the proceeding, the court heard victim impact statements from several of Williams’ family members.

“You killed the person who meant the most to me,” Williams’ daughter said in a letter to the court. She said her mother genuinely cared about Sims and he betrayed her by taking her life. She asked for Sims to receive the maximum sentence.

“I never liked you,” Williams’ brother said toward Sims during his statement. He went on to say Williams was a loving woman and loved Sims’ son like her own.

“My granddaughter was my heart,” said Williams’ grandmother who raised her. She recalled another incident when the police came to her door looking for Sims because he allegedly beat his son’s mother and took his son. “I’m sick and tired of what he’s done to this community and this family.”

Williams’ best friend highlighted her roles as a mother, daughter, and friend. She said that Williams gave her all to every person she came in contact with, including the person that took her life. She asked Judge Edelman to give Sims the justice he deserved with a maximum sentence.

“He’s a manipulator, a coward, and I want him to get the most time ever,” as punishment for taking the life of a loved one, said Williams’ aunt.

She highlighted the effect of Williams’ loss on their family, as they now have to raise her daughter. Williams’ aunt said she previously told Williams not to go back to Sims, due to his history of domestic violence.

“Justice can affirm that her life mattered,” another one of Williams’ aunts said in her plea for the maximum sentence.

The prosecution argued for an 18 year sentence, citing Sims’ significant history of domestic violence with multiple arrests and convictions.

The prosecution told the court that Sims “terrorized” Williams for over an hour before he shot her. According to prosecutors, Sims took Williams phone and keys so she couldn’t get away and, at one point, she ran into the hallway and he dragged her back into the apartment.

The prosecution showed security footage to the court, in which Sims chased Williams and kicked her on the ground. Prosecutors said Williams had a massive contusion on her chest from the injury.

They told Judge Edelman that Sims committed the murder while his son was in the apartment, traumatizing him. Sims told investigators his son lied about hearing his father shoot Williams.

Prosecutors also mentioned that Sims FaceTimed Williams’ daughter from the scene and falsely told her that her mother committed suicide.

Sims’ attorney, Quo Judkins, read a statement from her client in which he said he took accountability for his actions and expressed sincere remorse. Additionally, Sims said he understood the impact Williams’ murder had on the family.

Judkins argued that Sims has the ability to be a productive member of society. Sims earned his GED and HVAC certification, making him employable, noted Judkins, and he continued to work while incarcerated at the DC Jail.

Additionally, Judkins told the court that Sims was shot in the head in 2018, and continues to suffer from the effects.

Sims gave a statement in which he apologized for his actions.

“This was an inexcusable and brutal act of domestic violence,” Judge Edelman said. He acknowledged that Sims looked like a contributing member of society notwithstanding his behavior in intimate relationships.

Judge Edelman accepted the plea deal and sentenced Sims to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Sims will also be required to register as a firearm offender upon his release.

No further dates were set.

Judge Issues Warrant After Shooting Defendant Fails to Appear

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld issued a bench warrant for a defendant in a shooting case who failed to appear in court on March 18.

Adrian Williams, 26, was sentenced on June 12 to a one year prison sentence, all suspended with one year of supervised probation, for carrying a pistol without a license due to his involvement in an incident on April 17, 2023 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE. Nine gunshots were detected, but no injuries were reported.

According to court documents, a witness captured Williams on video with a firearm.

After Williams failed to appear in court for his probation show cause hearing, Judge Hertzfeld issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Men’s Shelter Stabbing Suspect Waives Prelim, Released on GPS Monitoring

A stabbing defendant waived his preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker on March 23.

Andre Towsend, 48, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place at 801 East Men’s Shelter, located at the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on March 19. The victim sustained a stab wound to the right side of his neck.

At the hearing, Towsend’s attorney, Edward Joseph, alerted parties that his client intended to give up his right to a preliminary hearing of the evidence against him.

Judge Parker made sure that Towsend’s waiver was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.

Joseph said he wanted to argue against probable cause in the case, based on the arrest warrant.

Judge Parker explained that because Towsend chose to waive his preliminary hearing, parties could not make arguments on probable cause. After consideration, Joseph decided to keep the waiver in place.

Joseph then argued for his client’s release, explaining Towsend is employed and has his own apartment. In addition, Joseph stated that the incident was not an “out of the blue attack,” and explained the victim stole Towsend’s phone and he was trying to retrieve it.

The prosecution argued against Towsend’s release, noting that Towsend was at a shelter at the time of the offense and they are unsure about his housing status. The prosecution also added that a detective in this case described the victim as “a centimeter from death.”

Judge Parker released Towsend because Joseph said he could provide proof that Towsend has stable housing. Towsend will be released with GPS monitoring, a curfew from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., and a stay-away order from the victim and the shelter. Judge Parker also ordered Towsend to drug test weekly with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and receive a mental health screening.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 27.

Defense Says Fatal Shooting Was a ‘Tragic Accident’ in Opening Statements

A defense attorney argued a fatal shooting was an accident, not a murder, during a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 24.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, attempted robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction less than a year, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson. The incident occurred on July 5, 2023 at The Catholic University of America on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE. Emerson sustained one gunshot wound to the abdomen.

In the prosecution’s opening statement, they asked jurors to “use common sense” and “believe their eyes.” They said Macedo murdered Emerson when he “pulled out a gun and shot him.”

Prosecutors showed surveillance footage from the Brookland Metro Station, at the 800 block of Michigan Avenue, NE, where Emerson and Macedo allegedly met. They said Macedo flashed the gun he had in his waist band and attempted to rob Emerson. While the gun is not visible, prosecutors claim Macedo lifted his shirt to show Emerson that he was “not in control” of the situation.

In a separate surveillance footage clip, prosecutors showed Emerson walking with his hands up. This is the “universal sign for don’t shoot, I am unarmed,” according to prosecutors.

Emerson sent 300 dollars to Macedo on Cash App, prosecutors said, but sending the money was “not enough” for Macedo. They said Macedo reached for Emerson’s backpack when Emerson took a “last desperate chance” in an attempt to fight off Macedo. The prosecution said Emerson fell and “crumpled” to the ground, because Macedo shot him.

Rachel Cicurel, Macedo’s attorney, said the prosecution’s version of events is false. She said this was not a robbery and was “certainly” not a murder. Emerson caught Macedo by surprise when he was willing to help him, said Cicurel. Macedo did not threaten or attempt to rob Emerson at any point, Cicurel claimed.

The prosecution’s story “defies logic,” according to Cicurel. Cicurel said Macedo was walking with Emerson for 30 minutes. During this time, “not a single person” saw something out of the ordinary. “This is because nothing was out of the ordinary,” said Cicurel. Even with “scores of commuters and cars” passing by, no one stopped to call the police.

“Something changed” for Emerson when he noticed Macedo had a gun, claimed Cicurel. Macedo did not flash his gun when he first met Emerson outside of the train station, Instead, Circurel claimed, Emerson saw the gun immediately before sending a Snapchat message to his mother.

That’s when Cicurel said Emerson “attacks” Macedo out of “nowhere.” Emerson “absolutely panicked” and could not have known that Macedo is known to carry a gun for protection.

Emerson tackled Macedo down to the ground, according to Cicurel. The high school wrestling coach “attacked” Macedo and rendered him “unable to get up.” In the chaos, Cicurel claims that the gun went off.

This was a “tragic, tragic, accident,” said Cicurel. What happened was “awful,” but this was not a robbery or a murder.

The prosecution called Emerson’s mother to testify who said that her, Emerson, and Emerson’s twin brother traveled to DC from Kentucky. Emerson planned to attend the Summer Teacher Institute conference at the Library of Congress.

The day of the incident, which was the first day of the conference, Emerson sent his mother a Snapchat photo of him waking up in his bed at Trinity Washington University, where they stayed whenever they came down to DC.

She responded back with a Snapchat that said “I didn’t hear you leave. Have a good day and send pictures.”

A few minutes later, Emerson sent his mother a message saying, “Help. Being ribbed. At ‘cub’ point.” These were “typos born of desperation,” according to prosecutors in their opening statements.

Emerson’s mother said she was unsure of what her son was trying to tell her and went back to sleep. Later she realized her son was telling her that he was being robbed at gunpoint. This was when she and Emerson’s twin brother went to an officer and asked for help. A few hours later, they found out about what happened to Emerson at a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) station.

During cross-examination, Cicurel asked Emerson’s mother about the day prior to his death when Emerson, his mother, and his brother, explored DC. Circurel asked Emerson’s mother whether Emerson left the group to get a Starbucks order that day. Emerson’s mother said she was not aware, but also stated that Emerson never went alone anywhere during their trip before the day of the incident.

The prosecution called a lieutenant from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS) on the Battalion Medical Team to testify. The lieutenant responded to a dispatch of a cardiac arrest and when he arrived witnessed someone performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on Emerson.

The lieutenant noticed that Emerson was not breathing, did not have a heart beat, and was facing face up on the ground unconscious. According to the lieutenant, he questioned why Emerson was having a heart attack because he seemed young.

Then, the lieutenant noticed the penetrating injury in Emerson’s abdomen, with a pattern around the wound, which told him it was a close contact gunshot wound. He stated that there was no visible blood because Emerson bled internally.

The lieutenant said he noticed Emerson’s wallet on the ground, found his driver’s license and took a photo. Afterward, the lieutenant left the wallet on the ground for MPD and his team, transferred Emerson to a trauma center down the road because he was in critical critical condition.

Circurel asked if anyone else, who wasn’t MPD, touched the wallet. The lieutenant stated that there was a campus police who picked up the wallet and ignored the lieutenant’s request to leave it so MPD could handle it.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 25.

Insanity Defense Pending in Homicide Case

The defense in a homicide case said they’re working on gathering records to file an insanity argument before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 20.

Lamont Stephenson, 51, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and cruelty to animals for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Natina Kiah, and the killing of her cat on March 6, 2019 at the 5000 block of D Street, SE.

Stephenson’s attorneys, Sara Kopecki and Jonathan Lanyi, initially indicated their intention to file insanity defense in September 2025 before Judge Edelman. However, Kopecki stated they are still gathering documents to support their argument before filing a motion. To be ruled insane, or not criminally responsible, a defendant must be unable to distinguish right from wrong or behave according to the law.

Kopecki stated they have sent in medical records and psychologists’ reports so far, which Judge Edelman received.

Kopecki asked for the trial date in September to be vacated, due to the time required to find Stephenson’s medical records from different jurisdictions and organizations.

Prosecutors argued against the change in trial date, which has already been delayed once. The prosecution also noted while they do not want to push Kopecki and Lanyi to trial in September, they see no reason to delay it.

As a result, Judge Edelman ruled in favor of the prosecution and kept the trial date for Sept. 28. However, he set a deadline for Kopecki and Lanyi to file an insanity motion on May 13. Judge Edelman stated that he would change the trial date if the defense goes through with the insanity defense.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 10.

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