‘She Was Gonna Show Him That He Made the Wrong Choice,’ Prosecution Argues Homicide Resulted From Love Triangle

In their closing argument in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 11, the prosecution asserted that the defendant did not act in self-defense, but out of anger that she was romantically scorned.

Vanessa Bonaparte, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and misdemeanor destruction of property. The charges stem from her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd. Bonaparte allegedly stabbed Boyd with two kitchen knives on June 22, 2024, on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Boyd sustained two stab wounds, to his heart and lung, and died at the scene.

Throughout the three-week trial, attorneys from both sides contrasted Bonaparte’s testimony with the testimony of a key witness, Boyd’s romantic partner, who was present when he died.

The prosecution alleged in their closing arguments that Bonaparte’s story didn’t add up, but claimed the romantic partner’s testimony is supported by the evidence.

According to the prosecution, Boyd rejected Bonaparte, choosing to get back together with his romantic partner. They were allegedly on a break from their relationship when Boyd and Bonaparte, who were friends, had sex.

“Rejection is a hard pill to swallow,” the prosecution said. “[Bonaparte] was gonna show [Boyd] that he made the wrong choice,” prosecutors asserted.

The prosecution summarized the case’s evidence, emphasizing the events on the day of Boyd’s death.

While presenting body-worn camera footage from police officers that responded to the scene, the prosecution pointed out that Bonaparte didn’t appear disheveled or harmed as she rushed down the stairs and across the courtyard. There were no clear marks or bruising on her face, neck, or exposed back, and her head scarf was still tightly-wound, emphasized prosecutors.

In her previous testimony, Bonaparte asserted she stabbed Boyd in self-defense. After she went to the apartment to retrieve her laptop, Bonaparte claimed an argument ensued which Boyd turned physical.

Boyd also had a history of domestic violence, according to court documents and witness testimony.

The defense contends that Boyd threw Bonaparte around the apartment during their argument, dragged her into the kitchen, and choked her against the countertop before she could grab the two kitchen knives and defend herself.

The prosecution maintained that Bonaparte appeared unharmed directly after the incident, despite her accusations of intense violence from Boyd. In her arrest photo the next day, there was no visible bruising or marks on her face or neck, the prosecution added.

As the prosecution replayed audio clips from a voicemail recording on Boyd’s phone of the altercation that preceded the stabbing, they asked the jury to “Think about the first aggressor.”

In the recording, the prosecution claimed Bonaparte said, “She won’t be able to suck your d*** no more or nothing,” allegedly referring to Boyd’s romantic partner.

They argued these words showed that Bonaparte’s animosity stemmed from wanting Boyd for herself, not in simply wishing to retrieve her belongings.

The prosecution also noted that, in the voicemail recording, there is a 20-to-30-second gap when Bonaparte’s voice isn’t heard. They claimed this is when she went outside and around the apartment, dropping her bags in the courtyard before allegedly breaking all the apartment unit’s windows.

The defense theory is that the couple let Bonaparte in through the front door, and she did not shatter the windows.

In contrast, the prosecution claimed Bonaparte climbed through one of the broken windows. They said a fingerprint expert who testified earlier in the trial concluded that Bonaparte’s palm had likely been on the window pane, implying that she braced herself as she climbed down.

“You can’t break in and attack people, then claim self-defense,” the prosecution said.

Furthermore, the prosecution argued that Bonaparte’s decision to enter the kitchen and locate the knives was very purposeful because of the unit’s layout.

The prosecution also questioned Bonaparte’s decision to grab not just one, but two knives. If she was just defending herself, they asserted, one would’ve been enough.

The prosecution then showed crime scene photos of the kitchen counter Bonaparte claimed Boyd choked her against. The counters were filled with items, with nothing seemingly displaced, the prosecution highlighted.

In addition, the prosecution said that blood evidence reportedly revealed Bonaparte didn’t run directly out of the apartment after stabbing Boyd. According to prosecutors, two cuts, outlined by blood, in the bedroom door that Boyd reportedly hid behind indicated Bonaparte sought to follow him instead of fleeing herself.

“[Bonaparte] runs to finish the job and get [Boyd’s romantic partner] as well,” the prosecution claimed.

The prosecution implored the jury to find Bonaparte guilty on both charges.

Due to time constraints, Judge Kravitz dismissed the jury after the prosecution’s closing argument, and asked them to return the following morning to hear the defense’s.

Before closing arguments began, a witness who previously testified was called back to the stand for the defense to re-cross examine him.

Judge Kravitz explained to the jury that after the witness testified, the prosecution disclosed information that the defense could’ve used to question his credibility. The prosecution had the information when he testified, but reportedly failed to properly disclose it on time.

The witness worked on this case as a crime scene forensic scientist employed by the DC Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS).

In his cross-examination of the witness, Roderick Thompson, one of Bonaparte’s attorneys, asked about a DFS investigation into a social media post the witness made in 2020.

This workplace investigation took place the same year as the post, and led to the witness being placed on administrative leave, with termination recommended. He went through a mediation process and was ultimately allowed to continue working in his position with DFS.

The scientist had commented under a Facebook post of a news article about a shooting.

“I sure AF hope a white guy shot her, so that he can be arrested,” the witness wrote.

On the stand, the forensic scientist explained that the comment was intended to be sarcastic, and in reference to what he saw as a changing political climate, with new policies that he felt made race more of a factor in arrests.

The defense played recordings of interviews conducted by DFS during the investigation about his social media post.

In one of the interviews, the witness said his Facebook comment reflected his belief that there was a “seeming permissiveness of crimes committed by [people] other than white males.” He believed that 2020 witnessed a decriminalization of behavior by people from different racial or ethnic categories.

The forensic scientist explained that DFS expressed a loss of confidence that he could do his job in an unbiased manner based on these beliefs.

Judge Kravitz said he’d classify the forensic scientist as an impeached witness for inconsistent statements.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 12.

Victim’s Father Urges Judge to ‘Refuse’ Plea Offer for Fatal Shooting Defendant

A fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea offer that carries a 16 year prison sentence before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 7.

Cornell Day, 38, was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Darius Young on March 13, 2025 on the 5000 block of H Street, SE. Young sustained two gunshot wounds to the torso.

At the hearing, Day pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. Under the plea deal, parties agreed to 16 years in prison and five years of supervised release, pending Judge Edelman’s approval of the sentence. Day will also be required to register as a gun offender.

According to the prosecution, Day reportedly encountered and greeted Young on a sidewalk, they had a verbal confrontation and brief shoving match, before Day shot twice at Young. Young was unarmed at the time. The Metropolitan Police Department reported six gunshots at the scene.

Young’s father, who was present in the courtroom, said that he was “deeply disappointed” about the plea offer as a grieving parent and former member of law enforcement.

“Our son was lying there lifeless, while the accused allegedly had the ability to leave, change clothes, and watch the aftermath,” said Young’s father.

Young’s father said that under the circumstances, he disagrees with 16 years of imprisonment.

“We are not in agreement with this plea offer and I hope you, your honor, take the opportunity to refuse this offer as well,” Young’s father told Judge Edelman.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Nov. 6.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment Exactly 1 Year After Victim’s Death

A year after 36-year-old Mignon Brown-Massey was fatally shot, defendant Darryn Bynum pleaded not guilty to charges related to her death at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Aug. 13.

Bynum, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brown-Massey on Aug. 13, 2025 on the 3300 block of 15th Street, NE. Brown-Massey suffered one gunshot wound to her buttocks that caused injury to a major artery and her uterus.

The courtroom clerk formally arraigned Bynum on the charges against him. Kevin O’Sullivan, Bynum’s attorney, pleaded not guilty on his behalf, asserted his rights to a speedy trial, and requested evidence in the case.

After consultation with parties, Judge Park scheduled Bynum’s trial for Oct. 4, 2027.

The prosecution expressed that they concluded DNA and fingerprint testing but ballistics tests were ongoing.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on Nov. 12.

Parties Vacate Trial for Carjacking Defendant as They Are ‘Nearing Disposition’ With Plea

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park vacated Malique Outland’s trial at a hearing on Aug. 13 after parties indicated their intent to resolve the case through a plea agreement.

Outland, 21, is charged with armed carjacking robbery while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the carjacking of a Chevrolet Malibu on Aug. 9, 2022 on the 2000 block of Fendall Street, SE.

Later the same day, the carjacked vehicle was reportedly involved in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Brian Buxton on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SE.

Outland’s co-defendants, Aaron Walker, 22, and Dasani Dawson, 22, both pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 for their involvement.

Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 30. Dawson pleaded guilty to armed carjacking and is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 21.

At Outland’s hearing, the prosecutor expressed that parties were comfortable canceling the trial scheduled for Oct. 13 as they were “nearing disposition.” Karen Minor, Outland’s attorney, agreed.

Judge Park then vacated the trial date and scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 16 when Outland is expected to accept a plea offer.

Defendant Accused of Killing His Sister’s Romantic Partner Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A defendant pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting a man who allegedly assaulted his sister at an Aug. 13 arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.

Clarence Jones, 33, is charged with first-degree premeditated muder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year. The charges stem from Jones’ alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Benjamin Mingo on March 27, 2025 on the 3800 block of 1st Street, SE. Mingo suffered two gunshot wounds to his chest.

Jones is charged with an additional count of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction that stemmed from his arrest on Oct. 23, 2025.

According to court documents, Mingo was Jones’ sister’s romantic partner at the time of the incident. The prosecution alleges the murder was retaliation for Mingo’s reported domestic violence against Jones’ sister.

At the hearing, the courtroom clerk arraigned Jones on the charges against him. Kevin Mosley, Jones’ attorney, entered into a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf, asserted his rights to a speedy trial, and requested evidence in the case.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 11 for a status hearing.

Judge Finds Homicide Defendant With ‘Severe, Longstanding Illness’ Mentally Incompetent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ruled that a homicide defendant was incompetent to stand trial due to a history of schizophrenia and severe cognitive deficits in an Aug. 11 hearing.

Daniel Simon, 44, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for allegedly beating 52-year-old Michael Jones on Jan. 4, 2023 on the 200 block of 15th Street, NW. According to court documents, Jones was lying on the street when he sustained three blows from what appeared to be a metal pole and died.

Simon has suffered from a “severe, longstanding illness” for nearly the past 20 years, according to Judge Edelman. He said Simon was involuntarily committed to mental health treatment around the age of 25. When arrested for public drinking and assaulting a police officer in 2011, Simon was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found incompetent to stand trial.

Under the DC Code, a defendant cannot be tried unless he has a factual and rational understanding of the proceedings against him, as well as a sufficient ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.

After his arrest for Jones’ murder, a doctor at the DC Jail described Simon as “actively psychotic,” “hostile and aggressive,” and disheveled. Judge Edelman said Simon smeared his cell with feces and spoke to hallucinations.

Simon was admitted to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, on Feb. 22, 2023. After beginning medication, a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) doctor reported some improvement in Simon’s symptoms.

Judge Edelman said Simon became calmer and responded less to internal stimuli in June 2023, but he expressed delusions of believing he had no charges against him or that his case was a mistake of stolen identity.

According to DBH reports, while Simon’s positive symptoms of schizophrenia, like aggression and hallucinations, lessened, his negative symptoms, such as being “socially withdrawn” and “selectively mute,” persisted.

In his current presentation, the DBH doctor said Simon had restored competence, as he no longer expressed delusions about the case against him being fake and could discuss aspects of his charges. The defense medical experts, however, found Simon to be psychotic, suffering from a “poverty of rational thought,” and incompetent to stand trial.

The defense’s neuropsychiatrist expert conducted a clinical interview of Simon and determined he was “unrestorably incompetent.” According to the expert’s evaluation, Simon has an IQ of 58, placing him in the lowest 0.3 percentile of adults, and “profound neurocognitive deficits.”

The DBH doctor reported that Simon had an adequate level of legal knowledge to understand his proceedings in January 2026. According to Judge Edelman, when asked what the role of an attorney is, Simon gave answers like “to speak for me” or “to help me out,” and he explained the role of a prosecutor as “to be against me.”

Judge Edelman said he “finds it very difficult to conclude” that Simon’s “short and simplistic” responses demonstrate a factual understanding of court procedures. He emphasized that the DBH doctor frequently had to prompt Simon to provide these “rudimentary” answers and that there is a difference between identifying courtroom personnel and actually understanding their role in the criminal process.

The DBH doctor said Simon’s minimal responses were due to a “lack of effort,” while the defense’s experts attributed Simon’s confusion about legal proceedings to cognitive deficits, despite his making an effort. Judge Edelman said longstanding schizophrenia and neurocognitive deficits are a “much more convincing explanation” for Simon’s “clipped” responses.

The DBH doctor’s assessment of whether Simon’s responses reflected a factual understanding of his proceedings was not consistent over time, according to Judge Edelman. He found the doctor held Simon as competent in later evaluations for responses that were “overwhelmingly similar” to what the doctor had called inadequate earlier.

“His answers didn’t change. What changed was her analysis,” explained Judge Edelman.

In light of Simon’s long history of schizophrenia and untreatable neurocognitive deficits, Judge Edelman ruled that Simon is incompetent to stand trial and will not attain competence in the foreseeable future. Simon’s treatment will be continued for 30 days while the prosecution decides next steps.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 11.

Judge Orders Full Mental Evaluation for Fatal Beating and Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered a full mental evaluation for a homicide defendant on Aug. 13, after the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) was unable to make a finding.

Necho Taylor, 35, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating and stabbing of 34-year-old Joshua Foxworth on July 8 on the 800 block of Barnaby Street, SE. Foxworth sustained puncture wounds to the left side of his body and died from blunt force trauma to his face.

According to court documents, Foxworth was found dead in a bathtub.

During the hearing, parties discussed the report from DBH, dated Aug. 10, in which a doctor stated they couldn’t make a competency finding, and recommended Judge Edelman order a full evaluation.

Parties agreed to the request, and Judge Edelman ordered it. However, Terrence Austin disagreed with the doctor’s recommendation that Taylor continue to be held at DC Jail, requesting he be transferred to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.

The prosecution disagreed with that request, and after a sealed discussion, Judge Edelman stated he’d follow DBH’s recommendation for now. He stated future placement at Saint Elizabeths may be appropriate.

In order to stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges against him and help his attorney.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 11.

Judge Sentences Shooting, Stabbing Defendant to 10 Years in Prison

A non-fatal shooting and jail stabbing defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison by DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 7.

Alvin Jackson, 32, pleaded guilty on July 17 to assault with intent to kill while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 2, 2020 on the 5000 block of H Street, SE. The shooting injured one victim in the wrist and another in the leg.

Jackson also pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in stabbing another inmate on Aug. 5, 2022 at the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.

As part of the plea agreement, parties agreed Jackson will serve a total of 10 years in prison for both cases, which Judge Edelman approved.

At sentencing, prosecutors said that they gained a better understanding about Jackson’s culpability since resolving charges against his co-defendants in the 2020 shooting case. They said although Jackson “knowingly abetted” the “extremely serious and dangerous shooting,” he himself did not fire the shots.

The prosecution said based on the shooting and Jackson’s active role in the 2022 stabbing, 10 years is an appropriate sentence.

Jackson’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, reiterated the prosecution’s request for the 10 year sentence.

Judge Edelman accepted the plea agreement, and said he acknowledged the 10 year sentence is the outcome of “lengthy negotiations.” He noted that Jackson had no prior convictions for acts of violence and the plea agreement fell within sentencing guidelines.

Jackson was sentenced to 10 years for assault with intent to kill while armed and two years for assault with a dangerous weapon, to be served concurrently. After his prison sentence, Jackson will serve five years of supervised release.

No further dates were set.

Judge Raises Potential Constitutional Issues in Fatal Stabbing, Robbery Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz questioned the prosecution about possible constitutional violations in the arrest of a fatal stabbing suspect in a hearing on Aug. 13.

David Key, 39, has been charged in a four-count indictment with first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit a robbery, robbery while armed, first-degree premeditated murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or place of business.

The accusations stem from an incident on April 1, 2024 on the 300 block of 61st Street, NE in which the prosecution says Key fatally stabbed Devon Marquis Greenfield, 35. Police identified Key through surveillance video and a tip from a relative of the victim who said there was “word on the street” that Key was responsible for the murder, reputedly over drugs and was previously jailed for hitting someone with a baseball bat over an $8 debt.

Judge Kravitz raised questions Thursday about what happened when Key was arrested. Video of the police interview shows that at one point a detective said Key was arrested, then immediately after that he was just detained. Key indicated he was unsure about whether he should have an attorney present during the encounter, which is his right.

Judge Kravitz said he had not reached a “conclusion about whether there was a constitutional violation.” The prosecutor indicated that she wasn’t intending to include the interview as evidence.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern said he had no pending motions on the issue.

According to the police affidavit, surveillance footage captured the pair walking together and apparently getting into an argument with Key ordering the victim to empty his pockets. During the altercation, Key is allegedly seen in the video hitting Greenfield,knocking him to the ground, stabbing him seven times and saying, “You think I’m f***king playing with you?”

The medical examiner’s report, found three of the stab wounds to the chest were seven inches deep. The prosecutor said she intends to introduce an 8-and-a-half inch knife and clothing recovered during a search which Judge Kravitz said could also be questionable.

“Not only is he under arrest but they take a bunch of stuff from him,” said the judge.

Meanwhile, the prosecution filed an emergency motion in July asking the court to allow a DNA analyst to provide testimony in a video deposition because she is Nigerian and returning to her home country. However, under current immigration restrictions she might not be able to get back into the United States for the trial.

Court records indicate that the issue was resolved with the defense but the terms were unspecified.

There was a brief discussion about a possible plea in the case but parties said they intended to proceed to trial, which is scheduled for Aug. 31 and expected to last at least four days.

Victim Heard Arguing With Defendant in Voicemail Before Fatal Stabbing

Prosecutors cross-examined a homicide defendant about her claim of self-defense before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 10.

Vanessa Bonaparte, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and misdemeanor destruction of property for allegedly stabbing her former sexual partner, 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd. Boyd sustained two stab wounds to his chest and died on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE on June 22, 2024.

Bonaparte continued her testimony and prosecutors played a voicemail recording that captured audio of Bonaparte and Boyd arguing the afternoon of his death. At the start of the recording, Bonaparte audibly entered Boyd’s apartment and shouted, “Open the fucking door. I don’t give a fuck about none of that bitch.”

Bonaparte said she was angry from the heat outside and cursed at Boyd, who in the recording told her, “Stop what you’re doing.” In her testimony, she said Boyd was “calm at first and then it was like he flipped and became somebody different.”

In the midst of Boyd and Bonaparte’s verbal fighting, a loud noise was heard in the background of the voicemail. The prosecution claimed this was Bonaparte kicking in the window of Boyd’s apartment to enter, while Bonaparte said it was Boyd slapping her.

In redirect, Bonaparte’s attorney, Kevann Gardner, highlighted in body-worn camera footage from police responding to the scene that there were no visible cuts or blood on Bonaparte’s leg that would be expected from breaking a glass window.

Bonaparte said Boyd pushed and grabbed her by the neck, choking her in his apartment kitchen to the point where she saw stars and urinated on herself. According to Bonaparte, she reached for two knives on the counter and stabbed Boyd in his upper left and right chest in self-defense.

When Gardner asked Bonaparte why she stabbed Boyd, she said, “So he could get off me, and I could run away.”

The prosecution claimed Bonaparte was inconsistent in her description of how her body was positioned in the kitchen, changing her story about whether her back was against the wall or counters. In redirect examination, Bonaparte clarified that her back was initially against the wall in the kitchen, but when Boyd grabbed her neck, her back was against the counters.

Prosecutors also questioned how Boyd would not have noticed Bonaparte grabbing the knives, if he was allegedly standing over and choking her at the time.

After allegedly stabbing Boyd, Bonaparte said she ran out of the apartment and was surprised to find police outside the building. In her testimony, she admitted to lying to the responding officers by falsely saying she had called 911, and when police asked if she needed an ambulance, Bonaparte said she was okay and did not mention any stabbing or choking.

According to Bonaparte, she was frantic from Boyd having just choked her and was “trying to get away from the situation.” Bonaparte turned herself into police the next day on June 23, 2024.

The defense rested its case, and prosecutors called a transcriptionist at the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) to the stand as a rebuttal witness. Prosecutors said that, earlier in the trial, Bonaparte testified that she saw police cars outside the apartment at a separate incident that took place on either June 1 or June 2.

The OUC transcriptionist said she conducted a search for calls for emergency services on these dates from the address Bonaparte stated and found no results. In cross-examination, the witness confirmed her search would not have flagged any calls made on surrounding days, like May 31 or June 3, or from neighboring addresses.

In response to prosecutors’ untimely disclosure of material potentially discrediting two Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) employees who testified to processing the crime scene, Judge Kravitz said defense counsel is allowed to reopen cross-examination of these witnesses.

Gardner said he intended to question one of the DFS witnesses, as he reportedly sent “blatantly racist messages” on a public platform. DFS considered terminating the witness for his racist behavior, according to Gardner.

Parties are slated to reconvene for the cross-examination of the DFS witness and closing statements on Aug. 11.

‘I Didn’t Mean to Kill That Boy. I Just Wanted to Get Away,’ Defendant Testifies in Homicide Trial

A fatal stabbing defendant testified in her trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 6.

Vanessa Bonaparte, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and misdemeanor destruction of property for her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd. Bonaparte allegedly stabbed Boyd with two kitchen knives on June 22, 2024, on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Boyd sustained two wounds and died at the scene.

In her testimony, Bonaparte claimed that she stabbed Boyd in self-defense, and didn’t know he had died from the wounds until the next morning.

“I didn’t mean to kill that boy,” Bonaparte said. “I just wanted to get away.”

Bonaparte described the altercation that preceded Boyd’s death. She said she returned to Boyd’s apartment to retrieve her laptop, which she had lent to Boyd’s romantic partner earlier in the day. When the couple refused to open the front door, Bonaparte said she grew angry, and a fight ensued. Bonaparte claimed the couple eventually let her in.

Kevann Gardner, Bonaparte’s attorney, replayed a voicemail recording of the fight, first introduced by the prosecution earlier in the trial.

In the recording, the sound of the door opening and what Bonaparte said was her entering the apartment is audible. As the argument intensified, a slap can be heard, which Bonaparte said was Boyd hitting her in the face.

That’s when the fight became physical, Bonaparte contended. According to Bonaparte, Boyd pushed her into the kitchen and threw her to the ground. In court, Bonaparte stood up, and mimed how Boyd allegedly choked her over the kitchen counter before she grabbed two knives from the counter.

“I was distraught,” said Bonaparte and she thought, “I have to get back to my children.” Bonaparte continued, “I was thinking, run. Run.”

Bonaparte teared up as she recalled that day. “I thought I was going to die,” she said. The next day, after hearing that Boyd died, Bonaparte said she turned herself into the police.

Boyd’s romantic partner, who was present at the apartment when he died, previously testified in the trial that Bonaparte reportedly broke all of the windows when she arrived that night. The romantic partner claimed Bonaparte was upset that Boyd didn’t want to be in a relationship with her.

Gardner also asked Bonaparte about her early life. Bonaparte grew up moving around DC with her mother and siblings, and enjoyed singing and dancing in church.

Bonaparte attributed initiating drug use as a coping mechanism after her three-year-old daughter’s sudden death from stage four cancer in 2018. According to Bonaparte, she missed her daughter’s death because it was her son’s first birthday and she wanted to sing to him.

“I was 25 at the time,” Bonaparte said, “so it crushed my whole world.”

Six years later, Bonaparte said she met Boyd a month before his death when they were introduced by a mutual friend, and smoked and drank together.

“I thought he was a real cool, laid back guy,” Bonaparte said about Boyd.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has painted the dynamic among Bonaparte, Boyd, and Boyd’s romantic partner as a love triangle. In her testimony, Bonaparte disputed this, explaining that she and Boyd were just friends.

Bonaparte said, during the limited time she spent with Boyd’s romantic partner, it never felt awkward or negative.

Boyd and Bonaparte had sex once during the month they were friends, Bonaparte alleged. However, she said there were no romantic feelings involved.

“I was high, and it was like a heat of the moment,” Bonaparte said.

At the time of Boyd’s death, Bonaparte said she had a serious boyfriend. She smiled on the stand as she reminisced about memories with him.

Bonaparte also explained that she witnessed Boyd engage in violence on two previous occasions, both towards his romantic partner. Once, he beat her and she called the police, Bonaparte claimed. The second time, Bonaparte said Boyd punched his romantic partner in the face and chased her.

Bonaparte is set to resume her testimony the next day of trial. As a result of time constraints, the prosecution wasn’t able to complete much of their cross-examination.

The prosecution’s questions focused on Bonaparte’s conflicting testimony about her clothes on the day of Boyd’s death. In security camera footage from outside a liquor store, Bonaparte wore a pink crop-top. However, in her testimony, Bonaparte claimed she wore a colorful dress at the store, the same dress she wore when Boyd was stabbed.

Before the defense called Bonaparte to testify, the prosecution dismissed the destruction of property worth $1,000 or more charge, reducing it to a misdemeanor destruction of property charge.

Aside from Bonaparte, the defense also called the mother of Boyd’s child.

Bonaparte’s other attorney, Roderick Thompson, asked the witness about “unpeaceful” incidents that occurred between her and Boyd during the course of their three year relationship.

“It was an altercation between me and Dwayne about the handling of the child,” the witness said. “A gun was pulled out.” The witness alleged Boyd pointed the gun at her head.

Thompson highlighted this incident as one of many outlined in a Civil Protection Order (CPO) against Boyd that the mother of his child petitioned for on Dec. 14, 2015. The CPO detailed multiple incidents of physical and verbal abuse allegedly committed by Boyd against the witness.

In addition, Thompson presented the witness with police and investigative reports from 2015 to 2018. The witness claimed she did not remember specifics, but recognized some of the police reports.

In cross-examination, the witness testified that she and Boyd remained friends after their relationship ended.

“I’m on the wrong side,” the witness said. “I feel like they’re trying to paint a picture of him to be a bad guy.”

The defense also called a witness that said she was Boyd’s widow. They only asked her to identify herself, and the prosecution had no questions for her.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 10.

‘Highly Unlikely’ Defense Will Pursue Insanity Defense After Delaying Murder Trial

A fatal stabbing defendant said on Aug. 12 that he will likely waive his right to an insanity defense, despite DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman delaying his trial for his attorneys to explore the option.

Lamont Stephenson, also known as Leon Jackson, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Natina Kiah on March 6, 2019 on the 5000 block of D Street, SE.

Stephenson is also charged with cruelty to animals for his alleged torture, mutilation, and tormentation, that led to the death of a black cat on the same date.

At the hearing, Stephenson’s attorney, Sara Kopecki, said a psychiatrist who met with Stephenson “recognized serious mental issues.” However, the psychiatrist said it was unlikely that a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) defense would be viable in Stephenson’s case.

An NGRI defense argues an individual is not criminally responsible because a mental condition prevented the person from knowing right from wrong or understanding the nature of their actions at the time of the offense.

As a result of the psychiatrist’s opinion, Kopecki said it was “highly unlikely” that the defense would proceed with an NGRI defense. However, before Stephenson officially waived his right to an NGRI defense, Kopecki said the defense wanted a psychologist to evaluate him.

Stephenson’s trial was initially scheduled for Sept. 28, but on June 22, Judge Edelman granted a defense motion to reschedule the trial until July 6, 2027. The defense asked for the delay to allow them time to investigate a possible NGRI defense.

The prosecutor inquired whether the serious mental issues mentioned would open the door to further questions about Stephenson’s mental competency to stand trial. A defendant must understand the charges against them and be able to assist in their defense.

Kopecki said she had no intention of raising concerns about Stephenson’s competency, but if the issue arose she would alert the judge and prosecutor.

Judge Edelman set an Oct. 2 deadline for a NGRI notice from the defense and parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 9.

Homicide Defendant Won’t Meet With Her Attorney or Appear in Court

A defense attorney in DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz’s courtroom on Aug. 7 asked to withdraw from a case because his client refused to meet with him or come to court.

Tiffany Taylor-Gray, 24, is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery, second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, aggravated first-degree theft, second-degree theft, second-degree fraud of $1,000 or more, and first-degree identity theft. The charges stem from her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 53-year-old Fasil Teklemariam on April 5, 2025, on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW. Teklemariam suffered one stab wound that punctured his stomach, small intestine, aorta, and struck his spine.

Taylor-Gray’s co-defendants, 36-year-old Tommy Whack and 21-year-old Audrey Miller, face charges for their alleged involvement in the same offense. Whack is charged with felony murder while armed, armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. Miller is charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The motions hearing was only scheduled for Taylor-Gray. However, according to the US Marshals, she refused to leave the jail that morning.

“By my calculations, this is the third time that Ms. Gray has refused to come to court,” A. Eduardo Balarezo, Taylor-Gray’s attorney, said.

Balarezo also contended that Taylor-Gray refused legal meetings with him on eight occasions when he went to the jail to speak with her. When she did meet with him, she refused to review the case, he said.

“I cannot represent her effectively under these circumstances,” Balarezo said.

Balarezo filed a motion to withdraw as Taylor-Gray’s counsel on July 13.

Judge Kravitz did not rule on the motion, as he didn’t want to make a decision without Taylor-Gray’s presence, he explained.

Judge Kravitz said he would ask another defense attorney to go to the jail and see if Taylor-Gray would agree to meet with them. The judge and Balarezo agreed that the attorney should be a woman.

Balarezo said he’s unsure whether the issue is personal, as Taylor-Gray had not explicitly complained about his services. Judge Kravitz emphasized that appointing another attorney was worth a try.

The prosecution agreed, and said a new attorney might kindle Taylor-Gray’s interest to become involved in her case again.

Judge Kravitz added that Taylor-Gray had refused to come to court the past summer, but once she did in September 2025, she said she felt better and on new medication. However, she has not been back to court since her arraignment on Nov. 21, 2025, Judge Kravitz said.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 28. Judge Kravitz said he would ensure that another attorney meets with Taylor-Gray before then.

Judge and Mental Health Attorney Spar Over Stabbing Defendant’s Psychiatric Hold

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz and an attorney from the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) discussed where a competent stabbing defendant should be held at a hearing on Aug. 7.

Corey Bridges, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, and tampering with physical evidence. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE, on June 7, 2025.

DBH filed a motion on July 16 for Bridges to be returned to the DC Jail from Saint Elizabeths Hospital, where he is on psychiatric hold.

Judge Kravitz previously granted a request from Bridges’ attorneys on June 18 for their client to remain at the hospital to maintain his competency. The defense asserted that Bridges receives better treatment there than in jail.

Doctors with DBH found Bridges mentally competent for court on May 29. This means they deemed him able to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense, and thus able to stand trial.

The doctors concluded that Bridges was malingering, or intentionally exaggerating or falsifying his symptoms to interfere with or delay court proceedings.

At the hearing, a DBH attorney was virtually present. She argued that the judge has no statutory authority to order Bridges to remain at the hospital, because DBH has the factual basis in this scenario.

Judge Kravitz expressed confusion at the DBH attorney’s argument, and said “DBH has overplayed its hand in its filing.” He claimed DBH expressed different positions with similar situations in the past.

Judge Kravitz asked the DBH attorney to file more information explaining the basis for their request in Bridges’ case.

Bridges’ attorney, Theordore Shaw, asked for a prompt status hearing because Bridges intends to accept a plea agreement after talking with his attorneys.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 17 when Bridges is expected to accept a plea.

Homicide Defendant Wants to Withdraw 1-Year-Old Guilty Plea

A defense attorney asked to withdraw from a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 7 after his client expressed dissatisfaction after accepting a plea deal.

Korriek Akinola, 24, pleaded guilty on Aug. 18, 2025 to second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Joshua White on June 6, 2023, on the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE. White sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, shoulder, back, and calf.

According to Kevin Mosley, Akinola’s attorney, Akinola wishes to withdraw his guilty plea.

In Mosley’s motion to withdraw as counsel, filed on Aug. 6, he wrote that Akinola “believes his guilty plea was not entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily.” According to Mosley, Akinola contended that he was coerced and pressured, and Mosley’s advice was ineffective.

Mosley asked to withdraw because he does not believe he can ethically represent Akinola while addressing the accusations against his efforts, according to his motion.

Judge Kravitz agreed with Mosley, and decided to appoint another attorney, Adrian Madsen, to advise Akinola on withdrawing his guilty plea and Mosley’s motion to withdraw.

In email communication with Judge Kravitz, Madsen requested until early October to have time to catch up on the case and meet with Akinola, Mosley, and the prosecutor.

The prosecutor expressed dissatisfaction in that White’s family already waited for the case to resolve.

The hearing was originally scheduled as Akinola’s sentencing. According to court documents, Akinola’s sentencing has been rescheduled six times.

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 2.

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