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Murder Case to Go to Trial in 2023

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case to go to trial in 2023.

Thomas Fields Jr., 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Marquita Lucas on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE, on Aug. 17, 2019.

He is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, kidnapping while armed and tampering with physical evidence in this case. 

During the  Sept. 15 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the trial to begin on April 17, 2023.

Fields’ presence was waved. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing to discuss evidence in a homicide case.

Kevin Goggins, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Yisa Jeffcoat on the 1600 block of W Street, SE on Oct. 9, 2020.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked Judge Danya Dayson to schedule a hearing to discuss evidence in his client’s case. Gardner expressed concern about the legitimacy of a witness for the prosecution, who testified during a preliminary hearing back in February.

Judge Dayson scheduled the hearing for Nov. 5. The defense plans to call the prosecution’s witnesses for cross-examination at this time. 

In the meantime, Goggins will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Advances Double Homicide Trial Date

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson moved up the trial date for a double homicide case on Sept. 15. 

Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and attempt to commit robbery while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.

The trial, previously slated to begin on July 27, 2022, is now scheduled to begin on Jan. 24, 2022. Parties anticipate the trial to last two weeks. 

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 21 and 22 for a motion hearing and a trial readiness hearing. 

Murder Case Dismissed

Prosecutors dismissed a murder case.

Deshaun Gaskins, 22, was charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of 36-year-old Marcus Wallace on Nov. 21, 2020, on the 1400 block of L Street, SE.

No additional information was provided during the Sept. 14 hearing.

Gaskins, 22, was charged on Dec. 24, 2020. He was held at DC Jail until the following April, when a DC Superior Court judge agreed to release him into home confinement.

Judge Schedules Trial for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial for a domestic violence defendant after he rejected a plea offer.

The defendant is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, the defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution and requested a trial. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set the trial to begin on April 22, 2022. She also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for January 10, 2022.

Crime Alerts: September 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 15 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 16.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:16 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE. Police identified the suspects as three masked individuals armed with a handgun.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:43 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 16:00 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with light complexion, no shirt, tattoos, pretty eyes and black clothing.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:25 a.m. due to a gun robbery in the 1800 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as four to five Black males in a silver sedan. One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and another was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:36 a.m. due to a gun robbery in the 1900 block of 19th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as four to five Black males in a silver sedan. One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and another was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.

Document: Homicide in the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 15.

At approximately 11:53 a.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival police located 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell with gunshot wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 4000 Block of 1st Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Sept. 15 homicide.

At approximately 12:43 a.m. officers arrived at the 4000 Block of 1st Street, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located 37-year-old Paris Odemns with gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the press release.

Case Dismissed: Judge Changes Murder Defendant’s Release Conditions

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

A DC Superior Court judge removed a murder defendant from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting his roommate, 24-year-old Keon Wallace, on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE, on June 25, 2018. 

During the Sept. 14 hearing, defense attorney Mani Golzari asked Judge Neil Kravitz to place his client on a lower level of supervision, allowing him to remain released on his promise to return to court. The prosecution did not give an opinion on the request, instead deferring to the court. They did, however, ask for Cole’s release conditions to still include regular check-ins.

Judge Kravitz granted the defense’s request. Cole will be released on his personal recognizance and required to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency once a week. He will no longer be under GPS monitoring and will not have a curfew. 

Cole is scheduled to return to court for a trial readiness hearing on Jan. 19, 2022. 

Judge Releases Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse during presentments on Sept. 14. 

A total of 26 defendants were brought before Judge Lloyd Nolan. 

The defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse was released with stay away orders and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 7. 

Three domestic violence defendants charged with simple assault were also released. All of them were given stay away orders. Two of them are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 7. The other is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 30.

Crime Alerts: September 14-15

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept 14 and 9:00 a.m on Sept. 15.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:10 a.m. due to a shooting investigation on the corner of 24th and Hartford Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 12:37 a.m. due to a shootinginvestigation in the 2300 block of 16th Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 1:57 a.m. dueto a shooting investigation in the  4000 block of First Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Murder Defendant’s GPS Monitor Removed

A DC Superior Court judge allowed a murder defendant on pretrial release to have his GPS monitor removed.

Roger Hamilton is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence and reckless driving for allegedly hitting 42-year-old Vincent Childs with his car on the 3200 block of Wheeler Road, SE, on March 2, 2018.

Hamilton, 38, was arrested that same day. He was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) shortly after but is now released on his promise to return to court.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, defense attorney Joseph Scofano asked Judge Milton Lee to take his client off GPS monitoring because he has been in compliance with his release conditions for the past three years. However, the prosecution argued that the GPS monitor should not be removed due to the seriousness of the defendant’s charges.

Judge Lee ultimately allowed the GPS monitor to be removed. “Mr. Hamilton is not posing a danger to the community,” he said.

Scofano also expressed a desire to set a trial date. Judge Milton Lee noted that because held defendants are prioritized for trial dates over released defendants, it is unlikely that Mr. Williams will get a trial date before 2023. 

Judge Milton Lee set a status hearing for Jan. 1, 2022.

Document: Arrest Made In Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a May 15 homicide.

At about 4:55 p.m. police responded to the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE due to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found an adult male and two adult females, all suffering from gunshot wounds. The two adult females were treated for non-life-threatening injuries while the adult female was pronounced dead. A fourth victim was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the press release.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Lester Howard. On Sept. 14, officers arrested 31-year-old Juan Peterson and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Sets Trial For Child Sex Abuse, Incest Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a sex abuse and incest case to go to trial in the spring.

The defendant is charged with incest, first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, the prosecution said they plan to call three expert witnesses during the trial. The defense said they may bring one expert witness.

Judge Juliet McKenna set aside April 28, 2022, through May 12, 2022, for the trial. She also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for March 11, 2022.