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Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the case against a defendant charged with first-degree sexual abuse has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 22-year-old defendant is accused of sexually abusing his girlfriend on Aug. 17 in a Northwest, DC hotel.

The defendant was not able to attend his Sept. 14 hearing for apparent medical reasons.

The defendant was also unable to attend his last hearing on Sept. 10 due to being held in quarantine at DC Jail, D.C. Witness previously reported. D.C. Witness does not know if he is still in quarantine.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Oct. 14.

According to court documents, the defendant and his girlfriend had an argument that lead to the defendant allegedly brandishing a gun and ordering her to perform sexual acts.

Homicide Rates Rise 9.5 Percent in August

Twenty-three homicides occurred in DC during the month of August, which is approximately a 9.5% increase from July.

There were no homicides between Aug. 1 and 6, yet three homicides occurred on Aug. 7. The oldest victim of 2021 was James Beckham.

At 6:17 p.m. police were flagged down in the 200 block of 49th  Street, SE. Upon arrival, police found 69-year-old Beckham in a vehicle and pronounced him dead on scene, according to previous DC Witness reporting.

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) Chief of Police Robert J. Contee held a press conference on Aug. 9 due to the three homicides.

“These cases really underscore again the violence we have seen recently in our city,” he said during the press conference. “It’s consistent with what we have seen in a national landscape with respect to gun violence in our communities.”

The most homicides occurred in Ward 8, with a total of nine. This is an increase from five in July. 

Wards 1 and 7 also saw an increase in homicides. Ward 1 had one in July and three in August, while Ward 7 had six in July and seven in August.

Four Wards saw a decrease in homicides.

Ward 5 saw a 50 percent decrease in homicides with four in July and two in August. Ward 6 had two homicides in July, yet only one in August. Ward 2 had one in July but none in August.

Ward 3 did not have any homicides in July or August.

Out of the 23 homicides, the most took place in Congress Heights with five between Aug. 16 and Aug. 23. One arrest has been made in relation to these homicides as of Sept. 2, according to D.C. Witness data.

Omar Moore, 34, was shot on the 3800 block of South Capitol Street, SE, on Aug. 16. He walked into a local hospital soon after and died from his injuries, according to a press release.

Anthony Mitchell was shot on the 3700 block of First Street, SE, on Aug. 18. According to a press release, the 43-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Teon Jackson, 18, was shot and killed on the 900 block of Wahler Place, SE, on Aug. 19.

Nickael Dempsey was shot on the Unit Block of Danbury Street, SW, on Aug. 21. According to a press release, he was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Harold Castle was shot and killed on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE. On Aug. 31, police arrested 27-year-old Cecil Smith and charged them with second-degree murder while armed.

In addition to these homicides, there was one fatal officer-involved shooting.

On Aug. 25, at approximately 2:45 a.m., officers were called to the area of Florida Avenue, NE, and New York Avenue, NE, after a man was reported to be unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle that was stopped in traffic. Officers found the individual asleep in the vehicle with a handgun in his waistband, DC Witness previously reported.

Officers attempted to engage the driver, 27-year-old Antwan Gilmore. Gilmore reacted by moving the vehicle forward. He stopped his vehicle but soon proceeded forward as an officer fired a gun multiple times, striking Gilmore. Gilmore’s vehicle continued forward until stopping at the Unit block of New York Avenue, NE, according to the press release.

MPD officers removed Gilmore from his vehicle and transported him to a local hospital. After all efforts failed, Gilmore succumbed to his injuries.

Prosecution Extends Plea Offer to Murder Defendant

The prosecution in a murder case placed a plea offer on the record.

Paul Daniel is charged with murder in connection with the shooting of 59-year-old Kevin Harrison on Jan. 16, 2019, on the 4000 block of Hayes Street, NE.

Daniel, 41, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed. But in June, he was indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was arraigned on these charges during the Sept. 13 hearing.

The prosecution’s plea offer would allow the defendant to plead down to a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution would dismiss his other charges if he agreed to do so. 

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said she was not aware of the plea offer and would like more time to go over it with her client. Harvey said she will let the prosecution know of their decision before the next hearing. 

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the defendant’s next hearing for Oct. 12.

Sex Abuse Defendant Unable to Attend Hearing due to Quarantine

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Sept. 13 hearing for a sex abuse case after learning that the defendant could not appear in court because he is in quarantine.

The 34-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing a young teenager.

The prosecution has extended a new plea offer to the defense. Judge Marisa Demeo continued the hearing to Sept. 30 to give defense attorney Joseph Wong time to discuss it with his client.

The prosecution also said that, if the defendant is indicted, it will be done in District Court.

Prosecutor Anticipates Extending Plea Offer to Murder Defendant Within Next Few Weeks

The prosecution in a murder case said they anticipate extending a plea offer to the defense within the next few weeks.

Joseph Melton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 48-year-old Kevin Chamberlain on Jan. 14, 2020, on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, the 52-year-old defendant was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill while armed. 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled parties to reconvene for a status hearing on Nov. 10. In the meantime, Melton will remain held at DC Jail. 

Document: Five-Year-Old Girl Dies in Traffic Accident

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic crash that killed five-year-old Allison Hart on the evening of Sept. 13.

According to a press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 6:55 p.m., an individual was driving a Royal Cab Transit van eastbound on Irving Street, NE, and was proceeding through a stop sign after coming to a complete stop. As the driver pulled off from the stop sign, Hart was unable to stop the bike she was riding. She entered the intersection of 14th and Irving Street, NE, into the van’s path. The van struck Hart and then the driver immediately stopped and remained on the scene. Hart was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant and released four others during presentments on Sept. 13.

A total of 36 defendants were presented before Judge Lloyd Nolan.

A domestic violence defendant charged with contempt and attempted threats to do bodily harm was held because he has another open domestic violence case. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 21.

Three domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include violating a Civil Protection Order, simple assault, unlawful entry of private property, destruction of property less than $1,000 and second-degree theft.

They are all scheduled to return to court on Dec. 6.

Crime Alerts: September 13-14

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

A crime alert was sent out at 12:30 a.m. due to a gun robbery investigation in the 2900 block of Erie Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males in a stolen black Lexus SUV.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:47 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 2200 block of 13th Street, NE. Police arrested one suspect.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:54 a.m. due to a robbery in the block unit block of Florida Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspects as rtwo Black males. One was about 210 pounds with curly hair and was wearing white a white tank top and grey shorts. He was on a bike.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:04 a.m. due to a robbery in the  2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with red hair and a white shirt.

A crime alert was sent out at 3:02 a.m. due to a gun robbery investigation in the 4400 block of B Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males armed with handguns.

A final crime alert was sent out at 3:43 am. due to a stabbing in the 1200 block of Bladensburg Road, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing all black.

Murder Case Continues to Await Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge questioned prosecutors about their progress towards indicting a murder defendant.

On Oct. 6, 2020, 30-year-old Michael Bright was found unconscious on the 1100 block of 45th Street, NE, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Delonte Samuels, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Bright’s death.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, the prosecution said they are working towards returning the indictment. Judge Neal Kravitz told the prosecution they “need to figure out a plan” and scheduled the next hearing for Dec. 17.

Judge Denies Prosecution’s Motion to Involuntarily Medicate Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a prosecutor’s request to involuntarily medicate a murder defendant.

Daryl Thompson, also known as Darryl Tompkins, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged roles in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern.  Roberts, 29, was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern, 23, was fatally shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016.

The 30-year-old defendant has refused psychological evaluations on multiple occasions throughout the trajectory of his case. The prosecution has been seeking to involuntarily medicate the defendant in an effort to restore his competency to stand trial over the objections of the defense. Parties finished their arguments during the Sept. 9 hearing.

The prosecutor referred to testimony from a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) doctor, who recommended the use of a psychiatric medication used in a study to treat patients with a similar diagnosis to the defendant. Although the patients in the study did not have the exact same diagnosis as Thompson, the prosecution said there are “insufficient studies” for Thompson’s diagnosis. The one they pointed to was the most relevant, he said.

However, defense attorney Pierce Suen argued that there is insufficient clinical evidence to show that the involuntary medication would restore Thompson’s competency.

Judge Neal Kravitz ultimately said the prosecution had failed to satisfy some of the requirements for involuntary medication. He said the DBH doctor was not incorrect in her testimony and was “well-intended,” but that the study was unreliable due to its limited relevance.

Suen asked Judge Kravitz to find his client unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future, arguing that, “there is no indication that he will ever attain competency,” and that they are at a point in time where his competency is unlikely to change. Judge Kravitz, however, denied this request.

Judge Kravitz ordered a full mental health evaluation due to the length of time since the defendant’s last one. Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a mental observation hearing on Oct. 14.

Thompson is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person in this case.

Sex Abuse Defendant Receives New Attorney

A DC Superior Court judge appointed a new lawyer to represent a sex abuse defendant.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, first-degree burglary and robbery.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna appointed Thomas Healy to replace the defendant’s previous lawyers, Lisbeth Sapirstien and Charles Murdter.

The defendant is currently awaiting sentencing in another case, in which a jury convicted him of kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse. Sapirstein and Murdter represented him during that trial. In a defense motion requesting the two’s withdraw from the defendant’s newer case, Sapristein stated that the defendant has renewed a request he made in March 2020 during his previous trial to receive new counsel.

After granting the request, Judge McKenna canceled a trial readiness hearing set for Jan. 18, 2022, and scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 26 instead. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Continues Mental Observation Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Sept. 10 mental observation hearing in a sex abuse case.

The 55-year-old defendant is charged with kidnapping while armed, first-degree sex abuse and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, defense attorney Andrew Ain said he wants to be present for his client’s psychological evaluation. Judge Dayna Dayson allowed Ain to be present at the beginning of the interview so that he can identify the psychiatrist to his client, given his episodes of paranoia. Ain’s presence will be left to the doctor’s discretion from there.

Judge Dayson also permitted the defense to access the video recording of the evaluation.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 5.

Parties in Murder Case Await Evidentiary Material

Parties in a murder case informed a DC Superior Court judge about delays they were experiencing in obtaining evidentiary material on Sept. 9.

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

Defense attorney Frances D’Antouno requested the original tape of his client’s first interview after being arrested. The prosecution said that, due to issues with the recording, the tape was sent to have its sound enhanced and has not yet come back into their possession. They said they will send it over once it is found.

Parties are also still waiting for a full autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. The prosecution said the medical examiner is still working on the toxicology results. Parties say they have not received a definitive date as to when they will receive the report.

D’Antouno also recently requested video and photo evidence but said she does not expect to receive it soon.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 14, at which time they plan to review the issues with the discovery evidence. They are hoping to be able to schedule a preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial when they reconvene at that time.

Defendant Sentenced to 6 Years for Shooting Brother

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to six years for shooting his brother.

Johnny Littlejohn pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. As part of the plea deal, the prosecutor dropped his other charge of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

According to the proffer of facts, the 50-year-old defendant was on parole when he shot at his brother 11 times. Two of those shots struck the victim, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, Littlejohn said he never intended to cause harm and only had the gun out of concern for his own safety, but that the argument with his brother escalated so quickly that he couldn’t explain what happened. The argument, he said, was over his brother’s contact with his parole officer.

In a victim impact statement, Littlejohn’s brother called the shooting “unprovoked.” He said he originally approached the parole officer out of concern for the defendant’s family.

The prosecutor asked Judge Julie Becker to sentence Littlejohn to six years, pointing out his criminal history, which includes 17 years he spent in prison for a past offense. Defense attorney Gemma Stevens, however, requested a 64-month sentence.

Judge Becker said she understands the challenges that come with re-entering the community after spending time in prison but is concerned about the potential for him to commit more crimes in the future. She encouraged him to seek out drug and mental health treatment.

Littlejohn’s six-year sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.