Document: Two Deadly Shootings Occur on July 2

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides that occurred on July 2.

An arrest was made in relation to a homicide that occurred on July 2. At about 8:41 p.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE, due to reports of gunshots. According to the press release, police found 21-year-old Rosendo Miller suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

On July 2, 21-year-old Mark Fletcher, 21-year-old Malik Bynum and 20-year-old Larry White were arrested and charged with felony murder, according to the press release.

At about 8:22 p.m. on July 2, police responded to the 1400 block of Smith Place, SE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Police found an unconscious victim inside of a vehicle, who was pronounced dead on scene.

Document: Victim Succumbs to Injuries From June Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on June 29.

At about 4:41 p.m. police responded to the 4000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, due to reports of an unconscious person. According to the press release, police located 21-year-old Ranel Marshall with gunshot wounds and transported her to a local hospital.

On July 4, Marshall was pronounced dead at the hospital due to gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

Domestic Violence Defendant Plans to Enter Into Deferred Sentencing Agreement

On July 6, defense attorney Kevin Robertson said his client is willing to enter into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement (DSA) as part of a plea offer from the prosecution.

In June 2020, the defendant was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and assault with a dangerous weapon. The cruelty to children charge was later changed to attempted second-degree cruelty to children.

A DSA involves the defendant entering a guilty plea; however, if they successfully complete the requirements imposed on them, their guilty plea will be withdrawn and their case dismissed.

DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe scheduled an Aug. 25 hearing for the defendant to enter into the DSA.

Document: Police Investigate July 5 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred during the July 4th holiday weekend.

At about 2:53 a.m. on July 5 police responded to the 4700 block of Southern Avenue, SE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Police found 34-year-old Antonio Muchetta and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: July 5-6

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on July 5 and 9:00 a.m. on July 6.

An alert was sent out at 6:22 a.m. due to a stabbing at 19th and Ridge Place, SE. Police were looking for a Black male wearing jeans, a black cap, a dark-colored shirt and a black pack.

Counsel Selects Jurors for A Murder Case’s 2nd Trial

Jury selection ended for the first murder trial to come to the DC Superior Court in more than one year.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2700 Block of Bruce Place, SE, on April 27, 2017.

When jury selection began on June 30, Judge Neal Kravitz selected 30 potential jurors. On July 1, he saw an additional 30 candidates and kept 15.

The 45 potential jurors were then reduced 16, four of whom are alternates. The trial is expected to begin on July 6 and last until July 23.

Former Chief Judge Robert E. Morin suspended jury trials in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring authorized them to resume in April, with safety precautions in place.

Hewitt and Everett’s previous trial began in February 2020, but Judge Josey-Herring declared a mistrial in August 2020 due to the pandemic, D.C. Witness reported.

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

Judge Releases Eight Domestic Violence Defendants, One Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released eight domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant during presentments on July 1.

In total, 22 defendants were presented before the court.

The charges for the domestic violence defendants include simple assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon, contempt, destruction of property less than $1,000, threats to do bodily harm and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Sean Staples gave six of them stay away orders.

The remaining defendant was charged with misdemeanor sex abuse. Judge Staples issued him a stay away order as well.

Six of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 28. The other three defendants have court dates scheduled for July 22, July 26 and Nov. 4.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant to More than 11 Months

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to more than 11 months on July 1.

In December 2020, Tavarus Thompson was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and threat to kidnap or injure a person. Back in April, he pleaded guilty to simple assault and felony contempt.

“I would like to start out for saying I do apologize for my actions, and I do take full responsibility for my actions,” Thompson said. “I’m not that type of guy.”

Judge John Campbell sentenced Thompson to 150 days for the assault charge. He also sentenced him to one year for the contempt charge, but suspended half that time. The sentences will run consecutively.

Thompson has been held at DC Jail since December 2020. He will receive credit for time served.

His sentence will be followed by one year of supervised probation. As part of his probation, Thompson must partake in a Domestic Violence Intervention Program, housing assistance and a mental health screening and evaluation.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability for Sex Abuse Case, Holds Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a sexual abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 33-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse and kidnapping.

According to court documents, on May 22, the defendant allegedly grabbed the victim’s waist from behind and tried to lift her dress up on the 2900 block of Adams Mill Road, NW. The defendant then allegedly fought the victim to the ground, put one hand over her mouth and the other into her underwear.

During the July 1 hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo found substantial probability that the defendant committed this act, saying the evidence and witnesses testimony are credible and strong.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that an eyewitness saw a man on top of the victim as she screamed. Five witnesses said they heard her screaming and saw the defendant running away from the scene. Witnesses also said the defendant had scratches and some blood on his face.

The defendant allegedly told one of the witnesses, “the Black guy did it,” before continuing to speak Spanish.

According to court documents, an officer heard the defendant say, “It was an accident, I ran down the hill, tripped and fell onto [the victim]. I was trying to hold her down to tell her it was an accident.”

The detective said that the officers on the scene smelled alcohol on the defendant’s breath and said he appeared to be intoxicated.

Defense attorney Rachel Cicurel then asked the detective how they identified the defendant. That detective said that, usually, the process is done with just the victim to make sure there is no bias; however, this time, the victim was with her husband for the identification.

Cicurel also brought up how the victim was able to identify the defendant. Circurel wanted to know at what point during the incident the victims’ glasses were knocked off, but the detective could not identify when. Circurel argued that this could have impaired her ability to correctly identify the defendant.

The prosecution wanted to continue to hold the defendant at the DC Jail, arguing he poses a danger to the community and his alleged attempt to flee the scene suggests he poses a flight risk.

Judge Demeo decided to hold the defendant.

“Nothing about this suggests it was an accident,” she said.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Mara Osterburg wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Relation to Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have arrested a suspect in relation to a homicide.

At about 6:57 p.m. on June 30 officers responded to the 1600 block of 17^th Place, SE, due to reports of a traffic accident. Police found 46-year-old Joseph Ogunjodu in a vehicle with stab wounds and later pronounced him dead on scene.

On June 30, police arrested 40-year-old Herbert Smallwood and charged him with second-degree murder while armed.

Jury Selection Begins for 1st Homicide Trial in Over a Year

June 30 marked the start of jury selection for the first murder trial at the DC Superior Court in over a year.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on April 27, 2017, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.

Judge Neal Kravitz interviewed 62 potential jurors and chose 30. Jurors were kept in two rooms to allow for social distancing before they were questioned.

The defendants were charged with murder in May 2017, and have been held in pretrial detention ever since. Former Chief Judge Robert E. Morin suspended jury trials in March due to the pandemic. Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring authorized them to resume in April, with safety precautions in place.

Their previous trial began in February 2020, but Judge Anita Josey-Herring declared a mistrial in August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Jury selection will conclude on July 1, and the trial will begin on July 6.

Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy.

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

Judge Releases All Sex Abuse, Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge released all sex abuse and domestic violence defendants during their initial hearings on June 28.

In total, 29 defendants were presented before the court.

All five domestic violence defendants were charged with simple assault. Two of them were also charged with second-degree cruelty to children.

Judge Sean Staples released them all with stay away orders.

Three sex abuse defendants were also presented. They were all charged with misdemeanor sex abuse and released.

The domestic violence defendant charged with cruelty to children is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 5. Everyone else is scheduled to return on Oct. 25.

Crime Alerts: June 30-July 1

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 30 and 9:00 a.m on July 1.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:04 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 1600 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second crime alert was sent out at 12:44 a.m. due to a robbery in the intersection of North Capitol and Florida Avenue, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A third crime alert was sent out at 1:29 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 2900 block Nelson Place, SE. Police reported the suspect was a Black male wearing a grey sweatshirt and a white sweatshirt.

A fourth crime alert was sent out at 1:47 a.m. due to a burglary in the 1400 block of Kearny Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a white shirt, dark pants and carrying a red gym bag.

A fifth crime alert was sent out at 3:39 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 4900 block of 1st Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males wearing dark-colored sweatshirts.

A final crime alert was sent out at 5:32 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 1400 block of Somerset Place, NW. Police identified the suspects as four Black males armed with guns who were last seen getting into an unknown vehicle.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Murder Defendant During Prelim

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial and that the defendant should remain at DC Jail.

John Philogene, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged connection to the shooting of 34-year-old Evan Wood on March 27 on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE. Woods was shot in the leg as he was running away from the shooter and died due to severe hemorrhaging, according to court documents.

During the June 30 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that an eyewitness in the case has known Philogene for the past two years and would see him every day. The detective said this eyewitness said she saw the defendant shoot Woods and that, when he realized it, he put his hands to his lips and said, “shh.”

The detective also said Philogene also Facetimed the witness the next day and told her to keep quiet.

The detective said the eyewitness told him that she has used drugs before. According to the detective, the eyewitness used ecstasy night before the homicide. Ecstasy is a synthetic drug that, according to the DEA, “acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic.”

However, the eyewitness said she was sober the afternoon of the homicide.

Defense attorney Wole Falodun asked the detective if he knew when the eyewitness became sober after using the previous night. The detective said he only knows that she was sober both times she talked with him.

Judge Marisa Demeo found that the eyewitness was coherent and present. She also pointed out that the eyewitness also told MPD information that helps the defense, indicating no ulterior motive.

The prosecution argued that Philogene is a danger to the community and should remain held. Falodun, however, argued that his client’s whole support system is in DC and asked for him to be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on 24-hour home confinement.

Citing how Woods was reportedly running away during the shooting and the allegation that Philogene told the eyewitness to keep quiet, the judge found probable cause and decided to hold him at DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Judge Holds Two, Releases Three Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

On June 30, a DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants and released three during their initial hearings.

There were 19 defendants presented before the court in total, 10 of whom were released.

One of the domestic violence defendants who was held is charged with assault, possession of a controlled substance and stalking.

Judge Sean Staples said his decision to hold the defendant was based on his alleged continuous violation of a stay away order from a previous case. Judge Staples reinstated the stay away order and scheduled the defendant to return to court on July 20.

The other domestic violence defendant, who was also held, is charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstructing, preventing, or interfering with reports or requests for assistance from law enforcement.

Judge Staples released a defendant on her domestic violence charges with a No Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order. However, the defendant will be held until July 6, so that she can be taken to Virginia to resolve other charges.

Three other domestic violence defendants were released. They were all charged with simple assault and given stay away orders.

Judge Staples scheduled the held defendants to return to court on July 20 and 21. He scheduled the released defendants to return on Oct. 27.

Will Lawrence and Asiadee Williams wrote this article.

Search