Document: Arrest Made in February Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department has announced an arrest in relation to a Feb. 22 homicide.

At approximately 3:39 p.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 34-year-old Miana Luckett with gunshot wounds. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the press release.

On March 7, MPD officers arrested 23-year-old Ronnie Thorne and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Defendant Plans to Accept Plea Offer for Misdemeanor Sex Abuse Charge

A defendant facing felony sexual abuse and kidnapping charges is planning to plead down to a misdemeanor charge during his next hearing.

The defendant allegedly came back to his relative’s Greenway apartment complex, where he was temporarily living, under the influence of alcohol and PCP. He allegedly sexually assaulted his relative’s wife twice, stopping to smoke a PCP-laced cigarette in between the assaults. The victim defended herself by striking him in the head multiple times and ultimately escaped by striking him in the head with a liquor bottle, according to court documents.

The defendant was arrested that same day and charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse and kidnapping.

During a March 7 hearing, which comes just shy of one month after the arrest, defense attorney Quo Judkins said they were close to agreeing on a plea deal for misdemeanor sex abuse. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail.

Parties agreed to reconvene on March 18 so the defendant can accept the plea deal.

Murder Case Set for Trial Amid Arguments Over Exculpatory Evidence

A DC Superior Court judge managed to schedule a murder case for trial despite a clash between parties over exculpatory evidence, also known as Brady material, that the defense says they have not received.

Ronnie Melson, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in the shooting of 41-year-old Demetrius Jones on the 1700 block of Glaes Street, NE, on Nov. 6, 2020. Melson was formally arraigned in the DC Superior Court on March 7. A heated discussion over missing evidence followed.

Defense attorney Bernadette Armand showed an email thread between the defense and the prosecution discussing evidence that the prosecution agreed to turn over last November. The prosecutor said that there needs to be a scrub of all the evidence to make sure everything is already given and if not then it will be.

Armand rebutted that the prosecution has been notified and told the court there has been a previous Brady violation against the prosecutor handling this case currently. She wants it sent over as soon as possible.

“We have to have a case memory here,” Armand said.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun agreed with the defense and didn’t understand why the prosecutor needed additional time to send evidence over to the defense, delaying the time they have to review it. The discovery evidence is due April 1.

As parties discussed when the trial should take place, Melson appeared visibly upset by how long it would take for him to go before a jury. He has been held in pretrial detention since November 2020. The defense asked if Melson could address the court.

Melson expressed his concerns to Judge Okun as he asked for an earlier trial date, preferably within this year.

Since the current prosecutor is not available to go to trial until January 2023, Bernadette asked the court if there was another way to ideally have another prosecutor take over.

“This case is not complicated,” said Armand. The prosecutor countered that this case is a felony and not a misdemeanor. The prosecutor also said there are associated procedures equities in place and that she should have time to handle this case in a timely manner. She also pointed out the lack of lawyers who may be available to take over for her.

“Let’s just get it on the calendar,” said Judge Okun, agreeing with the prosecutor. The trial is scheduled for January 2023.

Parties are slated to reconvene for a status hearing on April 1.

Plea Offer Under Consideration in Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge gave parties in a domestic violence case more time to work on a potential plea deal.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault. He is currently released into the High Intensity Supervision Program.

Defense attorney Kevin Kassees told Judge James Crowell he needed to “throw two or three U.S. attorneys under the bus” because a plea bargain had been discussed two weeks ago but he had not yet received the plea paperwork.

The plea bargain was sent on Feb. 24 and again the day before the March 7 hearing, according to the prosecutor. Turns out, he was apparently sending it to the wrong email address.

Judge Crowell scheduled the proceedings to pick back up on April 13. In the meantime, Kassees plans to turn the case over to a new attorney.

Sexual Abuse Defendant Enters into Alford Plea

A sex abuse defendant accepted a plea offer without admitting to a criminal act, in what is known as an Alford plea.

According to the prosecution, in November 2021, Ian Rigley knocked on the door of an apartment in Washington Highlands and told the victim he was a cable man. The victim asked for his credentials and when he could not produce any, became afraid and went to grab a pocket knife and a phone. The victim’s grandmother found him on top of her. Multiple witnesses attested to the assault.

Rigley, 30, was initially charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree burglary. On March 7, he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed not to indict the defendant on any other charges. Rigney waived his right to independent DNA testing of the knife, latex gloves and articles of clothing recovered during the investigation. He must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his lifetime.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted the Alford plea. Ian could face two to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 4.

Document: March 4 Homicide Victim Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department has identified a homicide victim.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. officers responded to the 2300 block of 18th Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Sedrick Miller with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Domestic Homicide Defendant’s Hearing Rescheduled Due to Temporary Changes in Court Operations

Michael Garrett, 66, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly beating 71-year-old Sylvia Matthews death with a cane on Dec. 3, 2021, in a residence on the unit block of Elmira Street, SE. The homicide is believed to have been domestic in nature.

Garrett’s March 4 hearing had to be rescheduled in light of the DC Superior Court operating under an emergency schedule from March 1 to March 4 due to nonviolent demonstrations scheduled to take place in the area.

Judge Robert Okun asked parties if they would like to reschedule the next hearing as soon as possible or delay it. Defense attorney Kristin McGough asked Judge Okun to set the next date as soon as he could. With no objection from the prosecution, Judge Okun scheduled parties to meet again on March 18.

Case of Traffic Accident Turned Deadly Set for Trial

A man charged with murder for his alleged role in a deadly traffic accident was scheduled for trial after plea negotiations fell through.

In the early morning hours of June 13, 2021, 59-year-old Antonio Felder was standing at a bus stop on the 1500 block of 14th Street, NW, when Gerald Lewis allegedly struck him with his vehicle. According to court documents, Lewis approached a police officer saying, “I’m right here. I was driving. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.” He proceeded to beg someone to save Felder before reportedly saying, “y’all not about to get me for a f****** murder bro.” Lewis allegedly told officers he had a drink “like an hour or two ago.”

Lewis, 30, is charged with second-degree murder.

Back in January, parties said they were in preliminary plea negotiations. When they convened again on March 4, they told DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt they were not able to come to an agreement.

Judge Brandt scheduled Lewis’ trial to take place in September.

Lewis has yet to be indicted. The prosecutor said they were not giving as much attention to indicting this case because the defendant is on pretrial release. They expect to have an indictment ready in the coming months.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 4. In the meantime, Lewis will remain in the High Intensity Supervision Program.

February Homicide Count Down by 17% from January

A total of ten homicides occurred during the month of February, all of which were shootings.

February homicides decreased by approximately 17 percent from the month before. There were 12 homicides in January.

Of the 10 incidents that occurred in February, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two suspects.

Police arrested Ronnie Thorne, 33, on March 3. She is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Miana Tanisha Luckett, 34, on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

According to court documents, surveillance video captured Thorne in an alleged dispute with the female victim. Several witnesses also identified the suspect as well.

The victim suffered from one gunshot wound to the chest, which injured her heart and left lung, according to an autopsy report by the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia.

Thorne is pending a preliminary hearing. Her next hearing is scheduled for March 24. She is being held without bail.

Police apprehended another homicide suspect on Feb. 5 for a domestic violence related homicide. Gregory Johnson, 30, allegedly stabbed 32-year-old Passion Pleasant on Southbound 295 near East Capitol Street, SE earlier that same day.

Johnson, who was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in 2020. He was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program on GPS monitoring in September of 2020. The assault case is pending a grand jury, according to DC Courts.

Johnson’s next hearing, in the homicide case, is scheduled for March 22.

Document: Alexandria Resident Fatally Shot

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that took place in Northeast, DC.

Police responded to the sound of gunshots at approximately 6:03 a.m., according to a press release. They found 44-year-old Artavarn Wagner in an alley on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE, suffering from an apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Man Accused of Sexually Abusing 13-Year-Old Girl Considering Plea Offer

A man accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl was given more time to consider a plea offer.

The 36-year-old defendant said he knows the victim through a mutual friend, according to court documents. The victim showed law enforcement Facebook messenger conversations between her and the defendant. She described numerous instances of abuse dating back as early as mid-2020. The defendant was arrested and charged with first-degree child sex abuse in February 2021.

During a March 3 felony status conference, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits requested more time to go over the plea offer they received in January.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted this request, scheduling the next hearing for March 31. In the meantime, the defendant will remain released under the High Intensity Supervision Program.

Prosecutor Says He’s Close to Filing Indictment, Plea Offer in Fatal Stabbing Case

A prosecutor said he’s working towards an indictment and a plea offer in a murder case.

Olivia Cartwright-Cole is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Joel Midgett to death during the early hours of Oct. 16, 2015. According to court documents, Midgett was stabbed in the chest after a verbal dispute turned violent with rock-throwing and pepper spray. Another man was stabbed in the upper thigh but survived his injuries. Witnesses told detectives that Midgett and Cole had an intimate relationship for several years before breaking up.

Cole, 31, was arrested in 2019 and is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program.

During the most recent hearing for this case on March 3, the prosecutor asked Judge Milton Lee for more time because they are close to having the indictment and plea offer ready. Judge Lee granted the request with no objection from the defense.

Parties are now scheduled to reconvene for a felony status conference on April 22.

Deadly Shooting Case Approaches Indictment

A prosecutor announced they plan to formally indict a defendant by the end of March.

On Sept. 17, 2020, 38-year-old Phillip Roache was found on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW, suffering from 10 gunshot wounds. Nearly a month after the homicide, 35-year-old Jacobi Williams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He has remained detained ever since.

During Williams’ most recent hearing on March 3, the prosecutor said they have filed for indictment and were hoping to have it back by today, but are running behind. The prosecutor said the indictment should be back by March 18.

Defense attorney Marnitta King asked for the case to be dismissed due to the lack of an indictment, arguing the prosecutor has not prioritized the case. In the alternative, King asked for her client’s release.

The prosecutor argued that the evidence of dangerousness is greater now than it was during the preliminary hearing. He also said the defendant currently has a bench warrant in Charles County, Md., so even if he was released, he would end up detained there.

Judge Robert Okun said there is no basis for dismissing the case. He denied the release request as well.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 24.

Defendant Indicted on Murder, Firearms Charges

A defendant was indicted on four counts for his alleged role in a deadly Brightwood shooting nearly a year and a half ago.

On the afternoon of Oct. 1, 2020, 42-year-old Arthur Daniels IV was found in the front yard of a residence on the 6200 block of 8th Street, NW, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Less than three months after his death, Deon Walters was arrested and charged with murder.

Walters, 18, went on to be indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He was arraigned on March 2 and pleaded not guilty.

During that hearing, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said they are ready for trial. Still, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to schedule one at a later date.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for March 24.

Document: Two Men Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Tennessee Man

Two men were arrested in connection with a Congress Heights homicide.

At approximately 7:19 am on June 14, police officers responded to a shooting on the 1300 block of Congress Street in Southeast, DC. There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them, 21-year-old Albert Smith, of Grand Junction, Tn., succumbed to his injuries, according to a press release.

On March 2, pursuant to DC Superior Court arrest warrants, 32-year-old John Wilkins and 34-year-old Marcel Gavin were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

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