Judge Holds Murder Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged in connection with a 2020 homicide during presentments on Sept. 11.

A total of 16 defendants were presented before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Rigsby.

Tamika Green, 35, was brought before the court charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to a press release, at approximately 1:16 p.m. on February 20, 2020, police responded to the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, for a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Brya n Tate Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Police say the detectives’ investigation revealed the homicide to be domestic in nature.

Judge Rigsby decided to hold Green. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 22.

A defendant, charged with lewd, obscene, or indecent acts was released. He will return to court on Dec. 11.

Two domestic violence defendants charged with simple assault were released with stay away orders. Both of them are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 10.

Three defendants couldn’t appear due to hospitalization. A domestic violence defendant was also issued a bench warrant for failing to appear in court.

Crime Alerts: September 12-13

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 13

A crime alert was sent out at 11:03 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 900 block of Barry Place, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was approximately 30-35 years old, wearing a du-rag, black mask, red long sleeve shirt, black pants, driving a Grey Volvo C-30 with a black liftgate.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:46 a.m. due to an attempted robbery in the 200 block of Nicholson Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a black male with a thin build who was wearing black clothing.

Document: Suspect Sought in Assault with Intent to Commit First-Degree Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are trying to locate a suspect in connection with an assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse offense.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the 400 block of 3^rd Street, NE, the suspect assaulted the victim while attempting to engage in a forced sex act. The suspect then fled the scene, according to the press release.

The suspect was described as a Black male with a skinny build who was at least 6 foot 2 and wearing a backpack that is possibly red, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a 2020 homicide.

At approximately 1:16 p.m. on February 20, 2020, police responded to the 1600 block of 18^th Street, SE, for a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

The investigation revealed the homicide was domestic in nature. On Sept. 10, officers arrested 35-year-old Tamika Green and charged them with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Document: Two Homicides on September 10

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides that occurred on Sept. 10.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 police responded to the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Officers located 39-year-old Anthony Kelly inside of a residential building with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

At approximately 9:41 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Officers located 31-year-old Delonte Hazel inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Defense Counsel Withdraws From Murder Cases

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to withdraw from two murder cases.

Rasheed Young is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr. on May 20, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE. The 43-year-old is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.

Defense counsel Dorsey Jones motioned to withdraw from the case back in June. During the Sept. 10 hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo granted the motion but held it in abeyance until another lawyer can be appointed. The defendant said he will be in contact with his family to see if they can help him retain counsel.

The prosecution extended their plea offer until new counsel is appointed. Judge Demeo scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 14.

Sex Abuse Defendant in Quarantine

A sex abuse defendant was not present for his Sept. 10 hearing because, according to court documents, he is being held in quarantine at the DC Jail.

The 22-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for allegedly brandishing a gun and forcing the victim to perform sexual acts on him on Aug. 17 in a Northwest, DC hotel room following an argument.

Defense counsel was also not present for the hearing. Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 14.

Murder Defendant Requests New Counsel

A murder defendant requested new counsel on Sept. 9.

Darrell Moore is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Julius Hayes on the 300 block of 18th Street, NE, on April 3.

Moore, 43, said he and his current defense attorney, Kevin Irving, “don’t see eye-to-eye with case strategy.”

The prosecution had no objection to the defendant’s request. They also agreed to extend their plea offer’s deadline until the next hearing. The offer would allow Moore to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter while armed.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 1 to discuss the offer and the defendant’s request for new counsel.

Judge Denies Request to Dismiss Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial after rejecting the defense’s request to dismiss the case.

The defendant is charged with fourth-degree sexual abuse in a domestic violence case.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, defense attorney Thomas Healy sought to dismiss the case. Healy said the defendant is currently on pretrial release and struggling to get a job with the case still open. He argued that the case has been prolonged to the point that it should be dismissed as a violation of his client’s speedy trial rights.

Judge Milton Lee agreed to schedule a preliminary hearing but did not dismiss the case. He noted that many cases have been prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parties will reconvene for the preliminary hearing on Oct. 29.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Sex Abuse Case

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

The defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing a relative multiple times, beginning when she was nine-years-old and ending when she was 11-years-old. The defendant also has a criminal case in Montgomery County, Md., involving the same victim, according to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified during the Sept. 8 hearing.

The defendant rejected a plea offer for attempted second-degree sex abuse. “I’m entirely prepared to prove my innocence,” he said.

The detective said she drove the victim and her grandmother around to identify locations where the alleged abuse took place. The victim identified locations on Alaska and Georgia Avenue, near the DC-Maryland border, she said.

The defendant allegedly began abusing the victim in his van when he moved to DC, according to court documents. The van was confiscated and both blue and black lights were used to find biological evidence, the detective said. None was found.

The victim said that the last time the abuse occurred was in a hotel room in Maryland, according to court documents. The detective was able to verify a reservation ticket and license belonging to the defendant that she obtained from a hotel in Silver Springs, Md. The detective said there was no security footage available from the hotel.

The victim reported the abuse in order to speak “up about something that’s been happening to me for years that shouldn’t have been happening,” according to court documents.

According to the detective, the victim had previously reported the abuse to a family member who told them not to report further. The family member later allegedly told the victim that, if she does report it, to blame a different family member. The defendant also allegedly threatened to kill the victim and himself if she tells anyone, according to court documents.

Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause. She scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 14. The defendant is currently being held at DC Jail.

Prosecution to Consider Unwiring Plea Offer for Murder Defendants

The prosecution is considering unwiring a plea deal they offered two co-defendants charged with murder.

Elton Wiggins, 55, and Devon Stephens, 35, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 34-year-old Eugene Isaac Jr., who was fatally shot on the 100 block of N Street, NW, on Feb. 15, 2020.

The prosecution’s plea deal is wired, meaning both men would have to agree to it, but they will consider unwiring it.

During the Sept. 9 hearing, Stephens’ defense attorneys, Raymond Jones and Lisbeth Sapirstien, also withdrew their motion to withdraw as counsel.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 29.

Domestic Violence Defendant Receives Suspended Sentence

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to two years of supervised probation.

Tavon Odoms was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

As part of a deal with the prosecution, he pleaded guilty to possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The prosecution said the victim and the victim’s family agree with the sentence recommended in the plea deal.

Judge James Crowell sentenced Odoms two one year, all of which was suspended, plus two years of supervised probation. As part of his probation, Odom must partake in drug, alcohol and employment services as deemed appropriate by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency. He must also partake in a mental health screening and evaluation.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a sex abuse defendant who did not show up to his Sept. 8 hearing.

The 34-year-old defendant is charged with third-degree sexual abuse.

Defense attorney Jonathan Willmont said he has not had recent contact with his client and does not know where he is. Judge Marisa Demeo said the court has also lost contact.

Judge Holds Sexual Assault Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a felony sex abuse defendant during presentments on Sept. 9.

A total of 30 defendants had hearings before Judge Lloyd Nolan.

A 23-year-old defendant was charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting a victim on the afternoon of Sept. 8 on the 1800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. A prosecutor said this was the defendant’s fifth open case.

Judge Nolan decided to hold him at DC Jail. His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.

Two domestic violence defendants were also held. One of them, who is charged with destruction of property in one domestic violence case and charged with destruction of property and unlawful entry in another, was brought to court on a bench warrant. She is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 20.

A domestic violence defendant charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstructing justice was also held. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 17.

Two misdemeanor sex abuse defendants were released with stay away orders and scheduled to return to court on Dec. 9.

Three domestic violence defendants were also released. Their charges include simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. All of them received stay away orders except for one defendant, who received a no Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. They are all scheduled to return to court on Dec. 9.

Crime Alerts: September 9-10

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 10.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:07 p.m. due to a shooting investigation on the corner of 16th and Good Hope Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 11:35 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 2300 block of Green Street, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with a medium build, wearing a white tee-shirt and blue jeans.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:08 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. Police stopped a possible suspect.

A final crime alert was sent out at 5:04 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

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