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Judge Orders Sex Abuse Defendant to Competency Restoration Treatment

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a convicted sex abuse defendant is incompetent to proceed to sentencing and ordered him transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric ward, for treatment.

Jamar Tillman was convicted of third-degree sex abuse, misdemeanor sex abuse, attempted misdemeanor sex abuse, kidnapping and robbery following a court trial in January 2020.

Tillman, 37, was sent to St. Elizabeth’s less than two months after he picked up his initial charges. He was sent back to DC Jail shortly after the verdict came in.

During the June 23 hearing, parties did not object to Judge Juliet McKenna’s decision to transfer the defendant. 

Judge McKenna scheduled a mental observation hearing for Aug. 11. 

Judge Continues Murder Hearing Following Recent Appointment of New Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a first-degree murder case to give the new defense attorney more time to work on the case.

DeAndre Houston is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on Oct. 11, 2018, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE. 

Houston, 21, is also charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in this case.

Defense attorney Kristin McGough, who was appointed to Houston’s case less than a month before the June 22 hearing, asked Judge Milton Lee for a continuance so she could have more time to familiarize herself with the defendant and his case.  

Judge Milton Lee continued the hearing to Sept. 7.

Judge Holds 2, Releases 3 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants and released three others during initial hearings on June 22. 

A total of 27 defendants were presented before the court. 

One defendant was charged with simple assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children. The prosecution said the alleged incident was captured on video and the defendant has other charges involving the same victim.

Judge Shelly Mulkey decided to hold him at DC Jail. 

Another defendant was charged with Temporary Protection Order (TPO) violation. The prosecution said they have recordings of the defendant allegedly leaving voicemails for the victim saying, “I’m your worst nightmare,” and, “you’re dead.”

The defendant is also accused of damaging the victim’s car and stealing the car keys. 

Both held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 13.

Three other domestic violence defendants were released on their promise to return to court. All of them were charged with simple assault.

Two of them are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 19 and the other is scheduled to return to court on Dec 17.

Judge Sets Prelim for Double Homicide Case

On June 24, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a double homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Keanan Turner, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Wanda Wright, 48, and Ebony Wright, 32, on April 10, on the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE.

He is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly shooting a third victim.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the preliminary hearing for Sept. 1.


Judge Schedules Convicted Murder Defendant to be Sentenced in September

On June 24, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a convicted murder defendant to be sentenced in September.

Mason Binion, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on June 22, 2008, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the sentencing to take place on Sept. 21.

Joshua Ellis Massaquoi, 33, is awaiting sentencing for conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to second-degree murder and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with Taylor’s death.

Victor Carvajal, 34, was also charged with first-degree murder while armed, but his case was later dismissed.

Parties Await Competency Findings for Defendant Accused of Stabbing Father

A DC Superior court judge continued a murder defendant’s mental observation hearing as parties await findings on if he is competent to stand trial. 

Aaron Smith, 24, is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing of his 60-year-old father, Edward Smith, on the 2100 block of 36th Place, SE, on Feb. 12. 

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) found him competent to stand trial in his misdemeanor cases, but Judge Milton Lee has previously said he does not want to apply those findings to his murder case. During the June 24 hearing, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said the DBH has not yet come to a conclusion of whether Smith is competent to stand trial in the murder case.

Resetarits asked Judge Lee for more time to receive the competency report from the DBH and, once they do, decide if they want to dispute it. The prosecution did not oppose this, but Resetarits agreed to inform the prosecution in a timely manner on if they plan to dispute any competency findings. 

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Judge Pushes Trial Dates Earlier for Four Co-Defendants in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled earlier trial dates for a homicide case with four co-defendants on June 23. 

Stephon Evans, 21, Alonzo Brown, 21, Tavist Alston, 25, and Naquel Henderson, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE, on Jan. 12, 2019. 

Their trial was previously scheduled to begin in May 2023, but the defense requested an earlier date during the June 22 hearing. Judge Juliet McKenna agreed to this request, setting aside Oct. 5 through Nov. 22, 2022, for jury selection and the trial. 

A status hearing is set to take place for Dec 10. 

The four defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with intent to kill while armed. 

Carlos Turner, 23, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Taylor’s death. His case, which is awaiting indictment, was not heard. He is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 5, 2022.

Evans is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in the death of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd on July 30, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Kewon Hunter is also charged in connection with this homicide.

Lizzie Brennan also wrote this article.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in a homicide case.

At about 4:31 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Sheridan Street, NE, due to reports of a shooting. An adult male was found and pronounced dead on scene.

The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Bret Desmarteau. Police have arrested 38-year-old James Antonio Harper on June 23 in relation to the homicide. Harper is being charged with second degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide on the 700 Block of 16th Street, NE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occured on June 23.

At about 4:23 p.m. police responded to the 700 block of 16th Street, NE, due to reports of a shooting. A Black male victim was found and pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Mitchell Smith.

Document: Homicide on the 2200 Block of 13th Street

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on June 23.

At about 5:35 p.m. police responded to the 2200 block of 13th Street, NE, due to reports of a stabbing. An adult male victim was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to the press release.

The victim has been identified as 43-year-old Ferrell Leonard Taylor.

Crime Alerts: June 23-24

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 23 and 9:00 a.m. on June 24.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:27 a.m. due to reports of a robbery on 14th and Church Street. The suspect was seen on a blue scooter.

A second crime alert was sent out at 2:02 a.m. on June 24 due to a robbery in the 1100 block of Vermont Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Judge Continues Murder Case as Prosecution Works on Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 22 hearing for a homicide case. 

Ronald Miller is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 28-year-old Tiffany Hardy on Feb. 8, inside her apartment on the 1600 block of E Street, NE. 

Hardy sustained more than 40 stab wounds, according to court documents. Miller, 42, was arrested that same day. According to him, the two were in a romantic relationship, D.C. Witness previously reported.

The prosecution, who said they are still working on getting the case indicted, asked Judge John Campbell to schedule the next court hearing to take place in September.

Judge Campbell agreed to the request, rescheduling the existing July 28 hearing date to Sept. 7.

Judge Releases 4 Domestic Violence Defendants, Holds 3 During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge released four domestic violence defendants and held three others during initial hearings on June 21.

In total, 30 cases were brought before the court. All seven of the domestic violence defendants were charged in misdemeanor cases.

One of the held defendants was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Errol Arthur issued a stay away order from the victim in that case. 

Judge Arthur also held a defendant charged with contempt, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest as well as a defendant charged with contempt and simple assault. 

The held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 6.

In one case, a domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000 after having picked up those same charges last November. He is accused of assaulting the same victim in both cases. 

Judge Arthur placed him on GPS monitoring and allowed him to retrieve his belongings from the house in which he and the victim lived. He will be accompanied by a police escort. 

Judge Arthur also released another domestic violence defendant charged with assault. He ordered the defendant to Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) the victim. 

The two other released defendants were both charged with simple assault. Judge Arthur gave them both stay away orders.

The released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 18.

Judge Moves Up Murder Trial

A DC Superior Court judge set a murder defendant’s trial to begin nearly a year earlier than what was previously scheduled. 

Clinton Womack is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 45-year-old Terry Crutchfield on the 1500 block of Olive Street, NE, on Dec. 6, 2016.

Earlier this year, a judge scheduled the 31-year-old defendant to go before a jury in July 2023. But during the June 22 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna said that, due to changes in courtroom availability, the trial could happen sooner. 

Judge McKenna set aside Aug. 3 through 24, 2022, for jury selection and trial. 

Womack has been held at DC Jail since he was arrested in December 2016. Womack was scheduled to go to trial once in 2018, twice in 2019 and once again in 2020, D.C. Witness reported.

During a hearing last March for a different homicide case, Judge Danya Dayson said the court is keeping a list of the trials they have scheduled, so, when more courtrooms become available, those trials could potentially be rescheduled for an earlier date.

Parties are also waiting for a ruling from Judge Milton Lee on a defense motion to suppress evidence that defense attorney Steven Kiersh argued was obtained in violation of his client’s constitutional rights. Judge McKenna scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Oct. 29 to address this.

Case Acquitted: Judge Schedules Trial to Begin Earlier

This case has been acquitted.

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a homicide defendant’s 2023 trial dates to begin earlier. 

Tony White, who is also known as Cedric Alexander, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Daquan Hooks on March 23, 2017, on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE.

White, 48, is also charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license in this case.

Earlier this year, D.C. Witness reported that a judge scheduled the defendant to go before a jury in January 2023. But, during the June 21 trial readiness hearing, defense attorney Kristin McGough asked Judge Juliet McKenna for an earlier trial date.

Judge McKenna agreed to the request, scheduling the trial for Feb. 2 and 3, 2022, for jury selection, and setting aside Feb. 7 through 14 for the trial. 

D.C. Witness previously reported that, during a hearing for a different homicide case back in March, Judge Danya Dayson said the court is keeping a list of the trials they have scheduled, so, when more courtrooms become available, those trials could potentially be rescheduled for an earlier date.

White is scheduled for another trial readiness hearing on Sept. 30. 

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.