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Judge Schedules Murder Case for Trial

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant to go before a jury in 2022.

Diquan Lucas is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Brian Butler in an apartment on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on Nov. 21, 2019. 

During the Aug. 31 hearing, the prosecutor said she will need about two weeks to present her case. Defense attorney Roderick Thompson said he anticipates needing “three days, tops.”

Judge Dayna Dayson set aside April 13 to May 4, 2022, for the trial.  She also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Nov. 12.

Lucas, 24, is currently being held at DC Jail. 

Document: Arrest Made in Aug. 23 Homicide

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in relation to an Aug. 23 homicide.

According to a press release, at about 10:59 p.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. There, they found 39-year-old Harold Castle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.

On Aug. 31, police arrested 27-year-old Cecil Smith and charged them with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Imposes Sentence in Child Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge imposed a sentence in a child sex abuse case. 

Ronald Gonzalez was initially charged with first-degree child sex abuse for abusing an 11-year-old. The 20-year-old defendant pleaded down to second-degree child sex abuse last March. 

On Aug. 26, Judge Neal Kravitz decided to sentence Gonzalez to 36 months, with all but 22 months suspended. This sentence would have left the defendant with approximately four months left to serve, since he has been held at DC Jail since December 2019 and would be receiving credit for time served. However, later in the hearing, Judge Kravitz agreed to hold the sentence in abeyance after defense attorney Joseph Wong raised concerns over whether or not his client would be transferred into the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to serve out the remainder of his sentence, which he argued could complicate his eventual transition back into the community.

After the Aug. 26 hearing, Wong was able to confirm that Gonzalez would not be transferred to BOP custody.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, Judge Kravitz imposed the sentence he had decided to hand down on Aug. 26.

Gonzalez will also spend three years on supervised probation. He must also register as a sex offender for the next 10 years, stay away from the victim and her family, participate in psychological counseling, complete 100 hours of community service and receive a sex offender evaluation and treatment.

Gonzales is also being sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which means his case will effectively be sealed if he completes all of his requirements.

Judge Holds Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a child sex abuse defendant during presentments on Aug. 31.

A total of 25 defendants were brought before Judge Heide Herrmann. 

A defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse and first-degree sexual abuse was held due to the seriousness of the charges. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 20.

Five domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include simple assault, misdemeanor threats to do bodily harm, misdemeanor attempted threats to do bodily harm, possession of a prohibited weapon, second-degree theft and violating of a civil protection order. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 29. 

Klein Lawrence, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Vanessa Brooks-Williams on the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE, on July 10, is in the hospital and is scheduled to come to court after being discharged.

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault is also currently in the hospital and will be presented at a later date.

Crime Alerts: August 31- September 1

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 31 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 1.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:40 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 2900 block of Stanton Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Document: Homicide in the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 30.

At approximately 10:56 p.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located an adult male with gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced on scene but his identity is being withheld until their next of kin is notified, according to the press release.

Defendant in Double Homicide Case Pleads Guilty

A double homicide defendant accepted a plea deal from the prosecution.

George Bernard Shaw III was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shootings of Marcus Nelson, 59, and Simmeon Williams, 39, on Oct. 10, 2020, on the 1700 block of Irving Street, NE.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, the 21-year-old defendant pleaded down to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed. 

According to court documents, as part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed to recommend that the sentences for both counts run concurrently.

Shaw had not been able to sign the plea paperwork due to delays at DC Jail so Judge Danya Dayson allowed him to sign the plea paperwork electronically during the hearing. 

Shaw is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5.

Obstruction of Justice Cases to be Included in Upcoming Murder Trial

A DC Superior Court judge allowed two recently opened obstruction of justice cases to be included in an upcoming murder trial. She also denied a motion to withhold evidence from one of the defendant’s cell phones. 

Co-defendants Antonio McKenzie, Edward Brown and Steven Robin are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 29-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE, on Jan. 20, 2018.

Former co-defendant Charles Young recently pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to voluntary manslaughter. According to court documents, as part of the plea deal, parties agreed that an appropriate sentence would be four years of incarceration with all of that time suspended except for what he will have already served at DC Jail by the time he is sentenced. Also as part of his plea deal, the prosecution agreed not to call Young to testify at his former co-defendant’s trial.

During the Aug. 30 hearing, Judge Dayna Dayson heard two motions. The first motion argued to withhold cell phone data showing where McKenzie was before, during and after the shooting.

McKenzie’s attorney, Steven Keirsh, called cell phone technology a “developing area of the law.” He noted that a previous DC case ruled on how long of a time period detectives could reasonably ask to collect cell phone data from. Keirsh went on to argue that the affidavit filed for his client’s cell phone data was too broad.

The prosecution argued that the affidavit does in fact show a period of time that is “very constrained” and that the case Kersh cited is unrelated.

Judge Dayson agreed with the defense that this area of the law is evolutionary, but ruled against withholding the evidence. She said the case Kersh cited does not align with the current evidence.

Brown and McKenzie were recently indicted on charges of obstruction of justice for allegedly speaking with a fellow inmate who is one of the prosecution’s witnesses in this case. The prosecution recently motioned for the obstruction of justice cases to be included in the upcoming murder trial.

Robin’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, argued that including these obstruction cases in the murder trial will prevent her client from receiving a fair trial by causing prejudice against him.

Judge Dayson sided with the prosecution, saying a jury should be able to differentiate between the accusations against the defendants without issue.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on Sept. 29.

Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants and released seven during presentments on Aug. 30.

A total of 32 defendants were presented before Judge Renee Raymond.

A domestic violence defendant charged with unlawful entry onto private property was held because he is on probation in the state of Maryland and was not supposed to leave the state.

Another domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault, attempted first-degree theft and contempt. He was held due to allegations that he violated his release conditions in another case.

Both held defendants are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 16.

Seven domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include attempted second-degree cruelty to children, simple assault, destruction of[property less than $1000 and misdemeanor threats to do bodily harm. They were given stay away orders and are all scheduled to return to court on Nov. 29.

Rondez Tibbs allegedly shot Malcolm Johnson on the  2400 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on July 21. He has not had his presentment hearing yet because he is in the hospital. During an Aug. 27 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz approved his transfer from a local hospital to a rehabilitation center so he could receive further treatment.

Johnson’s death is alleged to have been the result of an attempted robbery in the 2200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. According to court documents, Johnson sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach and was pronounced dead on scene. Tibbs was found unconscious with a gunshot in the head. He was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

Klein Lawrence, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Vanessa Brooks-Williams on the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE, on July 10, is also in the hospital and is scheduled to come to court after being discharged.

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault is also currently in the hospital and will be presented at a later date.

Defense in Murder Case Given Time to Consider Plea Offer

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder case to give the defense time to consider a plea offer.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, Terrance Prue was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The 21-year-old defendant is accused of shooting 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on June 5, 2019, on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE.

Newly appointed defense attorney Andrew Ain said the prosecution has extended a plea offer and agreed to extend its expiration date so Ain could have more time to discuss it with his client. 

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 14.

Crime Alerts: August 30-31

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 30 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 31.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:03 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 2900 block of 28th Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who is approximately 20 years old. He was wearing a blue surgical mask, long camo pants, a yellow shirt and a vest.

A second crime alert was sent out at 11:24 p.m. due to a 1300 block of Good Hope Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males wearing reflective-style vests and armed with guns.

A final crime alert was sent out at 12:30 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 1900 block of R Street, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was tall and wearing a red sweatshirt. He was armed with a gun.

Document: August 29 Homicide

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 29.

At approximately 4:11 p.m. police responded to the 3500 block of Clay Place, NE, due to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, police located 37-year-old Bruce Scott with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a fatal traffic accident that happened at the intersection of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue and Hayes Street, NE, on Aug. 28.

According to a press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at about 9:15 p.m., an individual was driving a red 2005 Honda dirt bike eastbound on the 4400 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. 

At the same time, another individual was driving a silver Hyundai Sonata westbound on the 4500 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

When the driver of the Hyundai turned left onto the 4400 block of Hayes Street, NE, the dirt bike collided with the passenger side of the car, according to the press release. 

The operator of the dirt bike, 24-year-old Reginald Bynum, was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Aug. 29.

Document: One Dead in Triple Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 27.  

MPD officers responded to the 1400 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, at approximately 10:18 p.m. for the report of a shooting, according to a press release.  

There, the officers found Lorenzo Shaw, 28, with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Two other men were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.