DC’s homicide count for 2020 was higher than it was in 2018, 2017 or 2016, according to D.C. Witness data. But so far, the homicide count for 2021 has outpaced the number of homicides reported at this same time last year.
Document: Homicide in Southeast, DC
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the morning of June 17.
At around 5:02 a.m., officers responded to the 3100 Block of Waclark Place, SE, according to a press release.
There, they found 28-year-old Demonte Thompson suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant, Releases Five Others
A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant and released five others during initial hearings on June 16.
A total of 30 defendants were presented before the court. The six defendants charges included assault, threating to commit assault and contempt.
The held domestic violence defendant allegedly violated a stay away order he was issued in a previous case for simple assault and destruction of property charges. Because of this, Judge Sean Staples decided to hold him at DC Jail. The defendant’s next court hearing is scheduled for July 6.
Five other domestic violence defendants were released on their promise to return to court. They were all given stay away orders.
The released domestic violence defendants are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 15.
Crime Alerts: June 16-17
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 16 and 9:00 a.m. on June 17.
A crime alert was sent out at about 11:20 p.m. due to a stabbing on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE. The suspect is in custody.
A second crime alert was sent out at about 5:23 a.m. due to a shooting on the 3100 block of Waclark Place, SE. The police did not report to be looking for a suspect.
At 5:23 a.m., police alerted the public of an armed carjacking on the 300 block of 51st Street, SE. Police reported that they were looking for two Black males with short haircuts in a red 2020 Hyundai Accent with a Virginia licence plate.
Judge Continues Double Homicide Case Awaiting Indictment
A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing June 16 for a double homicide case currently awaiting indictment.
Antoine Turner, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Demetrius Benson and Demeitri Anderson.
Benson, 24, was shot on Nov. 30, 2020, on the 4500 block of Dix Street, NE. Then, on Nov. 29, 2020, Anderson was shot 13 times on the 4500 block of Benning Road, NE.
Parties asked Judge Rainey Brandt to continue the hearing, so the prosecution could provide the defense with indictment information and discovery evidence.
Judge Brandt scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 21.
Judge Schedules Prelim, Bond Review Hearing for Murder Defendant
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial as well as a bond review hearing.
Aaron Kenon, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 29-year-old Keith Frye on May 8 on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE.
During the June 16 hearing, Judge James Crowell scheduled the bond review hearing for July 21 and the preliminary hearing for July 27.
Judge Questions Prosecution on Delays in 2019 Murder Case Indictment
A DC Superior Court judge questioned a prosecutor on why a defendant, who was charged with murder in November 2019, is still waiting to be indicted.
Twenty-four-year-old Tyrell Powell, also known as Marco Powell, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Semaj Alsobrooks on Sept. 4, 2019, on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, NE.
Defense attorneys Jason Tulley and Pierce Suen have filed a failure to indict motion as well as a speedy trial motion, arguing for the dismissal of an indictment, the scheduling of an immediate trial or the release of the defendant pending trial.
In a supplemental pleading, the defense said “the government’s manipulative grand jury practices have caused deliberate and significant delays which weigh heavily against the government. Second, the solitary confinement and other dreadful conditions at the jail weigh substantially against the government in the Court’s Speedy Trial analysis of the prejudice Mr. Powell has suffered.”
During the June 14 hearing, the prosecution said the absence of an indictment is the result of limited grand jury availability and the complexity of the case.
However, Judge Milton Lee said that 14 cases of a similar nature came to court after Powell’s case and have been heard by a grand jury.
In a recently filed court document, the prosecution points out that, in March 2020, the month in which the U.S. first led the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases, then Chief Judge Robert E. Morin issued orders “tolling all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing and other orders,” and that an Amended General Order issued last month specifies that the suspensions, tolling and extensions apply to indictments.
The prosecution said that unless the defendant can prove that the order exceeds the Chief Judge’s authority or is unconstitutional, he is not entitled to dismissal or release.
Judge Lee scheduled the motion hearing to resume on June 30.
Judge Schedules Prelim, Orders Competency Screening for Murder Defendant
On June 16, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial and ordered a preliminary screening to assess if the defendant is competent to stand trial.
Jean Paul Kearney is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting of 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 4 on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.
Kearney, 34, is also charged with assault on a police officer while armed for allegedly firing four gunshots from within a residence that officers were trying to force their way into to exercise a search warrant on the morning of the defendant’s arrest. According to court documents, a sergeant conducted three “knock-and-announces” before ordering his officers to breach the front door.
Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a mental observation hearing to discuss findings of the competency screening for June 28. He scheduled the preliminary hearing for July 26.
In the meantime, Kearney will remain held at DC Jail.
Judge Appoints New Counsel to First-Degree Murder Case
On June 16, a DC Superior Court judge appointed new counsel for a homicide defendant.
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.
Kristin McGough replaced Houston’s former attorney, Betty Ballester, who replaced the defendant’s first lawyer, Pierce Suen.
Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the next status hearing for June 22.
Lizzie Brennan wrote this article.
Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings
A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants during initial hearings on June 15.
In total, 21 defendants were presented before the court. None of them were charged with a homicide or sex abuse offense. Four defendants, however, were charged in domestic violence cases.
One of these defendants was charged with simple assault for allegedly pouring boiling water on the victim. The victim suffered from blisters on their face and was hospitalized for their injuries, according to the prosecution. The defendant was released.
Another domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault, threats to do bodily harm and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Sean Staples released her and ordered her to stay away from the victim.
Both of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 14.
One defendant was charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, which was a wooden plank. According to the prosecution, she was previously charged with aggravated assault in 2012. Judge Staples held her at DC Jail.
Judge Staples also held another domestic violence charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm.
Both of the held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 6.
Crime Alerts: June 15-16
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 15 and 9:00 a.m. on June 16.
At 12:28 a.m., the police alerted the public of a shooting investigation at 55th and Blaine Street, NE. Police reported that they are looking for a dark vehicle.
A second alert was sent out at 6:58 a.m. for an investigation on the Unit block of N Street, NW, after police found a man with a gunshot wound to the foot. Police reported that they are looking for a Black male around 23-25-years-old wearing a white shirt covered in blood, who was last seen traveling south toward Tyler House apartments.
A final alert was sent out at 7:05 a.m. for a robbery at the intersection of 25th Place and Benning Road, NE. Police reported that they are looking for a Black male with a light beard wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and jeans. He was last seen walking eastbound on Benning Road, NE.
Judge Holds Homicide Defendant During Initial Hearings
A DC Superior Court judge held a homicide defendant during initial hearings on June 14.
Gerald Lewis is charged with second-degree murder following a traffic fatality that occurred the previous day. He is accused of causing a motor vehicle collision that killed a pedestrian on the 1500 block of 14th Street, NW.
After deciding whether the defendant should be held at DC Jail, Judge Sean Staples scheduled Lewis’ next court date for July 7.
Judge Staples did not hold any of the eight domestic violence defendants brought before the court. He did, however, issue stay away orders for all of them.
Judge Staples also released one sex abuse defendant. The defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sexual abuse. He was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring.
The released defendants’ next hearings are all scheduled for Dec. 20.
A total of 30 defendants were presented before the court.
Asiadee Williams and Amaya Smith also contributed to this article.
Domestic Violence Defendant Enters into Deferred Sentencing Agreement
A domestic violence defendant accepted a plea deal, allowing him to enter into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement (DSA).
The defendant was initially charged with first-degree cruelty to children, but the charge was later updated to second-degree cruelty to children. During the June 15 hearing, he pleaded down to attempted simple assault.
According to court documents, the 51-year-old defendant struck a female victim’s face and body, leaving her with bruises.
The agreement will allow the defendant’s guilty plea to be withdrawn and his case dismissed after he completes the requirements imposed on him.
These requirements include taking parenting and anger management courses, complying with a No Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order and undergoing a mental health screening as well as drug and alcohol testing as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe gave the defendant until March 15, 2022, to complete these requirements. He is scheduled to return to court for a deferred sentencing review hearing at that time.
Will Lawrence and Mara Osterburg wrote this article.
Sex Abuse Defendant Plans to Accept Plea Deal
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a date for a sex abuse defendant to accept a plea deal.
The 46-year-old defendant is charged with third-degree sex abuse for allegedly exposing himself to a woman trying to give him medical care at the Washington Hospital Center on the 100 block of Irving Street, NW, before grabbing her and pulling her onto a bed on July 8, 2020.
During the June 15 hearing, defense attorney Bernadette Armand asked Judge Danya Dayson for the earliest court date for her client to accept a plea deal. Judge Dayson scheduled a hearing for July 2.
Mara Osterburg and Will Lawrence wrote this article.
Crime Alerts: June 14-15
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 14 and 9:00 a.m. on June 15.
An alert was sent out at 9:28 p.m. due to a shooting investigation on the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE. A second alert was sent out because of a shooting on the 1700 block of North Capitol Street, NE, at 11:06 p.m.
Police do not have a description of the suspect(s)
Tory Lysik wrote this article.