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Sex Abuse, Burglary Defendant to Recieve Competency Screening from DC Jail

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a preliminary screening to determine if a sex abuse and burglary defendant is competent to stand trial. 

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree sex abuse. He is accused of breaking into a woman’s home in Northwest, DC. The woman alleges that, on May 21, she woke up to him standing next to her bed with his genitals exposed.

During the June 10 hearing, Judge Jonathan Pittman granted defense attorney Ferguson Evans’ request for a 24-hour screening to determine his client’s competency, scheduling it to take place later this month at the DC Jail, where the defendant is currently being held.

Judge Pittman scheduled a mental observation hearing for July 15.

Will Lawrence wrote this article.


Prosecution Decides to Stop Pursuing Domestic Violence Case

Following several hours of testimony, a prosecutor decided to dismiss a domestic violence case.

The 36-year-old defendant was accused of suffocating and choking his ex-girlfriend until she was unconscious in an apartment complex in Northwest, DC, on May 8. 

He was charged with assault with significant bodily injury during his initial hearing two days later and held at DC Jail. At the start of the June 10 preliminary hearing, which was held to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, the prosecutor amended the charge to assault with intent to kill. 

The prosecutor said she’d be dropping the charge and not pursuing any other charges in the case when parties reconvened after a one-hour break. She did not specify why she made this decision.

During cross-examination, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case told defense attorney Kevin Robertson that the case’s victim has previously pleaded guilty to making a false report to a police officer. 

The MPD officer who responded to the scene testified that the victim made conflicting statements to him. He said the victim told him she had not gone unconscious, nor had she been hurt. But shortly after, she said she had in fact gone unconscious. The officer said he saw her with bruises and a bloody nose, but she turned down medical attention. 

During direct examination, the detective told the prosecutor that the defendant has previously been charged with stalking and Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation. 

The defendant picked up that case, a misdemeanor which is still open, on the same day he picked up the case that was dismissed today. A DC Superior Court judge initially imposed a $100 bond in the misdemeanor case, which has now been removed. 

Judge Shelly Mulkey released the defendant from DC Jail. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 15 for a status hearing in his misdemeanor case. 

Mara Osterburg and Carlin Fisher wrote this article.

Results of Murder Defendant’s Competency Evaluation Inconclusive

A DC Superior Court judge ordered another examination to determine if a homicide defendant is competent to stand trial after the results of his first examination were inconclusive.

Derrick Kearney, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year old Devonte Speight on April 29, 2020, on the 1800 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

His 25-year-old co-defendant, Daquan Anglin, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Speight’s death. Two juveniles were also arrested.

During the June 10 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz said that a full examination conducted at DC Jail was unable to determine if Kearney is competent to stand trial, but did state that he does not meet the criteria to be admitted to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

“It’s an unusual report,” said Judge Kravitz, “I don’t know that I’ve seen one like it.”

Judge Kravitz ordered another evaluation as well as additional competency restoration treatment to be done from the jail.

Kearney’s next hearing is scheduled for July 15.

Will Lawrence wrote this article.

Attorney Seeks to Challenge Competency Report on Defendant Accused of Murdering his Father

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 10 mental observation hearing for a homicide case after the defense attorneys said they wish to challenge the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) report on their client’s competence to stand trial.

Christian Arndt is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly beating his 54-year-old father, Donald Arndt, to death with a bat on Jan. 28, on the 3300 block of Newark Street, NW. The 28-year-old defendant is currently being held at DC Jail.

A recent DBH report stated that Arndt is competent to stand trial.

During the June 10 hearing, defense attorney Phil Andonian objected to the DBH’s conclusion. Andonian said he was unable to read the report, but spoke directly with the doctor and said he has “serious concerns” about her findings. 

Andonian requested 60 days to read the report and retain an independent expert to evaluate his client. Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled parties to reconvene on Aug. 12. 

Lizzie Brennan wrote this article. 

Document: Police Investigate March Homicide

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

At approximately 8:50 p.m., police responded to the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW due to reports of an unconscious person, according to a press release. Police found 38-year-old Ramon Gomez-Yanez on the sidewalk and pronounced him dead. After an autopsy, the cause of death was ruled to be blunt force trauma. 

Tory Lysik wrote this article

Second-Degree Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

On June 9, a second-degree murder defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution.

Karlos Kinney, 22, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 25-year-old Resha Blount on April 30, 2020, on the 900 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW.

The prosecution’s offer would have allowed Kinney to plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution also would have recommended a sentence of seven-and-a-half to 15 years.

The case has yet to be indicted. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked the prosecution to give an update on their progress towards returning an indictment when they reconvene on Oct. 7.

In the meantime, Kinney will remain held at DC Jail. Defense attorney Antoini Jones told Judge Lee that his client has developed hearing loss during his time in custody and has not received medical treatment for it. Judge Lee told Jones to contact DC Jail and, if that does not speed up the process, come back to his chambers and Judge Lee would reach out to the jail himself.

Mara Osterburg wrote this article.

Murder Defendants to Go Back to Trial in 2022

Over two years after a mistrial was declared in the case of a transgender woman’s death, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled the two defendants to go before a jury again in 2022.

Co-defendants Jolonta Little, 31, and Monte Johnson, 25, are charged with felony murder while armed, among several other charges, in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds. Dodds, a transgender woman, was shot to death on July 13, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. The case is being treated as a hate crime.

Back in 2019, Judge Milton Lee declared a mistrial for the defendants’ murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. The jury did find the defendants not guilty of several gun-related charges, and Little was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the June 9 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna set aside Jan. 26 and 27, 2022, for jury selection and Jan. 28 through Feb. 17, 2022, for the trial. 

Judge McKenna also scheduled another trial readiness hearing for Oct. 12.

Lizzie Brennan and AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: June 9-10

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

The most recent alert was sent at 12:16 a.m. for an armed robbery at the intersection of Porter Street and Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police are looking for three Black males in their early twenties. The first suspect was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and a black ski mask. The second and third suspects were wearing all black clothing and black ski masks. They were last seen heading north on the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The second alert was sent at 10:46 p.m. for a robbery on the 100 block of Tobias Drive, SE. Police are looking for two Black males. One of the suspects was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask and believed to be armed with a handgun. A black BMW X3 with DC tags FD06385 was taken.

Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant and Three Domestic Abuse Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on June 9, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held a sex abuse defendant and three out of the five domestic violence defendants presented before her.

In total, there were 22 defendants presented before the court.

One of the domestic violence defendants is charged with two new cases. In his first, he is charged with simple assault, destruction of property and attempted threats to do bodily harm. In his second case, he is charged with simple assault and destruction of property.

The defendant recently pleaded guilty to simple assault in another domestic violence case involving the same woman. Judge Mulkey said she found that he poses a danger to the community and is likely to violate a condition of release, so she decided to hold him pending his next hearing, scheduled for June 22.

Judge Mulkey held Kenneth Coleman, who was brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear at his probation hearings. Coleman allegedly has been out of compliance with his probation requirements, failing to report to his probation officer (PO), not reporting for drug testing and failing to get a GPS monitoring device installed. Because of these alleged compliance issues, the judge ordered him to be held so he can see the presiding judge on June 16.

The final domestic violence defendant held is charged with simple assault and destruction of property. Judge Mulkey released him on his new charges, but the defendant had a parole warrant, so he is being held to speak with the parole board.

There was one sex abuse defendant presented. The defendant is charged with sex abuse and assault on  a police officer. He was also brought before the court for failing to appear at his probation hearing. In that case, he was convicted of sex abuse and simple assault.

Judge Mulkey held the defendant at defense counsel’s request and ordered a forensic exam. He will most likely be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

A woman charged with destruction of property and attempted threats was released with orders to stay away from the complaining witness and location of the incident in her case. She was also ordered to return to court on June 24.

A man charged with attempted threats, destruction of property and assault on a police officer was also released with a stay away order. His next court date is Sept. 28.

Finally, one final defendant could not be presented because they were still in the hospital. Their case was once again continued and will be called again on June 10.

Co-Defendants in Triple Homicide Case to Go Before Jury in 2022

On June 9, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled two defendants in a triple homicide case to go before a jury in 2022. 

Co-defendants Rakeem Willis, 30, and Jonathan Winston, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shootings of 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood, 26-year-old Javon Abney and 26-year-old Sean Shuler on Jan. 26, 2019, on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE. 

The prosecution expects to take about three weeks to present their case. The defense anticipates needing two to three days. 

Because of the lack of courtroom availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of the case, Judge Juliet McKenna said the trial will not be able to start for at least another year or two. She set aside Aug. 10 through Sept. 23, 2022, for the proceedings.

These trial plans come after, during a hearing back in March, counsel decided they would rather wait to see if more courtrooms become available later in the year, rather than schedule trial dates for March 2023.

Willis, who was arrested a little over five months before Winston, is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case. However, unlike his co-defendant, Winston has not yet been indicted. During the June 9 hearing, the prosecution said they do intend to indict Winston, but must resolve an issue first.

The defendants’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Murder

A defendant charged in connection with a homicide from last summer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

In the early hours of July 12, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 800 block of 19th Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to court documents. They found 28-year-old Shanika Williams in an apartment with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. She was pronounced dead on scene.

Last February, Steven Robinson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, the 30-year-old defendant was in a romantic relationship with Williams.

During the June 9 hearing, Robinson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

As part of the plea deal he took, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 10-12 years.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies asked Judge Neal Kravitz to release his client so he can see his family before he is sentenced on Sept. 3. However, Judge Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that the case was too serious for Robinson to be released.

Three Defendants Held on Domestic Violence Charges During Initial Hearings

During presentment hearings on June 8, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held three out of seven domestic violence defendants. 

In total, 25 defendants were presented to the court at presentments. Seven of these were domestic violence cases and none were homicide-related. 

Judge Mulkey held a defendant charged with assault with a dangerous weapon due to their previous criminal record and allegations of the case. The defendant allegedly pointed a gun at the complaining witness. Her grandmother reportedly stood between them and said, “you will not shoot my granddaughter.”

The defendant was convicted of prison breach in 2014 and has had eight bench warrants executed in the past. Judge Mulkey noted these when stating her decision to hold the defendant at the jail pending his next hearing.

One defendant is charged in three separate domestic violence cases. The charges for these cases are all simple assault with one also having a destruction of property charge. The defendant was held due to other earlier domestic abuse charges being tied to the same victim. They were also given stay away orders.

The final defendant held is charged with simple assault and contempt of court. The defendant has another case pending involving the same complaining witness, and Juge Mulkey said she was concerned that he would not follow court orders if released since he allegedly violated the court’s stay away order in the pending case.

All held defendants are to return to court at the end of June.

The judge released two defendants who are charged with new domestic violence cases and two who were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. 

A simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm defendant was given GPS monitoring and stay away orders. The other defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the complaining witness.

The two defendants brought in on bench warrants were released with orders to return to court in the next few weeks.

Finally, there was one defendant whose case could not be heard because they are in the hospital. Their case was continued to June 9.

Crime Alerts: June 8-9

Between 9:00 p.m. on June 8 and 9:00 a.m. on June 9, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:26 a.m. for a robbery at the intersection of Morris Road and Hunter Place, SE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing all black. The first suspect is between 15 and 18 years of age, wearing grey and black sneakers. The second suspect is approximately 20 years of age.

The second crime alert was sent at 2:32 a.m. for a shooting on the 1800 block of 41st Place, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Orders Transfer of Child Sex Abuse Defendant to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to transfer his client from DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.  

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

Following a preliminary screening, the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial.

During the June 8 hearing, Judge Jonathan Pittman ordered a full competency evaluation for him to take at the hospital. 

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Will Lawrence and Lizzie Brennan wrote this article.