Search Icon Search site

Search

Judge Continues Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a domestic violence case so the defense can have more time to consider a plea offer.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

During the Aug. 20 hearing, the recently appointed defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, said he has not yet received all of the discovery evidence he asked the prosecution for and needs to review it before coming to a decision on how to proceed with the case.

Judge Michael O’Keefe scheduled another felony status conference for Sept 13. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Continues Murder Case Awaiting Indictment

After a prosecutor in a murder case could not provide a specific timeline as to when the co-defendants would be indicted, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled parties to reconvene in October to give them time to decide how they want to proceed.

Terrance Oxner, 22, and Aaron Adgerson, 18, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Edward Wade on Jan. 25 on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Three other people as well as Oxner, who was arrested that same day, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting, D.C. Witness previously reported.

The prosecution said they have not yet extended a plea offer and are not sure if they are in a position to do so yet. 

However, the prosecutor said that Oxner’s attorney, Madalyn Harvey, reached out to her to discuss resolving all of her client’s cases. Adgerson’s attorney, Michael Madden, said he would be open to plea discussions as well. 

The prosecutor suggested continuing the Aug. 19 hearing so parties could have time to talk about how they would like to move forward with the case.

In response, the defense asked for information about the prosecution’s progress towards returning an indictment. However, the prosecutor said they could not give a specific timeline and that the case is still actively being investigated. 

Madden asked Judge Robert Okun to schedule the case for trial. He asked for those dates to be far enough in the future to give parties time to prepare but said he would like to avoid having to go to trial in 2023 due to courtroom availability being taken up. However, Judge Okun denied the request. 

Parties ultimately agreed to reconvene on Oct. 8.

Judge Holds First-Degree Sexual Abuse Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant and one sex abuse defendant during presentments on Aug. 18.

A total of 31 defendants were presented before Judge Renee Raymond.

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault and threats to do bodily harm was held due to the charges violating the defendant’s parole. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 7.

A defendant charged with first-degree sex abuse was held due to the severity of the charge. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 10.

Three domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include violation of a civil protection order, contempt, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and simple assault.

Two of the defendants were put on GPS monitoring. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 18, Nov. 19 and Nov. 14.

A defendant charged with misdemeanor sex abuse was released. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 18.

Two homicide defendants charged with first-degree murder while armed are in the hospital and are scheduled to come to court after being discharged.

Klein Lawrence allegedly shot Vanessa Brooks-Williams on the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE, on July 10. Rondez Tibbs allegedly shot Malcolm Johnson on the  2400 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on July 21.

Crime Alerts: August 19-20

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 20.

A crime alert was sent out at 6:22 a.m. due to an armed robbery investigation in the 4500 block of 1st Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as three black males wearing all black clothing armed with a handgun, last seen in a green 2003 Infiniti with DC tags.

Judge Continues Hearing Three Co-Defendants Charged With Murder

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Aug. 18 status hearing for a murder case with three co-defendants.

Twenty-one-year-old Malik Bynum, 20-year-old Larry White Jr. and 21-year-old Mark Fletcher III are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the July 2 shooting of 21-year-old Rosendo Miller on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Judge Yvonne Williams scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 21 in order to give parties more time to review the evidence and prepare for a potential preliminary hearing, which would determine if the three’s cases have enough evidence to go to trial.

Sex Abuse Defendant Arraigned on Multiple Charges

After a sex abuse defendant was arraigned on seven counts, a DC Superior Court judge decided to hold off on the defense attorney’s request to withdraw from the case.

The defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, first-degree burglary, misdemeanor sex abuse and two counts of lewd, indecent or obscene acts.

Back in June, defense attorney Steve Ogilvie filed a motion to withdraw from the case, stating that his client expressed the intention to represent himself and that there has been an “irreconcilable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.”

Judge Robert Okun said there is “clearly an issue” between the defendant and his lawyer but will hold off on appointing new counsel until the case can be heard in front of Judge Marisa Demeo, who is assigned to the case.

An ascertainment of counsel hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15. 

The defendant was also found competent to stand trial during the Aug. 19 hearing.

Former Member of State Advisory Panel for Special Education Sentenced for Child Sex Abuse

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a former vice-chairman of DC’s State Advisory Panel for Special Education to seven-and-a-half years in prison for child sex abuse.

“I’m struggling with the words for how bad this is,” said Judge Jonathan Pittman, who described the abuse as a “betrayal of trust.”

Back in June, Aaron McCormick pleaded guilty to first-degree child sex abuse for abusing a 13-year-old child with disabilities. The victim, who was on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), was temporarily living with McCormick in his home. The judge said the living arrangement was recommended by an organization working with the victim’s family. D.C. Witness does not know the name of the organization.

The victim’s mother spoke during the Aug. 17 hearing, noting that her daughter did not wish to attend. She said McCormick, 55, did whatever he could to get close to her family and her daughter. As a single parent, she said she saw McCormick’s help as a positive thing for her family, not expecting it to lead to abuse. She said her daughter is now receiving counseling.

The victim’s grandmother said she knew something was wrong “in the pit of my (her) stomach.”

“Justice, that’s all we want is justice,” the grandmother said.

Judge Pittman said he considered rejecting the plea deal, but did not want the victim to have to testify at trial.

The prosecutor said McCormick sexually abused the victim in nearly every room of his home and that, while the abuse was happening, he appeared on a panel and spoke about the difficulties children with disabilities face during the COVID-19 pandemic in regards to education.

“He is a sexual predator,” the prosecution said.

Defense attorney Mathew Davies noted that this is his client’s first time being convicted of such an offense and that McCormick is also a Navy Veteran and father.

McCormick also spoke at the hearing, saying he accepts the punishment he is given for his actions. He said this is the first and last time this will ever happen.

McCormick has been held at DC Jail since his initial hearing in December 2020. He will receive credit for time served.

McCormick’s seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence will be followed by ten years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender for ten years and is not allowed to have unsupervised contact with minors, elderly people or disabled people. He also cannot spend time in areas primarily used by children during that time period.

Judge Pittman ended the hearing by encouraging the victim’s family, saying that what happened to the victim does not have to define her life.

“There is hope,” he said.

Document: Juvenile Arrested for Murder

A 16-year-old juvenile male was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department press release, at about 3:11 p.m. on Aug. 18, members of the School Security Division were assisting with Safe Passage, a program meant to promote safe transportation for students in DC, when they were informed of an altercation taking place on the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway, NE.

There, they found 15-year-old Kemon Payne suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The suspect was apprehended by responding officers. He has been arrested for second-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide on the 3700 block of First Street, SE

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 18.

At approximately 12:58 p.m. police reported to the 3700 block of First Street, SE, due to a report of gunshot sounds. Police located an adult male victim with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle. The victim, 43-year-old Anthony Mitchell, was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Judge Releases Four Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released four domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant during presentments on Aug. 18.

A total of 33 defendants were presented before Judge Renee Raymond.

One defendant was charged with misdemeanor sex abuse. He was released and is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 17.

The released domestic violence defendants’ charges include contempt, simple assault, violation of a civil protection order and failure to appear. They are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 30, Sept. 7, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24.

Two homicide defendants charged with first-degree murder while armed are in the hospital and are scheduled to come to court after being discharged.

Klein Lawrence allegedly shot Vanessa Brooks-Williams on July 10. Rondez Tibbs allegedly shot Malcolm Johnson on July 21.

Crime Alerts: August 18-19

The MEtropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 18 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug 19.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:02 a.m. due to a robbery in the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a white cap, dark pants and possibly a white shirt.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on Aug. 18.

At around 12:53 p.m. that day, officers responded to the Unit block of K Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 38-year-old Michael Smith inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Man Charged in 6-Year-Old’s Death

The defendant charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Nyiah Courtney returned to the DC Superior Court on Aug. 18, at which time a judge scheduled a hearing to determine his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Courtney was shot on July 16 on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. Five other people, including Courtney’s parents, were wounded during the shooting, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Marktwan Hargraves, 22, was arrested less than two weeks later and is now charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Yvonne Williams scheduled the preliminary hearing for Sept. 23.

Two Homicide Defendants Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held two homicide defendants and released two domestic violence defendants during presentments on August 17. Two other domestic violence defendants were also held.

In total, 14 defendants were presented before the court. 

William Davenport, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14 on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW. Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold him at DC Jail.

Rodney Lindsay, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 53-year-old Terrance Gause on Aug. 14 on the 700 block of Adrien Street, SE. Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits argued Lindsay was acting in self-defense after the victim threatened him and a witness. Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant, saying there is limited information to support the defense’s claims at this time.

Both homicide defendants are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8. 

The two other held defendants are both charged with simple assault and contempt. They are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 7.

The released defendants were both charged with simple assault. One of the released defendants returned to court on a bench warrant due to failure to appear for a status hearing. 

Judge Raymond issued a stay away order for one released defendant. They are both scheduled to return to court on Nov. 16.