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Judge Denies Bond Review for Defendant in Non-Fatal Shooting

D.C. Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied a motion for bond review during a July 29 felony status conference for a defendant accused in a Northeast DC shooting.

Ato Ocran, 46, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred in the 2200 block of 13th Street, NE, on June 3. 

One individual was harmed during the incident.

According to court documents, Ocran allegedly got into a verbal argument with the victim over an electric vehicle charger. When Ocran left the parking lot, the victim allegedly followed him down Franklin Street, NE when Ocran allegedly made a u-turn, and fired at the victim through the driver’s side window of his vehicle, shooting him once in the arm and striking the vehicle several times.

During the hearing, defense attorney Elizabeth White argued that Ocran acted in self-defense and emphasized that he has no prior criminal history. She described him as a software engineer with stable employment and financial obligations, including two mortgages. 

White also asserted that Ocran attempted to de-escalate the situation and repeatedly backed away. She claimed the complainant was armed with a baseball bat and followed Ocran with another individual.

The prosecution opposed his release, stating that Ocran had already disengaged and was inside his vehicle when he chose to return and open fire. They also pointed to the discovery of multiple unregistered firearms during a search of his home and said Ocran’s educational level indicated he should have known how to respond more appropriately.

Judge Hertzfeld said Ocran’s decision to re-engage while in his car weakened the self-defense argument. She also cited the unregistered firearms as a serious concern. 

The judge denied the motion for bond review and the defendant will remain in custody.

A jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 29.

Judge Imposes Curfew on Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld  imposed an 8 p. m.-to-8 a. m. curfew during a July 29 felony status conference for a stabbing defendant. 

Matthew Dill, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The charge stems from his alleged involvement in a stabbing on March 17, on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE. 

Surveillance footage reportedly shows an individual, identified as Dill, stabbing the complainant multiple times in the torso before fleeing the scene.

Defense attorney Emma Mlyniec opposed the prosecution’s curfew request, stating that Dill is already under GPS monitoring and has remained compliant with all conditions. She argued a curfew was unnecessary and noted that Dill has not violated any stay-away orders. 

Mlyniec requested that if a curfew is necessary, it begins after 6 p. m., citing her client’s need to manage his business.

The prosecution requested an 8 p. m. to 8 a. m. curfew, which Judge Hertzfeld imposed over defense objections.

The next felony status conference is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Release Modifications Denied for Two Shooting Defendants

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied two shooting co-defendants’ requests for release modifications during a July 25 hearing. 

Jonah Harris, 47, and Gerald Jones-Hall, 24, are charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery while armed, conspiracy to commit robbery while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for their alleged involvement in the shooting and attempted robbery of two victims at the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE, on July 10, 2023. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

According to a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Harris violated his stay away order by driving along the shooting location in early July.

Harris’ defense attorney, Christen Phillips, stated that the stay away location was near his home and he had to drive through it due to construction. She asked Judge Park to dismiss the stay away order because it’s “not serving any purpose for public safety.”

Judge Park disagreed, noting the co-defendants know people that live on the block where the shooting happened and denied the motion. The judge reminded Harris that if it happens again he will be out of compliance, and it could result in his detention. 

Phillips also requested that Harris have special release orders for a work trip. Phillips noted Harris may be promoted to supervisor and his supervisor has taken notice of his hard work and wants him to attend a conference in New York. 

Judge Park allowed this under the conditions Harris would be in his hotel room between the hours of 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 22.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Galveston Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 22-year-old Anna Hyman in connection with a fatal stabbing on Galveston Street, Southwest. On July 26, officers found 63-year-old Robert Dent deceased from stab wounds following a domestic dispute. Hyman has been charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.

Document: MPD Makes Swift Arrest in Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in a fatal shooting that occurred on July 26 in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Southeast. The incident resulted in the death of 55-year-old Clay Hargrave and left 1 surviving victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Charles Mitchell Jr., 46, of Woodbridge, VA, was apprehended nearby and charged with Second-Degree Murder while Armed.

Judge Questions Whether Stabbing Victim Acted in ‘Excessive Self-Defense’

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum released a stabbing defendant on GPS monitoring in a disputed self-defense case on July 25. 

William Chambers, 40, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on July 22 on the 700 block of Langston Terrace, NE. 

According to court documents, Chambers and the victim were neighbors who had an ongoing dispute. In addition, court documents claimed the victim acted as the initial aggressor who punched Chambers and knocked him to the ground before Chambers allegedly entered his home to retrieve a butcher knife to stab the victim in the leg.

The prosecutor played footage of the altercation between Chambers and the victim. The footage showed the victim beating Chambers while he was on the ground before another individual intervened. He claimed that the victim had attacked Chambers because he had brandished a knife at him and was acting in self-defense.

After reviewing the footage, Judge Hildum said he was unsure of the weight of the evidence but that if Chambers was actually the initial aggressor like the prosecutor claimed, then the victim’s reaction was “excessive self-defense.”

An officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who responded to the stabbing claimed that he had not seen the footage prior to arresting Chambers but said he spoke to the victim, who claimed he was stabbed by Chambers on his right thigh. The officer added that as he was investigating the scene, he saw Chambers’ door cracked open, walked in and saw Chambers on the floor with a butcher’s knife next to him.

The officer said a third individual who claimed to have intervened to stop the fight was depicted in the video swinging at the victim with an object in his hand.

In his cross-examination, Chamber’s defense attorney, Chidi Ogolo, asked him if he believed the victim was the initial aggressor in the altercation, and the officer agreed. Ogolo also asked the officer if he saw any blood on the butcher’s knife in Chambers’ residence, but confirmed he did not.

Ogolo rebutted the prosecutor’s claim that the victim acted in self-defense by arguing that the footage did not show Chambers stabbing the victim and only showed the victim beating Chambers while he was on the ground. According to Ogolo, the prosecutor was attempting to twist the facts of the case in order to support his argument.

Ogolo requested Chambers be released and that the court order a no-contact order between Chambers and the victim. He added that Chambers has court no-shows, was not a danger to the community, and was willing to stay at a homeless shelter to abide by his stay-away order.

Judge Hildum acknowledged that Chambers had strong ties to the community but told him that he was concerned about his safety if he was granted release.

Ultimately, Judge Hildum found probable cause and ordered Chambers to report to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to undergo drug testing and be placed on GPS monitoring. Chambers was ordered to stay away from the victim and the incident address unless escorted by a police officer.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 11.

Trial Begins for Metro Officer Stabbing

Trial began on July 29 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno for a defendant who allegedly stabbed a Metro Transit officer in the face. 

Erik Schleehauf, 43, is charged with assault on a police officer while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on April 15 on the 1100 block of New Jersey Avenue, SE.

The prosecution started their opening statement by saying “nail he’s got a nail in his hands,” that’s what officers called out on April 15 at Navy-Yard Ballpark Metro Station.

Prosecutors alleged that an officer saw Schleehauf evade paying the fare and followed the defendant to issue a citation. When asked to identify himself, Schleehauf ignored the officer and proceeded to take the escalator towards the exit. 

The second time the officer tried to stop Schleehauf he allegedly stated “You have no right standing in front of me,” and kept walking. The officer started to get nervous as he knew Schleehauf likely wasn’t going to comply and he started to fiddle with items in his hands and become visibly shaky. 

According to the prosecution, the officer deployed mace and a fight ensued. Prosecutors alleged that during the altercation, Schleehauf punched the officer in the face several times with a nail leaving the officer suffering from various injuries. Prosecutors alleged that Schleehauf’s actions were taken wildly out of proportion and the entire interaction could have been just a routine citation. 

“This entire case is about two dollars and fifty cents,” claimed Amanda Epstein, Schleehauf’s attorney. She stated that the officer knocked the glasses off Schleehauf’s face, then pepper sprayed him. She said Schleehauf could not hear the officer trying to stop him because he was listening to music. 

Epstein stated, “being a police officer doesn’t give you a free pass to beat someone to a bloody pulp,” alleging that the officer used excessive force and Schleehauf was trying to defend himself, which he is within his right to do. 

The officer who was involved in the altercation and injured on scene was brought to the stand. The prosecution presented CCTV footage of the scene as it unfolded to parallel their questioning.

The sergeant provided an in court identification of Schleehauf and clarified that Schleehauf was unknown to him prior to the proceedings shown on CCTV. 

Regarding the altercation itself, he stated “I just thought I was punched… I didn’t know he had anything in his hand.” It was only after another of the officers identified that there was an object that the sergeant realized his injuries. 

An image of his injuries taken at George Washington Hospital was presented as prosecution evidence. It showed one puncture wound at the upper edge of his beard and one just under his jawline.

In response to the prosecution’s questioning on his injuries, the officer stated that he is still experiencing physical symptoms. Although the wounds have healed, he testified to still having pain and a twitch on the left side of his face from his jawline to eye that have not completely subsided.

In cross examination, Epstein took issue with the sergeant’s late activation of his body worn camera stating that he was supposed to turn it on when initiating police action. The sergeant argued that the initial conversation at the fare gate was not police action.

He said, “I was talking to him… talking to people is not police action.” He later clarified that he activated his camera when he had decided to make a civil citation.

Epstein said that jumping over a fare gate is only a civil offense and a person cannot go to jail or be arrested for fare evasion. The sergeant acknowledged that but held that the offense is still against the law, and further argued that not providing identification to law enforcement when asked is also against the law and warrants arrest.

The sergeant admitted that he was the first to become physical in the altercation, having knocked Schleehauf’s glasses off his face with the intention of using mace before Schleehauf punched him the first time. 

Still, the sergeant argued that he “gave him an opportunity” to comply, referring to the moment on CCTV where he stated, “Sir, do you want me to spray you?”

Epstein pressed the officer on Metro police general orders that state that an officer is “only supposed to use force when absolutely necessary.” She questioned him on the dangers of using pepper spray given its a “less lethal force instrument.” The sergeant disagreed that mace is deadly, arguing “it’s an irritant” and that handcuffs are classified in the same manner. 

Epstein also pointed to the fact that the officer never submitted a use of force report as is required. He replied when an officer is injured, it is not departmental practice to submit a report.

Two officers who work for Metro Transit that were dispatched to Navy-Yard Metro Station for the stabbing testified for the prosecution. 

The first officer stated that he arrived on scene after the altercation ensued. He helped secure the nail and send it to the crime scene lab. He said the nail that was used is about five inches in length and appears to be sharpened to a point. The officer stated that he did not see any of the interaction. 

The second transit officer testified that at the time of the incident, he heard a group of girls yelling. Realizing something was wrong, he headed towards the yelling and saw the victim fighting with Schleehauf. He helped break up the altercation and stated that after Schleehauf was arrested, he was very combative and argumentative. 

When cross examined by Epstein, he stated that he was not present when Schleehauf jumped the fare gate or when the confrontation started. When asked, the officer confirmed that there was blood all over Schleehauf’s legs and face. He never heard the injured officer complain about any pain he experienced on scene. 

Upon redirect, he confirmed that he saw the nail when he approached Schleehauf to take his hand as he was attempting to punch the sergeant.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 30.

Document: MPD Seeking Suspect in Navy Yard Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking a suspect in a stabbing incident that occurred in Navy Yard on Jul 25. Officers responded to the 1100 block of First Street Southeast and found an adult male victim with a stab wound, who was transported to a hospital conscious and breathing. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage, and the MPD is requesting public assistance in identifying the individual.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Shooting at Ex-Girlfriend

A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on July 24. 

John Miller, 34, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that took place at the 5100 block of Call Place, SE on May 1. 

According to court documents, officers responded to the scene after the victim’s mother called 911. The victim allegedly told officers that as she left a residence at the incident location, her ex-boyfriend fired a shot at her. She identified him as Miller. 

During the hearing, Miller accepted a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Through the deal, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a domestic violence case against Miller – the details of the case were not discussed. The prosecution also agreed to cap their sentencing request at 24 months.

Parties are slated to reconvene for Miller’s sentencing Sept. 26. 

Document: Wanted Suspect Apprehended in 2024 Kentucky Avenue Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the apprehension of 36-year-old alleged suspect Kareem Thomas in connection with a 2024 homicide on Kentucky Avenue, Southeast. On Oct. 21, officers found 23-year-old Jakele Allen deceased from gunshot wounds. Thomas was arrested in Mount Vernon, NY, and will be extradited to Washington, DC, to face charges of Second Degree Murder while Armed.

For Now Murder Defendant Okayed For Addiction Treatment, Maternal Visit

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz modified release conditions for a murder defendant on July 25.

Oliver Gomes, 55, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of Thomas Gray, 61, who died after being struck with a wooden plank on Oct. 14, 2022 at the intersection of 11th and L Streets, NW.

Defense attorney Sara Kopecki told the court that Gomes, who was released in home confinement, wants to visit his mother in Maryland, attend in-person addiction treatment meetings twice a week and attend in-person job interviews. Kopecki argued that he has been compliant with his release conditions since February. She also emphasized that he is doing well with current addiction treatment, but wants to be in-person.

“Even though he’s been keeping up with his appointments, it’s not the same,” Kopecki said.

Gomes is also seeking employment from home to help him pay rent, but has been unsuccessful.

The prosecution, however, believed that since he has only been out of jail for five months, he could still be a danger to the community if he is allowed step back release. They also questioned why he needed to visit his mother, who he was originally supposed to live with while on home arrest. 

According to Kopecki, Gomes’ mother kicked him out of her house after an argument about gardening. Explaining the dispute, Kopecki described his mother as “persnickety.”

Judge Kravitz allowed Gomes to visit his mother one afternoon over the weekend, attend one in-person addiction treatment meeting per week and confirm in-person job interviews. He said that he believes the requests are legitimate, but thinks the court should move incrementally.

Judge Kravitz also told Gomes that even if he gets an outside job, he may not grant a work modification but would consider it. Judge Kravitz encouraged Gomes to find remote work.

The prosecutor also noted that Gomes has been involved in several violent or threatening incidents on Metro buses and once was ordered to stay away from them. However, he will need to rely on them to travel.

Kravitz warned Gomes that if he is involved in another incident on a Metro bus, he could go back to house arrest or jail.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 3. 

Judge Denies Release For Night Club Mass Shooting Suspect

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a mass shooting defendant release on July 25. 

Rennwel Mantock, 30, is indicted on six counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, six counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, 14 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on April 26, 2024, on the 1200 block of Connecticut Ave, NW outside of the Decades DC night club.

Mantock’s defense attorney, Christen Romero Philips, argued that he should be released pending trial due to his lack of a criminal history and strong community ties, given he has three children. Philips also noted that several family members were present in court to support Mantock.

The prosecution read two victim impact statements to the court. One has persistent nerve pain, depression and experienced post-traumatic stress disorder since the incident. The victim also said it was difficult to care for their children and run their business because of the injuries.

Another victim suffers from insomnia and nightmares after being shot in the back of the leg.

“This is not a man who should be released,” the victim wrote.

Judge Kravitz decided that even though Mantock does not have a criminal history, there is sufficient evidence that he would be a danger to the community if released.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 20, 2026.

Document: MPD Investigating B Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 20 in Southeast, Washington, D.C. Officers discovered the remains of 65-year-old Charles Granger at a residence on the 4600 block of B Street. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide.

Judge Gives More Time for Defendant to Comply With Probation

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee continued a probation hearing on July 28 for a defendant who allegedly violated probation guidelines.

Be’Shon Tyler, 24, was charged with possession of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on the 100 block of Irvinton Street, SW on May 9 2023. He was sentenced to 24 months in prison, with 12 suspended, 18 months of probation, and three years supervised release. 

During a July 28 hearing, Judge Lee wanted to follow up on Tyler’s case because his performance during probation had reportedly been inconsistent – with an alleged violation on June 9 and June 11. 

According to Tyler’s probation officer, Tyler has improved since the last hearing. He has attended two out of ten required anger management classes, completed multiple home visits, and has consistently tested negative for drugs. Tyler is set to finish his anger management classes in October. 

Judge Lee directly questioned Tyler about his employment history. Tyler admitted he has never held a formal job and has only worked “under the table” jobs sporadically. Judge Lee reminded Tyler that at 24 years old, it is imperative he find legitimate employment to support himself and work toward independence and successfully completing probation.

The prosecution supported continuing the hearing, noting a desire to see long-term improvement from Tyler in terms of compliance and stability.

Judge Lee agreed to continue the case, instructing Tyler to attend all scheduled classes and appointments and to secure employment before the next hearing.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 20.