Search Icon Search site

Search

Judge Relaxes Domestic Violence Defendant’s Release Conditions

A DC Superior Court judge relaxed a domestic violence defendant’s release conditions.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse. 

During the Sept. 17 hearing, defense attorney Dominique Winters said the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) is recommending decreasing how often her client is required to report to them. However, Winters wanted the defendant not to be required to report to the PSA at all.

Judge Danya Dayson decided to have the defendant report to the PSA once a month, saying monthly reporting is the least restrictive means of ensuring the community’s safety. 

Murder Case Scheduled for Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

William Davenport is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of 27-year-old Leonard Turner on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW, on May 14.

Davenport, 29, is currently in quarantine at the DC Jail.

During the Sept. 17 hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asked Judge Danya Dayson to schedule a preliminary hearing at least two weeks out to ensure her client would be out of quarantine and able to come to court.

Judge Dayson scheduled the preliminary hearing for Oct. 12.

No Plea Offer for Murder Defendant Awaiting Trial

On Sept. 16, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant to go before a jury in September 2022. 

Khamari Perkins, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in the death of 18-year-old Naseem Simpson, who was shot March 15, 2020, on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW. 

No plea deal is being offered to Perkins as he awaits his trial, which Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled to begin on Sept. 6, 2022.

Judge Kravitz scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 14 to check on the status of the prosecution’s DNA testing.

Homicide Defendants Indicted on 8 Counts

Two murder defendants have been indicted on eight charges. 

On the afternoon of April 29, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Devonte Speight 1800 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The 26-year-old was pronounced dead

Co-defendants Daquan Aglin, 24, and Derrick Kearney, 25, are indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree theft, fleeing a law enforcement officer, unauthorized use of a vehicle, attempt to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Anglin’s defense attorney, Dominique Winters, previously filed a motion for release. During the Sept. 15 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz said the motion for release is “moot” in light of the prosecution’s indictment and would not be approved.

Kearney’s defense attorney, Joseph Caleb, chose not to contest an earlier finding that his client is competent to stand trial. During a hearing last month, he said he was still in the process of deciding this.  

Kearney and Anglin’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12. 

Sex Abuse Defendant Held in Quarantine

A sex abuse defendant was unable to appear in court due to being in quarantine at the DC Jail.

The 36-year-old defendant allegedly asked a woman at a metro stop if she wanted to “do something” in exchange for money on Sept. 6, 2020. After she declined, he allegedly followed her into a building lobby some blocks away and assaulted her, according to court documents.

He is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree burglary, third-degree sex abuse, misdemeanor sex abuse and lewd, indecent, or obscene acts in relation to the incident.

Parties were informed that the defendant is held in quarantine and would be unable to attend the Sept. 15 hearing. Judge Marisa Demeo said that she was unaware of the defendant’s status until that morning.

Judge Demeo also dismissed defense attorney Steven Ogilvie and appointed Howard McEachern.

The defendant also previously pleaded guilty in a domestic violence case to attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and simple assault in August 2020. Two months later, he was arrested for the current case.

Judge Demeo set a hearing for Oct. 22.

Co-Defendant In 2018 Drive-By Shooting Case Scheduled For Bond Review Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a bond review hearing for one of the defendants charged in connection with a 2018 drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl.

Co-defendants Isaiah Murchison, 21, Antonio Murchison, 28, Marquell Cobbs, 19, and Darrise Jeffers, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd street, NE. The shooting is alleged to have been the result of a neighborhood rivalry.

The four are also charged with conspiracy, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed and criminal street gang affiliation in this case.

Back in August, Isaiah Murchison’s attorneys, Elizabeth Wellner and Carrie Weletz, filed a motion for their client’s release from DC Jail.

In it, they state that Murchinson has no prior criminal history, strong community ties and a place to live. They also argue that the prosecution’s case against him is weak.

After the defendant was indicted in May 2019, a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest. However, US Marshals did not find and arrest him until August 2020. But Wellner and Weletz state that, “there is no direct information about if or when Mr. Murchison became aware of the indictment or warrant.” They also point out that he has never failed to appear in court or had a bench warrant issued for him before this.

Isaiah Murchison’s bond review hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8. 

During the four’s Sept. 15 hearing, the prosecution said they will be retesting a majority of the evidence. The DNA evidence will take four to six months. Updated DNA results are expected to be provided to the defense within two weeks.

The defendants’ trial is scheduled to begin in October 2022.

Qujuan Thomas, 22, Quentin Michals, 24, Gregory Taylor, 26, Mark Price, 27, Quincy Garvin, 21, and Saquan Williams, 19, are also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wilson’s death. Their trial is scheduled to start May 2, 2022

Murder Case to Go to Trial in 2023

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case to go to trial in 2023.

Thomas Fields Jr., 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Marquita Lucas on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE, on Aug. 17, 2019.

He is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, kidnapping while armed and tampering with physical evidence in this case. 

During the  Sept. 15 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the trial to begin on April 17, 2023.

Fields’ presence was waved. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing to discuss evidence in a homicide case.

Kevin Goggins, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Yisa Jeffcoat on the 1600 block of W Street, SE on Oct. 9, 2020.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked Judge Danya Dayson to schedule a hearing to discuss evidence in his client’s case. Gardner expressed concern about the legitimacy of a witness for the prosecution, who testified during a preliminary hearing back in February.

Judge Dayson scheduled the hearing for Nov. 5. The defense plans to call the prosecution’s witnesses for cross-examination at this time. 

In the meantime, Goggins will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Advances Double Homicide Trial Date

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson moved up the trial date for a double homicide case on Sept. 15. 

Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and attempt to commit robbery while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.

The trial, previously slated to begin on July 27, 2022, is now scheduled to begin on Jan. 24, 2022. Parties anticipate the trial to last two weeks. 

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 21 and 22 for a motion hearing and a trial readiness hearing. 

Murder Case Dismissed

Prosecutors dismissed a murder case.

Deshaun Gaskins, 22, was charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of 36-year-old Marcus Wallace on Nov. 21, 2020, on the 1400 block of L Street, SE.

No additional information was provided during the Sept. 14 hearing.

Gaskins, 22, was charged on Dec. 24, 2020. He was held at DC Jail until the following April, when a DC Superior Court judge agreed to release him into home confinement.

Judge Schedules Trial for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial for a domestic violence defendant after he rejected a plea offer.

The defendant is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, the defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution and requested a trial. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set the trial to begin on April 22, 2022. She also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for January 10, 2022.

Crime Alerts: September 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 15 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 16.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:16 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE. Police identified the suspects as three masked individuals armed with a handgun.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:43 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 16:00 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with light complexion, no shirt, tattoos, pretty eyes and black clothing.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:25 a.m. due to a gun robbery in the 1800 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as four to five Black males in a silver sedan. One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and another was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:36 a.m. due to a gun robbery in the 1900 block of 19th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as four to five Black males in a silver sedan. One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and another was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.

Document: Homicide in the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 15.

At approximately 11:53 a.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival police located 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell with gunshot wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 4000 Block of 1st Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a Sept. 15 homicide.

At approximately 12:43 a.m. officers arrived at the 4000 Block of 1st Street, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located 37-year-old Paris Odemns with gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the press release.