Judge Approves Murder Defendant’s Transfer to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

A DC Superior Court judge ordered the transfer of a murder defendant to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

John Woods, 67, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the Feb. 19 shooting of 60-year-old Geno Freeman on the 6000 Block of Chillum Place, NE.

Defense attorney Pierce Suen asked Judge Steven Wellner to transfer Woods to St. Elizabeth’s after the results of his last exam, which was done at DC Jail, were inconclusive.

Suen also asked Judge Wellner to seal the incomplete mental evaluation in order to protect Woods’ personal information and possible diagnoses. The judge accepted both requests.

Woods’ next hearing is scheduled for July 12.

Will Lawrence and Mara Osterburg wrote this article.

Judge Approves Extension of Homicide Defendant’s Stay at Youth Detention Facility

On June 3, a DC Superior Court judge extended a convicted homicide defendant’s stay at a youth detention facility to June 14.

Back in 2019, Titus Iracks pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license for the death of Larry Harrell on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on June 13, 2018. The judge sentenced him to eight and a half years, but stayed the execution of the sentencing. The 19-year-old defendant is being held at the Youth Services Center (YSC), a facility run by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), where he is taking college classes.

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said his client has made “significant educational progress” and should remain at YSC even though he is no longer a minor.

Judge Danya Dayson mentioned a recent incident in which Iracks allegedly participated in the assault of a minor. The incident prompted YSC management to suggest Iracks’ transfer to another facility.

The prosecution opposed extending Iracks’ stay, saying multiple stays had already been granted due to his studies.

Judge Dayson scheduled another sentencing hearing for June 14 to give Resetarits time to contact YSC and find out their exact plan for going forward with the assault incident and possible transfer.

Harrell was shot while being robbed by Iracks and his 24-year-old co-defendant, Dearren Dawkins.

The defendants were initially charged with first-degree murder in August 2018. They both agreed to plead down to voluntary manslaughter.

Dawkins also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction while armed.

Judge Sets Hearing to Discuss Defense’s Motion to Dismiss Indictment in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge gave a prosecutor in a murder case a deadline to respond to the defense’s motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment.

Joseph Brown, 31, and Rondell McLeod, 28, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shootings of Amari Jenkins, 21, on Aug. 18, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, and Antwan Baker, 29, on Nov. 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE.

The two were indicted as co-defendants, but their cases went on to be severed due to errors with ballistic evidence. Those errors caused incorrect information to be presented to a grand jury. McLeod’s attorney, Steven Keirsch, motioned to dismiss the indictment. Brown’s attorney, Brian McDaniel, joined the motion.

Judge Lee Milton gave the prosecution until July 9 to file their response to the motion. He gave the defense until Aug. 9 to respond to the prosecution.

Alicia McCoy is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with Baker’s homicide. She is currently on pretrial release with GPS monitoring.

During the June 2 hearing, Judge Milton denied her attorney, Rachel McCoy’s, request to remove her client’s GPS.

Parties will reconvene to discuss the motion on Sept. 24.

Mara Osterburg and Abby Lloyd wrote this article.

Judge Continues Murder Case’s Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 2 status conference for a homicide case.

Jacobi Williams, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 38-year-old Phillip Roache on Sept. 17, 2020, on the 7000 block of Blair Road, NW.

Around 11:01 p.m. that day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene for the report of the sounds of gunshots, according to court documents. There, they found Roache and another man suffering from gunshot wounds. Roache was pronounced dead on scene. The other victim survived.

Judge John Campbell scheduled Williams’ next hearing for Oct. 27. In the meantime, he will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on June 1, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released all but one domestic abuse defendant.

There were 19 total defendants brought before the court, and five of the defendants had domestic violence cases brought against them.

One of the defendants is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt for allegedly violating a condition of release in his pending case.

The defendant has two additional pending domestic violence cases, one of which involves the same complaining witness.

The prosecution requested the defendant be held, saying in his pending case, he is alleged to have dragged the victim out of the shower and hit her in the head until her ear bled. In his new case, he allegedly pushed her over a railing at a nightclub, punching and kicking her in front of several witnesses.

Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant, saying she believes him to be a danger to the community. His next court date is scheduled for June 22.

Two defendants with new domestic violence cases were released. Their charges include attempted second-degree cruelty to children and simple assault.

Both defendants were ordered to return to court on Dec. 7, and one of the defendants was given a stay-away order from the alleged victim and scene of the incident.

Two final domestic violence defendants were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear in court. They were both released with new court dates of July 2 to see the presiding judges in their cases.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Homicide Case

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

Darrell Moore is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Julius Hayes on April 3. Moore, 43, allegedly shot Hayes six times on the 300 block of 8th Street, NE.

Judge Stephen Wellner set the preliminary hearing for July 22. In the meantime, Moore will remain held at DC Jail.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Continues Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 2 hearing for a murder case.

Xavier Hamilton, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 39-year-old Ivy Tonnet Smith on March 6, 2016, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

Hamilton is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition in this case.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the next virtual hearing for Oct. 26. Hamilton, who is currently being held at DC Jail, does not need to be present for the hearing, but defense attorney Heather Pinckney said she wants her client to be there.

Document: Suspect Sought in Misdemeanor Sex Abuse Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating a suspect in a misdemeanor sexual abuse offense that occurred on May 2.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. at the 400 block of Galloway Street, NE, the suspect approached the victim and engaged in unwanted sexual contact. The suspect was captured on a surveillance camera, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: June 2-3

There were no crime alerts sent out between 9:00 p.m. on June 2 and 9:00 a.m. on June 3.

The last crime alert sent out by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was for a shooting at 12:28 a.m. on June 2, which was previously recorded by D.C. Witness.

Document: Homicide in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on May 28.

At about 11:51 a.m., officers responded to the 600 Block of Upshur Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to the press release.

Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One was treated for non-life threatening injuries while the other, 16-year-old Kassius-Kohn Glay, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Crime Alerts: June 1-2

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on June 1 and 9:00 a.m. on June 2.

The alert was sent at 12:28 a.m. for an armed robbery at the intersection of Malcolm X Avenue and MLK Jr. Avenue, SE.

Police are looking for a 2015 black Ford Explorer with two Black males wearing all black clothing and ski masks.

They are also looking for a silver Toyota Rav 4 with a Black male wearing light colored clothing.

Judge Grants Murder Defendant’s Motion for New Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge granted a murder defendant’s request for new counsel.

DeAndre Houston is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on Oct. 11, 2018, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE.

The 20-year-old defendant is also charged with armed robbery, carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the case.

“I’m persuaded that new counsel should be appointed for Mr. Houston because it appears to me that the working relationship between Mr. Houston and Mrs. Ballester, for whatever reason, seems to have deteriorated to a place where it’s really just not working,” Judge Neal Kravitz said during the June 1 hearing.

Houston filed the motion for new counsel on his own behalf back in April. This is the second time he has requested a new attorney in this case. Back in 2019, Judge Craig Iscoe appointed Betty Ballester to replace Pierce Suen, Houston’s first lawyer.

“The both of us think it would be best if [Houston] were given a new attorney at this time,” Ballester said.

Judge Kravitz scheduled a status and ascertainment of counsel hearing for June 16.

Judge in Murder Case Grants Defense’s Motion for Subpoena Power

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request for power to obtain evidence in a homicide case.

Deon Walters, Jr is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 42-year-old Arthur Daniels, IV on Oct. 1, 2020, on the 6200 block of 8th Street, NW. The 18-year-old defendant is accused of shooting Daniels while committing or trying to commit a robbery.

In his written motion, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits requested the ability to obtain all document records and video footage. The data the attorney requested included data from phone records and information from the defendant’s iCloud account. Resetarits requested the information by the next hearing, which is scheduled for Oct. 25.

During the June 1 hearing, Resetarits said the prosecution presented evidence from his client’s iCloud and cell phone data in a prior hearing, which he wants to access.

Judge John Campbell decided not to rule on the motion, advising Resetarits to ask the trial judge, Judge Neal Kravitz, to make a ruling

Later that day, Judge Kravitz granted the motion, according to court documents.

Man Sentenced to Serve 6 Months for Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve six months for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.

John Doughty was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a high capacity feeding device before he took a plea deal in April.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Doughty to two years, with all but six months suspended, and 18 months of supervised probation.

During the June 1 proceeding, Doughty repeatedly said that the way he acted was out of his typical character. He repeatedly told the judge “that wasn’t me.”

The judge agreed.

The defendant has no criminal history, and his friends and family wrote letters to the court on his behalf.

“Since I’ve been [in jail,] I’ve been getting back in touch with God,” said Doughty, who has been detained since his initial hearing in January. He promised Judge Brandt that she would never see him again.

As part of his probation, the defendant must not possess firearms or dangerous weapons and stay away from the victims. He must also register as a gun offender.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

On June 1, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer.

Diquan Lucas is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Brian Tyrell Butler on Nov. 21, 2019, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.

The prosecution’s offer would have allowed Lucas to plead down to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution would have also requested a sentence of eight to nine-and-a-half years.

According to court documents, on the evening of the homicide, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the 200 Block of Ainger Place, SE, where they found Butler unconscious and not breathing. He had sustained four gunshot wounds.

Lucas, 24, was arrested the following December.

DC Superior Court Judge Lee Milton scheduled the defendant’s next hearing for Aug. 2.

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

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