Four Witnesses Testify During Murder Trial

Four witnesses testified during the second day of a murder trial at the DC Superior Court.

Robert Dean, 63, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White with a screwdriver on March 31, 2018.

According to court documents, at approximately 4:58 p.m., the victim was driving in Northeast, DC, when she pulled into a McDonald’s parking lot on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NE, and entered the lobby, seeking help for her injuries while holding her neck. She was pronounced dead approximately 30 minutes later.

During the Oct. 26 proceedings, a long-time friend of Dean’s testified that he received a text from the defendant that read, “I feel that I am about to go to jail.” The witness then spoke to Dean on the phone and told him he would pick him up in a few hours. When the witness picked Dean up, the defendant said he had stabbed a woman after she had hit him in the face, he said.

A married couple who lived nearby Dean also took the witness stand. After his friend dropped him back off, Dean went to the couple’s apartment and stayed the night there. Dean also allegedly told the couple that he had stabbed a woman after she hit him in the face. The witnesses said Dean claimed to have followed the woman to her car to ask for money that she owed him. When he confronted her, she allegedly reached into her vehicle and struck him with an object.

During cross-examination, the witnesses confirmed to defense attorneys Jonathan Armstrong and Anthony Matthews that they believe Dean approached the victim with the sole intent of discussing the money she owed him.

The prosecution also brought in an expert witness to examine cell phone evidence. The forensic scientist explained how data was retrieved from the defendant’s phone to verify the authenticity of text and phone records.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo is presiding over the trial. Proceedings are set to resume on Oct. 27.

Crime Alerts: October 26-27

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 27.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:30 p.m. due to a shooting in the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect (s).

Document: Arrests Made in Two Homicides

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made arrests in relation to two different homicides on Oct. 26.

At approximately 3:23 p.m. on Oct. 8, officers responded to the 3900 Block of South Capitol Street, SW, due to the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located 33-year-old Lester Mangum inside of an establishment with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On October 26, officers arrested 20-year-old Kavell Miller and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

At approximately 8:31 p.m. on Oct. 25, officers responded to the 4900 block of G Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police located an adult female with gunshot wounds inside an apartment building. A second adult male victim was also located with gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

The adult female, 47-year-old Dametrics Evans, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the press release.

On Oct. 26, officers arrested 21-year-old Shaun Tyree Brown and charged him with first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an Oct. 25 homicide.

At approximately 10:28 p.m. officers responded to the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located 26-year-old Aaron Langford with stab wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

That same day, officers arrested 30-year-old Charles Haythe and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release. Later investigation showed the homicide was domestic in nature.

Document: Oct. 25 Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Oct. 25.

An investigation revealed that at approximately 12:09 p.m. a Metro Transit bus was in the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE, approaching Southview Drive when it was hit by a motorcycle. The impact caused the driver of the motorcycle, 30-year-old Ronnie Lyons, to be ejected, according to the press release.

Lyons was taken to a nearby hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries, according to the press release. The driver of the Metro Transit bus was also transported to a local hospital due to non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported, according to the press release.

Parties Deliver Opening Arguments in Murder Trial

A DC Superior Court judge swore in 14 jurors for a murder trial and parties gave their opening statements.

The defendant, 63-year-old Robert Dean Jr., is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White in the neck with a screwdriver on March 31, 2018, on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE.

During opening arguments, defense attorney Anthony Matthews argued that his client only used lethal force in defense of his own life.

Matthews raised two key points during his opening statement. He said that autopsy reports showed White was under the influence of the drug PCP during the incident and that the DNA swabs of the alleged murder weapon suggest it belonged to the victim.

The prosecution admitted White’s clothes into evidence to showcase the location of the stab wound. They also showed a video recording recovered from cameras at the crime scene.

The prosecution called three people to the witness stand. One of White’s relatives was asked to describe the victim’s personality. An eye witness was brought in to clarify the events that took place in the videotape that was admitted.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) firearms specialist also testified, as he and his partner were the first officers to arrive at the crime scene. The officer’s Body Worn Camera footage was also admitted as evidence.

Two jurors were excused: one because of COVID-19 related health concerns and another because of family issues.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Oct. 26.

Document: Arrest Made in August Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an August homicide.

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.

On Oct. 26, officers arrested 39-year-old Brian Foster and charged him with first-degree murder while armed. according to the press release.

Judge Schedules Status Hearing for Reopened Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge set a status hearing for a reopened murder case.

In 2014, a jury found Arik Sims guilty of first-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and misdemeanor carrying a pistol in connection with the shooting of 29-year-old Lamar Fonville on Sept. 20, 2012, on the 4700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Following an appeal, the case was reopened in September 2019. The defendant is now awaiting a trial date.

During the Oct. 26 hearing, the defense made a request for Sims’ release, which was promptly denied by Judge Dayna Dayson.

The prosecution requested a continuance so they can have time to finish going over issues regarding discovery evidence with the defense.

Judge Dayson scheduled parties to reconvene on Nov. 19.

Document: October 26 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 26.

At approximately 2:08 a.m. police responded to the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located 40-year-old Keon Bonner in an alley with stab wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: October 25 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 25.

At approximately 8:31 p.m. officers responded to the 4900 block of G Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police located an adult female with gunshot wounds inside an apartment building. A second adult male victim was also locatedwith gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

The adult female, 47-year-old Dametrics Evans, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an Oct. 15 homicide.

At approximately 10:50 p.m. officers responded to the 1000 Block of 17^th Street, NE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 48-year-old Dabney Graham with stab wounds and transported her to a local hospital. On Oct. 18, she succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 25, officers arrested 44-year-old Artimas Gross and charged them with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Parties in Murder Case Discuss Possible Plea Bargains

Parties discussed the possibility of resolving a murder case involving two co-defendants with plea bargains.

Aaron Adgerson, 18, and Terrance Oxner, 21, are charged with the 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.

During the Oct. 26 hearing, the prosecution said they sent Adgerson a plea deal this past week, which is still being discussed between the defendant and his attorney, Michael Madden.

The prosecution then suggested the possibility of a plea bargain for Oxner. His defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said they will consider the possibility of a plea bargain once she has received all of the discovery evidence.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ordered parties to discuss possible plea deals before the next court date, which is set for Dec. 8.

Towards the end of the hearing, Madden motioned for his client’s release. Judge Demeo denied the petition, pointing out that Adgerson is facing charges in another case involving an alleged attemp t to escape from custody.

Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 25.

Eldred Watts was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Zenus Epps, who was 33-years-old when he was shot to death on March 25, 2020, on the 3500 block of A Street, SE. Police arrested Watts two days later.

The 27-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter after making an agreement with prosecutors.

According to court documents, Epps was shot in the head at close range after leaving his girlfriend’s apartment. A witness identified Watts as the shooter. At the time, Watts and the defendant’s girlfriend were involved in a dispute. Another witness described another individual who was not apprehended by police.

The plea deal also allowed Watts to resolve another open case by pleading guilty to attempted robbery while armed.

According to court documents, the plea deal includes an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence would be 10 to 13 years of incarceration.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Watts to be sentenced on Jan. 14.

Crime Alerts: October 25-26

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m on OCt. 25 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 26.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:03 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 4900 block of G Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 2:46 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3500 block of Center Street, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Document: Suspect Arrested in Relation to Homicide

An arrest has been made in relation to a September homicide.

At approximately 12:19 p.m. on Sept. 17, police responded to the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police located 57-year-old Mark Johnson with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 24, 38-year-old Dwan Lovitt was arrested in Cary, North Carolina, on an arrest warrant for second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

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