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My Summer at D.C. Witness

My time at D.C. Witness was so valuable and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be
a part of the team. I can’t express my gratitude enough for the chance to grow my journalistic
skills, be able to learn how to incorporate data and legal terms into my articles in an accurate
way, acquire teamwork skills in a professional environment, and also receive a quality
mentorship.


To start with my journalism skills, I came into my program at DC having spent over a
year away from journalism classes and I was very apprehensive about getting back into writing.
However, the opportunity to write articles on a weekly basis both by myself and with other
writers, was both inspiring and allowed me to receive necessary constructive feedback to get
back into a place where I was more comfortable with my writing again. Additionally, I got to
accumulate quite a bit of material for my portfolio and that was so valuable in terms of allowing
me to get hired in the future.

Not only did I get experience writing, but I was able to have an in-depth understanding of
writing within data and the court system. I had never written anything on trials and it was
extremely useful to be able to understand those terms and apply them to my pieces. Also, while
my math skills were reasonable prior to this internship, I was able to develop how I was able to
interpret data and I’m very happy that I have been able to do something like this prior to
professional world experience.

Being a part of the data team was also very beneficial. I really enjoyed the challenge of
collaborating and working with complex and incomplete data with the violence interrupters.
Getting to participate on the violence interrupter project and write other articles was truly the
best of both worlds and I loved getting to do two different things on a weekly basis.

Finally, I can’t thank D.C. Witness enough for the mentorship and guidance I received.
Getting to work with Trina and Amos was so special, because I felt very invested in and I felt
that what I was doing was contributing to the internship. It’s a unique aspect of D.C. Witness that
interns are actually valuable to the team and that I received legitimate news experience. Thank
you so much for everything again!

Most July Homicides Resulted from Gun Violence, Data Shows

Twenty-one homicides happened in DC during the month of July, an approximately 10.5 percent increase from June. 

Shootings were the main cause of death for all but one of the victims, according to D.C. Witness data.

Wards 5, 6 and 7 had an increase in homicides. Wards 5 and 7 had two more homicides in July than in June. Ward 6 had one more.

Ward 7, specifically, had six homicides – more than anywhere else.

Among the homicide victims killed in Ward 7 was 24-year-old Virginia resident Muntsier Sharfi.

According to a press release, Fire and EMS personnel from Prince Georges County, Md. responded to the 3300 block of Southern Avenue, SE, for the report of an overturned vehicle. They found Sharfi in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Detectives determined that the homicide happened on the 3300 block of Erie Street, SE.

Ward 8 had five homicides in July, which was the same number of homicides recorded in June, May, March and February, data shows.

The youngest victim to die from gun violence was 6-year-old Nyiah Courtney on July 16 in Ward 8.

Police say they responded to the corner of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, shortly after 11 p.m. due to a shooting that D.C. Witness previously reported. Officers found Courtney injured on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

During a press conference, less than two weeks later, MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III told the public they have made an arrest. 

“The prayers of the community have been answered,“ he said. “I’m here to announce today that we’ve got our man.”

Marktwan Hargraves, a 22-year-old Maryland resident, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed in Courtney’s death. He is currently being held at DC Jail, and is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 18.

There was one vehicular homicide victim in July, 20-year-old Jamya Williams, who was killed by a hit-and-run at the intersection of 14th and K Street, NW.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) press release, during the early hours of July 3, an Acura TLX was traveling at a high rate of speed when it proceeded through the intersection, despite the red light, and collided with a Hyundai Elantra that Williams was operating. Williams died from her injuries the next day.

The driver and passenger of the Acura fled on foot, police say.

The police later released a video of the person and vehicle of interest. 

Judge Won’t Re-Open Preliminary Hearing for 3 Co-Defendants Charged With Murder

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense motion to reconsider re-opening a previous preliminary hearing that was held earlier this year to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Nelfy Hernandez, 17, Deandre Levy, 20, and Trey Prillerman, 17, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, on Aug. 10, 2020. The three are accused of shooting into a crowd of juveniles from inside of a vehicle.

The defense wanted to re-open the preliminary hearing so they could call a detective who did not testify when the hearing was held back in March.

Judge Danya Dayson denied this request in favor of moving towards setting a trial date. She cited a limit in courtroom availability.

Judge Dayson did grant the defense’s request to receive surveillance footage of the defendants from the night of the homicide. The defense is able to share the transcripts of the videos with their clients, but the defendants are not able to view the video itself.

A felony status conference for the three defendants is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

On Aug. 5, 25 defendants were brought before DC Superior Court for presentments. Among them were three domestic violence defendants: two who were released and one who was held.

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, as well as violating a Civil Protection Order. Judge Renee Raymond scheduled him to return to court on Aug. 24.

Both of the released domestic violence defendants released are charged with simple assault. Judge Raymond gave one of them a stay away order and the other a No Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 10.

Crime Alerts: August 5-6

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 6.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:30 p.m. due to a robbery in the 200 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males, both with a slim build. One was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and the other wearing a red sweatshirt and armed with a handgun.

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:09 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 4200 block of East Capitol Street NE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males. One was wearing a white shirt with black sweatpants and armed with a handgun. The second was wearing a black ski mask and jeans.

Domestic Violence Case to Go to Trial in 2022

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a jury trial for a domestic violence defendant who is indicted on 12 counts. 

The defendant’s charges include assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, threat to injure or kidnap a person, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

During the Aug. 5 hearing, Judge Dayna Dayson set aside Feb. 10 – 22, 2022, for the trial. She also scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 1. 

Judge Michael Ryan will preside over the trial. 

Document: Vehicles and Person of Interest Sought in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 31.

At about 11:15 p.m. police were in the area of the 700 block of O Street, NW, when they heard sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police found 31-year-old Kervin Sanches with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

MPD detectives have released information on two vehicles and one person of interest in relation to the homicide, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: August 4-5

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 4 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 5.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:05 a.m. due to an attempted robbery in the 3500 block of 11th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males wearing black clothing.

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:20 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 1300 block of Hamilton Street, NW. Police stopped the suspect.

A final crime alert was sent out at 7:49 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 1500 Block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with dreadlocks, wearing a white shirt and khaki pants.

Presentment Hearings for Two Homicide Defendants Rescheduled

The DC Superior Court could not conduct presentment hearings for two murder defendants on Aug. 4 because they were in the hospital.

Klein Lawrence and Rondez Tibbs are charged with first-degree murder while armed. Lawrence, 37, is charged in the shooting of 34-year-old Vanessa Brooks-Williams on July 10. Tibbs, 26, is charged in the shooting of 27-year-old Malcolm Johnson on July 21.

 Both defendants’ presentment hearings were rescheduled to Aug. 5.

A total of 36 cases were presented before the court. 

Judge Renee Raymond held two domestic violence defendants. One of them is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. The other failed to appear for a hearing.

Both defendants are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 24. 

Sex Abuse Defendant Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to six years in prison.

In January, Anthony Faucette pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for sexually assaulting a woman in the supply closet of a convenience store on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE, in November 2020.

Faucette’s six year prison sentence will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.

Defense attorney Wole Falodun argued that Faucette, 35, should receive treatment rather than extensive incarceration due to his history with mental health issues.

The defendant was found mentally incompetent in April. He was sent to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for treatment the following month. He was found competent in July, allowing parties to proceed to sentencing.

During the Aug. 4 sentencing hearing, Falodun said his client admitted to his crime at the scene and pleaded guilty as early as he could.

The prosecution, who recommended a six-year sentence followed by a lifetime of supervised release, said Faucette has a significant history of mostly misdemeanor crimes and that his crimes became more significant over time.

Judge Neal Kravitz described the experience of watching the surveillance video of the incident as “chilling,” and said he did not think Faucette had fully grasped the wrongness of his actions.

“It seems like he has a higher likelihood than most of doing this again,” he said.

Faucette is also required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the case against a defendant charged with first-degree sexual abuse has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 31-year-old defendant is accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times on July 13. At the time, the defendant was wanted for assault in Maryland, according to court documents. 

Dominique Winters was appointed to represent the defendant on Aug. 4. She requested exculpatory evidence from the prosecution and asked  Judge Juliet Becker to schedule a preliminary hearing.

The preliminary hearing is set to take place on Aug. 13. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.

Man Charged in Former Marine’s Homicide Pleads Guilty

A defendant charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old former Marine pleaded guilty to murder on Aug. 4.

Matthew Scott Rooker was stabbed multiple times on May 23, 2018, on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW.

Kavonte Richardson was charged with felony murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit robbery in connection with the homicide. During the Aug. 4 hearing, the 27-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. As part of the plea deal, his additional charges of armed robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon were dropped.

Parties agreed to a 15-year prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to the proffer of facts, Rooker sustained one stab wound to his neck, five to his arm and four to his back as Richarson attempted to steal his backpack. 

After his arrest, police questioned Richardson about Rooker’s death and showed him a photo of the knife used in the homicide. Richardson denied owning the weapon but once interrogators left, video footage of the room shows him admitting to owning the weapon, according to the proffer of facts. DNA evidence later found on the knife matched both Richardson and Rooker.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Richardson to be sentenced on Oct. 29.   

And the Tweets Keep Pouring In…

ABC 7 tweeted…

Amanda Michelle Gomez with Kaiser Health News tweeted…

Martin Austermuhle with WAMU tweeted…

Mari Inshaw with the Truxton Circle Neighborhood Genealogy Project tweeted….

Crime Alerts: August 3-4

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug 4.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:28 p.m. due to a shooting at the corner of Stanton Road and Miss Avenue, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:03 a.m. due to a shooting in the 4000 block of 14th Street, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A final crime alert was sent out at 1:34 a.m. due to a shooting in the 1300 block of Colombia Road, NW. Police identified the suspects as 3-4 young Black males who were last seen getting into a dark color Dodge challenger.