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Case Dismissed: Judge Changes Murder Defendant’s Release Conditions

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

A DC Superior Court judge removed a murder defendant from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting his roommate, 24-year-old Keon Wallace, on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE, on June 25, 2018. 

During the Sept. 14 hearing, defense attorney Mani Golzari asked Judge Neil Kravitz to place his client on a lower level of supervision, allowing him to remain released on his promise to return to court. The prosecution did not give an opinion on the request, instead deferring to the court. They did, however, ask for Cole’s release conditions to still include regular check-ins.

Judge Kravitz granted the defense’s request. Cole will be released on his personal recognizance and required to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency once a week. He will no longer be under GPS monitoring and will not have a curfew. 

Cole is scheduled to return to court for a trial readiness hearing on Jan. 19, 2022. 

Judge Releases Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse during presentments on Sept. 14. 

A total of 26 defendants were brought before Judge Lloyd Nolan. 

The defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse was released with stay away orders and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 7. 

Three domestic violence defendants charged with simple assault were also released. All of them were given stay away orders. Two of them are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 7. The other is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 30.

Crime Alerts: September 14-15

The Metropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept 14 and 9:00 a.m on Sept. 15.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:10 a.m. due to a shooting investigation on the corner of 24th and Hartford Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 12:37 a.m. due to a shootinginvestigation in the 2300 block of 16th Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 1:57 a.m. dueto a shooting investigation in the  4000 block of First Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Murder Defendant’s GPS Monitor Removed

A DC Superior Court judge allowed a murder defendant on pretrial release to have his GPS monitor removed.

Roger Hamilton is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence and reckless driving for allegedly hitting 42-year-old Vincent Childs with his car on the 3200 block of Wheeler Road, SE, on March 2, 2018.

Hamilton, 38, was arrested that same day. He was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) shortly after but is now released on his promise to return to court.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, defense attorney Joseph Scofano asked Judge Milton Lee to take his client off GPS monitoring because he has been in compliance with his release conditions for the past three years. However, the prosecution argued that the GPS monitor should not be removed due to the seriousness of the defendant’s charges.

Judge Lee ultimately allowed the GPS monitor to be removed. “Mr. Hamilton is not posing a danger to the community,” he said.

Scofano also expressed a desire to set a trial date. Judge Milton Lee noted that because held defendants are prioritized for trial dates over released defendants, it is unlikely that Mr. Williams will get a trial date before 2023. 

Judge Milton Lee set a status hearing for Jan. 1, 2022.

Document: Arrest Made In Homicide

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

At about 4:55 p.m. police responded to the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE due to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found an adult male and two adult females, all suffering from gunshot wounds. The two adult females were treated for non-life-threatening injuries while the adult female was pronounced dead. A fourth victim was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the press release.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Lester Howard. On Sept. 14, officers arrested 31-year-old Juan Peterson and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Sets Trial For Child Sex Abuse, Incest Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a sex abuse and incest case to go to trial in the spring.

The defendant is charged with incest, first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, the prosecution said they plan to call three expert witnesses during the trial. The defense said they may bring one expert witness.

Judge Juliet McKenna set aside April 28, 2022, through May 12, 2022, for the trial. She also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for March 11, 2022.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

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 22-year-old defendant is accused of sexually abusing his girlfriend on Aug. 17 in a Northwest, DC hotel.

The defendant was not able to attend his Sept. 14 hearing for apparent medical reasons.

The defendant was also unable to attend his last hearing on Sept. 10 due to being held in quarantine at DC Jail, D.C. Witness previously reported. D.C. Witness does not know if he is still in quarantine.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Oct. 14.

According to court documents, the defendant and his girlfriend had an argument that lead to the defendant allegedly brandishing a gun and ordering her to perform sexual acts.

Homicide Rates Rise 9.5 Percent in August

Twenty-three homicides occurred in DC during the month of August, which is approximately a 9.5% increase from July.

There were no homicides between Aug. 1 and 6, yet three homicides occurred on Aug. 7. The oldest victim of 2021 was James Beckham.

At 6:17 p.m. police were flagged down in the 200 block of 49th  Street, SE. Upon arrival, police found 69-year-old Beckham in a vehicle and pronounced him dead on scene, according to previous DC Witness reporting.

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) Chief of Police Robert J. Contee held a press conference on Aug. 9 due to the three homicides.

“These cases really underscore again the violence we have seen recently in our city,” he said during the press conference. “It’s consistent with what we have seen in a national landscape with respect to gun violence in our communities.”

The most homicides occurred in Ward 8, with a total of nine. This is an increase from five in July. 

Wards 1 and 7 also saw an increase in homicides. Ward 1 had one in July and three in August, while Ward 7 had six in July and seven in August.

Four Wards saw a decrease in homicides.

Ward 5 saw a 50 percent decrease in homicides with four in July and two in August. Ward 6 had two homicides in July, yet only one in August. Ward 2 had one in July but none in August.

Ward 3 did not have any homicides in July or August.

Out of the 23 homicides, the most took place in Congress Heights with five between Aug. 16 and Aug. 23. One arrest has been made in relation to these homicides as of Sept. 2, according to D.C. Witness data.

Omar Moore, 34, was shot on the 3800 block of South Capitol Street, SE, on Aug. 16. He walked into a local hospital soon after and died from his injuries, according to a press release.

Anthony Mitchell was shot on the 3700 block of First Street, SE, on Aug. 18. According to a press release, the 43-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Teon Jackson, 18, was shot and killed on the 900 block of Wahler Place, SE, on Aug. 19.

Nickael Dempsey was shot on the Unit Block of Danbury Street, SW, on Aug. 21. According to a press release, he was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Harold Castle was shot and killed on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE. On Aug. 31, police arrested 27-year-old Cecil Smith and charged them with second-degree murder while armed.

In addition to these homicides, there was one fatal officer-involved shooting.

On Aug. 25, at approximately 2:45 a.m., officers were called to the area of Florida Avenue, NE, and New York Avenue, NE, after a man was reported to be unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle that was stopped in traffic. Officers found the individual asleep in the vehicle with a handgun in his waistband, DC Witness previously reported.

Officers attempted to engage the driver, 27-year-old Antwan Gilmore. Gilmore reacted by moving the vehicle forward. He stopped his vehicle but soon proceeded forward as an officer fired a gun multiple times, striking Gilmore. Gilmore’s vehicle continued forward until stopping at the Unit block of New York Avenue, NE, according to the press release.

MPD officers removed Gilmore from his vehicle and transported him to a local hospital. After all efforts failed, Gilmore succumbed to his injuries.

Prosecution Extends Plea Offer to Murder Defendant

The prosecution in a murder case placed a plea offer on the record.

Paul Daniel is charged with murder in connection with the shooting of 59-year-old Kevin Harrison on Jan. 16, 2019, on the 4000 block of Hayes Street, NE.

Daniel, 41, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed. But in June, he was indicted on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was arraigned on these charges during the Sept. 13 hearing.

The prosecution’s plea offer would allow the defendant to plead down to a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution would dismiss his other charges if he agreed to do so. 

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said she was not aware of the plea offer and would like more time to go over it with her client. Harvey said she will let the prosecution know of their decision before the next hearing. 

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the defendant’s next hearing for Oct. 12.

Sex Abuse Defendant Unable to Attend Hearing due to Quarantine

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Sept. 13 hearing for a sex abuse case after learning that the defendant could not appear in court because he is in quarantine.

The 34-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing a young teenager.

The prosecution has extended a new plea offer to the defense. Judge Marisa Demeo continued the hearing to Sept. 30 to give defense attorney Joseph Wong time to discuss it with his client.

The prosecution also said that, if the defendant is indicted, it will be done in District Court.

Prosecutor Anticipates Extending Plea Offer to Murder Defendant Within Next Few Weeks

The prosecution in a murder case said they anticipate extending a plea offer to the defense within the next few weeks.

Joseph Melton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 48-year-old Kevin Chamberlain on Jan. 14, 2020, on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW.

During the Sept. 14 hearing, the 52-year-old defendant was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill while armed. 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled parties to reconvene for a status hearing on Nov. 10. In the meantime, Melton will remain held at DC Jail. 

Document: Five-Year-Old Girl Dies in Traffic Accident

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic crash that killed five-year-old Allison Hart on the evening of Sept. 13.

According to a press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 6:55 p.m., an individual was driving a Royal Cab Transit van eastbound on Irving Street, NE, and was proceeding through a stop sign after coming to a complete stop. As the driver pulled off from the stop sign, Hart was unable to stop the bike she was riding. She entered the intersection of 14th and Irving Street, NE, into the van’s path. The van struck Hart and then the driver immediately stopped and remained on the scene. Hart was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant and released four others during presentments on Sept. 13.

A total of 36 defendants were presented before Judge Lloyd Nolan.

A domestic violence defendant charged with contempt and attempted threats to do bodily harm was held because he has another open domestic violence case. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 21.

Three domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include violating a Civil Protection Order, simple assault, unlawful entry of private property, destruction of property less than $1,000 and second-degree theft.

They are all scheduled to return to court on Dec. 6.

Crime Alerts: September 13-14

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 13 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 14.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:30 a.m. due to a gun robbery investigation in the 2900 block of Erie Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males in a stolen black Lexus SUV.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:47 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 2200 block of 13th Street, NE. Police arrested one suspect.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:54 a.m. due to a robbery in the block unit block of Florida Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspects as rtwo Black males. One was about 210 pounds with curly hair and was wearing white a white tank top and grey shorts. He was on a bike.

A crime alert was sent out at 2:04 a.m. due to a robbery in the  2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with red hair and a white shirt.

A crime alert was sent out at 3:02 a.m. due to a gun robbery investigation in the 4400 block of B Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males armed with handguns.

A final crime alert was sent out at 3:43 am. due to a stabbing in the 1200 block of Bladensburg Road, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing all black.