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Murder Case Continues to Await Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge questioned prosecutors about their progress towards indicting a murder defendant.

On Oct. 6, 2020, 30-year-old Michael Bright was found unconscious on the 1100 block of 45th Street, NE, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Delonte Samuels, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Bright’s death.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, the prosecution said they are working towards returning the indictment. Judge Neal Kravitz told the prosecution they “need to figure out a plan” and scheduled the next hearing for Dec. 17.

Judge Denies Prosecution’s Motion to Involuntarily Medicate Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a prosecutor’s request to involuntarily medicate a murder defendant.

Daryl Thompson, also known as Darryl Tompkins, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged roles in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern.  Roberts, 29, was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern, 23, was fatally shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016.

The 30-year-old defendant has refused psychological evaluations on multiple occasions throughout the trajectory of his case. The prosecution has been seeking to involuntarily medicate the defendant in an effort to restore his competency to stand trial over the objections of the defense. Parties finished their arguments during the Sept. 9 hearing.

The prosecutor referred to testimony from a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) doctor, who recommended the use of a psychiatric medication used in a study to treat patients with a similar diagnosis to the defendant. Although the patients in the study did not have the exact same diagnosis as Thompson, the prosecution said there are “insufficient studies” for Thompson’s diagnosis. The one they pointed to was the most relevant, he said.

However, defense attorney Pierce Suen argued that there is insufficient clinical evidence to show that the involuntary medication would restore Thompson’s competency.

Judge Neal Kravitz ultimately said the prosecution had failed to satisfy some of the requirements for involuntary medication. He said the DBH doctor was not incorrect in her testimony and was “well-intended,” but that the study was unreliable due to its limited relevance.

Suen asked Judge Kravitz to find his client unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future, arguing that, “there is no indication that he will ever attain competency,” and that they are at a point in time where his competency is unlikely to change. Judge Kravitz, however, denied this request.

Judge Kravitz ordered a full mental health evaluation due to the length of time since the defendant’s last one. Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a mental observation hearing on Oct. 14.

Thompson is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person in this case.

Sex Abuse Defendant Receives New Attorney

A DC Superior Court judge appointed a new lawyer to represent a sex abuse defendant.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, first-degree burglary and robbery.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna appointed Thomas Healy to replace the defendant’s previous lawyers, Lisbeth Sapirstien and Charles Murdter.

The defendant is currently awaiting sentencing in another case, in which a jury convicted him of kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse. Sapirstein and Murdter represented him during that trial. In a defense motion requesting the two’s withdraw from the defendant’s newer case, Sapristein stated that the defendant has renewed a request he made in March 2020 during his previous trial to receive new counsel.

After granting the request, Judge McKenna canceled a trial readiness hearing set for Jan. 18, 2022, and scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 26 instead. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Continues Mental Observation Hearing for Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Sept. 10 mental observation hearing in a sex abuse case.

The 55-year-old defendant is charged with kidnapping while armed, first-degree sex abuse and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, defense attorney Andrew Ain said he wants to be present for his client’s psychological evaluation. Judge Dayna Dayson allowed Ain to be present at the beginning of the interview so that he can identify the psychiatrist to his client, given his episodes of paranoia. Ain’s presence will be left to the doctor’s discretion from there.

Judge Dayson also permitted the defense to access the video recording of the evaluation.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 5.

Parties in Murder Case Await Evidentiary Material

Parties in a murder case informed a DC Superior Court judge about delays they were experiencing in obtaining evidentiary material on Sept. 9.

Nathan Hunter, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 44-year-old Ronald McKnight on April 18 on the 1600 block of 7th Street, NW. 

Defense attorney Frances D’Antouno requested the original tape of his client’s first interview after being arrested. The prosecution said that, due to issues with the recording, the tape was sent to have its sound enhanced and has not yet come back into their possession. They said they will send it over once it is found.

Parties are also still waiting for a full autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. The prosecution said the medical examiner is still working on the toxicology results. Parties say they have not received a definitive date as to when they will receive the report.

D’Antouno also recently requested video and photo evidence but said she does not expect to receive it soon.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 14, at which time they plan to review the issues with the discovery evidence. They are hoping to be able to schedule a preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial when they reconvene at that time.

Defendant Sentenced to 6 Years for Shooting Brother

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to six years for shooting his brother.

Johnny Littlejohn pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. As part of the plea deal, the prosecutor dropped his other charge of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

According to the proffer of facts, the 50-year-old defendant was on parole when he shot at his brother 11 times. Two of those shots struck the victim, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the Sept. 10 hearing, Littlejohn said he never intended to cause harm and only had the gun out of concern for his own safety, but that the argument with his brother escalated so quickly that he couldn’t explain what happened. The argument, he said, was over his brother’s contact with his parole officer.

In a victim impact statement, Littlejohn’s brother called the shooting “unprovoked.” He said he originally approached the parole officer out of concern for the defendant’s family.

The prosecutor asked Judge Julie Becker to sentence Littlejohn to six years, pointing out his criminal history, which includes 17 years he spent in prison for a past offense. Defense attorney Gemma Stevens, however, requested a 64-month sentence.

Judge Becker said she understands the challenges that come with re-entering the community after spending time in prison but is concerned about the potential for him to commit more crimes in the future. She encouraged him to seek out drug and mental health treatment.

Littlejohn’s six-year sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.

Judge Holds Murder Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged in connection with a 2020 homicide during presentments on Sept. 11. 

A total of 16 defendants were presented before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Rigsby.

Tamika Green, 35, was brought before the court charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to a press release, at approximately 1:16 p.m. on February 20, 2020, police responded to the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, for a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene. Police say the detectives’ investigation revealed the homicide to be domestic in nature.

Judge Rigsby decided to hold Green. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 22.

A defendant, charged with lewd, obscene, or indecent acts was released. He will return to court on Dec. 11. 

Two domestic violence defendants charged with simple assault were released with stay away orders. Both of them are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 10.

Three defendants couldn’t appear due to hospitalization. A domestic violence defendant was also issued a bench warrant for failing to appear in court.

Crime Alerts: September 12-13

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 13

A crime alert was sent out at 11:03 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 900 block of Barry Place, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was approximately 30-35 years old, wearing a du-rag, black mask, red long sleeve shirt, black pants, driving a Grey Volvo C-30 with a black liftgate.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:46 a.m. due to an attempted robbery in the 200 block of Nicholson Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a black male with a thin build who was wearing black clothing.

Document: Suspect Sought in Assault with Intent to Commit First-Degree Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are trying to locate a suspect in connection with an assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse offense.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the 400 block of 3rd Street, NE, the suspect assaulted the victim while attempting to engage in a forced sex act. The suspect then fled the scene, according to the press release.

The suspect was described as a Black male with a skinny build who was at least 6 foot 2 and wearing a backpack that is possibly red, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a 2020 homicide.

At approximately 1:16 p.m. on February 20, 2020, police responded to the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE, for a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

The investigation revealed the homicide was domestic in nature. On Sept. 10, officers arrested 35-year-old Tamika Green and charged them with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Document: Two Homicides on September 10

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides that occurred on Sept. 10.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 police responded to the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Officers located 39-year-old Anthony Kelly inside of a residential building with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

At approximately 9:41 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Officers located 31-year-old Delonte Hazel inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Defense Counsel Withdraws From Murder Cases

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to withdraw from two murder cases.

Rasheed Young is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr. on May 20, 2018, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE. The 43-year-old is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rogers on June 11, 1996, on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE. 

Defense counsel Dorsey Jones motioned to withdraw from the case back in June. During the Sept. 10 hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo granted the motion but held it in abeyance until another lawyer can be appointed. The defendant said he will be in contact with his family to see if they can help him retain counsel.

The prosecution extended their plea offer until new counsel is appointed. Judge Demeo scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 14.

Sex Abuse Defendant in Quarantine

A sex abuse defendant was not present for his Sept. 10 hearing because, according to court documents, he is being held in quarantine at the DC Jail.

The 22-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse while armed for allegedly brandishing a gun and forcing the victim to perform sexual acts on him on Aug. 17 in a Northwest, DC hotel room following an argument.

Defense counsel was also not present for the hearing. Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Sept. 14.

Murder Defendant Requests New Counsel

A murder defendant requested new counsel on Sept. 9.

Darrell Moore is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Julius Hayes on the 300 block of 18th Street, NE, on April 3.

Moore, 43, said he and his current defense attorney, Kevin Irving, “don’t see eye-to-eye with case strategy.”

The prosecution had no objection to the defendant’s request. They also agreed to extend their plea offer’s deadline until the next hearing. The offer would allow Moore to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter while armed.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 1 to discuss the offer and the defendant’s request for new counsel.

Judge Denies Request to Dismiss Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial after rejecting the defense’s request to dismiss the case.

The defendant is charged with fourth-degree sexual abuse in a domestic violence case.

During the Sept. 8 hearing, defense attorney Thomas Healy sought to dismiss the case. Healy said the defendant is currently on pretrial release and struggling to get a job with the case still open. He argued that the case has been prolonged to the point that it should be dismissed as a violation of his client’s speedy trial rights.

Judge Milton Lee agreed to schedule a preliminary hearing but did not dismiss the case. He noted that many cases have been prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parties will reconvene for the preliminary hearing on Oct. 29.