Crime Alerts: May 18-19

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 18 and 9:00 a.m. on May 19.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:02 a.m. for a robbery on the 600 block of H Street, NE. Police are looking for a Black female, 5’8″ in height, wearing black pants and a brown shirt. The suspect was last seen headed west on H Street.

Another alert for a robbery was sent at 4:49 a.m. on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Police are looking for a 30 to 40 year-old Black male, 5’8″ in height with a slim build, wearing a blue jacket with black pants.

A third alert for a robbery was sent at 2:24 a.m. on the 5500 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 6’9″ in height, with tattoos, short hair and wearing all black clothing.

The fourth alert was also for a robbery sent at 11:08 p.m. on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a black and orange hooded shirt in a black Ford Crown Victoria with unknown tags.

The final alert was sent at 11:07 p.m. for an attempted robbery on the 2200 block of Martin Luther King, Junior Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’5″ in height, wearing a black mask and all black clothing. The suspect is believed to be armed with a knife.

Judge Releases Sex Abuse and Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on May 18, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples released all domestic violence defendants and a sexual assault defendant.

There were 20 cases presented before the court with three domestic violence defendants and one sexual assault defendant.

The sexual assault defendant is charged with sex abuse and simple assault. The defendant allegedly approached the victim and grabbed her butt in a park in Southeast, DC.

The prosecution did not request a hold, so the judge released him with orders to stay-away from the alleged victim as well as the park where the incident occurred.

Judge Staples released all three domestic violence defendants with various release conditions. Two of the defendants were given orders to stay away from the alleged victims, and the other defendant was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the complaining witness.

All defendants were ordered to return to court on Nov. 23.

Judge Holds 2 Out of 7 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on May 17, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held two domestic violence defendants.

In total, there were 30 defendants presented before the court. Of these cases, seven were domestic violence related.

One of the defendants is charged with simple assault. Defense counsel asked the judge to not find probable cause, saying it is unclear in the police report whether the defendant or the victim was the initial aggressor.

Judge Staples found probable cause, however, and decided to hold the defendant because of his history with domestic violence specifically involving the same victim as well as his loss of contact status during his probation.

The second defendant held is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt. The defendant already has an open domestic violence case involving the same complaining witness, and he was ordered to stay away from the same person, which he allegedly violated. Given these circumstances, Judge Staples decided to hold the defendant pending his next hearing.

Both held defendants are scheduled to return to court on June 1.

The remaining five defendants charged with domestic violence cases were released. Their charges include simple assault, stalking, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and destruction of property.

Four of the defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims, and a fifth defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim.

The released defendants are expected to return to court on Nov. 22.

There was one additional domestic violence defendant whose case was not called because he was released from the Central Cell Block (CCB) before the prosecution could filed his case. His arraignment was rescheduled for Nov. 22.

Crime Alerts: May 17-18

Between 9:00 p.m. on May 17 and 9:00 a.m. on May 18, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 11:01 p.m. for a shooting on the unit block of O Street, SW. Police are looking for a Black male with tattoos on his arms, wearing black pants with white down the side, a black shirt.

The second alert was sent at 10:14 p.m. for a shooting investigation at the United Medical Center Hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and the police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Murder Defendant’s New Escape Charge

A DC Superior Court judge ruled May 17 that a young defendant’s escape charge, which he picked up shortly after being arrested for murder, has enough evidence to go to trial.

On Jan. 25, 22-year-old Edward Wade was shot to death on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Terrance Oxner, 21, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed that same day. Then, on March 22, 17-year-old Aaron Adgerson was arrested on that same charge. He is being tried as an adult.

Adgerson was being held at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Tenleytown when, on March 26, he allegedly escaped the facility. According to court documents, the defendant was playing football in an area where a gate was left open. He is accused of escaping through that gate.

Adgerson is now charged with escape from DYRS. His attorney, Michael Madden, argued his client was set up for failure.

The next hearing in this case is set for Aug. 18.

Oxner is also being charged with Aaron Adgerson, 17, for Wade’s murder. Adgerson does not have another hearing scheduled, according to DC Courts.

Adgerson is also being charged as an adult.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on May 14.

According to the press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 6:49 p.m., an individual was driving a Chrysler Pacifica Southwest bound on the 4200 block of Southern Avenue, SE when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle and crossed the centerline onto incoming traffic.

“The Chrysler Pacifica the struck a Metro Transit bus, head-on, that was travelling in the right lane of the northeast bound direction,” the press release states.

The driver of the Chrysler, 68-year-old Gregory Holloway, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The driver and two passengers of a bus were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Another passenger was treated on scene.

Document: Person of Interest Sought in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating a person of interest in connection with a March 20 homicide.

Deonte Minor, 23, was fatally shot on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

The person of interest was captured by a surveillance camera. His picture can be seen in the press release.

Document: Two Homicides on Friday and Saturday.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides.

At around 9:29 p.m. on May 14, officers responded to the 400 block of 2^nd Street, NW for the report of a shooting. There, they found 27-year-old Leonard Turner suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The next day, at around 4:55 p.m., officers responded to the the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found three people with gunshot wounds. One of them, 28-year-old Lester Howard, was pronounced dead on scene. The other two were taken to a hospital. A fourth victim also sought treatment at a local hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Felony Murder

A suspect was arrested in connection with a missing person/homicide investigation.

At around 1:10 p.m. on May 7, officers went to the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE for a welfare check of an infant, two-month-old Kyon Jones. There, according to court documents, officers found the child’s mother, who didn’t know where the child was.

“Based upon the suspicious nature of the missing person’s disappearance, the Homicide Branch assumed investigative responsibility of the case,” the press release states. “The missing person’s remains have not been located at this time, however, based upon the information gathered during the investigation a suspect was identified and charged accordingly. Additionally, it was determined that this offense is domestic in nature.”

Ladonia Boggs, 37, was arrested on May 17.

Crime Alerts: May 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) did not send out any crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 16 and 9:00 a.m. on May 17.

Their most recent alert was sent at 3:57 p.m. on May 16 for a stabbing on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE.

Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Continues Hearing for Homicide Case After Plea Offer Rejected

A DC Superior Court judge continued a May 12 hearing in a homicide case.

Raymond Davis, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Henry Hackett on June 3, 2020, on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

The prosecution said it is their understanding that the defense rejected the plea offer, but Davis needs to be present in the hearing to confirm.

Judge Judith Smith continued the hearing to Oct. 5. That date will serve as a control date for the indictment, which has yet to be filed.

Judge Orders Mental Observation Screening in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a mental observation screening for a defendant charged with murder.

Marwin Thomas, 27 is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 33-year old John Pollard on Sept. 30, 2020, on the 3200 block of Hiatt Place, NW.

The defense requested a preliminary screening of the defendant’s mental health to determine if he is competent to participate in court proceedings.

The prosecution did not have any position on the request.

Judge Jonathan Pittman granted the preliminary screening.

The mental observation hearing is scheduled for May 25.

November 2020, 28-year-old Randle Price was also arrested for first-degree murder while armed in relation to this murder. He is scheduled for a hearing on June 7.

Judge Grants Continuance in Murder Case

DC Superior Court judge granted a continuance for both parties in a murder case.

Steven M. Robertson, 30, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Shanika Williams. The alleged incident occurred on July 20, 2020, on the 800 block of 19th, NE.

The defense and the prosecution both requested more time to communicate with each other and familiarize themselves with the case.

Judge Jonathan Pittman agreed to grant more time to allow both parties to be fully prepared.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 3.

Judge Vacates Mental Observation Hearing in Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court judge vacated a mental observation hearing in a sex abuse case.

The defendant is charged with one count of sex abuse related to an alleged attack on Sept. 4, 2020, on a footpath in Rock Creek Park between17th Street and Park Road, NW.

The defendant allegedly slapped the victim’s buttocks and walked away, only to return and restrain the victim’s wrists and grope her breasts. The victim was able to free herself and run from her attacker. She contacted the police.

Judge Jonathan Pittman was expecting a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency but, according to the defense in a previous hearing, the defendant has been deemed competent.

The defense requested a hearing to allow for the defendant to enter a plea.

The prosecution had no arguments regarding the defense’s request.

The judge granted the request, the next hearing is scheduled for June 8.

Judge Delays Accepting Guilty Plea in Infant Death Case

A defendant accused of fracturing his daughter’s skull pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree cruelty to children in court.

Cornell Holton, 27, is charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the death of three-month-old Skylar Newman.

Holton called 911 on March 16, 2019, saying he found his baby unconscious in her crib. Newman was pronounced brain dead as a result of blunt force trauma and a subsequent brain bleed.

Holton later admitted that he accidentally dropped the infant and she then fell down the stairs. Although she was “screaming at the top of her lungs” and “holding her head”, Holton delayed calling 911 for ten minutes.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz determined that a drop from an adult’s arms and a subsequent fall down one flight of uncarpeted stairs in addition to the infant’s obvious signs of distress provided factual evidence that Holton acted in a reckless manner. The delay in medical treatment constituted a bodily risk to a child and there is a “factual basis” for the guilty plea.

The judge deferred accepting the guilty plea until sentencing. A pre-sentencing investigation is scheduled for July 27 to determine if the judge will accept the terms of the plea bargain.

This article was written by Alaina Provenza

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