Brothers Charged with Murder Ask for Curfew Adjustment

Two brothers charged in connection with a 2020 homicide asked a DC Superior Court judge to modify their curfews.

Co-defendants Dijon Williams, 22, and Daivion Williams, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas. Thomas was fatally shot during an alleged robbery on July 21, 2020, on the 4100 block of 14 Street, NW.

The two were living in Georgia when they were arrested, and are still currently there. Following their arrest, the brothers were released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring and a 6:00 p.m. curfew.

During the July 26 status hearing, both defendants asked Judge Danya Dayson to adjust their curfew to meet normal HISP requirements. Judge Dayson said she will rule on the request during the next hearing, pending information from Georgia’s pretrial services.

DC’s Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said they would try to have a representative from Georgia’s pretrial services at the next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Document: Double Homicide on the 100 Block of Q Street, NW

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

At approximately 3:58 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Q Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Police located two adults, 22-year-old Jovan Hill Jr., and 19-year-old Tariq Riley with gunshot wounds and transported them to a local hospital. They later succumbed to their injuries, according to the press release.

A third victim was located sometime later and was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to the press release.

Domestic Violence Defendant Requests New Council During Arraignment

A domestic violence defendant requested a new lawyer during his arraignment hearing.

The defendant was arraigned on eight counts including assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a high capacity ammunition feeding device and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance during the July 26 hearing.

Defense attorney Sabitiyu Abou asked Judge Michael O’Keefe to appoint a new attorney for the defendant. When Judge O’Keefe asked the defendant why he wanted to change council, he said, “I do not feel like my lawyer is on my side.”

Judge O’Keefe granted the request for a new attorney and scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 20.

Judge Holds Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Presentments

On July 23, 23 defendants were brought before the DC Superior Court for presentments.

Two domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant were released. One sex abuse defendant was held.

The held sex abuse defendant is charged with second-degree child sex abuse. The defense argued that the defendant should be released, given that he has cooperated with his conditions of release in previous misdemeanor cases. However, the prosecution argued that the defendant should be held because he allegedly committed a different sexual offense against a different child while previously released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold the defendant because of the evidence the prosecution presented, saying that she was not convinced the defendant would not present a danger to the community.

Judge Raymond scheduled him to return to court on Aug. 12.

A second sex abuse defendant is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse. He was released with a stay away order and scheduled to return to court on Aug. 12.

A domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Raymond released him with a stay away order and a No Harass, Assault, Threaten, or Stalk (HATS) order. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 5.

The other domestic violence defendant appeared on a bench warrant and is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 9.

Defendant Charged with Enticing a Child Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released two domestic violence defendants and held two sex abuse defendants during presentments on July 24.

In total, 25 defendants were brought before the court.

The defendant charged with enticing a child was held without bond, but his case was transferred to the district court.

The other sex abuse defendant is a fugitive from Virginia charged with sexual assault. He will be held at DC Jail as he waits for Virginia police to pick him up.

Two domestic violence defendants are charged with simple assault. Judge Lloyd Nolan released them on their promise to return to court with stay away orders from the alleged victims. Their next hearings are scheduled for Nov. 5.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide Investigation

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

At about 9:55 p.m. on April 15 police responded to the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Police found 29-year-old Kerry Odoms with gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the press release.

On July 24, police arrested 21-year-old Malachi McFarland and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: July 25-26

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out between 9:00 p.m. on July 25 and 9:00 a.m. on July 26.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:00 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation at the 2000 block of Rosedale Street, NE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males who were about 35 years old, one with dreads and one with short hair.

A second crime alert was sent out at 10:13 p.m. due to a shooting at the 5000 block of Call Place, SE. Police do not have information on the suspects(s).

A third crime alert was sent out at 11:50 p.m. due to a gun robbery at the 900 block of W Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as four to five Black male juveniles armed with a handgun and operating a black Toyota Camry with a temporary tag beginning with X.

A final crime alert was sent out at 1:40 a.m. due to a robbery at the 1400 block of 6th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as four Black men armed with a black handgun and driving a grey sedan.

Document: Homicide at the Unit Block of 53rd Street, NW

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred at the Unit block of 53rd Street, NW.

At about 11:44 p.m. police responded due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located 26-year-old Traevon Felton and pronounced him dead on scene from gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

Document: Suspect Sought in Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating a suspect in connection with a first-degree sexual abuse offense that happened on July 21.

At around 10:30 p.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 5200 Block of Foote Street, NE, according to a press release. The suspect then allegedly grabbed the victim and engaged in a forced sex abuse act with them before fleeing the scene.

“At this time, the suspect is only described as a black male,” the press release states.

Jurors in Murder Trial Begin Deliberations

On July 22, jurors in the first murder trial the DC Superior Court has held in more than a year began deliberations.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017.

The prosecution alleges that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

They allege that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. But during her closing arguments, Hewitt’s defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, pointed out that, after Heard was killed, Everett never took the money in his pocket.

However, during their rebuttal, the prosecution argued that the defendants would have made significantly more money from robbing Heard compared to if they were only dealing drugs.

Lotze also pointed out the inconsistencies in the various statements of two of the prosecution’s witnesses, including the woman who says she was with the defendants before, during and after the homicide.

Michael Madden, Everett’s attorney, completed the closing arguments he began the previous day. He argued that having a weapon was normal in his client’s day-to-day life, and casted doubt on the notion that Everett intended to hurt anyone on the night Heard was killed.

Judge Releases Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

On July 22, 27 defendants were brought before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond for presentments.

Two domestic violence defendants were charged with simple assault. A sex abuse defendant was charged with misdemeanor sex abuse.

Judge Raymond released all three of them with stay away orders. They are all scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4.

Of the remaining defendants, 17 were released and seven were held.

Crime Alerts: July 22-23

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 22 and 9:00 a.m. on July 23.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:14 p.m. due to a shooting at the corner of 14th and Riggs Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male in a lime green/yellow hooded sweater fleeing in an older black Honda Civic.

A second crime alert was sent out at 12:29 a.m. due to a shooting at the unit block of 53 Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A third crime alert was sent out at 2:07 a.m. due to a shooting at the 3700 block of Jay Street, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A final crime alert was sent out at 3:30 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 1800 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a black ski mask, black shirt and armed with a small handgun.

Document: Homicide on Jay Street, NE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 21.

At about 1:00 a.m. police responded to the 3500 block of Jay Street, NE, due to reports of gunshots. An adult victim, 25-year-old Malik Mack was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Sets Sentencing for Murder Conspiracy, Accessory Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a defendant charged in connection with a 2008 homicide to be sentenced in October.

In 2015, Joshua Massaquoi was charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on June 22, 2008, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW. The 33-year-old defendant ultimately pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to second-degree murder and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Massaquoi is currently being held at St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. During the July 22 hearing, defense attorney Matthew Davies said his client is “committed to maintaining a positive direction.”

The defendant was on home confinement waiting to be sentenced until March 2021, when a bench warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken to the hospital, D.C. Witness previously reported. Earlier this week, Judge Milton Lee found him competent to be sentenced.

Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 10 to ensure Massaquoi continues to receive treatment at St. Elizabeths. He scheduled the sentencing hearing for Oct. 28.

A jury found Mason Binion, 34, guilty of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Taylor’s death in February 2020. He is currently waiting to be sentenced. Victor Carvajal, 34, was also charged with first-degree murder while armed, but his case was later dismissed.

Closing Arguments Begin in Murder Trial

July 21 marked the first day of closing arguments in a murder trial.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017. The prosecution alleges that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. They allege that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

The prosecution walked the jury through the day of Heard’s death as they argue it unfolded. They recounted the cell phone records and video footage they admitted as evidence.

Everett’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, challenged the credibility of the prosecution’s key witness, and argued that the DNA evidence was lacking. He went on to argue that the police’s canvassing of the area around the crime scene was insufficient, and that the prosecution chose not to interview other potential witnesses at the apartment complex where Heard was killed.

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze is scheduled to deliver her closing arguments on July 22.

Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy in this case. Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy and obstructing justice.

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