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Judge Holds Three Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

Judge Judith Pipe held three domestic violence defendants and released three others during presentments on July 15.

A total of 29 defendants were brought before the court.

One domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant based on his criminal history, which she says includes “serious robbery charges” as far back as 2012.

Another domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault. He is also charged with violating a Civil Protection Order (CPO), which prompted Judge Pipe to hold him.

The third held defendant is also charged with CPO violation for allegedly violating a stay away order in a previous domestic violence case, in which he was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. Judge Pipe held him due to this alleged violation.

All three of these defendants are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 3. 

Judge Pipe released three domestic violence defendants, two of whom were charged with simple assault. One of them was given a no-contact order and one was given a No Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order. The third defendant was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon but was not given any orders.

All three are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Domestic Violence Case, Holds Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection with a June 7 incident in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast, DC. 

The prosecution alleges that the defendant held a rifle up to the victim and said, “I’m going to blow this b**** away.” The victim’s relative then stood between the gun and the victim and called the police once the defendant walked away, according to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant who testified during the July 15 preliminary hearing.

The prosecution showed surveillance footage that captured portions of the incident, which shows the victim’s relative at the scene. However, the sergeant testified that the victim said her relative was not on scene and did not see what happened. 

Defense attorney Sara Kopecki called another one of the victim’s relatives to the witness stand. This witness testified that he never saw the defendant with a firearm and that he never heard him threaten the victim. However, the prosecution presented Body Worn Camera footage from responding MPD officers, which shows him saying that he did hear the defendant making threats.

The prosecution wanted the defendant to be held at DC Jail. They argued he is a serious threat to the victim as well as the relative who reportedly intervened to try and protect her. According to the sergeant, this relative said the victim told her to “change her story” to protect themselves.

The prosecution also argued that the defendant is a flight risk due to his failure to appear in court in previous cases.

Kopecki, however, wanted her client released into the High Intensity Supervision Program with GPS monitoring, a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order from the victim and a stay away order from the grandmother.

Judge Sherry Trafford decided to hold him at DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.

Document: Suspect Sought in First-Degree Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a first-degree sex abuse case that occurred on July 15.

At about 11:44 p.m. at the 2900 block of 30th Street, SE, the suspect approached the victim and forced the victim to engage in an unwanted sexual act. The victim fled the scene and alerted police.

The suspect was described as a Black male who is about 35-45 years old and 5 feet eight inches to 5 feet ten inches tall. The suspect was last seen wearing a white tank top, dark pants, a blue surgical mask and carrying a dark-colored crossbody bag.

Crime Alerts: June 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 15 and 9:00 a.m. on July 16.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:18 p.m. due to a stabbing at the 5200 block of Hayes Street, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second alert was sent out at 4:29 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 1200 block of Park Road, NW. The suspects were identified as two Black males in a white Honda sedan and one Black female wearing a red shirt.

A final crime alert was sent out at 8:48 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 700 block of C Street, SE. Officers identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a beige shirt who was last seen fleeing at the 200 block of 9th Street.

Defense Questions Reliability of Defendant’s Cellmate During Murder Trial

A murder defendant’s cellmate testified at his trial on July 14.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting 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 witness had been Malik’s cellmate since 2018. He also said he has known Hewitt for about 20 years. 

The prosecution played multiple phone calls from DC Jail, where the witness is recorded talking with a woman he referred to as his “play sister” in April 2018. He is heard asking her to contact another witness in the case who says she was with the defendants before, during and after the homicide and is receiving a plea deal in exchange for testifying against them. The cellmate is heard telling the woman on the phone that he wants this witness to stop cooperating with the prosecution. He is also heard asking the woman for a favor in regards to his own case.

The cellmate is now charged with obstruction of justice.

This cellmate testified at the defendants’ last trial, which ended in a mistrial due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During cross-examination, defense attorney Nikki Lotze repeatedly showed records of his previous testimony to point out contradictions between the information he gave then and the information he is giving now.

The trial will resume on July 15.

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.

Parties Await Autopsy Report from April Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing to determine if the defense will be requesting a preliminary hearing to decide if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

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. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney Frances D’ Antuono said parties are still waiting on the autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. Antuno also said the defense still hasn’t received video evidence from the prosecution, who said they will turn it over as soon as possible. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 19.

Judge Releases Eight Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released eight domestic violence defendants during presentments on July 14.

In total, 25 defendants were presented before the court. 

The charges for the domestic violence defendants include simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to do bodily harm, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft.

Judge Judith Pipe issued stay-away orders for four of the released defendants. Three other defendants were given a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. One defendant received neither.

Seven of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 3. The other defendant will return to court on July 22.

Crime Alerts: July 14-15

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on July 14 and 9:00 a.m. on July 15.

A crime alert was sent out due to a robbery while armed in the 3300 block of Carpenter Street, SE. The suspects were identified as two Black males wearing white shirts and blue jeans.

Judge Schedules Prelim for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old relative in a Northwest, DC apartment on multiple occasions between August 2018 and August 2020. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Aug. 8.

Judge Denies Request to Release Murder Defendant Awaiting Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a July 14 hearing in a murder case to give the prosecution more time to indict the defendant. 

Knico Wheaton, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Tavon Cox on Jan 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 24th Street, NW. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney David Richter pointed out that his client has spent about 15 months in jail since his arrest, but still has yet to be indicted. Because of this, he asked Judge Milton Lee to release Wheaton into home confinement.

Citing the evidence in the case and Wheaton’s arrest history, Judge Lee said he did not feel comfortable releasing the defendant. However, he told the prosecution that they should return an indictment as soon as possible. 

Judge Lee scheduled Wheaton’s next hearing for Sept. 21. 

Trial Testimony Sheds Light on Homicide Investigation

Several witnesses were called to testify about different components of a homicide investigation during the two co-defendants’ trial.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting 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 witnesses who testified during the July 13 proceedings included an expert firearms and tool mark examiner. He said he examined the revolver believed to be the murder weapon and tested it for functionality.

“When I pulled the trigger the firearm functioned as designed, it was able to discharge a bullet,” he said.  

Phone records from a major mobile texting and phone call application company are also being used as evidence in this case. An executive employee at the company testified that the app allows users to message with a separate phone number that, while different from the phone’s standard SIM card phone number, is still trackable by phone records. 

Everett was the first of the two defendants to be arrested. He was taken into custody on May 12, 2017. A member of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force detailed the police chase that ended in his arrest.

He testified that the chase started on Highway 295, SE. After some time, Everett exited briefly to Highway 395 towards Howard Road. The chase eventually went back onto Highway 295, where Everett collided with a pole and was apprehended while fleeing on foot, the officer said. The officer also testified that Everett was driving 80 MPH throughout the chase. 

The trial will resume on July 14. 

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.

Sex Abuse Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge found a sex abuse defendant competent to stand trial on July 14.

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree sexual abuse for allegedly entering a home in Northwest, DC, and exposing himself in the victim’s bedroom on May 21. 

Defense attorney Ferguson Evans said he has a plea offer to discuss with the defendant. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 9 to give parties time to decide how they would like to proceed with the case.

Judge Holds One Sex Abuse Defendant, One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one sexual abuse defendant and one domestic violence defendant during presentments on July 13. 

In total, 31 defendants were presented. This included four domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant.

One defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing the victim into oral sex while he was driving. Judge Judith Pipe decided to hold him due to previous kidnapping and carjacking cases where, according to Judge Pipe, he did not comply with release conditions. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 4.  

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was given a stay away and scheduled to return to court on Aug. 11. 

Judge Pipe released three domestic violence defendants. 

One of the released domestic violence defendants is charged with simple assault and contempt. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 13. Another released domestic violence defendant is charged with assault with significant bodily injury. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 11. The third released domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 12.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in relation to a May 11 homicide.

At about 3:51 a.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Police found 43-year-old Kareem Elliot Watkins and pronounced him dead on scene from stab wounds.

On June 3  law enforcement officers in Fulton County, Georgia arrested Byron Brooks due to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant. After going through the extradition process, Brooks, 35, was charged with second-degree murder on July 8.