Judge to Consider Modifying Protection Orders for Sex Abuse Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to consider modifying protection orders for two child sex abuse defendants.

The co-defendants, ages 49 and 64, are charged with first-degree child sex abuse. They are accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in March.

The defendants are currently on pretrial release. They cannot return to their home, however, because they have a stay away order from the alleged victim, who lives in the same apartment complex as them.

Judge Danya Dayson said she will consider changing the stay away order to a no contact order so the defendants can return home. She said she’ll decide on this by the next hearing on Jan. 14.

Case Acquitted: Judge Arraigns Murder Defendant

This case was acquitted on Dec. 16, 2022.

A DC Superior Court judge arraigned a defendant on one count of second-degree murder while armed.

Reginald Hooks is accused of stabbing 22-year-old Dy’Mani Priestley on Jan. 5, 2020, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW.

Hooks, 36, pleaded not guilty during the Oct. 6 hearing.

The prosecutor said that much of the discovery evidence has already been sent to the defense, and that they would be conducting DNA testing.

Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the defense to file motions by Oct. 27. He ordered the prosecution to file responses to those motions by Nov. 10.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Judge Denies Request to Release Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to release a murder defendant from DC Jail.

Ch’juan Robinson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Louis Eugene Kingsbury, 34, on April 30, 2020, on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW.

In a bond review motion filed in June, defense attorney Dana Page requested her client’s release based on the conditions at the DC Jail. In it, she refers to a Department of Health report on the jail from late 2020. She states that the deficiencies documented in the report that directly affect Robinson include water penetration from the walls, a “strong smoke odor” and “unsanitary culinary conditions.”

Judge Neal Kravitz, however, denied the release request during the Oct. 5 hearing.

Defense attorney Dana Page also noted that, due to how long the indictment has been pending, they may file a motion to dismiss the case.

Judge Kravitz set the next hearing for Dec. 1.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

On Oct. 5, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a child sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse in a domestic violence case on Sept. 25. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled a preliminary hearing for Nov. 17. The prosecution said they will extend a plea offer, which they plan to have available until Nov. 10.

Parties in Murder Case to Coordinate DNA Testing

Parties in a 2019 homicide case discussed DNA testing during an Oct. 5 hearing.

Barbara Sanders, 56, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Thurman Lee Knight on March 17, 2019, on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE. She is currently on pretrial release.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies requested permission to conduct DNA testing. The prosecution also wishes to re-test the evidence, but cannot do so until the defense has reviewed the evidence and decided which items they want to test.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted the defense’s request, and parties confirmed that they would be in touch to coordinate DNA testing.

A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4.

Man Arraigned on Multiple Counts of Child Sex Abuse

A domestic violence defendant was arraigned on multiple counts of sexual abuse.

The defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree child sex abuse and one count of second-degree child sex abuse.

During the Oct. 5 hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said her client had been in quarantine and did not receive medical attention for a leg injury he sustained. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he would flag the issue for general counsel and put it in the docket.

The defendant is scheduled to go before a jury in June 2022. Judge Lee scheduled a motion hearing for Jun. 20.

Crime Alerts: October 5-6

The Metropoilitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 6.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:37 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was approximately 50 years of age with a slim build and dark complexion.

A crime alert was sent out at 5:45 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 100 block of Atlantic Avenue, SE. The suspect is in custody.

Murder Defendant in COVID Quarantine

A murder defendant was unable to appear in court for his Oct. 5 hearing due to being in quarantine.

David Rhodes, 53, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 47-year-old Georgette Banks to death on May 10 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

Defense attorney Joseph Wong said he was supposed to have been out of quarantine in time to attend the hearing, but his quarantine has been extended to Oct. 15. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 18.

Wong asked that the jail provide Rhodes with the ability to attend his next hearing remotely over video if he is still unable to be physically present in court by then.

“I will inquire but I don’t want to make any promises at this time,” Judge Lee said.

Judge Denies Motion to Compel in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to compel discovery evidence in a murder case.

Jereal Booker, 21, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, 18-year-old Talaya Campbell, in the head on Aug. 13 on the 500 block of Irving Street, NW.

During the Oct. 4 hearing, defense attorney Jason Tulley said he is seeking audio and video footage of witness interviews. He also said some of the discovery evidence may aid him in arguing for his client’s release.

The prosecution said they have provided more than the necessary information and are not required to give the defense the recorded witness interviews. They said they are, however, willing to provide other information.

When Judge Marisa Demeo asked him why he thinks the statements would help, Tulley said it could help him and his client make a decision if a plea deal is offered.

The prosecution said it was inappropriate for the defense to ask them for the recordings before the preliminary hearing, but Tulley disagreed, saying the evidence is electronic, and therefore easily transferable.

Judge Demeo denied the defense’s motion. The preliminary hearing, which will determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Parties in Murder Case Continue Plea Negotiations

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 4 hearing for a murder case after learning that parties remain in the process of plea negotiations.

Gary Massey, 25, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Gregory Mayo on March 29, 2020, on the 3000 block of 7th Street, SE.

The prosecution said they would like more time to discuss plea negotiations with defense attorney Ronald Resitarits.

Judge Milton Lee set the next hearing date for Oct. 19.

Judge Gives Prosecution Deadline to Turn Over Evidence in Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge set a deadline for the prosecution in a sex abuse case to turn over evidence.

The 68-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly abusing two victims.

During the Oct. 4 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the prosecution to turn over evidence by Oct. 7. A preliminary hearing, which will determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, is scheduled for Oct. 21.

The defendant is currently being held without bond at DC Jail.

Indictment for Murder Case Coming Soon, Prosecution Says

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 5 felony status conference for a murder case currently awaiting indictment.

Daniel Fleetwood is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 26-year-old Shana Donahue on May 28 on the 2900 block of N Street, SE.

The prosecution said an indictment was expected soon. However, they did not have an exact date.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a felony status conference for Nov. 8. Fleetwood is currently being held at DC Jail.

Crime Alerts: October 4-5

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 4 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 5.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:24 p.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 500 block of 42nd Street, NE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males who were approximately 20-30 years old with a medium build. Both were armed with handguns and one was wearing a black and grey mask.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:50 a.m. due to a shooting at I-295 and Eastern Avenue, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 3:28 a.m. due to a shooting at Minnesota and Good Hope Road, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A crime alert was sent out at 5:22 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 1200 block of H Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was bald with a heavy set. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt, dark pants and a blue ski mask.

Document: Suspect Sought in Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse offense that took place on Oct. 4.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. the suspect assaulted the victim with intent to force the victim to engage in a sexual act on the 2000 block of G Street, NW. The suspect fled the scene after the incident occurred, according to the press release.

The suspect is described as a Black male with a slim build and a goatee. He was seen wearing a blue shirt with white writing and a COVID mask, according to the press release.

As of Oct. 5, MPD updated the information with a photo.

Murder Case Set for Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial after learning that a plea deal has been rejected.

Darrell Moore, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Julius Hayes on April 3 on the 300 block of 18 Street, NE.

Moore was not brought from the DC Jail to the court to attend his Oct. 1 hearing for medical reasons.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving said his client has rejected a plea deal from the prosecution. Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Nov. 18.

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