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Judge Releases Four Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released four domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant during presentments on Aug. 18.

A total of 33 defendants were presented before Judge Renee Raymond.

One defendant was charged with misdemeanor sex abuse. He was released and is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 17.

The released domestic violence defendants’ charges include contempt, simple assault, violation of a civil protection order and failure to appear. They are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 30, Sept. 7, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24.

Two homicide defendants charged with first-degree murder while armed are in the hospital and are scheduled to come to court after being discharged.

Klein Lawrence allegedly shot Vanessa Brooks-Williams on July 10. Rondez Tibbs allegedly shot Malcolm Johnson on July 21.

Crime Alerts: August 18-19

The MEtropolan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 18 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug 19.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:02 a.m. due to a robbery in the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a white cap, dark pants and possibly a white shirt.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on Aug. 18.

At around 12:53 p.m. that day, officers responded to the Unit block of K Street, NW, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 38-year-old Michael Smith inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing for Man Charged in 6-Year-Old’s Death

The defendant charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Nyiah Courtney returned to the DC Superior Court on Aug. 18, at which time a judge scheduled a hearing to determine his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Courtney was shot on July 16 on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. Five other people, including Courtney’s parents, were wounded during the shooting, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Marktwan Hargraves, 22, was arrested less than two weeks later and is now charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Yvonne Williams scheduled the preliminary hearing for Sept. 23.

Two Homicide Defendants Held During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held two homicide defendants and released two domestic violence defendants during presentments on August 17. Two other domestic violence defendants were also held.

In total, 14 defendants were presented before the court. 

William Davenport, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14 on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW. Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold him at DC Jail.

Rodney Lindsay, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 53-year-old Terrance Gause on Aug. 14 on the 700 block of Adrien Street, SE. Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits argued Lindsay was acting in self-defense after the victim threatened him and a witness. Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant, saying there is limited information to support the defense’s claims at this time.

Both homicide defendants are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8. 

The two other held defendants are both charged with simple assault and contempt. They are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 7.

The released defendants were both charged with simple assault. One of the released defendants returned to court on a bench warrant due to failure to appear for a status hearing. 

Judge Raymond issued a stay away order for one released defendant. They are both scheduled to return to court on Nov. 16. 

Crime Alerts: August 17-18

The Metropolan Police department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on August 17 and 9:00 a.m. on August 18.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:32 p.m. due to a shooting on the 1400 block of Montague Street, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second crime alert was sent out at 4:15 a.m. due to a robbery in the 100 block of 34th Street, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who is approximately 20-24 years old, 140 pounds, with a dark complexion. He also has a beard, twist hair, and was wearing a blue shirt and black pants.

Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Receives Earlier Trial Date

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a murder defendant’s trial to begin at an earlier date. 

Kaevon Sutton is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Aujee Tyler on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

Back in March, Sutton was scheduled to go before a jury in December 2022. But during the Aug. 17 hearing, the defense requested an earlier trial date.

Judge Rainey Brandt agreed to the request, setting aside June 13 through July 1, 2022, for the trial.  

Sutton is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in this case. 

Domestic Violence Defendant Rejects Plea Offer 

A defense attorney in a domestic violence case told a DC Superior Court judge that his client has chosen to reject a plea offer from the prosecution.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. 

After months of plea negotiations, defense attorney Donna Besley formally rejected the plea offer on her client’s behalf during the Aug. 17 hearing.

Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Sept. 13.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to an Aug. 14 homicide.

At approximately 8:13 a.m. police responded to the 700 block of Adrian Street, SE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 53-year-old Terrence Gause with stab wounds and transported him to a local hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed he succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Aug. 17, police arrested 54-year-old Tyrone Lindsay and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: August 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 17.

A crime alert was sent out at 4:35 a.m. due to a robbery in the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Hispanic male wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and green shorts.

A second crime alert was sent out at 5:20 a.m. due to an armed robbery in the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black female with short hair wearing a long black sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Relation To Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in relation to a May 14 homicide.

At approximately 9:29 p.m. police reported to the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW, due to a report of a shooting. Police located 27-year-old Leonard Turner and transported him to a local hospital due to gunshot wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Aug. 16 police arrested 28-year-old William Davenport and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 3800 block of South Capitol Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 16.

At approximately 12:31 a.m. police responded to the 3800 block of South Capitol Street, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Soon after, police responded to a local hospital due to an adult male victim who had walked in with gunshot wounds. The victim, 34-year-old Omar Moore, later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, according to the press release.

Sex Abuse Defendant Decides to Keep Attorney

A sex abuse defendant told a DC Superior Court judge he no longer wishes to change attorneys.

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

On July 27, defense attorney Kevin McCants told Judge Juliet McKenna that his client was unhappy with the current status of the plea offer and wants a new attorney.

However, during the Aug. 16 hearing, the defendant said he now wishes to keep McCants as his lawyer.

The plea offer on the record is currently under review.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 14 to discuss a possible trial date.