Manslaughter Defendant’s Progress Acknowledged During Sentencing

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve a total of 14 years for one manslaughter charge and two assault charges.

“In the future, I strive to be a better citizen that gives back to the community,” defendant Juan Kibler said during his Oct. 1 sentencing hearing.

Kibler, 31, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 40-year-old Joseph Harris on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE, on May 7, 2018. The defendant was arrested 10 days later.

The following July, he was sent to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. He was charged with aggravated assault knowingly after getting into an altercation with a staff member who was knocked unconscious, D.C. Witness previously reported.

After making a deal with the prosecution, Kilber resolved these cases by pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with Harris’ death and aggravated assault knowingly in connection with the incident at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced the defendant to eight years for the manslaughter charge and six years for the assault charge.

Kilber also pleaded guilty to simple assault in a separate misdemeanor case he picked up in 2020. The 75-day sentence for that charge will run concurrent to the other two sentences.

“Mr. Kibler has had a long struggle with mental health and has benefitted from consistent health services and medication,” defense attorney Joseph Wong said during the Oct. 1 hearing. “I have seen a remarkable degree of progress. I think the sentence agreed by both parties is appropriate. The sentence is setting Kipler up with what he needs to make something with his life.”

Judge Demeo said Kibler has become more stable and, if he stays committed to his mental health treatment, he will reenter society as a better person.

Two of the victim’s brothers spoke at the sentencing. Both said they forgive Kibler for his actions.

“We all do wrong, but we have to make it right,” one of the brothers said.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 1.

At approximately 11:59 p.m. police responded to the 200 block of 53^rd Street, NE, due to a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers located 33-year-old Andre Robertson unconscious and transported him to a local hospital. On Oct. 2, he succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Oct. 3, an autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma, according to the press release.

Defendants Charged in Transgender Woman’s Death Reach Plea Agreement

Two defendants charged in the fatal shooting of a transgender woman entered guilty pleas on Sept. 30.

Metropolitan Police Department officers found 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds suffering from a gunshot wound during the early hours of July 4, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. She died the following July 13.

Co-defendants Jolonta Little and Monte Johnson went on to be indicted on 16 counts, including felony murder while armed in a bias-related (hate) crime, robbery while armed, robbery while armed in a bias-related (hate) crime, conspiracy in a bias-related (hate) crime, assault with a dangerous weapon in a bias-related (hate) crime, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed.

The two went to trial in 2019. A jury found them not guilty of several gun-related charges, but found Little guilty of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, D.C. Witness previously reported. A DC Superior Court judge declared a mistrial for the defendants’ felony murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury was deadlocked.

Back in June, the defendants were scheduled to go before a jury once again in early 2022. However, they ultimately resolved the case with a plea deal.

According to court documents, Little and Johnson agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter in this case. Johnson also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution in a separate case he picked up earlier this year.

The plea deal also included an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence in this case would be eight years of incarceration.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the defendants to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

Defense Counsel Seeks Release of Murder Defendants

The defense counsel for three murder defendants are seeking to have their clients released from custody.

Co-defendants Nelfy Hernandez, 18, Deandre Levy, 20, and Trey Prillerman, 17, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, on Aug. 10, 2020.

One of Prillerman’s attorneys, Elizabeth Weller, filed a bond review motion on Sept. 29. In it, she points out that her client has no prior convictions, has been doing well in school and has a supportive family.

Hernandez’s attorney, Douglas Wood, and Levy’s attorneys, Thomas Healy and Jonathan Zucker, plan to file bond motions as well. Judge Neal Kravitz ordered them filed no later than Oct. 6.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a bond review hearing on Oct. 21.

Murder Defendant Remains Unable to Appear in Court

Parties discussed the status of a murder defendant who remains hospitalized following his arrest in July.

Rondez Tibbs, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 27-year-old Malcolm Johnson on the 2200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on July 21.

The charge was filed on Aug. 4 but Tibbs has not been able to appear in court for a presentment hearing due to being in the hospital.

During the Oct. 1 hearing, defense attorney Pierce Suen told Judge Neal Kravitz he has not been able to call his client because the phone in the hospital room has been removed.

Judge Kravitz said if Suen continues to be unsuccessful in getting the hospital to provide his client with access to a phone for legal calls, he will issue an order.

“We are talking about a constitutional right here,” said Judge Kravitz.

Judge Kravitz scheduled another hearing for Oct. 29.

Document: October 2 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 2.

At approximately 11:08 p.m. officers responded to the 1300 block of Half Street, SW, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located two adult males and one adult female with gunshot wounds. One adult male was treated on scene for minor injuries and one adult female was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The final victim, 44-year-old Garry Stanley, Sr., was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: October 1 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 1.

At approximately 11:15 p.m. police responded to the Unit Block of Forrester Street, SW, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival police located two adult females and four adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. Police transported one adult female and four adult males to a local hospital. The sixth victim, 35-year-old Temika Johnson, was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: October 3-4

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 4.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:47 p.m. due to a robbery at North Capitol and O Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a 20-30-year-old Black male with a thin build, wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:11 p.m. due to a shooting in the 5200 block of 11th Street, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(S).

A crime alert was sent out at 12:37 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE. Police identified the suspect in a

A crime alert was sent out at 12:37 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE. Police identified the suspect in a matte black Cadillac with Maryland tags.

DC Police Officer Indicted for Murder

Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers have been charged in connection with the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown, who was struck by a vehicle during a police chase. One of those officers faces murder charges.

Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky turned themselves into federal court marshals on Sept. 24, Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said during a press conference that day. Sutton, a 37-year-old officer, is charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Zabavsky, a 53-year-old lieutenant, is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

On Oct. 23, 2020, at about 10:09 p.m., officers saw Hylton-Brown driving a moped on a sidewalk without a helmet on the 500 block of Kennedy Street, NW, according to a MPD press release issued four days later.

According to the indictment, Sutton was driving an unmarked police car with three other officers. Zabavsky was alone in a marked police car. They reportedly tried to stop Hylton-Brown but, when he did not stop, activated their emergency lights and pursued him.

Sutton followed Hylton-Brown through an alleyway. As Hylton-Brown exited the alley, he collided with a vehicle.

Hylton-Brown sustained severe head trauma from the crash. He died two days later.

The MPD released Body Worn Camera footage of the incident shortly after.

According to the indictment, MPD General Orders prohibit officers from pursuing a vehicle for the purpose of a traffic violation.

The indictment alleges that Sutton “caused Hylton-Brown’s death by driving a police vehicle in conscious disregard for an extreme risk of death or serious bodily injury to Hylton-Brown.”

Sutton and Zabavsky are also accused of trying to hide the circumstances of the fatal collision from MPD officials.

According to the indictment, the two officers allegedly failed to notify the MPD’s Major Crash Unit as to Hylton-Brown’s condition as he laid in the street following the collision. They also allegedly failed to take routine steps to collect evidence relevant to a traffic crash investigation and allegedly misrepresented the incident to a watch commander.

Sutton is accused of denying that he engaged in a vehicular pursuit of the victim. Zabavsky is accused of withholding all information about his involvement in the incident.

The two defendants appeared before District Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on the afternoon of Sept. 24, according to the DOJ. They were released and scheduled to return to court on Oct. 4.

The defendants are on administrative leave, Contee said. They’ve been served a notice of intent for their indefinite suspension. They are currently being paid, but could loose their pay depending on the outcome of the process, which Contee said is part of a collective bargaining agreement.

“Police officers are sworn to uphold the law and ensure the safety of the community. The vast majority of officers execute their duties in an exemplary manner, and we are grateful for their dedicated service,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips in a Department of Justice press release. “But when a select few violate their oath by engaging in criminal conduct, they cannot do so with impunity and must be held accountable. This indictment seeks to do just that.”

Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant to Serve 3 Months

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to serve three months.

Darius Robinson was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse. The prosecution accused him of sexually assaulting his friend’s relative in April 2020.

Robinson, 32, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sex abuse in July after making a deal with the prosecution.

“You could be a wonderful person, but you did a terrible thing,” Judge Marisa Demeo told him during the Oct. 1 hearing.

Judge Demeo took both Robinson’s “community ties and employment” and the severity of the crime into account when sentencing him.

Robinson’s defense attorney, Wole Falodun, asked the judge to “not impose any more active incarceration and put him under probation” because his client “had a rough time” while held at DC Jail. A judge decided to detain Robinson during his initial hearing on April 14. He was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program on May 3.

Falodun also said his client “is very sorry for what he did.”

The prosecution, however, expressed concern that Robinson does not understand the severity of the crime.

“I didn’t mean to do that to her,” Robinson said. “I didn’t know the magnitude of what I did… I hope she gets over what I did to her… I know I was wrong. What’s no is no.”

“It seems you are minimizing what you did,” Judge Demeo told him. She said Robinson’s description of him “misinterpreting” and “misunderstanding” the victim’s protests “does not ring true to the court.”

Judge Demeo sentenced him to six months, half of which was suspended, plus two years of supervised probation. Conditions of his probation include participating in a sex offender counseling group, receiving drug and alcohol tests and complying with a stay away order.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a Sept. 10 homicide.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 police responded to the 1400 block of 29th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Officers located 39-year-old Anthony Kelly inside of a residential building with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

On Sept. 30, officers arrested 22-year-old Shaka Haltiwanger and charged him with second-degree murder while armed in relation to the homicide, according to the press release.

Document: Arrest Made in June Homicide

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

At approximately 7:56 pm. on June 24, police responded to the 3600 block of 22^nd Street, SE, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 27-year-old Damohn Gill with stab wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

On Sept. 30, officers arrested 28-year-old Aaron Jackson and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: September 30 to October 1

The Metropolitan PoliceDepartment sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 30 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 1.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:03 p.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

a crime alert was sent out at 10:29 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3800 block of 9th Street, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Judge Denies Second Request to Release Murder Defendant

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

Malachi McFarland, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year old Kerry Odoms on April 15 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. He is currently in quarantine at DC Jail.

Judge Marisa Demeo denied a previous oral request for release on Sept. 20. Defense attorney Jacquelin Cadman filed another motion for release on Sept. 27. During the Sept. 30 hearing, this motion was denied.

Cadman argued that DC Jail’s COVID protocols do not keep inmates safe. She also argued that the quarantine period is too long. “If someone tests positive in a unit, [the inmates] go into a 14-day quarantine,” she said.

The prosecution said the delays “do not warrant the court to release the defendant,” because of the risk they argue McFarland poses to the public.

Judge Demeo said she understands the delays quarantines cause can be “detrimental” to defendants but said “it appears rational.”

A preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial was previously scheduled for Sept. 30. That hearing has now been rescheduled to Oct. 19.

Judge Continues Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Sept. 30 hearing for a murder case.

Wesley Scott, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old David Young on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE, on April 3, 2020. He is being held at the DC Jail.

During the Sept. 30 hearing, the prosecution requested a sixty-day continuance, which the defense did not oppose. Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the felony status conference for Dec. 1.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies asked that the prosecution turn over any remaining discovery evidence as soon as possible. He also said he would likely file a bond review motion in the near future.

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