The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in connection to a double homicide that occurred on April 12.
48 year-old Wanda Wright and 32 year-old Ebony Wright were killed in a shooting on the 2300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.
Police are looking for 32 year-old Keanan Christopher Turner from Forestville, MD. He is wanted for first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed. He can be seen in a photo in the below MPD press release.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on April 15.
At around 9:55 p.m., officers responded to the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE for the report of a shooting.
Once there, officers found 29 year-old Kerry Odoms suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Odoms was transported to a local hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on April 15 and 10:30 a.m. on April 16.
The most recent alert was sent at 9:15 a.m. for a robbery on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male between 20 and 30 years of age, 5’6″ in height and 180 pounds. The suspect has a short beard with braids and a star on his forehead. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt, black shorts and black sneakers.
An alert was sent at 5:46 a.m. for a robbery on the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
Another alert for a robbery was sent at 11:09 p.m. on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE. Police are looking for a Black male with a beard and wearing a green sweatsuit.
An alert for a shooting was sent at 10:55 p.m. on the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing dark colored clothing.
An alert was sent at 10:49 p.m. for an armed robbery on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing all black and occupying a white Nissan Rogue with unknown Virginia tags.
The final alert was sent at 10:30 p.m. for a shooting on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. Police are looking for two Black males with dark complexions and wearing dark colored clothing.
A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Rasheed Young is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Ronald William Richardson, Jr on May 20, 2018. Young, 43, was arrested in December 2020.
On the day of the homicide, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were canvassing an apartment building on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE as part of their search for a missing person. The officers noticed a bullet hole in the door of an apartment and entered the apartment. Inside, they found Richardson laying on the living room floor, unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds to the head.
During the April 15 hearing, an MPD detective on the case testified that Richardson was holding a knife in his left hand and there were shell casings in the living room area near his body.
During an interview with the MPD in 2020, the defendant said he did not know Richardson and was not present during the shooting. In that same interview, Young later confessed that he had a physical altercation with Richardson and shot him.
Young said that Richardson and a masked person, who has not been identified, came into the apartment and tried to rob him.
He said Richardson pulled a knife on him and then the two got into a physical altercation, during which Richardson’s gun fell and Young grabbed it. He said that he fired a shot towards the door, hoping to get Richardson off him, but when Richardson continued to wrestle with him, Young shot over his shoulder towards Richardson.
The detective testified that Young never brought up self-defense in the interview until the detectives mentioned it first.
According to the autopsy report, Richardson had two gunshot wounds in the head. The first wound was to the side of the face which, the examiner described as happening from a close range. The second shot was on the top of Richardson’s head but did not appear to happen in close proximity.
The prosecution said that Young would have to be above Richardson in order to shoot at the top of his head and argued that the shot was not necessary.
Defense attorney Bernadette Armand argued that Richardson had a violent past, including stabbing and shooting other people only a few weeks before the homicide. She also said he had past charges that include assault, robbery while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Armand pointed out that Young had spoken with someone shortly after the shooting occurred. Young told this person that Richardson tried to rob him and attacked him with a knife, therefore, he shot Richardson. Armand argued that this was Young’s effort to suggest self-defense which goes against the belief that self-defense only came up after detectives brought it up in the 2020 interview.
She argued that the prosecution has not produced enough evidence to overcome self-defense. The prosecution also could not argue that it was not necessary for Young to shoot the second shot, the one on the top of Richardson’s head, because Richardson was trying to attack Young with a knife, she argued.
Armand also pointed out that Young is physically disabled after suffering from a stroke in 2018 prior to the shooting. She said Young was not in a position to fight back someone who was attacking him with a knife, so shooting Richardson was necessary for Young to protect himself.
Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause for second-degree murder while armed and agreed with the prosecution’s argument that, in order for Young to shoot Richardson on top of the head, Young had to be above him, thus, shooting him for a second time was not necessary. Additionally, Young did not suffer from any injuries except for a bite to the neck that did not penetrate his skin.
Armand asked for Young to be released, possibly into home confinement, but Judge Demeo sided with the prosecution’s request for Young to be held, considering his violent past including charges he has been convicted for.
Young is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Cedric Rogers, on June 11, 1996. Rogers was found suffering from gunshot wounds on a basketball court on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE.
That homicide case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 21.
A status hearing in this case is scheduled for July 7.
A DC Superior Court judge dismissed the cases against two defendants charged in connection with a triple homicide that happened last year after ruling they did not have enough evidence to go to trial.
Co-defendants Jibri Qayyum, 44, and Dale Benjamin, 33, were charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with a shooting that took place on July 7, 2020. Marquise Lewis, 26, Claudette Williams, 56, and Juwan Wade, 20, were found unconscious on the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Lewis and Williams were found unconscious in a vehicle and Wade was found in the street a short distance away.
Benjamin’s defense attorney, Bernard Grimm, said he learned more information about the case in the preliminary hearing than in documents disclosed to him before the case opened. He accused the prosecution of withholding information – something he called “atrocious” and said hindered Benjamin and Qayyum’s defense.
For instance, Grimm said he had to struggle to obtain evidence of a 911 call that witnesses said they made.
“In all my 25 years of experience, the protocol has always been to turn over evidence as soon as it is discovered, but the fact is there’s no evidence of a call being made even though the number pops up on the screen as the call is made,” he said.
Grimm also reiterated that the lead detectives have no first-hand witnesses, the key witnesses in the case are unreliable and lied multiple times, the identification of Benjamin and Qayyum are based on grainy video that experts found to be indiscernible and the witnesses have incentive to lie in favor of the prosecution’s case.
Grimm elaborated that the witnesses allegedly stole a phone, money and drugs from the vehicle at the crime scene. He said they would do anything to avert police attention from them to avoid arrest.
Qayyum’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, noted that the lead detective never followed up with the inconsistencies in his key witnesses’ statements. She said she understands he has extreme community pressure to find the people responsible for the triple homicide, but the investigation needs to be done right.
McGough also emphasized that one of the key witnesses lied about taking items from the vehicle and threw the phone in the woods while driving off. She also said there were no street rumors regarding Qayyum being involved in the shooting, which she says there normally are in these crimes.
McGough ended by saying the arrest warrants given to the judges should have reflected all the inaccuracies from witnesses statements and that there’s no explanation as to why there was not except that the detective didn’t think it was important to include.
“These are very serious Brady violations and all of the information given to us now could have been useful at presentment to make a better argument, and could have prevented Mr. Qayyum from being held,” she said.
In mentioning Brady violations, McGough is referring to the 1963 Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, which held that “the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process.”
McGough also played a frame-by-frame video clip of the vehicle in which two of the decedents were found, which showed two gunshots were made from inside the car and not outside, as the lead detective testified to have occurred.
After hearing from parties, Judge Neal Kravitz said McGough was right that there were several evidence issues in the case. He said the prosecution’s evidence was solely based on the key witnesses’ identification from the pixelated video. He also pointed out that they had no evidence that the defendants were at the scene and had no forensic evidence or motive.
Judge Kravitz said that, although the prosecution argued for substantial probability, he did not find substantial probability or probable cause and doubted a jury would find the prosecution’s witnesses as credible, given their history.
Qayyum and Benjamin were released.
A DC Superior Court judge reduced a homicide defendant’s pretrial release conditions.
Jerome Myles is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 19-year-old Antonio Dixon on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE on Oct. 20, 2018.
Myles, 22, was held at DC Jail when he picked up the charge the following November. In 2019, he was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).
He has reportedly been compliant with his release conditions. The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) recommended reducing the conditions.
The prosecution opposed this, citing the seriousness of the charges against Myles. But when Judge Milton Lee agreed to take him off HISP, the prosecutor asked him to have the defendant check in with the PSA twice a week.
Instead, Judge Lee decided to have him do so once a week. The check-ins are to happen over the phone.
Myles will no longer have to wear a GPS monitoring device. He will, however, have to undergo drug testing once those tests resume.
The defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 29.
Myles is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in this case.
April 14 marked the third day of a hearing to determine if a triple homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Co-defendants Jibri Qayyum, 44, and Dale Benjamin, 33, are charged with second-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the shootings of 56-year-old Claudette Williams, 26-year-old Marquise Lewis and 20-year-old Juwan Wade.
On July 7, 2020, around 1:15 a.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE. They found two of the victims in a vehicle and another nearby, all suffering from gunshot wounds.
An MPD detective testified that Qayyum insisted he was not in the area at the time of the crime. According to the detective, Qayyum gave the MPD permission to search his phone and talk to his girlfriend.
The prosecution spoke with Qayyum’s girlfriend, who said they had been living together at the time of the homicide.
She said that she is a light sleeper, and didn’t hear Qayyum leaving during the night.
“My routine is easy to remember, because we’re always together,” she said.
The prosecution said she could not be trusted as a reliable source in this case.
“He was living with her at the time of the arrest, and I think that bias needs to be taken into account,” the prosecutor said. “She most decidedly does not want Mr. Qayyum to go down for a triple murder.”
Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the proceedings to pick back up on April 15.
Brennan Fiske wrote this article.
DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann presided over the April 14 initial hearings, where she decided to hold a sex abuse defendant and release six domestic violence defendants.
Four of the domestic violence defendants have charges that include violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO), simple assault, possession and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats to do bodily harm.
Each of these defendants was released on personal recognizance under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and given a stay-away order. One defendant was also ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim in their probation case.
All four have status hearings scheduled for Oct. 20.
Two domestic violence defendants were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. Both were released and one of the defendants is scheduled to return to court on April 21 while the other is scheduled to return on Aug. 9.
Judge Herrmann decided to hold the defendant who is charged with first-degree sex abuse. “I find the evidence in the warrant to be quite strong,” she said.
She said she is not concerned about the defendant failing to show at his next hearing, but she is concerned about the safety of the community.
The defendant has a status hearing scheduled for Oct. 26.
Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a homicide that happened on Feb. 16.
At around 3:50 p.m. that day, officers responded to the the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 22-year-old Diamonte Green in an apartment, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.
On April 15, 41-year-old Bernard Matthews was arrested for second-degree murder while armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on April 14 and 9:00 a.m. on April 15.
The alert was sent at 4:55 a.m. for a shooting on the 3600 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.
Police are looking for a dark colored vehicle in relation to the incident.
A DC Superior Court judge ordered a domestic violence defendant’s release to a nearby residential reentry center during her April 14 sentencing hearing.
Ashley Allen pleaded down from her initial charge of arson to attempted arson. She was sentenced to 16 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of probation. She has to spend 30 days at the reentry center.
According to the proffer of facts, Allen trapped the victim in an apartment by starting a fire. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel found the victim unconscious from smoke inhalation, but the victim did not sustain life threatening injuries. The fire was contained and there were no casualties.
During the April 14 proceedings, the prosecution said they understood Allen suffers from substance abuse and that she was on PCP at the time of the crime. However, the prosecutor said the nature of the crime was concerning because Allen endangered the lives of many people, which could not be taken lightly. The prosecution requested an 18 month sentence.
Defense attorney Julie Swaney said part of the reason she requested a short-split sentence is due to the pandemic. She said that, because of the confinement procedures at correctional treatment facilities due to the pandemic, being incarcerated is a more severe punishment than usual.
Allen said she would like the court to know that she has been fully compliant with previous probation conditions and would do so again if she was released. She also said she was sorry for her actions and recognized the severity of what she did.
However, she said she wanted to provide the court with context for what she did and clarified she was not making an excuse.
Allen said that, leading up to the offense, she was on a two-day PCP binge and was beaten with a broom for 10 minutes by the victim the prior night.
After hearing from everyone, Judge Julie Becker said the crime committed was serious, but she recognized Allen has a limited criminal history, mostly consisting of traffic violations.
Judge Becker also noted that Allen called 911 immediately, expressed sincere remorse for her actions and promptly turned herself in and pleaded guilty.
Judge Becker said the four-and-a-half months Allen served at DC Jail as a pretrial detainee was sufficient for now. She ordered Allen to undergo a mental health screening and evaluation as well as assessment and treatment as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
Allen must also undergo drug testing and is ordered to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund and stay away from the victim.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearing for a murder case.
Travis Russell, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 44-year-old Michael Hooker on May 26, 2019, the 2700 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE.
The prosecution said there have been informal discussions with the defense about a possible resolution to the case.
Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the trial readiness hearing for July 29, at which time trial dates will be selected.
Russel is currently living in a halfway house on 24-hour confinement. He was released from DC Jail to stay there in April 2020.
The defendant is also charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in this case.
Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge allowed the defense and prosecution to decide whether it would be an issue for a key witness to testify by video.
Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 40, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on April 27, 2017, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.
On April 14, the prosecution mentioned the witness is now able to fly; however, there are still obstacles including proper quarantining and other issues that will need to be handled.
Both defense attorneys; Michael Madden and Nikki Lotze decided they will consider the admission of live-video testimony rather than in person, to avoid the extra obstacles.
D.C. Witness previously reported that in a March 18 proceeding; the prosecution raised the issue with the witness, who lives in San Francisco. The prosecutor said the witness is unwilling to fly to testify in court due to the pandemic.
Everett has 12 additional charges that consist of an attempt to commit robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, and obstructing justice.
Hewitt has five additional charges, which include conspiracy, attempt to commit a robbery while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Judge Milton Lee said jury selection is scheduled to begin on June 30 and last through July 1.
Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearing for a murder case
Marcus Whitaker, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old David Hart on July 28, 2018, on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE.
The prosecution said there has been discussion of deposition in this matter; however, nothing concrete has been set up. A deposition is a formal, recorded question and answer session when a witness is under oath.
Judge Danya Dayson scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Aug. 9.
Whitaker is being held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the case in May 2019.
Whitaker is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of less than a year in this case.
Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.
April 13 marked the second day of a hearing to determine if a triple homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Co-defendants Dale Benjamin, 33, and Jibri Qayyum, 44, are charged with second-degree murder while armed in the July 7, 2020, shootings of 56-year-old Claudette Williams, 26-year-old Marquise Lewis and 20-year-old Juwan Wade.
Around 1:15 a.m. that day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE to find two of the victims in a vehicle and another nearby, all suffering from gunshot wounds.
Qayyum’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, voiced concerns over the exchange of evidence. The defense received surveillance video of the shooting this past Friday, which McGough says the prosecution had in their possession since November 2020. The defense said the video revealed evidence that two gunshots came from inside the vehicle first rather than outside.
The defense asked the judge to sanction the prosecution and allow the defendants to be released
The prosecution said they did not recall when they received the video nor the contents of the video specifically.
An MPD detective’s testimony ended up revealing that the prosecution viewed the video in late July of 2020, but it was unclear when they received a copy of it.
Judge Neal Kravitz said he could not rule on the defense’s motion, as he had not seen the video. He told the defense to continue their cross examination of the detective.
According to the detective’s testimony, the co-defendants were identified as the alleged shooters based on witness interviews. The detective said that two witnesses made the identification from surveillance video footage taken from and around the crime scene.
The defense questioned the reliability of the witness’ identification via video footage and called in an expert witness in audio and video forensic analysis to testify about the video’s quality.
The expert testified that, due to the low quality of the surveillance video, the images produced from the video were blurred, unclear and pixelated and it was unreasonable that a person could identify the individuals. He also said the identification was unreliable because the facial features were not clear in any of the images.
The judge questioned the expert witness on whether any person could reliably identify an individual from the footage provided in this case. The expert said he could not, even if they knew the person well.
The proceedings are set to pick back up on April 14.
Alaina Provenza wrote this article.
