Document: Traffic Fatality in Northwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on April 9 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

A preliminary investigation revealed that at around 7:30 p.m., a bicyclist and a 2012 Kia Sorrento were traveling westbound on Massachusetts Avenue, NW. At the same time, on the operator of a 2020 Honda Civic was traveling west on the same block. The Honda struck the rear of the Kia and the bicyclist at the same time.

“The Kia then entered into the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 2^nd Street, NW, striking a 2013 Ford Van the was traveling north on 2^nd Street, NW,” the press release states. “The Honda then struck a 2015 Dodge Durango, that was traveling north in the same block before coming to final rest.”

The driver of the Honda and the driver and passenger of the Ford van were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The bicyclist, whose identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Document: Fifteen-Year-Old Arrested for Murder

A 15-year-old boy was arrested for murder in connection with the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy.

According to a press release, an investigation by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives revealed the homicide to be domestic in nature.

At around 12:49 p.m. on April 10, officers responded to the 3500 Block of Jay Street, NE for the report of a stabbing.

There, they found 16 year-old Marquette Galloway suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The suspect was arrested for second-degree murder while armed the next day.

Crime Alerts: April 11-12

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 8:00 p.m. on April 11 and 9:00 a.m. on April 12.

The most recent alert was sent at 8:52 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) in this case.

The second alert was sent at 8:44 p.m. for a robbery on the 800 block of Quincy Street, NW. Police are looking for three Black males armed with guns and wearing all black. They were last seen driving a white Hyundai Sonata with unknown tags.

Judge Holds 2 Domestic Abuse Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on April 9, DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan held two domestic violence defendants at the DC Jail.

In total, there were 23 cases presented before the court. Six of these cases were domestic violence-related and one was a sex abuse case.

Judge Nolan held a male domestic violence defendant who is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, unlawful entry and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Defense counsel asked the judge to not find probable cause, saying that the defendant said, “I would never stab you,” which could not be construed as a threat. He also said it is not clear whether the defendant had a key to the apartment, or if he was allowed to be there.

The prosecution asked for the judge to hold the defendant, noting his prior 2017 felony conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon for which he is still on probation.

Judge Nolan found probable cause and decided to hold the defendant.

He said he did not feel like there were conditions that he could fashion that would protect the community.

Another male domestic violence defendant is held on charges of simple assault. The prosecution said there are allegations that the defendant strangled the victim and asked for a hold citing a simple assault conviction from 2020 that involved the same victim.

Defense counsel requested the defendant be released on GPS monitoring, but Judge Nolan said he was concerned he would not follow the court’s orders since he already had an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim as a part of his probation requirements.

Both held defendants have their next hearings scheduled for April 27, and they were both given stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

The four domestic abuse defendants released by Judge Nolan have charges that include simple assault, destruction of property and contempt. All defendants were given stay-away orders and told to come back to court in October. Two of the defendants were additionally ordered to get GPS monitoring devices installed.

Judge Nolan also released a defendant who is charged with sex abuse, attempted sex abuse and lewd, indecent or obscene acts. The defendant was told to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week, and his next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant Under Youth Rehabilitation Act

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to two years of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which will effectively seal his case once he completes his requirements.

The defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon back in January.

He “is the reason that the Youth Act was created,” said defense attorney Sylvia Smith. “He is young, he made a mistake and he doesn’t deserve to be branded by a scarlet letter with a felony conviction on his record this young,”

Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced the 22-year-old defendant to 18 months, all of which were suspended, plus 24 months of supervised probation.

Conditions of his probation include registering as a gun offender, completing a mental health assessment, participating in individual and grief counseling, being employed or seeking employment, taking a substance abuse assessment, refraining from the use of drugs or alcohol and taking anger management classes.

He will also have to complete the GED program he is currently enrolled in and do 90 hours of community service.

The defendant was initially charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested the defendant outside his relative’s home on Oct. 6, 2020, after receiving reports of shots fired into the house where he was living at the time, according to the prosecution’s proffer of facts.

On the night of the incident, witnesses reported that the young man had gotten into a physical altercation with another person, who was also staying at the house.

When was asked to leave the home, surveillance footage played during the hearing shows the defendant turning back towards the house and firing five shots at the house from over the front yard’s fence.

No one was injured.

During the hearing, the prosecution recommend a suspended sentence with no time, given the defendant’s age, clean criminal record and perfect compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

If the defendant is able to complete the conditions of his probation before the two-year period is up, Judge O’Keefe said that he could be a candidate for early release from probation.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

All but One Homicide in March Involved Gun Violence

Twelve homicides happened in DC during the month of March, three less than the previous month.

Almost all of the victims were killed in shootings. The one exception was Mohammad Anwar, who was allegedly killed in the process of a carjacking on March 24 on the 1200 block of Van Street, SE.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, an on-scene investigation found that the suspects allegedly assaulted the victim with a taser, which caused an accident.

Anwar was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Two teenage girls, ages 13 and 15, were apprehended that same day.

At 66-years-old, Anwar was the oldest of March’s homicide victims. The youngest was 18-year-old Isaiah Armstead, who was shot to death on the 1200 block of Irving Street, NE on March 13.

The average age of the victims was about 31.

According to D.C. Witness data, Wards 4 and 7 had one homicide, Ward 5 had two, Ward 6 had three and Ward 8 had five.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

Defense Requests Time to Review Alleged Sex Abuser’s Motions

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to continue a mental observation hearing, so he could have more time to review two motions his client recently filed on his own behalf.

The defendant is charged with armed kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse while armed with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon. He allegedly committed these crimes on Sept. 23, 2012.

On March 23, the defendant filed a motion to replace his attorney, Andrew Ain. In it, he wrote that he and his lawyer are “unable to work together.”

The next day, he filed another motion in which he appears to ask that the prosecution re-test DNA evidence in his case “until a conclusive result can be established.”

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) found the defendant competent to stand trial in February, but the defendant contested the findings.

He was seen by an independent doctor. According to DC Courts, there are plans for the doctor to see the defendant again in order to give a report on his competency.

Judge Dayna Dayson did not give an opinion on the defendant’s competency during the April 9 hearing, but scheduled the next mental observation hearing for Sept. 9 to give parties time to receive all evidence and review the motions.

The recent motions are two of eight that the defendant has filed on his own behalf throughout the course of his case. Last July, D.C. Witness reported that the defendant wrote a letter-writing campaign to the court to argue for his incompetence to stand trial. He wrote five letters to the judge.

During a hearing at that time, the prosecution said his letter-writing campaign, in which he argued for his case’s dismissal, proves that he is able to understand the case.

Judge Michael Ryan said the staff at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, noticed that Evans can purport his behavior when he wants to comply with treatment.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Holds 2 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

On April 8, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan heard 29 cases during initial hearings. He released 26 defendants and held three at DC Jail.

There were a total of four domestic violence cases presented before Judge Nolan. Of these cases, he held two defendants at the jail.

Judge Nolan held a male domestic violence defendant who is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, obstruction of justice and contempt. The defendant was also brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing in a pending domestic violence case that involves the same complaining witness.

The prosecution requested a hold because the defendant allegedly threatened to kill the victim and her child if she called the police.

Judge Nolan decided to hold the defendant, citing the pending case in which the defendant allegedly violated a stay-away order.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for April 27.

Judge Nolan also held Malik Lewis who was convicted of simple assault and violating a Civil Protection Order (CPO) in two domestic violence cases. The defendant allegedly failed to appear for a show cause hearing and had not reported to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) after being convicted in November 2020.

Judge Nolan decided to hold Lewis because he has demonstrated that he can’t comply with his release conditions and has been loss of contact for a long time. The defendant was held without bail until his next hearing on April 13.

Judge Nolan released two domestic violence defendants. Their charges include violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), unlawful entry of private property and simple assault. One of the defendants was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing.

The bench warrant defendant will return to court on April 13, and the other defendant will return to court on Oct. 14.

Judge Sets Hearing in Murder Case

A convicted murder defendant’s newly appointed defense attorney asked to continue an April 8 hearing, so that she could have more time to review the case.

In Feb. 2020, a jury found 34-year-old Mason Binion guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on June 22, 2008, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW.

The new attorney, Quo Judkins, requested another status hearing in 30 days to allow time to file any necessary motions and familiarize herself with the case prior to moving forward.

Judge John Campbell scheduled a status hearing for May 4.

Joshua Massaquoi, who was also charged in the case, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol during a crime of violence, and accessory to second-degree murder.

Massaquoi is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on April 30.

Victor Carvajal was also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the homicide, but his case was dismissed the day before opening statements.

Crime Alerts: April 8-9

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 5:00 p.m. on April 8 and 9:00 a.m. on April 9.

The alert was sent at 5:18 p.m. for a robbery snatch at the intersection of 14th and Irving Streets, NW.

Police are looking for a Black male, 6’0″ in height, wearing a scarf wrapped around his head.

The suspect was last seen inside a black sedan heading west on the 1200 block of Irving Street, NW.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Defendant in Shooting Case

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

Deangelo Glover, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32- year-old Tyrone Wright on Jan. 19 on the 3800 block of Hayes Street, NE.

A second victim was found unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds when the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the preliminary hearing for May 26.

In the meantime, Glover will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the charges in March.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing Date for Murder Case

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

Kirk Spencer, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 49-year-old Marcus Covington, on Feb. 23 on the 1100 block of Howard Road, SE.

The defense requested that the prosecution turn over evidence related to this case by April 19. The defense also requested that Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage be turned over at least three weeks prior to the preliminary hearing to allow time for review.

The prosecution said they would most likely be able to meet the deadlines to turn over all the requested material, barring a few items due to witness security concerns.

Judge John Campbell agreed with the defense’s timeline and said if any concerns come up regarding witness security, there is time to “argue and then come to some sort of agreement.”

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 28.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for 2nd-Degree Murder Case

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

Ronald Miller, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 28-year-old Tiffany Hardy on Feb. 8 inside her apartment on the 1600 block of E Street, NE. Miller was arrested that same day. According to him, the two were in a romantic relationship.

During the April 8 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that a knife was in plain view in the apartment’s hallway when officers arrived on scene.

Body-Worn Camera (BWC) footage captures Miller saying, “I killed her” and “die, Tiffany, die” as the police officers rendered aid.

Hardy sustained more than 40 stab wounds, according to court documents.

Miller was also found inside the apartment with cuts on his hands. Defense attorney Jason Tulley said his client got those injuries because Hardy tried to stab him.

“I am a legend, I did it,” Miller said, looking in the direction of the victim’s family and friends who were on the other side of the street outside the apartment.

The video also shows him admitting to being a drug dealer.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Jason Tulley showed footage of Miller saying that Hardy “set him up.”

Miller said Hardy asked him for money, but he refused to give her any because she would not give him a reason for needing it. He also said he noticed black cars following him for several days, which led him to believe she set him up.

On Feb. 7, a day before Hardy’s death, she was arrested for simple assault after she allegedly attacked Miller with a bottle, but the arrest was not papered and didn’t result in criminal prosecution.

Tulley argued that Hardy had a history of violence and listed prior incidents in which she allegedly attacked other people.

In the footage, Miller told the officers who arrived on scene that he and Hardy got into a verbal and physical altercation inside of her apartment.

Miller said he pinned her down, but after he let her go, she lunged towards the knife and tried to stab him. He said he stabbed Hardy in self-defense.

Tulley said Miller was entitled to use “brutal force” to defend himself. He said his client felt that he was in danger because the victim tried to stab him and also believed Hardy was setting him up and wanted him dead.

The prosecution argued that Miller cannot claim self-defense because he was the aggressor.

The prosecutor said that, in a jail call, Miller allegedly said the victim tried to leave the apartment after the altercation, but he did not let her.

The prosecution also argued that Miller used excessive force by stabbing Hardy more than 40 times, which goes beyond trying to protect himself. She argued that saying “I am a legend” suggests that Miller was proud of his action.

Judge Neal Kravitz found probable cause and agreed that if Miller was able to overpower Hardy, it was not necessary to stab her more than 40 times. Judge Kravitz also said that there is no evidence to suggest that Hardy stabbed Miller, and that it is possible his hand wounds were self-inflicted.

Tulley asked Judge Kravitz to release Miller, but he denied that request because Miller has past convictions that involve violence and tampering with GPS monitoring. The judge said placement which under high-intensity supervision is not a viable option.

A felony status conference is scheduled for June 22.

2021 CF1 000814

Judge Says Prosecution’s Case is Strong, Finds Probable Cause for Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial and said it is more likely than not that a jury would find the defendant guilty.

On Jan. 25, Edward Wade, 22, was found unconscious on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Three additional victims and the defendant sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Terrance Oxner, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wade’s death.

During the two-day preliminary hearing, a prosecutor argued that surveillance footage and witness reports put the defendant at the scene of the crime.

According to the prosecutor, additional evidence also placed Oxner at the scene, including a stolen phone in Oxner’s possession and video footage from the scene that allegedly shows Oxner removing the front license plate of the car he was in, which was also stolen.

Additionally, the prosecution argued that the footage not only places Oxner at the crime scene during the shooting, but also near it before and after the shooting with the same shoes, pants and hoodie he was wearing when he checked himself into a hospital to get medical care for the wounds he sustained.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant wore a stolen jacket that was seen in the footage.

However, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey argued that the suspect’s face in the footage is indiscernible.

Harvey also said multiple people in the video had access to the jacket that is reportedly seen in the video, and the prosecution could not prove that the individual seen in the video footage was her client.

She also said that one of the other victims was arrested in another unrelated weapons charge and is a person of interest in this case.

Although Harvey requested home confinement or GPS monitoring due to her client’s health concerns, Judge Neal Kravitz said he could not find electronic monitoring to be enough to protect the community.

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Aaron Adgerson, 17, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in Wade’s death. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 14.

Judge Holds Homicide Defendant and Releases Nine Domestic Abuse Defendants

During initial hearings on April 7, DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan held a homicide defendant and released nine domestic abuse defendants.

Jonathan Young, 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Dewayne Shorter on Jan. 26 on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. Young is being held at DC Jail and has a felony status conference scheduled for April 28.

The first domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant was released on personal recognizance under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring and was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.

Another domestic violence defendant was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his probation hearing. The defendant was released to return to court on April 28.

The other seven domestic abuse defendants have charges that include violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO), simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted second-degree cruelty to children, unlawful discharge of a firearm, threats and attempted threats to do bodily harm, second-degree theft and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).

These seven defendants were released on personal recognizance under supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), and all but one of them were given stay away orders from the complaining witnesses, locations of the incidents or both.

All of the domestic abuse defendants have status hearings scheduled for Oct. 13.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Search