Judge Continues Hearing to Determine Bail Status for Alleged Sex Abuser

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing that was scheduled to determine a sex abuse defendants detention status after the judge determined he did not have enough information to make an informed ruling.

The 33-year-old defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree sex abuse for two seperate occasions where he allegedly held one victim by gun point and another with a screwdriver. The victims alleged he threatened them with the weapons and forced them into his car where he sexually abused them. The gun was later discovered to be a BB gun.

During the April 7 proceeding, the prosecution asked that the defendant be held.

The prosecution pointed out the defendant was on supervised release and arrested in 2019 for a traffic offence, where he admitted to being intoxicated and that he was looking for the people who killed his cousin during the time of the traffic stop. The prosecutor also said he has a pending case in Maryland for several traffic violations, which also occurred when the defendant was on supervised release.

Defense attorney Kevaan Gardner requested that his client be released.

Gardner argued that traffic violations do not merit detention and suggested revoking his client’s license. Gardner also said his client had been consistently employed for five years and would be able to continue if he is released and that he was the sole provider for his family.

The attorney also said his client has no bench warrants, never missed a court date and only had one criminal conviction that was from a decade ago.

Gardner also said that the prosecution’s case against his client is weak because it’s solely based on DNA evidence and the testimony of a single person: the victim.

He said the DNA evidence is compromised because the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) is under investigation for its practices and that the victim’s statement may not be credible given that she was on heavy drugs at the time of the report.

Judge Neal Kravtiz said he was not in position to speak to the strength of the evidence ot the victim’s credibility. He also said that before he could make a ruling he needed two pieces of information to be clarified.

First, Judge Kravitz said he needed more information on the defendant’s performance during supervised release. He also needed to fully understand the nature of the defendant’s traffic violations.

Secondly, he said he needed more information on the defendant’s employment and if the defendant does in fact have a guaranteed spot to return to work if he is released.

Judge Kravitz continued the hearing until April 13.

Judge Continues Homicide Hearing for Plea Discussion

A DC Superior Court judge continued a homicide hearing, so parties could continue with plea negotiations.

DeAndre Houston, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on Oct. 11, 2018, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE.

Defense attorney, Betty Ballester said she is reviewing the plea deal offered by the prosecution.

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

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for June 22.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Continues Homicide and Sex Abuse Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge granted parties’ request to continue an April 7 status hearing so the defense could have more time to review court documents.

Collin Potter, 28, is charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse while armed and felony murder while armed in the death of 36-year-old Vongell Lugo on Jan. 6, 2019, on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for May 14. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail, where he’s been since he was charged in January 2019.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Gives Defense More Time for Plea Negotiations

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a murder case in which the defense attorney reports that she has begun with plea negotiations.

Alton Rivers, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 68-year-old Anthony Anderson on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW on July 27, 2018.

“I don’t know if a plea is going to be possible in this case, but I certainly want to try” said defense attorney Betty Ballester.

Without objections from the prosecution, Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for July 20.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Murder Defendant’s Attorney Requests to Withdraw from Case

During the April 7 proceedings, Evan’s defense attorney, Joseph Caleb ,told Judge Milton Lee that Evans requested new counsel, so he will be withdrawing from the case.

Stephon Evans, 19, and his codefendant, Kewon Hunter are charged in connection with the shooting of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd on July 30, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Parties agreed to set a status date so that the defendant would have time to find new counsel. Judge Lee scheduled a status hearing for both co-defendants for April 22.

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing for co-defendants in a murder case.

In this case, Hunter, 19, and Evans are also charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license.

Evans is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the death of 21-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12, 2019. He is being charged along with four other defendants in connection with the homicide.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Awaits Indictment From Prosecution in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a felony status conference for a first-degree murder case while awaiting an indictment.

George Shaw III, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for the alleged shooting of 59 year-old Marcus Nelson and 39 year-old Simmeon Williams Jr. on Oct. 10, 2020 on the 1700 block of Irving Street, NE. In November 2020, probable cause was found.

The previous defense counsel was dismissed in February due to a medical emergency. New defense counsel was assigned and the hearing was continued due to a need for the new defense counsel to familiarize themselves with the case.

The prosecution said that he has received no communication from the defense regarding a motion for consumption, however the defense thought that the opposition had been filed.

Judge John Campbell scheduled a felony status conference hearing for June 3 to await an indictment decision and to give the defense counsel time to go over the existing evidence.

In the meantime, Shaw will remain at DC Jail, where he has been held since he picked up the charges in October 2020.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a Jan. 26 homicide.

At around 2:51 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 1200 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, where they found 22 year-old Maryland resident Dewayne Shorter, III suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

“Further investigation revealed that the offense took place in the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE,” the press release states.

On March 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out a press release saying that the suspect in this case has been identified as 36 year-old Jonathan Young, of Southeast, DC.

Young was arrested for first-degree murder while armed on April 6. The case remains under investigation.

Crime Alerts: April 6-7

Between 9:00 p.m. on April 6 and 9:00 a.m. on April 7, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 2:16 a.m.. for an armed robbery at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Quincey Street, NW.

Police are looking for a Black male, 5’10” in height, wearing a blue hoodie, black or blue jeans and armed with a handgun.

The suspect was last seen heading east on Florida Avenue on a bike with a bent wheel.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Out

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to probation.

Louis Poteat was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon last November. During the April 6 hearing, he pleaded down to a charge of simple assault.

Judge William Nooter sentenced the 37-year-old defendant to 120 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.

According to the proffer of facts, Poteat swung an open folding knife towards the victim, causing her to sustain a hand injury that required stitches.

The victim did not make an impact statement, but the prosecutor told Judge Nooter that she wants Poteat to serve jail time but understands the prosecution’s wish to request a probation only sentence.

A representative with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) also reported that the defendant was doing well on pretrial release.

As part of his probation, Poteat is required to partake in drug testing as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.) He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

“Good luck to you,” Judge Nooter told him. “I have confidence that you will complete this probation period successfully.”

Judge Sets Trial Readiness Date for 2015 Homicides

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearings for two homicide cases that have been affected by forensic errors.

Rondell McLeoud, 27, and Joseph Brown, 26, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Amari Jenkins, 21, on Aug. 18, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, and Antwan Baker, 29, on Nov. 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE.

The two had been indicted as co-defendants.

The homicide scenes were determined to be linked by ballistic evidence that was later discovered to be erroneous. The cases went on to be severed. However, the mistake caused incorrect information to be presented to a grand jury.

McLeoud’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, filed a motion to dismiss his client’s indictment based on the introduction of false testimony to the grand jury and, alternatively, to require the prosecution to give defense counsel the entirety of the grand jury minutes.

During the April 6 felony status conference, Judge Milton Lee ordered the defense to submit supplemental documents to replace the original Department of Forensic Services (DFS) findings by May 6, which would allow the prosecution enough time to review the items before the defendant’s next hearing on June 2.

Judge Lee said that he expects to resolve Kiersh’s motion at that time.

Due to how long the cases have been open, parties requested the earliest possible trial readiness hearings. Judge Lee scheduled one for both defendants for June 23.

Alicia McCoy, who is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with Baker’s homicide, is on pretrial release with GPS monitoring. McCoy’s defense attorney asked Judge Lee to release her client from GPS monitoring, saying that she has consistently complied with the conditions of her release.

Due to separate charges pending against McCoy in Maryland, Judge Lee declined the request and deferred a final decision until her next court date on June 2.

McLeoud and Brown are also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed in their cases. Brown is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: April 5-6

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on April 5 and 9:00 a.m. on April 6.

The alert was sent at 9:03 p.m. for a shooting on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Releases Seven Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

On April 5, a DC Superior Court judge released all seven defendants charged in domestic violence cases.

In total, there were 33 cases presented before the court.

Judge Lloyd Nolan issued stay-away orders for all seven defendants as a condition of release and ordered them to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

Two of the defendants are being charged as co-defendants. One of the defendants is being charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000. The other is being charged with simple assault.

A defendant was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault and obstruction of justice. The prosecution requested that this defendant be held considering their assaultive and domestic violence conduct in the past. However, Judge Nolan released the defendant because they have been in compliance with conditions of release and have been in contact with supervision officers in regards to their probation.

The other four defendants have charges that include simple assault, destruction of property less than $1,000, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted and actual threats to do bodily harm.

All defendants are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 12.

This article was written by Dalvyn Velez

Document: Homicide and Officer-Involved Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the FBI are investigating a homicide and officer-involved shooting that happened on April 2 at the intersection of Constitution and Delaware Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, just after 1:00 p.m., a suspect driving a blue sedan entered the north gate on Constitution Avenue and intentionally struck two on-duty USPC officers with the vehicle before ramming the vehicle into the blocking barricade.

The suspect, 25-year-old Noah Green, then reportedly left the vehicle while armed with a knife and charged towards another USPC officer, who fired his weapon and struck the suspect.

Green and one of the injured officers, 41-year-old William Evans, were taken to the hospital, but died from their injuries.

Another officer was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, and was later released. The knife was recovered from the scene.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing, Orders Competency Screening for Homicide Defendant

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

John Woods is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 60-year-old Geno Freeman. Woods, 66, is accused of shooting Freeman on the 6000 block of Chillum Place, NE on Feb. 19.

During the April 5 hearing, Judge John Campbell granted defense attorney James King’s request to order a screening to determine the defendant’s competency to stand trial.

Judge Campbell also scheduled the preliminary hearing for May 18.

According to a press release, responding officers found Woods with a firearm on the day of the homicide.

“After the suspect ignored multiple commands, an officer discharged their firearm striking the suspect,” the press release states. He was then taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to court documents, Freeman was Woods’ former co-worker, and a witness said the two did not get along well. Woods reportedly alleges that Freeman put something in his food that caused him to develop health problems.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 4.

At around 9:45 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 22 year-old Juwan McCrae suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

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