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Murder Defendant Sentenced to 20 Years

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to 20 years. 

Vaughn Kosh, 50, is convicted of shooting his neighbor, 38-year-old Alayna Howard, on Dec. 7, 2019. According to the prosecutor, he broke into Howard’s apartment on the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, NE, and shot her, her mother and her boyfriend. Howard’s 12-year-old son was also in the apartment at the time.  

After making a deal with the prosecution, Kosh pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

During the Oct. 8 hearing, Judge Maris Demeo sentenced Kosh to 20 years of incarceration.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said her client is “genuinely remorseful for his actions.”

Two victim impact statements were read in court, in which Howard was described as a “loving” and “wonderful” woman. 

Judge Denies Release for Men Charged in 13-Year-Old’s Death

A DC Superior Court judge denied requests to release four co-defendants in a murder case.

Reginald Steels, 22, Aaron Brown, 25, Tyiion Freeman, 22, and Koran Jackson 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on the 600 block of S Street, NW, on March 1.

Freeman’s defense attorney, Andrew Ain, asked the court to reconsider releasing his client into home confinement because the prosecution has not returned an indictment.

Ain said he is “perplexed at the government’s failure to indict.” He pointed out that Freeman has been in jail for more than 18 months.

The prosecution opposed the request for Freeman’s release saying, “he has a violent criminal history” and “the fact that he was on probation when this offense occurred shows he is still a threat to the community and should not be released.”

Judge Dayna Dayson denied the request for Freeman’s release due to his alleged prior issues with pretrial release. She said that, in the past, he has allowed his GPS monitor to die, had curfew violations and became a loss of contact.

Koran’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, also requested her client’s release into home confinement, but that was also denied.

Judge Dayson also announced that Brown was voluntarily removed from the courtroom and voluntarily opted out of being physically present at remaining proceedings “due to his actions in court.”

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10.

Judge Continues Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Oct. 8 felony status conference for a domestic violence defendant charged with sexual abuse.

The defendant was charged with first-degree sexual abuse on April 3. He is currently on pretrial release.

During the Oct. 8 hearing, defense attorney Bernadette Armand requested all the evidence in this case.

The prosecution said they have provided all the evidence they have. Armand requested Body Worn Camera footage, but the prosecution said they have not received it.

Due to the defendant’s release status, the case cannot be scheduled for a preliminary hearing, according to court documents. The prosecution also said they are not able to bring the case before a grand jury yet, and do not have an anticipated date as to when the case will be indicted.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled parties to reconvene on Jan. 21.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Attempted Child Sex Abuse

The defendant in a child sex abuse case pleaded guilty.

Nathan Hudson was initially charged with first-degree child sex abuse. During the Oct. 8 hearing, he pleaded down to attempted first-degree child sex abuse.

According to the proffer of facts, the victim was spending a weekend at a family home where Hudson lived, and was sexually assaulted by him after she fell asleep.

Hudson is currently released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 10, 2022.

According to court documents, Judge Neal Kravitz decided to defer his ruling on whether or not to accept the plea agreement until the sentencing hearing.

Murder Case Experiences Delays

The prosecution in a murder case said they have been unable to get in touch with a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective.

Melvin Simmons, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in two separate cases. He is charged in connection with the shooting deaths of 28-year-old William Roland on Aug. 17, 2019, on the 1500 block of 18th Street, SE, and 28-year-old Ronald Jerome Brown, Jr. on Aug. 22, 2019, on the 3400 block of 18th Street, SE. 

A preliminary hearing for Simmons was paused on Oct. 6. because the prosecution would not get in touch with the MPD detective. They said the detective has been difficult to reach due to them traveling.

During the Oct. 7 hearing, the prosecution said they would be willing to turn over an unredacted version of the discovery documents to defense attorney Matthew Davies. These documents provide information on other possible suspects at the scene, they said.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 15 in hopes the witness is contacted by then.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release Request

A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s request to be released from jail into home confinement. 

James Harper, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Bret Desmarteau on May 27, 2021, on the 100 block of Sheridan Street, NE. 

During the Oct. 7 hearing, defense attorney Marnitta King said her client has experienced violence at DC Jail. She also voiced medical concerns due to him not receiving a vegan diet, which he says he needs for health reasons.

Judge Marisa Demeo denied the release request but ordered medical examinations to assess if Harper needs a vegan diet. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 17.

Document: Homicide Suspect Shoots Himself During Carjacking

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an Oct. 7 homicide and carjacking.

At approximately 9:25 a.m. officers responded to the 3200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, due to a report of a shooting. upon arrival, police located 33-year-old Nikiesha Thomas with gunshot wounds in a vehicle and transported her to a local hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

Further investigation revealed the incident was domestic in nature, according to the press release.

At approximately 12:49 p.m officers responded to Minnesota Avenue and East Capitol Street, to assist with an armed carjacking indecent. Officers learned the carjacking originally took place in Prince George Country, Maryland. Once stopped, the suspect revealed a firearm and shot himself inside the vehicle. the suspect,  36-year-old Antoine Oliver, was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect in the carjacking offense was the same one as in the homicide, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 600 block of Parkland Place, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 7.

At approximately 7:25 a.m. officers responded to the 600 block of Parkland Place, SE. Upon arrival, police located 41-year-old Talaya Wright with stab wounds. She was transferred to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries, according to the press release.

Waynice Ellis, 29, was apprehended at the scene and charged with second-degree murder while armed., according to the press release.

Document: Homicide on the 400 block of 12th Street, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 6.

At approximately 9:46 pm. police responded to the  400 block of 12th Street, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located 26-year-old Aaron Wiggins with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: Suspect Sought in Seven Misdemeanor Sexual Abuse Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating seven misdemeanor sexual abuse offenses with the same suspect.

On Oct. 6 at approximately 10:50 p.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim in the 700 block of Maine Avenue, SW.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the press release.

On Oct. 7 at approximately 6:50 a.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim in the 2100 block of Bladensburg Road, NE.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle.

On Oct. 7 at approximately 7:37 a.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim in the 1000 block of L Street, NW.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the press release. 

On Oct. 7 at approximately 7:47 a.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim in the 1000 block of 16th Street, NW.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the press release.

On Oct. 7 at approximately 8:33 a.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim in the Unit block of New York Avenue, NE.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the press release.

 On Oct. 7 at approximately 8:55 a.m., the suspect approached and made unwanted sexual contact with the victim at 5th Street and L Street, NE.  The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the press release.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30’s or 40’s who is 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. He was described as thin with a short haircut wearing a dark-colored shirt, light pants and a light-colored surgical mask. According to the press release, the suspect may be operating a silver Mitsubishi SUV, with Virginia tags with UDG1117.

Sex Abuse Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

 The defense in a sex abuse case rejected a plea deal and requested a trial date.

The 66-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room on July 15, 2020. He is currently released on his personal recognizance to return to court.

During the Oct. 7 hearing, defense attorney Rachael McCoy requested a trial date. The prosecution, however, was unable to provide a certain date as to when the case would be indicted.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a hearing for Jan. 28 to discuss a trial date.

Document: Homicide on the Unit Block of O Street, NW

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating an Oct. 6 homicide.

Ar approximately 8:21 p.m. police responded to the Unit Block of O Street, NW, due to sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located 20-year-old Rufus Davis with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Judge Denies Release Request From Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a sex abuse defendant’s request to be released into home confinement. 

The 41-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse, assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse, first-degree burglary and kidnapping. The defendant allegedly followed a victim into her apartment and assaulted her as well as her two roommates in June. Later that day, the defendant allegedly assaulted a fourth victim, but was stopped by stopped by a bystander.

During the Oct. 6 hearing, the prosecution opposed defense attorney Kevin Mosley‘s requested for his client to be released into home confinement, alleging that he poses a significant threat to the community.

Judge Marisa Demeo denied the request, saying the defendant has multiple domestic violence-related convictions.

Parties will reconvene for a preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial on Nov. 9

Judge Holds Defendant Charged With Accessory to Murder

A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with murder during presentments on Oct. 6.

Jeffery Felderis is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder while armed and one count of conspiracy.

The 34-year-old defendant was indicted on Sept. 22. A notice of arraignment was then filed and a bench warrant was sent out for his arrest. He is set to be arraigned on Oct. 7.

He was eventually arrested and brought to court on Oct. 6. Judge Heide Herrmann held him at DC Jail.

A total of six domestic violence defendants were presented before Judge Herrmann. Their charges include simple assault and contempt. They were given stay away orders.

They were held and are scheduled to be released on a later date.

Crime Alerts: October 6-7

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 6 and 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 7.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:01 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 2500 block of Queens Chapel Road, NE. Police identified the suspects in a beige or grey sedan. One was wearing a grey hoodie and the other with unknown clothing.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:26 p.m. due to a shooting in the 400 block of 13th Street, SE. Police identified the suspect in a white Infiniti G35 sedan.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:33 a.m. due to a shooting in the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE. Police identified the suspect in a white unknown SUV.

A crime alert was sent out at 7:06 a.m. due to an investigation in the 2400 block of Champlain Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with curly hair with a white cloth mask and unknown colored clothing. The suspect allegedly took a blue purse.

A crime alert was sent out at 7:36 a.m. due to a robbery in the 5000 block of Ames Street, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with a slim build, short dark hair, wearing a black t-shirt and dark pants.