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Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a death that occurred from a traffic accident on April 4.

At approximately 1:27 a.m., the operator of a red Nissan Altima ran a red light at the intersection of 14th Street and C Street, NE, striking a silver Toyota Camry in the intersection.

The operator and passenger of the Nissan exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

The operator and passenger of the Camry were transported to a local hospital for treatment, but the operator, 30 year-old Brian Johnson, was pronounced dead.

Judge Schedules Trial Dates for Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled jury trial dates for a homicide case. 

Marquette Jordan, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 48-year-old Ivan Lynch. On April 30, 2018, Lynch was stabbed on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. 


The prosecution anticipates the trial to last two weeks.

Judge Milton Lee set aside March 13 through 24, 2023. A status hearing is also scheduled for Sept. 28. 

Jordan is also charged with threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, simple assault and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business in this case.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Document: Pedestrian Struck in Roadway in Northeast

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on April 3.

The police’s investigation revealed that a pedestrian laid down on the roadway in the crosswalk at the intersection of South Dakota Avenue and Bladensburg Road, NE at approximately 12:57 a.m.

The pedestrian was then struck by a white van that was traveling north on South Dakota Avenue. The vehicle fled the scene.

The victim, now identified as 54 year-old Evelyn Troyah, was transported to a local hospital for treatment but died after all life-saving efforts failed.

Document: Homicide in Arboretum Neighborhood

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

At around 9:19 p.m., officers responded to the the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 33 year-old Dontra Harris suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Double Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a double homicide that happened on April 3.

At around 10:14 p.m., officers responded to the  4200 block of 4th Street, SE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 26 year-old Antuan Davis and 29 year-old Anthony Davis inside a residential building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were both pronounced dead on scene.

Crime Alerts: April 4-5

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on April 4 and 9:00 a.m. on April 5.

The most recent alert was sent at 11:49 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE. Police are looking for two suspects wearing black jackets and blue jeans.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 11:39 p.m. on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

A shooting investigation alert was sent at 10:35 p.m. on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

The final alert was sent at 9:51 p.m. for a confirmed shooting investigation on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.

Police do not have a description of the suspects involved in the last three alerts sent out.

Document: Homicide in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 3.

At around 3:58 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of 18th Street, NE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 37 year-old Julius Hayes suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested a suspect in connection with a Jan. 31 homicide.

At around 12:21 a.m. that day, officers responded to the 1100 block of Bellevue Street, SE for the report of a woman down on a sidewalk.

There, they found 30 year-old Brenea Audrice Franklin suffering from a severe laceration. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

On April 2, 43 year-old James Lewis was arrested for second-degree murder while armed.


Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior court judge released two of six domestic violence defendants during their initial hearings on April 2. 

A total of 13 cases were presented in court. 

One defendant, who was held, is charged with contempt and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Heide Herrmann decided to hold the defendant due to pending domestic violence charges in another case with the same victim and location. 

The second defendant, who was held, is charged with unlawful entry, destruction of private property, Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation and contempt. 

At the time of the offense, the defendant had been on pretrial release with a stay-away order and GPS monitoring. Court documents allege the defendant tampered with the GPS device before breaking into the victim’s home. 

Judge Herrmann granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant because he was under pretrial supervision at the time of his second alleged offense.

“I do not believe that there are any remaining measures I can take with this defendant to ensure the safety of the community,” said Judge Herrmann. 

The remaining four defendants are charged with sexual abuse of a child, attempted threats and simple assault. Upon release, each defendant was given a stay-away order from either the victim, location of the crime or both. 

The released defendants were ordered to return to court on May 26.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article. 

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant to 18 Months of Supervised Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve 18 months of supervised probation.

William Glover was initially charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. He pleaded down to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in January. He picked up these charges last year in March 2020. 

Defense attorney Jason Kalafat discussed his client’s poor conditions during his time at DC Jail. Glover told Judge Rainey Brandt he endured COVID-19 while incarcerated.  

Glover will also have to participate in a Domestic Violence Prevention Program.

Glover must also register as a gun offender, seek employment, refrain from any drugs and alcohol, and not harass, assault, threaten, abuse, or destroy the belongings of the victim.

Glover must pay $100 towards the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund in the amount of $100 by December.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Releases 5 of 6 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on April 1, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released five of the six domestic violence defendants.

A total of 30 defendants were presented in court.

The defendant held  is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 in damages and attempted threats to do bodily harm. 

The prosecution alleged the defendant made threatening statements to the victims while holding a knife, saying, “I’m gonna kill y’all” and threw a cinder block through an apartment window. 

The defense said the defendant always carries his knife but was not threatening anyone with it since he never went into the apartment. Furthermore, based on the alleged statements and actions of the defendant, defense counsel said this appeared to be a mental health issue and jail was no place for the defendant.

The judge agreed with the defense that the defendant’s mental health needed to be addressed but did not think releasing him was the solution based on the gravity of the threats made. The judge said a person could have been hurt rather than a window.

The judge ruled to hold the defendant without bail.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 20.

The remaining five defendants released had charges related to simple assault, attempted threats, destruction of property and probation violations for failing to appear at scheduled hearings. 

Of these defendants, four were released with stay away orders from the alleged victims and  one was additionally ordered to get a GPS monitor installed. 

Three of the five defendants were ordered to return to court on Oct. 7 for status hearings and the remaining two were respectively ordered to return to court on April 2 for a bond review hearing and April 6 for a bench warrant hearing.

This article was written by Alaina Provenza

Document: Child Killed During Traffic Accident

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that resulted from a traffic crash on April 1 at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Kennedy Street, NW. 

At approximately 3:15 p.m., DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene of a traffic crash.

EMS found 4 year-old Zyaire Joshua, who had been struck by a Nissan Rogue on the 900 block of Kennedy Street, NW. Joshua was pronounced dead on the scene after all life-saving efforts failed.

The operator of the vehicle has not been identified but remained on the scene. 


Document: Homicide in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 1 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE.

At around 4:22 pm, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. 

Upon arrival, they found 18 year-old Michael Benbow suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Officers also located a juvenile female victim suffering from a graze wound and a second adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. Both were transported to the local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by the MPD for any individual who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the homicide.


Crime Alerts: April 1-2

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on April 1 and 9:00 a.m. on April 2.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:40 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 700 block of 7th Street, NE. Police have arrested a suspect.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 12:26 a.m. on the 3500 block of Jay Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 9:24 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 1900 block of Park Road. Police are looking for a 35 to 40 year-old Black male with a dark complexion, 6’1″ to 6’2″ in height, 205 pounds, short black hair, a dark jacket and black pants. The suspect was last seen driving a white U-Haul van headed east.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charges in Murder Case

A defendant in a first-degree murder case pleaded guilty to lesser charges Thursday.

Defendant Dale Thomas, 30, was charged with allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Jelani Mohammed on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE, along with co-defendant Donnell Mills, 31, on Nov. 8, 2018. The defendant was originally charged with second-degree murder in this case.

During the April 1 hearing, Thomas pleaded guilty to lesser charges of robbery, assault with the attempt to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit a violent crime

The victim’s family members said Mohammed was a “kind, caring and loving” person who would have given the defendant anything he wanted, killing him was “unnecessary” and “senseless” and the family has been torn apart from the loss.

Thomas expressed remorse repeatedly during the hearing, saying he wished only to better himself in the future and to become a part of the community again.

Judge Milton C. Lee agreed with the prosecution’s recommendations for sentencing. For the charge of robbery and conspiracy to commit a violent crime, the judge sentenced the defendant to 60 months of incarceration. For assault with the attempt to commit robbery charge, the defendant was sentenced to 48 months incarceration.

The judge suspended all but 32 months due to time already served. Thomas will have to serve a little over six years in prison.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to three years of probation after incarceration, including completion of a drug treatment program, a mental health assessment, a GED program, and participation in vocational counseling and employment assistance for job readiness.

Judge Lee warned the defendant that if he violated his probation he would serve the full incarceration, no questions asked.

Mills was sentenced to 21 years in prison for second-degree murder while armed. Although he does not have any probation time, he is required to complete a drug treatment program and get mental health screening and evaluation, vocational counseling and training, grief counseling and transitional housing after he serves his time in prison.

This article was written by Alaina Provenza