Document: Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality from a traffic crash that occurred on June 19.

A preliminary investigation revealed that at about 11:35 p.m. a person driving a Nissan Altima at a high speed on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The driver struck a Toyota Scion that was turning left from
Pennsylvania Avenue. The driver and passenger of the Toyota Scion were treated on the scene for minor injuries. The driver of the Nissan Altima was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Terrell Johnson.

Document: Homicide on the 100 Block of Kennedy Street

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on June 18.

At about 12:07 a.m. police responded to reports of shooting at the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW. Benson Thorne Sr., 52, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Homicide Investigation

Metropolan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on June 18.

At about 9:13 p.m. police responded to reports of a shooting on the unit block of Galveston Place, SW. Upon arrival, police located an adult male and pronounced him dead from gunshot wounds. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Everette Faison.

Document: Arrest Made in Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives announced the name of the victim in a traffic fatality involving a pedestrian.

At about 3:14 a.m. on June 13 on the 1500 block of 14th Street, NW, 29-year-old Gerald Lewis reportedly struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk. The pedestrian has been identified as 59-year-old Antonio Felder.

2021 Homicides Outpacing Previous Year, Data Shows

DC’s homicide count for 2020 was higher than it was in 2018, 2017 or 2016, according to D.C. Witness data. But so far, the homicide count for 2021 has outpaced the number of homicides reported at this same time last year.

Video by Andrea Keckley

Document: Homicide in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the morning of June 17.

At around 5:02 a.m., officers responded to the 3100 Block of Waclark Place, SE, according to a press release.

There, they found 28-year-old Demonte Thompson suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant, Releases Five Others

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant and released five others during initial hearings on June 16.

A total of 30 defendants were presented before the court. The six defendants charges included assault, threating to commit assault and contempt.

The held domestic violence defendant allegedly violated a stay away order he was issued in a previous case for simple assault and destruction of property charges. Because of this, Judge Sean Staples decided to hold him at DC Jail. The defendant’s next court hearing is scheduled for July 6.

Five other domestic violence defendants were released on their promise to return to court. They were all given stay away orders.

The released domestic violence defendants are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 15.

Crime Alerts: June 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 16 and 9:00 a.m. on June 17.

A crime alert was sent out at about 11:20 p.m. due to a stabbing on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE. The suspect is in custody.

A second crime alert was sent out at about 5:23 a.m. due to a shooting on the 3100 block of Waclark Place, SE. The police did not report to be looking for a suspect.

At 5:23 a.m., police alerted the public of an armed carjacking on the 300 block of 51st Street, SE. Police reported that they were looking for two Black males with short haircuts in a red 2020 Hyundai Accent with a Virginia licence plate.

Judge Continues Double Homicide Case Awaiting Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing June 16 for a double homicide case currently awaiting indictment.

Antoine Turner, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Demetrius Benson and Demeitri Anderson.

Benson, 24, was shot on Nov. 30, 2020, on the 4500 block of Dix Street, NE. Then, on Nov. 29, 2020, Anderson was shot 13 times on the 4500 block of Benning Road, NE.

Parties asked Judge Rainey Brandt to continue the hearing, so the prosecution could provide the defense with indictment information and discovery evidence.

Judge Brandt scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 21.

Judge Schedules Prelim, Bond Review Hearing for Murder Defendant

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

Aaron Kenon, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 29-year-old Keith Frye on May 8 on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE.

During the June 16 hearing, Judge James Crowell scheduled the bond review hearing for July 21 and the preliminary hearing for July 27.

Judge Questions Prosecution on Delays in 2019 Murder Case Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge questioned a prosecutor on why a defendant, who was charged with murder in November 2019, is still waiting to be indicted.

Twenty-four-year-old Tyrell Powell, also known as Marco Powell, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Semaj Alsobrooks on Sept. 4, 2019, on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, NE.

Defense attorneys Jason Tulley and Pierce Suen have filed a failure to indict motion as well as a speedy trial motion, arguing for the dismissal of an indictment, the scheduling of an immediate trial or the release of the defendant pending trial.

In a supplemental pleading, the defense said “the government’s manipulative grand jury practices have caused deliberate and significant delays which weigh heavily against the government. Second, the solitary confinement and other dreadful conditions at the jail weigh substantially against the government in the Court’s Speedy Trial analysis of the prejudice Mr. Powell has suffered.”

During the June 14 hearing, the prosecution said the absence of an indictment is the result of limited grand jury availability and the complexity of the case.

However, Judge Milton Lee said that 14 cases of a similar nature came to court after Powell’s case and have been heard by a grand jury.

In a recently filed court document, the prosecution points out that, in March 2020, the month in which the U.S. first led the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases, then Chief Judge Robert E. Morin issued orders “tolling all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing and other orders,” and that an Amended General Order issued last month specifies that the suspensions, tolling and extensions apply to indictments.

The prosecution said that unless the defendant can prove that the order exceeds the Chief Judge’s authority or is unconstitutional, he is not entitled to dismissal or release.

Judge Lee scheduled the motion hearing to resume on June 30.

Judge Schedules Prelim, Orders Competency Screening for Murder Defendant

On June 16, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial and ordered a preliminary screening to assess if the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Jean Paul Kearney is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting of 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 4 on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.

Kearney, 34, is also charged with assault on a police officer while armed for allegedly firing four gunshots from within a residence that officers were trying to force their way into to exercise a search warrant on the morning of the defendant’s arrest. According to court documents, a sergeant conducted three “knock-and-announces” before ordering his officers to breach the front door.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a mental observation hearing to discuss findings of the competency screening for June 28. He scheduled the preliminary hearing for July 26.

In the meantime, Kearney will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Appoints New Counsel to First-Degree Murder Case

On June 16, a DC Superior Court judge appointed new counsel for a homicide defendant.

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

Houston, 21, is also charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license.

Kristin McGough replaced Houston’s former attorney, Betty Ballester, who replaced the defendant’s first lawyer, Pierce Suen.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the next status hearing for June 22.

Lizzie Brennan wrote this article.

Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants during initial hearings on June 15.

In total, 21 defendants were presented before the court. None of them were charged with a homicide or sex abuse offense. Four defendants, however, were charged in domestic violence cases.

One of these defendants was charged with simple assault for allegedly pouring boiling water on the victim. The victim suffered from blisters on their face and was hospitalized for their injuries, according to the prosecution. The defendant was released.

Another domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault, threats to do bodily harm and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Judge Sean Staples released her and ordered her to stay away from the victim.

Both of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 14.

One defendant was charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, which was a wooden plank. According to the prosecution, she was previously charged with aggravated assault in 2012. Judge Staples held her at DC Jail.

Judge Staples also held another domestic violence charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Both of the held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 6.

Crime Alerts: June 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 15 and 9:00 a.m. on June 16.

At 12:28 a.m., the police alerted the public of a shooting investigation at 55th and Blaine Street, NE. Police reported that they are looking for a dark vehicle.

A second alert was sent out at 6:58 a.m. for an investigation on the Unit block of N Street, NW, after police found a man with a gunshot wound to the foot. Police reported that they are looking for a Black male around 23-25-years-old wearing a white shirt covered in blood, who was last seen traveling south toward Tyler House apartments.

A final alert was sent out at 7:05 a.m. for a robbery at the intersection of 25th Place and Benning Road, NE. Police reported that they are looking for a Black male with a light beard wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and jeans. He was last seen walking eastbound on Benning Road, NE.

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