Prelim Continued After Homicide Defendant Injured in DC Jail Attack

On March 26, a DC Superior Court judge continued a homicide defendant’s preliminary hearing because he is being hospitalized due to an attack at the DC Jail last night.

Ernest Cleveland, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Cleveland is accused of shooting Edward Pearson, 39, on Nov. 26 2020, on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Judge Michael Ryan recommended that the March 26 preliminary hearing would continue due to the attack. D.C. Witness does not know the extent of Cleveland’s injuries.

Judge Ryan scheduled the new preliminary hearing date for May 20.

Vanessa Sousa wrote this article.

Judge Releases Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

One sex abuse defendant and three domestic violence defendants were brought before the court for initial hearings on March 25.

A 39-year-old defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse during the proceedings. According to a press release, he is accused of having sexually abused a minor from 2014 to 2019.

The prosecution did not ask for him to be held at DC Jail, but they did want him to be placed under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Defense attorney Kevin O’Sullivan, however, asked DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan to release his client on his promise to return to court, citing his lack of any criminal history.

Judge Nolan decided to release him on personal recognizance with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Three domestic violence defendants were also brought before the court: one was charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children and simple assault, another was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and the third was charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

All three defendants were released in their respective cases on their promise to return to court with orders to report to the PSA. However, the third defendant has a pending fugitive case, scheduled for March 26..

Judge Schedules Jury Trial for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a jury trial for a defendant in a 2018 homicide.

Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggregating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and attempt to commit robbery while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown. The double homicide occurred on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner told Judge Juliet McKenna that there has been no recent discussion of plea bargaining between counsel.

Judge McKenna scheduled the jury selection to take place on July 27 and 28, 2022, and the trial to be held from Aug. 1 through Aug. 16.

Motion hearings are also scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Suspect, 18, Wanted for Second-Degree Murder while Armed

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective are asking for the public’s help locating a suspect in connection with a March 20 homicide.

At around 7:40 p.m. that day, officers responded to the unit block of Madison Street, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The other, 21 year-old Demetris Johnson, was pronounced dead on scene.

The suspect in this case has been identified as 18 year-old Nyjell Outler, a resident of Southeast, DC. He is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing for Plea Negotiations

At counsel’s request, a DC Superior Court judge continued a March 25 hearing for a homicide defendant so parties can engage in plea negotiations.

Steven Robinson, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 28-year-old Shanika Williams on the 800 block of 19th Street NE on July 12, 2020.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Willams inside her apartment suffering from multiple shot wounds to the chest.

Since the previous hearing on Feb. 25, counsel was supposed to engage in plea negotiations. However, the prosecution cleared up that defense attorney Matthew Davies was still catching up on the case and parties are now beginning to engage in plea negotiations.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for April 28.

Judge Continues Homicide Hearing, Giving More time for Counsel to Exchange and Review of Evidence

A DC Superior Court judge continued a mental observation hearing for a murder defendant after the defense attorney asked that the prosecution provide more evidence.

Carson Posey, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his ex- girlfriend, 28-year-old Shantal Hill. On April 15, 2020, Hill was found on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries the next day.

During the March 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson read Posey’s competency evaluation report, which indicated that he was competent to stand trial and should remain at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution to avoid competency deterioration.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said she did not agree with the report’s results, but was not asking for more evaluations at this time. Instead she requested a continuance.

Cadman also said that much of the evidence, including Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, was only given to her in snippets and was not useful to her.

She requested that more evidence be given to her so that she can go over it with her client and make sure he truly understands the charges against him.

The prosecution said they will turn over pre-indictment evidence on a rolling basis. The prosecution said some of the evidence will be available right away. Other evidence items would be available by April 15.

Judge Dayson continued the hearing to July 22.

Judge Continues Trial Readiness Hearing for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a murder defendant who has been held in the case since 2014.

Mark Bowser, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing 39-year-old Tracy Womack on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE on Sep. 20, 2014. He is also charged with obstructing justice for allegedly delaying testimony in 2018.

Defense attorney Betty Ballester said the judge assigned to the case has not acted on her motion to withdraw from the case.

Judge Juliet Mckenna said she will contact the case judge to see if they are in process of assigning the case to a different attorney. If not, Ballester will pick an attorney to take her place.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 3.

Bowser has been detained since he picked up the charges in 2014. In 2019, he rejected a plea offer.

He was scheduled to have a trial in July, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ballester is withdrawing due to obligations that prevent her from having the time needed to spend on the case. In her motion to withdraw as counsel, she said that even though Bowser is frustrated that his case has not been able to go to trial, she explained to him that it is better for her to withdraw.

During the March 25 hearing, the prosecution expressed interest in picking trial dates. However, Judge Mckenna sided with Ballester, saying it would be more appropriate to do that after a new attorney is assigned to the case.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing for Testing Results

A DC Superior Court judge continued a felony status conference for a murder defendant.

Jaamil Hipps, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 40-year-old Sa’id Grey on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW on Aug. 12, 2020.

According to court documents, Grey was found in the hallway of an apartment complex suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

During the March 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson asked if parties are engaging in plea negotiations.

The prosecution said they had reached out to the previous defense attorney assigned to the case.

However, new forensic testing is ongoing and the prosecution is waiting for those reports before they contact the newly appointed defense attorney, David Knight, to engage in plea negotiations.

The next felony status conference is scheduled for May 24.

Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant, Releases Domestic Violence Defendant

During initial hearings on March 24, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan presided over more than 30 cases.

Among those cases there were two domestic violence cases and one sex abuse case.

The first domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defendant was released on personal recognizance under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). He was also given a stay away order.

The defendant was ordered to return to court for a status hearing on April 21.

The second domestic violence defendant was charged with simple assault but the charges were dropped and he was released. The case is now closed.

The third defendant is charged with attempted sex abuse, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, sex abuse and lewd, indecent or obscene acts.

The defendant has four pending cases in DC and will be held until his next hearing, which is scheduled for April 13.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Child Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 39 year-old suspect for first-degree child sex abuse on March 25.

According to a press release, the suspect is accused of having sexually abused a minor from 2014 through 2019.

Judge Holds Homicide Defendant During Initial Hearing

On March 23, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with first-degree murder and released six defendants charged in domestic violence cases.

Judge Lloyd Nolan heard a total of 26 cases. Judge Nolan held Aaron Adgerson, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22 year-old Edward Wade on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE onJ an. 25. Adgerson, 17, is being charged as an adult in this case.

Defense counsel asked the judge not to find probable cause, saying that, of the four suspects, Adgerson was not identified as being a shooter. He also said that Adgerson was clearly a passenger in the vehicle and that nothing indicates that he knew any violence was planned.

The prosecution argued that Adgerson was, at the very least, a lookout for the other suspects, saying, “he had an active role in the shooting in terms of scouting out the location of the shooting.” Judge Nolan agreed with the prosecution and found probable cause.

The defense asked for release, saying that Adgerson is a student, has support from his mother and is eligible to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with home confinement orders, if necessary.

However, the prosecution asked he be held given the seriousness of the charge and his prior criminal history, which was not discussed in open court.

Judge Nolan held Adgerson due to his prior criminal record involving assaultive behavior as well as his noncompliance with pretrial services in pending matters.

Adgerson will be held under the supervision of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 30.

Judge Nolan released all six domestic violence defendants and issued stay-away orders in all of their cases. Additionally, the defendants must call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

The charges for the domestic violence defendants included violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), possession of a controlled substance, destruction of property, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft.

All released defendants will return to court on Aug. 24.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Judge Reschedules Status Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a March 24 status hearing due to the defense counsel’s absence.

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

Defense attorney James King was not able to attend the hearing. Another attorney, Joseph Yarbough, filled in to help with the proceedings.

Judge Milton Lee rescheduled the hearing to April 5.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Co-Defendants in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for the co-defendants in a murder case. The hearing will determine if the case should continue to trial.

Shaquille Bynum and Sean Howard, both 18, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 20-year-old Ibrahim Sesay on Jan. 7 on the 1300 block of 9th St. NW.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 12.

In the meantime, Bynum and Howard will remain held at DC Jail, where they have been since March.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Defendant in Stabbing Case

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

Joshua Young, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 50 year-old Walter Rogers to death on Feb. 21 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for June 1.

In the meantime, Young will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the charges earlier this month.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sexual Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence against a sex abuse defendant to bring the case to trial.

The 36-year-old defendant is charged with assault with the intent to commit third-degree sex abuse after luring a woman into a secluded parking lot in an attempt to sexually assault the victim.

During the March 23 hearing, Judge Milton Lee asked parties if they expected any issues with witness availability to attend and testify at the preliminary hearing.

Counsel did not expect any issues and said they would file any remaining motions in a timely manner.

The hearing is scheduled for May 19.

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