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Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant and Three Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held a sexual abuse defendant and three out of seven domestic violence defendants at presentments on June 10. Thirty-five defendants were presented in total.  

One domestic violence defendant was held without bond for attempted second-degree cruelty to children. The judge called the nature of the case “quite disturbing” and cited the specifics of the case as reasoning for the hold. The court also cited the defendant having other open domestic abuse cases currently open. 

A domestic violence defendant was held due to previous case records. The current victim is the same victim as a pending case, raising concern that they may violate stay-away orders of release. 

The defendant is accused of texting the victim, “Hi boo, you looked good coming out on your balcony,” along with the simple assault and contempt charges for allegedly violating a current stay-away order. The defendant had also allegedly strangled the victim in a previous case, according to Judge Staples. 

Another domestic violence defendant was held because he has three convictions all involving the same complaining witness. In his new case, he is charged with second-degree theft, destruction of property and contempt for allegedly violating his stay-away order.

These held defendants are scheduled to appear in court on June 29.

The final defendant held was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing in a pending case for which he is charged with first-degree child sex abuse. He is also being charged with felony contempt in a new case. Judge Staples said he believes the defendant to be a risk of flight, so he will be held until his next hearing, scheduled for July 9.

A domestic violence defendant was released due to COVID-19 related conditions. The defendant has a prior domestic violence case with the same person, and is charged with violating a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) and contempt. He was given a stay-away order which mirrors his current order in the pending case.

One of the last defendants of the day appeared over the phone due to wheelchair issues. They are charged with attempted threats, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and simple assault. The defendant was given a stay-away order.

The final released defendant is charged with simple assault and was given a stay-away order from the complaining witness and location of the alleged incident. 

The released defendants are scheduled to return to court in December.

One domestic violence defendant is in the hospital and will appear in presentments once released.

Defense Asks Judge to Hold Off on Setting Trial Dates for Murder Case

The defense attorney in a murder case asked a DC Superior Court judge to hold off on scheduling trial dates so he can have more time to prepare a defense and discuss a potential plea deal with his client. 

Kavonte Richardson is charged with felony murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit robbery in connection with the stabbing of 26-year-old Matthew Scott Rooker on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW, on May 23, 2018. The 26-year-old defendant is also charged with armed robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon in his case.

During the June 11 hearing, defense attorney Mani Golzari said he does not know if his client will take the plea deal the prosecution offered him. If Kavonte does not take the plea deal, Golzari said he will need more time to prepare a defense. 

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled a status hearing for July 16.

AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Wanted in Connection with Homicide Apprehended

A suspect was apprehended in connection to a homicide that took place on May 11. 

At about 3:51 a.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Detectives found 43-year-old Kareem Elliot Watkins and pronounced him dead on scene.

Byron Books, 35, has been apprehended in Georgia and is awaiting extradition.  

Tory Lysik wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: June 10-11

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) did not send out any crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 10 and 9:00 a.m. on June 11.

The last alert sent was at 4:41 p.m. on June 10 for a shooting investigation on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Sex Abuse, Burglary Defendant to Recieve Competency Screening from DC Jail

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a preliminary screening to determine if a sex abuse and burglary defendant is competent to stand trial. 

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree sex abuse. He is accused of breaking into a woman’s home in Northwest, DC. The woman alleges that, on May 21, she woke up to him standing next to her bed with his genitals exposed.

During the June 10 hearing, Judge Jonathan Pittman granted defense attorney Ferguson Evans’ request for a 24-hour screening to determine his client’s competency, scheduling it to take place later this month at the DC Jail, where the defendant is currently being held.

Judge Pittman scheduled a mental observation hearing for July 15.

Will Lawrence wrote this article.


Prosecution Decides to Stop Pursuing Domestic Violence Case

Following several hours of testimony, a prosecutor decided to dismiss a domestic violence case.

The 36-year-old defendant was accused of suffocating and choking his ex-girlfriend until she was unconscious in an apartment complex in Northwest, DC, on May 8. 

He was charged with assault with significant bodily injury during his initial hearing two days later and held at DC Jail. At the start of the June 10 preliminary hearing, which was held to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, the prosecutor amended the charge to assault with intent to kill. 

The prosecutor said she’d be dropping the charge and not pursuing any other charges in the case when parties reconvened after a one-hour break. She did not specify why she made this decision.

During cross-examination, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case told defense attorney Kevin Robertson that the case’s victim has previously pleaded guilty to making a false report to a police officer. 

The MPD officer who responded to the scene testified that the victim made conflicting statements to him. He said the victim told him she had not gone unconscious, nor had she been hurt. But shortly after, she said she had in fact gone unconscious. The officer said he saw her with bruises and a bloody nose, but she turned down medical attention. 

During direct examination, the detective told the prosecutor that the defendant has previously been charged with stalking and Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation. 

The defendant picked up that case, a misdemeanor which is still open, on the same day he picked up the case that was dismissed today. A DC Superior Court judge initially imposed a $100 bond in the misdemeanor case, which has now been removed. 

Judge Shelly Mulkey released the defendant from DC Jail. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 15 for a status hearing in his misdemeanor case. 

Mara Osterburg and Carlin Fisher wrote this article.

Results of Murder Defendant’s Competency Evaluation Inconclusive

A DC Superior Court judge ordered another examination to determine if a homicide defendant is competent to stand trial after the results of his first examination were inconclusive.

Derrick Kearney, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year old Devonte Speight on April 29, 2020, on the 1800 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

His 25-year-old co-defendant, Daquan Anglin, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Speight’s death. Two juveniles were also arrested.

During the June 10 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz said that a full examination conducted at DC Jail was unable to determine if Kearney is competent to stand trial, but did state that he does not meet the criteria to be admitted to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

“It’s an unusual report,” said Judge Kravitz, “I don’t know that I’ve seen one like it.”

Judge Kravitz ordered another evaluation as well as additional competency restoration treatment to be done from the jail.

Kearney’s next hearing is scheduled for July 15.

Will Lawrence wrote this article.

Attorney Seeks to Challenge Competency Report on Defendant Accused of Murdering his Father

A DC Superior Court judge continued a June 10 mental observation hearing for a homicide case after the defense attorneys said they wish to challenge the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) report on their client’s competence to stand trial.

Christian Arndt is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly beating his 54-year-old father, Donald Arndt, to death with a bat on Jan. 28, on the 3300 block of Newark Street, NW. The 28-year-old defendant is currently being held at DC Jail.

A recent DBH report stated that Arndt is competent to stand trial.

During the June 10 hearing, defense attorney Phil Andonian objected to the DBH’s conclusion. Andonian said he was unable to read the report, but spoke directly with the doctor and said he has “serious concerns” about her findings. 

Andonian requested 60 days to read the report and retain an independent expert to evaluate his client. Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled parties to reconvene on Aug. 12. 

Lizzie Brennan wrote this article. 

Document: Police Investigate March Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on March 23. 

At approximately 8:50 p.m., police responded to the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW due to reports of an unconscious person, according to a press release. Police found 38-year-old Ramon Gomez-Yanez on the sidewalk and pronounced him dead. After an autopsy, the cause of death was ruled to be blunt force trauma. 

Tory Lysik wrote this article

Second-Degree Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

On June 9, a second-degree murder defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution.

Karlos Kinney, 22, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 25-year-old Resha Blount on April 30, 2020, on the 900 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW.

The prosecution’s offer would have allowed Kinney to plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution also would have recommended a sentence of seven-and-a-half to 15 years.

The case has yet to be indicted. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee asked the prosecution to give an update on their progress towards returning an indictment when they reconvene on Oct. 7.

In the meantime, Kinney will remain held at DC Jail. Defense attorney Antoini Jones told Judge Lee that his client has developed hearing loss during his time in custody and has not received medical treatment for it. Judge Lee told Jones to contact DC Jail and, if that does not speed up the process, come back to his chambers and Judge Lee would reach out to the jail himself.

Mara Osterburg wrote this article.

Murder Defendants to Go Back to Trial in 2022

Over two years after a mistrial was declared in the case of a transgender woman’s death, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled the two defendants to go before a jury again in 2022.

Co-defendants Jolonta Little, 31, and Monte Johnson, 25, are charged with felony murder while armed, among several other charges, in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds. Dodds, a transgender woman, was shot to death on July 13, 2016, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. The case is being treated as a hate crime.

Back in 2019, Judge Milton Lee declared a mistrial for the defendants’ murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. The jury did find the defendants not guilty of several gun-related charges, and Little was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the June 9 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna set aside Jan. 26 and 27, 2022, for jury selection and Jan. 28 through Feb. 17, 2022, for the trial. 

Judge McKenna also scheduled another trial readiness hearing for Oct. 12.

Lizzie Brennan and AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: June 9-10

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on June 9 and 9:00 a.m. on June 10.

The most recent alert was sent at 12:16 a.m. for an armed robbery at the intersection of Porter Street and Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police are looking for three Black males in their early twenties. The first suspect was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and a black ski mask. The second and third suspects were wearing all black clothing and black ski masks. They were last seen heading north on the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The second alert was sent at 10:46 p.m. for a robbery on the 100 block of Tobias Drive, SE. Police are looking for two Black males. One of the suspects was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask and believed to be armed with a handgun. A black BMW X3 with DC tags FD06385 was taken.

Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant and Three Domestic Abuse Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on June 9, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held a sex abuse defendant and three out of the five domestic violence defendants presented before her.

In total, there were 22 defendants presented before the court.

One of the domestic violence defendants is charged with two new cases. In his first, he is charged with simple assault, destruction of property and attempted threats to do bodily harm. In his second case, he is charged with simple assault and destruction of property.

The defendant recently pleaded guilty to simple assault in another domestic violence case involving the same woman. Judge Mulkey said she found that he poses a danger to the community and is likely to violate a condition of release, so she decided to hold him pending his next hearing, scheduled for June 22.

Judge Mulkey held Kenneth Coleman, who was brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear at his probation hearings. Coleman allegedly has been out of compliance with his probation requirements, failing to report to his probation officer (PO), not reporting for drug testing and failing to get a GPS monitoring device installed. Because of these alleged compliance issues, the judge ordered him to be held so he can see the presiding judge on June 16.

The final domestic violence defendant held is charged with simple assault and destruction of property. Judge Mulkey released him on his new charges, but the defendant had a parole warrant, so he is being held to speak with the parole board.

There was one sex abuse defendant presented. The defendant is charged with sex abuse and assault on  a police officer. He was also brought before the court for failing to appear at his probation hearing. In that case, he was convicted of sex abuse and simple assault.

Judge Mulkey held the defendant at defense counsel’s request and ordered a forensic exam. He will most likely be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

A woman charged with destruction of property and attempted threats was released with orders to stay away from the complaining witness and location of the incident in her case. She was also ordered to return to court on June 24.

A man charged with attempted threats, destruction of property and assault on a police officer was also released with a stay away order. His next court date is Sept. 28.

Finally, one final defendant could not be presented because they were still in the hospital. Their case was once again continued and will be called again on June 10.

Co-Defendants in Triple Homicide Case to Go Before Jury in 2022

On June 9, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled two defendants in a triple homicide case to go before a jury in 2022. 

Co-defendants Rakeem Willis, 30, and Jonathan Winston, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shootings of 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood, 26-year-old Javon Abney and 26-year-old Sean Shuler on Jan. 26, 2019, on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE. 

The prosecution expects to take about three weeks to present their case. The defense anticipates needing two to three days. 

Because of the lack of courtroom availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of the case, Judge Juliet McKenna said the trial will not be able to start for at least another year or two. She set aside Aug. 10 through Sept. 23, 2022, for the proceedings.

These trial plans come after, during a hearing back in March, counsel decided they would rather wait to see if more courtrooms become available later in the year, rather than schedule trial dates for March 2023.

Willis, who was arrested a little over five months before Winston, is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case. However, unlike his co-defendant, Winston has not yet been indicted. During the June 9 hearing, the prosecution said they do intend to indict Winston, but must resolve an issue first.

The defendants’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15.