The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 28-year-old Marquis Jenkins, who was allegedly involved in a shooting on July 3 in the 3700 block of 9th Street, SE. The incident resulted in 1 surviving victim who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was treated at a hospital. Jenkins was charged with Assault with A Dangerous Weapon.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on July 20 at the intersection of 51st Street and Southern Avenue, SE. The incident involved a fatal collision between a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle and a pickup truck. The motorcyclist, identified as 50-year-old Billy Earl Canty, was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital, while the second vehicle fled the scene.
A defendant in an assault case missed his probation hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Jul. 18 after being shot while on release.
Joseph Washington, 23, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in a shooting that injured two individuals on Oct. 8, 2022, on the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE.
After the scheduled time of Washington’s hearing, a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) informed the court that Washington’s absence was due to being hospitalized for gunshot wounds.
There is currently no further information surrounding the incident.
Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 20.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson delayed co-defendants’ sentencings on July 11 for one of them to consider withdrawing his guilty plea.
Bobby Gupton and James Outland, both 27, accepted a prosecution offer on April 4, pleading to second-degree murder while armed. Their charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE.
Outland’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, asked for a continuance in the case following discussions with Outland regarding a potential withdrawal of his guilty plea.
The prosecution noted that the plea deal taken by the co-defendants is wired, meaning the validity of its conditions relies on all parties accepting the offer. Thus, they argued that if Outland were to withdraw his guilty plea, the prosecution would also have to withdraw Gupton’s offer.
Gupton’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, argued that according to her reading of the plea document, Gupton could still go through with sentencing so long as his sentencing were to occur prior to Outland’s successful plea withdrawal, noting that this reflected the reality of the situation at present. McEachern, acknowledging he was not there to represent Gupton, agreed with Sapirstein’s reading.
The prosecution objected arguing that every element of the co-defendants’ pleadings are connected, reiterating that Gupton cannot be sentenced to the lesser plea charge if Outland withdraws.
Judge Dayson affirmed that she would not proceed with any sentencing during the July 11 hearing. She indicated that she was prepared to set a sentencing date for Gupton but was also willing to hear arguments from both parties prior to that date.
Judge Dayson asked Sapirstein to submit a pleading with her request that the court continue with Gupton’s sentencing. Referring to the prosecution’s intention to withdraw Gupton’s plea if Outland withdraws his own, she said “I’m not sure the language of the agreement precludes what they are asking.”
Parties are set to reconvene for each case separately on Aug. 15, Gupton for sentencing and Outland for a status hearing.
A defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the death of his child in front of DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on July 21.
JD Wheeler, 26, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, tampering with physical evidence and contempt of court. All charges were committed while the defendant was on release for two previous charges relating to firearms in 2021. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his son, 23-month-old Legend Wheeler, on the 2300 block of Chester Street, SE, on Nov. 24, 2021.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Judge Kravitz to rule on whether evidence obtained through the Instagram social media platform would be admissible in court.
However, Wheeler decided to waive his right to trial, and entered a plea deal. In addition to the manslaughter charge, Wheeler also pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license in connection to a separate gun case that happened in 2024.
All other charges in both cases were dropped as part of the plea.
Wheeler faces a sentence between four-to-ten years of incarceration and will be held until sentencing, which is scheduled on Oct. 31.
A fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty before D.C Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson in a hearing on July 18.
Iesha Marks, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm for her alleged involvement in the murder of 46-year-old Donald Childs on July 30, 2023, on the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW.
Marks’ defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, asserted Marks’ constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. She asked the prosecution to disclose all evidence to which the defense is entitled.
Marks was originally scheduled to be arraigned with her co-defendant, Daniel Bangura, who is also charged with first-degree murder while armed. US Marshals told the court Bangura was not at the DC jail, but they did not know why, and Judge Dayson waived his appearance.
Lotze asked for Marks’ appearance to be waived at the next hearing, which Judge Dayson granted.
Parties are slated to reconvene Aug 8.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz reviewed several motions filed by the parties in a fatal shooting case involving an infant on July 15.
JD Wheeler, 26, is charged with second-degree murder, first and second-degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license, criminally negligent storage of a firearm, felony murder victim was especially vulnerable due to age or physical infirmity, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, tampering with physical evidence and contempt of court, all committed while on release in another matter. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his son, 23-month-old Legend Wheeler. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Chester Street, SE on Nov. 24, 2021.
To be found guilty of first-degree cruelty to children, Judge Kravitz noted that the defendant had to have acted “intentionally or recklessly.” The prosecution wants to use witness testimony as well as JD Wheeler’s court release order to show that he had been warned multiple times by several individuals about the dangers of being reckless with firearms, especially around his son.
The information comes from several witnesses, one specific instance happened months before the death of the victim. The witness, who was Legend’s aunt, claimed she went over to JD’s apartment, was asked to move a TV, and saw a firearm on Legend’s bed underneath a pillow. The witness then claimed she berated JD because Legend could have “hurt himself”.
In another instance, a witness, who was identified as JD’s friend, claimed that he had multiple conversations with JD about leaving guns out. He claimed he told JD to “lock it away” from his son.
Sylvia Smith, JD’s attorney, claimed that JD was never specifically told that this was dangerous, and giving someone warnings is not knowledge of how a situation is reckless. Smith asked the court “What exactly was Mr. Wheeler made aware of in that moment?”
Smith went on to argue that the witness never testified if Legend was in the apartment at the time, if he was ever in the same room as an unattended firearm, what gun it was, or if any witness ever expressed their grievances about leaving guns out towards JD in a clear and direct manner.
The defense asked the court for these witnesses to expand on their grand jury testimonies under oath, but Judge Kravitz stated there was not enough time to do so before the trial starts.
Smith argued that using JD’s court release order as evidence would pose a “risk of unfair prejudice” to JD, because the jury may draw inferences about this incident if they are aware of the suspect has other pending matters.
Along with witness testimony, to support the prosecution’s claim of “conscious disregard,” they argued to introduce video and photo evidence gathered from JD’s Instagram account.
The evidence purports to show video of JD flexing an extended magazine in his pants and showing off a hotel room. The prosecution alleges that this video was made the same day one of the witnesses took Legend home because people were smoking, drinking, and partying around him, which she said was inappropriate.
A witness claimed JD had a gun at the event and began “faking”, or flashing, the weapon to the people in the party. The prosecution stated they want to use this as evidence to show JD was in possession of a weapon and that same weapon was the one in the shooting.
Smith disagreed, citing that no gun can be seen in the video. Smith argued that JD just had an extended magazine in his pants and no weapon. Judge Kravitz disagreed with the defense because logically someone would assume there would be a firearm attached.
Crime scene photos were compared to zoomed in portions of the magazine posted on JD’s Instagram, and Judge Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that they appear to be similar, however for it to be admissible as evidence, the prosecution has to prove it to be the same gun.
They plan to call a firearms expert to examine the physical extended magazine recovered from JD’s apartment to conclusively say whether or not it could have been the weapon used in this case.
Judge Kravitz ultimately granted the defense’s motion to sever the contempt charge from the rest of the charges and JD allowed the jury to decide on his enhancement charges thus preventing the jury from knowing that JD was on release for a previous firearm case. Judge Kravitz will rule on the contempt charge and enhancements after trial if he is found guilty.
Judge Kravitz ended the hearing by stating he would make a decision on whether or not the information from the Instagram warrant and other evidence would be suppressed or admissible.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 21.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum found probable cause to refer a stabbing defendant’s case to a grand jury, even as the defendant claimed he is a covert agent for the US Government during a hearing on July 18.
Aaren Striplin, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured an individual on the 900 block of G St, NW, on July 5.
According to court documents, Striplin pepper-sprayed and stabbed the victim in an altercation about stolen IDs before turning himself into the police.
Adgie O’Bryant, Striplin’s defense attorney, stated for the record that his client believes he is a covert agent for the US government with connections to various former government officials. Striplin has requested that his contacts be called to testify on his behalf, including former FBI director Christopher Wray.
O’Bryant stated that he is still waiting on the results of Striplin’s mental evaluation. The prosecution said they would not revoke the plea offer on the table, in light of the delay in receiving Striplin’s mental evaluation.
The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responded to the incident. Reviewing surveillance footage of the stabbing, the officer identified the attacker as a person said to be Striplin, but admitted he had not seen Striplin at the scene of the crime upon arrival.
O’Bryant objected, reminding the court that the officer had never seen Striplin at the scene. He stated that the officer’s identification of Striplin was based solely on grainy surveillance footage and the testimony of witnesses who had never known Striplin personally.
The officer confirmed that one of the witnesses followed the attacker and observed him entering the police station, which aided in Striplin’s identification.
As Striplin attempted to speak out of turn, Judge Hildum warned him that he would be removed from the courtroom, noting he had done the same thing two weeks prior.
After hearing both parties, Judge Hildum ruled that there was probable cause to proceed to trial. Striplin asserted his right to a speedy trial.
O’Bryant requested the Striplin be placed on release. He stated that Striplin lives at a shelter, is willing to abide by court directives, and will participate in competency restoration programs and pursue other employment.
O’Bryant said for the record that Striplin believes, if he is not placed on release, hostages in Las Vegas and California will most likely die.
Judge Hildum denied Striplin’s release for the safety of the community, and Striplin was returned to Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 11.
A stabbing defendant pleaded guilty, accepting a so-called global plea agreement that resolved two outstanding cases against her during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on July 17.
Starleash Clyburn, 36, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery for her involvement in a stabbing that injured an individual on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE, on March 24, 2025.
Clyburn pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from the stabbing and simple assault as well as a domestic violence offense that she committed while on release in the stabbing case. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges in both cases.
Clyburn’s defense attorney, Karen Minor, requested that her client be placed on release with electronic monitoring. Minor stated that her client has no remaining contact with the victims in both cases, having moved out of her original home and changed her phone number. Additionally, she mentioned that Clyburn had completed programs for anger management and substance abuse, and has since been very compliant with the court.
The prosecution opposed Clyburn’s release, raising concerns about her committing a domestic violence offense while she was on release in the stabbing case. The prosecution also noted that Clyburn has been noncompliant with conditions of release in the past, due to failing or avoiding drug tests.
Judge Di Toro denied Clyburn’s release due to the issues based on the prosecution’s concerns.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 9.
A non-fatal stabbing defendant was sent to Saint Elizabeths Hospital despite his objections at a mental observation hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on July 17.
Aaren Striplin, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on July 4 near the 900 block of G Street, NW.
According to court documents, Striplin allegedly pepper-sprayed and stabbed the victim in the legs, then turned himself in the same day.
The court received notice that Striplin had been found incompetent earlier that day in a hearing for a different case and had been ordered to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital immediately for psychiatric observation.
Striplin addressed Judge Arthur, saying he had a right to a preliminary hearing.
Judge Arthur explained that Striplin would have a preliminary hearing in September and his lawyer would explain everything.
“I will not be alive for September,” Striplin replied.
A US Marshal then tried to escort Striplin out of the courtroom, but Striplin resisted although he was finally subdued.
“Please, I almost died over there,” Striplin shouted, referring to Saint Elizabeths, “I don’t know what is going on.”
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 11.
A stabbing defendant was ordered held without bond after DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause during a preliminary hearing on July 21.
Marquise Jones, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. The counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Carlos Shelly at the DC Central Detention Facility (CDF) located on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on May 12. The CDF is the high security area of the DC Jail.
According to court documents, Jones allegedly used a sharp metal object in a physical altercation between him and the victim. The fight left Jones unconscious, and he was immediately taken to Howard University Hospital due to injuries that led to emergency surgery on his jaw.
Prior to the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer. If Jones agreed to plead guilty to unarmed voluntary manslaughter, he would be sentenced within the applicable guidelines, which, at the very least, could be 48-to-120 months. Jones rejected the offer.
During the hearing, the court heard testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who led the case at the homicide unit. He confirmed that there were multiple inmates present at the incident and that a total of three sharp objects were found in a sweep.
Jones’ defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, argued Jones acted in self-defense as the surveillance footage appears to show the victim approaching Jones and starting a verbal argument. She also argued that the victim “swung first,” which led to the physical altercation. The prosecution disagreed, arguing that there was no significant evidence in favor of the defendant acting in self-defense, citing that the defendant did not suffer from any stab wounds.
Even though Judge Edelman found probable cause for the murder charge, he did not fully rule out that Jones acted in self-defense because the surveillance footage allegedly showed the victim approaching Jones and starting an altercation.
The prosecutor ended her argument by stating, “not only is he a significant risk to the community, he is also a flight risk.” She said, in 2018, the defendant shot an individual in the hand and claimed self-defense, then failed to appear in court. Also, in 2021, Jones was charged with assault and battery.
The defense asked for Jones’ release with either GPS tracking or home confinement, arguing that he had already completed his sentence for the previous convictions.
The judge granted the prosecution’s request for continued detention. He noted Jones’ criminal record, prior bench warrants, and history of non-compliance.
“There are no conditions of release that would assure the safety of the community or his return to court,” said Edelman.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.
A stabbing defendant was sentenced to 12 months’ incarceration by DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on July 18 after the victim recounted the long-term and physical emotional harm caused by the incident.
Oscar Cornejo, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed in connection to an April 11 stabbing on the 5100 block of Sheriff Road, NE.
According to court documents, Cornejo stabbed the victim in the back during a confrontation inside an apartment building, causing serious internal injuries, including lung damage, that required multiple surgeries.
The victim gave a statement during the hearing, saying he did not want to accuse anyone and emphasizing that he had no enemies. He described the aftermath of the attack, including medical complications from surgeries and related expenses.
“I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else,” he said.
The victim’s girlfriend also spoke, calling the incident traumatic and explaining how difficult it was to witness her partner go through the ordeal.
“Just with a little more time, he wouldn’t be here right now,” she said, testifying to how close the victim came to dying.
Prosecutors requested a sentence of 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, citing the extent of the injuries and the continued emotional and physical impact on the victim.
Cornejo’s defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, argued that the stabbing was the result of a “drug-fueled incident that happened in a drug-infused setting.” He said Cornejo had been using fentanyl and cocaine and barely remembered what happened. Catacalos also said the defendant and the victim knew each other and used drugs together. He asked the judge for a suspended sentence with drug treatment.
“I know I need help,” Cornejo told the court. “These three months that I have been in jail, my mind is clearer. What I did was bad, and I am very sorry.”
Judge McLean said she was “not comfortable giving a probationary sentence to someone who has caused such serious injuries to a member of the community.”
She sentenced Cornejo to 24 months under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), suspending all but 12 months and one day. He will also serve two years of supervised probation under the YRA, with a suspended sentence of three years’ supervised release.
The Youth Rehabilitation Act is a DC law designed to give individuals under the age of 25 a chance at rehabilitation. It allows judges to impose lighter sentences and seal records in certain cases, if the defendant fulfills the court’s conditions.
Judge McLean also ordered 90 hours of community service and required Cornejo to comply with a court-ordered intervention plan, which includes drug treatment and support programs.
No further court dates have been set.
A shooting defendant accepted a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on July 14.
Nathaniel Washington, 20, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 7 on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE.
Washington’s defense attorney, Chantal Baptiste, informed Judge Arthur that Washington intended to accept a plea deal extended by the prosecution under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The law effectively seals a defendant’s record if he successfully completes his sentence.
The plea deal required Washington to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment and dismissing all other charges in the case.
Baptiste said Washington had decided to waive his right to independently test any DNA evidence.
The prosecution told the court that, on Feb, 7, Nathaniel and another suspect began shooting at the victim’s vehicle as he was driving away. The prosecution added that police conducting a search of Washington’s residence found a nine-millimeter Glock on Feb. 19.
Washington and his accomplice “were not acting in reasonable self-defense,” said the prosecution.
Judge Arthur found a factual basis for the plea offer and accepted Washington’s guilty plea.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sep. 15 for sentencing.
A police methods were questioned in Metro shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson in ongoing trial on July 14.
Demann Shelton, 32, is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from Shelton’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 9, 2020 on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW, in which the suspect allegedly aimed a gun at a group of five people, then opened fire. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to their right wrist near the Columbia Heights Metro station.
A detective on scene was brought to the stand. The prosecution questioned whether he took notes during an on scene interview. He recalled only that he assisted the lead detective in summarizing the on scene interview for the record. The officer cited the three year retention rule for some case material, including notes, at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as the reason he would no longer have the notes.
Defense attorney Emily Sufrin questioned the officer about how he would usually convey information attained in a witness interview to a lead detective. He said he would transcribe the interview verbally, hand over physical notes, or send an email but regarding this case stated, “it’s my testimony that I don’t remember.”
In discussions between parties without the witness present, Sufrin noted her view that there is a strong suggestion that notes were taken, thus stating she believes that so-called Jencks material that could be exculpatory regarding this witness are missing.
The prosecution agreed that records show the officer wrote what was later reported in the main detective’s testimony. They argued that at minimum, the information in the report is attributable to the testifying officer even if the particular word choices in the report are not.
Judge Dayson disagreed with the prosecution’s description allowed the defense to cross-examine the testifying former detective.
The prosecution questioned the officer on a witness interview, referring to previous testimony where he had stated that this witness testified to seeing two individuals in the alleyway that detectives deemed the flight path. The officer stated the second individual was never considered a suspect as he did not match the description of the shooter. He also noted that the witness had indicated that the other individual seemed to get tired and started walking, something the sergeant argued a suspect would not have done.
The officer was questioned on the contents of acivilian report that was sent to detectives to consider in parallel to their investigation and find leads. He clarified that the report provided background information including surveillance video and GPS data, testifying that video evidence was of poor quality and foggy in this case.
The prosecution presented a number of surveillance footage clips from outside and inside the Wawa across the street from the Metro station as well as of the courtyard in front of the station entrance at 14th and Union where the shooting occurred. The sergeant identified the suspect as wearing black puffy coat, black pants with green pocket, dark sneakers, and a mask and hood in all footage where he was present.
The prosecution asked about the accuracy of time stamps in the footage. The witness replied, “A lot of times the cameras are not 100 percent accurate with the time” but the cameras that captured the scene were approximately accurate as their time stamps aligned with when 911 calls were received.
In the defense’s cross-examination they questioned the failure to collect crucial footage that would have allegedly shown the shooting itself as well as the flight path of suspects even the material was flagged for retention.
Shelton’s attorneys questioned MPD’s lack of follow-up with possible suspects on GPS tracking that were located within 20 feet of the shooting. Questioning revealed that three out of the four individuals under faced minimal or no questioning from Metro Police.
Prosecution also presented an eyewitness to the suspect’s escape from the incident. The court was led through his testimony, which recalled how the suspect paused to throw an object, thought to be a face mask, under a car into a sewer before continuing to run away from officers in pursuit. The defense used their cross-examination to highlight that officers did not collect testimony or question the witness until December 2024, four years after the incident. The witness insisted his memory was as clear as the day of the shooting.
Parties are slated to reconvene July 15.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe deemed a stabbing defendant incompetent to stand trial for a second time during a mental observation hearing on July 15.
On Nov. 29, 2022, Allen Shorter, 58, was convicted and sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, with 18 suspended, for assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Oct. 6, 2019, on a Metro bus between Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Blue Plains Drive, SW.
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) deemed Shorter incompetent to stand trial in a previous mental observation hearing on June 17. A new report dated July 9 from DBH reached the same conclusion.
Judge Iscoe ruled that it would be best if Shorter remained in inpatient hospitalization at St. Elizabeths Hospital for mental patients, and cited the resources he needed would “not be found in the community.” Neither the defense or prosecution challenged this ruling.
Judge Iscoe also questioned whether competence restoration could be determined explaining t a “decision could not be made today” because he did not have the DBJ report in front of him. He allowed Shorter 30 days in hospital to determine if he can be restored.
Defense attorney Quo Meiko Judkins also brought up an email from Shorter’s doctor about Shorter being released from in-patient treatment to out-patient treatment if Shorter could receive transportation to St. Elizabeths.
Shorter’s wife in the email also told the doctor she would ensure he would be attending all of his appointments if he was released and staying with her. However, Judge Iscoe stated that Shorter will remain in in-patient treatment until there was further confirmation that Shorter would honor the terms.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 14.
