Judge Denies Release for Non-Fatal Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied release for a non-fatal stabbing defendant who waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Oct. 10.

Randy Brown, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Aug. 13 on the 1100 block of 7th Street, NW. One individual sustained injuries to the neck during the incident.

Brown’s defense attorney, Nicole McClain Walton, alerted the court of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, arguing for Brown to be released pre-trial.

Walton said the victim did not identify Brown as the suspect.

The added that he is a lifelong DC resident and has support from his partner and sister, who were present at the hearing.

Walton also said that Brown successfully completed home confinement in 2021 for an unrelated case.

However, she explained that he has previously been unsuccessful in complying with the terms of his supervised release. Walton said Brown was the victim of a stabbing, which made it difficult for him to comply with the terms.

The prosecution argued that there is CCTV footage of the stabbing that shows Brown and the victim getting in a “scuffle,” followed by the stabbing. The prosecution said a family member identified Brown from the video.

According to the prosecution, Brown also has an extensive history of contempt, failing to appear in court and prison breach.

Judge Kravitz denied the motion to release Brown because of his record, saying he could be a danger to the community if released. He also said that while the victim did not identify Brown, there was enough evidence otherwise to believe Brown could be a danger.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 21.

Judge Releases Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pretrial

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted release for a woman charged in connection to a non-fatal shooting after finding there is insufficient evidence to support incarceration on Oct. 10.

Meyona Rorie, 25, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Aug. 20, on the 3600 block of Ames Street, NE.

She is not accused of pulling the trigger, however the prosecution alleged Rorie told an unidentified person to shoot the victim. One person sustained a gunshot wound to the arm.

According to court records, defense attorney Michael Lawlor filed a motion for pretrial release. He argued that only one person – the victim – identified Rorie as the person who pointed out the victim to the shooter prior to the incident.

Lawlor also told Judge Kravitz that, after their own investigation, they do not believe the person in surveillance footage is Rorie.

“That doesn’t mean anything to me,” Judge Kravitz said.

Lawlor further argued that Rorie had been in an altercation with the victim’s sister, saying that animosity could be a motive for false identification.

The prosecution argued that, while only one person identified Rorie, it was the victim, who had encountered her several times.

Judge Kravitz said that, while Rorie is accused of encouraging the shooting, she was not the actual shooter, which he gave great weight. He also said that the strength of evidence is hard to assess.

“I think this is a close case,” Judge Kravitz said. “We just have the word of a single witness.”

Judge Kravitz ruled to release Rorie into home confinement due to her lack of a criminal record. He said he thinks she will abide by conditions of release and would not be a danger to the community.

Rorie’s children and mother will live with her during release and she will be on GPS monitoring.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 14.

Jail Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Oct. 3.

Keimontay Holston, 22, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and first-degree burglary while armed for his involvement in a stabbing that took place at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street SE, on Jan. 2.

During the hearing, Holston’s attorney, Camille Wagner, alerted Judge Edelman of his intent to accept a deal, which required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for dismissal of other charges.

Through the deal, the prosecution agreed to limit their sentencing request to the midpoint of the sentencing guidelines. The maximum sentence for assault with a dangerous weapon is 10 years.

Following his plea, the prosecution said they could have proven without reasonable doubt that Holston used a shank to stab one of his cellmates.

According to court documents, Holston was caught on prison surveillance entering the victim’s cell as the door opened. He was identified as the person repeatedly stabbing the victim as two other individuals excited the cell. Afterwards, Holston fled the cell, and took his shirt off before being chased by corrections officers.

According to court documents, Holston had previously rejected three plea deals from the prosecution.

Wagner requested that Holston undergo an evaluation to see if he would be eligible to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.

Judge Edelman ordered a study be done for Holston.

Parties will reconvene for sentencing on Dec. 12.

——————————————————————————————————–Luci Garza

Judge Wishes Grieving Family Good Luck Following Defendant’s Sentencing

An apologetic homicide defendant received a suspended sentence from DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Oct. 15.

Franklin Dorn, 45, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his 28-year-old nephew, Antonio Brown, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW, on Aug. 6, 2023.

On Aug. 11, a jury acquitted him of all charges, except unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

The prosecution, who was more than half an hour late to the hearing, argued for the maximum sentence of 32 months.

He argued that Dorn had only been home for a few days for this prior conviction when the incident occurred and that Dorn was well aware he could not possess a firearm.

Kevin Irving, Dorn’s attorney, argued that Dorn had acted in self-defense, as the jury had found. He said the defendant would succeed on probation. According to Irving, Dorn is looking for employment and physical therapy, and he has an interview scheduled to get housing.

“I’m just sorry for that,” Dorn said, apologizing for his actions. “I’m here today, and that’s all.”

Judge Brandt spoke directly to Brown’s mother, who was present in the courtroom. “I can also imagine the weight that’s been lifted off your shoulders knowing the jury found your brother not guilty.”

The mother had written two statements that had been submitted as part of the defense’s sentencing memorandum. It is unclear what is in these statements because they were not shared in open court.

Judge Brandt sentenced Dorn to 32 months, all suspended. She also suspended the three years of supervised release and gave him one year on probation.

“Go. Live your life,” Judge Brandt said to Dorn and his sister, wishing them good luck.

No further dates were set.

Judge Chides Prosecutor For Testing Delays

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe reprimanded a prosecutor on Oct. 14 for delays in DNA testing during a shooting case.

Malik Stone, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred July 30 on the 2100 block of R Street, SE.

The prosecutor had reached out to the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) to set a date when the DNA testing would be complete. He told the court during the hearing that the latest was at the end of January and asked for a new trial date in early February. The trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 3.

Stone’s defense attorney, Henry Druschel, opposed moving the date. He argued that even though the prosecution had not originally known if they were going to do DNA testing, they had plenty of time to begin testing. He argued that half of the speedy trial clock had passed by the time testing was requested.

Druschel asked the judge to either deny a new trial date or release Stone until his trial begins if the date is moved.

The testing includes two firearms and their magazines recovered on the day of the arrest and two mouth l swabs taken from the defendant and his brother. Judge Pipe told the prosecution that he should have done testing much sooner.

When the prosecutor explained that the delay was caused by his participation in anothe trial, Judge Pipe acknowledged the conflict. However, she said, “But you’re also the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), and there need to be failsafes in place” in order to manage his other cases.

In response, the prosecution said that he faced multiple levels of approval to get expedited testing. Still, Judge Pipe told him that he needed to work around that in that issue and that currently his actions aren’t in good faith.

She denied the request to move the trial date and told the prosecution to expedite the testing or see if the USAO would object to releasing Stone until the trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 21.

Judge Denies Carjacking Defendant’s Request for Release Despite Partial Acquittal

A carjacking defendant’s request for release was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Oct. 15.

Jerrell Smith, 33, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking for his alleged involvement in a carjacking incident at the intersection of South Capitol Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, on June 7, 2023. One individual suffered a stab wound.

Smith was previously charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside home or place of business, for his alleged involvement in the stabbing.

The assault with intent to kill charge was dropped shortly before trial, and he was acquitted of the rest. Despite the acquittal, Smith is still being held for the carjacking charges.

Hannah Claudio, Smith’s defense attorney, filed a motion to release Smith. During the hearing, Claudio argued that the armed carjacking charges aren’t as severe as the other charges, and that there are conditions that could be set to safely release Smith.

The prosecution made no arguments on the safety of Smith’s release.

Judge Ryan denied the request.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 24.

Repeat Homicide Offender Accepts Plea Deal

A repeat homicide offender accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Oct. 17.

Mussay Rezene, 32, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Darrow Johnson on Aug. 17, 2023 at the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) of the DC Jail located on the 1900 block of E Street, SE. Johnson succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 19, 2023.

During the hearing, Camille Wagner, Rezene’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a plea deal extended by prosecutors. According to Wagner, the deal required Rezene to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 15-to-20 years of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, the prosecution would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on Aug. 17, 2023, Rezene repeatedly stabbed Johnson as they walked into a physical therapy room at the CTF. The incident was caught on surveillance footage, and Rezene hid the “home-made” shank that was used.

The prosecution claimed that Rezene attempted to flush the shank down a toilet, but officers were able to recover it and immediately detained Rezene for the attack.

Parties agreed that the sentence for this matter will run consecutively to all other sentences that Rezene faces or has received, including a 45-year sentence in connection to 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro’s murder on Sept. 18, 2021, and an upcoming sentence for his involvement in a Sept. 4, 2021 deadly mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner, and injured three others.

According to the parties, Rezene also faces a federal case for gun trafficking.

Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Oct. 30.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Navy Yard Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of two suspects involved in a stabbing incident in Navy Yard on Oct. 15., Tiana Robinson, 31, was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Kenneth Evans, 29, was charged with Simple Assault after a dispute escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in one victim being stabbed and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in V Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 35-year-old Leon Bryant, who is alleged to have been involved in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Jonathan Simmons-Miller on Jul. 30 in the 700 block of V Street, NW. Bryant, who was already incarcerated, has been charged with First Degree Murder While Armed.

Document: MPD Makes Third Arrest in 2019 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a third suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Eberson Guerra-Sanchez in Apr. 2019 in Northwest DC. On Oct. 15., 2025, 23-year-old Selvin Daniel Urizar-Hernandez was apprehended in Falls Church, VA, and will be charged with First Degree Murder While Armed upon extradition to Washington, DC. This follows the earlier arrests of Pedro Alexander Joya Argueta and Erick Palacios-Argueta, both charged with similar offenses.

Document: MPD Arrests Man for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 74-year-old Robert Hammond for assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly threatened his neighbor and her dog with a BB gun and machete on Oct. 10., on the 3400 block of 23rd Street, SE. Hammond was also found in possession of a twelve-gauge shotgun and charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a prohibited weapon and threats to kidnap or injure.

Document: MPD Investigating Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 12., in Southeast Washington, D.C. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Simon Getachew of Northwest, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: MPD Investigating Minnesota Avenue Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 5., inside a residence in the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. The victim, identified as 33-year-old Maurisha Singletary of Northeast, DC, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Navy Yard Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 28-year-old Dejour Adams in connection with a shooting on Oct. 2., in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Adams, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire near Half Street and L Street, SE, has been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun). The second suspect involved is still at large, and the investigation continues.

Document: MPD Investigating South Capitol Street Fatal Pedestrian Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Oct. 4., on South Capitol Street, SE. Aiyanah Brown, 20, was struck by a 2009 Nissan Rogue traveling at high speed in the wrong lane while she attempted to cross the street outside a crosswalk. The driver fled the scene, and the vehicle was later found unoccupied. Detectives from MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are leading the investigation.

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