Judge Grants Defense Attorney’s Motion to Withdraw

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s motion to withdraw as counsel for a convicted murder defendant.

In Febuary 2020, a jury found 34-year-old Mason Binion guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW on June 22, 2008.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving filed the motion last month. He says that Binion asked him to withdraw and then refused to continue speaking with him.

Binion is currently being held at DC Jail as he waits to be sentenced. He wishes to exercise his right to be sentenced in person, rather than via video conference. A date for this has yet to be set.

Binion’s next hearing is scheduled for April 8.

Victor Carvajal was also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the homicide, but his case was dismissed the day before opening statements.

Joshua Massaquoi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol during a crime of violence and accessory to second-degree murder.

Massaquoi was released to home confinement with a GPS monitoring device on March 24, 2020.

In February, a judge removed the device stipulation, but said a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency officer (CSOSA) could decide to make the defendant wear the device.

Massaquoi is scheduled for another hearing on April 29.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: March 17-18

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 7:00 p.m. on March 17 and 9:00 a.m. on March 18.

The alert was sent at 7:17 p.m. for a shooting investigation on I-295 Northbound near Benning Road, NE.

Police are looking for a white Hyundai Elantra.

Murder Case Set for Trial Readiness Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearing for a murder case.

Brandon Randall, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for allegedly shooting of 30-year-old David Brandon on Feb. 24, 2019, on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

The prosecution returned an indictment in December 2020 and is in the process of extending a plea deal.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the trial readiness hearing for Aug. 2.

In the meantime, Randall will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the charges in July 2019.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Prosecution Moves Towards Returning an Indictment in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a felony status conference as the prosecution confirmed they were moving towards returning an indictment.

Terrell Poe, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Christopher Washington on Sept. 23, 2020, on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

During the March 17 proceedings, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey requested an update on when the prosecution thinks there will be an indictment.

“The investigation is continuing… it is proceeding forward at a normal pace,” the prosecution said.

The prosecutor could not provide details or a definite deadline but assured the court, “We’re moving along. We’re doing the best we can.”

The next hearing is scheduled for May 25.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Continues Hearing for Possible Plea Deal

A DC Superior Court judge granted the defense’s request to continue a March 17 status hearing so the defense could have more time to discuss a plea offer.

Tavon Davis is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 29-year-old Michael Vest on the 1300 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE on Jun. 28, 2017.

Davis, 22, is also charged with obstruction of justice, soliciting murder, and threat to injure or kidnap a person in this case.

In another case filled in July 2020, Davis is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed.

“I believe the plea offer will lead to the resolution of all cases,” said defense attorney Matthew Davies.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next hearing for April 21.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Sets New Status Hearing Date in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 17 status hearing in a homicide case.

Glen Dolford, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 26-year-old Raheem Murray. Murray was shot on Feb. 2, 2020, on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE. A second victim sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and survived.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for May 19.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Continues Status Hearing in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 17 status hearing in a case involving a fatal shooting.

Cory Brown, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his 40-year-old girlfriend, Latasha Estep, with a crossbow on the 1900 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Aug. 8. The case is a domestic violence incident.

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits also renewed his request to receive evidence from the prosecution.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for May 19.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Sex Abuse Case Continues, Giving Parties More Time to Decide Sentencing Details

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 16 hearing in a post-conviction sex abuse case, so parties could decide on the best time frame for sentencing and if it should be done in person or remote.

In January of 2020, Jamar Tillman was convicted of misdemeanor sex abuse, attempted misdemeanor sex abuse, third-degree sex abuse, kidnapping and robbery following a court trial.

During the March 16 hearing, defense attorney Jonathan Zucker said he would file a motion to have his client placed in the psychiatric ward at the DC Jail.

Tillman had been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, but was transferred to the DC Jail a little over two months after the verdict was passed.

In the meantime, Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a status hearing for May 7.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of 32 year-old Tyrone Wright.

At around 6:43 p.m. on Jan. 19, officers responded to the 3800 block of Hayes Street, NE for the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Wright was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of his nonlife threatening injuries.

On March. 16, 29 year-old Deangelo Glover was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on the night of March 16.

According to preliminary investigation, at around 11:10 p.m., the operator of a Hyundai Sonata was travelling westbound in the far left lane on the 3600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

The operator of a commercial vehicle box truck was also travelling westbound in the center lane at the same time.

“The operator of the Hyundai Sonata then changed lanes, striking the commercial vehicle box truck, resulting in the truck overturning onto its passenger side,” the press release states.

Both operators were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The front seat passenger of the commercial box truck was pronounced dead on the scene.

Crime Alerts: March 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on March 16 and 9:00 a.m. on March 17.

The alert was sent at 4:18 a.m. for a stabbing at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and K Street, NW.

Police are looking for two Black males. One of the suspects is wearing a blue jacket.

Judge Only Finds Probable Cause for One of Two Homicide Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that only one of two co-defendants charged in connection with an October homicide has enough evidence against him to bring his case to trial.

On Oct. 6, 2020, 30-year-old Michael Bright was found unconscious on the 1100 block of 45th Street, NE suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Exavior Pinnix, 21, and Delonte Samuels, 28, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Bright’s death.

During the March 16 preliminary hearing, Judge Michael O’Keefe only found probable cause for Samuels, and dismissed Pinnix’s case.

The prosecution argued that there is substantial probability, a higher standard than probable cause, that Pinnix aided and abetted in the shooting. The prosecution indicated that surveillance footage, statements from one of the witnesses and Pinnix’s own statements show the extent of Pinnix’s involvement.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman argued that the prosecution failed to even meet probable cause. Cadman said the video footage clearly shows Pinnix drove directly past the two suspects who were alleged to have shot Bright and shows the shots occurred seconds after Pinnix had driven away from the intersection. Cadman also argued that a key witness’s statements were inconsistent and unreliable.

The prosecution said the key witness’s statements and a text message show that Pinnix planned to rob Bright with Samuels along with a third suspect. The prosecution said, based on the totality of the witness’s statements and the texts, the defendants were talking about getting guns on the morning of the shooting.

Judge O’Keefe clarified that the argument the prosecution was making did not qualify as aiding and abetting but only as accessory after the fact.

Samuel’s defense attorney Janai Reed briefly spoke after Cadman and said that based on Cadman’s arguments she would argue that the prosecution does not meet probable cause for Samuel’s either.

Reed said there was no physical evidence that indicated that Samuels shot Bright. She said the most the prosecution has is Samuels on video running from the shooting, which she argued is a logical response. GPS monitoring corroborates that he was in the area of the shooting.

After hearing both parties and taking a 20 minute break to go over the evidence, Judge O’Keefe found probable cause that Samuels was involved in an armed robbery that ultimately caused the death of Bright.

The judge ruled that Samuels should be held without bail. His next hearing is scheduled for June 16.

The judge also agreed with Cadman, saying probable cause was not because the physical evidence only proved Pinnix was on the scene but not that he took part in the homicide.

A third defendant in the case, James Flemings, is scheduled for a hearing on May 4. Flemings, 24, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Judge Continues Sex Abuse Hearing For Possible Resolution

A DC Superior Court judge continued a sex abuse hearing to allow the defendant more time to consider the prosecution’s plea offer.

The 54-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse against a victim under the age of 16. He allegedly abused the victim multiple times between March 1 and Dec. 23, 2020, in Northwest, DC.

The plea offer was extended to the defendant in February. The defendant is being held without bail.

Judge James Crowell scheduled a felony status conference hearing for April 27.

Judge Hears 38 Cases During Initial Hearings

On March 15, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 31 defendants and held seven in the DC Jail during their initial hearings.

There were a total of ten domestic violence cases, one homicide case and one sex abuse case presented before Judge Herrmann. Of these cases, she held three of the defendants.

Judge Herrmann held 22-year-old Keshawn Taylor who is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 25-year-old Tyree Brox on Dec. 21, 2020. Taylor is also charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm in a domestic violence case and being a fugitive from justice in connection to another homicide matter in Maryland.

Taylor’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller, argued there was nothing to tie him to the shooting, only that there was communication between him and the victim through Instagram. Weller also noted that evidence didn’t match up in reference to clothing descriptions and surveillance video time stamps.

The prosecution argued there was enough evidence for probable cause because there was Instagram communication that proves a drug transaction was planned prior to the shooting and that the two met at the victim’s car.

The prosecutor also said the time stamps were mismatched because they were screen grabbed images to show zoomed in footage of the suspect.

Judge Herrmann agreed with the prosecution, finding probable cause, and decided to hold Taylor based on the nature of crime and his criminal history.

She also ordered Taylor not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim in his domestic violence case. Taylor is held in all of his cases and his next hearings are scheduled for April.

A male defendant is being held on charges for assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The defendant had just completed a 20-year sentence and was on GPS monitoring when he allegedly committed the new offense.

Judge Herrmann found probable cause to hold him based on the nature of the offense, given that he was on parole for an armed kidnapping conviction. His next hearing is scheduled for April 5.

Another defendant was held on an assault with a dangerous weapon charge in a domestic violence case. He is also charged in a traffic matter with a DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired. It is alleged the defendant was under the influence of PCP and assaulted the victim by driving into their car.

Judge Herrmann noted the defendant had been under supervision in the high intensity supervision ptogram (HISP) and GPS monitoring prior to the crime. She said she decided to hold him based on the defendant’s criminal history, prior possession of firearms, domestic violence convictions and prior probation revocations.

Judge Herrmann released seven domestic violence defendants. Their charges include simple assault, destruction of property, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

Five of the defendants were given stay-away orders and two were given no HATS orders.

One defendant charged with sex abuse and unlawful entry onto private property was released with a stay-away order.

Judge Sets Trial Date for a Infant Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a 2019 murder case involving an infant to go to trial late next year.

Cornell Holton, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the death of three-month-old Skylar Newman, who was killed by blunt force trauma on the 4300 block of G Street, SE on March 16, 2019.

The defense was eager to set a trial date, as the previous date was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Juliet McKenna set aside Aug. 3 through Oct. 7, 2022, for the trial, the earliest possible date for the lengthy trial.

Jury selection is scheduled to take place on Aug.1 and 2.

Judge McKenna says she anticipates that it will be difficult to get a jury for the case.

She also heard arguments from parties regarding a bond review motion but has not made a ruling yet.

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