Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting

Police are reviewing body worn camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred during the morning hours on May 24.

According to a press release, the suspect, Vedo Hall, was holding a woman hostage in a residence on the 1100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE when police conducted a welfare check. Hall, 26, is alleged to have threatened to shoot officers. He escaped with a young woman, according to news reports, as officers began to set up a barricade.

Police found the suspect and his alleged victim on the 1300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, the Congress Heights metro station.

The suspect was shot after brandishing a weapon and pointing it toward the police.

The woman was not harmed, according to Police Chief Robert Contee during a press conference.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

During initial hearings on May 24, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held two defendants charged with domestic violence offenses.

There were a total of 24 defendants presented before the court, and eight of the defendants had domestic violence cases brought against them.

The first defendant that Judge Mulkey decided to hold is charged with contempt, destruction of property and unlawful entry.

Defense counsel requested his release, saying that the defendant thought he was allowed to be at the residence since he was invited by the complaining witness. He also mentioned that as soon as tensions began to rise, the defendant left the premises and did not engage in any assaultive conduct.

Judge Mulkey decided to hold the defendant, however, citing the pending case involving the same woman and his violation of the stay-away order.

The second held defendant is charged with simple assault. According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly grabbed the victim around her neck with both hands and pressed hard enough to leave marks that were seen by responding officers.

Judge Mulkey decided to hold the defendant, saying she believes him to be a danger to the complaining witness.

Both held defendants will return to court on June 8.

The remaining six domestic violence defendants have charges that include simple assault, second-degree theft, attempted second-degree cruelty to children and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

One of the defendants was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. He was released with orders to return to court June 29.

The other five defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims, ordered to check-in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week and told to return to court on Nov. 29.

Judge Delays Sentencing for 2008 Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge delayed a May 25 sentencing hearing for a murder case at the defense’s request.

In February 2020, a jury found 34-year-old Mason Binion guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the 2008 shooting 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor.

Taylor was shot in the back of the head on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW, on June 22, 2008, following a dispute over drug money.

During the May 25 hearing, Quo Judkins said his client objects to going forward with the sentencing today. Judkins said she would be submitting a brief soon and asked Judge Marisa Demeo to rule on it before sentencing Binion.

Judge Demeo agreed to the request. “Obviously this case has been around a long time, and the court will do everything it can to move this case forward,” she said.

The defense asked Judge Demeo to hold the sentencing hearing in person.

Judge Demeo said the court was not yet setting in person sentencing hearings, but will begin doing so in the near future.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 24.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Homicide Case Awaits Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing for a homicide case awaiting indictment.

Terrell Poe, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Washington on Sept. 23, 2020, on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

During the May 25 hearing, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey asked the prosecution to give an estimate of when the case would be indicted.

The prosecutor said a grand jury is currently looking at the case and the results should come soon.

Harvey also said she still needs to receive discovery evidence from the prosecution.

“I’ve raised this at every hearing, and I don’t have any discovery other than what I saw at the preliminary hearing,” she said.

Judge Yvonne Williams set the next hearing for Sept. 7.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Trial for Juvenile Charged with Murder and Accessory After the Fact Delayed Once Again

During a trial readiness hearing on May 25, a DC Superior Court Judge granted a request to delay a juvenile’s trial once again due to evidence delays.

The juvenile is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner on July 4. Additionally, he has been charged with accessory after the fact, among other charges, in the death of 53-year-old Everett King on July 6.

Previously, on April 20, Judge Andrea Hertzfeld joined the juvenile’s two pending cases, scheduling both to go to trial on June 1.

Defense counsel, Kevin O’Sullivan and Christen Philips, requested a delay in the trial as they are still awaiting results from independent testing of some of the DNA in the cases. Philips requested the trial to begin after June 11, which is when they expect to receive the results.

Judge Hertzfeld granted the motion, but was unable to schedule the trial before July 19 due to scheduling conflicts.

Additionally, a motion from defense counsel requesting an explanation of charges from the prosecution in the juvenile’s accessory after the fact case was denied by the judge.

The purpose of the motion is to inform the accused, the juvenile in this case, of the nature of the charge or charges so that they may prepare well for trial and not be surprised at the time of trial of the facts in their case.

O’Sullivan argued that the affidavit in the juvenile’s accessory case outlines how King died but not how the juvenile was involved in disposing of the firearm or being an accessory to the murder.

The prosecution briefly outlined the case from the report, saying the juvenile was the shooter in King’s death, as well.

O’Sullivan said the report does not put the juvenile on notice as to how he acted as an accessory after the fact in the murder since the prosecution only speaks about him being the shooter. He said the prosecution can’t say he was the shooter and just charge him with accessory. “That’s not how the accessory law works,” O’Sullivan said.

Judge Hertzfeld denied the defense’s motion, saying the purpose of the motion is not to provide the theory of the prosecution’s case but to put them on notice of the facts of the case, which she believes has been done.

At the end of the hearing, defense counsel once again requested the juvenile’s release from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), but the request was denied by the judge.

Another hearing was scheduled for June 18 to discuss additional motions, including a Motion for Recusal from the defense. The parties will reconvene then.

Read D.C. Witness’ previous articles on this case.

This article was written by Krystin Roehl

Crime Alerts: May 24-25

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on May 24 and 9:00 a.m. on May 25.

The alert was sent at 9:48 p.m. for a robbery snatch on the 2300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Police are looking for a 25 year-old Black male wearing a white mask. He was last seen walking toward the park area.

Judge Sets Trial Readiness Hearing for Felony Murder Case

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

Tyrone Williams is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 81-year-old Bobby Poole Jr. On March 29, 2020, Williams, 51, and an unidentified accomplice allegedly assaulted Poole while trying to rob him on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. Poole died from his injuries on May 6, 2020.

During the May 24 status hearing, Judge Rainey Brandt said motions and expert notice are due Sept. 13.

The next trial readiness hearing is scheduled for Oct. 18. In the meantime, Williams will remain held at DC Jail.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Assault with Intent to Commit First-Degree Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect for assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

At around 8:45 a.m. on May 22, the suspect allegedly approached a woman on a trail on the 2900 Block of Adams Mill Road, NW, according to a press release. He then allegedly assaulted her and fled the scene. He was arrested that same day.

Document: Suspect Wanted for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the public’s help locating a suspect in connection with a homicide from earlier this month that, according to a press release, detectives’ investigation revealed to be domestic in nature.

At around 2:08 a.m. on May 10, officers responded to the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, for the report of an unconscious person, according to a press release.

There, they found 47-year-old Georgette Banks in a residential building suffering from an apparent stab wound. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspect, 52-year-old David Maurice Rhodes, is wanted for first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on May 22.

At around 12:23 a.m., officers responded to the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE, upon hearing the sound of gunshots, according to a press release. There, they found 45-year-old Tyrone Curtis suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Crime Alerts: May 23-24

Between 9:00 p.m. on May 23 and 9:00 a.m. on May 24, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 3:16 a.m. for an armed robbery on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Police are looking for a Black male, 5’7″ in height, wearing all black clothing.

Document: Suspect Wanted for Murder

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help locating a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened on March 13.

At around 10:43 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of O Street, NW for the report of a shooting. There, they found 29-year-old Nicolas Hawkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Anthony Antonio Whitted, 26, is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

Crime Alerts: May 20-21

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 20 and 9:00 a.m. on May 21.

At 9:11 p.m., police alerted the public of a shooting on the 200 Block of I Street, SW. Police reported to be looking for two Black, male juveniles wearing black last seen fleeing on foot on 3rd street SW to G Street, SW.

Then, at 3:28 a.m., police alerted the public of a robbery of an establishment on the 1900 block of Wyoming Avenue, NW. Police reported to be looking for a Black man last seen fleeing in an unknown direction. He was reported to be around 5’7″ wearing tan pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, a black Nike ball cap, a red and black mask and a red, white and black backpack.

Document: Vehicle of Interest Sought in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking the public’s help identifying and locating a vehicle of interest in a homicide that happened on May 19.

Ella-Mae Neal, 65, was fatally shot on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE.

The vehicle of interest was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.

Murder Case Awaits Indictment, Exchange of Evidence

A DC Superior Court judge continued a May 18 hearing for a murder case that is currently awaiting indictment.

Dajuan Jones, 20, and Michael Mason, 17, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Brea Moon on April 7, 2020, on the 3900 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Mason is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed.

The prosecutor said she is still working on returning an indictment, which is why she objected to the defense’s request for a trial date. She said she is prioritizing her oldest cases for indictment.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said the court is setting trial dates in order of detention.

Jones’ defense attorney, Prescott Loveland, asked the prosecution to disclose forensic files. He also said he hasn’t received any Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage for his client’s case.

Judge Dayson set a May 31 deadline for the footage. Parties have until Aug. 18 to file discovery motions.

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