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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.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Murder

A defendant charged in connection with a homicide from last summer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

In the early hours of July 12, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 800 block of 19th Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to court documents. They found 28-year-old Shanika Williams in an apartment with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. She was pronounced dead on scene.

Last February, Steven Robinson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, the 30-year-old defendant was in a romantic relationship with Williams.

During the June 9 hearing, Robinson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

As part of the plea deal he took, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 10-12 years.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies asked Judge Neal Kravitz to release his client so he can see his family before he is sentenced on Sept. 3. However, Judge Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that the case was too serious for Robinson to be released.

Three Defendants Held on Domestic Violence Charges During Initial Hearings

During presentment hearings on June 8, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held three out of seven domestic violence defendants. 

In total, 25 defendants were presented to the court at presentments. Seven of these were domestic violence cases and none were homicide-related. 

Judge Mulkey held a defendant charged with assault with a dangerous weapon due to their previous criminal record and allegations of the case. The defendant allegedly pointed a gun at the complaining witness. Her grandmother reportedly stood between them and said, “you will not shoot my granddaughter.”

The defendant was convicted of prison breach in 2014 and has had eight bench warrants executed in the past. Judge Mulkey noted these when stating her decision to hold the defendant at the jail pending his next hearing.

One defendant is charged in three separate domestic violence cases. The charges for these cases are all simple assault with one also having a destruction of property charge. The defendant was held due to other earlier domestic abuse charges being tied to the same victim. They were also given stay away orders.

The final defendant held is charged with simple assault and contempt of court. The defendant has another case pending involving the same complaining witness, and Juge Mulkey said she was concerned that he would not follow court orders if released since he allegedly violated the court’s stay away order in the pending case.

All held defendants are to return to court at the end of June.

The judge released two defendants who are charged with new domestic violence cases and two who were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. 

A simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm defendant was given GPS monitoring and stay away orders. The other defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the complaining witness.

The two defendants brought in on bench warrants were released with orders to return to court in the next few weeks.

Finally, there was one defendant whose case could not be heard because they are in the hospital. Their case was continued to June 9.

Crime Alerts: June 8-9

Between 9:00 p.m. on June 8 and 9:00 a.m. on June 9, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:26 a.m. for a robbery at the intersection of Morris Road and Hunter Place, SE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing all black. The first suspect is between 15 and 18 years of age, wearing grey and black sneakers. The second suspect is approximately 20 years of age.

The second crime alert was sent at 2:32 a.m. for a shooting on the 1800 block of 41st Place, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Orders Transfer of Child Sex Abuse Defendant to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request to transfer his client from DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.  

The defendant is charged with second-degree child sexual abuse in a domestic violence case. 

Following a preliminary screening, the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial.

During the June 8 hearing, Judge Jonathan Pittman ordered a full competency evaluation for him to take at the hospital. 

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Will Lawrence and Lizzie Brennan wrote this article.


Child Sex Abuse Defendant Enters Guilty Plea

On June 8, a defendant in a child sex abuse case entered a guilty plea. 

Aaron McCormick was initially charged with two counts of first-degree child sex abuse. He pleaded guilty to one count in exchange for the prosecution dropping the other count.

According to the proffer of facts, the 55-year-old defendant began sexually abusing a 13-year-old in September 2020, and the abuse continued until he was arrested the following December.  

McCormick is facing a minimum sentence of seven-and-a-half years plus five years of supervised release, according to parties. 

DC Superior Court Judge Jonathan Pittman scheduled McCormick to be sentenced on Aug. 17.

Lizzie Brennan and Will Lawrence wrote this article.

Murder Defendant to Remain at Hospital Following Petition for Civil Commitment

After learning that a petition for civil commitment has been filed, a DC Superior Court judge decided that a murder defendant who has been found unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future should remain held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. 

Alisa Randall, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 59-year-old Ronald Jones Payne on July, 15, 2019.

Randall, 33, was arrested that same day and found incompetent to stand trial shortly afterward. She has been held at St. Elizabeth’s for nearly two years now.

In April, the prosecution reported they will not contest a finding that Randall is incompetent to stand trial and that “there is no substantial probability that she will not attain competence or make substantial progress toward that goal in the foreseeable future,” according to court documents. 

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia decided they will be filing a petition for civil commitment. The prosecution asked that Randall keep receiving treatment at St. Elizabeth’s until a final order of commitment is entered.

During the June 8 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz agreed to the request. 

“[I] don’t think it’s safe for her to be released now or in the future,” he said.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Mykala Jones and AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Trial for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled domestic violence defendant charged with multiple sexual abuse offenses to go before a jury in October. 

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree child sexual abuse, second-degree child sexual abuse and contempt. 

During the June 8 hearing, the prosecution said they plan to call 10 to 15 witnesses, two of whom are expert witnesses. The defense plans to call five to seven witnesses, one of whom is an expert witness.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled jury selection for Sept. 29 and 30 and set aside Oct. 1 through 20 for the trial. The judge also scheduled motion hearings for Sept. 1 through 3.

Mara Osterburg and Carlin Fisher wrote this article

Case Acquitted: Judge Grants Motion to Lift Murder Defendant’s Curfew

Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

On June 7, a DC Superior Court judge granted a motion to lift the curfew of a murder defendant currently on pretrial release.

Tierra Posey is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the Jan. 6, 2020 shooting of 21-year-old Tia Carey on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Posey, 23, is released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked Judge Juilet McKenna to remove his client’s curfew and take her off of GPS monitoring. 

Judge McKenna agreed to remove the curfew, but not the GPS. 

Posey’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.

Mara Osterburg and AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

Murder Defendant Scheduled to Go to Trial in 2022

On June 7, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant to go to trial in February 2022.

Elhadji Ndiaye is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Travis Deyvon Ruth on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE, on Jan. 18, 2019.

Ndiaye, 22, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, tampering with physical evidence, destruction of property less than $1,000 and obstruction of justice in his case.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled jury selection to take place on Feb. 16 and 17, 2022. She set aside Feb. 18 through March 3 for the trial. 

The prosecution must give notice of any additional experts by Nov. 1. The defense must file their expert notice by Dec. 1.

Ndiaye’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2022.

Will Lawrence and Mykala Jones wrote this article.