Document: Homicide in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 1 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE.

At around 4:22 pm, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, they found 18 year-old Michael Benbow suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Officers also located a juvenile female victim suffering from a graze wound and a second adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. Both were transported to the local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by the MPD for any individual who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the homicide.

Crime Alerts: April 1-2

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on April 1 and 9:00 a.m. on April 2.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:40 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 700 block of 7th Street, NE. Police have arrested a suspect.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 12:26 a.m. on the 3500 block of Jay Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 9:24 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 1900 block of Park Road. Police are looking for a 35 to 40 year-old Black male with a dark complexion, 6’1″ to 6’2″ in height, 205 pounds, short black hair, a dark jacket and black pants. The suspect was last seen driving a white U-Haul van headed east.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charges in Murder Case

A defendant in a first-degree murder case pleaded guilty to lesser charges Thursday.

Defendant Dale Thomas, 30, was charged with allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Jelani Mohammed on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE, along with co-defendant Donnell Mills, 31, on Nov. 8, 2018. The defendant was originally charged with second-degree murder in this case.

During the April 1 hearing, Thomas pleaded guilty to lesser charges of robbery, assault with the attempt to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit a violent crime

The victim’s family members said Mohammed was a “kind, caring and loving” person who would have given the defendant anything he wanted, killing him was “unnecessary” and “senseless” and the family has been torn apart from the loss.

Thomas expressed remorse repeatedly during the hearing, saying he wished only to better himself in the future and to become a part of the community again.

Judge Milton C. Lee agreed with the prosecution’s recommendations for sentencing. For the charge of robbery and conspiracy to commit a violent crime, the judge sentenced the defendant to 60 months of incarceration. For assault with the attempt to commit robbery charge, the defendant was sentenced to 48 months incarceration.

The judge suspended all but 32 months due to time already served. Thomas will have to serve a little over six years in prison.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to three years of probation after incarceration, including completion of a drug treatment program, a mental health assessment, a GED program, and participation in vocational counseling and employment assistance for job readiness.

Judge Lee warned the defendant that if he violated his probation he would serve the full incarceration, no questions asked.

Mills was sentenced to 21 years in prison for second-degree murder while armed. Although he does not have any probation time, he is required to complete a drug treatment program and get mental health screening and evaluation, vocational counseling and training, grief counseling and transitional housing after he serves his time in prison.

This article was written by Alaina Provenza

Judge Holds 3 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

On March 31, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe heard 40 cases. She released 24 defendants and held eight at DC Jail during their initial hearings.

There were a total of seven domestic violence cases and three sex abuse cases presented before Judge Pipe. Of these cases, she held three of the defendants.

Judge Pipe held a male domestic violence defendant on attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant allegedly threatened to stab a woman.

Judge Pipe found probable cause to hold him based on the nature of the offense and granted the prosecution’s request for a stay away order from the victim. Additionally, he was served with a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) involving the same person.

A second domestic violence defendant that was held is charged with simple assault, obstruction of justice and contempt. The defendant’s defense attorney, Lawrence Kupers, asked for him to be released and noted that the incident was not sought out but that the defendant was invited over to the victim’s residence by the victim.

Judge Pipe found probable cause and cited the defendant’s prior violent criminal history as well as the use of a pot of boiling water in the incident as reasons to hold him. She also granted a stay away order from the victim and the block containing her residence.

Another defendant held is a domestic violence defendant charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and threats to kidnap or injure a person. Defense attorney Joseph Molina made representations that the defendant had never had any prior altercations with the law other than traffic violations. He also argued that holding the defendant would put undue stress on his family because he owns a business and has children to look after.

Judge Pipe acknowledged the defense’s concerns but said that the nature of offence was too concerning, especially since the allegations involve how the defendant was treating his child. She noted that the victim reported concern with how aggressively the defendant was disciplining his child and intervened, which prompted the defendant to threaten to shoot the victim for intervening. The defendant was held without bail and ordered to stay away from the victim.

All held defendants will return to court later in April.

Judge Pipe released four domestic violence defendants. Their charges include civil violation of a protection order, contempt, simple assault, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and violation of a TPO. All four defendants were given stay-away orders from their victims and places of residence.

All three sex abuse defendants, whose charges include first-degree sex abuse, first-degree child sex abuse and misdemeanor sex abuse, were released. All of the defendants were ordered to do weekly check-ins with Pretrial Services (PSA) and given stay away orders from the victims and all minors.

All released defendants will return to court in October.

Judge Continues Trial Readiness Hearing for Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a domestic violence defendant who has been held since 2019.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sexual abuse where the victim was under the age of 18. The accused allegedly had a relationship with the victim. The defendant is also being charged with contempt.

Defense attorney Paul Kiyonaga had the option to set a trial date for 2023 or set another hearing in August with the hopes that the courtroom availability would increase as the court process moves back to normal.

Kiyonaga chose to set another hearing.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Aug. 9.

Document: Homicide on Congress Street, SE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1300 Block of Congress Street, SE.

The victims were transported to a local hospital, where a male and a female were pronounced dead. The victims who succumbed to their injuries were 25-year-old George Evans III, and 28-year-old Keosha Ferguson.

Both victims were residents of Southeast, DC.

Later, police discovered there was a fifth victim seeking treatment at another hospital.

All of the other victims received treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

Judges Holds Domestic Violence Defendant During Initial Hearings

On March 23, a DC Superior Court judge held one defendant charged in a domestic violence case.

Judge Lloyd Nolan heard a total of 15 cases.

Judge Nolan held a defendant in a domestic violence case, who is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defendant will be held at DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for April 14.

Judge Nolan released a domestic violence defendant who is charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

The defendant was given a stay-away order and told to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 27.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: March 31-April 1

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on March 31 and 9:00 a.m. on April 1.

The most recent alert was sent at 2:16 a.m. for an armed robbery on the 7000 block of Blair Road, NW. Police are looking for three Black males who were last seen in a black Hyundai.

An alert for a shooting on the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE was sent at 10:14 p.m. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 9:02 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 4700 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a male wearing a large, black coat. The suspect was last seen fleeing on 3rd Street, NW.

Judge Will Reconsider Homicide Defendant’s Pretrial Release

A DC Superior Court judge will reconsider a homicide defendant’s pretrial release, per the prosecution’s request.

Nelfy Hernandez, 17, and his two co-defendants are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the death of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. Hernandez, as well as 16-year-old Trey Prillerman and 19-year-old Deandre Levy are accused of shooting from a vehicle into a crowd of juveniles on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW on Aug. 10, 2020.

Hernandez was alleged to have removed his GPS monitor in a separate case, causing “… a complete loss of contact from Dec. 4 until his arrest from this case,” said Judge Danya Dayson.

However, defense attorney Douglas Wood argued that his actions in the past should not affect any decisions on this current case.

“He didn’t flee, didn’t try to hide out, and didn’t do anything to avoid his capture,” Wood said.

Judge Dayson said Hernandez “failed to comply with the very condition that I have found to be the least restrictive means to ensure the safety of the community.”

Judge Dayson granted the motion for reconsideration. A hearing on the matter will be held on April 1.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for 1st-Degree Murder

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there is enough evidence to bring a homicide case to trial.

Kenneth Stewart, 59, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 54-year-old Courtney Jones on July 23, 2020, on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

During the March 29 preliminary hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that multiple witnesses said they saw Stewart stabbing Jones in a van on the side of the road.

According to the detective, witnesses reported that Stewart had been “picking on” Jones throughout the day and they had multiple altercations leading up to the homicide.

During the incident, another passenger in the van hit Stewart over the head with a glass bottle, according to the MPD detective. Witnesses differ on whether this occurred before or after the stabbing.

Defense attorney Dominique Winters questioned the credibility of those witnesses. According to Winters, one witness reported Stewart kicking Jones in a restaurant parking lot earlier in the day, but no other witnesses could confirm it. The MPD could not find any surveillance footage from the restaurant to verify the claim.

The defense argued that the homicide was committed in self-defense.

The prosecution argued that, even if Stewart had to defend himself during the course of the incident, that doesn’t mean the homicide was done in self-defense.

Witnesses say Stewart was harassing Jones all day and threatening to kill him, which the prosecution argued supports the first-degree murder charge.

Judge Neal Kravitz found probable cause for first-degree murder. Even though there may be “significant credibility issues” with some of the witnesses’ stories, there is still sufficient corroboration and any discrepancies would be dealt with at trial, he said.

“There is probable cause to believe that the defendant was the initial aggressor here,” Judge Kravitz said. According to DC law, if someone is the initial aggressor, he is not entitled to use deadly force as self-defense.

Taking into account Stewart’s long criminal history and the violent nature of the case, Judge Kravitz decided to continue holding him at DC Jail in the interest of public safety.

Stewart’s next hearing is scheduled for May 27.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial. She also amended the defendant’s release conditions.

The defendant is charged with second-degree sex abuse and blackmail for allegedly threatening to disclose the victim’s personal information to others if she did not meet with him for sex in 2019.

The defendant has been on pretrial release with GPS monitoring for over a year. Defense attorney Brandi Harden asked for the monitor to be removed because the defendant has been in full compliance with the conditions of his release.

During the March 31 proceeding, Judge Marisa Demeo granted the defense’s motion to remove the GPS and curfew requirements from the defendant’s conditions of release.

However, Judge Demeo ruled that he will remain under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) to continue monitoring his compliance.

Judge Demeo scheduled the preliminary hearing for July 30.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Preliminary Hearing Set in May for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for a homicide defendant.

Rashon Hall, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the alleged shooting of 22 year-old Joseph Simmons to death with a firearm on Jan. 3 on the 2800 block of Alabama Ave, SE.

The hearing today is the first status conference since the presentment hearing on March 9 after his arrest on March 8.

Judge Steven Wellner scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 17.

In the meantime, Hall will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up.

Preliminary Hearing Vacated for Kidnapping Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge vacated a March 31 hearing that would have determine if a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with armed kidnapping. He picked up the charges in March 2020, and has been held at DC Jail since.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Hears 7 Domestic Violence Cases During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over cases for seven domestic violence defendants March 30, releasing them all.

There were a total of 13 cases presented before the judge.

The domestic violence defendants are charged with simple assault, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO), contempt and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Upon release, Judge Heide Herrmann gave each defendant a stay-away order from either the alleged victims, locations of the incident or both.

The prosecution requested that one defendant, who is facing domestic violence charges for a CPO violation and contempt be held at DC Jail due to additional charges that are pending in a separate case for simple assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children.

Judge Herrmann denied the request, citing the fact that no one was hurt in this new case and that the defendant is only alleged to have violated the stay-away from the location in his pending case.

The judge released the defendant, requiring participation in GPS monitoring by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

The released defendants were ordered to return on Oct. 5.

Document: Homicide in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on March 27.

At around 1:11 a.m., officers responded to the 1700 Block of Gales Place, NE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 42-year-old Kermit Cain Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

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