Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

On May 3, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with sex abuse.

In total, there were 28 cases presented before the court with an additional defendant who was in the hospital, so their case could not be heard.

The defendant that was held is charged with second-degree child sex abuse and simple assault. A victim in this case, who is 12 years old, reported that the defendant went into a room with her and sexually abused her. The other victim, an 11-year-old girl, reported that the defendant also went into a room with her and started pulling on her shirt.

The defense attorney in this case requested for the defendant to be released under the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), so the defendant could continue to participate in group counseling and therapy, which were ordered by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Judge Sean Staples denied the defense attorney’s request considering the defendant’s criminal history which includes crimes of violence. The defendant also has other previous sexual offenses.

The defendant has a felony status conference scheduled for May 24.

Two additional defendants are charged with sex abuse. Judge Staples released these defendants and issued stay-away orders as a condition of release. One of the defendants was ordered to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

These defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8.

Four domestic violence cases were presented before the court.

One of those defendants is charged with simple assault. The prosecution requested that the defendant be held because he has various pending cases, including three other domestic violence cases.

Judge Staples released this defendant because the defendant has been reporting to PSA for his pending cases. Additionally, the victim in this case is not a victim from a prior case.

Judge Staples issued a stay-away order and informed the defendant that he must comply with the conditions of release imposed by PSA, including a mental health assessment.

A status hearing is scheduled for May 26.

The other three defendants charged in domestic violence cases were also released with stay-away orders. Their charges include simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

All three are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8.

Crime Alerts: May 3-4

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 3 and 9:00 a.m. on May 4.

The most recent alert was sent at 3:30 a.m. for a shooting on the 5000 block of Kimi Gray Court, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

An alert for a stabbing was sent at 1:48 a.m. on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE. Police are looking for a 26 year-old Black male with dreads, faded on the side. He was wearing a gray jacket, dark pants and dark shoes with red and green on them.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 10:54 p.m. on the 4000 block of 4th Street, SE. Police are looking for three Black males, wearing all dark clothing and armed with handguns.

The final alert was sent at 9:39 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Continues Homicide Case for Possible Resolution

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a first-degree murder case that is currently undergoing plea negotiations.

George Miller, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 48-year-old Elias Flores on Nov. 18, 2020 on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE.

The prosecution said plea discussions were continuing with the defense during the April 21 hearing.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the next hearing for June 10. In the meantime, Miller will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the case in December 2020.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Judge Continues Hearing for Murder Defendant Awaiting Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing for a murder defendant who is awaiting an indictment.

Davon Patterson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 46-year-old Bryant McClain, on the 800 block of Crittenden Street, NW, on June 8, 2019.

During the May 3 proceedings, Defense attorney Pierce Suen said his client has been held for 14 months without an indictment. The prosecution said they are making this case a priority, but could not confirm when there would be an indictment.

All in-person juries have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Suen asked Judge Yvonne Williams to release Patterson if the prosecution couldn’t indict him soon.

Judge Williams said she would not rule on the defendant’s release status but said she hopes there will be an indictment before the next hearing, which she scheduled for Sept. 27.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Sets 2023 Trial Dates for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled trial dates for a defendant who was charged with murder in 2014.

Mark Bowser, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 39-year-old Tracy Womack. On Sept. 20, 2014, Womack was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE.

During the May 3 proceedings, defense attorney Dorsey Jones said he just got appointed to the case but has familiarized himself with most of the facts. He also said he was having trouble visiting his client at the DC Jail due to pandemic restrictions.

Judge Juliet McKenna said all of 2021 and 2022 is booked for felony jury trials.

“The reality is we will know a lot more in two months if additional courtrooms will open up,” she said.

Judge McKenna suggested setting another hearing in 60 to 75 days when parties had a better sense of courtroom availability.

Parties asked Judge McKenna to set trial dates as well as a status hearing because they were worried that the case would be pushed back much later. She agreed to do so but emphasized that she was making an exception due to the age of the case and the fact that previous defense counsel had abruptly dropped it.

Jury selection is set for Feb. 22 and 23, 2023. The trial is to begin on Feb. 24, 2023, and end on March 10, 2023.

According to court documents, Bowser’s trial dates have been rescheduled several times throughout the trajectory of his case. He has been indicted twice: once in 2015 and then again in 2018.

Bowser received two additional charges in 2018 for obstructing justice when he allegedly tried to intimidate a witness from testifying. He is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon in this case.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 23.

Defendant in Homicide Case Gets Time to Discusses Plea Deal with Attorney

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing for later this month to give a defense attorney time to discuss the prosecution’s plea offer with his client.

D’Aundrey Scott, 26, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly setting fire to 62-year-old Darryl Finney on the 900 block of H Street, NE on May 15, 2020.

During the May 3 hearing, defense attorney Roderick Thompson said the prosecution offered a pre-preliminary hearing plea offer to his client, but he has not had time to discuss it with Scott. Roderick requested two to three weeks to discuss the plea offer.

Counsel said they initially had a preliminary hearing scheduled a couple months ago, but they were not ready to move forward because of disclosure issues.

Since then, defense attorney Roderick Thompson said the prosecution has provided the proper disclosures and now parties are ready to move forward.

On May 13, 2020, Scott allegedly went to the 1300 block of H Street, NE around 12:36 a.m. and threw a shirt he lit on fire at a man who was lying on the sidewalk, according to court documents. The man did not sustain any injuries.

Then, less than a half hour later, Scott allegedly set Finney, a shopping cart and two bags of Finney’s belongings on fire on the 900 block of H Street, NE. Finney died from his injuries two days later.

Shortly after, Scott also allegedly set fire to a porch on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the next hearing for May 24.

Document: Two Homicides on Sunday

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides that happened on May 2.

At around 8:58 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 20-year-old Delano Harris suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

At around 9:00 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE for the report of a stabbing. There, they found 46-year-old Louis Cheeve suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was also pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Crime Alerts: May 2-3

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 2 and 9:00 a.m. on May 3.

The most recent alert was sent at 9:50 p.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 2100 block of I Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

Another alert for a stabbing was sent at 9:43 p.m. on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Police are looking for two juvenile Black males. One of the suspects was light in complexion and skinny, and the other was described as heavyset.

The final alert was sent at 9:11 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Document: Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Southwest, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened in a Southwest, DC home on April 30.

According to a press release, at around 8:56 p.m., police were dispatched to a home on the 1100 block of 4^th Street, SW, for a domestic dispute.

“Officers arrived on the scene and were beginning to interview an adult male and an adult female inside of the residence,” the press release states. “The adult male suddenly brandished a firearm and pointed it at the female and one of the officers. In response, one of the officers discharged their firearm, striking the male suspect.”

The man, 36 year-old Terrance Maurice Parker, was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Judge Hears Three Domestic Violence Cases During Initial Hearings

On April 30, a DC Superior Court judge heard 21 cases, three of which were domestic violence defendants.

One of the defendants is charged with cruelty to children and aggravated assault. Defense counsel requested the release of the defendant, citing mental health concerns and noting that holding the defendant would not serve the community.

However, due to concerns for public safety, Judge Heide Herrmann ruled the defendant shall stay in custody at the DC Jail pending his next hearing. She also granted a stay-away order from the complaining witness.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for May 20.

In another domestic violence case, a defendant is charged with simple assault. The defendant is released and given a stay-away order relating to two children. Judge Herrmann also warned the defendant that he must relinquish any firearm he may have and may not purchase any firearms while the case is pending.

In the third case, the defendant is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. According to the prosecution, the defendant has a history of domestic violence, though dated.

Judge Herrmann decided to release the defendant and ordered him to stay away from the victim.

Both released defendants have their next hearings scheduled for Nov. 5.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Sentences Child Sex Abuser to 10 Years

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve a decade in prison for first-degree child sex abuse.

“My remorse is sincere and profound, and I want to struggle moving forward to be better,” said Jose Chevez-Andino during the April 30 hearing. The 36-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to the charge last December.

The prosecution said the case is particularly severe because the victim was 11-years-old. The prosecution also said the charge speaks volumes about what they called the “violent nature” of the defendant.

Defense attorney Kathryn D’Adamo asked Judge Marisa Demeo to sentence her client to the minimum sentence of 7 and a half years.

“Ultimately we ask your honor, what does justice look like in a case like this?” she said.

Judge Demeo said she took into account his letters of support, work history, government representation and lack of previous criminal history in deciding the sentence.

Chevez Andino must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Homicide Defendant

On April 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if one of the two homicide cases a defendant is charged in has enough evidence to go to trial.

Melvin Simmons, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in two separate cases. He is charged in the shooting deaths of 28-year-old William Roland on Aug. 17, 2019, on the 1500 block of 18th Street, SE, and 28-year-old Ronald Jerome Brown, Jr. on Aug. 22, 2019, on the 3400 block of 18th Street, SE.

Simmons recently rejected a global plea offer that was extended for both cases.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a preliminary hearing for the case of Roland’s death for June 15.

Simmons’ lawyer, Matthew Davies, said he is interested in setting a trial date for the case involving Brown’s death. The prosecution said they will be working on indicting the case in order to proceed.

A status hearing for that case is set for Sept. 20.

Crime Alerts: April 29-30

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on April 29 and 9:00 a.m. on April 30.

The most recent alert was sent at 1:01 a.m. for a robbery on the 1600 block of Argonne Place, NW. Police are looking for a mid-twenties Black male, 5’11” in height, wearing all black clothing. They are also looking for a mid-twenties Black female, wearing all black clothing.

A second alert for a robbery was sent at 11:52 p.m. on the 1300 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Police are looking for a slim Black male with a dark complexion, 6’3″ in height, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black mask.

They are also looking for an additional Black male, between 28 and 30 with a dark complexion and a medium build. The suspect is wearing dark jeans, a blue long sleeve shirt and a black mask.

The final alert was sent at 10:54 p.m. for another robbery on the 3600 block of 16th Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black female with a light complexion and dark clothing and a Black male with a dark complexion and dark clothing.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on April 23.

According to a press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 10:20 p.m., a person was driving a white commercial van northbound on the 900 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

“The commercial van struck a pedestrian who was seated on the roadway,” the press release states. “The striking vehicle then fled the scene.”

The decedent has been identified as 51 year-old James Turner. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

Police have arrested a suspect for murder in connection with a March 31 homicide.

That day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers 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.

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.

One of the suspects in this case has been identified as 25 year-old Tarik Turner. He was arrested for second-degree murder while armed in connection with Furguson’s death on April 28.

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