Prosecution in Murder Case Requests Continuance

The prosecution in a murder case asked a DC Superior Court judge to continue a Jan. 26 hearing to adress the current status of the defendant withdrawing his guilty plea.

Back in Febuary, Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal shooting of 18 year-old Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018.

At the time, Judge Anita Josey-Herring predicted that the 19-year-old defendant would serve 12 years in prison with a minimum of five years on supervised release, D.C. Witness previously reported.

The next status hearing in this case is scheduled for March 1.

Trial Prep Underway for Fatal Shooting of 11 Year-Old

Trial preparations are underway for a defendant charged in the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy.

Tony McClam is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, on the 2700 Block of Naylor Road, SE.

Parties anticipated that the victim’s young age and the case’s publicity could cause jury selection to take more time.

“This case basically made national news and was all over social media including outlets with up to five million followers,” said defense attorney James King.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson agreed to schedule a hearing for June, when the court anticipates knowing more about the availability of courtrooms for jury selection.

The next trial readiness hearing is set for June 7.

McClam, 30, is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in this case.

The prosecution estimated it would take them around six days to present their evidence. King estimated that the defense would need around two days.

Andrea Keckley and Adriana Montes wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: January 25-26

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 25 and 9:00 a.m. on Jan. 26.

The alert was sent at 4:42 p.m. on Jan. 25 for a robbery investigation on the 400 block of Ridge Road, SE.

Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Hears 11 Domestic Violence Cases During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Jan. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe heard 11 domestic violence cases out of a total of 32 cases.

Of the 11 domestic violence cases she heard, the judge only held one defendant.

The defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt. The 30-year-old defendant allegedly violated a stay-away order while threatening the victim with a pellet gun and choking her.

The defendant’s defense counsel requested his release, citing that he lives with the alleged victim and helps support her and their five children.

Given the allegations in the police report as well as the defendant’s lengthy history of assaultive conduct toward the complainant, Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant at the jail pending his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 9.

Additionally, the court served the defendant with a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), which orders him to stay away from the victim and gives her temporary custody of their children.

Of those who were released, one defendant was brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear in court to discuss his probation in two cases. The defendant’s cases are from 2015, and he was released with orders to return to court on Feb. 25.

The remaining nine domestic violence defendants presented before the court had charges that include assault with a dangerous weapon, sex abuse, simple assault, threats to do bodily harm, Civil Protection Order (CPO) violoation, assault on a police officer and destruction of property.

Eight of the defendants were given stay-away orders from either the alleged victims, the locations of the incidents or both. One defendant was additionally put on GPS monitoring, and the final defendant was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim.

All released defendants with new cases were ordered to return to court on June 28.

Parties to Discuss Plea Options for Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a murder case, so parties could discuss plea options.

Aaron Jackson, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal stabbing of 36-year-old Jamaul Crockett on Nov. 5, 2020, on the 600 block of Lamont Street, NW.

During the Jan. 25 hearing, defense attorney Bernadette Armand asked Judge Judith Smith to continue the hearing so she could talk with her client and parties could discuss how to proceed.

In December, the prosecution was reported to be preparing a pre-indictment plea offer.

Judge Smith scheduled the case’s next hearing for March 3.

Homicide Defendant Receives 2 Hearing Dates for 2 Different Cases

A DC Superior Court judge set two new status hearings for a defendant who is accused of fatally shooting a man in Northwest, DC in 2017 and assaulting another victim in 2020.

In addition to first-degree murder while armed, Tavon Davis is charged with obstructing justice, threat to kidnap or injure a person and soliciting murder for his alleged participation in the 2017 death of 29-year-old Michael Vest on the 1300 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith A. Smith presided over the Jan. 25 hearing. Davis, 26, is now scheduled for a new status hearing on March 17.

Judge Smith also set a status hearing for May 19 for Davis’ 2020 case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

The assault occurred when Davis allegedly stabbed a fellow inmate at the DC Jail with a homemade knife, according to court documents. The victim sustained “three stab wounds to the right neck and a stab wound to the upper right arm.” The victim survived the attack.

Davis is being held without bail.

Murder Case Set for Preliminary Hearing in March

On Jan. 25, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

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

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 29.

Homicide Case Set for Continuance Following Newly Appointed Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a continuance for a hearing set to determine the competency of a homicide defendant.

On Feb. 13, 2020, Terence Dantzler suffered multiple gunshots to the head on the 700 block of 8 Street, NW. Jaykell Mason was charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed following the incident.

During the Jan. 25 hearing, Mason, 21 was scheduled to receive the results of his second competency screening. However, because an employee from the Department of Behavioral Health was preoccupied in a previous hearing and Mason’s newly appointed counsel needed additional time to review documents, the court ordered a continuance.

According to court documents, multiple witnesses allegedly saw Mason shoot Danzler, 29. Reports indicate that Mason engaged in gunfire with officers before he was shot in the hand and detained by police. Mason tested positive for opiates in his system, and a Remington R51 was retrieved from the scene.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Feb. 26.

Plea Offer Extended in Domestic Violence Case

The prosecution in a domestic violence case said they have extended a plea offer to the defendant.

The defendant is charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. The prosecution’s offer would allow him to plead down to a charge to a simple assault.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough said he has not had the opportunity to discuss the offer with his client but plans to do so.

The defendant has had a bail amount imposed in this case, but he is being held in a federal case.

Judge Robert Okun scheduled the next hearing for Feb. 22.

Crime Alerts: January 24-25

Between 9:00 p.m. on Jan. 24 and 9:00 a.m. on Jan. 25, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts.

An alert was sent at 1:08 a.m. for an armed robbery investigation on the 1800 block of Belmont Road, NW. Police are looking for a 28-35 year-old Black male with a medium complexion, a full goatee, scarf around his head and neck area, wearing khaki pants. He was last seen headed west.

An alert was sent at 11:58 p.m. for an armed robbery on the 4200 block of Blaine Street, NE. Police are looking for three Black males, two armed with handguns and one armed with a long gun. They were all wearing masks.

An alert was sent at 10:42 p.m. for a confirmed armed carjacking at the intersection of 7th Street and Franklin Street, NE. Police are looking for a silver Honda CRV with a sunroof, spare tire in the rear and multiple stickers on the rear window. The tag is M907220. The suspects are two juvenile, Black males. One is wearing a grey hoodie, grey jeans, a puffy jacket and armed with a handgun. The second suspect is wearing black clothes and a grey skull cap.

An alert for a robbery was sent at 10:35 p.m. on the 1400 block of Somerset Place, NW. Police are looking for three Black males between 13 and 16 years of age.

An alert was sent at 9:59 p.m. for a stabbing on the 4200 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

A final alert was sent at 9:08 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 3400 block of 22nd Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Releases Murder Defendant During Initial Hearings

On Jan. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond heard 19 cases during initial hearings.

Of those 19 cases, one was a murder case and one was a domestic violence case.

Judge Raymond released a defendant who is charged with second-degree murder. The defendant, 38-year-old Gary Rush, is accused of killing Keena Dowtin, who was a passenger in his vehicle.

Rush was driving in Fort Dupont Park on Sept. 20, 2020, and, according to court documents, he allegedly said he swerved to avoid hitting a deer, driving into the woods and striking a tree.

Documents state that Rush’s blood tested positive for PCP, and an officer who reconstructed the accident said he was driving around 74 miles per hour and failed to make a turn in the roadway, causing the crash.

Judge Raymond released Rush into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), and he is scheduled to return to court on June 25.

Judge Raymond also released a domestic violence defendant who is charged with simple assault. The defendant was given a stay-away order and ordered to return to court on June 25.

Murder Case Set for Trial Readiness Hearing After Mistrial

A trial readiness hearing has been scheduled for two defendants in a murder case after a judge declared a mistrial as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE during the early hours of April 27, 2017.

The trial had proceeded all the way until closing arguments when the mistrial was declared by Judge Anita Josey-Herring in August 2020.

At the time, Judge Josey-Herring, who is now the chief judge of the DC Superior Court.

The judge presiding over the Jan. 21 hearing scheduled the trial readiness hearings to take place on March 3. A date for the trial has not been set at this time.

Hewitt and Everett are also charged with conspiracy, attempt to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Everett is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing law enforcement officers and obstruction of justice. Hewitt is also charged with felony murder while armed.

Document: Homicide in Douglass

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 21 in the Douglass neighborhood.

At around 9:45 p.m., officers responded to the 1800 Block of Alabama Avenue, SE, for the sound of gunshots. Upon arrival, they found 27 year-old Damareus Scott suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Homicide in Washington Highlands

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Jan. 21.

At about 2:48 p.m., MPD officers responded to the 4400 block of 3rd Street, SE due to a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found 27 year-old Andrew Session in the hallway of a residential building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Session was taken to a hospital, but ultimately pronounced dead.

Trial Plans Change for Murder and Kidnapping Cases

As the suspension of jury trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in place, a DC Superior Court judge changed scheduling plans made three days ago for murder and kidnapping cases.

Cousins Kurt, 21, and Demonte, 19, Hewitt are charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal stabbing of 16 year-old Tyshon Perry on May 1, 2018, on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE.

The two are also charged in another felony case alongside a third co-defendant, Kevin Sanders. In that case, which also dates back to 2018, the cousins are charged with armed kidnapping and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Demonte Hewitt is also charged with first-degree burglary while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Sanders is charged with threats to injure or kidnap a person.

Back on Jan. 19, the prosecution estimated that the kidnapping trial would take around three to four days. Judge Juliet McKenna set the kidnapping case for jury selection and trial commencement in mid-April. The murder case would then trail the kidnapping case, with defense motions due for submission on the first of June.

However, on Jan. 22, Judge McKenna decided to change plans to try the murder case first.

The dates set aside for jury selection and trial in the kidnapping case are now vacated. A jury trial for the murder case is now scheduled to begin on the first of November. A motion hearing is also set for July 22.

In that case, the Hewitts are also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

They are being held at DC Jail. Sanders is on pretrial release.

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