Crime Alerts: April 28-29

Between 9:00 p.m. on April 28 and 9:00 a.m. on April 29, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 3:52 a.m. for an attempted robbery on the 3000 block of Van Ness Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’9″ in height, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.

An alert was sent at 9:15 p.m. for a shooting on the 200 block of L Street, SW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 9:04 p.m. for a shooting on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) in this case, either.

Judge Maintains Probable Cause, Releases Defendant in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge has maintained that probable cause was established in a homicide case, but he placed the defendant on supervised release.

Quincy Johnson, 17, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 20-year-old Anthony Riley on the 100 block of Walnut Street, NW on July 17, 2020.

Johnson is being charged as an adult. Since receiving his charges on Aug. 21, 2020, Johnson has been held at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

During the April 28 bond review hearing, defense attorney Roderick Thompson argued that the burden of proof for probable cause had not been met.

“I’m asking the court respectfully to take a look at the evidence in the case,” Thompson said. “Since it was such a slim margin, I want them to focus on the lack of credibility of the lone eyewitness in this case.”

Thompson also argued that even if Johnson purchased a firearm as a 17-year-old, it still “falls extremely short” of any indication that the purchase was part of a robbery plan.

In response, the prosecution said there was a clear intent to rob the victim, as shown through a series of text messages made by Johnson.

Judge Robert Okun held with the previous decision that probable cause had been established.

“Even under the probable cause standard it’s relatively close, but from my perspective it’s over the line, and the government did provide sufficient evidence,” he said.

On the topic of release, the defense argued that home confinement at his father and step mother’s home with an ankle monitor should be permitted.

“Mr. Johnson will be held on what the court agrees is the slimmest of margins for another three years without the benefit of a trial,” Thompson said.

The prosecution argued that Johnson has a clear motive to “intimidate his witness, or affect his testimony”.

“The defendant would pose a danger to the community, and that risk is heightened if he’s placed on home leave,” prosecutor Edward O’Connell said.

Judge Okun ruled that Johnson would be released with a GPS monitor under the condition that he can leave his home for in-person classes.

“I agree with the government that the risk is heightened, but I do believe that he should be released to the high intensity supervision program,” Okun said.

A date for Johnson’s next hearing has not been established.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Releases Two Domestic Violence Defendants and Holds Two Murder Defendants During Initial Hearings

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann presided over two murder cases and two domestic violence cases during the April 28 initial hearings.

In total there were 23 defendants presented before the court.

Tarik Turner is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of 28-year-old Keosha Ferguson. Turner, 25, allegedly shot Ferguson on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE on March 31.

According to court documents, the police found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of these victims, George Evans and Keosha Ferguson, died from their injuries. According to statements from witnesses, there was an altercation between Turner, Evans, Furguson and another victim. Turner allegedly returned fire at Furguson and the second victim after being shot during the altercation.

Judge Herrmann found probable cause and decided to hold Turner. He has a felony status conference scheduled for May 19.

The second defendant, John Philogene, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 34-year-old Evan Wood. Philogene, 23, allegedly shot Wood on March 27 during an altercation on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE.

Judge Herrmann found probable cause and decided to hold Philogene. He has a felony status conference scheduled for May 19.

The first domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property. The second domestic violence defendant is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property.

Both defendants were released on personal recognizance under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and have status hearings scheduled for Nov. 3.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

During the April 27 initial hearings, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held a sex abuse defendant, releasing an additional sex abuse defendant and two domestic violence defendants.

Judge Herrmann held a defendant who is charged with first-degree sexual abuse. The defendant, a 33-year-old male, allegedly raped a woman on April 3 on the 500 block of B Street, SE. The defendant was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim in addition to being held at the DC Jail.

His next hearing is scheduled for May 19.

One of the released defendants was arrested for failing to appear for a court hearing in a domestic violence case. In this case, the judge released the defendant as he turned himself in on the day of the warrant being issued.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court on May 18.

Two defendants, with charges related to domestic violence and sex abuse, were released. One was given a stay-away order from the alleged victim.

The domestic violence defendant is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 2, and the sex abuse defendant is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 22.

Alaina Provenza wrote this article

Prosecution Extends Another Plea Deal to Murder Defendant, Defense Says

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s hearing so he can have more time to consider the prosecution’s plea offer.

Diquan Lucas is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Brian Butler on Nov. 21, 2019, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.

Back in March 2020, the 25-year-old defendant rejected a plea deal the prosecution offered him last January. But, during the April 27 hearing, defense attorney Roderick Thompson said the prosecution has extended the defendant another plea deal. Parties are reportedly in plea negotiations.

Judge Lee Milton scheduled a status hearing for May 11. In the meantime, Lucas will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the case in December 2019.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing after parties said they have been trying to get one under the calendar judge.

The 60-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sex abuse and third-degree sex abuse for allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and sexually abusing her. According to court documents, the victim awoke to the defendant standing in her room threatening to shoot her if she did not give him money. Later, she was reportedly able to escape after realizing he was brandishing a tool and not a gun.

During the April 26 proceedings, Judge Judith Smith asked why parties were put in this courtroom since the case is apparently pending a competency exam, on which she does not have the authority to rule. Parties explained they had been trying to schedule a hearing under the calendar judge, Judge Milton Lee, but never got a response.

The next hearing, which Judge Smith scheduled for May 13, will be presided by Judge Lee, so he can rule on the prosecution’s pending motion.

The defendant has 21 other charges in this matter, including first-degree burglary, first-degree burglary while armed, kidnapping, threats to kidnap or injure a person, robbery, kidnapping of a senior citizen, robbery of a senior citizen, second-degree theft, kidnapping while armed, robbery while armed, second-degree burglary, attempt to commit robbery and simple assault.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Co-defendants Delonta Stevenson, 26, and Vorreze Thomas, 23, are both charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 32-year-old Terrence Allen on Jan. 18, on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE. Stevenson and Thomas allegedly cut Allen off in a vehicle before shooting close to 50 rounds at Allen’s car, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the April 28 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna said she based her finding of probable cause primarily on the video surveillance and the testimony of a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case.

When the hearing began on April 26, the prosecutor showed surveillance footage of two people alleged to be the co-defendants leaving an apartment complex and entering a brown Volvo that looks consistent with the car involved in the shooting.

During closing arguments, Joseph Wong, Thomas’ attorney, argued that the clothes his client is wearing in surveillance footage of the incident was not distinctive enough that it can be determined to match clothing police found while executing a search warrant of his home. He also pointed out that no witnesses identified Thomas as the car’s driver.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller argued that there was no forensic, fingerprints, or location data that can point Stevenson, her client, to the crime. She argued that one of the prosecution’s witnesses is unreliable since their testimony does not support the video surveillance.

Although Wong and Weller asked Judge McKenna to release their clients, the judge decided that Stevenson and Thomas should remain held to ensure the public’s safety.

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence against a homicide defendant to bring the case to trial.

Jonathan Young, 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Dewayne Shorter III. On Jan. 26, Shorter was found unconscious in the back seat of a car located on the 1200 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE. According to court documents, it was later determined that Shorter was shot six times on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE before a witness carried him to a car to be transported to a hospital.

During the April 28 hearing, parties discussed potential dates that would work to hold the preliminary hearing.

Judge Judith Smith said all of May up to mid-June is booked and unavailable.

Parties agreed that June 11 would be the best time to have the preliminary hearing.

Murder Defendant Held Since Dec. 2016 Scheduled for Jury Trial in 2023

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant who has been held at DC Jail since his arrest in December 2016 to go before a jury in July 2023.

Clinton Womack is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 45-year-old Terry Crutchfield on the 1500 block of Olive Street, NE, on Dec. 6, 2016.

Womack, 31, has previously been scheduled to go before a jury once in 2018, twice in 2019 and once in 2020. These trial dates have fallen though due to matters including evidence and investigation issues raised by the defense in 2018 and the appointment of new defense counsel in 2019.

By the time Womack reaches the jury trial dates Judge Michael Ryan set , he will have been in jail for more than six years.

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh said he has not made a final decision on if he’d be calling witnesses.

“Primarily, I agree that the issue is a legal issue, not a factual issue,” Kiersh said. “We don’t want to do anything to delay the resolution of the case.”

The prosecution said they expect to call witnesses including a medical examiner, DNA experts, phone experts and at least two to three Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers.

Judge Ryan set dates from July 5 through July 28, 2023, for the jury selection and trial.

Womack is also charged with first-degree armed burglary, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, armed kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Preliminary Hearing Begins for 2 Homicide Defendants

April 26 marked the first day of a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Co-defendants Delonta Stevenson, 26, and Vorreze Thomas, 23, are both charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 32-year-old Terrence Allen on Jan. 18 on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE.

Stevenson and Thomas allegedly cut Allen off in a vehicle before shooting close to 50 rounds at Allen’s car, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case discussed surveillance video of two people alleged to be the co-defendants leaving an apartment complex and entering a brown Volvo that looks consistent with the car involved in the shooting.

According to court documents, Stevenson is believed to have been in the passenger seat of the car involved in the shooting and is believed to be the one who shot at Allen and two other victims, who sustained non-life threatening injuries. The detective said no source saw shots coming from the driver’s side.

The MPD detective also said that, during a search of Stevenson’s home, police found black pants with red stripes that matched what the suspects in the surveillance video were wearing during the time of the homicide.

Due to time constraints, the hearing did not finish. DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the proceedings to pick back up on April 28.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Police Investigating 2 Homicides

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two fatal shootings: one on April 27 and the other on April 15, from which the victim died on the 27th.

On April 15 at around 4:34 a.m., officers responded to the 3600 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW for the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 49-year-old Oscar Rodas suffering from a gunshot wounds.

Rodas was taken to a hospital. He died from his injuries on April 27.

At around 11:14 p.m. on April 27, officers responded to the 100 block of 35^th Street, SE for report of a shooting.

There, they found 20-year-old Malik Tyger suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened on March 27.

At around 1:33 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Forrester Street, SE for the report of a shooting, according to a press release.

There, they found 34-year-old Evan Wood with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.

John Philogene, 23, was arrested for second-degree murder while armed on April 27.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there was enough evidence against a homicide defendant to bring his case to trial.

Steven Arrington-Rodgers, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 25-year-old Martez Jackson on Nov. 9, 2020, on the 1400 block of Howard Road, SE.

During the April 27 hearing, defense attorney Douglas Wood argued that Arrington-Rodgers shot Jackson in self-defense after Jackson robbed him.

However, Judge Juliet McKenna found there was substantial probability Arrington-Rodgers committed the crime and was not acting in self-defense. She said the fact that he did not notify authorities after the crime suggested he did not feel he was in imminent danger at the time.

The prosecution said surveillance footage shows Jackson robbing Arrington-Rodgers at gunpoint and fleeing the scene in Arrington-Rodgers’ car. They said Arrington-Rodgers shot Jackson as Jackson drove away.

Wood argued that the only evidence the prosecution has against his client is that he was at a public establishment when he was robbed at gunpoint in a matter of 15 to 30 seconds. Woods emphasized that Jackson had a history of violent crimes, including robbery, and presented a clear and present danger to his client.

In the closing arguments, the prosecution noted that Arrington-Rodgers did not turn himself in right away, but was arrested two months later. They also said the shooting could not have been self-defense because Jackson was driving away immediately after the robbery with the windows up, trying to get away from the defendant.

Wood argued his client only had 15 seconds to react and did not know if Jackson was reaching for his gun when he ran after the car speeding away. He also said the car contained information about his client and where he lived, which would present a continued threat to his and his family’s safety. Woods also said that, after the shooting, Arrington-Rodgers called his fiancé crying and told her to report the car stolen and used the two months before his arrest to gather funds to hire a lawyer.

Although Wood asked that his client be placed in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), Judge McKenna said Arrington-Rodgers’ prior robbery and firearms convictions were concerning. She also noted that, at the time of the crime, he was allegedly in illegal possession of a firearm and that his alleged actions could have caused numerous bystanders to be killed.

She granted the prosecution’s request that Arrington-Rodgers remain held at DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Homicide Case Continues to Await Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge recommended that the prosecution use a thumb drive to exchange large amounts evidence with the defense in a murder case that is currently awaiting indictment.

Diantre Smith, 45, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28-year-old Nyesha Galloway on Dec. 20, 2019, in a wooded area on the west side of the 400 block of 42nd Street, NE.

During the April 27 hearing, the prosecution said they have provided all DNA results and discovery material in the case; however, the file is too large for the defense to upload. The prosecution will send a thumb drive with the discovery evidence to the defense.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey asked the prosecution when the case would be indicted, which would allow them to progress towards setting a trial date. The prosecution did not have a definitive answer.

The prosecution plans to provide an update about the indictment at the next hearing, which Judge Milton Lee scheduled for Sept. 20. The defense will follow up on any outstanding motions with the judge’s chambers.

In the meantime, Smith will remain held at DC Jail.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: April 26-27

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on April 26 and 9:00 a.m. on April 27.

The alert was sent at 9:37 p.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

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

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