Document: Traffic Fatality

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on June 24.

According to a press release, at about 11:33 p.m. a 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle was reportedly driving at a high speed southbound in the 3600 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

“The motorcycle collided with a 2000 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. The motorcycle then lost control, mounted the curb, struck a tree, and the operator was thrown from the motorcycle,” the press release said. “The motorcycle then struck a telephone pole and then a 2015 Honda Accord.”

The motorcyclist, 28-year-old Kenneth Andre Brown Jr., was pronounced dead on scene.

Judge Schedules Trial Readiness Hearing for Co-Defendants Charged with Murder

On June 23, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled another trial readiness hearing in a homicide case with two co-defendants.

Stephon Evans, 21, and Kewon Hunter, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd on July 30, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Evans and Hunter are also charged with conspiracy while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the trial readiness hearing for July 28 to give defense attorney Jason Clark time to talk with his clients about how they would like to proceed with the case.

Evans is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the death of 21-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12, 2019, which is a separate case. He is one of four defendants charged in connection with the homicide.

Carlos Turner, 23, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Taylor’s homicide. His case was not heard today, but he is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 5, 2022.

Judge Denies Request to Amend Release Conditions for Woman Charged in Child’s Murder

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s request to allow her client, who is accused of killing her two-year-old child, to see her other children.

Ta’jenna Eason is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the death of her toddler, Gabriel Eason, on April 1, 2020. She and her partner and co-defendant, Antoinio Turner, are accused of abusing Gabriel and failing to seek medical attention for the injuries he sustained. According to court documents, when the police responded to their apartment on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE, they found Gabriel with visible signs of trauma. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Ta’jenna Eason, 31, was released with a stay away order during her initial hearing following her arrest in November. During the June 23 hearing, defense attorney Dana Page asked Judge Milton Lee to amend the current stay away order, so she can have supervised visits with her other two children through Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).

Page said the modification would make the stay away order consistent with the case she has open in family court. She argues that if the neglect case finds it is in the best interest of the children to have supervised visits, the criminal court should follow suit, since the family court deals with parental matters more often.

The prosecution, however, opposed the request, saying that the older child, who is 11, will most likely be a witness in the case.

The defense then asked to amend the stay away order for just the younger child, who is 4 years old, since they are not old enough to be a witness and therefore would not be compromising the prosecution’s case.

However, Judge Lee said the four-year-old child could potentially be a witness, and denied both of the defense’s requests.

Eason’s next hearing is scheduled for July 26. At the next hearing parties are expected to schedule a preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Parties are calso in plea negotiations. The prosecution has offered a pre-preliminary hearing plea deal, which is wired with Turner’s case.

Turner, 29, is facing the same charges as his partner. He is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 13.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on June 24.

At about 7:56 p.m. police reported to the 3600 block of 22^nd Street, SE, due to reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police found an adult male victim suffering from stab wounds. The victim was pronounced dead on scene, according to the press release.

The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Damohn Gill.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrested in a homicide case.

At 1:09 p.m. on June 11 police responded to the 1600 Block of Franklin Street, NE, due to reports of gunshots. Police found 30-year-old Isaac Aull Jr. dead on scene from gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

Police have arrested 37-year-old Khalid Claggett and charged him with second-degree murder while armed.

Crime Alerts: June 24-25

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts betwen 9:00 p.m. on June 24 and 9:00 a.m. on June 25.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:10 p.m. due to a robbery investigation on the 5100 block of North Capitol Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black men wearing all black clothing.

A second crime alert was sent out at 11:57 p.m. due to reports of a stabbing on South Capitol Terrace and Atlantic Street, SW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

Judge Continues Status Hearing in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing in a murder case to give the defense attorney more time to talk with his client about his desire to withdraw his guilty plea.

A little over a year ago, Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney on the 2000 block of Stanton Road, SE, on Sept. 9, 2018.

Back in March, defense attorney James King told Judge Milton Lee that his client wanted to withdraw his guilty plea, which the prosecution opposed.

The case was continued to June 23 to give King time to speak with the 20-year-old defendant. But when parties reconvened, King said he still has not been able to speak with Jarmon.

Judge Lee gave gave King another week to talk with Jarmon and file a motion to withdraw the guilty plea.

The next hearing is scheduled June 30.

Judge Orders Sex Abuse Defendant to Competency Restoration Treatment

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a convicted sex abuse defendant is incompetent to proceed to sentencing and ordered him transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric ward, for treatment.

Jamar Tillman was convicted of third-degree sex abuse, misdemeanor sex abuse, attempted misdemeanor sex abuse, kidnapping and robbery following a court trial in January 2020.

Tillman, 37, was sent to St. Elizabeth’s less than two months after he picked up his initial charges. He was sent back to DC Jail shortly after the verdict came in.

During the June 23 hearing, parties did not object to Judge Juliet McKenna’s decision to transfer the defendant.

Judge McKenna scheduled a mental observation hearing for Aug. 11.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing Following Recent Appointment of New Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a first-degree murder case to give the new defense attorney more time to work on the case.

DeAndre Houston is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on Oct. 11, 2018, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE.

Houston, 21, is also charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in this case.

Defense attorney Kristin McGough, who was appointed to Houston’s case less than a month before the June 22 hearing, asked Judge Milton Lee for a continuance so she could have more time to familiarize herself with the defendant and his case.

Judge Milton Lee continued the hearing to Sept. 7.

Judge Holds 2, Releases 3 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants and released three others during initial hearings on June 22.

A total of 27 defendants were presented before the court.

One defendant was charged with simple assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children. The prosecution said the alleged incident was captured on video and the defendant has other charges involving the same victim.

Judge Shelly Mulkey decided to hold him at DC Jail.

Another defendant was charged with Temporary Protection Order (TPO) violation. The prosecution said they have recordings of the defendant allegedly leaving voicemails for the victim saying, “I’m your worst nightmare,” and, “you’re dead.”

The defendant is also accused of damaging the victim’s car and stealing the car keys.

Both held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 13.

Three other domestic violence defendants were released on their promise to return to court. All of them were charged with simple assault.

Two of them are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 19 and the other is scheduled to return to court on Dec 17.

Judge Sets Prelim for Double Homicide Case

On June 24, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a double homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Keanan Turner, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Wanda Wright, 48, and Ebony Wright, 32, on April 10, on the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE.

He is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly shooting a third victim.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the preliminary hearing for Sept. 1.

Judge Schedules Convicted Murder Defendant to be Sentenced in September

On June 24, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a convicted murder defendant to be sentenced in September.

Mason Binion, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on June 22, 2008, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the sentencing to take place on Sept. 21.

Joshua Ellis Massaquoi, 33, is awaiting sentencing for conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to second-degree murder and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with Taylor’s death.

Victor Carvajal, 34, was also charged with first-degree murder while armed, but his case was later dismissed.

Parties Await Competency Findings for Defendant Accused of Stabbing Father

A DC Superior court judge continued a murder defendant’s mental observation hearing as parties await findings on if he is competent to stand trial.

Aaron Smith, 24, is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing of his 60-year-old father, Edward Smith, on the 2100 block of 36th Place, SE, on Feb. 12.

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) found him competent to stand trial in his misdemeanor cases, but Judge Milton Lee has previously said he does not want to apply those findings to his murder case. During the June 24 hearing, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said the DBH has not yet come to a conclusion of whether Smith is competent to stand trial in the murder case.

Resetarits asked Judge Lee for more time to receive the competency report from the DBH and, once they do, decide if they want to dispute it. The prosecution did not oppose this, but Resetarits agreed to inform the prosecution in a timely manner on if they plan to dispute any competency findings.

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

Judge Pushes Trial Dates Earlier for Four Co-Defendants in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled earlier trial dates for a homicide case with four co-defendants on June 23.

Stephon Evans, 21, Alonzo Brown, 21, Tavist Alston, 25, and Naquel Henderson, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE, on Jan. 12, 2019.

Their trial was previously scheduled to begin in May 2023, but the defense requested an earlier date during the June 22 hearing. Judge Juliet McKenna agreed to this request, setting aside Oct. 5 through Nov. 22, 2022, for jury selection and the trial.

A status hearing is set to take place for Dec 10.

The four defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with intent to kill while armed.

Carlos Turner, 23, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Taylor’s death. His case, which is awaiting indictment, was not heard. He is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 5, 2022.

Evans is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in the death of 21-year-old Dion DeMarco Boyd on July 30, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Kewon Hunter is also charged in connection with this homicide.

Lizzie Brennan also wrote this article.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in a homicide case.

At about 4:31 p.m. police responded to the 100 block of Sheridan Street, NE, due to reports of a shooting. An adult male was found and pronounced dead on scene.

The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Bret Desmarteau. Police have arrested 38-year-old James Antonio Harper on June 23 in relation to the homicide. Harper is being charged with second degree murder while armed.

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