Judge Sets Trial Dates for a Four Co-Defendant Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a four co-defendants in a homicide case to go to before a jury in 2023.

Alonzo Brown, 23, Naquel Henderson, 23, Tavist Alston, 27, and Stephon Evans, 20, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12, 2019.

According to court documents, Alston allegedly drove the other three co-defendants to an apartment complex where Taylor was shot and two others sustained non-life threatening injuries.

During the March 18 trial readiness hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna set aide May 3 through June 9, 2023, for the trial. Jury selection will take place on May 1 and 2.

Judge McKenna also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for Sept. 13.

All four co-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.

Judge Reschedules Jury Selection In 2 First-Degree Murder Cases

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled jury selection dates for two first-degree murder cases.

Mark Price, 23, is charged with the allegedly shooting 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on the 1500 block of 19th St, SE on July 30, 2018.

Denzel Grandson, 29, is charged with allegedly shooting 36-year-old Simwone Milstead on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE on May 17, 2014.

Judge Juliet McKenna said it was unwise to have a gap in between the jury selection and the start of the trial due to COVID-19 restrictions, which could affect potential travel plans and courtroom availability.

She recommended moving the jury selection to two days before the start of each trial rather than a week prior to the trials.

Counsel for each case agreed.

Jury selection in Price’s case was moved to March 21 and 22, 2022, with the trial scheduled from March 23 to April 6, 2022.

Jury selection in Grandson’s case was moved to March 9 and 10, 2022, with the trial scheduled for March 11 through 31, 2022.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22 in Grandson’s case.

A status and motion hearing is scheduled for April 30 in Price’s case.

Judge Hears Arguments Concerning Forcibly Medicating Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge resumed arguments and a cross examination to determine whether a homicide defendant should be forcibly medicated in order to restore his competency to stand trial.

Daryl Thompson, also known as Darryl Tompkins, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of 29-year-old Edward Roberts Jr. and 23-year-old Tyler McEachern. On July 30, 2016, Roberts was found on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW suffering from several gunshot wounds. One month later, on Aug. 29, 2016, McEachern was found on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were taken to nearby hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.

During the March 17 proceedings, defense attorney Pierce Suen continued discussion about the alleged misrepresentations the prosecution’s expert witness made at the start of the hearing in December of 2020. Suen asked the record to reflect that the expert doctor misrepresented data and articles regarding competency restoration treatment success rates.

Suen also said it is troubling that the prosecution refuses to concede that its expert witness was wrong.

Judge Neal Kravitz said he believes there isn’t much doubt on record that the doctor misstated the findings of the study, but he does not believe the misrepresentation would make much of a difference in the prosecution’s argument.

“I am being tried twice for the same crime,” Tompkins told the judge, “which is a constitutional fifth amendment violation.” Tompkins explained that his reasoning for his argument was in several letters he mailed to the judge.

Judge Kravitz said he never received any letters and said Tompkins has no basis for a double jeopardy motion.

Counsel also questioned a new expert witness about criteria that constitutes a sound reliable study for drug functionality and treatment to restore competency. The witness, a medical doctor, criticized the articles in question based on a lack of ability to generalize, a skewed population sample, limited applicability to the defendant, limited data and flawed methods.

After both parties cross examined the witness, Judge Kravitz continued the hearing to allow time for parties to file briefings of their arguments.

Tompkins has 12 additional charges that include assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, obstructing justice, and threat to kidnap or injure a person.

His next hearing is scheduled for June 15, at which time Judge Kravitz said he will make an oral ruling on the case.

Judge Holds 3 Domestic Violence Defendants and A Homicide Defendant During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on March 17, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann presided over eight domestic violence defendants, one sex abuse defendant and a murder defendant.

Deangelo Glover is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the death of 32-year-old Tyrone Wright on Jan. 19.

According to court documents, Glover, 29, allegedly shot Wright 17 times in the head and body in the parking lot of the Mayfair Mansions apartment complex on the 3800 block of Hayes Street, NE.

An additional victim, who was friends with Wright, was shot once but survived his injury after being treated at a local hospital.

Glover is being held at the DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for April 7.

Judge Herrmann also held three domestic violence defendants who are all charged with contempt. Some of their additional charges include simple assault, unlawful entry and destruction of property.

All three defendants were on pretrial release in domestic violence cases and allegedly violated their release conditions.

The defendants will be held until their next hearings, which are all scheduled for April 6.

Finally, the judge released six additional defendants.

Five of the defendants are charged in domestic violence cases with for simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

Two of these defendants were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their probation hearings. They were released with orders to return to court on March 23.

The other domestic violence defendants were given stay-away orders and will return to court in August.

Judge Herrmann also released a defendant charged with sex abuse and simple assault. He was released with a stay-away order and told to return to court on Aug. 18.

Judge Grants Defense Attorney’s Motion to Withdraw

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s motion to withdraw as counsel for a convicted murder defendant.

In Febuary 2020, a jury found 34-year-old Mason Binion guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW on June 22, 2008.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving filed the motion last month. He says that Binion asked him to withdraw and then refused to continue speaking with him.

Binion is currently being held at DC Jail as he waits to be sentenced. He wishes to exercise his right to be sentenced in person, rather than via video conference. A date for this has yet to be set.

Binion’s next hearing is scheduled for April 8.

Victor Carvajal was also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the homicide, but his case was dismissed the day before opening statements.

Joshua Massaquoi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol during a crime of violence and accessory to second-degree murder.

Massaquoi was released to home confinement with a GPS monitoring device on March 24, 2020.

In February, a judge removed the device stipulation, but said a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency officer (CSOSA) could decide to make the defendant wear the device.

Massaquoi is scheduled for another hearing on April 29.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: March 17-18

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 7:00 p.m. on March 17 and 9:00 a.m. on March 18.

The alert was sent at 7:17 p.m. for a shooting investigation on I-295 Northbound near Benning Road, NE.

Police are looking for a white Hyundai Elantra.

Murder Case Set for Trial Readiness Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearing for a murder case.

Brandon Randall, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for allegedly shooting of 30-year-old David Brandon on Feb. 24, 2019, on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

The prosecution returned an indictment in December 2020 and is in the process of extending a plea deal.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the trial readiness hearing for Aug. 2.

In the meantime, Randall will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the charges in July 2019.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Prosecution Moves Towards Returning an Indictment in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a felony status conference as the prosecution confirmed they were moving towards returning an indictment.

Terrell Poe, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Christopher Washington on Sept. 23, 2020, on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

During the March 17 proceedings, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey requested an update on when the prosecution thinks there will be an indictment.

“The investigation is continuing… it is proceeding forward at a normal pace,” the prosecution said.

The prosecutor could not provide details or a definite deadline but assured the court, “We’re moving along. We’re doing the best we can.”

The next hearing is scheduled for May 25.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Continues Hearing for Possible Plea Deal

A DC Superior Court judge granted the defense’s request to continue a March 17 status hearing so the defense could have more time to discuss a plea offer.

Tavon Davis is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 29-year-old Michael Vest on the 1300 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE on Jun. 28, 2017.

Davis, 22, is also charged with obstruction of justice, soliciting murder, and threat to injure or kidnap a person in this case.

In another case filled in July 2020, Davis is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed.

“I believe the plea offer will lead to the resolution of all cases,” said defense attorney Matthew Davies.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next hearing for April 21.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Sets New Status Hearing Date in Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 17 status hearing in a homicide case.

Glen Dolford, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 26-year-old Raheem Murray. Murray was shot on Feb. 2, 2020, on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE. A second victim sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and survived.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for May 19.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Continues Status Hearing in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 17 status hearing in a case involving a fatal shooting.

Cory Brown, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his 40-year-old girlfriend, Latasha Estep, with a crossbow on the 1900 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Aug. 8. The case is a domestic violence incident.

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits also renewed his request to receive evidence from the prosecution.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the next status hearing for May 19.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Sex Abuse Case Continues, Giving Parties More Time to Decide Sentencing Details

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 16 hearing in a post-conviction sex abuse case, so parties could decide on the best time frame for sentencing and if it should be done in person or remote.

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

During the March 16 hearing, defense attorney Jonathan Zucker said he would file a motion to have his client placed in the psychiatric ward at the DC Jail.

Tillman had been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, but was transferred to the DC Jail a little over two months after the verdict was passed.

In the meantime, Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a status hearing for May 7.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of 32 year-old Tyrone Wright.

At around 6:43 p.m. on Jan. 19, officers responded to the 3800 block of Hayes Street, NE for the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Wright was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of his nonlife threatening injuries.

On March. 16, 29 year-old Deangelo Glover was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on the night of March 16.

According to preliminary investigation, at around 11:10 p.m., the operator of a Hyundai Sonata was travelling westbound in the far left lane on the 3600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

The operator of a commercial vehicle box truck was also travelling westbound in the center lane at the same time.

“The operator of the Hyundai Sonata then changed lanes, striking the commercial vehicle box truck, resulting in the truck overturning onto its passenger side,” the press release states.

Both operators were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The front seat passenger of the commercial box truck was pronounced dead on the scene.

Crime Alerts: March 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on March 16 and 9:00 a.m. on March 17.

The alert was sent at 4:18 a.m. for a stabbing at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and K Street, NW.

Police are looking for two Black males. One of the suspects is wearing a blue jacket.

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