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Judge Won’t Re-Open Preliminary Hearing for 3 Co-Defendants Charged With Murder

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense motion to reconsider re-opening a previous preliminary hearing that was held earlier this year to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Nelfy Hernandez, 17, Deandre Levy, 20, and Trey Prillerman, 17, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, on Aug. 10, 2020. The three are accused of shooting into a crowd of juveniles from inside of a vehicle.

The defense wanted to re-open the preliminary hearing so they could call a detective who did not testify when the hearing was held back in March.

Judge Danya Dayson denied this request in favor of moving towards setting a trial date. She cited a limit in courtroom availability.

Judge Dayson did grant the defense’s request to receive surveillance footage of the defendants from the night of the homicide. The defense is able to share the transcripts of the videos with their clients, but the defendants are not able to view the video itself.

A felony status conference for the three defendants is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

On Aug. 5, 25 defendants were brought before DC Superior Court for presentments. Among them were three domestic violence defendants: two who were released and one who was held.

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, as well as violating a Civil Protection Order. Judge Renee Raymond scheduled him to return to court on Aug. 24.

Both of the released domestic violence defendants released are charged with simple assault. Judge Raymond gave one of them a stay away order and the other a No Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 10.

Crime Alerts: August 5-6

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 6.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:30 p.m. due to a robbery in the 200 block of Florida Avenue, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males, both with a slim build. One was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and the other wearing a red sweatshirt and armed with a handgun.

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:09 a.m. due to a robbery investigation in the 4200 block of East Capitol Street NE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males. One was wearing a white shirt with black sweatpants and armed with a handgun. The second was wearing a black ski mask and jeans.

Domestic Violence Case to Go to Trial in 2022

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a jury trial for a domestic violence defendant who is indicted on 12 counts. 

The defendant’s charges include assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, threat to injure or kidnap a person, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

During the Aug. 5 hearing, Judge Dayna Dayson set aside Feb. 10 – 22, 2022, for the trial. She also scheduled a felony status conference for Oct. 1. 

Judge Michael Ryan will preside over the trial. 

Document: Vehicles and Person of Interest Sought in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 31.

At about 11:15 p.m. police were in the area of the 700 block of O Street, NW, when they heard sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police found 31-year-old Kervin Sanches with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, according to the press release.

MPD detectives have released information on two vehicles and one person of interest in relation to the homicide, according to the press release.

Crime Alerts: August 4-5

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 4 and 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 5.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:05 a.m. due to an attempted robbery in the 3500 block of 11th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males wearing black clothing.

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:20 a.m. due to a stabbing in the 1300 block of Hamilton Street, NW. Police stopped the suspect.

A final crime alert was sent out at 7:49 a.m. due to a stabbing investigation in the 1500 Block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male with dreadlocks, wearing a white shirt and khaki pants.

Presentment Hearings for Two Homicide Defendants Rescheduled

The DC Superior Court could not conduct presentment hearings for two murder defendants on Aug. 4 because they were in the hospital.

Klein Lawrence and Rondez Tibbs are charged with first-degree murder while armed. Lawrence, 37, is charged in the shooting of 34-year-old Vanessa Brooks-Williams on July 10. Tibbs, 26, is charged in the shooting of 27-year-old Malcolm Johnson on July 21.

 Both defendants’ presentment hearings were rescheduled to Aug. 5.

A total of 36 cases were presented before the court. 

Judge Renee Raymond held two domestic violence defendants. One of them is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. The other failed to appear for a hearing.

Both defendants are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 24. 

Sex Abuse Defendant Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to six years in prison.

In January, Anthony Faucette pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for sexually assaulting a woman in the supply closet of a convenience store on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE, in November 2020.

Faucette’s six year prison sentence will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.

Defense attorney Wole Falodun argued that Faucette, 35, should receive treatment rather than extensive incarceration due to his history with mental health issues.

The defendant was found mentally incompetent in April. He was sent to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for treatment the following month. He was found competent in July, allowing parties to proceed to sentencing.

During the Aug. 4 sentencing hearing, Falodun said his client admitted to his crime at the scene and pleaded guilty as early as he could.

The prosecution, who recommended a six-year sentence followed by a lifetime of supervised release, said Faucette has a significant history of mostly misdemeanor crimes and that his crimes became more significant over time.

Judge Neal Kravitz described the experience of watching the surveillance video of the incident as “chilling,” and said he did not think Faucette had fully grasped the wrongness of his actions.

“It seems like he has a higher likelihood than most of doing this again,” he said.

Faucette is also required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the case against a defendant charged with first-degree sexual abuse has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 31-year-old defendant is accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times on July 13. At the time, the defendant was wanted for assault in Maryland, according to court documents. 

Dominique Winters was appointed to represent the defendant on Aug. 4. She requested exculpatory evidence from the prosecution and asked  Judge Juliet Becker to schedule a preliminary hearing.

The preliminary hearing is set to take place on Aug. 13. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.

Man Charged in Former Marine’s Homicide Pleads Guilty

A defendant charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old former Marine pleaded guilty to murder on Aug. 4.

Matthew Scott Rooker was stabbed multiple times on May 23, 2018, on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW.

Kavonte Richardson was charged with felony murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit robbery in connection with the homicide. During the Aug. 4 hearing, the 27-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. As part of the plea deal, his additional charges of armed robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon were dropped.

Parties agreed to a 15-year prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to the proffer of facts, Rooker sustained one stab wound to his neck, five to his arm and four to his back as Richarson attempted to steal his backpack. 

After his arrest, police questioned Richardson about Rooker’s death and showed him a photo of the knife used in the homicide. Richardson denied owning the weapon but once interrogators left, video footage of the room shows him admitting to owning the weapon, according to the proffer of facts. DNA evidence later found on the knife matched both Richardson and Rooker.

Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Richardson to be sentenced on Oct. 29.   

And the Tweets Keep Pouring In…

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Crime Alerts: August 3-4

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

A crime alert was sent out at 11:28 p.m. due to a shooting at the corner of Stanton Road and Miss Avenue, SE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second crime alert was sent out at 1:03 a.m. due to a shooting in the 4000 block of 14th Street, NW. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A final crime alert was sent out at 1:34 a.m. due to a shooting in the 1300 block of Colombia Road, NW. Police identified the suspects as 3-4 young Black males who were last seen getting into a dark color Dodge challenger.

Judge Holds Murder Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held three defendants, including one charged with murder, and released four others during presentments on Aug. 3.  

In total, 26 defendants were brought before the court.

Idrissa Falls, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 29-year-old Dara Northern on July 18 on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW. After considering information witnesses told officers on the scene and prior incidents between the victim and defendant, Judge Renee Raymond held Fall at DC Jail. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 25.  

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault as well as a defendant charged with misdemeanor sex abuse were also held. They are both scheduled to return to court on Aug. 24.   

Four domestic violence defendants were released. Their charges include possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault and destruction of property. Two of the defendants were given stay away orders. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 9. 

Klein Lawrence was scheduled to appear in court on a first-degree murder while armed charge, but his presentment hearing was rescheduled to Aug. 4 due to him reportedly being in the hospital.