Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a Jan. 26 homicide.

At around 2:51 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 1200 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, where they found 22 year-old Maryland resident Dewayne Shorter, III suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

“Further investigation revealed that the offense took place in the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE,” the press release states.

On March 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out a press release saying that the suspect in this case has been identified as 36 year-old Jonathan Young, of Southeast, DC.

Young was arrested for first-degree murder while armed on April 6. The case remains under investigation.

Crime Alerts: April 6-7

Between 9:00 p.m. on April 6 and 9:00 a.m. on April 7, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 2:16 a.m.. for an armed robbery at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Quincey Street, NW.

Police are looking for a Black male, 5’10” in height, wearing a blue hoodie, black or blue jeans and armed with a handgun.

The suspect was last seen heading east on Florida Avenue on a bike with a bent wheel.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Out

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to probation.

Louis Poteat was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon last November. During the April 6 hearing, he pleaded down to a charge of simple assault.

Judge William Nooter sentenced the 37-year-old defendant to 120 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.

According to the proffer of facts, Poteat swung an open folding knife towards the victim, causing her to sustain a hand injury that required stitches.

The victim did not make an impact statement, but the prosecutor told Judge Nooter that she wants Poteat to serve jail time but understands the prosecution’s wish to request a probation only sentence.

A representative with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) also reported that the defendant was doing well on pretrial release.

As part of his probation, Poteat is required to partake in drug testing as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.) He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

“Good luck to you,” Judge Nooter told him. “I have confidence that you will complete this probation period successfully.”

Judge Sets Trial Readiness Date for 2015 Homicides

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearings for two homicide cases that have been affected by forensic errors.

Rondell McLeoud, 27, and Joseph Brown, 26, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Amari Jenkins, 21, on Aug. 18, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, and Antwan Baker, 29, on Nov. 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE.

The two had been indicted as co-defendants.

The homicide scenes were determined to be linked by ballistic evidence that was later discovered to be erroneous. The cases went on to be severed. However, the mistake caused incorrect information to be presented to a grand jury.

McLeoud’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, filed a motion to dismiss his client’s indictment based on the introduction of false testimony to the grand jury and, alternatively, to require the prosecution to give defense counsel the entirety of the grand jury minutes.

During the April 6 felony status conference, Judge Milton Lee ordered the defense to submit supplemental documents to replace the original Department of Forensic Services (DFS) findings by May 6, which would allow the prosecution enough time to review the items before the defendant’s next hearing on June 2.

Judge Lee said that he expects to resolve Kiersh’s motion at that time.

Due to how long the cases have been open, parties requested the earliest possible trial readiness hearings. Judge Lee scheduled one for both defendants for June 23.

Alicia McCoy, who is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with Baker’s homicide, is on pretrial release with GPS monitoring. McCoy’s defense attorney asked Judge Lee to release her client from GPS monitoring, saying that she has consistently complied with the conditions of her release.

Due to separate charges pending against McCoy in Maryland, Judge Lee declined the request and deferred a final decision until her next court date on June 2.

McLeoud and Brown are also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed in their cases. Brown is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: April 5-6

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on April 5 and 9:00 a.m. on April 6.

The alert was sent at 9:03 p.m. for a shooting on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

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

Judge Releases Seven Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

On April 5, a DC Superior Court judge released all seven defendants charged in domestic violence cases.

In total, there were 33 cases presented before the court.

Judge Lloyd Nolan issued stay-away orders for all seven defendants as a condition of release and ordered them to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

Two of the defendants are being charged as co-defendants. One of the defendants is being charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000. The other is being charged with simple assault.

A defendant was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault and obstruction of justice. The prosecution requested that this defendant be held considering their assaultive and domestic violence conduct in the past. However, Judge Nolan released the defendant because they have been in compliance with conditions of release and have been in contact with supervision officers in regards to their probation.

The other four defendants have charges that include simple assault, destruction of property less than $1,000, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted and actual threats to do bodily harm.

All defendants are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 12.

This article was written by Dalvyn Velez

Document: Homicide and Officer-Involved Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the FBI are investigating a homicide and officer-involved shooting that happened on April 2 at the intersection of Constitution and Delaware Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, just after 1:00 p.m., a suspect driving a blue sedan entered the north gate on Constitution Avenue and intentionally struck two on-duty USPC officers with the vehicle before ramming the vehicle into the blocking barricade.

The suspect, 25-year-old Noah Green, then reportedly left the vehicle while armed with a knife and charged towards another USPC officer, who fired his weapon and struck the suspect.

Green and one of the injured officers, 41-year-old William Evans, were taken to the hospital, but died from their injuries.

Another officer was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, and was later released. The knife was recovered from the scene.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing, Orders Competency Screening for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

John Woods is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 60-year-old Geno Freeman. Woods, 66, is accused of shooting Freeman on the 6000 block of Chillum Place, NE on Feb. 19.

During the April 5 hearing, Judge John Campbell granted defense attorney James King’s request to order a screening to determine the defendant’s competency to stand trial.

Judge Campbell also scheduled the preliminary hearing for May 18.

According to a press release, responding officers found Woods with a firearm on the day of the homicide.

“After the suspect ignored multiple commands, an officer discharged their firearm striking the suspect,” the press release states. He was then taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to court documents, Freeman was Woods’ former co-worker, and a witness said the two did not get along well. Woods reportedly alleges that Freeman put something in his food that caused him to develop health problems.

Document: Fatal Shooting in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 4.

At around 9:45 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 22 year-old Juwan McCrae suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a death that occurred from a traffic accident on April 4.

At approximately 1:27 a.m., the operator of a red Nissan Altima ran a red light at the intersection of 14th Street and C Street, NE, striking a silver Toyota Camry in the intersection.

The operator and passenger of the Nissan exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

The operator and passenger of the Camry were transported to a local hospital for treatment, but the operator, 30 year-old Brian Johnson, was pronounced dead.

Judge Schedules Trial Dates for Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled jury trial dates for a homicide case.

Marquette Jordan, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 48-year-old Ivan Lynch. On April 30, 2018, Lynch was stabbed on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

The prosecution anticipates the trial to last two weeks.

Judge Milton Lee set aside March 13 through 24, 2023. A status hearing is also scheduled for Sept. 28.

Jordan is also charged with threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, simple assault and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business in this case.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Document: Pedestrian Struck in Roadway in Northeast

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on April 3.

The police’s investigation revealed that a pedestrian laid down on the roadway in the crosswalk at the intersection of South Dakota Avenue and Bladensburg Road, NE at approximately 12:57 a.m.

The pedestrian was then struck by a white van that was traveling north on South Dakota Avenue. The vehicle fled the scene.

The victim, now identified as 54 year-old Evelyn Troyah, was transported to a local hospital for treatment but died after all life-saving efforts failed.

Document: Homicide in Arboretum Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on April 4.

At around 9:19 p.m., officers responded to the the 1800 block of 24^th Street, NE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 33 year-old Dontra Harris suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Double Homicide in Southeast

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a double homicide that happened on April 3.

At around 10:14 p.m., officers responded to the 4200 block of 4^th Street, SE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 26 year-old Antuan Davis and 29 year-old Anthony Davis inside a residential building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were both pronounced dead on scene.

Crime Alerts: April 4-5

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

The most recent alert was sent at 11:49 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE. Police are looking for two suspects wearing black jackets and blue jeans.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 11:39 p.m. on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

A shooting investigation alert was sent at 10:35 p.m. on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

The final alert was sent at 9:51 p.m. for a confirmed shooting investigation on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE.

Police do not have a description of the suspects involved in the last three alerts sent out.

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