Case Involving Sex Abuse and Domestic Violence Goes to Trial

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

The defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse against three victims who are nine, 10 and 11 years old.

During the Feb. 25 proceedings, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case said that, in a series of interviews, the victims accused the defendant of touching them inappropriately and sending inappropriate text messages, including pornography.

But, the defense attorney said that one of the victims has been sexually abused before, which caused the defendant to worry that any of the three would be victimized by another act of sexual abuse.

Because of this concern, the defendant says he periodically “checked” the victims for signs of sexual abuse, including by checking if the victims’ hymens were intact.

Although they never witnessed it, four people, who know the defendant personally, said they knew the defendant did this, but that he never touched the children inappropriately.

The defendant says a doctor showed him how to check for sexual abuse. The defendant also says he sent the inappropriate text messages as a “test” to determine how the victims would respond in an abusive situation.

The prosecution called this absurd and “self-serving.”

The prosecution argued that the victims were consistent with the content of their allegations and confided in each other to help determine what happened to them, and not to fabricate a story against the defendant.

Judge Michael Ryan agreed with the prosecution, saying the defendant created a “fantasyland” to excuse his behavior.

The judge said it was not credible that a doctor would have showed the defendant how to “check” for sexual abuse.

Judge Ryan determined the defendant was a risk to the victims, and chose to hold him at the DC Jail.

A status hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Alaina Provenza wrote this article.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing, Allowing More Time to Review Competency Report

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 hearing, so parties and the judge would have more time to review a competency report submitted by the DC Department of Behavioral Health.

Carson Posey, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28 -ear-old Shantal Hill on April 15, 2020, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

The report was not submitted until the day of the hearing, which did not allow enough time for counsel, the defendant and the judge to review it.

Judge Danya Dayson continued the hearing for March 25.

Judge Holds Murder Defendant Charged with Triple Homicide During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Feb. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a defendant charged with second-degree murder.

In total, there were 25 defendants presented before the court. There were six domestic violence defendants, one sex abuse defendant and one homicide defendant.

Jibri Qayyum is charged with second-degree murder while armed for the deaths of three victims. Qayyum, 44, is alleged to have shot 56-year-old Claudette Williams, 29-year-old Marquise Lewis and 20-year-old Juwan Wade on the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE on July 7, 2020.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers previously arrested 33-year-old Dale Benjamin and charged him with second-degree murder while armed. Benjamin and Qayyum are co-defendants.

Qayyum is alleged to have shot at the decedents after they allegedly attempted to rob him, Benjamin and another person.

Qayyum’s defense counsel, Kristin McGough, asked the judge to not find probable cause, saying there is a question of the strength of the identification of Qayyum.

One of the witnesses identified Qayyum from a video, but McGough said how close the shot is or the quality of the video is unknown. She also said that on the second watch, the witness said “I think that’s Jibri,” which, she said, does not instill confidence.

Despite the defense attorney’s argument, Judge Pipe found probable cause. She said she even found substantial probability that Qayyum committed the offense.

McGough also asked Judge Pipe to release her client, saying his criminal history is dated and only involves non-violent misdemeanor offenses. She asked for Qayyum to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Judge Pipe said that since there are three people dead and that she believes Qayyum was one of the shooters, she was not going to release him.

Qayyum will be held at the DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 5.

Judge Pipe also held a defendant who is charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case. The defendant, a 31-year-old male, is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine while armed in a felony case.

Judge Pipe held the defendant in his felony case and, for his domestic violence case, she placed a $50 cash bond in order to give him credit for time served.

The defendant was also given a stay-away order from the victim for whenever he may be released. His next hearing, in the domestic violence case, is scheduled for July 29. The next hearing in the felony case is scheduled for March 17.

Five other domestic violence defendants were presented before the judge. Their charges include simple assault, destruction of property, unlawful entry, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and violation of a Civil Protective Order (CPO).

Four of the defendants were given stay-away orders, and one defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim.

A defendant , who is charged with sex abuse, was released with a stay-away order from the complainant.

All released defendants were ordered to return to court on July 29.

Crime Alerts: February 25-26

Between 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 6:22 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE.

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

Judge Gives Defense in Murder Case More Time to Discuss Plea Offer

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 hearing in a murder case after the defense attorney asked for more time to go over a plea offer with his client

Steven Robinson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Shanika Williams. According to court documents, on July 12, 2020, Williams was found with a gunshot wound to the chest in her apartment on the 800 block of 19th Street, NE. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the next hearing for March 25.

Judge Schedules New Hearing Following Defense Attorney’s Motion to Withdraw from Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled an ascertainment of counsel hearing for a sex abuse case after the newly appointed defense attorney did not show up to the hearing due to an apparent miscommunication.

The defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of striking and grabbing the victim in an attempt to sexually assault her. The alleged offense took place on Sept. 6, 2020, in Northwest, DC, according to court documents.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, there was confusion as to who was the defendant’s counsel.

Judge Danya Dayson said a withdrawal of counsel request caused the confusion because it had not been granted yet. She decided to schedule another hearing for March 16 to clear up the confusion.

The defendants defense attorney Russel Hairston motioned to withdraw from the case on Feb. 22.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Kidnapping and Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the evidence against a defendant charged with first-degree sex abuse and kidnapping is enough to bring his case to trial.

On the night of May 6, 2020, the defendant is alleged to have carried the victim from a bus stop in Southeast, DC to a shed, where the sexual assault occurred. According to court documents, the victim escaped the shed and sought the police’s help after the defendant fell asleep.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said the hearing would be conducted partially remote, with the defendant appearing in court.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 13.

Defendant in 2009 Child Sex Abuse Case Unlikely to Gain Competency, Judge Rules

After spending over a decade at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a sex abuse defendant was found unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future.

The defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse in 2009. In a recent court document, the prosecution alleges that he is a “serial child molester” and has sexually assaulted at least four children aged 13 and under.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, after having received a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Judge Danya Dayson said the defendant can “parrot back” many of the legal concepts associated with his case, but that does not mean he has rational understanding of the case. She ruled that he is incompetent and unlikely to become competent in the foreseeable future.

Neither party opposed the DBH’s findings. The prosecution did, however, oppose the defense attorney Dana Page’s release request.

In light of the ruling, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia may pursue a petition for civil commitment.

Upon being charged, the defendant was detained at DC Jail until his transfer to St. Elizabeth’s, the District’s psychiatric institution, the following August. In 2010, he was found incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to become competent in the foreseeable future.

The competency proceedings were then stayed and, in 2011, a judge ruled that the defendant is a “sexual psychopath” and committed him to St. Elizabeth’s under the Sexual Psychopath Act (SPA).

The defense appealed the finding and challenged the SPA’s constitutionality. In October 2020, the D.C. Court of Appeals invalidated the SPA.

Following that decision, another exam was ordered to determine if the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Judge Dayson questioned how she could enforce any court orders if she released the defendant. She said she did not want to leave open the possibility for detainment at DC Jail because the jail would not be a good environment for him.

Judge Dayson decided to schedule a hearing for March 11 to continue discussing release. In the meantime, the defendant will stay at St. Elizabeth’s.

Judge Dayson ordered that the defendant will continue receiving treatment. She also scheduled a hearing for March 25 for the OAG’s decision on civil commitment.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

Judge Reschedules Hearing for Sex Abuse and Kidnapping Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a status hearing from Feb. 24 to March 22.

The defendant allegedly cornered and sexually assaulted the victim on a bus on Oct. 6, 2020. He is charged with kidnapping and assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

The defendant was originally released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), but failed to appear in court and is now being held at DC Jail.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

2 Domestic Violence Defendants Presented During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Feb. 24, two domestic violence cases were brought before the court.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released both defendants under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

The first defendant is charged with simple assault, destruction of property, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

The second defendant is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property for damage that amounted to less than $1,000.

Both defendants were ordered to stay away from the complainants, the locations of the incidents or both.

Crime Alerts: February 24-25

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 25.

The alert was sent at 10:09 p.m. for a shooting on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

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

Prosecution Decides to Remove Request for Restitution in Domestic Violence Case

During a hearing Feb. 24, the prosecution in a domestic violence case decided to remove a request for the defendant to pay restitution.

William McKenzie was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for offenses he committed on May 6, 2019.

The defendant took a plea deal in October 2020.

He was sentenced to 32 months for the unlawful possession charge, with 16 months suspended and 3 years of supervised probation after serving 16 months. He was sentenced to 68 months, with 20 months suspended and 3 years of supervised probation after serving 48 months for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

The prosecution filed a request for restitution, however the request was removed during the post disposition status hearing on Feb. 24.

No further case dates were set.

Judge Sets New Jury Trial Dates for 2016 Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a 2016 murder case to go to trial again.

In March 2019, a jury found 63-year-old Kimberly Thompson guilty of first-degree murder for allegedly shooting of 53-year-old Charles Mayo on Dec. 17, 2015, on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE.

During the Feb. 24 trial readiness hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna decided to have the trial in January 2022, saying it would be difficult to find a jury during the holiday season.

Judge McKenna set aside Jan. 19 through Feb. 3, 2022 for the trial. Jury selection is set to take place on Jan. 19 and 20, and the trial itself is set to begin on the Jan. 21.

In January 2016, Judge Milton Lee ordered a new trial for the defendant due to the prosecution’s failure to disclose important case information.

When asked for an explanation, the prosecution said, “It was just negligence on our part.”

Judge Lee said he believed this.

A motion and trial readiness hearing is also scheduled for Nov. 17.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Assault with Intent to Commit First-Degree Sexual Abuse, Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault on a police officer while armed. They are also investigating an officer involved shooting that happened while police were trying to apprehend the suspect.

At around 1:01 a.m. on Feb. 24, uniformed patrol officers responded to the 300 block of 35^th Street, NE for the report of a domestic sexual assault.

There, they learned that the victim was assaulted by a family member who was armed with a knife, according to a press release.

“A short time later, officers encountered the armed suspect at the listed location,” the press release states. “The suspect ignored multiple commands, then swung the knife in a threatening manner towards the officers. In response, two officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.”

The knife was recovered. The suspect was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

In accordance with MPD policy, the officers involved were put on administrative leave. Footage from the Body Worn Cameras (BWC) is under review. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Second Arrest Made in Triple Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made a second arrest in connection with a triple homicide that happened on July 7, 2020.

At around 1:15 a.m., officers responded to the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE for the report of the sound of gunshots.

There they found a man and a woman in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. They also found a man nearby, suffering from a gunshot wound.

The three victims, 56 year-old Claudette Williams, 29 year-old Marquise Lewis and 20 year-old Juwan Wade were pronounced dead on the scene.

On Oct. 20, 2020, 33 year-old Dale Benjamin was arrested for second-degree murder while armed. He is awaiting his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for March 5.

On Feb. 24, 44 year-old Jibri Qayyum was also arrested for second-degree murder while armed.

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