Document: Vehicle of Interest Sought in Connection with Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s assistance identifying and locating a vehicle in connection with the fatal shooting of 18 year-old Maryland resident Cierra Young.

At around 9:12 p.m. on Feb. 14, officers responded to the intersection of Branch Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, for the report of a traffic crash, according to a press release.

There, they found Young inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The detectives’ investigation determined the offense to have happened on the 3300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

The vehicle, which was captured by a surveillance camera, is believed to be a white Mercedes-Benz with heavily tinted windows.

Document: Man, 50, Fatally Stabbed in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the morning of Feb. 21.

At around 8:25 a.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for the report of a man down.

There, they found 50 year-old Walter Lee Rogers suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Judge Sentences Manslaughter Defendant to 10 years in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna sentenced a homicide defendant to serve 10 years in prison.

Philbert Griffith Jr., 20, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Alante Moore on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on June 19, 2020. The following December, he made a deal with the prosecution to plead down to voluntary manslaughter while armed.

Griffith’s sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

He must also register as a gun offender and pay $100 towards the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Trial Prep Underway for 2016 Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a homicide case that has been open since December 2016.

Clinton Womack, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 45-year-old Terry Crutchfield on Dec. 6, 2016, on the 1500 block Olive Street, NE.

During the Feb. 22 hearing, parties discussed how much time they expected pending motions and the trial to take.

Judge Juliet Mckenna said it is difficult to predict when homicide trials can resume in person due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Judge Mckenna also said counsel could request a trial readiness hearing to reconvene and find a more accurate trial date, or they could select a trial date for the end of 2021.

The parties chose to set a trial readiness hearing, which is scheduled for April 28.

Womack, 31, is also charged with first-degree armed burglary, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, armed kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case.

He was scheduled for a jury trial in 2018, twice in 2019 and in April 2020.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant to Serve Five Years in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve five years in prison.

Benjamin Lewis was originally charged with felony assault with intent to kill while armed. In January 2020, he made a deal with the prosecution to pleaded down to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Lewis’ sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. Lewis must also register as a gun offender for two years upon release and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Murder Defendant Still Awaiting Trial 4 Years Later

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to prioritize setting a trial date for a defendant who is charged with the death of a police officer in 2016.

Dewayne Chatman is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Special Police Officer (SPO) Evan Williams. On Sept. 8, 2016, Williams, 29, and another victim were found on the 4000 block 3rd Street, SE. The other victim survived and was taken to a nearby hospital.

During the Feb. 22 proceeding, defense attorney Dominique Winters asked Judge Juliet Mckenna to set a trial date for as soon as possible.

Although Judge Mckenna agreed to prioritize the case because of how long it has gone without a trial, she also said that COVID-19 restrictions have greatly backlogged the calendar and, therefore, the trial would still not be able to start until later this year.

Chatman, 34, has been held at DC Jail for over four years. He’s had several trial dates continued throughout the trajectory of his case.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 14.

Chatman is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, mayhem while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, threat to kidnap or injure a person and obstructing justice.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case Involving Cousins

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case involving cousins has enough evidence to proceed to trial.

On the evening of Dec. 11, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1700 block of 29th Street, SE. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s cousin, 26-year-old Lewkus Turner, was arrested later that month. He is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Defense Attorney Jon Norris argued that there was “ample evidence of self defense” in this homicide case.

“The government simply can’t meet its burden of proving probable cause for a murder two,” he said.

However, Judge Micheal Ryan did find probable cause, pointing out that Turner and Gyamfi “had prior contact of a significant amount.”

The next hearing is scheduled for April 7. Turner is currently being held at DC Jail.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Modifies Domestic Violence Defendant’s Home Confinement Orders

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to modify a domestic violence defendant’s home confinement orders, so he can leave his house to go to work.

The defendant is charged with felony assault with the intent to kill while armed.

Judge Marisa Demeo said the lack of violations on the defendant’s record showed that he “demonstrates that he needs to comply with orders of the court.”

Judge Demeo said that she can reasonably agree that GPS tracking will allow the defendant’s whereabouts to be monitored and provide safety to the victim.

The defendant was charged and detained at DC Jail in February 2020. He was released into home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) in March.

His next hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Document: Third Arrest Made for August 2020 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department has made its third arrest in a homicide that occurred on Aug. 10 of 2020.

At approximately 9:34 p.m., officers found 17 year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

An additional victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

On Dec. 31, 2020, a 19 year-old adult male was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

On Feb. 6, a 17 year-old juvenile male was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

On Feb. 19, 16 year-old Trey Prillerman of Chillum, MD was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide and Officer Involved Shooting In Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide and an officer involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 19.

At approximately 5:58 p.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of Chillum Place, NE for the report of an unconscious person.

Upon arrival, officers observed a suspect who was armed with a firearm. After the suspect allegedly ignored multiple commands from the officers, one of the officers discharged their firearm, striking the suspect.

Officers also located an adult male, now identified as 60 year-old Geno Freeman from Hyattsville, MD, suffering from a gunshot wound. Freeman was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspect was transferred to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

An investigation revealed that the armed suspect shot Freeman, so the police arrested 66 year-old John Woods and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or business and possession of unregistered ammunition.

The MPD officer who shot Woods has been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy. Body worn cameras were activated, and the footage is currently under review.

Crime Alerts: February 21-22

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between the 12-hour period of 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 22.

The alert was sent at 9:07 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 3100 block of 17th Street, NW.

Police are looking for two Black males, both skinny, wearing dark face masks and black hoodies.

They were last seen running north.

Preliminary Hearing for 17-year-old Murder Defendant Begins

Feb. 19 marked the first day of a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. A DC Superior Court judge continued it due to time constraints.

Deon Walters is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 42 year-old Arthur Daniels IV on Oct. 1, 2020, on the 6000 block of 8th Street, NW.

During the proceeding, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that surveillance footage taken from a nearby building shows Walters vehicle circling the neighborhood multiple times before parking outside of the victim’s residence.

According to the same detective, the victim and defendant began arguing; however, this is not shown on screen in the security footage. The victim can be heard saying he is unarmed and begging the individual alleged to be Walters not to shoot him.

Six gunshots are then heard in the background of the video.

According to text messages between Walters and Daniels, the victim agreed to sell the defendant a firearm prior to the homicide.

A witness interviewed by detectives on the scene described the assailant as being a slim-build, Black male with a medium complexion in his late teens. The witness’ description of the shooter matched Walters.

Evidence taken from an FBI cellular analysis on the defendant’s cellphone placed Walters’ phone at the crime scene during the time of the incident.

Shortly after the defense began its cross-examination of the MPD detective, the hearing was put on recess due to time constraints. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Feb. 25.

Walters, who is being charged as an adult, is currently being held in the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), where he has been since his presentment hearing on Dec. 19, 2020.

Judge Neal Kravitz denied the defense’s request for Walters to be released into house confinement.

At an earlier hearing in January, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits asked that the preliminary hearing be scheduled for the earliest possible date, raising doubts that probable cause could be found.

This article was written by McKenzie Beard.

Judge Denies Transfer for Sex Abuse and Kidnapping Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a motion to transfer a defendant, who is charged with kidnapping and sexual abuse, from the DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

The defendant is charged with kidnapping while armed, first-degree sex abuse while armed with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon. Though he was indicted towards the beginning of last year, The defendant is alleged to have committed these crimes in 2012.

The defendant wanted to be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s to receive immediate treatment. He said he had spent some time there earlier in his case before he was sent to the Jail.

Judge Danya Dayson said, based on a report from the Department of Behavioral Health, the defendant is competent and the psychiatric treatment he’s receiving at the jail seems to be sufficient.

However, the defendant’s defense counsel requested time to obtain their own expert.

Another mental observation hearing is set for April 7.

This was written by Adriana Montes.

Judge Continues Sex Abuse Case to Discuss Plea Offer

On Feb. 19, a DC Superior Court judge continued a misdemeanor sex abuse case so the defense can have more time to discuss a plea offer.

The 27-year-old defendant was sentenced to probation for simple assault last September. He also picked up another case the following December, in which he is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse, attempted misdemeanor sex abuse and unlawful entry.

The prosecution said they have extended a global plea offer.

Defense attorney Stephen Logerfo asked Judge Steven Wellner for two weeks to review it with his client.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 12.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Sets Prelim Hearing for Murder Suspect, 2 Years After Missing Woman Presumed Dead

A defendant accused of murdering a victim who was presumed dead after being missing for around eight years was scheduled for a hearing to determine if the case against him has enough evidence to go to trial.

Isaac Moye, 43, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Unique Harris.

On Oct. 10, 2010, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was notified of a woman who went missing from her home on the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE. A missing persons report was filed.

In October 2018, the court granted a petition for Presumption of Death of a Missing Person, and a death certificate was issued.

Moye, 43, was arrested last December.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the preliminary hearing for April 2.

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