Sex Abuse Defendant Released to Outpatient Facility

A sex abuse defendant whose case got a DC statute invalidated has spent over a decade in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC psychiatric institution. But on March 23, a DC Superior Court judge released him to an outpatient treatment facility.

The defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse in 2009. A year later it was deemed unlikely that he would become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future.

The defendant was then committed to St. Elizabeth’s in 2011 under the Sexual Psychopath Act (SPA) until the law was invalidated last year due to the defense’s successful efforts to challenge it.

During the March 23 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson read a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report that recommended the defendant be released into an outpatient treatment facility. The report recommended that the defendant be placed in residential housing run by the Department on Disability Services (DDS).

The report further stated that DDS would submit a treatment plan and regulations the defendant would need to follow while at the housing.

Judge Dayson ordered that the defendant follow every regulation DDS lays out for him and stay away from four victims and any children under the age of 18.

Judge Dayson also recommended that a status hearing be set six months out since the case isn’t dismissed, but, at this time, it is not moving forward.

The next hearing is scheduled to occur on Sept. 23.

Document: Arrests Made in January Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 17 year-old suspect for murder.

At around 8:54 a.m. on Jan. 25, officers responded to the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds. Two were taken to a hospital. Twenty-two year-old Edward Wade, however, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Two other men also went to local hospitals with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

“Through the detectives’ investigation, it was determined that one of the victims that sought treatment at a local hospital was a suspect in this case” a press release states.

That same day, Terrance Oxner, 21, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.

On March 22, 17 year-old Aaron Adgerson was also arrested for first-degree murder while armed. He is being charged as an adult.

The case remains under investigation.

Crime Alerts: March 22-23

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has not sent out any additional crime alerts since their last post at 2:17 a.m. on March 22.

Judge Reopens Detention Hearing for Homicide Case

On March 19, a DC Superior Court judge accepted the defense’s argument to reopen a detention hearing due to new evidence that surfaced since the last hearing.

Thirty-four-year-old Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Kareem Ware on May 2, 2009. He is also charged with robbery while armed and kidnapping while armed.

Evans is already serving a sentence of a little over 4.5 years for unlawful possession of a firearm in a different case. He was also charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 16-year-old Breyona McMillian, but a jury acquitted him of the charge.

Defense attorneys Stephanie Reaves and James King argued that the new evidence that has come to light casts doubt against the prosecution’s argument. The lawyers say the new evidence could allow for their client’s detention at DC Jail to be reconsidered.

Judge Neal Kravitz agreed that it would be better to open the detention hearing to have a clearer analysis of the information.

Judge Danya Dayson, the case judge, will be consulting with Judge Kravitz to decide on a hearing date.

Both Judge Kravitz and King said they hope Judge Dayson can preside over the reopening because she has more knowledge of the case.

In the meantime, Evans will remain held at DC jail.

Eileen Chen wrote this article.

Judge Continues Sex Abuse Hearing For Plea Negotiations

At the defense’s request, a DC Superior Court judge continued a March 22 hearing in a sex abuse case, so parties could have more time to discuss a possible plea deal.

The 31-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse by force, threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault on a police officer while armed. He is accused of pushing the victim onto a bed and sexually threatening her before eventually letting her go after she pleaded with him.

Defense attorney Jon Armstrong told Judge Milton Lee that he would need extra time not only to discuss the plea offer with the prosecution, but also his client since communication at the DC Jail is more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Lee scheduled the next hearing for April 12.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Continues Preliminary Hearing for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 22 hearing for a homicide defendant.

Bratrell Hawkins, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 26-year-old Xavier Tate on the 1400 block of 3rd Street, SW on Jan. 5, 2020.

The prosecution said she wanted to discuss matters regarding the exchange of information about the case with Judge Michael Ryan.

After a private discussion, Judge Ryan decided to continue the hearing, which will ultimately decide if the case has enough evidence to go to trial, to May 25.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Second Set of Trial Dates for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled another set of trial dates for a homicide defendant after the first the original dates were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brian Davis, 55, is charged with conspiracy and first-degree murder while armed in the death of 53-year-old Mawuli Kocuvie. On Oct. 28, 2017, Kocuvie’s body was found on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

During the March 22 proceedings, parties said they expected the trial to take about two weeks.

The prosecution told Judge Juliet McKenna that one of their witnesses, the victim’s next of kin, would be flying in from out of the country.

Judge McKenna said, since the trial will happen in late 2022, parties will have plenty of time to resolve this issue among themselves. She emphasized that, because of the backlog, the court would be unlikely to grant a continuance for any small issues that would unnecessarily delay trial.

The trial is scheduled to occur July 18 through Aug. 3, 2022.

The trial is currently double booked in an occupied courtroom, but Judge McKenna said she expects more courtrooms to open up, which would allow trials to be shifted around.

Judge Mckenna also scheduled another trial readiness hearing for April 15, 2022, to allow time to follow up with counsel’s progression and make any needed adjustments.

Court documents indicate that Kocuvie was struck in the head with a mallet and choked with a bungee cord.

Another defendant, 62-year-old Samuel Davis, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with Kocuvie’s death. He is currently waiting to be sentenced.

Judge Schedules Motion Hearing for Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a motion hearing for a homicide defendant waiting to go before a jury.

Tondrick Murphy, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Marquis Jones. On Oct. 6, 2018, Jones was found on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

During the March 22 proceeding, counsel agreed to stick with the previously scheduled trial dates of April 11 through 29, 2022.

Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled a motion hearing for Nov. 4.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Sex Abuse Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea

On March 22, a sex abuse defendant entered a guilty plea and will remain held as he waits to be sentenced.

Corey Beander, 35, was originally charged with two counts of third-degree sex abuse and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual abuse, which carries a maximum penalty of one year, and third-degree sex abuse, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Beander must register as a sex offender for 10 years after his release.

According to the proffer of facts, Beander entered a gas station convenience store, where he approached the victim with his pants lowered and tried to grab and harass her.

He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor attempted possession of a prohibited weapon from another case. The prosecution agreed to dismiss a theft charge from 2020.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled Beander to be sentenced on June 9.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Homicide in Trinidad

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened during the early hours of March 22.

At around 1:51 a.m., officers responded to the 1200 block of Orren Street, NE for the sounds of gunshots.

There, they found 28 year-old Ervin Henderson, Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Document: Homicide in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on March 20.

At around 7:44 p.m., officers responded to the unit block of Madison Street, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The other, 21 year-old Demetris Johnson, was pronounced dead on scene.

Document: Homicide in Washington Highlands

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on March 20.

At around 7:56 p.m., officers responded to the report of a walk-in shooting victim. Deonte Minor, a 23 year-old Virginia resident, was suffering from gunshot wounds. He eventually died from his injuries.

Investigation revealed that the homicide happened on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Crime Alerts: March 21-22

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on March 21 and 9:00 a.m. on March 22.

The alert was sent at 2:17 a.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 1200 block of Orren Street, NE.

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

Judge Releases 4 Domestic Violence and 2 Sex Abuse Defendants During Initial Hearing

During initial hearings on March 19, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released four domestic violence defendants and two sex abuse defendants.

A total of 18 defendants were brought before the court.

The four domestic violence defendants have charges involving simple assault, destruction of property, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

One of the domestic violence defendants was brought before the court because he failed to appear at his hearing in 2019.

When counsel told the judge the defendant failed to appear because he was detained in Maryland, at the time,, Judge Herrmann released him with orders to return to court on March 23.

The other three domestic violence defendants were given stay-away orders, told to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week, and ordered to return to court on Aug. 20.

There were also two defendants charged with sex abuse.

One of the defendants is charged with sexual abuse of a child or minor and simple assault, and the other is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse.

Both defendants have orders to return to court in August.

One was ordered to stay away from a minor child, and the other was ordered to stay away from all DC metro trains.

Judge Vacates Preliminary Hearing for 3 Teen Murder Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge vacated a March 19 preliminary hearing for three teenage murder Defendants.

Co-defendants Trey Prillerman, 16, Nelfy Hernandez, 17, and Deandre Levy, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the shooting of 17 -year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr.

The three are accused of shooting blindly into a crowd of juveniles on Aug. 20, 2020, on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, from inside a vehicle. Wyatt was pronounced dead on the scene.

A decision of whether or not the murder case has enough evidence to go to trial was expected to come today, after the first part of the preliminary hearing on March 10 ended before Judge Danya Dayson could make a ruling due to time constraints.

The defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 23.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

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