Between 9 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 11, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.
The alert was sent at 9:29 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 200 block of W Street, NW.
Police are looking for a white sedan that was last seen traveling northbound on North Capitol Street, NW.
A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled hearings today for two defendants in two seperate murder cases.
Michael Mason is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and assault with intent to committ any other offense while armed.
According to court documents, Mason was arrested on June 17 and is being charged with the murders of Brea Moon and Antwuan Roach.
In Moon’s case, Mason is accused of shooting her on April 7 in an attempt to kill another man who Mason claimed was “causing problems in the neighborhood.”
He said that during the shooting, the man he was trying to kill entered the back seat of the vehicle that Moon was parked in. Moon was in the back left seat. Mason revealed that he had fired four to five shots at the car with a .40 caliber handgun but the bullets hit Moon instead.
Mason is also charged with murdering Roach on May 22 in which he and three other suspects allegedly drove a vehicle to a nearby alley and started shooting at the decedent.
Mason told police that Roach was a rival gang member who had previously come to shoot at their crew. He also said that while in a juvenile detention center that Roach and he had gotten into several verbal altercation while there.
Mason’s next hearing is scheduled for May 18.
Dajuan Jones, 20, is also being charged with first-degree murder while armed for the murder of Moon.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Jones outside of a northeast DC apartment building after officers tracked him using his cell phone, according to court documents. Officers found a .40 caliber pistol with 20 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
The handgun is believed to be the weapon used in the homicide.
On Dec. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held three defendants, released twenty-six, issued one bench warrant and continued one case during initial hearings.
George Miller, 26, is held on a charge of first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and killing Elias Flores, 48, on Nov. 18 on the 1600 block of Olive Street, NE. Miller was arrested on Dec. 9. J
udge Staples said he “easily found” probable cause that Miller committed the crime in this case.
“I have a reason to believe that there are no conditions that would ensure the safety of the community in this case,” said Judge Staples about his decision to hold Miller.
Kareem Kargbo is held as a fugitive from justice for an underlying charge of homicide in Maryland. Kargbo also has a pending charge of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device in DC, which he was released on.
The Maryland authorities have three business days to retrieve him, unless they show cause for needing an extra three business days. If they fail to retrieve the defendant within the allotted time, he will be released, and another hearing will be scheduled for him in DC.
A domestic violence defendant is held on a charge of misdemeanor simple assault and violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO). Judge Staples held him due to the severity of the alleged offense and the defendant’s failure to abide by the CPO. The defendant also allegedly committed the offense while on release for two ongoing misdemeanor cases.
Of those released, ten defendants were charged with felonies. Two of those defendants were released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with stay away orders. Of the eight other defendants, one was released with a no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) order, and several were given stay away orders and orders not to possess or own any unregistered or unlawful firearms or ammunition.
Three released defendants were charged with domestic violence offenses. They were all given stay away orders. One of the defendants is also charged as a fugitive from justice and was ordered to turn himself into the demanding authority.
Nine of the released defendants were charged with misdemeanors, some of which were also given stay away orders.
Four defendants were released as fugitives from justice with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding authorities.
One defendant failed to appear in court, despite the judge’s order. Judge Staples issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
One defendant charged with a felony is currently hospitalized and his initial hearing has been continued to Dec. 11.
A DC Superior Court judge held three defendants in jail during initial hearings on Dec. 9.
Ernest Cleveland, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed in one case and assault with a dangerous weapon in another case. Cleveland is accused of shooting 39-year-old Edward Pearson and assaulting another individual on Nov. 26. In his other case, Cole is accused of assaulting a female victim with a firearm on Dec. 8.
Clevland allegedly shot both Pearson and the other male inside an apartment on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW on Thanksgiving day. The second victim survived.
In the second offense, according to court documents, Cleveland was riding in a vehicle with another suspect and a woman who was completing Postmates deliveries. When officers responded to the sounds of gunshots, they found the woman who had been shot in the head and could only communicate with officers through writing with pen and paper.
Due to the possibility of Cleveland being a danger to the community, the judge decided to hold him in DC jail in both cases until his next hearing on Dec. 30.
Andrew Shuff, 26, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for an offense that occurred June 9 on the 1600 block of Ridge Street, SE. Shuff is accused of shooting at the victim in a vehicle after the victim declined to buy narcotics from him and refused to move his car.
Shuff failed to appear at his hearing on Oct. 5, so he was brought in on a bench warrant. Judge Sean Staples released him in this case with a new court date of Feb. 10, 2021, but Shuff was held on a separate arrest warrant matter.
Carlton Cole,17, is charged with armed robbery for an offense that occurred on Dec. 7 on the 500 block of Kentucky Avenue, SE. Cole, along with another suspect, is accused of taking the victim’s cell phone and wallet while armed with an unloaded BB gun. Cole along with a co-defendant, are both juveniles who appeared in court remotely from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)
When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene after a call about a robbery, they approached Cole and the other suspect as they were walking away from the crime scene. The two suspects fled in different directions before being apprehended by the police.
Cole has a previous charge of the same offense from 2019. The judge decided to release Cole on this charge into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring. However, Cole will be held on the previous charge of armed robbery.
Judge Staples released five defendants charged in domestic violence misdemeanor cases. Three of the defendants were given stay away orders in reference to the alleged victims, and one of the defendants was served with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).
One of these defendants was brought to court on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a probation show cause hearing. The underlying charge in his case was contempt.
Two additional defendants are charged with being fugitives from Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The defendant from Maryland was ordered to turn himself in to authorities there on Nov. 11, but court records showed that he didn’t. However, the defendant had paperwork showing that he did turn himself in, and after contacting Maryland authorities, the defendant was released.
The second defendant charged with being a fugitive from justice is wanted in Pennsylvania for violating her parole by picking up a shoplifting charge. Judge Staples released the defendant and ordered her to turn herself in to Pennsylvania authorities.
Judge Staples released ten defendants charged with felonies. Their charges include armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, carrying a pistol without a license, contempt and bench warrants with underlying felony cases.
Of the felony defendants, two defendants appeared in court from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Both defendants are charged with armed robbery, in separate cases.
The first defendant was co-defendants with Cole, who was charged with armed robbery and held in another case. The second defendant was charged after he allegedly brandished an unloaded BB gun while ordering the victim to hand over his wallet.
Judge Staples also released five defendants who were charged with various misdemeanors. Their charges include GPS tampering, failure to register as a sex offender, violation of a TPO, attempted threats, sexual abuse and threats to do bodily harm.
There were four defendants who were charged with traffic offenses. Two defendants are charged with DUI, and one of these defendants is also charged with leaving after a collision.
The other defendants had charges including driving without a permit and failing to appear at traffic arraignment.
Judge Staples released all of these defendants.
On Dec. 10, a DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Niko Hall and Kyrie Wells are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of 25-year-old Anthony Lee on Sept. 26 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
Judge Todd Edelman was able to find substantial probability based on the evidence provided, including surveillance footage from the street and stores near the crime scene.
Surveillance footage showed the defendants as the shooters. However, there were a total of four shooters, two of which have not been identified as the case is still under investigation.
Hall, 29, was identified as the suspect wearing a red hoodie in the footage, which was consistent with an Instagram picture he had posted on his account earlier that day.
“The two defendants who are in front of me look clearly like the people in the videos,” said Judge Edelman.
During cross-examination, the lead Metropolitan Police Department detective said that shell casings were not found at the scene after police canvassed the area. However, in one of the surveillance videos, two of the shooters are seen kneeling down and picking something up after the shooting.
The detective said he believes the shooters were picking up the shell casings.
“The government alleges that the shooters fired multiple rounds,” said Wells’ defense attorney, Dorsey Jones. “Not one shell casing is found, it’s hard to believe that the shooters picked up every shell casing especially during night time.”
In the surveillance footage, the suspect that is allegedly Hall is shown clearly pointing a gun, however, the man identified as Wells, 18, isn’t seen holding a gun.
While Judge Edelman said it was a closer call for Wells, he still believes that the evidence is strong and fairly overwhelming even though a gun is not seen in his hands in the footage.
“Releasing these people will be like releasing lions to sheeps pastures,” said a family member of the victim. “I fear for my life and my children.”
Defense attorneys Jones and Maritta King asked for their clients to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)
However, Judge Edelman denied the request.
“Given the circumstances of this case, there is strong evidence of a violent armed homicide,” said Judge Edelman. “Both defendants came to the scene to a public place armed, they acted in concert with two other people both of whom are still in the community.”
Judge Edelman scheduled Wells and Hall’s next hearing for Jan. 27.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest of a suspect in connection with a third-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping while armed offense.
The incident occurred on Dec. 9 on the 1500 block of Young Street, SE around 3:53 p.m.
According to a press release, the 62-year-old suspect allegedly waved a handgun and demanded the victim get into his vehicle. The suspect then drove to a residence where he engaged in sexual acts with the victim.
Responding officers were able to apprehend the suspect and a firearm was recovered from the scene.
A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in a felony assault case during a preliminary hearing.
Derrick Ferguson, 47, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault on a police officer after he stabbed a Special Police Officer (SPO) outside St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, on Oct. 12.
Judge John Campbell decided to hold Ferguson until his trial, citing his extensive criminal record, the nature of the case, and a current parole hold.
During the Dec. 10 hearing, the prosecution admitted video evidence that captured the crime. The footage showed the defendant, who was identified by a witness, standing off to the side as a fight broke out next to St. Elizabeth’s entrance.
The video then shows Ferguson engaging in the fight. The witness said Ferguson struck one of the SPOs on the head from behind before being pushed off to the side.
The two on-duty SPOs then approached Ferguson who appeared to reach into his pocket before making a swinging motion at the officers. The witness said Ferguson had reached for a knife and ended up cutting the shirt of one officer and then stabbing the second.
MPD was unable to recover any weapon from the scene.
Defense attorney Donna Beasley argued that the video evidence provided by the prosecution does not show the full story because there was no audio.
“We don’t know what the interaction between Mr. Ferguson and the complainants were,” said Beasley.
Beasley also argued that the police’s investigation was incomplete.
“This detective did not bother to interview anyone who could have heard what was going on,” said Beasley.
She also argued that her client acted in self-defense after the SPOs approached him.
However, Judge Campbell said the video clearly shows Ferguson choosing to enter the fight of his own accord. He pointed out that the video also showed several bystanders who did not engage in the fight.
Ferguson’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan 11.
Maria Marzullo wrote this article.
On Dec. 10, a DC Superior Court judge discharged a show cause hearing in a child sex abuse case.
The defendant was charged with a felony for first-degree child sex abuse on Sept. 16, 2019. He was released on home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on Sept. 19, 2019.
The defendant received a notice of noncompliance on Feb. 18 for violating conditions of home confinement. At a pretrial show cause hearing on Oct. 23, the defendant was said to have regained compliance with his pretrial release conditions. The defense requested for the defendant’s removal from home confinement, but it was denied.
During the hearing, set to monitor the defendant’s progress, he was deemed compliant. The prosecution introduced a plea offer which the defense attorney said he will discuss with his client.
Judge Anita Josey-Herring set a hearing for Dec. 24 to see if the defendant will accept or reject the plea offer.
This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.
During the evening hours on Dec. 9, another person was fatally shot in the District of Columbia.
According to a press release, officers found 30-year-old Kelvin Gross suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1000 block of 13th Street, Southeast. The person died on the scene.
Another male victim was also found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The second victim received treatment at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The department is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.
Journalism has always been at its best when it calls power to account. For five years D.C. Witness has reported on every homicide in D.C., telling every story and gathering every bit of data. We believe the best accountability is full transparency.
Even though the daunting number is mentioned briefly in the news, no one knows about the cases that often take years to proceed through court.
D.C. Witness wants to bring transparency to the criminal justice system by not only informing the public about these crimes and their progression through the justice system, but also use the power of information, by collecting data, to help produce an end to violent crime.
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The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 10.
The most recent alert was sent at 3:57 a.m. for a shooting on the 2300 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
The second alert was sent at 1:14 a.m. for a shooting on the 600 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE. Police are looking for four Black males, who are all believed to be armed with handguns. They were last seen in a tan Nissan.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing for a defendant charged with first-degree sex abuse.
The 18-year-old defendant allegedly forcibly raped a 10-year-old victim in an apartment building located on the 3600 block of Hayes Street, NE on May 27.
The defendant is currently being held at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center. However, defense attorney Pierce Suen said that his clients commitment at New Beginnings will end on Jan. 8.
The defense is attempting to get the defendant accepted into the Wayne Housing Program, which will provide shelter and transition to adulthood services. This will allow him to continue with school and work at a part-time level.
However, Judge Juliet McKenna isn’t prepared to release the defendant based on the circumstances.
“I am frankly concerned about the lack of structure and monitoring from these programs,” said Judge McKenna. “Because this is a case with a very young complainant, I would be very concerned to release him into Wayne place.”
The prosecution also said the defendant should be held at a secure facility rather than a transitional program.
Suen asked Judge McKenna for more time to make a formalized plan and submit it to the court. Judge McKenna scheduled the defendants next court hearing for Dec. 30.
On Dec. 9, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples heard 38 extradition hearings, where all defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice from various jurisdictions.
Of the 38 cases, Judge Staples dismissed 27 per the prosecution’s request.
One of the defendants, Jonathan Fenwick, was held by Judge Staples for Maryland authorities to pick him up within three business days.
The prosecution requested thirty-day extensions on three cases as they are still waiting on paperwork from the demanding jurisdictions. Judge Staples granted these extensions, giving the demanding jurisdictions until Dec. 14 to pick them up.
One of the defendants, who was in the hospital, and was unable to turn himself in to authorities in North Carolina. Judge Staples granted the extension for his case. Authorities will have until Dec. 14 to pick him up.
Seven defendants failed to appear for their extradition hearings. They also did not surrender to the demanding jurisdictions. Judge Staples issued bench warrants for their arrests.
On Dec. 9, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 27-year-old male in connection to a fatal shooting in Northwest, DC.
Ernest Cleveland was arrested for second-degree murder while armed and assault with the intent to kill. He allegedly shot 39-year-old Edward Pearson on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW on Nov. 26.
According to a press release, officers located Pearson inside his apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. He died on the scene. There were two additional male victims in the hallway who were also suffering from gunshot wounds. They were treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Cleveland has also been connected to charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon offense, carrying a pistol without a license, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of unregistered ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession with the intent to distribute the drug known has ecstasy.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled hearings for three murder defendants in two separate cases.
Judge Michael Ryan scheduled a status hearing for George Anderson on April 14.
However, defense attorney Joseph Wong said that a report from the mental examination found his client was “not criminally responsible” for the crime.
Anderson, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Devin Butler. The incident occurred on April 13 on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.
With the results of the mental examination, Wong said he plans to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on behalf of his client and requested a status hearing before the projected April date.
Judge Ryan said he presumed the parties would prefer to have a bench trial in front of Judge Todd Edelman, who is the calendar judge assigned to the case. However, the court calendars will change in the new year, so there is no guarantee that Judge Edelman will be assigned to the case next year, Jusge Ryan said.
Judge Ryan suggested that counsel set a date in April in order to ensure the case would stay on track, but told Wong and the prosecutor that they need to reach out to Judge Edelman and schedule a sooner date directly with him.
Judge Ryan’s courtroom clerk does not have access to Judge Edelman’s schedule.
Judge Ryan also scheduled a trial readiness hearing for two murder defendants on Jan. 19.
Demonte Hewitt, 18, and Kurt Hewitt, 20, are both charged with second-degree murder while armed in the 2018 stabbing of Tyshon Perry. Perry was stabbed on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE on May 1, 2018.
Both defendants are also implicated in a three-person co-defendant matter where they are charged with kidnapping.
The kidnapping cases is also scheduled to be heard on Jan 19.
However, Demonte’s defense attorney, James King, said he would need more time to file motions. Co-counsel Amanda Rogers suggested that the deadline for the defense motions be set on Feb. 1. She said the later date would also give the prosecution time to prepare a response.
The prosecutor agreed to the deadlines.
Rogers also raised an issue with Judge Ryan concerning physical evidence that was transferred to the defense in November 2019. One of the defendants requested DNA evidence testing so the item was sent to the defense’s lab.
However, the prosecutor said she has not received any information about the status of the test since she sent it last year.
Rogers assured the prosecutor that she would include that in her motion if the defense does not receive any information from the lab.
Maria Marzullo wrote this article.
