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Judges Hold 17 Percent of Domestic Violence Defendants from mid-June to September, Data Shows

From June 16 to Sept. 30, there were 448 domestic violence defendants presented during initial hearings at the DC Superior Court, in which 75 defendants were held.

Domestic Violence Holds & Releases

About 4 percent (19) of the 448 defendants were charged in felony domestic violence cases. Judges held about 47 percent (9) of those defendants. 

Data also shows that 429 of the 448 defendants had misdemeanor charges, of which about 18 percent (66) were held. One defendant’s case was dismissed and 372 were released.

Of the 41 defendants charged with simple assault, who were held, three were in the hospital at the time of their initial hearings. 

One of the domestic violence cases is for Seth Andrews, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Hazel Evans, his mother, on the unit block of 35th Street, SE on July 16. Andrews, 33, was arrested on Aug. 19 after a witness called the police, saying Andrews went back to his mother’s apartment and kicked down the door.

According to court documents, Andrews called the police to report the murder. 

“It’s my fault mommy, I’m sorry I didn’t want to kill you mommy, I’m sorry,” the defendant said during the 911 call.

An autopsy revealed that the victim’s injuries were consistent with strangulation.

Andrews is being held without bail.  His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2021.

Defendants who were most likely to be held were those charged with either contempt or assault with a dangerous weapon. Approximately 55 percent of all the defendants charged with contempt, during the time period, were held along with nearly 64 percent of assault with a dangerous weapon defendants.

There were also 17 reoffenders who appeared at initial hearings. Charges included, attempted threats to do bodily harm, contempt, simple assault, second-degree theft, destruction of property, unlawful entry, and weapon possession. 

About 53 percent of those reoffenders (9 defendants) were held.

A repeat offender whose initial hearing was on Sept. 5 was charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, and contempt for violating his conditions of release. 

Judge James Crowell said he held the defendant “to protect the victim’s life.”

The defendant, who stabbed the victim in the neck in September, pleaded guilty to simple assault on Oct. 1. 

He also pleaded guilty to simple assault in another case that he picked up in January. He was sentenced to 180 days for each simple assault charge, with the entire sentence being suspended along with one year of probation.

As part of his sentence, he is mandated to attend domestic violence intervention courses and was ordered not to assault, threaten, or stalk the victim. 

Approximately 43 percent (193 defendants), who were held and released, had multiple domestic violence charges filed. 

Cases Per Month

In July and August, the number of domestic violence cases during the initial hearings, which are also called presentments, remained relatively stable. There were 117 cases in July, and 126 cases in August. 

There was a 17 percent increase from August to September with 148 domestic violence cases, compared to an 8 percent increase from July to August. 

Charges

Simple assault was the most common domestic violence charge during initial hearings at the DC Superior Courthouse with 293 defendants picking it up.

Only two defendants, Andrews and Cory Brown, were charged with murder in a domestic violence case.

Cory Brown is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, 40-year-old Latasha Estep, with a crossbow on the 1900 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Aug. 8.

According to court documents, a witness saw Brown, 39, outside his apartment on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, holding a knife with a reddish-brown stain on his shirt. Responding Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers recognized Brown from a past domestic violence case, which involved the same victim. When MPD officers arrived at the victim’s apartment for a welfare check, they found Estep unconscious and unresponsive with multiple puncture wounds. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

A witness told officers that Brown had been using the victim’s car. After searching the vehicle, officers found a small pistol-grip style crossbow. 

Brown was held at his initial hearing in August. His case is pending a grand jury. 

Protective Orders

Most domestic violence defendants were issued court protective orders, including stay away orders, Temporary Protective Orders (TPO), Civil Protective Orders (CPO) and no harassing assaulting threatening or stalking (NO HATS) orders. 

Of the 448 defendants, 391 were issued protective orders, about 87 percent of all domestic violence defendants.

The remaining 55 defendants, who were released, were either ordered to abide by an existing protective order or not issued one.

During this period, 20 defendants were charged with violating a CPO, and 22 were charged with violating a TPO. One defendant was charged with violating a NO HATS order and simple assault. Of these defendants, ten were held at DC Jail. 

John Sullivan wrote this article.

Video by Andrea Keckley.


Document: Woman Fatally Stabbed, Suspect Arrested

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for first-degree murder while armed in connection with a homicide that a detectives’ investigation revealed to be domestic in nature, according to a press release.

At around 8:02 p.m. on Feb. 8, officers responded to the 1600 Block of E Street, NE for the report of a domestic violence assault.

There, they found 28-year-old Tiffany Hardy inside a residence, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Ronald Miller, 41, was apprehended by responding officers.

Crime Alerts: February 8-9

Between 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 9, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 10:09 p.m. for a robbery on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Police are looking for a Black male wearing black clothing.

Judge Holds Juvenile Murder Defendant During Initial Hearing

During initial hearings on Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe presided over a total of 28 cases.

Of the 28 cases, there were 8 domestic violence cases, two sexual abuse cases and one murder case.

Judge Pipe held Nelfy Hernandez, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed. Hernandez, 17, is alleged to have shot blindly into a group of juveniles on the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW, fatally shooting 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. on Aug. 10 of 2020.

Hernandez’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, requested the judge to not find probable cause, saying that Hernandez is alleged to have been in the passenger seat of the vehicle, and there is no evidence that the person in that seat shot anyone.

The prosecution, however, said there is a witness who said that Hernandez had both his own gun as well as the witness’ gun. Two different shell casings were found, which suggests that there were two shooters and one driver.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Pipe said she found substantial probability that Hernandez committed the offense. She decided to hold Hernandez, saying the offense was clearly “very well planned out, premeditated,” given the fact that a vehicle was stolen hours before the shooting occurred, which was then allegedly used in the offense. 

Hernandez will be held in the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 1.

Judge Pipe also held a defendant who failed to appear for his hearings in four open cases. In one of the cases, the defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse in one case and simple assault in domestic violence cases. 

The judge decided that the defendant should be held at the jail to be seen by the presiding judge in his cases in February.

Judge Pipe held another domestic violence defendant who is charged with simple assault. The defendant is on probation for two additional domestic violence cases for which he was convicted of simple assault and contempt. 

The defendant’s convictions involve the same complaining witness. Judge Pipe said she was not inclined to release him. The defendant will be held at the jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Judge Pipe released eight defendants charged in either domestic violence or sex abuse cases.

The charges in these cases include assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted second-degree cruelty to children, simple assault, contempt, first-degree child sex abuse, attempted threats to do bodily harm, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and second-degree cruelty to children.

Seven of the defendants were given stay-away orders, while additional release conditions included a no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) order, orders not to drive at all, GPS monitoring and an order to not be in the presence of any minor children unsupervised.

The released defendants will return to court in July for their next hearings.

Another Hearing Set for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a defendant on probation in three misdemeanor domestic violence cases.

Fred Joyner was first charged with misdemeanor simple assault in a domestic violence case from December 2018. He pleaded guilty the following February and was sentenced to serve 30 days plus one year of supervised probation. Joyner later violated his probation twice and was charged in a second domestic violence case for destruction of property less than $1,000 the following July. 

Later that month, Joyner was re-sentenced in his first case and released to the Mental Health Community Court probation.

He was then charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and contempt in another domestic violence case the following August.

The next month, Joyner resolved the second and third cases by pleading guilty to simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000.

During the Feb. 8 hearing, defense attorney Mark Rollins requested a continuance of the hearing because Joyner is currently detained in Prince George’s County, Md.

Parties agreed to continue the matter before Judge Gerald Fisher at a date after Joyner is anticipated to be released.

The next hearing is set for June 1.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant After Not Finding Probable Cause

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there is not enough evidence to bring a homicide case to trial.

Cotey Wynn, 39, had been charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 53-year-old Eric Wright. On Feb. 17, 2017, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Wright on the 900 block of 12th Street, NE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

The preliminary hearing started on Feb. 4. When proceedings resumed four days later, the prosecution argued that witness statements placing Wynn in an alley near the incident, footage of Wynn walking in the alley with his hand in his pocket and a detective’s testimony gave the case probable cause. 

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel argued that the evidence only placed Wynn near the scene and neglected to consider the other person caught on video near the scene as the possible shooter. McDaniel also said the prosecution only successfully proved that Wynn was in the alley and did not find the gun or prove that Wynn had a gun in the footage or through eyewitness reports.

Judge Danya Dayson said that the facts on the record failed to show that Wynn was in possession of a gun. A release order was filed in the case on Feb. 8.

 Wynn had been held at DC Jail since Dec. 5, 2020.

Murder Hearing Continued for Plea Negotiations

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 8 hearing in a homicide case for a possible resolution.

DeAndre Houston, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on Oct. 11, 2018, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE. 

Houston, 20, was scheduled to go to trial on May 3. During the hearing, Defense attorney Betty Ballester asked Judge Neal Kravitz to vacate the date and schedule a status hearing. Judge Kravitz scheduled one for April 7.

In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at the DC Jail where he’s been since he was apprehended on Nov. 1, 2018.

Houston is also charged with armed robbery, carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in this case.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty

During a Feb. 8 hearing that comes almost two years after a defendant was charged with first-degree murder while armed,  a defendant pleaded down to a manslaughter charge. 

Keonte Johnson, 22, admitted to shooting 24-year-old Deandre Hawkins on April 22, 2019 on the 5300 block of E Street, SE.

The plea deal reduced his charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed. All other charges, which included possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and armed robbery, were dropped as part of the agreement.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled Johnson to be sentenced on May 4.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Denies Release for Defendant Charged with Child Sex Abuse

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to release a defendant charged with first-degree child sexual abuse while he awaits trial. 

The 34-year-old defendant is accused of sexually abusing a child between the ages of 13 and 14 years old..

Prosecutors argued that, if released, the defendant would pose a threat to the community. 

“This is an incident of poor judgment, not an incident that imposes any danger on the wider community,” defense attorney Joseph Wong said. Wong also argued that his client is not a flight risk.  

Still, Judge Marisa J. Demeo said she doubted if the defendant would comply with the conditions of his release based on text messages that she said show his intention to evade the police. 

Based on the violent and repetitive nature of the defendants’ other alleged crimes, Judge Demeo said she believes the defendant could pose a threat against the victim and community if released.  

The defendant’s next court date is scheduled for July 8. 

McKenzie Beard wrote this article. 

Judge Continues Probation Review Hearing for Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge gave a homicide defendant, who was recently released, more time to comply with the terms of her probation.

In 2016, 55-year-old Loretta Beckwith, who is also known as Loretta Hall, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for stabbing of her 54-year-old boyfriend, Kenneth Fogle on June 13, 2015, on the 3200 block of 23rd Street, SE. She was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. 

In October of 2020, her attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, filed for compassionate release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Julie Becker granted the release, placing the defendant on five years of supervised probation with the conditions of mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment. 

During a probation review hearing on Feb. 8, a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) agent said Beckwith was doing well overall, except for a couple of violations, including not complying with her requirement to live in DC. 

Judge Becker continued the probation show cause hearing to March 12, allowing more time for Beckwith’s compliance to be monitored. 

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Document: Police Investigate Traffic Fatality

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic fatality that happened on Feb. 7.

According to a press release, at around 8:28 p.m., officers responded to the location of the crash for the report of a pedestrian struck.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle was traveling eastbound in the 1800 block of E Street, NW when it struck a pedestrian, outside of a marked crosswalk.

The victim was pronounced dead on the scene. Their identity is being withheld until the next of kin are notified.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to Serve 15.5 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve 15-and-a-half years in prison for shooting his unarmed victim multiple times. 

“When there is a murder, there is always a tragedy,” Judge Craig Iscoe said before passing the sentence. “Here, the magnitude of that tragedy is quite clear in the very deeply-moving remarks I have heard today.” 

Saeed Woodal, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on May 8 2019, for shooting 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on Aug. 9, 2016, on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE. He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed.

“I loved him so much and you shot him down like a dog,” said one of the victim’s relatives. 

Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced Woodal to 216 months, 30 of which were suspended, plus five years of supervised release. 

“He was a son and a friend, but most of all, he was a father, and a great one,” another one of Farrar’s relatives said. You have no idea how you have damaged five children with this awful crime.”

Due to the hardships the victim’s family has experienced over the last four years, the prosecutor requested that the defendant be sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

The prosecutor said the crime was premeditated because Woodal circled the neighborhood in his vehicle on the day of the murder, searching for the victim who was allegedly involved in a domestic incident with the defendant’s relative. 

“The crime was a cowardly way to handle Mr. Woodal’s business, this was immature and irresponsible, to say the least,” the prosecutor said. “Your honor has to consider the protection of society and society right now continues to need protection from Mr. Woodal.”

However, defense attorney Michael Madden argued that the crime was not premeditated. “Mr. Woodal was caught up in the alleged assault of his sister,” he said. 

Additionally, Madden pointed out that the defendant’s criminal history does not reflect the support the defendant has from his family, the full-time job he held before the crime, and his participation in a religious community. 

Because Woodal is eager to take advantage of programs and rehabilitation courses, Madden recommended that the defendant serve 12 years in prison. 

Per Woodal’s inquiry, the defense asked Judge Iscoe to recommend the defendant to Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina due to their excellent job training programs. Judge Iscoe agreed to do so.

Woodal apologized for his actions. 

“There is nothing I can say to bring the victim back. I am not trying to justify my action,” Woodal said. “What you see on this paper is not who I am. I do not have the right to decide when a man’s life is over”. 

Judge Iscoe said he decided to sentence Woodal to the 15 and a half year term to balance both serving time in prison for the crime and giving Woodal the opportunity to once again serve his community.

Additionally, the defendant must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund. 

Vanessa Sousa wrote this article.

Judge Holds 4 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Feb. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond heard a total of 16 defendants, six of which were domestic violence cases.

Of the six domestic violence cases that were presented before the judge, four were held at the DC jail.

The first defendant to be held by the judge is charged with simple assault. The defendant, a 64-year-old male, is alleged to have pushed the complainant down the stairs and repeatedly punched her in the face. 

Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the judge’s concern that the defendant would not be able to follow court orders if released, Judge Raymond held the defendant at the jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 12.

The second defendant, who is also being held, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice.

Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because he has a pending case and is on probation in a case involving the same complaining witness. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The third defendant, a 22-year-old male, is charged with simple assault, destruction of property and contempt.

The defendant was brought in on two bench warrants for domestic violence cases in which he failed to appear in court. He was also charged with a bail violation. Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because of the amount of cases he had and the defendant’s failure to appear in court for those cases. He will be held until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The final defendant, who is being held, is charged with a bail violation and simple assault.

He was also brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a hearing in 2015 for another domestic violence case. The two cases involve the same alleged victim, so Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.

]Judge Raymond released two defendants who are charged with simple assault. The defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims and ordered to return to court on July 9.

Document: Second Suspect Arrested 17-Year-Old’s Death

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a second suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a juvenile that happened last year.

On Aug. 10, officers responded to the the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 17 year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Officers also found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

On Feb. 6, 17 year-old Nelfy Hernandez was arrested for first-degree murder while armed. He is being charged as an adult.

Previously, on Dec. 31, a 19 year-old was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wyatt’s death.