Crime Alerts: May 17-18

Between 9:00 p.m. on May 17 and 9:00 a.m. on May 18, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 11:01 p.m. for a shooting on the unit block of O Street, SW. Police are looking for a Black male with tattoos on his arms, wearing black pants with white down the side, a black shirt.

The second alert was sent at 10:14 p.m. for a shooting investigation at the United Medical Center Hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and the police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Murder Defendant’s New Escape Charge

A DC Superior Court judge ruled May 17 that a young defendant’s escape charge, which he picked up shortly after being arrested for murder, has enough evidence to go to trial.

On Jan. 25, 22-year-old Edward Wade was shot to death on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Terrance Oxner, 21, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed that same day. Then, on March 22, 17-year-old Aaron Adgerson was arrested on that same charge. He is being tried as an adult.

Adgerson was being held at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Tenleytown when, on March 26, he allegedly escaped the facility. According to court documents, the defendant was playing football in an area where a gate was left open. He is accused of escaping through that gate.

Adgerson is now charged with escape from DYRS. His attorney, Michael Madden, argued his client was set up for failure.

The next hearing in this case is set for Aug. 18.

Oxner is also being charged with Aaron Adgerson, 17, for Wade’s murder. Adgerson does not have another hearing scheduled, according to DC Courts.

Adgerson is also being charged as an adult.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on May 14.

According to the press release, preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 6:49 p.m., an individual was driving a Chrysler Pacifica Southwest bound on the 4200 block of Southern Avenue, SE when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle and crossed the centerline onto incoming traffic.

“The Chrysler Pacifica the struck a Metro Transit bus, head-on, that was travelling in the right lane of the northeast bound direction,” the press release states.

The driver of the Chrysler, 68-year-old Gregory Holloway, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The driver and two passengers of a bus were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Another passenger was treated on scene.

Document: Person of Interest Sought in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating a person of interest in connection with a March 20 homicide.

Deonte Minor, 23, was fatally shot on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

The person of interest was captured by a surveillance camera. His picture can be seen in the press release.

Document: Two Homicides on Friday and Saturday.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides.

At around 9:29 p.m. on May 14, officers responded to the 400 block of 2^nd Street, NW for the report of a shooting. There, they found 27-year-old Leonard Turner suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The next day, at around 4:55 p.m., officers responded to the the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found three people with gunshot wounds. One of them, 28-year-old Lester Howard, was pronounced dead on scene. The other two were taken to a hospital. A fourth victim also sought treatment at a local hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Felony Murder

A suspect was arrested in connection with a missing person/homicide investigation.

At around 1:10 p.m. on May 7, officers went to the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE for a welfare check of an infant, two-month-old Kyon Jones. There, according to court documents, officers found the child’s mother, who didn’t know where the child was.

“Based upon the suspicious nature of the missing person’s disappearance, the Homicide Branch assumed investigative responsibility of the case,” the press release states. “The missing person’s remains have not been located at this time, however, based upon the information gathered during the investigation a suspect was identified and charged accordingly. Additionally, it was determined that this offense is domestic in nature.”

Ladonia Boggs, 37, was arrested on May 17.

Crime Alerts: May 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) did not send out any crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 16 and 9:00 a.m. on May 17.

Their most recent alert was sent at 3:57 p.m. on May 16 for a stabbing on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE.

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

Judge Continues Hearing for Homicide Case After Plea Offer Rejected

A DC Superior Court judge continued a May 12 hearing in a homicide case.

Raymond Davis, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 39-year-old Henry Hackett on June 3, 2020, on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

The prosecution said it is their understanding that the defense rejected the plea offer, but Davis needs to be present in the hearing to confirm.

Judge Judith Smith continued the hearing to Oct. 5. That date will serve as a control date for the indictment, which has yet to be filed.

Judge Orders Mental Observation Screening in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a mental observation screening for a defendant charged with murder.

Marwin Thomas, 27 is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 33-year old John Pollard on Sept. 30, 2020, on the 3200 block of Hiatt Place, NW.

The defense requested a preliminary screening of the defendant’s mental health to determine if he is competent to participate in court proceedings.

The prosecution did not have any position on the request.

Judge Jonathan Pittman granted the preliminary screening.

The mental observation hearing is scheduled for May 25.

November 2020, 28-year-old Randle Price was also arrested for first-degree murder while armed in relation to this murder. He is scheduled for a hearing on June 7.

Judge Grants Continuance in Murder Case

DC Superior Court judge granted a continuance for both parties in a murder case.

Steven M. Robertson, 30, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Shanika Williams. The alleged incident occurred on July 20, 2020, on the 800 block of 19th, NE.

The defense and the prosecution both requested more time to communicate with each other and familiarize themselves with the case.

Judge Jonathan Pittman agreed to grant more time to allow both parties to be fully prepared.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 3.

Judge Vacates Mental Observation Hearing in Sex Abuse Case

DC Superior Court judge vacated a mental observation hearing in a sex abuse case.

The defendant is charged with one count of sex abuse related to an alleged attack on Sept. 4, 2020, on a footpath in Rock Creek Park between17th Street and Park Road, NW.

The defendant allegedly slapped the victim’s buttocks and walked away, only to return and restrain the victim’s wrists and grope her breasts. The victim was able to free herself and run from her attacker. She contacted the police.

Judge Jonathan Pittman was expecting a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency but, according to the defense in a previous hearing, the defendant has been deemed competent.

The defense requested a hearing to allow for the defendant to enter a plea.

The prosecution had no arguments regarding the defense’s request.

The judge granted the request, the next hearing is scheduled for June 8.

Judge Delays Accepting Guilty Plea in Infant Death Case

A defendant accused of fracturing his daughter’s skull pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree cruelty to children in court.

Cornell Holton, 27, is charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the death of three-month-old Skylar Newman.

Holton called 911 on March 16, 2019, saying he found his baby unconscious in her crib. Newman was pronounced brain dead as a result of blunt force trauma and a subsequent brain bleed.

Holton later admitted that he accidentally dropped the infant and she then fell down the stairs. Although she was “screaming at the top of her lungs” and “holding her head”, Holton delayed calling 911 for ten minutes.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz determined that a drop from an adult’s arms and a subsequent fall down one flight of uncarpeted stairs in addition to the infant’s obvious signs of distress provided factual evidence that Holton acted in a reckless manner. The delay in medical treatment constituted a bodily risk to a child and there is a “factual basis” for the guilty plea.

The judge deferred accepting the guilty plea until sentencing. A pre-sentencing investigation is scheduled for July 27 to determine if the judge will accept the terms of the plea bargain.

This article was written by Alaina Provenza

Judge Holds 2 of 4 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on May 13, DC Superior Court Judge Shelly Mulkey held two of four domestic violence defendants.

In total, there were 23 defendants presented before the court. Three of these defendants had domestic violence cases.

Judge Mulkey held a defendant who was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a hearing to discuss his mental health in his pending case. The underlying charge in his case is simple assault.

The defendant’s presence was waived by defense counsel because he was allegedly being combative with the officers at the Central Cell Block (CCB).

Judge Mulkey decided to hold the defendant on the bench warrant and scheduled his next court date for June 10.

The judge held a defendant who was brought in on a bench warrant for violating his probation terms. In the case, the defendant was convicted of simple assault and threats to do bodily harm.

The judge decided to hold the defendant to be brought before the presiding judge on May 18.

The judge released the two remaining domestic violence defendants. One of the defendants was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. He was released with a new court date of June 15.

The second defendant is charged with violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO). She was released with a stay-away order from a person and a location and ordered to return to court on Nov. 18.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Homicide on 24th Street, NE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested May 13 a 34-year-olf suspect believed to be involved in a fatal shooting.

Jean Paul Kearney, 34, a resident of Northeast, DC was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Around 9:19 p.m. on April 4, officers found 33 year-old Dontra Harris, a resident of Temple Hills, Md., suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.

Crime Alerts: May 13-14

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on May 13 and 9:00 a.m. on May 14.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:34 a.m. for an armed robbery between D Street and 12th Street, NE. Police are looking for a 50 year-old Black male with a dark complexion, 6 feet in height, wearing black pants, a black jacket, black shoes and a medical mask. He was last seen heading east on Constitution Avenue carrying a tan purse.

An alert was sent at 12:38 a.m. for a shooting investigation on the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Another alert for a shooting was sent at 11:26 p.m. on the 5000 block of C Street, SE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a green hooded sweatshirt who fled in an unknown direction.

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