The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on March 7 and 9:00 a.m. on March 8.
The most recent alert was sent at 12:22 a.m. for a stabbing on the 3000 block of 6th Street, SE.
The second alert was sent at 10:40 p.m. for a shooting on the 4000 block of 2nd Street, SW.
Police do not have a description of the suspects involved in either of these cases.
A March 5 mental observation hearing for a murder defendant was vacated.
Brandon Byrd is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for allegedly stabbing his father Otis Byrd, 44, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW in 2016.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan scheduled Byrd for a mental observation hearing on April 7.
Byrd, 25, has been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for over four years now and is still currently considered incompetent to stand trial.
Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.
March 3 marked the first day of a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.
The three co-defendants, 17-year-old Nelfy Hernandez, 16-year-old Trey Prillerman, and 19-year-old Deandre Levy are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the shooting of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that the vehicle identified as the suspected car used during the murder was stolen from an Uber driver hours before the shooting occurred.
The detective said the car unique because it was missing hubcaps on the passenger side. Video surveillance revealed a car matching the description circling the area around the shooting minutes before it happened.
The detective also said that, based on ballistic testing, the shell cases found from the scene and the shell cases found from the vehicle did not match.
He suggested that there must have been at least two guns.
The detective also said that no witness could identify how many people were in the car or could describe the people in the car during the shooting.
Due to time constraints, the proceedings did not finish. Judge Danyna Dayson scheduled the hearing to pick back up on March 8.
On Aug. 20, 2020, the three allegedly shot blindly into a group of juveniles from the inside of a vehicle on the 5500 Block of 9th Street, NW.
Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article
A DC Superior Court judge rejected a defendant’s guilty plea and vacated the hearing due to the defendant’s “inappropriate behavior” in the courtroom.
The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and contempt.
The March 5 hearing was intended for him to enter a guilty plea.
After the prosecution read the proffer of facts and Judge James Crowell asked the defendant if he agreed with them, the defendant tried to interject new information. He went on to interrupt the judge as he tried to explain to him that this was not the time to offer new information and that they needed a “yes” or “no” answer from him.
“[The defendant] is incapable of answering a direct question by the court, whether or not these facts are true, and has interrupted me several times,” said Judge Crowell. “I’m done.”
The defendant will remain at DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 25.
This article was written by McKenzie Beard.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to give defense attorneys time to ask their client if she is willing to voluntarily take medication that could potentially restore her competence to stand trial.
Alisa Randall, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 59 year-old Ronald Payne. On July 15, 2019, Payne was found in an apartment on the 1300 block Euclid Street, NW suffering from apparent stab wounds.
During the March 4 proceedings, Judge Neal Kravitz read a doctor’s report, which stated that Randall is not currently competent. The report also stated that a stronger medication than the one Randall is already on may restore her competency.
Defense attorneys Dana Page & Ashley Prather-Guzman said that this medication is viewed as a last resort because of its high risk for negative side effects.
Guzman also said that Randall’s treatment team said she has reached a plateau in competency improvement and that the new medication would not make much of a difference.
The prosecution said they want Randall to have the opportunity to voluntarily accept or refuse the medication before the court schedules a lengthy hearing that determines if the medication can actually restore competency.
Judge Kravitz agreed and requested that the defense notify the prosecution if Randall is willing to take the medication. If she’s not, the prosecution should have determined if they are going to file a motion to compel Randall to take the medication before the next hearing.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 18.
During initial hearings on March 4, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held a defendant charged with first-degree murder.
In all, there were 26 cases presented before the court. Five of these cases involved domestic violence, sex abuse or murder.
John Woods is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the killing of 60-year-old Geno Freeman on Feb. 19. Woods, 66, allegedly shot Freeman twice with a shotgun on the 6000 block of Chillum Place, NE.
Woods’ attorney, John Yarbough, asked the judge to not find probable cause for first-degree murder because there is evidence of mitigating circumstance in this case. According to Yarbough, Woods believed he had been poisoned by Freeman several years prior by antifreeze in a drink he was drinking.
Subsequently, Woods was diagnosed with kidney failure in October 2020, which the defendant also believes to be from the poisoning. He said Woods had gone to Freeman to confront him about the poison and did not plan on killing the decedent.
Given these circumstances, Yarbough said there are mitigating circumstances and that the judge should not find probable cause for first-degree murder but could only find probable cause for voluntary manslaughter.
Judge Herrmann did find probable cause in this case, saying said she found substantial probability that Woods committed first-degree murder. She said there is substantial evidence in this case, and that Woods himself allegedly admitted to the police that he thought of killing Freeman weeks prior to the incident.
Yarbough asked for Woods’ release, stating that his many underlying health conditions, including suffering from multiple gunshot wounds by a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, and his age put him in a very high risk category if he were to get Covid-19, which “is spreading throughout the DOC [Department of Corrections] as we speak.”
Judge Herrmann said she could not ensure the safety of the community, so the defendant will be held at the jail, pending his next hearing scheduled for March 24.
The judge also held a defendant who is charged with third-degree sexual abuse. The defendant allegedly tried to force a woman into the back of a truck, tried to pull her pants down and put his mouth on her breasts on May 29, 2020, on the unit block of K Street, NE.
Defense counsel asked the judge to not find probable cause, saying the alleged victim was shown only one photo to ID the defendant, which, he argued, is highly suggestive. He also said that the complainant said she had seen the defendant 12 or 13 times between May and December of 2020, but she never called the police.
Judge Herrmann did find probable cause in this case, and she decided to hold the defendant because of his assaultive history as well as his two pending cases in DC. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for March 24.
The judge released three defendants with charges that include simple assault, assault on a police officer, sex abuse and unlawful entry. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders, and one was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim.
The released defendants will return to court on Aug. 5.
A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case only has enough evidence to go to trial on a lesser charge. She also decided to release the defendant into home confinement.
Samuel Mack, 54, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Erica Ward on the 4600 block of Benning Road, NE on Dec. 30, 2020.
Judge Danya Dayson decided that there is only enough evidence to bring him before a jury on charges of second-degree murder while armed, in part due to a lack of evidence of premeditation.
During the March 4 proceedings, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that the defendant said he shot Ward, but it was accidental. The detective also said an eye-witness contradicted the defendant’s statements and, although they did not see the shooting, heard the defendant threaten the victim just prior to the shooting.
According to court documents, the shooting happened during an argument between the defendant and victim. The two had a son together.
The defendant said he was gathering his things, the gun included, to leave the apartment when he gestured towards the victim and the gun accidentally went off. The defendant said he did not know the chamber was loaded.
The prosecution said it was not believable that the defendant did not know the gun was loaded as he purchased it for his own protection, having felt threatened by the victim’s previous boyfriend. The prosecution also argued that bringing the loaded gun to the apartment showed intent on the defendant’s part.
Judge Dayson agreed that it was not credible to say the defendant did not know the gun was loaded. She also said that pointing the gun at the victim was evidence of “conscious disregard for extreme risk of death and or extreme bodily harm” and consistent with second-degree murder charges.
Judge Dayson also chose to release the defendant from DC Jail into home confinement. She finalized the release conditions during the March 5 hearing.
The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Alaina Provenza wrote this article.
A competency hearing for a murder defendant was found to have been scheduled in error after the clerk found out that a doctor’s report wouldn’t be ready until the next day.
Twenty four year-old Aaron Smith is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing his father, 60-year-old Edward Smith.
Defense attorney Laura Rose said there have been substantial holds for competency hearings since the pandemic has started.
She said these holds, frequent miscommunications have occurred throughout the case and the delay in the report has exacerbated her concerns for her client.
Rose said she already had significant concerns about Aaron’s safety and ability to improve his competency with his placement at DC Jail, given his mental health history.
A screening to determine Aaron’s competency was ordered on Feb. 24.
On Feb. 12, Aaron was found on the 2100 block of 36th Place, SE suffering from an apparent stab wound. After questioning Aaron, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers also found Edward suffering from multiple stab wounds in a nearby apartment, according to court documents. He was pronounced dead on scene.
According to DC Courts, Smith is scheduled for a hearing on July 21.
A DC Superior Court judge continued a preliminary hearing for a 17-year-old murder defendant after a third day of testimony.
Deon Walters is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 42-year–old Arthur Daniels, IV on Oct. 1 on the 6200 block of 8th Street, NW. Walters is being charged as an adult.
The preliminary hearing, which began on Feb. 19, will determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.
A witness testified during the March 4 hearing, but the testimony occurred in a private online meeting room, so D.C. Witness was unable to observe it.
Judge Neal Kravitz continued the hearing for more testimony. Due to a scheduling conflict, the next hearing will be scheduled in chambers.
Walters is being held in the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on March 4 and 9:00 a.m. on March 5.
An alert was sent at 6:58 a.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. Police are looking for a male suspect wearing all black.
An alert for another stabbing investigation was sent at 1:26 a.m. on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a hoodie with a black hat.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the evidence against a defendant charged with first-degree murder while armed is enough to bring his case to trial.
On Feb. 6, Isaiah Glover was found with a gunshot wound to the head on the 4000 block Minnesota Avenue, NE. Glover, 30 was found conscious, but was pronounced dead before he could be transported to the hospital. Keith Hudson, 25, was arrested in connection to Glover’s death three days later.
During the March 3 proceedings, defense attorney Michael Madden requested a preliminary hearing for his client. The prosecution asked that the date fall some time in April.
Madden asked that the prosecution turn over all evidence at least seven days prior to the preliminary hearing to allow him time to make the proper preparations.
Judge John Campbell agreed the request was reasonable and proposed that the prosecution get the materials in at least two weeks prior to the date if possible.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 19.
A DC Superior Court judge set trial dates for a defendant in a 2018 murder case.
Antonio Jackson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 52-year-old Maria Antoinette Evans to death on March 29, 2018, on the 500 block of Oakwood Street, SE.
The trial is expected to last five to seven days. The prosecution plans to call 15-20 witnesses: three to four medical examiners and DNA experts and eight to 12 law enforcement officers and civilians.
Jury selection is expected to take up two days. Jury selections are planned to be made the week before the trial starts.
Judge Michael Ryan scheduled trial dates for Feb. 11-25, 2022.
The defendant rejected a plea offer in 2019. He is currently being held at DC Jail.
Jackson, 35, is also charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in this case.
Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.
On Feb. 25, a DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 hearing in order for a domestic violence defendant time to further discuss a plea offer with the defendant.
The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.
In November 2019, Kieth Moody was sentenced to serve 6 months and 2 years of supervised probation under the YRA, which would effectively seal his case once he completes requirements.
The defendant had a bench warrant issued for his arrest when he failed to appear for a probation show cause hearing.
The defendant will appear in court again on March 25.
Adriana Montes wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled another hearing for a homicide defendant after it was determined that the original hearing was scheduled in error.
Torey Stockton, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the alleged drive-by shooting of 23-year-old Jasmine Light. On Jan. 17, 2018, Light and three other victims were found on the 1500 block of U Street, SE suffering from gunshot wounds. The four victims were transported to a nearby hospital where Light was pronounced dead. The other victims survived.
During the March 4 hearing, defense attorneys Rachel McCoy and Justin Okezie saidthe hearing was changed last minute and the change resulted in a different start time and hearing type than what was originally scheduled.
The defense requested that a trial date be set despite the clerical error because they did not want to return at a later hearing and be given a late 2022 trial date.
Judge Yvonne Williams said the particular courtroom they were using did not have the authority to set trial dates.
Judge Williams said she could schedule another hearing for the following day so that parties would not lose time in securing a trial date.
Stockton has 17 additional charges in this case including possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, armed drive-by or random shooting, carrying a pistol outside a home/business, tampering with physical evidence, and obstruction of justice.
Stockton has a co-defendant, Kayla Thompson, who is charged with obstruction of justice, but she and her counsel were not present due to the scheduling error.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 5.
A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial.
The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.
During the March 4 hearing, an investigator testified that a loaded firearm, along with additional magazines, was found in the defendant’s home during a search.
Defense attorney Donna Beasley asked Judge Staples to consider releasing the defendant under GPS monitoring in order for him to follow his mental health regimen.
However, Judge Sean Staples granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant at DC Jail.
He denied the victim’s request for release as he deemed the defendant a potential danger to the community. The defendant has picked up various assault charges in the past.
A felony status conference is scheduled for April 12.
