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Defendant Charged in Fatal Stabbing of Senior Citizen Scheduled for Trial

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case to go before a jury panel early next year.

Edward Brown, 58, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and armed robbery in the death of 77-year-old Michael Mahoney.

On Feb. 5, 2018, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers went to Mahoney’s apartment complex on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW after a friend called them, expressing concern over not having seen him since the Feb. 3, 2018. Mahoney was found with a pool of blood around his head and pronounced dead on the scene.

The prosecution plans to call around 22-26 witnesses. Defense attorney Kevin Mosley also wants to bring in an expert witness to testify about DNA evidence in the case.

The prosecution has argued that, due to insufficient notice, the expert should not be allowed to testify or the defense should be required to provide further notice.

During the March 4 hearing, Mosley said they may try to get a local expert instead of the one they planned to use due to COVID-19 protocols in the District.

Judge Michael Ryan set aside Jan. 3 – 20 for the trial.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.


Judge Holds 2 of 5 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on March 3, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann presided over more than 30 cases. 

Five of these were domestic violence cases, and two of the defendants were held at the jail.

The first defendant is charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant was held after being arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a pretrial hearing.

The defendant will be held and has a status hearing is scheduled for March 9. 

The second defendant is charged with simple assault. The judge decided to hold the defendant because of another open domestic violence case against him involving the same victim. The defendant has a status hearing scheduled for March 23. 

The third defendant is charged with simple assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children. The defendant was released on personal recognizance under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). The defendant was ordered to return to court for a status hearing on Aug. 3. 

The fourth defendant is charged with violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO). The defendant was released on personal recognizance under PSA and given a stay away order. The defendant was also given a no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking, or “HATS,” order. 

The last defendant is charged with simple assault and was released on personal recognizance under PSA. The defendant was also given a stay away order. 

The last two defendants have status hearings scheduled for Aug. 4. 

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Document: Homicide in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on March 3.

At around 10:07 p.m., officers responded to the unit block of 35th Street, NE for the report of a traffic accident.

There, they found 30 year-old Antonio Wilkinson suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was in a vehicle that had struck a parked vehicle.

Wilkinson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Crime Alerts: March 3-4

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on March 3 and 9:00 a.m. on March 4.

The most recent alert was sent at 11:56 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 4000 block of 4th Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing black jackets and black jeans. One of the suspects has a white hood.

The second alert was for a shooting investigation at 11:02 p.m. on the unit block of 35th Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The third and final alert was sent at 9:13 p.m. for a robbery on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE. Police are looking for two Black males, one wearing a grey hoodie and one wearing a black hat and a black shirt.

Judge Holds 2 Murder Defendants During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on March 2, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held two defendants charged with first-degree murder.

Overall, 28 defendants were presented before the judge, and seven of these had charges involving domestic violence, sex abuse or homicide.

Sean Howard III is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the killing of 20-year-old Ibrahim Sesay. Howard, 18, allegedly shot Sesay in the face while attempting to rob him at a gas station on the 1300 block of 9th Street, NW on Jan. 6.

Defense counsel argued against probable cause and said the question is whether or not Howard actually participated in the killing of Sesay as there were multiple people involved and the police have arrested another suspect.

Judge Herrmann did find probable cause and decided to hold the defendant pending his next hearing on March 24.

Judge Herrmann held Joshua Young who is charged with first-degree murder while armed. Young, 21, allegedly stabbed 50-year-old Walter Lee Rogers on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on Feb. 21. 

The judge found probable cause in the case and decided to hold Young until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 24.

Finally, the judge held a domestic violence defendant who is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant was also brought in on three bench warrants for failing to appear at his hearings.

The defendant was released in his new case but held on his bench warrant to see the presiding judge in his other cases. His next hearing is scheduled for March 9.

Additionally, four defendants were released by the judge. The charges for these cases include fourth-degree sex abuse, simple assault, destruction of property, attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice.

All of the defendants were given stay-away orders and ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). They will return to court in August.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearings for Two Second-Degree Murder Cases

On March 3, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled preliminary hearings to determine if two murder cases have enough evidence to go to trial. 

Aaron Jackson, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Jamaul Crockett on Nov. 5, 2020 on the 700 block of Lamont Street, NW.

Defense attorney Bernadette Armand reported that they are rejecting the prosecution’s plea offer and requesting a preliminary hearing.

Judge John Campbell scheduled one for April 1. 

Ronald Miller, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 28-year-old Tiffany Hardy on Feb. 8, 2021, on the 1600 block of E Street NE.

His defense attorney, Jason Tulley, also asked Judge Campbell for a preliminary hearing. 

Miller’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8. 

Judge Scheduled Jury Trial Date for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case to go before a jury. 

Malik Hewitt, 40, and Nyekemia Everett, 35, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017. 

Their trial began on March 3, but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In August, after learning that the chief judge was extending his order suspending jury trial until Nov. 9, a defense motioned for a mistrial. Defense attorney Nikki Lotze said that jurors would have difficulty remembering case details from months ago, and that it was unsafe to put jurors, court staff and other members in the case at risk for COVID-19. 

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze said that jurors would have difficulty remembering case details from months ago, and that it was unsafe to put jurors, court staff and other members in the case at risk for COVID-19. 

Judge Anita Josey-Herring, who has since become the chief judge, granted the request. 

During the March 3 trial readiness hearing, Judge Michael Ryan set jury trial dates for both defendants from June 28 to July 23. 

Hewitt and Everett are also charged with conspiracy, attempt to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Everett is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing law enforcement officers and obstruction of justice, while Hewitt is also charged with obstructing justice from a separate case in 2018. 

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

90+ Witnesses, 9-10 Weeks: Trial Prep Underway for 2017 Homicide

The prosecution expects to call 90-95 witness during what is anticipated to be a nine to 10 week murder trial for two co-defendants.

Ronnika Jennings, the former civilian Metropolitan Police Department member, and Derek Turner are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 28 year-old Andrew McPhatter. On March 1, 2017, McPhatter was found on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries four days later.

Turner, 29, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 24 year-old Devin Hall on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE. 

The co-defendants are linked through Jennings’ alleged participation in disseminating classified MPD information to Turner.

During the March 3 hearing, parties struggled to find dates that could accommodate the trial’s expected length.

Judge Michael Ryan decided to set aside Aug. 26 through Oct. 21, 2022, for the trial and March 7 and 8, 2022, for jury selection.

Turner’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, said there are three unresolved motions and the prosecution said they expect resolutions to take a couple days. Judge Ryan ultimately scheduled motions hearings for June 18, July 9, and July 16, 2021. 

Turner has 30 additional charges that consist of a third first-degree murder charge, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Jennings has 31 additional charges that consist of conspiracy, accessory after the fact, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Murder Defendant Arraigned in New Felony Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status conference in a homicide case. 

Andre Dubose, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a wooden object for allegedly killing 37-year-old Ahmad Simms on March 17, 2019, on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE. 

During the March 3 hearing, the defendant was also arraigned in the case that stemmed from the alleged assault. He is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in that case.

Judge Neal Kravitz released Dubose from DC Jail into 24-hour home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) in June, citing the defendant’s  health concerns, the length of his pretrial detention and the limited evidence against him.

However, Dubose was re-arrested for allegedly assaulting two victims with a metal bed frame pole. 

Judge Kravitz revoked Dubose’s pretrial release last January.

Dubose’s next hearing is scheduled for June 16. 

Brennan Fiske wrote this article. 

Defense Counsel Motions to Withdraw from Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a defendant in a 2014 murder case.

Mark Bowser, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing 39-year-old Tracy Womack to death on Sept 20, 2014, on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE. 

Bowser is also charged with obstructing justice for allegedly delaying testimony in 2018. 

His defense attorneys, Noah Clements and Betty Ballester, have filed a motion to withdraw as counsel due to personal issues that they say prevent them from providing the time and support the case requires. 

Judge Michael Ryan continued the trial readiness hearing to March 25. 

The defendant rejected a plea offer in 2019. He is currently being held at DC Jail, where he has been since he picked up the case in September 2014.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.

Defense in Domestic Violence Case Contests Competency Finding

The defense attorney in a domestic violence case contested a doctor’s finding that her client is competent to stand trial.

The defendant is charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

During the March 3 hearing, defense attorney Khadija Ali said she agrees with some of what the doctor said about the defendant appearing to have an understanding of the court process. Instead, Ali said she is having difficulty communicating with her client. 

The defendant has been civilly committed in Maryland after being found incompetent in a criminal case. Ali said she wants to learn more about Maryland’s competency standards so she can compare them with DC’s.

In the meantime, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ordered another competency exam and scheduled another mental observation hearing for April 17. 

The defendant will remain at St. Elizabeth’s, which Ali said would be a more “stabilizing environment” for him than the jail. The prosecution did not oppose.

Document: Two 18-Year-Olds Arrested for Murder

Two people have been arrested for first-degree murder while armed – felony murder in connection with a Jan. 6 homicide.

At approximately 11:34 p.m. that day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 1300 block of 9th Street, NW for the report of a shooting. There, members learned that the victim was seeking treatment at an area hospital for a gunshot wound.

The victim, 20 year-old Ibrahim Sesay, was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital.

On March 1, 18 year-old Sean Howard, III was arrested. The next day, 18 year-old Shaquille Bynum was arrested. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that happened at the intersection of 10th Street and Michigan Avenue, NE.

According to a preliminary investigation, at around 11:07 a.m. on March 1, a bicyclist was traveling southbound on 10th Street, NE, crossing from the north to south side of Michigan Avenue, NE, in a marked crosswalk. The the same time, the operator of a 2017 Ford Bus made a left turn from 10th Street to Michigan Avenue, NE, and struck the bicyclist. 

The bicyclist, 47 year-old Armando Martinez-Ramos, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The bus driver remained on scene.

Judge Continues Hearing for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 probation show cause hearing for a domestic violence defendant.

In August 2019, the defendant was sentenced to serve nine months plus two years of supervised probation for  assault with significant bodily injury. 

He received several notices of non-compliance and, in May 2020, and picked up a new case on charges of first-degree sex abuse and kidnapping.

His probation hearing is now trailing the new case.

The defendant’s next probation show cause hearing is scheduled for April 13, which is the same day that a preliminary hearing is scheduled for his new case. 

This article was written by Adriana Montes.