Crime Alerts: February 28-March 1

Between 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 9:00 a.m. on March 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:27 p.m. for a shooting on the 3800 block of 8th Street, SE. Police are looking for four males who were last seen fleeing the scene.

The second alert was sent at 7:15 p.m. for a robbery of an establishment investigation on the 4600 block of Sheriff Road, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a green jacket with white pants and gray shoes. The suspect is armed with a silver handgun and was last seen running towards 48th Street, NE.

Plea Deal Falls Apart in Domestic Violence Case

A domestic violence defendant decided against entering into a guilty plea after disagreeing with the prosecution’s proffer of facts.

The defendant was initially charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to the proffer of facts, the defendant pulled a gun during an argument with the victim. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers later found cocaine at his house.

However, after going through the details, the defendant said he does not remember ever pulling a gun on the victim, which had been the basis for the assault charge.

The prosecutor was not willing to drop the simple assault charge and Judge Michael O’Keefe said he does not want someone to plead guilty to an act that they did not commit.

Defense attorney Sabitiyu Abou said his client initially accepted the deal pleading guilty to simple assault and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance during the Feb. 26 hearing.

The next hearing on May 14 remains in place unless the parties settle on a new plea agreement or the defense decides to go to trial.

In the meantime, the defendant is being held at the DC Jail.

Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant for Threats to Kill

During initial hearings on Feb. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held one domestic violence defendant and released three.

In total, there were 21 defendants presented before the court. Judge Pipe held two.

Judge Pipe held a defendant who is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm in a domestic violence case.

The defendant allegedly attacked the complainant in front of police, saying, “I’ll be back; I’m going to kill you.”

The defendant is also on probation in another domestic violence case in which he is convicted of attempted threats.

According to the prosecution, the defendant also has a number of theft convictions, a contempt conviction and eight bench warrants in his criminal history.

Given the defendant’s history and the seriousness of the alleged threats, Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant pending his next hearing, scheduled for March 16.

The defendant was also served with a Temporary Protective Order (PTO) and given a stay-away from the complainant.

One of the domestic violence defendants that the judge released was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to get his GPS monitoring device installed and failing to appear at his hearing. The underlying charges in his case are attempted threats and contempt.

Judge Pipe released him with orders to go to the courthouse to get his GPS installed as soon as he gets released. He has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 27 to ensure he gets the device installed.

Two other defendants, one charged with simple assault and the other charged with simple assault and assault on a police officer, were released with orders to return back to court on July 30.

One of the defendants was given a stay-away order from the complainant and the location of the incident, and the other defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim.

Another domestic violence defendant, charged with simple assault and second-degree cruelty to children, is in the hospital, so her case was continued to Feb. 27.

Defense to Have Their Own Expert Evaluate Murder Defendant’s Competency

At the defense’s request, a DC Superior Court judge extended a murder defendant’s stay at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

Jaykell Mason is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Terence Dantzler on Feb. 13, 2020, on the 700 block of 8 Street, NW. The 21-year-old defendant is also charged with assault on a police officer while armed.

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) determined that Mason is competent to stand trial.

But, defense attorney Roderick Thompson objected to the DBH’s findings and requested a continuance, so he can have his own expert independently evaluate Mason’s competency.

Thompson asked Judge Yvonne Williams to keep Mason at St. Elizabeth’s in the meantime.

Judge Williams granted the request over the prosecution’s objection.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for April 2.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Continues Preliminary Hearing for 17-Year-Old Murder Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz continued a preliminary hearing for a 17-year-old murder defendant after the second day of testimony.

Deon Walters is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 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.

The lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case said he believes there were at least three people present at the crime scene, including Daniels, Walters and another suspect. There have not been any other arrests in this case, according to the police department’s site.

During cross-examination, the detective could not confirm that the voice of the person arguing with the victim is Walters’ voice. Only the voices of the men at the crime scene were captured on surveillance video.

The detective testified that there was no way to prove that the two suspects were acting in unison against Daniels since the verbal altercation was not captured.

The same MPD detective was able to confirm that the defendant does not match the description that the eyewitness provided of the person who stole the victim’s vehicle after the shooting. GPS tracking was also able to show that Walters went straight home after the shooting and did not leave in the victim’s vehicle. At the time of the shooting, Walters was wearing a GPS tracking device.

The detective said he also received information that Daniels sold marijuana on Kennedy Street, NW, some of whose residents reportedly have “beef” with some residents on Rittenhouse Street, NW.

The detective said he was led to believe that the shooter could have been from Rittenhouse; however, the detective does not believe that the shooting occurred because of the neighborhood rivalry.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to pick back up on March 4.

COVID Concerns Delay Hearing for Brothers Charged with Murder

At the prosecution’s request, a DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 26 hearing for brothers Dijon and Davion Williams’ murder case due to COVID-19-related concerns.

Dijon, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, and Davion, 22, is charged with felony murder while armed in the shooting of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on July 21, 2020, on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW.

The hearing was continued due to an increase in COVID-19 travel restrictions, making it difficult for the co-defendants to appear in court. The two are currently placed on home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) in their home state of Georgia.

During a hearing in January, Judge Danya Dayson addressed Dijon’s reporting violations. According to his designated pretrial officer, Dijon has been in compliance with his reporting within the past month.

Dijon’s defense attorney, David Knight, asked that the defendant be released from 24-hour home confinement because of his obligations to work, his children, and his education.

Judge Dayson denied this request, given the nature of the charges. She also wants to see a lengthier time of compliance from Dijon.

Judge Dayson said she will also review more of Georgia’s restrictions to get a better understanding of their supervision protocols.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 1.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Case Involving Sex Abuse and Domestic Violence Goes to Trial

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a child sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse against three victims who are nine, 10 and 11 years old.

During the Feb. 25 proceedings, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case said that, in a series of interviews, the victims accused the defendant of touching them inappropriately and sending inappropriate text messages, including pornography.

But, the defense attorney said that one of the victims has been sexually abused before, which caused the defendant to worry that any of the three would be victimized by another act of sexual abuse.

Because of this concern, the defendant says he periodically “checked” the victims for signs of sexual abuse, including by checking if the victims’ hymens were intact.

Although they never witnessed it, four people, who know the defendant personally, said they knew the defendant did this, but that he never touched the children inappropriately.

The defendant says a doctor showed him how to check for sexual abuse. The defendant also says he sent the inappropriate text messages as a “test” to determine how the victims would respond in an abusive situation.

The prosecution called this absurd and “self-serving.”

The prosecution argued that the victims were consistent with the content of their allegations and confided in each other to help determine what happened to them, and not to fabricate a story against the defendant.

Judge Michael Ryan agreed with the prosecution, saying the defendant created a “fantasyland” to excuse his behavior.

The judge said it was not credible that a doctor would have showed the defendant how to “check” for sexual abuse.

Judge Ryan determined the defendant was a risk to the victims, and chose to hold him at the DC Jail.

A status hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Alaina Provenza wrote this article.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing, Allowing More Time to Review Competency Report

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 hearing, so parties and the judge would have more time to review a competency report submitted by the DC Department of Behavioral Health.

Carson Posey, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28 -ear-old Shantal Hill on April 15, 2020, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

The report was not submitted until the day of the hearing, which did not allow enough time for counsel, the defendant and the judge to review it.

Judge Danya Dayson continued the hearing for March 25.

Judge Holds Murder Defendant Charged with Triple Homicide During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Feb. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a defendant charged with second-degree murder.

In total, there were 25 defendants presented before the court. There were six domestic violence defendants, one sex abuse defendant and one homicide defendant.

Jibri Qayyum is charged with second-degree murder while armed for the deaths of three victims. Qayyum, 44, is alleged to have shot 56-year-old Claudette Williams, 29-year-old Marquise Lewis and 20-year-old Juwan Wade on the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE on July 7, 2020.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers previously arrested 33-year-old Dale Benjamin and charged him with second-degree murder while armed. Benjamin and Qayyum are co-defendants.

Qayyum is alleged to have shot at the decedents after they allegedly attempted to rob him, Benjamin and another person.

Qayyum’s defense counsel, Kristin McGough, asked the judge to not find probable cause, saying there is a question of the strength of the identification of Qayyum.

One of the witnesses identified Qayyum from a video, but McGough said how close the shot is or the quality of the video is unknown. She also said that on the second watch, the witness said “I think that’s Jibri,” which, she said, does not instill confidence.

Despite the defense attorney’s argument, Judge Pipe found probable cause. She said she even found substantial probability that Qayyum committed the offense.

McGough also asked Judge Pipe to release her client, saying his criminal history is dated and only involves non-violent misdemeanor offenses. She asked for Qayyum to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Judge Pipe said that since there are three people dead and that she believes Qayyum was one of the shooters, she was not going to release him.

Qayyum will be held at the DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 5.

Judge Pipe also held a defendant who is charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case. The defendant, a 31-year-old male, is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine while armed in a felony case.

Judge Pipe held the defendant in his felony case and, for his domestic violence case, she placed a $50 cash bond in order to give him credit for time served.

The defendant was also given a stay-away order from the victim for whenever he may be released. His next hearing, in the domestic violence case, is scheduled for July 29. The next hearing in the felony case is scheduled for March 17.

Five other domestic violence defendants were presented before the judge. Their charges include simple assault, destruction of property, unlawful entry, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and violation of a Civil Protective Order (CPO).

Four of the defendants were given stay-away orders, and one defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim.

A defendant , who is charged with sex abuse, was released with a stay-away order from the complainant.

All released defendants were ordered to return to court on July 29.

Crime Alerts: February 25-26

Between 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 6:22 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE.

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

Judge Gives Defense in Murder Case More Time to Discuss Plea Offer

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 hearing in a murder case after the defense attorney asked for more time to go over a plea offer with his client

Steven Robinson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Shanika Williams. According to court documents, on July 12, 2020, Williams was found with a gunshot wound to the chest in her apartment on the 800 block of 19th Street, NE. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the next hearing for March 25.

Judge Schedules New Hearing Following Defense Attorney’s Motion to Withdraw from Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled an ascertainment of counsel hearing for a sex abuse case after the newly appointed defense attorney did not show up to the hearing due to an apparent miscommunication.

The defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of striking and grabbing the victim in an attempt to sexually assault her. The alleged offense took place on Sept. 6, 2020, in Northwest, DC, according to court documents.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, there was confusion as to who was the defendant’s counsel.

Judge Danya Dayson said a withdrawal of counsel request caused the confusion because it had not been granted yet. She decided to schedule another hearing for March 16 to clear up the confusion.

The defendants defense attorney Russel Hairston motioned to withdraw from the case on Feb. 22.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Kidnapping and Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if the evidence against a defendant charged with first-degree sex abuse and kidnapping is enough to bring his case to trial.

On the night of May 6, 2020, the defendant is alleged to have carried the victim from a bus stop in Southeast, DC to a shed, where the sexual assault occurred. According to court documents, the victim escaped the shed and sought the police’s help after the defendant fell asleep.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said the hearing would be conducted partially remote, with the defendant appearing in court.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 13.

Defendant in 2009 Child Sex Abuse Case Unlikely to Gain Competency, Judge Rules

After spending over a decade at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a sex abuse defendant was found unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future.

The defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse in 2009. In a recent court document, the prosecution alleges that he is a “serial child molester” and has sexually assaulted at least four children aged 13 and under.

During the Feb. 25 hearing, after having received a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Judge Danya Dayson said the defendant can “parrot back” many of the legal concepts associated with his case, but that does not mean he has rational understanding of the case. She ruled that he is incompetent and unlikely to become competent in the foreseeable future.

Neither party opposed the DBH’s findings. The prosecution did, however, oppose the defense attorney Dana Page’s release request.

In light of the ruling, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia may pursue a petition for civil commitment.

Upon being charged, the defendant was detained at DC Jail until his transfer to St. Elizabeth’s, the District’s psychiatric institution, the following August. In 2010, he was found incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to become competent in the foreseeable future.

The competency proceedings were then stayed and, in 2011, a judge ruled that the defendant is a “sexual psychopath” and committed him to St. Elizabeth’s under the Sexual Psychopath Act (SPA).

The defense appealed the finding and challenged the SPA’s constitutionality. In October 2020, the D.C. Court of Appeals invalidated the SPA.

Following that decision, another exam was ordered to determine if the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Judge Dayson questioned how she could enforce any court orders if she released the defendant. She said she did not want to leave open the possibility for detainment at DC Jail because the jail would not be a good environment for him.

Judge Dayson decided to schedule a hearing for March 11 to continue discussing release. In the meantime, the defendant will stay at St. Elizabeth’s.

Judge Dayson ordered that the defendant will continue receiving treatment. She also scheduled a hearing for March 25 for the OAG’s decision on civil commitment.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

Judge Reschedules Hearing for Sex Abuse and Kidnapping Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a status hearing from Feb. 24 to March 22.

The defendant allegedly cornered and sexually assaulted the victim on a bus on Oct. 6, 2020. He is charged with kidnapping and assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

The defendant was originally released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), but failed to appear in court and is now being held at DC Jail.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

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