Homicide Defendant Found Competent, Preliminary Hearing Date Set

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing in a murder case after the defendant was found competent to stand trial.

Christian Arndt, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of his 54-year-old father, Donald Arndt. Arndt was reportedly beaten to death with a bat on Jan. 28 on the 3000 block of Newark Street, NW.

During the March 29 mental observation hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo reviewed a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), which stated that Arndt was competent to proceed with his case.

Parties did not contest the competency finding, but defense attorney Philip Andonian asked for a few months before the preliminary hearing.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do at this moment, I think we need more time to be able to digest the report,” Andonian said.

Judge Demeo set a preliminary hearing for May 10.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Judge Can’t Schedule Trial Date, Continues Hearing for Homicide Defendant Instead

On March 29, a DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing for a homicide defendant.

Javon Gunter, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 15-year-old Thomas Johnson, who was shot on Oct. 9, 2019, on the 1300 block of Half Street, SW.

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits said the prosecution previously put a plea offer on the table, but it was rejected.

Judge Danya Dayson also said that, due to the pandemic, there is limited space for socially distanced in-person jury trials. Therefore, this case would not be eligible for the scheduling of a trial date as of now.

Judge Dayson scheduled the next status hearing for May 12.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Schedules Status Hearing for Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing for a domestic violence case.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault knowingly while armed.

Defense attorney Anthony Viviani and the prosecution asked Judge Milton Lee to continue the March 29 hearing so they could have more time to negotiate towards a resolution.

Judge Lee scheduled a status hearing for April 19. In the meantime, Johnson will remain held at DC Jail.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.

Document: Homicide in Woodland Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the afternoon of March 28.

At around 1:31 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 27 year-old Darius Burts suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Crime Alerts: March 28-29

There were no crime alerts sent out by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) between 7:30 p.m. on March 28 and 9:00 a.m. on March 29.

Judge Grants Extension in Alleged Kidnapping and Hospital Escape Case

A DC Superior Court judge gave defense counsel more time to obtain an independent forensic exam for a murder defendant who is facing new charges after allegedly escaping from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

In 2017, Bernard Coleman, III pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting his father, Bernard Coleman, Jr.,43, while he was sleeping on March 17, 2017.

During the March 26 hearing, defense attorney Dominique Winters said her client will not be sentenced until his 2020 kidnapping case has been “sorted out.”

According to court documents, while awaiting sentencing, the 27-year-old allegedly escaped from St. Elizabeth’s, DC’s psychiatric institution, on Oct. 3, 2020. Coleman and another suspect allegedly kidnapped and robbed a man, tasered him, stabbed his hands and left him handcuffed in a basement for three hours on the 400 block of Chaplin Street, SE on Oct. 7.

Coleman was apprehended that same day and now faces armed kidnapping charges.

He was found competent in his cases following a preliminary screening in December, which the defense disagreed with, and again after a full exam in February.

Defense attorneys Winters and Janai Reed had said they will conduct an independent forensic exam and present their findings during the March 26 hearing. However, Reed said they were unable to hire an expert to evaluate the defendant.

Reed asked for a 90-day extension to allow time for an independent expert to review items related to the case and evaluate the defendant.

Judge Ryan scheduled a mental observation hearing for the defense to present their independent forensic exam for May 28.

In the meantime, Coleman will remain at DC Jail.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: March 25-26

From March 25 at 12:00 p.m. to March 26 at 12:00 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

At 3:43 p.m. on March 25, the MPD sent out an alert for a stabbing on the 1100 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police said they are looking for a Black female about 5’7” tall wearing a blue cloth hat, black jacket and blue jeans, as well as a Black male with long dreadlocks wearing a black track jacket and black sweatpants.

At 11:27 a.m. on March 26, police sent out a crime alert for a robbery on the 3800 block of 22nd Street, NE. Police said they are looking for a Black male armed with a 45 caliber pistol, who they said fled in a Black Honda Civic 2D.

Prelim Continued After Homicide Defendant Injured in DC Jail Attack

On March 26, a DC Superior Court judge continued a homicide defendant’s preliminary hearing because he is being hospitalized due to an attack at the DC Jail last night.

Ernest Cleveland, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Cleveland is accused of shooting Edward Pearson, 39, on Nov. 26 2020, on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Judge Michael Ryan recommended that the March 26 preliminary hearing would continue due to the attack. D.C. Witness does not know the extent of Cleveland’s injuries.

Judge Ryan scheduled the new preliminary hearing date for May 20.

Vanessa Sousa wrote this article.

Judge Releases Child Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

One sex abuse defendant and three domestic violence defendants were brought before the court for initial hearings on March 25.

A 39-year-old defendant was charged with first-degree child sex abuse during the proceedings. According to a press release, he is accused of having sexually abused a minor from 2014 to 2019.

The prosecution did not ask for him to be held at DC Jail, but they did want him to be placed under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Defense attorney Kevin O’Sullivan, however, asked DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan to release his client on his promise to return to court, citing his lack of any criminal history.

Judge Nolan decided to release him on personal recognizance with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Three domestic violence defendants were also brought before the court: one was charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children and simple assault, another was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and the third was charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

All three defendants were released in their respective cases on their promise to return to court with orders to report to the PSA. However, the third defendant has a pending fugitive case, scheduled for March 26..

Judge Schedules Jury Trial for Homicide Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a jury trial for a defendant in a 2018 homicide.

Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggregating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and attempt to commit robbery while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown. The double homicide occurred on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner told Judge Juliet McKenna that there has been no recent discussion of plea bargaining between counsel.

Judge McKenna scheduled the jury selection to take place on July 27 and 28, 2022, and the trial to be held from Aug. 1 through Aug. 16.

Motion hearings are also scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Document: Suspect, 18, Wanted for Second-Degree Murder while Armed

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective are asking for the public’s help locating a suspect in connection with a March 20 homicide.

At around 7:40 p.m. that day, officers responded to the unit block of Madison Street, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The other, 21 year-old Demetris Johnson, was pronounced dead on scene.

The suspect in this case has been identified as 18 year-old Nyjell Outler, a resident of Southeast, DC. He is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing for Plea Negotiations

At counsel’s request, a DC Superior Court judge continued a March 25 hearing for a homicide defendant so parties can engage in plea negotiations.

Steven Robinson, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 28-year-old Shanika Williams on the 800 block of 19th Street NE on July 12, 2020.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Willams inside her apartment suffering from multiple shot wounds to the chest.

Since the previous hearing on Feb. 25, counsel was supposed to engage in plea negotiations. However, the prosecution cleared up that defense attorney Matthew Davies was still catching up on the case and parties are now beginning to engage in plea negotiations.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for April 28.

Judge Continues Homicide Hearing, Giving More time for Counsel to Exchange and Review of Evidence

A DC Superior Court judge continued a mental observation hearing for a murder defendant after the defense attorney asked that the prosecution provide more evidence.

Carson Posey, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his ex- girlfriend, 28-year-old Shantal Hill. On April 15, 2020, Hill was found on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries the next day.

During the March 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson read Posey’s competency evaluation report, which indicated that he was competent to stand trial and should remain at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution to avoid competency deterioration.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said she did not agree with the report’s results, but was not asking for more evaluations at this time. Instead she requested a continuance.

Cadman also said that much of the evidence, including Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, was only given to her in snippets and was not useful to her.

She requested that more evidence be given to her so that she can go over it with her client and make sure he truly understands the charges against him.

The prosecution said they will turn over pre-indictment evidence on a rolling basis. The prosecution said some of the evidence will be available right away. Other evidence items would be available by April 15.

Judge Dayson continued the hearing to July 22.

Judge Continues Trial Readiness Hearing for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a murder defendant who has been held in the case since 2014.

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 on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE on Sep. 20, 2014. He is also charged with obstructing justice for allegedly delaying testimony in 2018.

Defense attorney Betty Ballester said the judge assigned to the case has not acted on her motion to withdraw from the case.

Judge Juliet Mckenna said she will contact the case judge to see if they are in process of assigning the case to a different attorney. If not, Ballester will pick an attorney to take her place.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 3.

Bowser has been detained since he picked up the charges in 2014. In 2019, he rejected a plea offer.

He was scheduled to have a trial in July, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ballester is withdrawing due to obligations that prevent her from having the time needed to spend on the case. In her motion to withdraw as counsel, she said that even though Bowser is frustrated that his case has not been able to go to trial, she explained to him that it is better for her to withdraw.

During the March 25 hearing, the prosecution expressed interest in picking trial dates. However, Judge Mckenna sided with Ballester, saying it would be more appropriate to do that after a new attorney is assigned to the case.

Judge Continues Murder Hearing for Testing Results

A DC Superior Court judge continued a felony status conference for a murder defendant.

Jaamil Hipps, 43, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 40-year-old Sa’id Grey on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW on Aug. 12, 2020.

According to court documents, Grey was found in the hallway of an apartment complex suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

During the March 25 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson asked if parties are engaging in plea negotiations.

The prosecution said they had reached out to the previous defense attorney assigned to the case.

However, new forensic testing is ongoing and the prosecution is waiting for those reports before they contact the newly appointed defense attorney, David Knight, to engage in plea negotiations.

The next felony status conference is scheduled for May 24.

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