Between 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 16, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.
The alert was sent at 5:57 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 300 block of 63rd Street, NE.
Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a homicide that happened on the evening of Feb. 14.
At around 9:12 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Branch Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 18 year-old Maryland resident Cierra Young inside of a vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The detective’s investigation found that the homicide occurred on the 3300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, according to a press release.
A DC Superior Court judge determined that a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.
Seventeen year-old Quincy Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Anthony Riley. Riley and another victim were found in a vehicle on the 100 block of Walnut Street, NW suffering from gunshot wounds. The other victim survived and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was left permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
During the Feb. 11 proceedings, Judge Robert Okun said defense attorney Roderick Thompson raised valid concerns about inconsistencies of a lead witness’ statements and the lack of physical evidence corroborating the witness’ account of the crime.
The judge ruled that the evidence just barely met probable cause, citing the witness’ description of Johnson near the crime scene, which was corroborated by multiple accounts. The judge also said that Johnson’s injuries are consistent with witness statements that alleged Johnson had jumped from the moving vehicle during the crime.
The hearing could not finish because of time, constraints.. The hearing continued to Feb. 17.
During initial hearings on Feb. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe heard a total of 21 cases, seven of which were domestic violence cases.
Of the seven domestic violence cases that the judge presided over, only one was held.
The defendant was brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear at his probation hearings in which he is convicted of indecent exposure and sex abuse.
The 32-year-old failed to appear at his hearings because he was incarcerated in Maryland for an indecent exposure conviction. Judge Pipe decided to hold him, saying she was concerned about the lack of information in the Maryland case considering they are all similar charges.
The defendant is scheduled for a hearing on Feb. 16.
The remaining six domestic violence defendants are charged with simple assault and second-degree theft. Each defendant was given a stay-away order from either the alleged victims, locations of the incidents or both. One defendant was ordered to get a GPS monitoring device installed, as well.
The released defendants were ordered to return to court on July 16.
A domestic violence defendant pleaded guilty to felony assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
According to the proffer of facts,, the 28-year-old defendant, fired four shots at the victim on March 7, 2020, on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE.
As part of an agreement with the prosecution, Kinney pleaded down from his initial charge of assault with intent to kill while armed to assault with a dangerous weapon. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, which carries a one year mandatory minimum sentence.
In exchange for Kinney’s plea on these two charges, the prosecution agreed to waive sentencing enhancement.
Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled Kinney to be sentenced on May 17. In the meantime, Kinney will remain held at DC Jail.
This article was written by Vanessa Sousa.
A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve one year for felony assault with significant bodily injury.
The offense occurred in May 2020, when Ricardo Stallworth stabbed a relative over a conflict they were having.
In an impact statement, the victim said he hopes this Feb. 12 hearing can act as his voice to speak out against the defendant’s abusive tendencies “to make sure he doesn’t be enraged to anyone else.”
Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Stallworth to 24 months, 12 of which were suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.
While on probation, he will have to participate in inpatient and outpatient treatment, a mental health assessment and treatment, and transitional housing as recommended by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund, partake in anger management classes and comply with a stay-away order from the victim and his wife.
“I pray that Ric has remorse towards his actions,” said the victim’s wife. Both the victim and his wife said they hope that rehabilitation and counseling effectively build changes in Stallworth’s future behavior based on his abusive history.
Eileen Chen wrote this article
During a Feb. 12 hearing that comes over five months after a convicted homicide defendant allegedly escaped St. Elizabeths Hospital, a DC Superior Court judge concluded that the defendant is competent in both the homicide case and the new one he has since picked up.
Judge Michael Ryan made the ruling after reviewing a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report, which states that defendant Bernard Coleman III is “intentionally producing symptoms of mental illness”.
In 2017, Coleman pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting his father, Bernard Coleman Jr., in the back of the head while he was sleeping in March 2017.
The 27-year-old was awaiting sentencing at the hospital when, on Oct. 3, he allegedly escaped. Coleman was apprehended five days later after he and another suspect allegedly 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. He’s now facing armed kidnapping charges.
Coleman was also found competent by a preliminary screening that was conducted after he was appended. But during a hearing last December, the defense, who had requested the screening, objected to its findings and requested a full competency exam.
When the full examination found the defendant to be competent, defense attorneys Dominique Winters and Janai Reed said they will conduct an independent forensic exam and present the findings at the next observation hearing, which Judge Michael Ryan scheduled for March 26.
In the meantime, Coleman will remain held at DC Jail.
Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.
A defendant said he has accepted responsibility for his actions while being sentenced for assault with a dangerous weapon.
During an impact statement, the victim called Dwaune Houston “emotionally destroyed and “a menace to society.” Yet, she said she forgives him and wishes him the best. She said she just wants him out of her life.
“I can’t stop thinking that I could be dead, all for his own selfish reasons,” the victim said.
Houston entered a guilty plea in November. He admitted to firing nine shots at the victim, who was with her partner and children at the time.
The prosecution requested that the defendant serve six years, with placement into a domestic violence intervention program and a stay away, no contact order that includes any contact from third parties.
The prosecutor said Houston has failed to comply with the current stay away orders and continues to contact the victim from jail.
Defense attorney Kevin Mosley said the defendant took immediate responsibility for his actions very early on, showing incredible insight with what he wants to do with his life.
“Houston went through a rough childhood where he experienced a lot of neglect growing up,” said Mosley.
The judge pointed out that Houston committed the assault despite the fact that he was on probation, going to the extent of taking off his surveillance monitor.
“It was because of pure luck that there were no injuries, but there was clear intent of malice on behalf of Mr. Houston,” said DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman.
Judge Edelman noted that there is a history of domestic violence between Houston and the victim. He also said Houston has a substantial criminal history, with an escalating pattern of malicious acts.
“I don’t know if he is a menace to society, but he certainly is a menace to the victim,” said Judge Edelman before sentencing Houston.
Houston was sentenced to the 52 months of incarceration with 3 years of supervised release.
Conditions of Houston’s release include obtaining his GED, taking part in a mental health assessment and treatment and a domestic violence intervention program as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.)
Judge Edelman also ordered a no contact stay away order from the victim, that includes third parties.
The defendant must register as a gun offender within 48 hours of release, and must remain registered for two years after probation.
Houston must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.
This article was written by Adriana Montes
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a motion hearing to determine the length of time needed for evidentiary hearings in a murder case involving the death of two siblings in 2013.
In 2014, a jury convicted Kevin Walker of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the fatal shooting of Jamie Jenkins, 28, and Jamahl Jenkins, 21, on the 5300 block of East Capitol St, NE on July 20, 2013, according to a press release by the U.S District Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Judge Russell Cann sentenced the defendant to a total of 80 years.
In Jan. 2018, the defendant motioned for a new trial on his own behalf. Later that year, he made another pro-se motion to “to vacate, set aside or correct sentence,” in accordance with DC Code, alleging ineffective evidence of counsel.
In 2019, Walker’s current attorney, Bruce Cooper, filed a motion on his client’s behalf.
The defense counsel said he estimates that two witnesses will be called in favor of the defendant. The prosecutor plans to call one to two witnesses.
Judge William Nooter set aside April 9, 16 and 23 for the proceedings.
Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge decided to continue holding a defendant accused of pointing a gun at the victim.
There were no reported injuries from the alleged incident. The defendant is charged with a felony for assault with a dangerous weapon in a domestic violence case.
Defense attorney Charles Murdter asked DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan to release his client into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)
Murdter pointed out that the defendant is under 21, and this is his first encounter with law enforcement. He also said his client has underlying mental health issues.
Murdter said that the better course for the court is for the defendant to stay with his family and have him under the special supervision unit to be given the appropriate mental health treatment.
Even though Murdter said the defendant’s relative indicated she would be willing to take him in, she declined to do so when a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative spoke to her on the phone during the hearing.
Judge Nolan decided to continue holding the defendant.
The defendant’s next status hearing is set for March 10.
This article was written by Adriana Montes
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened on Feb. 12.
At around 12:39 a.m., officers responded to the 2100 block of 36th Place, SE for the report of a stabbing, according to a press release.
There, they found 24 year-old Aaron Smith on a sidewalk, suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Preliminary investigation at the scene led detectives to a residence on this block. Officers entered the residence and found 60 year-old Edward Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Detectives’ investigation identified Aaron Smith as their suspect. Officers arrested him for second-degree murder while armed.
“The detectives’ investigation also revealed that this offense was domestic in nature,” the press release states.
Between 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 12, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.
The most recent alert was sent at 6:00 a.m. for an armed robbery investigation on the 1300 block of Shepherd Street, NW. Police are looking for two Black male suspects. The first suspect has a light complexion, 5’5″ in height, 145 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, black trench coat and armed with a handgun. The second suspect is about 130 pounds with a slim build. They were last seen heading south on 13th Street, NW.
An alert for a robbery investigation at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and Summit Place, NE was sent at 1:33 a.m. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
The final alert was sent at 12:52 a.m. for a stabbing on the 2100 block of 36th Place, SE. The police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
An 18-year-old defendant initially charged with third-degree sex abuse pleaded down to two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse and was released from jail.
The offenses occurred last year on Sept. 5 and 10, 2020, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE and the 1400 block of Morris Road, SE. Darnell Peoples was seen on various surveillance cameras following the victims in public areas prior to the assaults, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Judge Judith Smith sentenced the defendant to 100 days with credit for time served, followed by two years of probation. The conditions of the probation include a mental health assessment, participation in an employment or academic program and a stay away no contact order. He must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund for each charge.
The defendant was held since last October and is receiving credit for time served, Peoples is scheduled to be released on Feb 11.
The prosecution requested that, due to the defendant’s multiple attacks in a short period of time, he received consecutive sentences of 180 days, the maximum penalty, for each victim.
During their impact statements, victims expressed the fear and trauma they endured, requesting the maximum sentence.
Defense attorney Angela Buckner said the defendant recently struggled with depression and emotional issues related to multiple deaths in his family, and although there were three attacks in a few days, it was an isolated incident.
The defense asked Judge Judith Smith to sentence the defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) due to his young age and lack of a criminal record.
Judge Smith said that, due to the alarming repeated offenses in a short period of time and video revealing intentional assault against victims, the defendant will not be sentenced under the YRA. However, the judge recommended that the defendant complete his probationary terms and apply for the sentence to be under the YRA allowing him to seek the benefit later if he is successful with his probation.
During initial hearings on Feb. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe presided over 18 defendants.
Of all the defendants presented before the court, Judge Pipe held five of the defendants and released the rest.
There were no domestic violence, sex abuse or murder defendants.
In fact, until now, there has been at least one of these types of cases, if not all three, during initial hearings held in 2021.
A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 11 preliminary hearing for a murder case after defense counsel was informed that a member of their team possibly has COVID-19.
Kevin Goggins is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Yisa Jeffcoat on the 1600 block of W Street SE on Oct. 9, 2020.
During the hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective about his conversations with a former detective. Gardner said that the text conversation, where the former detective identifies Goggins , was never received by the prosecution or defense counsel.
Gardner said he considers the identification of Goggins problematic and wants to see what the former detective said to the testifying detective when they identified the defendant.
Gardner said it is difficult for him to proceed without seeing those text messages, which he says are crucial to the case.
Judge Danya Dayson told the testifying detective to look over the conversations regarding the case and ensure that they are submitted.
The judge ended the hearing early after the defense learned about the COVID-19 situation in order to to ensure the safety of all of those present.
The defense counsel plans to have the detective finish his testimony when proceedings pick back up on Feb. 17.
Gardner said he plans on calling other witnesses, including the former detective, who both the prosecution and the defense have had a difficult time reaching.
A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16 to discuss COVID-19 results.
