On Feb. 3, DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell continued an arson defendant’s hearing to Feb. 16.
Defense attorney Julie Swaney asked Judge Campbell to continue the hearing, so she could have time to examine video footage and have the defendant fill out paperwork.
Adriana wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge gave a homicide defendant, who was recently released, more time to comply with the terms of her probation.
In 2016, 55-year-old Loretta Beckwith, who is also known as Loretta Hall, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for stabbing of her 54-year-old boyfriend, Kenneth Fogle on June 13, 2015, on the 3200 block of 23rd Street, SE. She was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
In October of 2020, her attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, filed for compassionate release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Julie Becker granted the release, placing the defendant on five years of supervised probation with the conditions of mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment.
During a probation review hearing on Feb. 8, a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) agent said Beckwith was doing well overall, except for a couple of violations, including not complying with her requirement to live in DC.
Judge Becker continued the probation show cause hearing to March 12, allowing more time for Beckwith’s compliance to be monitored.
Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic fatality that happened on Feb. 7.
According to a press release, at around 8:28 p.m., officers responded to the location of the crash for the report of a pedestrian struck.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle was traveling eastbound in the 1800 block of E Street, NW when it struck a pedestrian, outside of a marked crosswalk.
The victim was pronounced dead on the scene. Their identity is being withheld until the next of kin are notified.
A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve 15-and-a-half years in prison for shooting his unarmed victim multiple times.
“When there is a murder, there is always a tragedy,” Judge Craig Iscoe said before passing the sentence. “Here, the magnitude of that tragedy is quite clear in the very deeply-moving remarks I have heard today.”
Saeed Woodal, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on May 8 2019, for shooting 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on Aug. 9, 2016, on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE. He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed.
“I loved him so much and you shot him down like a dog,” said one of the victim’s relatives.
Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced Woodal to 216 months, 30 of which were suspended, plus five years of supervised release.
“He was a son and a friend, but most of all, he was a father, and a great one,” another one of Farrar’s relatives said. You have no idea how you have damaged five children with this awful crime.”
Due to the hardships the victim’s family has experienced over the last four years, the prosecutor requested that the defendant be sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
The prosecutor said the crime was premeditated because Woodal circled the neighborhood in his vehicle on the day of the murder, searching for the victim who was allegedly involved in a domestic incident with the defendant’s relative.
“The crime was a cowardly way to handle Mr. Woodal’s business, this was immature and irresponsible, to say the least,” the prosecutor said. “Your honor has to consider the protection of society and society right now continues to need protection from Mr. Woodal.”
However, defense attorney Michael Madden argued that the crime was not premeditated. “Mr. Woodal was caught up in the alleged assault of his sister,” he said.
Additionally, Madden pointed out that the defendant’s criminal history does not reflect the support the defendant has from his family, the full-time job he held before the crime, and his participation in a religious community.
Because Woodal is eager to take advantage of programs and rehabilitation courses, Madden recommended that the defendant serve 12 years in prison.
Per Woodal’s inquiry, the defense asked Judge Iscoe to recommend the defendant to Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina due to their excellent job training programs. Judge Iscoe agreed to do so.
Woodal apologized for his actions.
“There is nothing I can say to bring the victim back. I am not trying to justify my action,” Woodal said. “What you see on this paper is not who I am. I do not have the right to decide when a man’s life is over”.
Judge Iscoe said he decided to sentence Woodal to the 15 and a half year term to balance both serving time in prison for the crime and giving Woodal the opportunity to once again serve his community.
Additionally, the defendant must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.
Vanessa Sousa wrote this article.
During initial hearings on Feb. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond heard a total of 16 defendants, six of which were domestic violence cases.
Of the six domestic violence cases that were presented before the judge, four were held at the DC jail.
The first defendant to be held by the judge is charged with simple assault. The defendant, a 64-year-old male, is alleged to have pushed the complainant down the stairs and repeatedly punched her in the face.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the judge’s concern that the defendant would not be able to follow court orders if released, Judge Raymond held the defendant at the jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 12.
The second defendant, who is also being held, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice.
Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because he has a pending case and is on probation in a case involving the same complaining witness. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23.
The third defendant, a 22-year-old male, is charged with simple assault, destruction of property and contempt.
The defendant was brought in on two bench warrants for domestic violence cases in which he failed to appear in court. He was also charged with a bail violation. Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because of the amount of cases he had and the defendant’s failure to appear in court for those cases. He will be held until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 23.
The final defendant, who is being held, is charged with a bail violation and simple assault.
He was also brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a hearing in 2015 for another domestic violence case. The two cases involve the same alleged victim, so Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.
]Judge Raymond released two defendants who are charged with simple assault. The defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims and ordered to return to court on July 9.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a second suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a juvenile that happened last year.
On Aug. 10, officers responded to the the 5500 block of 9th Street, NW for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 17 year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Officers also found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
On Feb. 6, 17 year-old Nelfy Hernandez was arrested for first-degree murder while armed. He is being charged as an adult.
Previously, on Dec. 31, a 19 year-old was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wyatt’s death.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating two homicides that happened on Feb. 6.
At around 12:44 a.m., officers responded to the 4800 block of Benning Road, SE for the sounds of gunshots.
There, they found 22 year-old Deshawn Watkins suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
At around 2:44 p.m., officers responded to the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 30 year-old Isaiah Glover suffering from a gunshot wound. He was also pronounced dead on the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 7 and 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 8.
The alert was sent at 11:21 p.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 4900 block of G Street, SE.
Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
A DC Superior Court judge continued two murder cases that opened in 2020.
Diamante Butler is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Antwon Duncan on June 28, 2020, on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE.
The defense said they are waiting for an indictment in this case. They are also waiting for the defendant to be arraigned in another felony case, in which he is charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a high capacity feeding device. Butler, 20, could not be arraigned during the Feb. 5 hearing because he was not present.
The defense also said that jail calls are backed up, which has hindered the attorney’s ability to consult with his client. The attorney said he has filed motions related to this issue in other cases, but wanted to make the judge aware.
Butler’s next hearing is scheduled for May 19.
Eric Beasley is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly striking 45-year-old David Farewell with his car near the 2100 block of Young Street, SE on Sept. 4, 2020.
The 29-year-old defendant was on probation for assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon at the time of the homicide. He was sentenced to serve a total of three years with credit for time served, plus three years of supervised probation.
Judge Julie Becker scheduled a probation hearing for Feb. 25. She also scheduled a status hearing in Beasley’s homicide case for May 24.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect for second-degree murder while armed in connection with a homicide that police say the detectives’ investigation revealed to be domestic in nature.
The homicide occurred on the morning of July 12, 2020. At around 4:02 a.m., officers responded to the the 800 block of 19th Street, NE for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 28-year-old Shanika Williams inside a residence, suffering from a gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
Steven Robinson, 29, was arrested for second-degree murder while armed on Feb. 5.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened during the early morning hours of Feb. 5.
At around 1:46 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 28 year-old Stephon Chew inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating an officer involved shooting that happened in the early hours Feb. 5.
At around 2:27 a.m. that day, uniformed patrol officers responded to the area of 2nd Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW for the report of an assault, according to a press release.
There, officers learned that the victim was assaulted, pistol-whipped and robbed at gunpoint. Shortly after, officers came across the suspect, who was armed, on the 200 block of Florida Avenue, NW.
“After the suspect refused to follow numerous commands, two officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect,” the press release states.
The suspect was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. His gun was recovered, and he was arrested for armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a BB gun. The case remains under investigation.
In accordance with MPD policy, the officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation. Responding officers activated their Body Worn Cameras (BWC), the footage from which is currently under review.
Between 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 4 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 5, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.
The alert was sent at 2:20 a.m. for a shooting investigation that occurred at 1:47 a.m. on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.
Police are looking for five Black males thought to be involved in the incident.
A DC Supreme Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.
The 59-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old child on two occasions.
Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits requested the hearing, which Judge John Campbell scheduled for March 9.
The defendant will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since he was charged on Jan. 16.
DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell granted the defense’s request to continue a felony status conference for a domestic violence case.
The defendant is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Defense attorney Elliot Queen requested another status date because he is trying to obtain medical records for the defendant that “may or may not affect the case.”
The prosecution offered a plea deal at a previous date; however, Queen said he cannot explore the plea offer without knowing how his client’s medical condition could affect the case.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 8.
