Document: Suspect and Vehicle Sought in Fatal Shooting of Juvenile

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating a suspect and vehicle in connection with a Jan. 9 homicide that took the life of 17 year-old Omari Dunn.

At around 5:28 that day, officers the Unit block of Florida Avenue, NE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found Dunn inside of an establishment, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The vehicle is described as a black Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle and the suspect were captured by surveillance cameras.

Sex Abuse Defendant Wants Judge to Reconsider Denied Motion

During a Feb. 4 hearing that comes almost one year after a DC Superior Court judge denied a sex abuse defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, the case’s defense attorney said the defendant would like the judge to reconsider.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed in 2019. As part of a plea deal, the prosecution agreed to drop all other charges in his case.

Judge Julie Becker scheduled a status hearing for March 31 to check on the status of the case.

Should the case proceed to sentencing, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said her client wishes to exercise his right to be sentenced in person, rather than remotely via video conference.

In the motion to withdraw the plea, the defense argues that the defendant’s plea was not made in a “knowing, intelligent, and voluntary manner,” as required by law.

“Specifically, at the time [defendant] entered the plea he had just been shown for the first time a grand jury exhibit that purported to depict him engaging in a sexual act with the third complainant in the case,” the motion stated. “Although [defendant’s] attorneys had been meticulous in sharing all discovery with him, this exhibit had not been turned over by the government with the other discovery materials. Upon learning of its existence, after a jury had already been selected and a day before opening arguments were scheduled to begin, [the defendant] felt pressured to plea rather than proceed to trial.”

The prosecution opposed the motion. “The defendant has altogether failed to express any defect in the Rule 11 proceeding nor provided the most basic showing as to why the demands of justice require withdrawal of the plea agreement he suggested, drafted, proposed and accepted,” the prosecutor said.

Rule 11 refers to a defendant’s right to withdraw a guilty plea before sentencing if the defendant “can show a fair and just reason for requesting the withdrawal,” according to the DC Courts’ website.

Alaina Provenza wrote this article.

Judge Orders Full Competency Exam for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ordered the transfer of a domestic violence defendant from DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, after finding him incompetent to stand trial.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Michael Ryan found him incompetent based on a preliminary screening that was conducted from the jail. During the Jan. 4 hearing, Judge Ryan ordered a full competency examination.

Defense attorney Khadijah Ali expressed concerns with the report due to the jail’s medication prescription. The medication is not the same one that has been previously prescribed and is stronger, Ali said. The prosecution did not object to this request.

Judge Ryan said he would override the doctor’s recommendation for the defendant to remain in jail with the stipulation that St. Elizabeth’s has vacancy.

Given the COVID-19 restrictions on the hospital, he emphasized there may be a quarantine period for the defendant rather than the normal immediate transfer.

The next hearing to reassess the defendant’s competence is set for March 3.

Double Homicide Defendant Receives New Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for a double homicide case, so a newly appointed defense attorney could have more time to familiarize herself with the case.

George Bernard Shaw is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of Marcus Nelson, 59, and Simmeon Williams, 39, on Oct. 10, 2020, on the 1700 block of Irving Street, NE.

There has been no plea offer nor has there been a request for a plea, according to the prosecution.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the next hearing for April 7. In the meantime, Shaw will remain held at DC Jail, where he’s been since Oct. 13, 2020.

Madalyn Harvey has been appointed as the new defense attorney.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

4 Domestic Violence Cases Presented During Initial Hearings

During initial hearings on Feb. 3, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond heard a total of four domestic violence cases.

Three of the defendants have charges involving destruction of property amounting to less than $1,000 and simple assault.

All three of the defendants were released with stay-away orders. One of the defendants was also placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring.

The final defendant is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and was released with a stay-away order.

All four defendants will return to court on July 7 for status hearings to discuss their cases further.

Crime Alerts: February 3-4

Between 8:00 p.m. on Feb. 3 and 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 4, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 1:09 a.m. for a robbery on the 1400 block of Irving Street, NW. Police are looking for five Black males wearing black hooded sweatshirts in a silver Toyota Camry with Maryland tags “4EK6202.”

The second alert was sent at 8:20 p.m. for a confirmed shooting on the 1500 block of Eaton Road, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Document: Arrest Made for Sex Abuse Offense From 2011

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest for a sex abuse offense that occurred on July 5, 2011.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 900 block of Shepherd Street, NW.

The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim while armed with a screwdriver before fleeing the scene.

On Feb. 3, officers arrested a 33 year-old male and charged him with first-degree sexual abuse while armed.

Murder Case with 3 Defendants Set for Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge set aside two days for a hearing to determine if the evidence against three men charged with murder has enough evidence to go to trial.

On the evening of Oct. 6, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found 30 year-old Michael Bright suffering from apparent gunshot wounds on the 1100 block of 45th Street, NE. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Delonte Samuels, 28, James Flemings, 23, and Exavior Pinnix, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the homicide. Bright’s death is alleged to have been caused by an attempted robbery carried out by the three defendants.

The prosecution asked Judge John Campbell to designate multiple days for the hearing, saying, “co-defendant prelims typically take more than one day in a row.”

Judge Campbell scheduled the hearing for March 16 and 17.

Murder Defendant Upset with Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial after a defendant expressed dissatisfaction with his counsel.

Thirty-two year-old Mohamed Goodwin is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of Devonte Wilson. On Dec. 3, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Wilson, 25, in a vehicle on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW, suffering from a gunshot wound. He died from his injuries the next day.

During the Feb. 2 proceedings, Goodwin said he was dissatisfied with his communication with his defense attorney, Lee Smith, since he had not come to meet with him in person at the DC Jail.

Judge Danya Dayson said that COVID-19 restrictions have hindered visitation protocol, and she does not believe this was a counsel error.

Judge Dayson offered Goodwin a few options for how he could proceed with the hearing.

However, Smith requested a continuance to address the concerns Goodwin had with his legal services.

Judge Dayson set a status hearing for Feb. 10 to allow time to determine if new counsel should be appointed, or if a new preliminary hearing date should be scheduled.

Vanessa Sousa and Vallen Anderson wrote this article.

Homicides Not Ready for Trial, Judge Says

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna said that two defendants charged with murder cannot be brought to trial yet in the aftermath of errors from the Department of Forensic Services.

Rondell McLeod and Joseph Brown had been charged with first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of Amari Jenkins, who was found dead on Aug. 15, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE and Antwan Baker, who was found dead on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE, on Nov. 12, 2015.

The two had been indicted as co-defendants because the homicides were thought to be linked based on ballistic evidence. However, it was discovered that the cases were not linked. As such, the cases were severed.

The prosecution said there are significant forensic clues, and significant scientific issues that require litigation.

“It is premature to set this matter in trial, particularly in light of the fact that there are issues with forensic evidence,” Judge McKenna said.

Judge McKenna scheduled a hearing for March 2 so Judge Milton Lee could hear the defense’s motion to dismiss the indictment, which pertains to the forensic evidence, and to set a trial date.

Alicia McCoy is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with Baker’s homicide.

McCoy’s attorney asked the judge to release her client from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP,) saying that McCoy has been compliant and has a possible job opportunity.

Judge Juliet McKenna amended the defendant’s release conditions to GPS monitoring only.

Adriana Montes wrote this article.

Murder Case Set for Preliminary Hearing

On Feb. 3, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Dennis Chase, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Anthony Orr.

On the morning of Dec. 7, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Orr in the middle of the street on the 400 block of Xenia Street, SE with a gunshot wound to the head, according to court documents. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Judge John Campbell scheduled the hearing for March 24.

Domestic Violence Case Set for Preliminary Hearing

On Feb. 3, DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell scheduled a hearing to determine if a domestic violence case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon.

Defense attorney Donna Beasley requested the hearing, which Judge Campbell scheduled for March 4.

In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail, where he has been since his initial hearing on Jan. 13.

Judge Schedules Hearing in Murder Case

On Feb. 2, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing in a murder case after a defense attorney requested an additional date.

Tyrone Brown, 64, is charged with first-degree murder while armed after being accused of shooting his longtime friend Orlando D. Miller, 45, on Oct. 1, 2020, on the 1700 block of Lang Place, NE. Miller was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) initially interviewed Brown as a witness to the shooting, according to court documents. However, after obtaining video footage of the crime from a neighbor’s security system, Brown was identified as a suspect in the case.

Judge John Campbell scheduled Brown’s next hearing for March 24. Brown is currently being held without bail and was not present at the hearing.

This article was written by McKenzie Beard.

Judge Declares Domestic Violence Defendant Incompetent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge declared a domestic violence defendant incompetent to stand trial but likely to regain competence in the foreseeable future.

The defendant is charged with attempted misdemeanor sex abuse and simple assault.

He is currently being held at St. Elizabeths Hospital. The court received the most recent competency report two days before the Feb. 3. hearing.

Judge Michael Ryan said that the defendant reportedly has factual knowledge of the proceedings against him, but cannot have more in-depth discussions about competence-related legal matters. However, the doctor said he’s shown evidence of improvement.

Neither the prosecution nor defense attorney Jason Kalafat objected to the doctor’s findings.

The doctor also recommended that the defendant stay at the hospital for continued competency restoration treatment.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for March 22.

Sasha Ridenour and Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

More Data Needed to Reduce DC’s Crime Emergency

With homicides in Washington, DC starting the year with a pace that has already exceeded last year’s total during the same timeframe, Councilman Trayon White is calling for a declaration of a state of emergency. He represents Ward 8, where most of the homicides in our city happen. So, if anyone should be raising the call, it is Councilman White.

But sadly his proposed remedies will hardly solve the problem. Getting the illegal guns off the streets and placing more returning citizens into communities is appealing, but the data shows it will not change very much.

At D.C. Witness, we have tracked every homicide and the data associated with each case for the last six years. And while we believe programs for violence interrupters and getting guns off the street should be supported and expanded, the data has some hard truths.

Regarding guns, there is an unmistakable trend that shows young men involved in shootings have increasingly claimed self-defense, saying they need guns because it is so dangerous out there. The demand for guns won’t go away until the desperation that young men feel to pick up those guns is addressed. So even if police were able to take every illegal gun off the street, it would just create a new market for replacements.

Similarly, with violence interrupters. We hail the success of these returning citizens. They do amazing work, reducing violence in their communities and providing role models to help endangered youth step away before it is too late. But, in the first rush to fund these great efforts, the data showed the number of homicides went down in their locations, but moved to other areas with an overall increase in the number of homicides across the city. The interrupters program was, in effect, just pushing the violence elsewhere. When the programs were reduced, the homicides became concentrated in Ward 8 again. We are not arguing that these programs don’t have merit, but they are not the panacea.

One question not being asked is the role of COVID-19 and the efforts to reduce the DC Jail population. We have tracked the releases from jail and our data shows that a little under half of the people arrested for possessing a gun were released back into the community. During the last five months of 2020, nearly 59 percent of the city’s gun-related homicides occurred, when COVID-related bail efforts were picking up. We are in no way suggesting mass incarceration as the answer. Rather we put a question – what role did the rapid release of detainees play? It is a question for the city to ask.

All of this is to say that declaring an emergency will only be effective if there is an urgency to look beyond the obvious to see what is really happening and why. Our homicide rate did not grow overnight, and it won’t be solved by an emergency order either. And, despite claims otherwise, the city just needs more data to show a way out. If there was more data, we probably wouldn’t be mourning the lives of the 15 people who have been fatally shot this year.

Krystin Roehl contributed to the data used in this response.

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