Judge Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge issued three bench warrants during the seven pretrial and probation hearings over which he presided on Nov. 3.

Judge Erik Christian issued bench warrants for Daniel Thompson, Andrew Richardson and Monique Stokes’ arrests after they failed to appear in court.

Thompson, 23, is charged with second-degree burglary in connection with an incident that happened on May 31 at a CVS on the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Thompson was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) during his initial hearing on July 31. Since then, he failed to report for his orientation and has not contacted the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), according to the agency.

On Sept. 10, Thompson’s GPS device went into sleep mode because it hadn’t been charged.

Thompson’s attorney, Jack Gilmore, said he does not know where his client is and has not been able to contact him.

Richardson, 25, is on probation in two cases. In one case, he pleaded guilty to simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. In the other, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

According to a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) report, Richardson has been a complete loss of contact. He also picked up a shoplifting case while on probation.

Defense attorney Linden Fry said he was only notified of the show cause order last week. He asked Judge Christian for more time to contact his client.

However, Judge Christian decided to issue bench warrants in both cases due to Richardson’s failure to comply with any of his probation conditions.

Stokes, 39, is on probation for distribution of marijuana.

Stokes’ attorney, Elliott Queen, said he was unable to contact his client.

According to a CSOSA report, Stokes became a loss of contact on April 29, two weeks after the start of her probation. Since then, she has been re-arrested and charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

Marcus Washington, 27, is on probation for resisting arrest while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault on a police officer, assault on a police officer while armed, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, possession of an unregistered firearm/unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, unlawful possession of ammunition and destruction of property less than $1,000.

Washington also failed to show up to his hearing. However, defense attorney Kevann Gardner said CSOSA had not notified his client of the hearing. Gardner asked for the hearing to be rescheduled so he has time to notify his client of the hearing.

Judge Christian scheduled a new hearing for Nov. 16.

Byron Brooks, 35, is charged with simple assault for allegedly kicking a victim’s door down and, when the victim tried to close the door, pushing back and rendering the victim unconscious. The incident allegedly occurred on May 8, 2019, on the 3900 block of 1st Street, SE.

The PSA said Brooks has failed to report on several occasions but doesn’t have a cell phone with which to make his weekly check-ins and is currently has unstable housing.

Judge Christian agreed to keep Brooks on probation but warned the defendant to be more mindful of his conditions of probation.

Emily Kerl, 21, is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000.

According to the PSA, Kerl has only reported twice since she was released in June, and her case manager has been unable to contact her. PSA asked for Kerl’s release conditions to be increased to reporting weekly in person.

Judge Christian granted the request and ordered Kerl to report weekly to the PSA in person.

Raevyn Mullen, 19, is on probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, a bail violation and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

According to CSOSA, Mullin has been in complete compliance except for a recent rearrest. The rearrest was for another weapons possession charge, but the charge was not papered. She has also enrolled herself in a program to earn a high school diploma.

Judge Christian was satisfied with Mullin’s success on probation and discharged the probation show cause order.

Judge Continues Hearings for Domestic Violence Cases

On Nov. 3, a DC Superior Court judge continued six hearings for domestic violence cases.

Defense attorney Betty Ballester’s client is charged with simple assault, obstruction of justice, destruction of property under $1,000 and attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle in three domestic violence cases.

Ballester’s client is also facing two additional misdemeanor cases that are not domestic violence matters. In those cases, he is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and a bail violation.

Judge John McCabe recommended that all of her client’s cases be scheduled on the same day. Ballester agreed, and Judge McCabe set the date for Dec. 8.

Another domestic violence defendant is charged with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) violation and destruction of property less than $1,000.

Judge McCabe scheduled a hearing for Nov. 24 to discuss a plea agreement.

Three other cases were scheduled for Nov. 19.

One of those defendants is charged with contempt of court and a TPO violation.

The prosecution offered a plea deal; however, defense attorney Gail Maddox-Levine has been unable to reach her client in the DC Jail. She said shr expects the issue to be resolved this week.

Another defendant is charged with simple assault while and the other has two cases involving simple assault and contempt of court charges. The defendants are scheduled for detention hearings.

Finally, Judge McCabe scheduled a detention hearing for a defendant charged with contempt of court and Civil Protective Order (CPO) violation for Dec. 3.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Judges Hold 21% of Defendants During Initial Hearings in Second Half of October

Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 31, DC Superior Court judges presided over a total of 348 cases during initial hearings, which is an increase of 14 percent from the first half of October.

Of the 348 cases, judges held 74 defendants in DC Jail. They released 274 defendants on pretrial supervision or probation.

Overall, judges held around 21 percent of all defendants and released almost 79 percent of the defendants. Compared to the first half of October, judges held almost 5 percent less in the second half of October.

Of the four judges that presided over the hearings, Judge Errol Arthur held the highest percentage of defendants, 26 percent. He heard only 77 cases in total and held 20 of the defendants.

Judge Juliet McKenna held the lowest percentage of defendants, releasing just over 84 percent of all defendants and only holding around 16 percent. In total, she heard 63 cases during this time period.

Judge Sean Staples and Judge Heide Herrmann held defendants at similar rates. Judge Staples presided over 163 cases, holding close to 22 percent and releasing around 78 percent. Judge Herrmann heard only 45 cases and held 20 percent, releasing 80 percent.

There were 66 domestic violence cases, 93 felony cases, 117 misdemeanor cases, 14 traffic cases, 58 fugitive cases and 25 bench warrant cases.

In all of the cases, judges mentioned at least 46 instances of violations, which occurred while defendants were either on pretrial release, probation or parole.

The violations included failing to appear at hearings, violating stay away orders, tampering with a GPS monitoring device or failing to get one installed, failing to register as a gun offender and not reporting to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

According to D.C. Witness data, violations have increased by more than 21 percent from the beginning of October to the end of the month. In total, there were 84 violations mentioned for the full month of October.

Of the 348 defendants brought before the court, at least 88 of them were on some sort of supervision, including pretrial release, probation or parole. This is an 11 percent increase from the first half of October.

Looking at domestic violence cases in the District, the court saw 66 new cases come through in just two weeks. This is an increase of almost 16 percent from the beginning of October.

Of the 66 new cases, judges held 12 defendants in DC Jail and released 54. In total, just over 18 percent of the domestic violence defendants were held while almost 82 percent were released.

Charges for the domestic violence defendants who were held, included simple assault, contempt, destruction of property, violations of Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) or Civil Protective Orders (CPO) and weapon possession charges.

Additionally, seven of the held defendants were either on pretrial release or probation when they allegedly committed new offenses.

*Editor’s note: All figures in the above article are approximate.

This report was written by Krystin Roehl. Caitlyn O’Neil contributed.

Brothers To Appear in Remote Hearing for Murder Case

On Nov. 3, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ruled that two brothers involved in a murder case will appear remotely on Nov. 4.

Dijon and Daivion Williams are alleged to have been involved in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas. They are accused of killing Thomas in the process of an attempted robbery on July 21 on the 1400 block of Taylor Street, NW.

Both parties will appear remotely for a hearing to address bench warrants, stay away orders and scheduling matters in the murder case.

During the Nov. 3 hearing, Dijon’s defense attorney, David Knight and Daivion’s attorney, Kirstin McGough, requested that the bench warrants against their clients be quashed.

Dijon, 21, was charged with first-degree murder while armed on Oct. 27. On Nov. 3 a charge of felony murder while armed was filed against his 22-year-old brother Daivion. A case number has not been assigned to the older brother as of Nov. 3.

The two are currently being held in Georgia and have stay away orders from one another. The Fugitive Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) squad and U.S. Marshals notified parties that it is not possible to book the brothers remotely.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

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

Tyrone Williams is charged with first-degree murder (felony murder) in the death of 80-year-old Bobby Poole. The 50-year-old defendant, along with an unidentified suspect, allegedly assaulted and robbed Poole on March 29 on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

Poole suffered acute hemorrhage damage from the assault. He was pronounced dead on May 6. After the autopsy, Williams’ charge was upgraded from assault with intent to commit armed robbery to murder.

During the Nov. 3 preliminary hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case identified the defendant in the courtroom and answered questions regarding the initial police report.

During cross-examination, the detective testified that Williams was found with no weapons and was cooperative with the police on the scene.

The prosecutor said there is video footage showing William waiting outside of a 7-11 before robbing and assaulting the victim. However, no video footage was shown during the hearing.

“The government is basing the entire case on Williams being at a crowded 7-11 on a crowded street, this was a chaotic scene,” said defense attorney Stephen Logerfo.

Judge Michael O’Keefe found there was enough evidence, albeit circumstantial, that indicated that Williams was identified as one of the perpetrators of the robbery that ultimately caused Poole’s death.

Logerfo asked Judge O’Keefe to release his client on GPS monitoring. However, the judge denied the request due to Williams’ prior record.

Williams’ next hearing, a felony status conference, is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Saif Habboub wrote this article

Document: Two People Arrested in Death of 2 Year-Old

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested two people in connection with the death of two year-old Gabriel Eason.

At around 8:25 a.m. on April 1, officers responded to the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE for the report of an unconscious person.

There, they discovered discovered DC Fire and EMS members conducting life-saving efforts, inside of a residence, on Eason, who was unconscious. After all life-saving efforts failed, the child was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death to be a homicide.

On Nov. 3, officers arrested 31 year-old Ta’Jeanna Eason and 28 year-old Antonio Turner, both of Northeast, DC, for first-degree murder – felony murder and cruelty to children.

Document: Victim of Nov. 2 Homicide Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the victim of a Nov. 2 homicide.

At around 2:22 p.m., officers responded to the 4000 block of Ames Street, NE for the report of an unconscious person. There, they found an adult male, in the wooded area alongside the location, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The victim’s identity was withheld pending next of kin notification. However, he has now been identified as 24 year-old Avadis Holtzclaw, of Northwest, DC.

Document: 20 Year-Old Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened in the early hours of Oct. 18.

At around 12:55 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW for the report of a man down.

There, they found 64 year-old Saul Hernandez, of Northwest, DC suffering from blunt force trauma. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Officers also found a second adult male with non life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital.

Twenty year-old James Williams of Northwest, DC was arrested on Nov. 2.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on Oct. 23 on I-395 Southwest, near Exit 2.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 4:30 a.m., a box truck was traveling southbound on I-395 when it collided with a construction flatbed truck, with two employees on the bed of the truck.

One of the employees, 44 year-old Anthony Edward Nickens of Capitol Heights, Md., succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 2.

Document: Homicide in Benning Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the afternoon of Nov. 2.

His identity is being held pending next of kin notification.

Judge Holds Seven Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 2, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held seven defendants in DC Jail and released 35 defendants during initial hearings.

Edwin Pritchett, 26, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance while armed, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The offense occurred on Nov. 1 on the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE and was a part of a “buy/bust” operation being performed by the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division’s (NSID) Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU).

Although Judge Herrmann agreed that Pritchett doesn’t have a long criminal history, with the exception of one case, she chose to deny the defendant’s request for release due to allegations of the defendant being armed while distributing cocaine. Pritchett will be held at DC Jail.

Antoine Gaskins, 31 is charged with a bail violation for failing to appear in court in a pending misdemeanor case. He is also charged as a fugitive from justice, where he is wanted in Maryland for homicide.

Additionally, Gaskins was brought in on three bench warrants for failing to appear in court and for failing to return to the DC jail after being released to attend the birth of his child.

The defense argued that his newborn was going through heart problems in the hospital which required Gaskins to provide for the family. However, due to the alleged homicide occurring during his release from the jail, the judge decided to hold him until his next hearing.

Nicholas Lightfoot was brought before the court in two separate cases. In his first case, he is charged with being a fugitive from justice on a warrant for his arrest for vehicle theft in Minnesota. In his second case, Lightfoot, 36, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Herrmann released Lightfoot on his fugitive charge but decided that because of his previous convictions of armed robbery and carrying a pistol without a license, he is better off held due to the danger he poses.

A 32-year-old defendant, who is charged with contempt for a domestic violence case, was held in DC Jail until his next hearing.

The defendant was required to use a GPS monitor to track his location but never got it installed and was deemed a loss of contact by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). Four bench warrants were also issued for his arrest for failing to appear at his hearings.

Judge Herrmann held him in all of his cases.

James Penn, 45, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He is also charged as a fugitive from Maryland for a dangerous drugs charge.

The defense argued for Penn’s release, saying he hadn’t had a violent offense since 1995. Herrmann said, due to the fact that he had multiple zipped bags of crack cocaine in his possession as well as a firearm, she believed Penn was looking to distribute.

The judge decided to hold him in both cases until his next hearing.

Charles Farmer, 22, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction as well as possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Police arrested Farmer near the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace, SE after spotting what ended up being a pistol in his pants. He also has an active fugitive case against him from the state of Maryland for a weapons charge.

Defense counsel requested Farmer’s release, saying he has been regularly taking drug tests, pursuing education and looking for employment while on probation.

But, Judge Herrmann decided to hold Farmer in DC Jail based on his previous weapons charge as he is not allowed to possess a firearm because of it.

Judge Herrmann also held Tayron Farrar, who is a fugitive from Maryland, where he is wanted for armed robbery.

Given the danger of the alleged offense, Judge Herrmann said she was not inclined to release the defendant, so Farrar waived his extradition hearing in DC in order to give Maryland authorities three business days to pick him up from the jail.

Of those released, eight defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. The charges included simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, violation of a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and assault with a dangerous weapon. All of the defendants were either given stay away orders or orders not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victims.

Judge Herrmann also released six defendants with fugitive charges. Five of the defendants are wanted in Maryland and one is wanted in Virginia. All were ordered to turn themselves into the demanding jurisdictions as soon as possible.

Five defendants charged with misdemeanors, four defendants charged with felonies, two defendants charged with traffic offenses and three defendants brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear were released.

Release conditions included reporting to PSA, stay away orders, not possessing any firearms or ammunition, enrollment into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and no driving after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Seven additional defendants were released on citations for misdemeanor charges. They are all scheduled to return to court in April of 2021.

Two final defendants, one charged with being a fugitive from justice and one charged with simple assault, are in the hospital, so their cases were continued to Nov. 3.

This article was written by Andrew Douglas and Krystin Roehl

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Anacostia

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 1 on the 1300 block of Mapleview Place SE.

According to a press release, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the location at 1 a.m. Kareem Palmer, 16, was pronounced dead at a local area hospital.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or send an anonymous text to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Document: Traffic Fatality on Ridge Road and Southern Avenue, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrest a man suspected of being involved in a traffic fatality that occurred on Oct. 31.

Around 5:36 p.m. a Mercedes-Benz was driving southbound on the 4400 block of Southern Avenue, SE before colliding into a Dodge Magnum.

After being transported to an area hospital, 42-year-old Kenneth Cooper was pronounced dead.

There was also an adult female and a juvenile male in the car who sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The drive of the Dodge, 34 year-old Calvin Kyle, was arrested Oct. 31 for leaving after colliding and driving without a permit.

Document: Police Arrest Woman for Assault with Knife

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a woman on Oct. 31 for her connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that occurred on the 1900 block of 19th Place, SE.

The suspect allegedly approached the victim and brandished a knife before stabbing the victim, documents state.

The suspect was apprehended and investigations revealed that the dispute was between known parties.

Document: Police Arrest DC Man for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives made an arrest in connection to an assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) offense that took place on Oct. 31, on the 1300 block of F Street, NE.

Around 3:15 p.m., the suspect brandished a knife and stabbed a victim. The MPD’s investigation showed that this was a dispute between known parties.

The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

Search