Judge Sets Trial Dates for 2017 Homicide Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a 2017 homicide case to go to trial in 2022.

Chad Hawthorne is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 35-year-old Antonio Bassett on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on May 22, 2017.

During the March 2 trial readiness hearing, Judge Michael Ryan set the trial to begin on March 9 and end on March 18, 2022. Jury selection will take place on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2022.

The prosecution is anticipating three to four witnesses, including two to three expert witnesses and two to three law enforcement officers. Defense attorney Steven R Kiersh said the defense may call five witnesses with one expert witness and three to four additional witnesses.

The deadline for jury instruction requests, witness lists and exhibits is set for Feb. 1, 2022.

Hawthorne, 39, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case.

This article was written by Vanessa Sousa.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge

A domestic violence defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and will remain held at DC Jail as he waits sentencing.

Fate Collins, 25, was charged in May 2020 after being found in possession of a pistol despite having been previously convicted of robbery.

As part of a plea deal, parties agreed to a minimum sentence of 36 months in prison followed by a period of probation.

The prosecution also agreed not to seek any additional charges against the defendant in this case.

Judge John Campbell scheduled Collins to be sentenced on May 28.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.

Document: Suspect Wanted for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the public’s help locating a suspect of a Jan. 26 homicide.

At around 2:51 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 1200 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, where they found 22 year-old Maryland resident Dewayne Shorter, III suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

“Further investigation revealed that the offense took place in the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE,” the press release states.

However, the location is contested by the victim’s family member.

The suspect in this case has been identified as 36 year-old Jonathan Young, of Southeast, DC. He is wanted for first-degree murder while armed.

Crime Alerts: March 1-2

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on March 1 and 9:00 a.m. on March 2.

An alert was sent at 10:09 p.m. for a shooting on the 3700 block of Jamison Street, NE.

The second alert was sent at 9:35 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 2600 block of 10th Street, NE.

Police do not have descriptions of the suspects in either case.

Hearing for 3 Teen Murder Defendants Set for Wednesday

A DC Superior Court judge confirmed a preliminary hearing date to determine if a case against three teenage defendants charged with murder has enough evidence to go to trial.

The three co-defendants, 17-year-old Nelfy Hernandez, 16-year-old Trey Prillerman and 19-year-old Deandre Levy are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the shooting of 17-year-old Taijhon Wyatt, Jr. On Aug. 20, 2020, the three allegedly shot blindly into a group of juveniles on the 5500 Block of 9th Street, NW.

All three defendants are being charged as adults.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.

Homicide Defendant Wants to Withdraw Guilty Plea

A DC Superior Court judge continued a March 1 hearing to give counsel time to file paperwork regarding the defendant’s request to withdraw his guilty plea.

A little over a year ago, 20-year-old Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed in the death of 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney. Pinkney was shot on the 2000 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018.

Defense attorney James King said he would be able to officially file the withdrawal motion next week. The prosecutor requested a few days to respond, saying she plans to object to the motion.

Jarmon was also indicted on charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with intent to kill while armed, but those charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the next hearing for March 29.

Judge Schedules Trial Date for 2018 Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial date for a 2018 murder case to begin in October as the court continues to deal with a backlog of cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sixty-three year-old Robert Dean is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Tamiya White. On March 31, 2018, 38-year-old White was found on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NE suffering from multiple stab wounds. It was later determined that the stabbing occurred on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE.

During the March 1 hearing, parties estimated the trial could take about two weeks, accounting for jury selection and the amount of witnesses they planned to call.

Judge Michael Ryan scheduled the trial to begin on Oct. 27. He also set an additional hearing for Aug. 2 to allow time for counsel to submit any last motions before the trial begins.

Jury Trial for Drive-by Shooting Unlikely to Happen in 2021

Parties discussed jury trial dates for six of the 10 co-defendants charged in connection with a 2018 drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl.

Qujuan Thomas, 22, Quentin Michals, 23, Gregory Taylor, 25, Mark Price, 26, Quincy Garvin, 21, and Saquan Williams, 20, are facing charges for first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, weapon possession, assault the intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed and felony criminal street gang affiliation for their alleged roles in the drive-by shooting of Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

The shooting is alleged to have been the result of a neighborhood rivalry.

Garvin and Williams are also charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 24-year-old Carl Hardy on Oct. 4, 2017, on the 1200 block of I Street, SE.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said it was unlikely they would find a trial date in 2021.

A prosecutor said she had estimated the trial to take around six to eight weeks before adjusting for any impact COVID-19 protocols may have.

Parties discussed setting the trial to take place within the June – July range of 2022. The defendant’s next trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 10.

Antonio Murchison, 28, Darrise Jeffers, 21, Marquell Cobbs, 19, and Isaiah Murchison, 21, are also charged with murder in Wilson’s death. Another defendant in the case, Quanisha Ramsuer, 27, is charged with obstruction of justice. Their cases were not called during the March 1 hearing.

Antonio, Isaiah, Jeffers and Cobbs are scheduled to have a trial readiness hearing on March 8.

Ramsuer is not being held in jail. Her next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3.

Judge Schedules Trial Readiness Hearing For Murder Defendant

On March 1, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearing for a murder case.

Larry Brown 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing of 33-year-old Derrick Wright on March 24, 2018, on the 1300 Block of Florida Avenue, NE. He is also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon in this case.

In a previous hearing, defense attorney Roderick Thompson rejected the prosecution’s plea offer on his client’s behalf.

Judge Yvonne Williams scheduled a trial readiness hearing for March 9.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

Judge Continues Probation Hearing for Domestic Violence Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 25 probation show cause hearing for a domestic violence defendant.

In August 2019, the defendant was sentenced to serve nine months plus two years of supervised probation for assault with significant bodily injury.

He received several notices of non-compliance and, in May 2020, picked up a new case on charges of first-degree sex abuse and kidnapping.

His probation hearing is now trailing the new case. His next probation show cause hearing is scheduled for April 13, the same day that a preliminary hearing is scheduled for his new case.

Document: Human Skeletal Remains Found in Southeast, DC, Death Ruled a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the 3600 block of F Street, SE.

At around 1:18 p.m. on Feb. 4, officers responded to the report of human skeletal remains in Fort Dupont Park.

Upon arrival, they located the remains and transported them to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be a gunshot wound and the death was ruled a homicide.

The decedent has been identified as 44 year-old Keith Johnson.

Crime Alerts: February 28-March 1

Between 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 9:00 a.m. on March 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:27 p.m. for a shooting on the 3800 block of 8th Street, SE. Police are looking for four males who were last seen fleeing the scene.

The second alert was sent at 7:15 p.m. for a robbery of an establishment investigation on the 4600 block of Sheriff Road, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a green jacket with white pants and gray shoes. The suspect is armed with a silver handgun and was last seen running towards 48th Street, NE.

Plea Deal Falls Apart in Domestic Violence Case

A domestic violence defendant decided against entering into a guilty plea after disagreeing with the prosecution’s proffer of facts.

The defendant was initially charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to the proffer of facts, the defendant pulled a gun during an argument with the victim. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers later found cocaine at his house.

However, after going through the details, the defendant said he does not remember ever pulling a gun on the victim, which had been the basis for the assault charge.

The prosecutor was not willing to drop the simple assault charge and Judge Michael O’Keefe said he does not want someone to plead guilty to an act that they did not commit.

Defense attorney Sabitiyu Abou said his client initially accepted the deal pleading guilty to simple assault and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance during the Feb. 26 hearing.

The next hearing on May 14 remains in place unless the parties settle on a new plea agreement or the defense decides to go to trial.

In the meantime, the defendant is being held at the DC Jail.

Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant for Threats to Kill

During initial hearings on Feb. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held one domestic violence defendant and released three.

In total, there were 21 defendants presented before the court. Judge Pipe held two.

Judge Pipe held a defendant who is charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm in a domestic violence case.

The defendant allegedly attacked the complainant in front of police, saying, “I’ll be back; I’m going to kill you.”

The defendant is also on probation in another domestic violence case in which he is convicted of attempted threats.

According to the prosecution, the defendant also has a number of theft convictions, a contempt conviction and eight bench warrants in his criminal history.

Given the defendant’s history and the seriousness of the alleged threats, Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant pending his next hearing, scheduled for March 16.

The defendant was also served with a Temporary Protective Order (PTO) and given a stay-away from the complainant.

One of the domestic violence defendants that the judge released was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to get his GPS monitoring device installed and failing to appear at his hearing. The underlying charges in his case are attempted threats and contempt.

Judge Pipe released him with orders to go to the courthouse to get his GPS installed as soon as he gets released. He has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 27 to ensure he gets the device installed.

Two other defendants, one charged with simple assault and the other charged with simple assault and assault on a police officer, were released with orders to return back to court on July 30.

One of the defendants was given a stay-away order from the complainant and the location of the incident, and the other defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim.

Another domestic violence defendant, charged with simple assault and second-degree cruelty to children, is in the hospital, so her case was continued to Feb. 27.

Defense to Have Their Own Expert Evaluate Murder Defendant’s Competency

At the defense’s request, a DC Superior Court judge extended a murder defendant’s stay at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

Jaykell Mason is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Terence Dantzler on Feb. 13, 2020, on the 700 block of 8 Street, NW. The 21-year-old defendant is also charged with assault on a police officer while armed.

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) determined that Mason is competent to stand trial.

But, defense attorney Roderick Thompson objected to the DBH’s findings and requested a continuance, so he can have his own expert independently evaluate Mason’s competency.

Thompson asked Judge Yvonne Williams to keep Mason at St. Elizabeth’s in the meantime.

Judge Williams granted the request over the prosecution’s objection.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for April 2.

Sarah Gebrengus wrote this article.

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