Judge Continues 6 Show Cause Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over 15 show cause hearings on Oct. 15.

Micheal Nettles, 55, apologized for not getting in touch with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) during the hearing.

Nettles is charged with second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and simple assault.

The prosecution was concerned by Nettles’ lack of compliance and wanted to stress the importance of maintaining contact with PSA. However, Nettles has since come back into compliance.

Judge Danya Dayson instructed him to comply with PSA.

Nettles is scheduled to return to court on April 9.

Judge Dayson issued three bench warrants for the arrests of Davon Warren, Antonio Curtis and Victor Nichols after they failed to appear in court.

Warren, 24, is charged with the distribution of PCP. According to PSA, he has been a loss of contact since Sept. 10.

Curtis was sentenced to 18 months of probation for attempted robbery in November 2019. However, he has been non-compliant on several occasions.

Nichols, who is on probation for the destruction of property and second-degree theft, has not been in contact with Court Services and Supervision Agency (CSOSA.) His lawyer has also been unable to contact Nichols but said he would try to get in contact with his client.

Judge Dayson continued six cases in order to give defendants an opportunity to come into compliance with release agreements.

Omara Hussein, 28, is charged with simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful entry of a vehicle.

CSOSA told the court that while Hussein has not been in direct noncompliance with her release requirements, she has been uncooperative.

Defense attorney Noah Clements said his client has been cooperative with her mental health caseworker and has regularly worked with him. Clements argued that to detain his client would be a detriment to her mental health progress.

Judge Dayson continued the hearing until Nov 19 so as to give Hussein a chance to engage with her CSO in a positive manner.

Sean Bowman, 26, has been a loss of contact since he was released into home confinment during his Feb. 24 presentment hearing.

Defense attorney David Vega said his client has mental health issues and is homeless. He argued that it is possible his client had no knowledge of the hearing due to these factors.

While the prosecution recommended a bench warrant be issued, Judge Dayson sided with the defense and continued the hearing for 30 days and issued a judicial summons. However, she noted the prosecution reserved the right to request a bench warrant if Bowman fails to appear at the Nov 13 hearing.

Judge Dayson also ordered fraud defendant Robert Ownes to come back into compliance with PSA.

Owens, who lives in New York, is involved with some cases in other states as well.

The prosecution noted the new charges in other states are concerning, but they will not be asking for any extra conditions.

Owens said he tried calling PSA but would only get a continuous ring. PSA provided Owens with a phone number to call in the future.

The case will be continued on March 9 of next year.

Judge Dayson agreed to continue drug possession defendant Avery Clayborne’s hearing to Oct. 22.

Clayborne has been a loss of contact since Sept. 8. The prosecution requested a bench warrant be issued as the defendant was not present for the hearing.

However, defense attorney Thomas Lester argued that the court did not give his client adequate notice. Lester argued that he himself sometimes does not receive mail from the court and his office is down the street from the courthouse.

Judge Dayson discharged the show cause hearing for Deago Washington, Diramonie Carter and Dominique Buckman since they have come back into compliance.

Washington, 39, and Carter, 26 are both charged with simple assault.

Buckman, 39, is charged for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Dayson also presided over a hearing for a domestic violence defendant with a bench warrant out for his arrest after he walked into court with the case’s victim.

This defendant is charged with simple assault.

The victim asked to address the court. In response to the prosecution arguing to continue the original stay away order that was issued, the victim asked the judge to lift the stay-away order. She stated the incident was a misunderstanding and attempted to take responsibility for the assault.

Judge Dayson noted how she was concerned that the victim was trying to explain how she was in the wrong. Judge Dayson stressed to the defendant that, under no circumstances, is he allowed to put his hands on the victim in any way.

The defendant will also be required to report weekly by phone to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), verify address and comply with the conditions of his release in other pending cases.

His next hearing is scheduled for Jan 27.

Maria Watkins, who had a bench warrant out for her arrest, came into the court.

Watkins, 25, is charged with possession on an uncontrolled substance.

PSA said she has a history of noncompliance and noted an outstanding case in Virginia.

The prosecution requested that Watkins be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program(HISP). However stand-in defense attorney, Thomas Key, argued that her crimes are nonviolent and she turned herself in.

Judge Dayson continued the hearing to Nov. 16.

Samuel Dickerson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon back in 2016. He heard there was a bench warrant out for his arrest and turned himself in to the court.

He was noncompliant with his release agreement to seek treatment.

Judge Dayson continued the hearing to Oct. 22.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article

Document: Suspect Sought in Burglary Case

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are looking for the public’s help to identify a suspect in a second-degree burglary that occurred on Oct. 13.

At around 2:12 p.m., the suspect forcibly entered a building on the 4000 block of Brandywine Street, NW. Once inside, the suspect took property and then fled the scene.

MPD has released a video of the suspect captured by surveillance cameras, which can be seen below.

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Document: Suspect Sought in Traffic Fatality

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Criminal Investigations Division is seeking the public’s help locating a suspect in a traffic fatality.

At approximately 12:27 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2017, a Dodge pickup truck was traveling westbound on Good Hope Road, SE. At the same time, a Honda Accord was traveling eastbound. The Dodge truck crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the Honda head-on, causing the vehicle to travel several feet. The passenger of the Honda was pronounced dead on the scene.

The decedent was identified as 43-year-old Talata Williams.

The operator of the Honda and both the passenger and operator of the Dodge were transported to an area hospital.

On Oct. 3, 41-year-old Terica Younger was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Younger pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The MPD is seeking the public’s help to locate Younger after she failed to appear for sentencing in this case.

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Document: Suspect Sought in Robbery of an Establishment

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are looking for the public’s help locating a suspect in a robbery of an establishment.

At approximately 7:56 p.m. on Oct. 12, a suspect entered an establishment on the 4800 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. The suspect jumped over the counter and demanded money. The employees complied and the suspect fled the scene.

On Oct. 14, the MPD released photographs that show the suspect who is sought in connection with the robbery.

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Document: Suspect Arrested for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for assault with a dangerous weapon.

At around 6:38 p.m. on Oct. 13, officers saw a suspect brandishing a knife and approaching the victim, who was backing away, on the 500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

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Document: Suspect and Vehicle Sought in Connection with Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying a suspect and vehicle in connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that happened on Oct. 9.

At around 12:17 a.m., a suspect approached the victim on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE. The suspect shot the victim and fled the scene. The victim was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The suspect and vehicle were captured by a surveillance camera.

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Document: Homicide in Buena Vista Terrace Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on Oct. 13.

At around 11:44 p.m., officers found 38 year-old Kevin Eaton, of Northeast, DC on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Judge Holds 3 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Oct. 14, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held three defendants in DC Jail and released 25 during initial hearings.

Keshawn Lavender, 19, was held on a carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business charge. Judge Herrmann said Lavender had another pending case against him for the same charge and decided to hold him.

One defendant was held in a domestic violence assault case. “He is a risk to the victim and should be detained,” said the prosecutor.

His attorney, Stephen Riddel, argued that he is not any real danger to the community and should be released under supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Judge Herrmann agreed with the prosecution, noting that court documents stated the defendant attempted to strangle the victim.

Judge Herrmann held a second domestic violence defendant, who is charged with contempt of a Temporary Protective Order (TPO). He has also been noncompliant with release conditions for ongoing cases involving a simple assault. The defendant pleaded not guilty, but the judge denied his release and ruled that he should be detained.

Of those who were released, one defendant had their case continued due to being hospitalized at the time of the hearing.

There were four additional defendants charged with domestic violence-related crimes. All were given stay-away orders from their victims.

Six defendants included three charged with felony drug possession. However, all were released with orders to report to PSA before their next hearing on March 17, 2021.

The other three felony defendants were charged with weapons-related offenses. One defendant was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). He is required to be monitored by GPS and must abide by a curfew or else risk being detained.

Judge Herrmann released 11 defendants on misdemeanor charges under various conditions including contacting PSA, stay-away orders and appearing on March 17, 2021, to further address the charges.

One defendant was initially arrested on a fugitive charge and has two misdemeanor cases from 2018. Judge Herrmann released the defendant so he could take care of the fugitive matter. However, she instructed the defendant to call PSA for direction on how to proceed with those outstanding charges.

Three defendants in total were arrested on fugitive charges. All were ordered to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions before their extradition hearings on Dec. 30.

Two final defendants were released on bail with orders to return to court for their next hearing.

This article was written by Maria Marzullo and Emily Pengelly

Judge Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Pretrial, Probation Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over nine pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Oct. 14.

Judge Danya Dayson issued bench warrants for the arrests of Anthony Horton, Shawd Tucker and Davon Reddick after they failed to appear in court. All three of them have lost contact with the court and their attorneys.

Horton, 36, is charged with possession of the drug ecstasy, which is also called Molly, and contempt in one case, and bail violation in another.

According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA,) he has only reported to them three times since March.

Horton’s attorney, Clarence Powell, asked Judge Dayson for more time to get in touch with his client. However, Judge Dayson denied the request due to Horton’s history of not showing up to court.

Tucker, 22, is charged with unlawful entry and shoplifting in two different cases.

A PSA representative said Tucker is homeless, but he has failed to comply with his reporting requirements.

Defense attorney Kevin Kassees said he can occasionally get in touch with Tucker’s family members but hasn’t been able to contact his client.

Reddick is serving one year of probation for simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

According to the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Reddick’s whereabouts have been unknown since his release. His attorney, Susan Ellis, has also not been able to contact him.

Judge Dayson discharged Lamar Caldwell and Maya Goldsmith’s show cause hearings since they have started coming into compliance with their release conditions.

Caldwell is charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2021.

Goldsmith, 31, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm.

The defendant did not show up to her hearing, which prompted the prosecution to request a bench warrant.

However, according to the PSA representative, Goldsmith has been in compliance since September.

Goldsmith’s attorney, Heather Shaner, told Judge Dayson that her client has requested a new attorney.

Judge Dayson took note of that and, despite her absence, discharged the hearing.

Goldsmith’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2021.

Judge Dayson also continued a hearing for a defendant, so it could trail his new arrests.

Antonio Ortiz is serving 18 months of probation for driving under the influence in his second offense.

According to CSOSA, Ortiz, 54, was re-arrested for a DUI and failed to attend a victim impact panel. The defense requested that this case trail his new cases. Judge Dayson granted the request

Judge Dayson scheduled Ortiz’s next hearing for March 10.

Judge Dayson issued a judicial warning to Terwayne Brown, who is charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Brown, 29, has been a loss of contact with the PSA. Brown’s attorney, Damon Catacalos, said his client has left voicemails to his Probation Service Officer, but he has not been called back.

Catacalos asked Judge Dayson for more time to get his client into full compliance.

Judge Dayson granted the request but warned Brown to start reporting consistently. She scheduled Brown’s next hearing for Nov. 10.

Judge Dayson continued a case in order to give time for the attorney to locate her client.

Shanti Parson, 68, is charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault, and bail violations in five different cases.

Parson’s attorney, Jacqueline Williams, has not been able to contact her client because she does not have a working number for her. However, she asked for more time to try to locate her.

“She was released during the height of COVID and she has a serious condition that could be deadly if she were to contract COVID,” said Williams. “She has no re-arrests…I currently don’t have a working number for her and she has no stable housing.”

Williams asked for a few weeks to track down her client using a private investigator.

Judge Dayson scheduled Parson’s next case for Oct. 28.

Judge Dayson put a defendant in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) because of new arrests in Prince George’s County, Md.

Alicia McCoy is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, attempted obstruction of justice and perjury in two cases.

The PSA, asked for McCoy to be placed on HISP because of new arrests for assault and gun charges.

McCoy’s attorney, Alicia McCoy, argued that her client has been in communication with the PSA and the new charges are only allegations.

However, Judge Dayson took the PSA’s recommendation.

“Due to the serious allegations, I think HISP is appropriate,” said Judge Dayson. “I’m giving her until Friday to get the GPS installed.”

Judge Dayson scheduled McCoy’s next hearing for Oct. 19 to make sure the defendant got the GPS installed.

Acquitted: Judge Continues Status Hearing for Murder Case

Editor’s note: On May 30, a jury acquitted Devonte Brothers of all charges connected to the homicide of Deron Leake. Brothers is still being held on homicide charges in another case.

On Oct. 14, a DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s status hearing in order to give the defense more time to discuss the facts of the case.

Devonte Brothers is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 27 year-old Deron Leake. Leake was shot to death on Oct. 17, 2019 on the 4200 block of 6th street, SE.

Brothers, 26, was charged on Sept. 24 and has been held at DC Jail ever since.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled the status hearing for Nov. 9.

Yasmeen McGettrick wrote this article

Judge Schedules Hearing for Murder Defendant

On Oct. 14, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Nathaniel Bates, 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Eddie Crist. Crist was 28-years-old when he sustained six gunshot wounds on May 9 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

At the time Crist was killed, Bates was on pretrial release in another felony case, in which he is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, at 8:03 a.m., gunfire location technology alerted to the sounds on gunshots on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW. At 8:04 a.m., Bates’ GPS monitor hit the 4100 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested Bates on Sept. 21.

In a different case, the defendant is charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault on a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

Judge Judith Smith scheduled Bates’ preliminary hearing for Nov. 16.

Judge Reschedules A Murder Hearing After Defendant Refuses COVID-19 Test

A hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to move to trial was rescheduled because the defendant refused to be tested for COVID-19.

Jonathan Jenkins, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly gunning down Richard Mitchell on May 31 in an apartment complex on the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE. Mitchell was 25.

“I have my concerns about whether my client was offered testing by DOC,” said defense attorney Madalyn Harvey. “They might have dropped the ball.”

Harvey did not definitively know if her client declined testing. But she said she spoke to Jenkins earlier this week, and he was willing to be tested, but DC Jail had not yet administered it.

However, Judge Juliet McKenna said that defendants in other preliminary hearings scheduled this week have already been tested.

Judge McKenna rescheduled the hearing for Nov. 5, so Jenkins can be present in the courtroom and has time to agree to the test.

Sierra Robbins wrote this article

A Felony Defendant Says He Wants to Represent Himself

A felony defendant who waived his right to counsel in September says he won’t accept an attorney advisor.

Anthony Braxton was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in November 2017. The following May, he was indicted on charges of aggravated assault while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, kidnapping, stalking, a Civil Protective Order (CPO) violation and threats to kidnap or injure a person.

Braxton, 40, is currently being held at the DC Jail.

During the Oct. 13 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz asked the defendant questions about the law, criminal court procedure, and the maximum penalties for his charges.

Braxton couldn’t answer most of Judge Kravitz’s questions, but did have a general understanding of criminal procedure. Judge Kravitz described the defendant’s knowledge of the criminal justice process as “basic.”

“Instincts do not always equal being correct,” said Judge Kravitz. “I think someone could coach you and, at another hearing, you could answer me correctly.”

After questioning the defendant, Judge Kravitz recommended that Braxton accept an attorney advisor. The attorney advisor would help Braxton with his pretrial investigations and with trial preparations.

“I’m not looking for an attorney’s advice,” Braxton responded. “When the attorneys relay the information I give them, they tend to take away from it and make it not sound so serious.”

Braxton refused to accept any advisement from attorney Jonathan Zucker, who was the fourth attorney appointed to help Braxton prepare for trial.

Braxton said he was not given access to the information he needs to prepare for trial because the DC Law Library is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Kravitz told Braxton that an attorney advisor could help him learn criminal procedures and prepare for trial.

Braxton continued to refuse any attorney’s advisement. “The bottom line is, I want to represent myself,” he said.

Judge Kravitz refused to proceed to trial before the defendant could answer the basic legal questions he asked at the beginning of the hearing. Judge Kravitz scheduled a new hearing on Dec. 8.

“I’m going to ask for the packet with details on the charges to be sent to the Jail for Mr. Braxton,” said Judge Kravitz. “Before I allow him to represent himself. I want him to have a basic understanding of the facts and procedure so the trial can proceed in an acceptable fashion.”

Braxton’s attorney, Jonathan Zucker, was dismissed.

Murder Defendant Requests New Attorney, Remains Held

A DC Superior Court judge decided to continue holding one of the 11 defendants charged in the fatal drive-by shooting of a ten-year-old girl two years ago.

Antonio Murchison is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of Makiyah Wilson. Wilson was killed on July 18, 2018, on the 300 Block of 53rd Street, NE.

Murchison, 27, is also charged with criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault with knowingly while armed.

The defendant was indicted on these charges in May of 2019.

According to court documents, Murchison’s sentence in a different, federal, case was set to expire on Oct. 13. At that time, the only thing keeping him at the DC Jail would have been cash bonds in this case and another case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The prosecution filed a motion to continue holding the defendant in his pending murder case.

Judge Ronna Beck granted the request.

She said she could not ensure the safety of the community if he were to be released, citing the current dangerous charges and Murchison’s prior criminal history.

Defense attorney Jason Clark also withdrew from the case, per the defendant’s request.

Murchison will be appointed a new attorney before his next court date, which is scheduled for Jan. 25.

In the murder case, Murchison is being charged with murder along with other defendants, including Quentin Michals, 22; Qujuan Thomas, 21; Gregory Taylor, 25; Mark Tee Price, 26; Marquell Cobbs, 18; Darrise Jeffers, 21; Isaiah Murchison, 22; Saquan Williams, 19; and Quincy Garvin, 20. Quanisha Ramsuer, 27, is charged with obstruction of justice in the girl’s death.

The shooting allegedly resulted from a neighborhood rivalry. All the defendants, in this case, are being held without bond. Isaiah was arrested most recently on Aug. 27 after a bench warrant was put out for his arrest back in May 2019.

Saif Habboub wrote this article

Document: Two Suspects Arrested for Burglary of Unoccupied Residence

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested two suspects for second-degree burglary.

At around 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 11, suspects forced their way into an unoccupied residence on the 3200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. They took property and fled the scene before being apprehended by responding officers.

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