16 Homicides in September

There were 16 homicides in September, just two fewer than August.

Thirteen, nearly 82 percent, of the victims died from shootings.

There was also a police-involved shooting that happened on July 2. After fleeing Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on foot, Deon Kay allegedly brandished a firearm and was subsequently shot by an officer. He died at a local hospital. Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage of the incident was later released.

Kay was the youngest person who died from a shooting in September. The average age for the victims who died from homicides during the month was 33.

One victim’s cause of death remains unknown.

It was close to midnight on Sept. 17 when officers responded to the 7000 block of Blair Road, for the report of a shooting. There, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police canvassed the area and found 38 year-old Phillip Roache unconscious and unresponsive on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Roache’s death was the only homicide to happen in Ward 4 during the month of September. Homicides increased in Wards 2, 3, and 8. Homicides decreased in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6. Ward 7 was the only ward to go unchanged with four homicides.

One of the victims killed in Ward 8 includes David Farewell. Farewell was 45 years-old when he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle Sept. 4 on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE.

The preliminary investigation was intentionally struck, according to a press release. Six days later, 29 year-old Eric Beasley was arrested for first-degree murder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 to determine if the case against Beasley has enough evidence to go to trial.

An arrest has also been made in connection with the only stabbing death that occurred in DC this month. Hassan Jalloh, 20, was fatally stabbed Sept. 16 on the 600 block of I Street, NW. A juvenile female, 16, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in connection with Jalloh’s death on Oct. 6.

Police have also apprehended Stephon Darnell Williams for allegedly shooting 49-year-old Stephen Magruder on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE on Sept. 11. Williams, 28, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 28.

Terrell Edward Poe was also arrested for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Christopher Washington on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE on Sept. 23.

Poe, 33, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 26.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant Under YRA

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a felony domestic violence defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

Delante Pitt, 25, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury felony in August. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dropped his other case, in which he was charged with simple assault.

Judge Julie Becker sentenced Pitt to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of probation.

“I’m not a bad person, and I don’t have a background,” said Pitt. “I don’t have notorious charges, I’m a family guy.”

During the Oct. 9 sentencing, the prosecution requested an extended period of probation and asked for a stay away order.

Defense attorney Daniel Dorsey requested 18 months of probation to give his client time to satisfy the conditions of his probation.

Judge Becker recognized that the fundamental problem is the defendant’s mental health. She required the defendant to take mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes and anger management classes as part of his probation.

Pitt must also comply with a stay away order and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund.

Judge Releases 1 Defendant, Reschedules Hearing for Another

A DC Superior Court judge released one defendant and continued an arraignment of another on Oct. 9.

Arntae Jackson and Antonio Williams are charged with contempt of a Civil Protection Order (CPO)/Temporary Protective Order (TPO).

Jackson’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, requested his client’s released. The prosecution did not oppose the request.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan released Jackson on his promise to return to court for his next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 10. He must also report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and verify his address.

Antonio Williams was scheduled to be arraigned today, but he did not show up to court. Williams’ attorney, Alvin Thomas, said he has not been able to get in touch with his client.

Judge Raffinan continued the arraignment hearing to Oct. 16.

Arraignment Rescheduled For October

On Oct. 9, a DC Superior Court judge rescheduled the arraignment of a defendant charged with criminal contempt, while two other contempt defendants were scheduled for another hearing in November.

Jude Collins is charged with contempt of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) / Temporary Protective Order (TPO.)

Attorney Brandi Harden spoke on behalf of Collins, whose presence in court was waved. Harden asked for the arraignment to be continued because her client is currently on medication and would be unable to fully understand what is going on.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to schedule a new hearing for Oct. 30.

Another defendant, who is also charged with contempt in a separate case decided to plead guilty under a deferred sentencing agreement on Nov. 13. He is scheduled for a review on May 3, 2021.

A defendant, who is also charged with contempt, is scheduled for a status hearing on Feb. 23, 2021. The status hearing follows another noncompliance notice that was filed on Nov. 4.

The defendants have a status hearing scheduled for Nov. 10.

Emily Pengelly wrote this story

Judge Releases Defendant On Time Served

On Oct. 9, a DC Superior Court judge released a defendant on time served.

On Aug. 23 on the 400 block of 17th Street, NW an ice cream truck operator approached agents in a US Secret Service cruiser. The operator notified them that a customer, who had just purchased from his truck, had a gun concealed in his bag.

At this time, the Secret Service agents were preparing to control traffic for the President’s motorcade.

The ice cream truck owner provided authorities with a description. The US Secret Service stopped a suspect matching the description, who was then identified as the defendant, Michael Johnson.

“[It] sounds like [he was] in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Johnson, 32, was initially charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. However, after making a plea deal, the prosecution reduced the charge to attempted carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Defense attorney Linda Houston said that, while her client was not licensed to carry a firearm in DC, he had legally purchased his weapon and ammunition in Pennsylvania.

Judge O’Keefe granted the defense’s request for a sentence of time served and ordered the court to secure the paperwork for Johnson’s release.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Defendant Held for Over a Year Sentenced

A defendant held since August of 2019 was sentenced in two cases.

Maurice Davis pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree burglary and second-degree theft last year.

Davis, 54, was originally scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31. However his case was continued due to new information disclosed by defense counsel.

During the hearing on Oct. 9, the prosecution requested that Davis be sentenced to three years in prison, and three years of supervised release, citing his extensive criminal history. However, defense attorney Howard McEachern asked Judge Rainey Brandt to sentence his client to only two years in prison. He also asked that any supervised release include mental health assistance.

“We can’t deny his history, but his mental health puts it into context,” McEachern said

Judge Brandt ultimately sentenced Davis to two years for the attempted burglary charge and 180 days for the theft charge. The sentences will run concurrently. He will also receive credit for time served.

Davis faced many difficulties over the course of his cases. During a hearing in October 2019, he was removed from court due to his inappropriate behavior. During a separate trial that same month, a marshal noticed that the defendant took some pills he should not have taken. He had to be taken downstairs for medical treatment.

Davis requested that he serve his time at The Federal Medical Center, Butner in North Carolina. Judge Brandt said the court believed it was appropriate given the defendant’s mental health stability. However, the decision ultimately lies with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

After Davis serves his sentence, he will spend three years on supervised release. He must also pay $600 in restitution and $150 to the Victims of Violent Crimes (VVC) fund.

11 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings, Including Murder Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell held 11 of the 30 defendants during presentment hearings on Oct. 8.

Dohn Harmon is charged with murder while armed, for allegedly being involved in the July 1 shooting of Kelvin Goggins on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE.

According to court documents, Harmon told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on Oct. 8 that he was the driver in the murder and that Goggins was not the intended target. He refuses to say who else was involved in the murder.

Harmon, 21, was held by Judge Crowell without bail.

Charles Sherman, 35, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Sherman allegedly attacked three people with a knife on the intersection of 19 Street and M Street, NW, on Oct. 7.

With 10 prior convictions and the seriousness of the offense, Judge Crowell decided to hold the defendant.

James Manago, 37, was yet again arraigned on charges of destruction of property for allegedly doing the exact same crime within 24 hours of his presentment.

Judge Crowell held the defendant since it only took him less than a day to reoffend.

Brian Lindsay, 32, was detained by Judge Crowell for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

On Oct. 7, Lindsay was allegedly shooting two firearms into the air before he was confronted and subdued by a resident in a nearby building on the 2900 block of Erie Street, SE.

Lindsay appeared via video from DC Jail and was noticeably injured. He claimed that he had been shot, which was not mentioned in court documents.

Bernard Coleman III has three outstanding bench warrants and is a fugitive from Maryland for a probation violation on a robbery conviction.

Coleman, 27, has also picked up two new felony cases for kidnapping and prisoner escape.

Judge Crowell held Coleman on his fugitive charge and for both of the felony charges. Maryland will have three business days to come and collect him for the fugitive matter.

A male defendant is charged with second-degree child sex abuse and was detained by Judge Crowell.

The defendant allegedly had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl and he has a history of sexual offenses against minors on his record.

A male domestic violence defendant was detained by Judge Crowell on charges of simple assault, destruction of property and contempt.

The defendant has a previous stay away order that he allegedly violated allegedly attacking the same victim within five months of his first offense.

Two additional domestic violence defendants were held due to ongoing charges and for violating their release orders.

Deonte Day, 19, is charged with leaving after colliding which resulted in property damage, leaving after colliding which resulted in personal injury, reckless driving, and driving without a permit.

Although Day was released in this matter, he was held on a separate warrant.

Raynetta Williams was held by Judge Crowell for a fugitive from justice charge. She will be held in custody until Maryland can come to collect her within the next three business days.

Judge Crowell released five felony defendants with charges of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and outstanding bench warrants for failing to appear. The three defendants charged with distribution of marijuana were all given stay away orders from the areas they were arrested in.

Six domestic violence defendants were also released. Five of those defendants were given stay away orders, while one was given the order to not Harass, Assault, Threaten, or Stalk (HATS) the victim.

Judge Crowell ordered all four fugitive defendants to turn themselves in to the jurisdiction where their arrest warrants initiated from. Two defendants will need to go to Maryland, one needs to go to both Maryland and Virginia, and the final defendant has two weeks to turn himself in to Colorado authorities.

Additionally, Judge Crowell released four more defendants on misdemeanor and traffic charges.

Sierra Robbins wrote this article

Judge Holds Defendants in Assault Case, 1 Charged with Murder

On Oct. 8, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause for an assault case for two defendants.

The previous day, Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause in the case against Dajuan Jones, 19, for the murder of 21-year-old Brea Moon. However, he deferred determining whether or not to hold Jones until after hearing an assault case in which Jones is a co-defendant.

Today, Jude Edelman decided to hold Jones on murder and assault charges. He also chose to hold 26-year-old Alvin Jackson, Jones’ co-defendant in the assault case.

Both Jones and Jackson are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in that case.

On May 2, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a shooting in the residential neighborhood on the 5000 block H Street, SE wounding one person.

After viewing surveillance footage, police identified a suspect shooting at the victims with two handguns. The suspect was later alleged by police to be Jones.

During the hearing, the prosecution provided video footage also shows a light-colored sedan transporting the shooter.

A detective testified that police identified the driver, Jackson, through footage on the 4400 block F Street, SE and through an interview where he admitted to driving the vehicle. Records also show Jackson traded in the vehicle a few days after the crime.

Prescott Loveland, Jones’ defense, argued that the identification of his client was based on clothes alone. Loveland argued that members of gangs generally wear or share clothing. He said it is not enough to assume the man in the video is his client.

Loveland also pointed out that an MPD crime intelligence officer at first did not believe the suspect was Jones. Loveland argues the officer only later said it was his client after seeing a picture on Instagram where the clothes matched.

However, Judge Edleman, comparing still images of the video and a picture of Jones asserted that the two facial structures of both images looked like each other.

Jackson’s defense attorney, Euphus Beau-John, argued that the prosecution’s evidence that connected his client to the crime was not strong enough to warrant probable cause for a crime of this severity. He argued that the prosecution’s assertion that a happy birthday message on Instagram does not constitute a relationship between Jones and his client.

Judge Edelman explained his ruling citing probable cause requiring a low standard of proof.

He also decided to hold both defendants until their trials.

Maria Marzullo wrote this story

Judge Issues 1 Bench Warrant During Pretrial, Probation Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over nine pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Oct. 8.

Judge Julie Becker issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Steven Foreman due to his lack of compliance with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)

Foreman, 53, is charged with second-degree theft, receiving stolen property, destruction of property less than $1,000, possession of Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction, and possession of marijuana in three different cases.

According to the PSA, Foreman has been a loss of contact and never reported for a mental health assessment.

Foreman’s attorney, Daniel Kovler, asked Judge Becker not to issue a bench warrant because his charges weren’t for violent offenses. However, the prosecution objected to that because Foreman was recently re-arrested and hasn’t made any efforts to comply with his release conditions.

Judge Becker discharged Tumarcus Hawkins and Phyllis Johnson’s show cause hearings because they have come into compliance with their release conditions.

Hawkins, 23 is serving one year on probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business. He took a plea deal earlier this year, so his other charges of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device committed during release, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition would be dropped.

According to the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Hawkins has been maintaining contact with them and has had no re-arrests.

Phyllis Johnson is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and simple assault.

The PSA reported that Johnson, 59, has been compliant with her release conditions. Judge Becker told her to make sure to continue abiding by the stay away order she received.

Judge Becker decided to continue two hearings due to new arrests for Khristian Champ and Brian Heath.

Champ, 21, is serving three years of probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Originally, he was also charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unlawful ammunition. However, those charges were dropped in a plea agreement.

Champ was not present for his show cause hearing because he is being held due to a re-arrest.

His attorney, Charles Allen, asked Judge Becker to continue the hearing in light of his new case.

Judge Becker scheduled Champ’s next hearing for Dec. 15.

Heath, 49, is currently on probation for attempted assault with a knife from 2015. He was recently re-arrested but did show up to his show cause hearing.

Judge Becker scheduled Heath’s next hearing on March 8, so that it could trail his new case.

Judge Becker continued Lawrence Brown and Delroy McGann’s hearings to give their attorneys time to find them.

Brown, 53, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, Brown allegedly stabbed the left side of a man’s abdomen on the 3600 block of 13th Street, NW on May 31.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said she recently hasn’t been able to contact her client but does know he has an unstable living situation. She asked Judge Becker to continue the hearing for a week to give her time to get in contact with her client.

Judge Becker granted the request and scheduled Brown’s next hearing for Oct. 20.

McGann, 26, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and simple assault.

McGann allegedly punched a restaurant owner on the head and threatened to shoot and stab him on Aug. 29 on the 2000 block of 18th Street, NW.

The PSA said that McGann has never reported to them since his release.

Defense attorney Claudine Harris does not have her client’s contact information. She asked for time to get in contact with him. The prosecution reserved their bench warrant rights.

Judge Becker scheduled McGann’s next hearing for Oct. 22.

Judge Becker continued a hearing for a weapons defendant in order to give time for the parties to agree on a plea deal.

Amari Johnson is charged with possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

According to the PSA, Johnson, 20, has not been in compliance with his release conditions and has not gotten his GPS monitor installed.

The prosecution asked for Johnson to be stepped back due to his noncompliance.

“He keeps coming back because he thinks there’s no repercussions,” the prosecutor said.

However, with a plea agreement in the works, Judge Becker decided to hold off on stepping him back. Instead, she opted to continue the case for two weeks to see if a plea agreement can be finalized.

“I have a lot of concerns over if you’re gonna do any better on probation based on your performance on release,” Julie Becker said to Johnson. “I’m continuing this for two weeks. If there’s a plea agreement, we can proceed. If not then he will be stepped back unless something drastic changes.”

Judge Becker scheduled Johnson’s next hearing for Oct. 19.

Judge Becker continued a defendant’s hearing and scheduled a sentencing date.

Maurice Beckham pleaded guilty to fleeing a law enforcement, and destruction of property less than $1,000 back in February.

According to the PSA, Beckham, 19, has been in compliance with his release conditions.

Judge Becker advised Beckham to keep complying. She scheduled Beckham’s sentencing for Oct. 27.

Document: Suspect Sought in Armed Robbery

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred on the 1600 block of Constitution Avenue, NE on Sept. 24.

The suspect in question allegedly revealed a handgun to a victim and took their property. The suspect was captured by surveillance footage.

MPD is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the incidence to alert the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE– 50411. Anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction could receive up to a $10,000 reward.

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Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty to Contempt

On Oct. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to two years of probation.

Farhan Rana was initially charged with felony stalking on June 29, 2019. He was ordered to stay away from the victim in the case, but violated the order between July and November of 2019. Rana also tried to contact the the victim through social media and a third party. He also threatened her if she did not remove the stay away order.

As part of a deal with the prosecution, Rana pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contempt.

Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Rana to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus two years of probation.

The stay away order will continue to be in place, and Rana will have to delete any photos of the victims. He will be supervised throughout the deletion process.

Rana’s probation will be carried out in Georgia, where he now lives.

Abigail Grifno wrote this article.

Judge Sets Trial Date for Juvenile Charged with 1st-Degree Murder

On Oct. 8, a DC judge scheduled a trial date for a juvenile charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld heard from the juvenile’s defense counsel, Kevin O’Sullivan, regarding a fourth motion for release.

The juvenile is charged with the murder of 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner on July 4 outside a McDonald’s in Southeast, DC.

According to O’Sullivan, the juvenile was only under supervision in his other cases because his Deferred Dispositional Agreement (DDA) had been extended because he failed to pay $944 in restitution to a victim in one of his cases.

O’Sullivan said a juvenile couldn’t be expected to pay almost $1,000 during a pandemic, and he had been in compliance with all of his other conditions.

The juvenile was sentenced under the DDA on Dec. 19, 2019, and O’Sullivan said his DDA was set to expire on July 1, three days before the alleged murder.

He argued that if the DDA had not been extended, the juvenile would have had his other convictions set aside by the time the alleged offense occurred.

The prosecution, however, stated the DDA was a nine-month long agreement.

She also said the DC government was extremely generous in allowing the respondent to continue with his DDA as he incurred another charge while under the agreement, which was in violation of the agreement.

O’Sullivan acknowledged that they had not seen a copy of the agreement, but had only seen reports from the juvenile’s probation officer.

O’Sullivan then argued for the juvenile’s release on the basis that the emergency order for the pandemic does not include the ability to hold juveniles more than 45 days. He said holding the juvenile for 92 days is unconstitutional, and he should be released.

“I don’t find the detention is unlawful given the deadlines have been suspended,”Judge Hertzfeld said after reading a statute for the record. She declined the defense’s motion for release and asked if the parties wanted to schedule a trial.

Given the pandemic, counsel asked for a trial date in early January of 2021 in hopes that the courts will be reopened.

The juvenile’s trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 5, 2021.

Read D.C. Witness’ previous article on the juvenile’s case.

This was written by Krystin Roehl

Defendant Charged with Theft and Simple Assault Passes Away

A defendant’s cases will be closed once her death is verified.

Eza Gatrell, 38, was convicted of second-degree theft in one case and simple assault and second-degree theft in another. In November 2019, she was sentenced to serve a total of 30 days followed by six months of supervised probation. Conditions of her probation in the theft charges included completing 40 hours of community service.

Gatrell was scheduled to appear in court for a probation show case hearing on Oct. 8. During the hearing, defense attorney Frederick Iverson told DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that his client died in a car accident on Sept. 7.

Judge O’Keefe requested verification of death to be turned in prior to the next hearing.

The next hearing, which is expected to be vacated upon verification of Gatrell’s death, is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Abigail Grifno wrote this story.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Second-Degree Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a second-degree burglary offense that happened on Aug. 21.

At around 5:00 p.m., suspects forced their way into a building on the 800 block of Upshur Street, NW. Once inside, they took property and fled the scene.

On Oct. 7, a 52 year-old with no fixed address was arrested.

The case remains under investigation.

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Document: Suspect Arrested for Offenses Including Assault on Police Officer

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrested a suspect in connection with an assault on a police officer offense that happened on Sept. 8.

At around 2:40 a.m., officers approached a group of people who were around a vehicle on the 1300 block of Savannah Street, SE.

A suspect entered the vehicle and retrieved a handgun. The suspect pointed the handgun in the direction of officers as he fled the scene.

On Oct. 6, a 33 year-old resident of Southeast, DC was arrested for assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and felon in possession.

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