Judge Releases 16 Defendants, Holds Four During Initial Hearings

On Oct. 6, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 16 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

Judge Crowell held two defendants in assault cases.

The first defendant, Derrick Singletary, charged with assault with significant bodily injury, remains detained pending his next court date.

Singletary, 37, was held due to his extensive criminal record and history of multiple bench warrants and simple assaults. The judge also made this decision because Singletary is currently on supervision for a robbery committed in 2018.

The second defendant was held due to the serious nature of the alleged crime.

He is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a domestic violence case. Judge Crowell found it alarming that the defendant fired a firearm at two individuals after assaulting them.

The third defendant held was John Morgan, who is charged with second-degree burglary. He was held because he is currently on probation for the exact same offense from 2019.

The 55-year-old also has 43 separate convictions, a history of tampering with GPS monitoring devices and multiple probation violation reports.

The final defendant held was Robert Taylor, Jr., who pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse in March of 2019.

As per sentencing, Taylor was given two years supervised probation. Since his release, he has incurred multiple probation violations and bench warrants, which was why Judge Crowell decided to detain him.

Judge Crowell released eight defendants charged with various misdemeanors. All were given stay-away orders or the requirement to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

One of the eight defendants charged with a misdemeanor also had a fugitive from justice charge. She was released with the requirement to turn herself in to Maryland authorities as soon as possible.

Two defendants charged with second-degree burglary were released. One was released with a stay-away order and must report to PSA, while the other was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and must also report to PSA.

Two individuals in separate domestic violence cases were also released.

The first was charged with simple assault. He was released with the requirement to report to PSA and was given a no harassing, assaultive, stalking or threatening (HATS) order.

The second defendant was charged with simple assault as well as attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was released with the requirement to report to PSA, abide by a stay-away order and given the order to not possess a firearm.

Four additional cases were heard by Judge Crowell and all were released with either stay-away orders or the condition to report to PSA.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Kidnapping

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect for an armed kidnapping incident on the 3800 block of 9^th Street, SE.

According to a press release, at 1:58 a.m. a suspect entered a victim’s vehicle and brandished a handgun, forcing the victim to drive to various locations. When the suspect left the vehicle, on foot, the suspect took property from the victim.

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Judge Issues 1 Bench Warrant During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over nine pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Oct. 6.

Judge Julie Becker issued one bench warrant for the arrest of Daniel Greene.

Greene, 38, is serving two years of probation for second-degree theft and receiving stolen property.

Greene was not present at his hearing. His attorney, Daniel Kovler, has not been in contact with him but does know that his client is homeless.

Kovler asked Judge Becker to not issue a bench warrant. Greene is a non-violent offender and because of the pandemic, he doesn’t want his client to be incarcerated.

Judge Becker denied the request because Greene has never been in compliance with his probation conditions.

Judge Becker decided to revoke another defendant’s probation after he asked to be stepped back.

Reginald Cannon was serving 12 months of probation for driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug.

According to CSOSA, Cannon, 28, was caught driving without a permit at the Canadian border. He has also not been in constant contact with CSOSA.

Cannon’s attorney, Claudine Harrison, asked Judge Becker to give Cannon time to comply. However, Cannon asked to speak to his attorney in the middle of the hearing.

After the break, Harrison told Judge Becker that Cannon wants to be stepped back.

“I can’t honestly say that I am willing to comply with the GPS requirement,” said Cannon.

Judge Becker revoked his probation. Cannon will serve 60 days in prison.

Judge Becker continued two cases to give time for the defendants to come into compliance with their conditions.

Maurice Askew is charged with simple assault. Askew, 35, allegedly physically assaulted three different people at a Giant grocery store on the 1000 block of Brentwood Road, NE on April 30, 2019.

According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA,) Askew was recently re-arrested. They asked Judge Becker to order stricter release conditions for Askew by placing him under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Askew’s attorney, Kevin Robertson, asked for his conditions to stay the same because his client is currently employed.

Judge Becker granted Robertson’s request and gave Askew until his Nov. 4 hearing to get into full compliance.

Sean Harris is serving 18 months of probation for destruction of property less than $1,000 and attempted stalking with intent to harm.

CSOSA asked for Harris, 33, to be put on GPS monitoring due to his noncompliance.

Harris’ attorney, Stephanie Johnson, argued that the GPS monitor causes pain to her client’s ankles. He’s also currently homeless which would be a problem when it comes to charging the device.

The CSOSA representative recommended revocation from his probation because Harris hangs up the phone when checking in and he’s made death threats to his former probation officer.

“I’ve been going through a lot,” said Harris. “I’ve been inquiring about anger management and my last CSO officer was manipulating me. I apologize for being in front of you today, your honor.”

Judge Becker decided to continue this case with the same conditions of probation until Harris’ next hearing, which is scheduled on Nov. 16.

Judge Becker continued a show cause hearing because the defendant was recently re-arrested.

Sonya Champ is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Allegedly, Champ swung a pocket knife at someone outside of a store after being confronted about stealing a pack of beer on the 4100 block of Wheeler Road, SE on Feb. 1.

However, in between the time that this show cause hearing was scheduled, Champ, 39, was re-arrested.

Judge Becker decided to continue the show cause hearing to get updates on the defendant. Champ’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Both Gervanni McGriff and Christopher Richardson have become compliant with their release conditions, according to the PSA. Judge Becker decided to discharge both defendants’ show cause hearings.

McGriff, 30, is charged with possession of eutolyne, a synthetic stimulant, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His next status hearing is scheduled for March 30.

Richardson, 34, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. His next status hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25.

Judge Becker also continued an assault and bail violation defendant’s two cases for two weeks, to see if CSOSA can get in contact with him.

The defendant’s attorney, Kevin Robertson, has been unable to contact his client. However, he does know that he is homeless and has severe health issues.

The prosecution requested a bench warrant to be issued. Judge Becker denied the request to give extra time to see if the defendant could possibly be hospitalized right now.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Judge Becker continued a hearing in order to trail a new case due to a defendant’s re-arrest.

David Thompson is serving 12 months of probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside the home or business and cocaine possession.

The original charges included possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of drug paraphernalia and sexual solicitation. However, due to a plea agreement, those charges were dropped.

Thompson, 23, was recently arrested, prompting CSOSA to request a probation revocation.

Thompson’s attorney, Daniel Quillin, argued that the other case is ongoing and it’s still only an allegation.

Judge Becker agreed, scheduling Thompson’s next hearing for Feb. 24.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Oct. 6 a suspect for the death of a man in Northwest, DC.

According to court documents, a juvenile female was apprehended for the murder of 20 year-old Hassan Jalloh, a resident from Alexandria, Va. Jalloh was stabbed to death on the 600 block of I Street, NW on Sept. 16.

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Judge Sentences 2 Defendants Under Youth Act

On Oct. 6, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced two defendants in connection with a 2017 fight at Howard University.

On Nov. 19, 2019, 21 year-old Tyler Williams was indicted on charges of assault with significant bodily injury and simple assault. That same day, Elijah Anglin, 24, was indicted on charges of assault with significant bodily harm, threat to kidnap or injure a person and simple assault.

Both defendants resolved their cases with plea deals. In exchange for pleading guilty to simple assault, the prosecution dropped all other charges.

Judge Judith Smith sentenced both defendants to 180 days, all of which was suspended, plus six months of supervised probation. As part of their probation, they must complete 90 hours of community service. Once they do so, they may be able to change their probation to being unsupervised.

Judge Smith sentenced the defendants under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which will effectively seal their cases once they complete their requirements.

At Anglin’s sentencing, the prosecutor showed two videos, one was footage of the fight and one was footage of Anglin arguing with the victim.

The second video was taken before the fight, showing the defendant slapping the victim’s phone from his hand.

The prosecutor asked for anger management classes to be a condition of Anglin’s probation, due to the nature of the offense.

However, Judge Smith denied that request, saying, “I have no information that he has had any similar conduct since the event three years ago.”

Since the incident, Anglin has graduated from Howard with an engineering degree and is currently employed.

The prosecutor also asked for anger management classes to be a condition of Williams’ release, which Judge Smith also decided against.

Williams transferred from Howard and is currently attending Shaw University in North Carolina.

The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) is not currently scheduling community service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both defendants can complete their community service independently and submit paperwork saying they finished their 90 hours to CSOSA.

Both defendants were issued stay-away orders. They must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Felony Contempt

On Oct. 6, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a defendant for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to felony contempt.

Robert Long, 37, picked up the charge for entering an apartment in Southeast, DC on June 10. The defendant had been ordered to stay away from the apartment as a condition of his pretrial release for a case in which he was charged with first-degree sexual abuse. That case was dismissed as part of his plea agreement with the prosecution.

Also as part of a plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to ask for a sentence of 16 months, with all but five months suspended.

Long’s attorney, Jeffrey Stein, asked for the defendant to be put into an inpatient drug treatment program upon release.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled Long to be sentenced on Nov. 10.

He is being held without bond for the felony contempt charge.

Document: Police Arrest Suspects for Burglary

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s 5th District have made two arrests in relation to a burglary on Oct. 6.

According to a press release, the suspects gained entry to an establishment on the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. At 3:10 a.m., the suspects entered the location and attempted to flee with property. They were apprehended by responding officers.

The 28-year-old resident of Southeast DC, and a 23-year-old resident of Northeast DC are awaiting their initial hearing for the arrest at DC Superior Court.

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Document: Police Search for Burglary Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying a burglary suspect.

On Sept. 28, the suspect entered a residence on the 3300 Block of Georgia Avenue, NW, took property and fled the scene.

The suspect was captured on surveillance video.

The department is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

Anyone able to identify the subject should not attempt to engage. Instead, contact the police at 207-727-9099 or text 50411.

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Document: Police Arrest Juvenile for Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Oct. 6 a juvenile male in connection with a burglary.

According to a press release, the suspect entered a residence on the 2200 Block of 14th Street, SE by force at 8 a.m. on Feb. 11 and stole property.

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Judge Schedules Hearing to Determine Where to Place Competent Murder Defendant

On Oct. 6, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled an evidentiary hearing to determine where a murder defendant should be housed now that he has been ruled competent to stand trial.

Bratrell Hawkins is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of Xavier Tate. The 26-year-old victim was shot to death on Jan. 5 on the 1400 block of Third Street, SW.

Hawkins, 27, is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, where he has been since early February.

On Sept. 8, defense attorney Laura Rose told Judge Neal Kravitz that their expert found Hawkins, 27, marginally competent to stand trial, but unlikely to maintain competency if brought to DC Jail.

The expert recommended that the defendant stay at St. Elizabeth’s. However, the prosecution argued that the defendant should be transferred to DC Jail since he is competent.

Judge Kravitz gave the defense until Sept. 18 to share a comprehensive report from the expert with both him and the prosecution.

During the Oct. 6 status hearing, the prosecution said that Rose omitted several documents from the report before sharing it with them. The prosecution argued that the missing documents should be produced, but Rose disagreed.

She said she omitted the documents because of privacy concerns.

Parties could not come to an agreement.

Judge Kravitz ruled that both parties must produce all materials underlying their respective expert’s opinions by Oct. 22.

The next hearing, scheduled on Nov. 5, will address Hawkins placement from the materials and experts’ opinions.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick

Defendant Pleads Guilty to DUI

On Oct. 6, a defendant entered into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement (DSA) for her DUI charge.

The defendant pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. She picked up the case after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a crash on the 3300 block of 14th Street, NW on Jan. 12. When the officers arrived at the scene they found the 26-year-old in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which had collided with a median. She failed a sobriety test.

As part of the plea agreement with the prosecution, her driving a vehicle while impaired charge was dropped.

Conditions of the DSA include 40 hours of community service, participation in a traffic program, attend an online victim impact panel and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund.

If the defendant completes her requirements within the three month deferment period, her guilty plea will be withdrawn and her case dismissed.

“Good luck, and thanks for taking responsibility early,” the judge told her.

The defendant completed the requirements of the agreement in January. The case was dismissed.

Crime Alerts: October 5-6

Between 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 9 a.m. on Oct. 6, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 4:34 a.m. for a shooting on the 1800 block of 3rd Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) at this time.

Another alert for a shooting was sent at 3:45 a.m. on the 1200 block of 1st Street, NE. Police are looking for 3-5 males wearing all black clothing.

The final alert was sent at 9:02 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 400 block of Orange Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Document: Homicide in Northwest, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a homicide that happened on Oct. 5.

At around 2:33 p.m., officers responded to the 1100 block of 1^st Street, NW after hearing the sound of gunshots. There, they found Demetri Harvin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Harvin, a 33 year-old resident of Northwest, DC, was taken to the hospital, but ultimately died.

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Document: Man with No Fixed Address Killed in Northeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a homicide that happened on Oct. 1.

At around 12:24 a.m., responded to the 1700 block of Lang Place, NE for the report of a shooting. There, they found Orlando Miller suffering from a gunshot wound.

Miller, a 45 year-old with no fixed address, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner preformed and autopsy and determined that Miller was killed by a single gunshot wound. His death was ruled a homicide.

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Judge Issues Two Bench Warrants in Show Cause Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge presided over four pretrial and three probation show cause hearings on Oct. 5.

Edward Everstine did not show up to his pretrial show cause hearing because he is incarcerated in Florida.

Everstine, 29, is charged with accessory after the fact.

On Jan. 26, Angel Moses allegedly stabbed Anthony Williams at Union Station Metro Station after she said he refused to sell her drugs. The victim was found lying in a pool of blood. Fifteen minutes later Williams was pronounced dead.

Moses is charged with second-degree murder while armed in Williams’ death.

Everstine was allegedly handed the knife by Moses. Everstine allegedly placed it in his duffle-bag and fled on the red-line Metro towards Shady Grove.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers apprehended Everstine a few minutes later at the Metro Center Station, where he was asleep in a red-line metro car, according to court documents. Once he was searched they found the knife in his blood stained duffle-bag.

The prosecution said that Everstein also currently has ongoing charges in Maryland, Virginia and Florida.

Judge Julie Becker issued a bench warrant to serve as a detainer.

Aloysius Carter did not show up to his pretrial show cause hearing because he is being held on charges he picked up after his last show cause hearing on Sept. 25.

Carter, 61, is charged with attempted threats for allegedly telling an 11 year-old boy and his siblings that he would kill them outside a corner store on the 3400 block of Dix Street, NE on June 23. He was then charged with contempt on Sept. 2 for allegedly violating his release conditions.

During his Sept. 25 hearing, Judge Becker told Carter that his compliance would have to be perfect going forward to remain on pretrial release.

However, on Oct. 1, Carter picked up three more cases. In two of them, he is charged with contempt. In the other, he is charged with GPS tampering.

Defense attorney John Sample said his client has the tendency to lash out.

Judge Becker scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 21.

Judge Becker terminated Daeshawn Brown’s probation as unsuccessful.

Brown, 21, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in January. He was sentenced to six months, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would effectively seal his case after he completes his requirements.

The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) reported that Brown has been completely non compliant. They reported that he has violated curfew multiple times, hung up on CSOSA after not contacting them for months and frequently hung out in high crime areas.

Both the prosecution and CSOSA request that the probation be revoked.

“The arrest and conviction is going to follow you in a way it wouldn’t have,” said Judge Becker. “This outcome is not what I would’ve wanted.”

Brown will not be taken to DC Jail, but the conviction will now remain on his record.

Malcolm Cobb was virtually present for his probation show cause hearing.

Cobb was sentenced to 90 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for second-degree theft in April 2019. Per his release, Cobb must undergo mental health and drug abuse treatment.

Cobb recently checked himself into a treatment center for a 28 days program, so Judge Becker continued the show cause hearing to Dec. 7.

Judge Becker continued Darryl Mathews’ pretrial show cause hearing to give him more time to come into compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

Matthews, 37, is charged with unlawful entry onto private property for allegedly entering a 7-11 and an apartment complex from which he had previously been barred. Matthews also had a bench warrant for his arrest in a previous simple assault case.

Matthews’ next show cause hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.

Malique Jackson was absent from his probation show cause hearing.

Jackson was sentenced under the YRA to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for simple assault.

While on probation, Jackson has been re-arrested three times in Maryland and has been a loss of contact with CSOSA since Nov. 19.

Defense attorney Sellano Simmons said he does not know his client’s whereabouts.

Judge Becker issued a bench warrant for Jackson’s arrest.

Angelique Brown was also missing from her probation show cause hearing.

Brown, 26, was sentenced under the YRA to 60 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for simple assault. She picked up the charge after she ran out into the road to stop a metro bus and, once on board, assaulted the bus driver.

Brown was regularly checking in with CSOSA, but she then lost contact completely.

Defense attorney, Justin Okezie, requested that Judge Becker not issue a bench warrant and continue the show cause until February. Brown is due then for a court date to address her re-arrest for unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct.

Judge Becker agreed to continue the show cause until Feb. 3.

This article was written by Sierra Robbins