Judge Schedules Hearings for Murder Cases

On Dec. 1, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled status hearings for four murder cases.

Xavier Culbreth is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a knife outside home or business. The 20-year-old defendant is accused of kicking 40-year-old Jamal Ferrell down an escalator and then stabbing him seven times at the Potomac Avenue Metro Station on April 28, 2019.

The prosecution said they have offered the defense a plea deal.

Judge Ronna Beck continued Culbreth’s hearing to April 13 to see how parties would like to proceed.

Co-defendants Maurice Johnson and Jermaine Harris are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters, who was shot on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE on Jan. 6.

Harris, 19, is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession with intent to distribute marijuana while armed in another case.

Judge Beck scheduled Johnson, 21, and Harris’ next hearing for May 4.

Michael Austin, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 26 year-old Kayvon Kinney on the 1800 block of Gainesville Street, SE on May 24.

Judge Neal Kravitz ruled that his case has enough evidence to go to trial on Sept. 18.

Judge Beck scheduled Austin’s next hearing for May. 17.

Defendant to Serve 2.5 Years for Sex Abuse

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve two-and-a-half years for third-degree sex abuse following a global plea deal.

Judge Todd Edelman sentenced 38-year-old Broadus Johnson to 40 months, 10 of which were suspended, plus five years of probation for the sex abuse charge.

He also gave Johnson a suspended sentence plus five years of supervised probation for his charges of simple assault, second-degree theft and bail violation. The defendant’s other cases, in which he was charged with robbery, simple assault and bail violation, were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

The supervised release will be served concurrently for the sentences.

According to court documents, on March 8, 2019, on the 200 block of P Street, NW, Johnson followed the victim to her Uber and sexually abused her. The driver tried to get him out of his car by driving down the street and swerving.

Immediately prior to fleeing the scene, Johnson tried to take the woman’s property; however, he was unsuccessful, documents state.

Conditions of Johnson’s probation include substance abuse assessments, a mental health screening, vocational counseling or employment, transitional housing, a stay-away order and registering as a sex offender.

Johnson must also pay a total of $250 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Judge Gives Defense in Drug and Sex Abuse Case More Time to Discuss Plea Offer

A DC Superior Court judge continued a drug and sex abuse defendant’s Dec. 1 status hearing to give the defense attorney more time to discuss a plea deal with his client.

The defendant is charged with third-degree sex abuse and unlawful possession of PCP for allegedly groping an employee on Sept. 30 in the Shipley Terrace neighborhood of Southeast, DC. A vial of liquid PCP was allegedly found on the 42 year-old defendant after he was apprehended.

The defendant was initially released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on Oct. 1, but he was held on Nov. 24 following multiple notices of noncompliance with his release conditions.

Shortly after the defendant was detained, the prosecution offered him a plea deal.

“I expected that I would be able to discuss the plea offer with my client by today,” said defense attorney Leo Alley, who requested the continuance. “Unfortunately, it’s much harder to reach him at the jail.”

Judge Judith Smith continued the hearing to Dec. 16.

Murder Case Set for Prelim Hearing

A murder case is set for a preliminary hearing, which will determine if it has enough evidence to go to trial.

Kyrie Wells, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25-year-old Anthony Lee on Sept. 26 on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE. Wells was arrested on Nov. 18. His co-defendant, 29 year-old Niko Hall, was arrested on Oct. 19. He is also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The Dec. 1 status hearing ended shortly after defense attorney Dorsey Jones told Judge Judith Smith that a preliminary hearing for the two has already been scheduled for Dec. 10 .

Document: Police Seek Suspect for Burglary of an Establishment

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in connection to a second-degree burglary that occurred on Nov. 26.

At approximately 6:47 p.m., the suspect entered an establishment on the 1100 block of New Jersey Avenue, SE. The suspect took property from the establishment before fleeing the scene.

Document: Police Seek Suspects for Burglary In Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking multiple suspects in connection to a second-degree burglary that occurred on Nov. 26.

At around 6:54 p.m., the suspects broke into a residence on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NW and took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspects were captured by a nearby camera and can be seen in the video below.

Crime Alerts: November 30-December 1

Between 9 p.m. on Nov. 30 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:27 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 300 block of Kentucky Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a Black male, 6’0″ in height, wearing all black clothing. They are also looking for an additional Black male, 5’8″ in height, wearing all black clothing.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 4:55 a.m. on the 1300 block of Morris Road, SE. Police are looking for four Black males. One of the suspects is wearing a red and grey jacket, black sweat pants and armed with a handgun. All suspects were last seen driving away in a white, 2009 BMW X3 with unknown Maryland tags with a maroon BMW emblem.

Another alert for an armed robbery was sent at 1:29 a.m. on the 2800 block of Denver Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black males, 30 years of age, 5’8″-5’9″ in height, wearing dark clothing. The suspects were last seen in a white sedan.

The final alert was sent at 12:46 a.m. for an armed robbery at the intersection of 25th and Park Place, SE. Police are looking for two Black males, wearing all black clothing and armed with handguns.

Document: Police Seek Suspect and Vehicle of Interest in Connection with a Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying a suspect and vehicle of interest in connection with a robbery that happened on Nov. 26.

At around 5:41 a.m., a suspect approached the victim in an establishment on the 700 block of H Street, NE.

The suspect motioned as if to have a handgun and demanded property, according to a press release. The victim complied and the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

The suspect and vehicle were captured by a surveillance camera.

Document: Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force have announced that a suspect was arrested in connection with an armed bank robbery that happened on Nov. 30.

At around 12:01 p.m., the suspect allegedly entered a TD Bank on the 2000 block of K Street, NW, brandished a knife and demanded money. The teller complied and the suspect fled the scene.

The 37 year-old suspect was arrested for armed robbery by responding officers.

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For the last five years, D.C. Witness has tracked and told the stories of every homicide in Washington, DC, covering more than a 1100 victims and cases.

Over the years, we have been asked to cover other categories of crime.

And, since the start of the year, we have been exploring what kinds of cases to add.

We are proud to announce that when DC Court resumes at a more normalized schedule, we will begin following cases of domestic abuse and sexual assault in addition to homicide.

And the numbers there are startling. In October, D.C. Witness data shows that there were initial hearings for approximately 160 cases within those three categories.

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Judge Sentences Man to 2 Years for Attempted Robbery

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to two years for attempted robbery.

Antonio McCoy, 41, was originally charged with robbery, but he pleaded down to attempted robbery back in September. McCoy is convicted of covering the victim’s mouth and stealing her purse before fleeing the scene and being apprehended by police shortly after.

“Every time I put on a mask I’m reminded of his hands covering my mouth,” the victim said during the Nov. 30 hearing. “And my desperation to catch another breath.”

Judge Michael O’Keefe imposed the maximum sentence due to McCoy’s lengthy criminal history of 36 arrests and 11 convictions.

McCoy’s sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. He will have to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund.

“Mr. McCoy, as afraid as I was that morning I knew at least for the briefest of moments that you were more scared of me than I was of you,” the victim said. “You let go of me because I was stronger than you, you ran away because you knew you were in trouble, and you got caught because I am smarter than you.”

Document: Suspects Sought for Burglary Offense

Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are seeking two suspects who are believed to have been involved in a burglary.

On Nov. 26, at approximately 3 a.m. the suspects allegedly broke into an establishment on the 1500 block of 17^th Street, NW. After allegedly stealing property from inside, they fled the scene.

MPD included a link to a video where the suspects can be seen:

Anyone who can identify these individuals or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Document: Arrest Made in Attempted Unarmed Bank Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives and the FBI violent crimes task force arrested a suspect for an attempted unarmed bank robbery that occurred on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on Nov. 27.

At approximately 11:16 a.m., the suspect entered the Bank of America on Minnesota Avenue. The suspect passed a note to a bank employee demanding US currency but was unsuccessful. The suspect was arrested by responding officers.

The suspect has been identified as Angela Watson, a 26 year-old resident of southeast DC.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Multiple Robbery Offenses

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest for a suspect in multiple robbery offenses from Nov. 28 in the District of Columbia.

A 21-year-old male, who is a resident of Southeast, DC, was arrested on Nov. 28 in connection to these robberies.

Two suspects approached a victim, forcefully took the victim’s property and fled the scene at approximately 12:01 p.m. on the 800 block of Florida Avenue, NW.

Minutes later the suspects forcefully snatched another victim’s property and fled the scene on the 1600 block of T Street, NW.

Minutes after that the suspects once again forcefully snatched another victim’s property and fled on the 1800 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

These cases remains under investigation.

Anyone who has knowledge of these incidents should take no action but call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

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

Knico Wheaton, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Tavon Cox on Jan. 11 on the 700 block of 24th Street, NW.

During the Nov. 30 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) assistant detective, who worked on the case, said he identified the defendant based on GPS data, surveillance footage, anonymous tips and eyewitness accounts.

The detective said that when he first arrived on the scene, Cox was still conscious and was able to tell detectives that it was a drug deal gone wrong. However, Cox didn’t know who shot him.

A witness, who was with Cox at the time of the shooting, said a drug deal was set up using Instagram messaging. The witness and Cox drove to the location and met with the two buyers.

During the deal, one of the buyers pulled out a firearm and started shooting, the witness said.

The prosecution later showed photos of an Instagram message exchange between Wheaton and Cox setting up the drug deal.

During cross-examination, defense attorney David Richter asked the detective if the other buyer, who was allegedly with Wheaton during the drug deal, was the one who shot Cox.

The detective said there was no gun found on the other buyer when officers searched his house, but the weapon they found at Wheaton’s residence was the same firearm that was used in the shooting.

Judge Michael Ryan ultimately decided that the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

“I believe there is substantial probability based on the evidence that was shown in court,” he said.

Wheaton’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 29. He is being held at DC Jail without bail.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

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