Video: Suspects Sought In an Assault With a Dangerous Weapon Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that occurred on Nov. 4 on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NW.

The victims include two adult males and one adult female who suffered from non-life-threatening stab wounds.

The suspects were caught on cameras near the scene and can be viewed in this video:

MPD is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the incident to alert the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE –50411 .

Document: Suspects Sought in Robbery Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a robbery that occurred on Nov. 11 on the 2400 block of Market Street, NE.

According to the press release, the suspects entered an establishment and fled with money and property after encountering an employee.

MPD is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the incident to alert the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE –50411

Document: Suspect Arrested in Connection with Nov. 6 Homicide

A suspect was arrested in connection with a homicide that happened in the Kingman Park neighborhood of DC.

At around 10:44 a.m. on Nov. 6, officers responded to the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE for the report of a shooting.

There, they found 41 year-old Demetrius Jones suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at a local hospital.

On Nov. 11, 40 year-old Ronnie Melson, of no fixed address, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.

Melson has an arrest history that includes threats, probation violations, assaults, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, distribution of distribute cocaine and heroin, carrying a pistol without a license and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Crime Alerts: November 11-12

Between 8 p.m. on Nov. 11 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 12, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 10:53 p.m. for a confirmed shooting on the 4300 block of Wheeler Street, SE. Police are looking for a silver sedan with heavy tinted windows and unknown tags.

The second alert was sent at 8:56 p.m. for a robbery investigation at the intersection of 13th Street, SE and K Street, SE. Police are looking for a Black male with a dark complexion and a Black female wearing all black clothing.

Judge Holds 4 and Releases 25 During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held four defendants and released 25 during initial hearings.

Those held include Darnell Rackett, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to court documents, the offense occurred on July 4.

At approximately 10:57 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a shooting on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim, 36 year-old Antonio Gardiner, unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Originally, a juvenile was arrested for the murder on July 8. However, officers also arrested Rackett, 20, on Nov. 11. Judge Pipe held Rackett at the DC Jail given the alleged crime.

His next court date is set for Dec. 7.

Judge Pipe also held Kenneth Scott, who is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

The offense occurred on Nov. 10 on the 2300 block of Pitts Place, SE. According to court documents, officers conducted a firearm search in the area due to a recent uptick in gun violence. Around 9 p.m., officers allegedly recognized Scott, who is known to the officers for his previous firearm arrests.

Officers allegedly saw Scott stick an object in his pocket. When MPD approached Scott, they saw a brown wooden handle of a revolver and arrested him.

Due to his previous history with firearms, Scott, 27, was held at DC jail.

A defendant charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed is also being held at DC jail.

The defendant’s defense attorney, David Knight, requested that his client be released on the condition that he report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). Judge Pipe took into account all the evidence before her and denied his request.

The defendant’s next hearing will take place on Dec. 7.

Jamal Hunter is charged with being a fugitive from justice. Hunter is wanted in Maryland but will be held at DC Jail for three days while he waits for the demanding jurisdiction to pick him up and transfer him to Maryland.

Eight defendants with domestic violence-related charges were released. The defendants were issued stay-away orders from the victims and ordered to report to PSA. Only one defendant was given a no harassing, assaults, threats or stalk (HATS) order.

Their next hearings are all set for April 14.

One defendant charged with first-degree child sexual abuse was released. He was issued a stay-away and ordered to report to PSA on a regular basis.

Judge Pipe released eleven defendants on misdemeanor charges under various conditions, including contacting PSA and stay-away orders. All eleven defendants were ordered to appear back in court on April 14.

The judge released three defendants charged with possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute. One defendant was issued a stay away, and all three were ordered to report on a monthly or weekly basis to PSA.

Two defendants, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and operating a vehicle while impaired, were released with orders to report to PSA.

One final defendant, charged with simple assault, is in the hospital, so his hearing was moved to Nov. 12.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Crime Alerts: November 10-11

Between 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 11, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:00 a.m. for a stabbing investigation on the 1000 block of 13th Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The second alert was sent at 1:55 a.m. for a shooting on the 4800 block of 1st Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) in this case, either.

The final alert was sent at 9:40 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 4400 block of Ponds Street, NE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing white and black shirts.

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Document: Homicide on Howard Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide on the 1400 Block of Howard Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 25 year-old Martez Jackson in a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

On Nov. 10, Jackson succumbed to his injuries.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and a conviction in this case or any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Judge Holds 3 of 16 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 10, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released 13 defendants and held three defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

Randle Alexander Price is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed in the death of John Pollard II. The shooting occurred on Sept. 30 on the 3200 block of Hiatt Place, NW.

Price’s defense attorney, Rachel Circucel said her client’s identification was a generic description and the car that was used during the incident was not her client’s car.

However, Judge Pipe found probable cause due to the information in the police report that put Price at the scene of the crime.

Price, 28, will remain held at DC Jail until his next court date, which is scheduled for Dec. 7.

Terrence Washington is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Judge Pipe decided to hold Washington, 28, due to poor compliance in past cases along with a prior probation revocation.

His next court date is on Dec. 7.

Ryan Butler is a fugitive from justice. His underlying charge is an armed robbery charge in Maryland.

Due to the seriousness of the case, he will be held until Maryland officers pick him up in three business days.

Judge Pipe released five defendants in fugitive from justice cases. All of the defendants were released with orders to turn themselves in to take care of their outstanding warrants.

Judge Pipe also released two defendants charged in felony cases. The charges included carrying a pistol without a license and receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more. One of the defendants was given a stay away order and placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). The other defendant was released and ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Three domestic violence defendants were released by the judge. Two of the defendants were given stay away orders and one of them was given a no harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) order. All of the defendants have to report to the PSA.

One defendant was released after being arrested on a bench warrant. The defendant is on probation for fleeing law enforcement and destroying property worth $1,000 or more.

One defendant was released in a case where he is charged with no permit, attempted threats to do bodily harm and possession of a controlled substance. He must report to the PSA.

A defendant charged with a DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired was released. He must report to the PSA and is ordered to not drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Judge Pipe also ordered a drug and alcohol assessment for the defendant.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Armed Assault

A DC Superior Court judge determined that an armed assault case has enough evidence to go to trial, but allowed the defendant to be released from DC Jail.

Demetrius Golden is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

On March 26, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a shooting on the 1300 block of 5^th Street, NW. The officers found the victim with a gunshot wound in his leg, which was treated at a local hospital. The victim was also found with a person who had witnessed the scene.

The officers used the suspect’s vehicle information, recorded via a surveillance camera, to find the suspect believed to be Stephen Golden.

During the Nov. 9 hearing, an MPD detective testified that Golden and the victim got into a verbal altercation before Golden walked away. Golden soon returned from a nearby apartment building with a young boy believed to be his son and shot the complainant.

Golden’s defense attorney, Sharon Weathers, argued that there was not probable cause because the witness did not remember certain details regarding the crime or conversations had with the defendant and witnesses of the crime.

The defense also argued that the lack of clarity in the surveillance video makes the the events unclear.

The defense argued that if Golden did shoot the complainant, it was out of self-defense because the victim first pointed the gun at Golden. Neither the victim nor Golden have admitted owning the gun, although Golden admitted after the incident that he had destroyed it.

The prosecution argued that the witness was credible and lacked certain details due to the length of time that has passed since the incident. The prosecution also argued that the video showed with enough certainty that Golden shot the complainant.

Judge Rainey Brandt determined there was probable cause by noting that the defendant did not go to the police after the incident and admitted to destroying the gun. Judge Brandt also found the witness’s testimony to be credible.

The defense said Golden should be released until his next court date. She pointed out that her client has no recent offenses. She also argued that he is unlikely to be a flight risk and that remaining in jail would be a burden on his family.

The prosecution argued that Golden should be held due to a prior conviction on a similar charge. The prosecution also said Golden should be held because calls from jail showed that he could potentially obstruct justice if released. The prosecution played the calls and argued that Golden had spoken to his mother and brother about paying the victim to change his testimony.

Judge Brandt said she did not believe the calls from jail definitively showed obstruction of justice would take place if Golden was released, but did warn Golden of the legal consequences for engaging in obstruction of justice.

Judge Brandt also agreed with the defense that all previous offenses are very dated and do not mean the defendant would be a danger to the community.

Golden will be released with a no contact and stay away order from both the complainant and the female witness]. Golden will also be required to be monitored by GPS.

His next court date is scheduled for April 12.

Abigail Grifno wrote this article.

Defense Argues that Convicted Murder Defendants’ Constitutional Rights Were Violated

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to review information regarding the trial of two convicted murder defendants.

Don Hancock and Reynaud Cook are serving 20 year sentences for second-degree murder while armed in the 2004 fatal shooting of Nacarto Gladden. A jury convicted them in 2018. But the 36-year-old defendants maintained their innocence.

According to court documents, multiple witnesses saw Hancock pull Gladden, 32, from his car and force him to the ground. The witnesses reportedly saw Hancock and Gladden fighting when Cook shot Gladden.

During a Nov. 10 post-disposition hearing, Judge Craig Iscoe agreed to review the defense’s argument that their constitutional rights to confront a witness were violated during their trial.

Hancock’s attorney, Charles Wayne, and Cook’s attorney, Sean Day, argued that a witness who testified during the trial had been wearing a face covering, as part of her Mulsim faith, which hid her facial expressions. They said the defendants had not been asked if they wanted the witness to testify without her facial covering. They also said, the defendants were never given the opportunity to object to the facial covering during the trial but would have done so, given the chance.

Judge Iscoe asked the defense, if they were requesting an evidentiary hearing to introduce information and testimony from the trial lawyers.

Day said, an evidentiary hearing would only be necessary if the court found no violation of the defendants’ rights. He argued that, even if this wasn’t a violation of the defendants’ rights, the trial attorney still made a strategic choice when he didn’t object to the facial covering.

He asked for another hearing where the defense and prosecutor could make arguments on whether the defendants’ constitutional rights had been violated.

Judge Iscoe agreed to hear oral arguments over the potential rights violation on Dec. 16.

John Sullivan wrote this article.

Judge Sentences Defendant During Show Cause Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge discharged two hearings, dismissed three hearings, continued one and sentenced a defendant during pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Nov. 10.

Judge Gerald Fisher discharged the show cause hearing and changed the pretrial release conditions for a defendant charged with GPS tampering.

Delonte Reed, 29, was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with only GPS monitoring on Sept. 26.

Since then he has acquired two notices of noncompliance on Oct. 5 and Nov. 9.

He now only has to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and show up to court for his next hearing. The judge said that GPS monitoring is not a reasonable condition of release for Reed since he is homeless and already regularly reports to PSA.

Terwayne Brown was determined to have come into compliance with his pretrial release conditions since his last show cause hearing on Oct. 14.

The 29-year-old is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

Judge Fisher dismissed the show cause hearing for Caleb Lewis, who is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business.

The 19-year-old defendant was released under the pretrial High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring on Aug. 12. A notice of noncompliance with his pretrial release conditions was filed on Nov. 9.

He was rearrested in another county on marijuana charges.

The judge dismissed the show cause hearing for a 23 year-old charged with second-degree theft and misdemeanor second-degree fraud.

Gary Goodridge was released with the requirement to report to and verify his address with PSA on Aug. 26. A notice of noncompliance was filed on Oct. 20 for his failure to report to PSA weekly .

A show cause hearing for Juwaun Williams, who is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, was dismissed.

Williams, 19, was released on June 30 with the requirement to report to PSA and verify his address. A notice of noncompliance was filed on Oct. 2 for his failure to report to PSA. He has recently come into compliance.

The judge quashed a bench warrant in a defendant’s probationary matter and continued a show cause hearing for all three of the defendant’s cases for a later date.

Jamal Baptist, 45, pleaded guilty to lewd, indecent or obscene acts in February. He was issued a bench warrant for his failure to appear at a probation show cause hearing on July 2.

In Baptist’s two other pending cases, he is charged with violation of a temporary protection order and contempt in one, and unlawful entry onto private property in the second. He received a substantial number of notices of noncompliance in both misdemeanor cases.

His next hearing is set for Dec. 11 to see if he will come into compliance.

Judge Fisher sentenced Skyy Morris who pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. He admitted responsibility to shooting an individual on the 700 block of H street, NW on Dec. 5, 2019.

Morris, 20, was sentenced to two years incarceration, all time suspended under the D.C. Youth Rehabilitation Act. He was given three years supervised probation, with conditions to comply with any GPS requirement that CSOSA may require, undergo any alcohol or substance abuse screening as recommended, pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund, maintain or seek employment, participate in life skills training offered by CSOSA and comply with the conditions of a stay away order.

Additionally, Morris must perform 150 hours of community service and register within 48 hours of today as a gun offender with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The judge said that normally he would impose a sentence of imprisonment for this type of offense, but he is impressed with Morris’ perfect compliance and progress in life with his two jobs.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.

Probable Cause Not Found In Murder Case

“I cannot remember the last time I found no probable cause in a murder case,” said DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz after a few minutes of deliberation.

During a Nov. 10 hearing, Judge Kravitz dismissed a murder case after ruling that it did not have enough evidence to go to trial.

Kyree Fields, 20, was charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 23-year-old Keith Rawlings, who was fatally shot July 26 on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Judge Kravitz agreed with defense attorney Kevann Gardner that the prosecution’s lack of witnesses and motive demonstrate that the case lacks probable cause.

He expressed the belief that neither the photographic evidence of Fields in the car 12 hours before the murder nor video of him four and a half hours before suggested that Fields was at the crime scene, especially since the vehicle was stolen.

The lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified on the contents of the video, as the prosecutor did not share the video during the hearing.

The prosecutor relied heavily on the testimony of the lead detective. During yesterday’s hearing, her direct examination only included the identification of Fields and the adoption of the detective’s affidavit into his testimony.

According to court documents, gunfire detection technology picked up 34 gunshots at the time of the crime. One of the shell-casings ended up on Rawlings’ windshield.

The prosecutor cited a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) report that suggested the pistol found on Fields during his arrest—which occurred seven days after the murder—was a match. However, Gardner pointed out that the report is only a lead and does not constitute as evidence since it has not been confirmed by a forensic scientist.

The prosecution also said that because Fields allegedly tossed the pistol away during his arrest, the action suggests ‘consciousness of guilt.’ She said Fields knew he was guilty of the murder, so he tossed the murder weapon.

However, Judge Kravitz questioned her logic, citing that Fields had been on escape status from a halfway house and was barred from being in possession of a gun.

“In my view, it’s widely inappropriate to draw an inference that his flight shows a consciousness of guilt about the homicide,” said Judge Kravitz.

The prosecutor maintained that the physical and video evidence suggest there is enough to find probable cause. She also said that another judicial officer found probable cause in an earlier hearing.

Judge Kravitz reminded her that he must independently make that determination and asked her what her understanding of probable cause is.

Gardner argued that the evidence presented by the prosecution was weak. He cited the failure of the prosecution to produce a motive or any witnesses of the incident.

Gardner pointed out that the prosecution did not submit evidence linking Fields to the scene of the crime, even though the prosecutor said the defendant was known in the area.

Gardner also said his client is young and facing 30 to 60 years in prison largely based on a picture of Fields with the vehicle supposedly used in the shooting.

“[It’s] based on a picture taken the previous day,” said Gardner.

During cross-examination, the MPD detective said the police did not have a clear picture of the people inside the vehicle. He also said there were at least two people in the car at the time of the shooting.

Gardner also brought up two additional suspects in this case.

The detective testified that one of them was ruled out because a relative of the suspect showed the MPD video footage of the suspect at their house at the time of the crime. The footage showed him entering the home hours before the crime and leaving hours after.

Gardner argued that the relative had an incentive to manipulate the footage, and MPD did not adequately investigate the lead. The attorney said there were several tips that accused this suspect of the murder.

The second suspect was arrested in a separate case on an assault with the intent to kill charge. Detectives found the video of Fields brandishing a gun on the day of Rawlings’ death on the suspect’s phone.

According to court documents, this suspect is also featured on another video with a gun the day before the homicide. Court documents also state GPS locations place the suspect near the scene of the crime minutes after the shooting.

However, the detective testified that this suspect was not charged in connection with Rawlings’ murder

Fields is released in this case; however, he is still being held in two other matters.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Judge Sentences Defendant for Contempt Following Global Plea Deal

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve five months for felony contempt.

The 37-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to the charge last month. As part of a plea deal, his other two cases, in which he was charged with lewd, indecent, or obscene acts and first-degree sexual abuse, were dropped.

Judge Danya Dayson sentenced him to 16 months, 11 of which were suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.

Conditions of his probation include attending an inpatient drug treatment program, undergoing a mental health assessment and treatment, being monitored by GPS and complying with stay away orders.

The defendant must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund.

Judge Issues 4 Bench Warrants During Pretrial and Probation Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge issued four bench warrants during the nine pretrial and probation hearings on Nov. 9.

Arthur Harris is on probation for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for attacking a victim with a knife on the 2500 block of Benning Road, NE on Oct. 29, 2019.

According to a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) report, Harris, 24, was released on Oct. 31, and never reported to his probation officer. Defense attorney David Cumberbatch said he had been unable to contact his client.

“I think under the circumstances I’m going to issue a bench warrant, ” said Judge Gerald Fisher. “He has had a week to report and still hasn’t done so.”

Judge Fisher held 28-year-old Kendrick Phillips after he failed to appear at his previous show cause hearing. Phillips is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 and simple assault.

Judge Fisher said that Judge William Nooter issued bench warrants in the defendant’s two other cases last week because he was not in compliance. In those cases, Phillips is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and fleeing a law enforcement officer.

Kevin Whitted is charged with second-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. The 38-year-old defendant did not show up to his hearing.

Defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, said he did not know where his client was.

According to a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) report, Whitted has not reported since he was released in August. Judge Fisher said the defendant failed to appear on two occasions and has two escape convictions. Judge Fisher granted the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant.

Judge Fisher also issued a bench warrant for Deon Hardy after he failed to appear in court. Hardy is charged with GPS tampering.

Hardy’s attorney, Evan Parke, also did not know his client’s whereabouts. However, he asked Judge Fisher not to issue a bench warrant due to concerns over coronavirus at DC Jail.

“The information I have actually says the infection rate at the jail is lower than out here,” said Judge Fisher.

Judge Fisher scheduled a probation revocation hearing for Rondale Edwards, who was convicted of attempted robbery and attempted first-degree burglary back in 2019.

According to CSOSA, Edwards has violated his probation seven times in the last five months. Edwards allegedly violated his release conditions by not charging his GPS monitor, failing to report, violating his curfew, failing to attend support group meetings, leaving transitional housing, and failing to verify his address. He has also been rearrested on a GPS tampering charge.

Edwards attorney, Dinah Manning, said her client is not getting enough support to meet his release conditions. She also said Edwards is trying to complete his high school diploma and is applying for jobs.

“I’m going to release Edwards, but if he isn’t in complete compliance, I will revoke his probation,” said Judge Fisher.

Emmanuel Sidney, 33, is charged with unlawful entry onto private property in three cases and attempted threats to do bodily harm in another case.

According to a PSA representative, Sidney has not contacted the PSA by phone but doesn’t have a cell phone with which to make his weekly check-ins.

Judge Danya Dayson extended the show cause to Dec. 14, so Sidney can come back into compliance.

Robert Taylor is charged with unlawful entry onto private property, possession of an open container of alcohol/public intoxication, second-degree theft, and a bail violation in three cases.

Taylor, 55, wasn’t present for his hearing.

According to a PSA report, Taylor has been out of compliance since July 18, and was rearrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

Judge Fisher decided to continue the show cause on March 22, to trail Taylor’s initial status hearing in his new case.

Judge Fisher also continued a show cause for Demetrius Fultz, who is on probation for unlawful possession of liquid PCP and possession with intent to distribute PCP.

According to Fultz’s probation officer, he is in complete compliance with his probation conditions. He has been unable to complete his community service hours because CSOSA is not currently scheduling community service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Fisher scheduled Fultz’s next hearing for Dec. 8. Fultz’s probation will end on Dec. 12, as long as he continues to meet his probation conditions.

Abu Bakarra Wurie, 25, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

According to the PSA, Wurie has come into compliance with all of his release conditions and has verified his address.

Judge Fisher discharged Wurie’s show cause order.

John Sullivan wrote this article.

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