Request for Support

Dear Reader:

As 2020 starts to wind down, we are truly proud of the work we have done while covering crime cases and gathering data on those cases in Washington, DC. When the COVID-19 pandemic came, we turned to covering all crime and not just homicides.

We have even bigger plans for 2021, including resuming covering trials and adding coverage of sexual assault and domestic violence cases. We will also have a new website and a way to delve into the data we have gathered over the last five years.

Between today and December 30th, we are asking our readers for help.

We wish we didn’t need to do this, but chalk it up to COVID which left a hole in our budget that we hope you will help fill. As an incentive every dollar of the first $11,500 we raise will be matched by the NewsMatch consortium.

If you agree our work has value, please subscribe at $10 a month. If you prefer to make a single donation we hope you can afford at least $100, although any amount would be wonderful.

We are also holding open houses to let you know about what we do and how we do it.

We will have three sessions:

Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. (between the football games)

Friday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m.

Monday, Nov 30, 6 p.m.

If you would like to attend please rsvp to info@dcwitness.org with your time. We will also be sending out an evite to everyone who has given us their email.

RSVP today.

Thanks,

Amos Gelb, publisher

LaTrina Antoine, editor-in-chief

Judge Grants Motion to Compel Documents from Department of Forensic Sciences

On Nov. 10, a DC Superior Court judge granted, in part, a motion to require the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) to produce certain documents related to a double murder case.

Ron McLeoud is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of Amari Jenkins, who was found dead on Aug. 15, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE and Antwan Baker, who was found dead on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE, on Nov. 12, 2015.

The 27-year-old defendant is also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the DFS made an erroneous determination about ballistic evidence, which caused incorrect information to be presented to a grand jury.

“It really comes down to not if the information presented to the grand jury was incorrect but at what point that falsity was known or should’ve been known to the government,” Judge Todd Edelman explained during an Aug. 21 hearing on the matter.

The prosecutor is seeking answers on how this mistake happened. He made a discovery request on June 12, which the DFS refused.

Judge Edelman reviewed 53 pages that were held or redacted from the DFS regarding the forensic evidence.

“DFS was not focused on corrective action,” he said. “In many of the documents, DFS employees were proceeding with case work, reexamining what has already been done.”

On May 1, defense attorney Steven Kiersch filed a motion to dismiss his client’s indictments based on the introduction of false testimony in the grand jury and, alternatively, to require the prosecution to give the defense counsel the entirety of the grand jury minutes.

“Mr. Kiersh is making the argument that DFS engaged in a conspiracy that frames his client for murder,” the prosecutor said. “We are trying to lay a solid evidentiary foundation to argue against these far fetched claims.”

Judge Edelman said that the next step is to have an evidentiary hearing as part of the defense’s motion to dismiss the case.

“I need to see these documents before we can revisit the issue about what we need to do to go forward,” said Kiersh.

The next court date for this case will be selected through court chambers.

McLeoud and 26year-old Joseph Brown were indicted as co-defendants at one point, but their cases have since been severed. At one point, the two homicide scenes were determined to be linked by ballistic evidence. That evidence was later discovered to be erroneous, but not until after incorrect firearms testimony was presented to a grand jury.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Armed Carjacking

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrested a suspect in connection with an armed carjacking that happened on Sept. 27.

At around 3:43 p.m., suspects approached the victim on the unit block of Kennedy Street, NE. The suspects allegedly brandished handguns and demanded the victim’s vehicle as well as property. After the victim complied, the suspects fled the scene in the vehicle.

One suspect was arrested on Nov. 10. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Suspect Arrested, Others Sought for Defacing Property

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 21 year-old man in connection with a defacing public/private property offense that happened on the afternoon of Oct. 31. They are also seeking the public’s assistance location additional suspects in connection with the offense.

The additional suspects were captured by a surveillance camera.

At around 1:37 p.m., officers responded to the 5400 block of 5th Street, NW for the report of vandalism. Upon arrival, they discovered that suspects used spray paint to deface a structure.

Document: Suspect Sought in Connection with Shooting

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

At around 9:18 a.m., officers responded that the 3100 block of 14^th Street, NW for the sound of gunshots. There, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera.

Crime Alerts: November 9-10

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

The most recent alert was sent at 3:17 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 600 block of 1st Street, NE. Police are looking for a mid-20s Black male with long dreads, a brown complexion, black hat, mustache and armed with a handgun.

An alert for a robbery was sent at 1:21 a.m. on the 2600 block of Evarts Street, NE. Police are looking for a Black male with a dark complexion, 6’0″ in height, 150-160 pounds, between 20 and 25 years of age and wearing a grey jacket.

Another alert for a robbery was sent at 12:39 a.m. on the 1400 block of Howard Road, SE. Police are looking for a Black male with a light complexion and a Black male with a dark complexion, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and a black coat.

At 12:22 a.m., an alert was sent for a robbery with a gun on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a face mask and all black clothing. A blue Challenger with unknown tags was stolen.

The final alert was sent at 11:25 p.m. for a robbery investigation at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and M Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male wearing all black in a white Jeep Cherokee bearing Maryland plates 98700CH.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened in the early hours of Sept. 30.

At around 1:14 a.m., officers responded to the 3200 block of Hiatt Place, NW for the sound of gunshots.

There, they found 33 year-old John Pollard suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Nov. 9, 28 year-old Randle Price was arrested for first-degree murder while armed – felony murder. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Suspects Sought in an Armed Robbery Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives from the First District seek the public’s assistance in locating suspects in connection to an armed robbery that involved a gun.

The offense occurred on Friday, Nov. 6 on the 700 block of D Street, SE.

At approximately 2:55 p.m. that day, the suspects entered an establishment at the listed location.

One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded money. The suspects took the money and subsequently fled the scene.

The suspects were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in form below.

Anyone who can identify these individuals, or 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.

MPD currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Judge Holds Nine , Releases 15 During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 9, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released 15 defendants and held nine defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

The judge held two defendants in separate fugitive cases and released them in their misdemeanor cases.

Antonio Lucas, 26, and Rasheed Ashton, 27, are both fugitives from justice from Maryland with underlying charges of armed robbery. They are also charged with receiving stolen property in separate cases. Given the nature of the charges in Maryland, they were held to give officials from Maryland three days to pick them up.

A 43-year-old defendant charged with sexual abuse and violating bail was held.

He also appeared in court on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. The judge held him because of his significant history of show cause hearings.

Judge Pipe held a defendant charged with destruction of property less than $1,000.

Mathew Atkins, 24, was held because of his attempted second-degree burglary charge in a felony case as well as additional cases from the past several years. Judge Pipe said she could not ensure the safety of the community if Atkins was released.

Two defendants charged in separate domestic violence cases were held.
One defendant, charged with contempt for violating a condition of release, was held.

He was held because he could not verbally confirm whether he could comply with the conditions of a potential stay away order, which he had already violated once. He kept on repeating the name “Jesus Christ” throughout his hearing, saying his compliance with court orders depended on Jesus Christ.

The second defendant is charged with assault on a police officer and simple assault.

The judge made the decision to hold the defendant because he is currently on one year supervised probation in two separate cases where he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry onto public property.

Judge Pipe also held Jovahn Cox, who is charged with armed robbery.

The 19-year-old defendant was held due to the serious nature of the charge.

The judge held a defendant who returned on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a pretrial show cause hearing.

He was held because he is in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and has an extensive history of bench warrants.

Judge Pipe held a defendant to be rebooked on another case, even though he was released in a separate felony matter.

Of those released, eight defendants are charged in domestic violence cases. Five defendants were given stay away orders and two were given orders not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victims.

Judge Pipe released five defendants who are charged with felonies. Four of the defendants are charged with carrying a pistol without a license, and one is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two of the defendants were placed into HISP while another was given a stay away order.

Two final defendants, one charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of ammunition and the other charged with a hit and run, were both released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Judge Continues Murder Hearing, Defense Requests Evidence

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a Nov. 9 murder hearing to pick back up tomorrow in order to finish the cross-examination and revisit evidence.

Kyree Fields, 20, is charged with the first-degree murder of Keith Rawlings on July 26. The incident occurred on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street SE.

Rawlings was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a bullet allegedly fired from a passing vehicle while he was driving. Rawlings then crashed his vehicle into a nearby building.

Today marked the start of the preliminary hearing, which will ultimately determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to go to trial.

Parties ran into a disagreement when defense attorney Kevann Gardner said he wants access to the Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage from the crime scene in order to gain information about the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective’s representations at the crime scene.

Gardner argued that the prosecution is obligated to turn over this material because of the Jenks Act, which requires prosecutors to provide the defense with evidentiary material relating to witness statements upon the defense’s request.

“We’re in this [valley] of speculation where we don’t know whether there is Jencks,” said Gardner.

The prosecutor, however, argued that the Jenks Act did not apply to the BWC, because nothing the detective said at the crime scene qualified as witness statements. She said the detective only asked questions and was primarily the receiver of information.

Judge Neal Kravitz called for a recess that lasted about three and a half hours in order to give the prosecutor time to reevaluate the BWC footage that included the witness in the frame.

Upon returning from the recess, the prosecutor highlighted four instances in which the detective was featured in the BWC footage; however, according to the prosecutor, none of those instances were substantive enough to qualify as Jencks material.

The prosecutor said she would review all audio from the BWC ahead of tomorrow’s hearing. She said she will also check to see if MPD footage picked up audio of the witness when he is not in the frame.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Georgetown Football Player and Brother Arraigned on Felony Murder Charges

A DC Superior Court judge remotely arraigned two brothers currently living in Georgia on felony murder charges.

Co-defendants Daivion Williams, 22, and Dijon Williams, 21, are charged with felony murder while armed in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas, who was fatally shot during a July 21 robbery on the 4100 block of 14 Street, NW.

Dijon Williams is a senior at Georgetown University. He was spending the summer with his brother in their Atlanta home, and was planning to take courses remotely in the fall.

At the time Thomas was killed, the two were visiting friends in DC.

The brothers were arrested in their home in Georgia and were released under the High Intensity Team Supervision (HITS) on a $50,000 bond. They were put on home confinement with GPS monitoring to ensure the public’s safety.

During the Nov. 9 hearing, the defense attorneys requested that an exception be made for their clients’ home confinement order so that they could attend a family reunion.

“This is a murder case,” said the prosecution. “The allegations are that both of these defendants committed a robbery that ended in a homicide and then jetted back to Georgia immediately after.”

Judge Danya Dayson denied the request. “It’s not about punishment, it’s about the safety of the community,” she said.

The Williams brothers’ next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.

The case is still under investigation.

Sierra Robbins wrote this article.

Judge Takes Domestic Violence Defendant Charged with Stalking off GPS Monitoring

A DC Superior Court judge granted a motion to take a domestic violence defendant off GPS monitoring.

The defendant is charged with stalking. During the Nov. 9 hearing, Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard arguments from defense attorney Joseph Wong as well as the prosecution, who opposed the motion.

The prosecutor argued that the GPS was acting as a deterrent for the defendant.

“The main concern is the nature of the allegations,” the prosecutor said.

The defendant allegedly, on three separate occasions, called 911 to report that there was a man with a gun at the victim’s house. The police responded to the calls only to find the allegations were not credible.

The defendant is also alleged to have called the victim and threatened to kill her once her GPS monitor was removed. However, Wong disputed the allegation.

“We absolutely deny that any such threat was made,” he said.

Judge Raffinan ultimately allowed the defendant to remove the monitor.

“I do think, based upon her compliance with the GPS thus far [she will be] in compliance with the stay away no contact [order],” she said

The defendant will no longer be under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Instead, she must report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and return to court for her next hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 28. She must also continue complying with the stay away-no contact order.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article

Defendant Receives New Attorney as Motion to Dismiss Case Waits to be Heard

A DC Superior Court judge appointed a new attorney for a defendant charged with multiple felonies as a motion to dismiss his case waits to be heard.

Raymond Furman is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, simple assault and obstruction of justice.

Furman filed a motion for new counsel on Sept. 2.

During the Nov. 9 hearing, Jonathan Zucker was appointed as his new defense attorney. He said that he has already had multiple phone conversations with the defendant, who has had multiple attorneys withdraw since his case opened in October 2017.

At that time, Furman was arraigned on the assault with intent to kill charge, and has been held at DC Jail ever since. His indictment was filed the following July.

D.C. Witness previously reported that, in October 2019, Furman filed a motion for his case to be dismissed on the argument that his constitutional right to a speedy trial was violated, but the motion has yet to be heard due to changing lawyers and delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an Oct. 5 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that new counsel was necessary before considering the motion.

Zucker requested a hearing to discuss the speedy trial issue.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a motion hearing to take place on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 in response to the prosecution’s request that the hearing takes place over two days due to scheduling issues with witnesses.

Domestic Violence Defendant Faces No Additional Jail Time

On Nov. 9, a felony domestic violence defendant received a fully suspended sentence.

Dimitrious Brown was originally charged with assault with significant bodily injury. However, he pleaded down to a lesser charge of simple assault. He was also sentenced for contempt.

Judge Julie Becker sentenced Brown to one year, all of which was suspended, plus one year of probation.

“We do recognize that Mr. Brown is very young and has made progress, but there were serious injuries to the victim,” said the prosecution.

The assault rendered the victim unconscious, but defense attorney Sellano Simmons said that the victim faints easily when she gets excited.

Judge Becker reduced the stay away to an order not to Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) the victim. Brown must also pay $150 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) Compensation Fund.

“Mr. Brown, I wish you the best of luck,” said Judge Becker.

Sierra Robbins wrote this article.

Document: Teenager Killed in Georgetown Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened in the early hours of Nov. 7.

At around 2:56 a.m., officers responded to the the 3300 block of Water Street, NW for the sounds of gunshots. There, they found 19 year-old Franklin Hernandez Arevalo suffering from a gunshot wound.

Arevalo, a resident of Alexandria, Va., was pronounced dead on the scene.

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