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Judge Holds 2 Out of 23 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On July 31, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 21 defendants and held two defendants in DC Jail.

Of those released, two did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and one was given a citation and released.

Judge Crowell held a defendant who was charged with assault on a police officer.

Michael Cole allegedly wrestled, pushed and said “f*** you” to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers while they were attempting to settle a dispute at David’s Tent, which is located on the National Mall, on July 30.

Cole said he would not be willing to follow Judge Crowell’s order to stay away from David’s Tent. “That is a church and they are on federal property,” he said. Cole then suggested the judge was trying to kick him out of DC. 

Judge Crowell ordered that the defendant receive an inpatient mental health screening due to his behavior in the courtroom.

Another defendant, who was charged with unlawful entry, destruction of property, second-degree theft and contempt in a domestic violence case, was also held. 

Judge Crowell cited the defendant’s three pending cases, two of which involved domestic violence with the same victim, as reason to hold him. Judge Crowell also said the defendant will not follow court orders, as indicated by two bench warrants that were executed for his arrest earlier this year and his violation of a stay away order.

There were eight additional domestic violence cases. Six defendants were released with either stay-away or no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders towards the victims. One of the defendants was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and served with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).

One defendant was charged with being a fugitive from justice. She is wanted in Maryland for assault. Judge Crowell released her with orders to turn herself in to Maryland authorities immediately.

Four felony cases were presented before the judge involving unlawful distribution of a hallucinatory drug known as PCP, possession of PCP, second-degree burglary and armed robbery. 

Two of the defendants were released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), while the two charged with the robbery and burglary crimes were both released with a GPS monitoring device and given stay-away orders.

Five additional misdemeanor cases were heard by Judge Crowell. Three of the defendants have charges involving assault while the other two have multiple charges. Four defendants were given stay-away orders.

A defendant, charged with second-degree theft, was still in the hospital, so Judge Crowell moved his hearing to Aug. 1. The defendants presentment hearings have been pushed back since July 23.

Judge Revokes Defendant’s Pretrial Release

DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe revoked a defendant’s pretrial release in three domestic violence misdemeanor cases due to noncompliance reports and a felony arrest.

The defendant has been held since July 16 after he was arrested, while on pretrial release, for assault with a dangerous weapon. 

The July 29 hearing was held to address his alleged violation reports with pretrial release, which were filed on June 9, July 2 and July 10.

The defendant, 43, is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000, assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).

“He is somebody who is in need of multiple visits a week with mental health services,” said defense attorney Sean Coleman. “Jail will not get him better.”

Coleman said prior to the pandemic, the defendant met with a caseworker three times a week to discuss his mental health issues.

The prosecution requested that the defendant’s release be terminated, citing his long criminal history. 

“To my count he has 15 priors, many of which are violent,” said the prosecution. 

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said the defendant violated a stay away order for three minutes on July 1 and four hours on July 3. 

The prosecution read a victim impact statement, which said “the stress of not knowing whether or not [the defendant] will show up at her doorstep has deteriorated her health conditions.” 

Coleman said there is no evidence that his client had any contact with the victim. He said the defendant, who was only in the area to take a bus near his house, did not realize he was violating the stay away order. 

The officer said the defendant was “verbally abusive” and “extremely aggressive” during a meeting to discuss his stay away violations. 

The defendant apologized for his actions towards the officer. He said that, while not an excuse, he only acted out because he was concerned about getting to his first day of work on time. 

The officer also said that the defendant got his GPS monitor installed on June 18, which is 13 days later than he was supposed to. 

On July 15, someone called 911 because they were concerned about the defendant, who had been lying unconscious on the ground.

A D.C. Fire and Emergency Services dispatcher arrived to treat the defendant on the 4200 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. However, when he became alert, he said “get the f*** off of me,” flipped out a knife and chased the dispatcher around with it. 

According to court documents, the defendant appeared to be under the influence of a mind-altering substance during the offense. 

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Document: Multiple Arrests Made in Robbery Offenses

The Metropolitan Police Department announced several arrests in recent robbery cases in DC.

A 14-year-old juvenile male and a 15-year-old juvenile male were arrested on July 28 for a robbery (force and violence) that occurred on July 6 on the 100 block of Uhland Terrace, NE.

A 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 for a robbery (fear) that occurred on July 27 on the 100 block of U Street, NE.

36-year-old Tashima Barnes was arrested on July 27 for a robbery (force and violence) on the 1300 block of Fairmont Street, NW.

19-year-old Avante Greene was arrested on July 29 for a robbery snatch that occurred on June 11 on the 3800 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

A 16-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 for an assault with intent to commit robbery that occurred on June 10 on the 1300 block of Upshur Street, NW.

A 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 and charged with five offenses that all occurred on July 25 and July 27. The first offense, armed robbery of an establishment, occurred on the 3400 block of 14th Street, NW.

The second offense, armed robbery (gun), occurred on the 7400 block of 7th Street, NW. The third offense, armed robbery (gun), occurred on the 6600 block of Piney Branch Road, NW.

The fourth offense, armed carjacking (knife), occurred on the 600 block of Columbia Road, NW. The fifth offense, armed robbery (knife), occurred on the 600 block of Irving Street, NW.

A 17-year-old juvenile male of Maryland was arrested for an assault with intent to rob while armed offense that occurred on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE on July 24.

Two 15-year-old juvenile males and a 16-year-old juvenile male were arrested for a robbery (force and violence) on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE on July 27.

22-year-old Kevonte Randall was arrested for armed robbery (gun) that occurred on July 21 on the 200 block of Newcomb Street, SE.

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Crime Alerts: July 30-31

Between 9 p.m. on July 30 and 9 a.m. on July 31, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 4:32 a.m. for a shooting that occurred at 3:55 a.m. on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a ski mask and a Hispanic male wearing a ski mask.

The second alert was sent at 3:38 a.m. for a confirmed shooting that occurred on the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Police are looking for two males wearing ski masks.

If anyone has information about these shootings, please call 911.

Crime Alerts: July 30

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert during the day on July 30.

At 2:52 p.m., the police department sent out an alert for a shooting on the 5100 block of Banks Place, NE. Police are looking for a black male who is wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and white shoes. The suspect was last seen occupying a black crossover SUV with a silver grill.

Judge Schedules Further Hearing for Murder Defendant

On July 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing for Aug. 24 to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Daniel Fleetwood is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Shana Donahue, who was stabbed to death on May 28 inside a residence on the 2900 block of N Street, SE. The murder is a domestic violence case.

Matthew Davies, Fleetwood’s defense attorney, asked Judge Dayna Dayson to schedule the preliminary hearing to take place in three to four weeks. 


Judge Schedules Hearings for Seven Assault Defendants

On July 29, DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson scheduled hearings for seven defendants with various assault charges.

Kenneth Lindsay, 35, is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly sexually harassing a victim and then attempting to sexually assault her on the 4600 block of B Street, SE.

The parties in Lindsay’s case deliberated over a protective order sealing the Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, worn by a police officer during the initial investigation of the incident. The prosecution argued that the victim has a right to privacy when talking about her assault, but the defense said the privacy right was not an appropriate cause for a protective order.

Judge Dayson decided that only the defense could see the footage. She then scheduled a hearing for Aug. 7 to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Raymond Poston, 53, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to gunshots on the 400 block of Florida Avenue, NE. When they got there, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. After searching Poston’s car, they found multiple weapons and drugs.

Judge Dayson scheduled a status date for Poston on Sept. 1.

Wendell Clay, 40, is charged with second-degree theft, simple assault, assault on a police officer and destruction of property less than $1,000 on the 1600 block of 30th Street, NW at the Randle Highlands Elementary School.

At the request of the defense, Judge Dayson scheduled a detention hearing for Clay on Aug. 7.

Jerrell Bell, 23, is arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly pulling out a handgun on a victim that he was harassing on the 800 block of Randolph Street, NW. The victim shot Bell in self-defense, and Bell was transported to the hospital and treated for two bullet wounds.

Bell’s defense attorney, Chris Langello, said that he has had significant plea agreement discussions with the prosecution. He asked for a preliminary hearing to be scheduled on Aug. 17 in the event that he is not able to come to an agreement with the prosecution. The plea offer expires on Aug. 14.

Marco Rinaldie is charged with simple assault for allegedly punching and kicking a victim at Franklin square on K Street, NW. Rinaldie’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, did not know that Rinaldie was being held prior to his hearing. At Harden’s request, Judge Dayson set a detention hearing for Rinaldie on Aug. 10.

Dawat Hailu is charged with simple assault for allegedly threatening to punch people while panhandling and then threatening a victim with a knife on the 1400 block of Irving Street, NW.

Janai Reed, Hailu’s attorney, asked Judge Dayson for Hailu to be given a mental forensic examination in order to determine if he is competent to stand trial. She said that Hailu does not currently seem capable of understanding the charges and nature of a plea.

Judge Dayson then set a mental health observation hearing for Hailu on Aug. 6. 

Finally, Dominick Jackson, 35, is charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000 for allegedly pushing a victim to the ground after a verbal argument on the 1100 block of 1st Place, NW. Jackson was also on probation for another simple assault case at the time of the incident.

Jackson’s attorney, Steven Polin, requested that Jackson be released on the basis of COVID-19, but Judge Dayson said that Jackson does not fit any of the guidelines for potential release. She scheduled a detention hearing for Aug. 12.

Judge Schedules Further Hearing for Firearms Defendant

On July 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a further hearing for a firearms defendant.

Muhammad Byrd, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction after a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) saw his Instagram live video, which featured another man, later identified as Tyrik Williams, holding a gun. An arrest warrant for Byrd and Williams was issued on May 28 for their arrest as a result of an MPD investigation.

Jason Kalafat, Byrd’s attorney, said he had not spoken to Williams’ attorney prior to the hearing on July 29 because he assumed the co-defendants would be scheduled for hearings at the same time. Kalafat requested that a hearing be scheduled with both defendants in order to determine how to proceed in the cases.

Judge Danya Dayson granted the defense’s request, scheduling a hearing for July 31 in order for Kalafat and Williams’ attorney, Bryan Bookhard, to decide how to move forward.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Burglary Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a further hearing for a defendant.

John Rayfield Richards, 46, is charged with second-degree burglary. He was initially released June 1, but court documents stated that he was still being held, which caused confusion during the July 29 hearing.

Judge Dayna Dayson figured out that his status was listed incorrectly.

Atiq Ahmed, Richards’ attorney, said that circumstances have changed in Richards’ case because he was presented in court on July 29 for an additional case. He also said that he is exploring a resolution for the older case with the prosecution.

Ahmed also said that, while Richards has multiple pending cases, the burglary case has co-defendants. He requested that all of the defendants appear before the court in the same hearing.

Judge Dayson then set a hearing on Sept. 8 to discuss the status of Richards and his co-defendant’s case. 

Judge Continues Hearing for Defendant to Consider Withdrawing Plea

On July 30, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing in order for a felony domestic violence defendant to consider withdrawing his guilty plea.

The defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges of simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and second-degree cruelty to children for throwing one of his nephews to the ground in an argument. The defendant then threatened his sister and her children with a knife.

As part of a plea deal, the prosecution agreed not to seek an indictment on further charges from the incident. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss two other cases, in which the defendant is charged with a bail violation and simple assault.

Judge Dayna Dayson sentenced the defendant to three months of incarceration for the weapons charge, alongside a consecutive sentence of 180 days for the assault charge, all but 90 of which were suspended.

Judge Dayson also sentenced the defendant to three years of supervised probation, conditions of which include complying with mental health and substance abuse assessments as well as stay away orders from the victims.

After the sentence was imposed, the defendant became unhappy with the results. He said that the purpose of him pleading guilty was to be released into the community in the near future. Judge Dayson reiterated that judges do not have to comply with recommended sentences.

After the defendant spoke with his attorney, Steven Ogilvie, he decided that he needed more time to consider withdrawing his guilty plea.

The defendant will appear in court again on Aug. 7 to further discuss his decision regarding the guilty plea.

Judge Holds Five Out of 26 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On July 30, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 21 defendants and held five defendants during initial hearings.

The judge decided to hold a murder defendant, a woman charged with assaulting a police officer, two domestic violence defendants at the DC Jail. Another man was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Carlo General, 20, allegedly shot an 11-year-old child on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE on July 4. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed on July 30. 

General is also a fugitive from Virginia and was issued multiple bench warrants for not appearing before court in a 2019 case in which he was charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

The prosecution said General picked up his murder case while on supervision by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and asked that he be held.

Judge Crowell found there was probable cause for the murder. He held the defendant in both his murder and fugitive cases.

General’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19.

Another defendant charged with assault on a police officer and destruction of property less than $1,000 was released. Jamiah Gray, 29, also known as Jamika Gray, was arrested on July 29 after she allegedly spat on a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer and dented his cruiser.

The prosecution said that Gray is also a fugitive from the state of Maryland where she was charged with assault.

Judge Crowell ordered that she be held in her fugitive case but released on her other case. Maryland has three business days to pick her up from DC Jail.

A defendant was charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 after he allegedly sprayed a fire extinguisher in an apartment on the 4600 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs, NE. He was also charged with assault and unlawful entry in a domestic violence case.

Judge Crowell decided to hold him, citing an extensive criminal history, including ten bench warrants and numerous burglary and simple assault convictions.

Another domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault, destruction of property less than $1,000, second-degree theft, and obstruction of justice was held.

Judge Crowell said the defendant violated a Civil Protection Order by assaulting the victim on July 29 and had done so repeatedly in the past. 

He said that GPS monitoring and the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) both failed to bring the defendant into compliance.

Gabriel Gonzalez allegedly brandished a knife in front of a woman and threatened to kill her on July 29. He was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Judge Crowell decided to release him on his case, but he was then taken into the custody of ICE for another matter.


Of those released, one was given a citation and released and one had no charges brought against them by the prosecution.

The judge also released seven additional domestic violence defendants with conditions. Six defendants were given stay-away orders and one was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the victim.

Four defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were all released. Two had underlying charges in Maryland and two had underlying charges in Virginia. Judge Crowell ordered them all to go to the demanding jurisdictions and turn themselves in to authorities.

Four defendants charged with felonies were also released by Judge Crowell. Three were charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business and one was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two were given stay-away orders while the other two were ordered not to possess any firearms in DC. One of the defendants also had two additional cases and was placed on GPS monitoring by the judge.

There were three additional misdemeanor cases. All were released with either stay-away or no HATS orders.

One defendant was brought in under three bench warrants for failing to appear for his hearings. He was released with new court dates in all three cases.

A final defendant charged with a misdemeanor for second-degree theft was still hospitalized, so his hearing was continued to July 31.

Judge Schedules Hearing to Review Evidence in Robbery

On July 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a robbery case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Maurice Singletary, 28, is charged with robbery. 

Defense attorney Raymond Jones, told Judge Danya Dayson that the prosecution has extended a plea offer. He then requested a hearing to determine if the prosecution has enough evidence against the defendant to go to trial. Jones requested the hearing be scheduled in case Singletary decides he does not want the plea.

After Judge Dayson scheduled the hearing for Aug. 19.

The prosecution also extended the length of the plea offer.

The prosecutor said the plea offer will be officially revoked when the hearing starts.