Judge Schedules Next Hearing for Defendant with Drug Charge

On Aug. 7, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to give the defense more time to consider a plea offer.

Clenteous McCoy, 22, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found a substance that tested positive for cocaine while conducting a search warrant on June 17 on the 300 block of 63rd Street, NE.

Defense attorney Sara Kopecki said that the prosecution extended a plea offer, which her client is seriously considering.

Judge John Campbell continued the hearing to Aug. 12 at the agreement of both parties.

Judge Holds Six Out of 34 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 28 and held six defendants in DC Jail.

Judge Herrmann held a defendant who is charged with contempt for violating a stay away order in a domestic violence case. This is the defendant’s third case with the same victim.

She decided to hold the defendant because he was unsuccessful with GPS supervision previously and was a loss of contact with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Dion Parker is charged with fugitive from justice for fleeing from Maryland, where he has a pending robbery case.

Parker is being held so he may be extradited to Maryland.

Judge Herrmann also held Cordell Phillips, who is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed with a knife.

Gerald James was charged with two charges of tampering with his GPS monitoring device. Judge Herrmann released him on those charges, but he was held on a parole warrant.

Walter Parker was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and leaving after colliding. Judge Herrmann released him on the charges presented before her, but he was held in another pending federal case.

Alexander Gant-Jenkins was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business. Jenkins was found on a party bus along with 13 other individuals where at least four firearms were recovered. Gant-Jenkins allegedly had a firearm on his person as well as crack cocaine, Oxycodone and what appeared to be synthetic cannabinoids.

Gant-Jenkins’ defense attorney requested he be released, citing his lack of adult criminal history. Judge Herrmann decided to hold him, however, citing the drugs found on his person as well as him being under supervision in a prior juvenile matter.

Three co-defendants of Gant-Jenkins were all charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of the home or a business and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. All were released with orders not to possess firearms in DC due to their lack of criminal history.

There were three additional domestic violence cases, and Judge Herrmann released all of them with stay-away orders from the victims and location of the incidents.

Three defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were released with orders to turn themselves into the demanding jurisdictions where they are wanted for various charges.

Five additional felony cases were heard involving possession of firearms, possession or distribution of drugs and robbery. Three were given orders not to possess firearms and two were given stay-away orders.

Five misdemeanor cases and one traffic case was presented before Judge Herrmann, and she released all defendants with various release conditions.

Two defendants were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear for their hearings, and both were released with new hearing dates.

Two defendants, one charged with being a fugitive from justice and one with second-degree theft, were in the hospital, so Judge Herrmann re-scheduled their hearings for Aug. 8.

Of those released, six had no charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Defendant Pleads Guilty, is Released Awaiting Sentencing

On Aug. 7, a defendant pleaded guilty and was released awaiting sentencing.

Carina Powell, 27, was charged with robbery for demanding money from a bank on the 3800 block of 12th Street, NE, on Feb. 24.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, Powell pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempt to commit robbery.

After Powell pleaded guilty, defense attorney Raymond Jones asked that his client be released while waiting to be sentenced. Jones said that Powell has asthma and has been held for five months already. He also said that she accepted responsibility for the crime very quickly.

Judge Michael Ryan agreed to release Powell, saying the only way he will know if she can do well on probation is if she has experience in the community prior to sentencing. Judge Ryan required Powell to enroll in the Specialized Supervision Unit (SSU) of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and get tested for alcohol. He also ordered Powell to comply with a 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. curfew and attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.

Powell is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 7.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Assault Case

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for an assault that occurred on Aug. 7.

At approximately 5:45 a.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NW and assaulted the victim with a cane.

The suspect fled the scene, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Police have arrested a 30-year-old man and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7031500-8-7-20-Arrest-Made-in-an-Assault-With-a.html” responsive=true]

Judge Does Not Release Defendant from St. Elizabeths

On Aug. 7, a DC Superior Court judge denied a defendant’s request to be released from St. Elizabeths Hospital, saying he still needs to receive mental health treatment.

Dominique Thurston is charged with second-degree burglary while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for allegedly breaking into an unoccupied residence on Jan. 22 on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Responding Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers also recovered a firearm.

Thurston, 25, was transferred from DC Jail to St. Elizabeths hospital in February. A Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report found Thurston competent to stand trial in July. However, defense attorney Amy Phillips disagreed and had her own expert evaluate Thurston. The defense expert found Thurston incompetent to stand trial.

Judge Michael Ryan said that the Aug. 7 hearing was meant to be an opportunity to contest Thurston’s competency finding. However, Phillips said she did not know that this was the intention, and was unable to contest the competency report. Therefore, Judge Ryan decided to continue the hearing to Aug. 31.

Defendant Shows Up to Hearing as Judge Considers Bench Warrant

A defendant arrived at her hearing as a DC Superior Court judge considered issuing a bench warrant for her arrest.

Brittney Marshall, 26, is charged with unlawful entry onto public property for allegedly walking into a United States Secret Service restricted area on Feb. 11. She was put on pretrial release and ordered to stay away from the White House Complex. However, she allegedly violated the order on Feb. 18, causing her to be charged with contempt.

Marshall is also charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm for allegedly threatening a victim after becoming upset over living arrangements on Feb. 20 on the 1300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

A full competency examination was ordered on April 30. She was held at St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. Judge Michael Ryan deemed her competent to stand trial on July 27. He also ordered for her to be released from the hospital within 48 hours. She was instructed to report to the Specialized Supervision Unit (SSU) of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)

Marshall was not present at the start of her Aug. 7 hearing. Judge Ryan said that a PSA representative alerted him that Marshall was never assigned a supervisor due to an error within the agency.

Another PSA representative updated Judge Ryan, saying that Marshall was connected to mental health services and has been seeing a doctor.

Marshall’s attorney, Peter Cooper, did not know where his client was and did not have contact with her. The prosecution requested a bench warrant, which Judge Ryan said he was considering issuing when Marshall arrived at the hearing.

After Marshall arrived, Judge Ryan confirmed that she had been going to her doctors appointments.

Marshall’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Document: MPD Investigating Homicide in Benning Ridge

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 6.

At around 5:47 p.m., police responded to the 600 block of 46th Place, SE for the report of sounds of gunshots. When they arrived, they found Michael Brittingham, a 26-year-old resident of Northeast, DC, unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services determined that the victim showed no signs of life.

A second adult male was also found on scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital for life-threatening injuries.

A juvenile male also walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound, and was treated for non life-threatening injuries.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7031204-8-7-20-Homicide-600-Block-of-46th-Place-Southeast.html” responsive=true]

Judge Denies Probable Cause, Releases Defendant

On Aug. 6, a DC Superior Court judge denied probable cause in a domestic violence case.

“Probable cause is an extremely low standard, but it still requires some level of proof,” said Judge Judith Pipe.

The defendant was charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, obstructing justice and contempt.

Defense attorney Kristin McGough described the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) report as “laziness, not an investigation.”

The officer who wrote the report said a victim approached him, saying that her significant other pulled her hair and took her phone during a fight.

Based on the victim’s allegations, the officer said he called for back up to arrest the man of a “confirmed domestic violence case.” At this point, he had not seen or attempted to talk to the defendant.

Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage revealed that when the officer arrived, the defendant was wearing different clothes than the victim described. This, as well as the fact his demeanor was different than what the victim described, was not included in the report.

The officer also failed to include the defendant’s statement that the victim scratched him.

The police report said the officer performed a probable cause search, but BWC footage only showed the officer patting the defendant down.

The victim told the officer that she had never called the police on the defendant. However, footage revealed that when asked why the defendant had a GPS monitor on him, the defendant replied it was because of the victim. The officer made no mention of this contradiction in the report.

McGough questioned the credibility of the victim, who said she feared for her life, but left her three children with the defendant.

The prosecution argued that while “clerical errors” were made, probable cause should still be found.

Judge Pipe said she found it “seriously concerning” that the officer did not feel the need to put information that contradicts the victim’s statements in the report.

Judge Pipe released the defendant and removed him from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) in his other domestic violence case.

The prosecution asked her to reconsider her decision, since a June 26 notice of noncompliance stated the defendant had 36 pretrial release violations.

The judge denied the request, arguing that the violations were minor and that it may be counter-productive to ensure that the defendant stays in the house with the victim.

“I don’t see the point of wasting court resources on enforcing arbitrary rules that are not serving a purpose to the community,” said Judge Pipe. “I am not going to make restrictions on someone’s liberty just because the government can.”

The defendant is still placed on HISP in a felony case involving assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, possession of a prohibited weapon and contempt.

Judge Pipe said the defense must go through the case’s calendar judge if they want the defendant to be taken off HISP.

She also ordered the defendant may not harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim. If he does, he may be charged with contempt of court.

The defendant’s next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Year of Probation

On Aug. 6, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year or probation.

Eric Dease pleaded guilty to simple assault and bail violation.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges for simple assault, bail violation and attempted threats to do bodily harm were dropped.

Judge John McCabe ordered Dease, 31, to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund.

As conditions of his probation, the defendant must participate in a mental health evaluation.

He was also ordered to stay away from and not Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) the victim.

The victim said he incurred large medical costs from a shoulder injury that resulted from the assault. He also said the incident has made him scared to walk home, which he never experienced before in the 30 years he has lived in DC.

“I was most hurt by the fact he had so many friends that came to his rescue and I was so alone,” he said.

At around 7:20 p.m. on May 24, Dease followed the victim on the 5400 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE. The defendant got agitated that he was ignoring him and punched the victim’s lip and head., according to court documents.

Judges Schedules Hearing to Review Pretrial Detention

On Aug. 5, DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell scheduled a hearing to review the pretrial detention of a defendant.

The defendant was charged with felony contempt of court after he was arrested on June 10 for violating a stay away order he has from a residence on the 2800 block of 28th Street, SE. The defendant, 36, recieved the stay away after he was charged with first-degree sexual abuse on June 7.

Witnesses say he got into the building by damaging the door jam and then banged on an apartment door on the third floor.

Jeffrey Stein, the defense attorney, said he did not wish to schedule a preliminary hearing for his client. Instead, he requested a bond review hearing to reconsider his client’s pretrial detention in his contempt case.

Stein also asked that his client be present for the hearing.

Judge Campbell scheduled the hearing for Aug. 18.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 60 Days in Jail

On Aug. 6, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 255 days in jail, 195 days were suspended. The defendant must also serve one year of probation.

Alexander Day pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and destruction of property.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his contempt charges were dropped.

Judge John McCabe ordered Day, 28, to pay $150 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund and $500 in restitution to a victim for damages to a door.

The door cost $1,100, but the victims did not want to impose a cost they felt was unreasonable for Day to pay.

The defendant also broke a window of the Wesley Theological Seminary President’s House, but the owner did not seek restitution for the damage.

As conditions of his probation, Day must take part in a mental health screening and recommended treatment.

Judge McCabe ordered him to stay away from his parents, their home, American University and the Wesley Theological Seminary Center.

Defense attorney Ravi Regunathan cited his client’s paranoid schizophrenia as the reason for the offenses.

The prosecution said he suffered from schizophrenic episodes since high school.

Day apologized for his actions and expressed remorse.

According to court documents, Day entered American University’s Sport Center Lounge and laid down on a couch on Jan. 1, despite being barred from the campus. He told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers that he knew this, but just needed to use the restroom.

On April 24, the defendant broke a window to gain access to a building on the 3800 block of University Avenue, NW. When police arrived, Day said the residence was his property and that he had a right to live there.

Documents: Suspect Arrested for Offenses in Northwest, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has announced the arrest of a suspect for multiple offenses that occurred in Northwest, DC.

On July 17 at about 7:40 p.m., a suspect entered a victim’s vehicle on the 4600 block of Ashby Street, NW and fled the scene in it. That same day at around 10:00 pm, the suspect entered a victim’s vehicle on the 5100 block of Albemarle Street, NW and fled the scene in it.

On July 21 at around 2:00 a.m., the suspect entered the garage of a residence on the 4800 block of Dexter Street, NW. Once inside, he took property and fled the scene.

On July 25 at around 5:20 a.m., two suspects entered a garage on the 4800 block of U Street, NW. Once inside, they took property and fled the scene. The case remains under investigation.

On Aug. 5, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested a 21-year-old resident of Southeast, DC. He was found to be operating a stolen vehicle and in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7031134-8-6-20-Arrest-Made-in-Burglary-Offenses-in-the.html” responsive=true]

Crime Alerts: August 6-7

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 6 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 7, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:06 a.m. for a stabbing on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE. Police are looking for two Black males.

An alert was sent at 5:02 a.m. for a robbery with a gun on the 4600 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a dark-colored jacket.

The final alert was sent at 9:27 p.m. for a shooting on the 2400 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a blue SUV.

If anyone has information about these events, police ask you to call 911.

Crime Alerts: August 6

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out three crime alerts on Aug. 6.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:14 p.m. for a shooting on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE. Police are looking for a black male with a light complexion, white tee shirt with “Levis” written in red on the front and dark jeans.

At 12:49 p.m. an alert was sent out for an armed robbery on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE. Police are looking for four black males who are 18 – 24 years of age, slim build, and wearing all black clothing. The suspects are armed with handguns.

An alert was sent at 9:55 a.m. for a robbery (force and violence) on the 4800 block of Benning Road, SE. The police are looking for two black males. The first suspect is 140 pounds, wearing a light red sweater and blue jeans. The second suspect is 150 pounds, with a dark complexion, and wearing a black sweater and blue jeans. Both suspect are 5’7″.

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

Judge Holds Five Out of 21 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 16 defendants and held five during initial hearings.

Antwon Wilkins was held by the judge on a charge of armed carjacking. Wilkins’ defense attorney said he was being lumped in with others seen in video footage, but Judge Herrmann held him anyway, citing his “significant criminal history.”

Robert Clark is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly pulling a knife on a man in a bathroom,. He was held because he has four pending cases, one of which is another assault case in DC.

Taquan Hardy was held on a charge of being a fugitive from justice, where he is wanted in Maryland for armed robbery with a gun. The defendant waived his hearing in DC for Maryland authorities to come pick him up within three business days.

Markus Kemp is charged with four cases. He is charged with two cases of being a fugitive from justice where he is wanted in Maryland for a probation violation and burglary. In his two additional cases, he is charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Kemp’s defense attorney requested he be released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), but Judge Herrmann found him too dangerous to be released.

The final defendant that was held is charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case. Judge Herrmann held the defendant, citing that he violated a stay-away order by being near the victim in this case.

Of those released, four were not charged by the prosecution.

There were five additional domestic violence cases heard by Judge Herrmann. She released all of them with stay-away orders from the victims.

Five misdemeanor cases were heard, involving charges of possession of cocaine, simple assault, failure to register as a sex offender and assault on a police officer. All defendants were released under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). One was given a stay-away order, as well.

Three felony charges involving carrying firearms were released by Judge Herrmann. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders and one was also put on GPS monitoring.

Two defendants were charged with vehicle-related offenses, and one was released with orders not to drive in DC at all.

One defendant was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear for his probation hearing. He was released with a new court date.

A defendant charged with second-degree theft has been in the hospital since July 20, so his hearing has been moved again to Aug. 7.

Search