Judge Terminates Noncompliant Defendant’s Probation

On July 29, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee terminated a defendant’s probation after a Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative said he was not being compliant.

A probation violation was filed against Ronnie Marshall on Feb. 12.

On March 30, 2018, he was sentenced to 20 months of incarceration, 19 of which were suspended, plus three years of supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The defendant was ordered to participate in drug testing, grief counseling, anger management classes, community service and the Vocational Opportunities for Training, Education, and Employment (VOTEE) program as part of the conditions of his probation.

Marshall was also ordered to maintain or seek employment and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 9 Months of Probation for Unauthorized Use of Vehicle

On July 29, a defendant pleaded guilty to attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle and was sentenced by a DC Superior Court judge.

Alexi Aguirre, 24, was initially charged with receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more, no permit and unauthorized use of a vehicle after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers stopped him while he was driving a car at the intersection of Chesapeake Street and Overlook Avenue, SW. After scanning the car’s license place, officers discovered that it was reported stolen in Fairfax, Va.

As a part of Aguirre’s plea deal, his charges of receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more and no permit were dropped, while his unauthorized use of a vehicle charge was lowered from a felony to a misdemeanor of attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle.

At the recommendation of both the prosecutor and Joseph Molina, Aguirre’s attorney, Judge John Campbell sentenced the defendant to 90 days in jail. The incarceration time was suspended, but Aguirre was required to serve nine months on probation.

There was also a consensus among the parties regarding the importance of drug and alcohol treatment for Aguirre, who had been found to be under the influence of multiple substances on the day of his arrest.

Aguirre previously participated in a drug treatment program at a facility in Florida while on pretrial release this year. He contracted the coronavirus during the program, but has since recovered.

Conditions of Aguirre’s probation include drug and alcohol treatment. He will have to complete any treatment deemed appropriate by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Judge Dismisses Seven Cases During Extradition Hearings

On July 29, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell heard 13 extradition hearings, where all defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice from various jurisdictions.

Of the 13 cases, Judge Crowell dismissed seven per the prosecution’s request.

One of the defendants, Kevin Kyle, was held by Judge Crowell in order for Virginia authorities to pick him up.

According to Kyle’s defense attorney, he tried to turn himself over to Virginia in April but they told him they were not accepting walk-ins due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The attorney requested Judge Crowell reschedule the hearing in order for Kyle to turn himself in again, citing that Virginia is now in Phase 3 of their re-opening.

Judge Crowell held the defendant, however, citing his very limited options under the law. Virginia will have until Aug. 3 to pick Kyle up from DC Jail or another extradition hearing will be held in DC.

The prosecution requested 30-day extensions on four cases as they were still waiting on paperwork from the demanding jurisdictions. Judge Crowell granted the extensions.

One defendant failed to appear for his extradition hearing as well as failed to turn himself in to the demanding jurisdiction. Judge Crowell issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Four Homicide Defendants

On July 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing for four co-defendants charged with murder.

Reginald Steele, Aaron Brown, Tyiion Freeman and Koran Jackson allegedly murdered 13-year-old Malachi Lukes by shooting him in the neck on March 1 on the 600 block of S Street, NW. A bench warrant was issued for the defendant’s arrests on May 27, and the defendants were charged with first-degree murder on May 30.

According to court documents, the defendants were involved in a gang in the District of Columbia. The co-defendants were getting revenge for the murder of a fellow gang member that occurred in the same area.

On July 29, the co-defendant’s attorneys appeared before the court to discuss next steps in the case. All of the parties agreed on scheduling a preliminary hearing at a later date to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial. Defense counsel said they still needed time to review the evidence with their clients.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place from Sept. 8 to Sept. 9 due to the amount defendants and evidence in the case.

All four co-defendants are being held at the DC Jail.

Judge Continues Hearing for Stabbing at DC Jail

On July 27, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna continued a hearing for a man charged with attacking another inmate at the DC Jail.

Rakeem Willis is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly assaulting another inmate at the DC Jail with an unknown sharp object on July 3.

A corrections officer escorted the victim, who was handcuffed, from the shower to his cell. According to court documents, Willis, who was cleaning the housing unit, rushed past the officer and entered the cell.

The officer said he saw Willis, 29, punching the suspect but did not see a weapon in his hand.

The victim told another corrections officer that he was injured. The victim was taken to the jail infirmary for initial treatment. He had stab wounds to the forehead, left arm, back and right shoulder. The victim was taken to Howard University Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, documents state.

The victim declined to provide a statement about the incident to detectives.

No weapon was recovered.

The hearing was rescheduled to Aug. 10.

Willis is also charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Judge Continues Hearing for Robbery Defendant

On July 28, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to give the defense more time to consider a plea agreement.

Kenneth Phillips, 20, is charged with robbery. According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer saw him and another person rifling through the pockets of a victim on March 26 on the unit block of Hanover Place, NW. The defendant allegedly knocked the victim unconscious.

Phillips has been held at DC Jail since his initial hearing on March 28.

The prosecution offered Phillips a plea agreement. Defense attorney Heather Pickney said she wanted to go over the plea agreement and more of the prosecution’s evidence with Phillips before they could accept it.

Judge Danya Dayson agreed to continue the hearing to give the defense more time to consider their options.

Phillips is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 17 to continue discussing the potential plea agreement.

Phillips has three felony cases and one misdemeanor case pending at DC Superior Court.

Defendant is A ‘Shining Example,’ Judge Says

A DC Superior Court judge reviewed a defendant’s probation and said she was considering ending it early.

Antonio Green, 20, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. On Jan. 7, Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced him to six months of incarceration, all of which were suspended, plus one year of supervised probation under the guidelines of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.) As conditions of his probation, Judge Brandt ordered him to maintain or seek employment and attend grief counseling.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative said Green has been employed by a construction service and has been “very respectful” throughout his supervised probation thus far.

“I am proud of you, sir,” Judge Brandt said. “Keep up the good work.”

She inquired whether counsel was opposed to Green’s probation being successfully terminated early. The defense had no opposition to the question, but the stand-in prosecutor said that the case’s usual prosecutor knows more about the case.

Green appeared before the court on July 29 to evaluate his probation. Judge Brandt said she has called a lot of hearings to review probation because many services are not currently operating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Finds Domestic Violence Defendant Competent, Releases Him

A DC Superior Court judge decided to release a defendant to live at a friend’s house after finding the defendant competent to stand trial.

The defendant is charged with violating a Court Protective Order (CPO) and contempt for allegedly violating his release conditions in a domestic violence case.

Judge Michael Ryan chose to release him from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. He is slated to receive services from the Specialized Services Unit (SSU,) an organization for pretrial defendants with mental health needs.

Judge Ryan encouraged the defendant to continue with his treatment and comply with his release conditions.

“You don’t want any more cases in the criminal justice system so you have to work really hard,” Judge Ryan told him.

During the July 29 mental observation hearing, the prosecution argued against the defendant’s release, citing his history of violating stay away orders and release conditions.

However, defense attorney Chidi Ogolo pointed out that his client has been compliant with medication and treatment.

Judge Sentences Involuntary Manslaughter Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to five years of incarceration, of which two years were suspended with credit for time served, plus 18 months of supervised release.

Adrian Vinson pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of 19-year-old Tahlil Byrd, a resident of Southeast, DC, on the 600 block of S Street, NW on Sept. 29.

During the July 29 hearing, Judge Ronna Beck sentenced the defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. His case will be effectively sealed from public view if he completes the terms of his probation.

Judge Beck also ordered that Vinson take anger management classes. He must cooperate with any educational, vocational, employment and substance abuse programs directed by the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.)

“I’m deeply remorseful for the pain I’ve caused this family,” said Vinson, 20. “Since I’ve been arrested, my main focus has been my education and rehabilitating myself. I want to prove I’m better than the worst mistake I’ve made in my life.”

The defendant must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund and participate in 90 hours of community service.

“There is a big hole in our family. My entire family is lost,” said Byrd’s sister in a victim impactment statement. “We are still getting harassed on social media.”

Defense attorney Douglas Wood said his client has been taking college-level courses at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF.) Wood also said the defendant has nothing to do with the social media harassment that has been occurring.

According to court documents, Vinson shot at Byrd from across the street. The decedent returned fire almost simultaneously.

Byrd appeared to make an attempt to retreat, however, was shot immediately and fell to the ground. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his left abdominal region.

Emergency personnel transported the victim to Howard University Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Bat Beating

On July 26, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect for striking a victim with a bat.

During his initial hearing on July 27, Lawrence Winston, who is also known as Lawrence Morgan, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows the suspect and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation when the 52-year-old suspect struck the victim multiple times with a bat.

The prosecution’s request for Winston to be held pending trial was denied because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendant was released.

He is scheduled for another hearing on Oct. 26.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7009629-7-28-20-Arrest-Made-in-an-Assault-With-a.html” responsive=true]

Document: Police Investigate Homicide After Victim Succumbs to Injuries

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that took place just under two weeks ago.

At about 2:49 p.m. on July 16, MPD officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 5400 block of Bass Place, SE, which is located in the Marshall Heights neighborhood of DC.

There, officers found Marc Mayo, a 49-year-old resident of District Heights, Md., suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital.

An adult male resident of Southeast, DC was subsequently arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon that same day.

Mayo died on July 27. A medical examiner determined that he died from complications of a gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a homicide.

Detectives are working with U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring additional charges against the defendant.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7009457-7-28-20-Homicide-5400-Block-of-Bass-Place.html” responsive=true]

By Andrea Keckley

Crime Alerts: July 28-29

Between 9 p.m. on July 28 and 9 a.m. on July 29, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:18 a.m. for a robbery on the 3300 block of 7th Street, SE. Police are looking for three Black males occupying a white Hyundai SUV.

Another alert for a robbery was sent at 5:45 a.m. on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE. Police are looking for a white SUV with no lights or tags.

Another robbery alert was sent at 5:36 a.m. on the 3900 Block of MLK Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a white Jeep that was last seen turning left onto Atlantic Street, SE.

The final alert was sent at 10:02 p.m. for a shooting on the 4700 block of 15th Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

If anyone has any information about these events, please call 911.

Crime Alerts: July 28

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts after noon on July 28.

The most recent alert was sent at 4:23 p.m. for a robbery on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW. Police are looking for a Hispanic male who has a medium build, curly hair and is wearing a beige color shirt.

At 4:10 p.m. another alert was sent for a shooting at 14th and Girard Street, NW. Police are looking for two black males. One suspect has long dreads, a dark complexion and is wearing a white tank top and blue jeans. The second suspect has short hair and is wearing a black T-shirt.

At 2:15 p.m. police sent out an alert for a robbery on the 1100 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a black male, who has a medium complexion, wearing a white tee shirt and grey pants, dreadlocks, and is about 210 pounds. The suspect was last seen occupying a dark blue Honda.

Police sent out an alert at 2:08 p.m. for a robbery on the 1300 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a black male who is 5’5″, 140 pounds, wearing a white shirt and grey shorts.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes should call 911.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 6 Months in Jail

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to six months of incarceration after he entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Derrick Giles, 26, had two misdemeanor charges and one domestic violence charge from an incident that occurred on June 14.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest charges that he picked up in one of the misdemeanor cases, as well as attempted threats to do bodily harm and Temporary Protective Order (TPO) violation charges he picked up in his domestic violence case. As part of the plea deal, the prosecution dismissed the other misdemeanor case, in which he was charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000.

Judge John McCabe sentenced the defendant to a total of 180 days of incarceration.

He received a 90 day suspended sentence for attempted threats and 30 days for the TPO violation. He also received 90 days for assaulting a police officer and 30 days for resisting arrest.

According to the prosecution’s proffer of facts, Giles returned to the home of a complainant who had filed a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) against him on April 21. The defendant threatened to kill the complainant, and then struggled against and kicked the responding officers who were apprehending him.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on probation for two prior domestic violence cases, including one with the same victim. He was also on parole for a robbery with a deadly weapon case from Maryland.

After Giles serves his time in jail, he is expected to be returned to Maryland to face his parole warrant.

The prosecution said the defendant’s case was “not just a run of the mill TPO violation case,” because the defendant decided to bring danger upon the victim.

Both Giles and David Richter, his attorney, said that the defendant needs to continue receiving mental health services. The prosecution additionally mentioned that he should attend anger management sessions.

“At the end of the day, he does need help,” the victim said. “But if y’all let him out and he does the same s*** anyway, then what?”

Judge Continues Mental Observation Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan continued a July 27 hearing to Aug. 7 to allow a defense attorney to challenge his client’s competency findings.

Dominique Thurston is charged with second-degree burglary while armed, carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Thurston, 25, has been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, since Feb. 12. The defendant was found incompetent to stand trial on Feb. 28, May 8 and June 29.

A medical report filed on July 24 found the defendant to be competent “with some caution,” because of recently escalated mental issues.

The doctor said Thurston had problematic behavior and refused medication periodically. He requested the defendant stay at the hospital for continued treatment.

Defense attorney Amy Phillips opposed the recommendation that her client was competent to stand trial.

Phillips said her client claims to know the victim, contrary to the prosecution’s statements. She said that either the prosecution has evidence to hand over, or the defendant remains delusional about the case.

On Jan. 22, Thurston was found sleeping in the victim’s home on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. A handgun was on a seat near him.

The victim told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, “I don’t know him, I don’t know that man.”

Officers found the victim’s iPhone, portable charger, assorted cars, ear pods and a personal knife on Thurston.

Search