Judges Hold 21% of Defendants During Initial Hearings in Second Half of October

Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 31, DC Superior Court judges presided over a total of 348 cases during initial hearings, which is an increase of 14 percent from the first half of October.

Of the 348 cases, judges held 74 defendants in DC Jail. They released 274 defendants on pretrial supervision or probation.

Overall, judges held around 21 percent of all defendants and released almost 79 percent of the defendants. Compared to the first half of October, judges held almost 5 percent less in the second half of October.

Of the four judges that presided over the hearings, Judge Errol Arthur held the highest percentage of defendants, 26 percent. He heard only 77 cases in total and held 20 of the defendants.

Judge Juliet McKenna held the lowest percentage of defendants, releasing just over 84 percent of all defendants and only holding around 16 percent. In total, she heard 63 cases during this time period.

Judge Sean Staples and Judge Heide Herrmann held defendants at similar rates. Judge Staples presided over 163 cases, holding close to 22 percent and releasing around 78 percent. Judge Herrmann heard only 45 cases and held 20 percent, releasing 80 percent.

There were 66 domestic violence cases, 93 felony cases, 117 misdemeanor cases, 14 traffic cases, 58 fugitive cases and 25 bench warrant cases.

In all of the cases, judges mentioned at least 46 instances of violations, which occurred while defendants were either on pretrial release, probation or parole.

The violations included failing to appear at hearings, violating stay away orders, tampering with a GPS monitoring device or failing to get one installed, failing to register as a gun offender and not reporting to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

According to D.C. Witness data, violations have increased by more than 21 percent from the beginning of October to the end of the month. In total, there were 84 violations mentioned for the full month of October.

Of the 348 defendants brought before the court, at least 88 of them were on some sort of supervision, including pretrial release, probation or parole. This is an 11 percent increase from the first half of October.

Looking at domestic violence cases in the District, the court saw 66 new cases come through in just two weeks. This is an increase of almost 16 percent from the beginning of October.

Of the 66 new cases, judges held 12 defendants in DC Jail and released 54. In total, just over 18 percent of the domestic violence defendants were held while almost 82 percent were released.

Charges for the domestic violence defendants who were held, included simple assault, contempt, destruction of property, violations of Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) or Civil Protective Orders (CPO) and weapon possession charges.

Additionally, seven of the held defendants were either on pretrial release or probation when they allegedly committed new offenses.

*Editor’s note: All figures in the above article are approximate.

This report was written by Krystin Roehl. Caitlyn O’Neil contributed.

Brothers To Appear in Remote Hearing for Murder Case

On Nov. 3, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ruled that two brothers involved in a murder case will appear remotely on Nov. 4.

Dijon and Daivion Williams are alleged to have been involved in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas. They are accused of killing Thomas in the process of an attempted robbery on July 21 on the 1400 block of Taylor Street, NW.

Both parties will appear remotely for a hearing to address bench warrants, stay away orders and scheduling matters in the murder case.

During the Nov. 3 hearing, Dijon’s defense attorney, David Knight and Daivion’s attorney, Kirstin McGough, requested that the bench warrants against their clients be quashed.

Dijon, 21, was charged with first-degree murder while armed on Oct. 27. On Nov. 3 a charge of felony murder while armed was filed against his 22-year-old brother Daivion. A case number has not been assigned to the older brother as of Nov. 3.

The two are currently being held in Georgia and have stay away orders from one another. The Fugitive Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) squad and U.S. Marshals notified parties that it is not possible to book the brothers remotely.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Tyrone Williams is charged with first-degree murder (felony murder) in the death of 80-year-old Bobby Poole. The 50-year-old defendant, along with an unidentified suspect, allegedly assaulted and robbed Poole on March 29 on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

Poole suffered acute hemorrhage damage from the assault. He was pronounced dead on May 6. After the autopsy, Williams’ charge was upgraded from assault with intent to commit armed robbery to murder.

During the Nov. 3 preliminary hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case identified the defendant in the courtroom and answered questions regarding the initial police report.

During cross-examination, the detective testified that Williams was found with no weapons and was cooperative with the police on the scene.

The prosecutor said there is video footage showing William waiting outside of a 7-11 before robbing and assaulting the victim. However, no video footage was shown during the hearing.

“The government is basing the entire case on Williams being at a crowded 7-11 on a crowded street, this was a chaotic scene,” said defense attorney Stephen Logerfo.

Judge Michael O’Keefe found there was enough evidence, albeit circumstantial, that indicated that Williams was identified as one of the perpetrators of the robbery that ultimately caused Poole’s death.

Logerfo asked Judge O’Keefe to release his client on GPS monitoring. However, the judge denied the request due to Williams’ prior record.

Williams’ next hearing, a felony status conference, is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Saif Habboub wrote this article

Document: Two People Arrested in Death of 2 Year-Old

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested two people in connection with the death of two year-old Gabriel Eason.

At around 8:25 a.m. on April 1, officers responded to the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE for the report of an unconscious person.

There, they discovered discovered DC Fire and EMS members conducting life-saving efforts, inside of a residence, on Eason, who was unconscious. After all life-saving efforts failed, the child was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death to be a homicide.

On Nov. 3, officers arrested 31 year-old Ta’Jeanna Eason and 28 year-old Antonio Turner, both of Northeast, DC, for first-degree murder – felony murder and cruelty to children.

Document: Victim of Nov. 2 Homicide Identified

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the victim of a Nov. 2 homicide.

At around 2:22 p.m., officers responded to the 4000 block of Ames Street, NE for the report of an unconscious person. There, they found an adult male, in the wooded area alongside the location, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The victim’s identity was withheld pending next of kin notification. However, he has now been identified as 24 year-old Avadis Holtzclaw, of Northwest, DC.

Document: 20 Year-Old Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened in the early hours of Oct. 18.

At around 12:55 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW for the report of a man down.

There, they found 64 year-old Saul Hernandez, of Northwest, DC suffering from blunt force trauma. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Officers also found a second adult male with non life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital.

Twenty year-old James Williams of Northwest, DC was arrested on Nov. 2.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Southwest, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a traffic fatality that happened on Oct. 23 on I-395 Southwest, near Exit 2.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, at around 4:30 a.m., a box truck was traveling southbound on I-395 when it collided with a construction flatbed truck, with two employees on the bed of the truck.

One of the employees, 44 year-old Anthony Edward Nickens of Capitol Heights, Md., succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 2.

Document: Homicide in Benning Neighborhood

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the afternoon of Nov. 2.

His identity is being held pending next of kin notification.

Judge Holds Seven Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 2, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held seven defendants in DC Jail and released 35 defendants during initial hearings.

Edwin Pritchett, 26, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance while armed, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The offense occurred on Nov. 1 on the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE and was a part of a “buy/bust” operation being performed by the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division’s (NSID) Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU).

Although Judge Herrmann agreed that Pritchett doesn’t have a long criminal history, with the exception of one case, she chose to deny the defendant’s request for release due to allegations of the defendant being armed while distributing cocaine. Pritchett will be held at DC Jail.

Antoine Gaskins, 31 is charged with a bail violation for failing to appear in court in a pending misdemeanor case. He is also charged as a fugitive from justice, where he is wanted in Maryland for homicide.

Additionally, Gaskins was brought in on three bench warrants for failing to appear in court and for failing to return to the DC jail after being released to attend the birth of his child.

The defense argued that his newborn was going through heart problems in the hospital which required Gaskins to provide for the family. However, due to the alleged homicide occurring during his release from the jail, the judge decided to hold him until his next hearing.

Nicholas Lightfoot was brought before the court in two separate cases. In his first case, he is charged with being a fugitive from justice on a warrant for his arrest for vehicle theft in Minnesota. In his second case, Lightfoot, 36, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Judge Herrmann released Lightfoot on his fugitive charge but decided that because of his previous convictions of armed robbery and carrying a pistol without a license, he is better off held due to the danger he poses.

A 32-year-old defendant, who is charged with contempt for a domestic violence case, was held in DC Jail until his next hearing.

The defendant was required to use a GPS monitor to track his location but never got it installed and was deemed a loss of contact by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). Four bench warrants were also issued for his arrest for failing to appear at his hearings.

Judge Herrmann held him in all of his cases.

James Penn, 45, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He is also charged as a fugitive from Maryland for a dangerous drugs charge.

The defense argued for Penn’s release, saying he hadn’t had a violent offense since 1995. Herrmann said, due to the fact that he had multiple zipped bags of crack cocaine in his possession as well as a firearm, she believed Penn was looking to distribute.

The judge decided to hold him in both cases until his next hearing.

Charles Farmer, 22, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction as well as possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Police arrested Farmer near the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace, SE after spotting what ended up being a pistol in his pants. He also has an active fugitive case against him from the state of Maryland for a weapons charge.

Defense counsel requested Farmer’s release, saying he has been regularly taking drug tests, pursuing education and looking for employment while on probation.

But, Judge Herrmann decided to hold Farmer in DC Jail based on his previous weapons charge as he is not allowed to possess a firearm because of it.

Judge Herrmann also held Tayron Farrar, who is a fugitive from Maryland, where he is wanted for armed robbery.

Given the danger of the alleged offense, Judge Herrmann said she was not inclined to release the defendant, so Farrar waived his extradition hearing in DC in order to give Maryland authorities three business days to pick him up from the jail.

Of those released, eight defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. The charges included simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, violation of a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and assault with a dangerous weapon. All of the defendants were either given stay away orders or orders not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victims.

Judge Herrmann also released six defendants with fugitive charges. Five of the defendants are wanted in Maryland and one is wanted in Virginia. All were ordered to turn themselves into the demanding jurisdictions as soon as possible.

Five defendants charged with misdemeanors, four defendants charged with felonies, two defendants charged with traffic offenses and three defendants brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear were released.

Release conditions included reporting to PSA, stay away orders, not possessing any firearms or ammunition, enrollment into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and no driving after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Seven additional defendants were released on citations for misdemeanor charges. They are all scheduled to return to court in April of 2021.

Two final defendants, one charged with being a fugitive from justice and one charged with simple assault, are in the hospital, so their cases were continued to Nov. 3.

This article was written by Andrew Douglas and Krystin Roehl

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Anacostia

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on Nov. 1 on the 1300 block of Mapleview Place SE.

According to a press release, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the location at 1 a.m. Kareem Palmer, 16, was pronounced dead at a local area hospital.

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

Document: Traffic Fatality on Ridge Road and Southern Avenue, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrest a man suspected of being involved in a traffic fatality that occurred on Oct. 31.

Around 5:36 p.m. a Mercedes-Benz was driving southbound on the 4400 block of Southern Avenue, SE before colliding into a Dodge Magnum.

After being transported to an area hospital, 42-year-old Kenneth Cooper was pronounced dead.

There was also an adult female and a juvenile male in the car who sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The drive of the Dodge, 34 year-old Calvin Kyle, was arrested Oct. 31 for leaving after colliding and driving without a permit.

Document: Police Arrest Woman for Assault with Knife

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a woman on Oct. 31 for her connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that occurred on the 1900 block of 19th Place, SE.

The suspect allegedly approached the victim and brandished a knife before stabbing the victim, documents state.

The suspect was apprehended and investigations revealed that the dispute was between known parties.

Document: Police Arrest DC Man for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives made an arrest in connection to an assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) offense that took place on Oct. 31, on the 1300 block of F Street, NE.

Around 3:15 p.m., the suspect brandished a knife and stabbed a victim. The MPD’s investigation showed that this was a dispute between known parties.

The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

Defendants Plead Guilty to Gun Possession Charge

On Nov. 2, two defendants entered a plea of guilty before Judge Rainey Brandt for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Weslee Wilkinson, 18, and Azion Johnson, 20, were originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting three people attending a cook-out on May 29 at the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE. Johnson was previously charged with carrying a pistol without a license as well.

The prosecution offered a plea deal that included lesser charges on the condition that both defendants must accept it.

Defense attorneys, Julie Swaney and Sellano Simmons, requested that their clients be released from DC Jail before sentencing.

Swaney said that Wilkinson has not attended high school for the past four months and asked that her client be placed on home confinement so he can continue his education.

“While I can appreciate these two young men stood up and did the adult thing by confessing their criminality, they both possessed guns during a shootout,” said Judge Brandt.

The request was denied despite the defendants’ limited criminal history. Both Wilkinson and Johnson will return to DC Jail to await their sentencing date.

“I know hearing that you will continue to be detained crushed your spirit a little,”said Judge Brandt. “But I need you to push through that and remain strong.”

Their sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16 on Judge Brandt’s request that it take place before the holidays.

Sierra Robbins wrote this story.

Judge Issues Seven Bench Warrants, Continues 2 Show Cause Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge issued seven bench warrants, continued two hearings and revoked one probation during pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Nov. 2.

Judge Gerald Fisher issued a bench warrant for a defendant’s failure to appear to his pretrial show cause hearing.

James Turner, 50, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. He allegedly has not been reporting to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and has yet to verify his address. His defense attorney, Sharon Weathers, made representations that her client suffers from mental health issues and is homeless.

A bench warrant was issued for Marico Wright, for his failure to appear.

Wright pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to distrust a controlled substance on Sept. 21, 2016. As part of his sentence, he was put on two years supervised probation. A notice of noncompliance with his terms of probation was filled on Oct. 5.

A bench warrant was also issued for Devon Brown, who failed to show up to court and has not been in compliance with the terms of his probation.

Brown pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful possession of liquid PCP on Oct. 4, 2019. He was given one year of supervised probation. A notice of noncompliance was filed on Sept. 28. According to his probation case manager, Brown has yet to pay what he owes to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund. He also has been re-arrested on drug distribution charges in Arlington, Va.- where he remains held.

The judge issued a bench warrant for Eric Thorne, due to his absence in court today and noncompliance.

The 29-year-old is charged with unlawful entry on private property. Notices of noncompliance were issued on June 30, Aug. 13 and Sept. 22. According to PSA, he has not connected with mental health services because he has not renewed his insurance. He has also been a loss of contact with the agency. The last time PSA made contact with him was on June 3, a representative told the judge.

A bench warrant was issued for Jerome Benton due to his failure to appear.

Benton, 39, is charged with assault on a police officer, simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm in one case. He is on probation in another, where he pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a prohibited weapon on Oct. 2, 2019. In both cases, he has received multiple notices of noncompliance with conditions.

In his probationary matter, a previous bench warrant was issued on Jan. 9.

Judge Fisher also issued a bench warrant for Christopher Christian for his failure to appear to his pretrial show cause hearing.

The 39-year-old is charged in five cases. In the first case he is charged with contempt and a violation of a condition of release. In the second and third cases he is charged with bail violations. He is charged with simple assault in his fourth case and possession of a controlled substance in his fifth.

PSA said that he has not been reporting in any form to their office. Christian’s defense attorney also failed to appear to court today.

A probation show cause hearing was continued for Ronell Brown on April 5, 2021. The hearing was continued to give Brown enough time to get into compliance with the terms of his probation.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm on Oct. 25, 2018. At sentencing he received two years supervised probation. A notice of noncompliance was filed on June 16.

A second defendant’s hearing was also continued by Judge Fisher to see if a defendant will comply with his conditions of release. The judge also ordered the defendant to physically go to the PSA office today.

The 47-year-old defendant is charged with simple assault and sex abuse in two separate cases. He has not been reporting to PSA and multiple notices of noncompliance were filed in both cases.

Judge Fisher set a status hearing for Jan. 19 for a defendant charged in two separate cases with misdemeanor distribution of marijuana and distribution of a controlled substance, respectively. The judge also quashed the defendant’s bench warrant in her misdemeanor case.

Monique Thomas, 51, received a certificate of completion from the Federal City Recovery Services drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. She plans to continue her addiction and mental health treatment and her progress will be verified in the future status hearing.

Judge Fisher also ruled that if Byron Anderson’s drug tests come back negative, and he pays the amount owed to the victim’s compensation fund, his probation will be terminated as successful.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance on Oct. 20, 2016. His probation was revoked on Aug. 21, 2018.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.

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