Judge Denies Domestic Violence Defendant’s Medical Release Request

On Oct. 13, a DC Superior Court judge denied a motion to release a domestic violence defendant due to medical issues.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He has been held since the charge was filed against him on June 9.

The defense’s motion was oral, not written. Judge Judith Smith said the lack of a written motion caused some confusion in the courtroom, as it was not explicitly clear what the defense wanted. There were also some communication difficulties when the defendant’s medical records were not forwarded to all parties involved in the case.

The defendant told Judge Smith how he was experiencing excruciating pain in his back due to nerve problems. He had previously received physical therapy and injections to help with his pain.

The defendant said he was not receiving adequate pain treatment at the DC Jail. He cited a 23-hours per day lockup and a hard metal bed as reasons for back stiffness and pain. D.C. Witness could not get more information about the defendant’s back problems.

However, the defendant said the DC Jail is working on locating a neurosurgeon. However, according to the defendant, the medical professionals at the jail told him it would take some time.

The prosecution expressed opposition to his release. The prosecutor also asked if the jail could provide the defendant with treatment since the medical professionals at the correctional facility are working on securing an appointment for the defendant with a neurosurgeon.

The prosecutor said he did not see any information that circumstances have changed so much to justify the defendant’s release.

Judge Smith emphasized several times during the hearing that many defendants have medical conditions, which alone is not enough to secure a release from jail. The defendant is still being held in jail.

The prosecution also put a pre-indictment plea offer on the record for the defense to consider.

The defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article

Document: Police Seek Suspect in Armed Robbery

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in reference to an armed robbery that occurred on Oct. 11.

At approximately 10:48 a.m., the suspect entered an establishment on the unit block of H Street, NW. The suspect brandished a handgun and took cash from the register before fleeing the scene.

The suspect can be seen in the photos below.

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Document: Suspect Sought for Robbery

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect involved in a robbery on Oct. 11.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. The suspect snatched U.S. currency from the victim before fleeing the scene.

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Document: Suspect Arrested for Unarmed Carjacking

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for an unarmed carjacking offense that happened on Oct. 11.

At around 1:08 a.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 1300 block of Okie Street, NE. The suspect entered the victim’s vehicle and tried to take it. He was apprehended by responding officers.

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Document: Police Seek Suspect for Assault With a Gun

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect involved in an assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) offense that occurred on Oct. 11.

At around 12:04 p.m., the suspect approached the victim on the 600 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. The suspect brandished a handgun and shot at the victim before fleeing the scene.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by a nearby camera and can be seen in photos below.

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Document: Suspect Sought for Leaving After Colliding and Unauthorized Use of Vehicle

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s assistance identifying a suspect in connection with leaving after colliding and unauthorized use of a vehicle offenses that occurred on Oct. 12.

At around 8:35 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block of 6^th Street, NE for the report of a single vehicle accident. There, they found vehicle that had struck a building, causing extensive damage. The driver of the vehicle had fled the scene.

Upon further investigation, police found out that the vehicle was stolen from the 600 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE that same day.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera.

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Document: Suspect Arrested in Connection with Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for assault with a dangerous weapon.

At around 12:44 p.m. on Oct. 12, the suspect approached the victim on the 200 block of Upshur Street, NW. The suspect brandished a knife and stabbed the victim. He was apprehended by responding officers.

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Document: Suspects Sought for Second-Degree Burglary

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying suspects in connection with a second-degree burglary offense that happened on Sept. 25.

At around 8:46 p.m., suspects forced open the door of a building on the 1200 Block of Oak Drive, SE. They then took property and fled the scene.

Suspects were captured by surveillance footage.

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Document: Maryland Resident Killed in Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on Oct. 9.

At around 11:22 p.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE for the sounds of gunshots. There, they found 41 year-old Eugene Miller, of Brandywine, Md. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Document: Homicide in Anacostia

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that took place on Oct. 9 in the Anacostia neighborhood of DC.

At around 9:56 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of W Street, SE for the sounds of gunshots. There, they found 28 year-old Yisa Jeffcoat, of Southeast, DC. He was taken to the hospital, but ultimately pronounced dead.

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Crime Alerts: October 12-13

Between 1 p.m. on Oct. 12 and 9 a.m. on Oct. 13, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 9:07 p.m. on Oct. 12 for a stabbing investigation on the 2700 block of MLK. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a black skull cap, a gray shirt with orange trim and a bright blue jacket. He was last seen fleeing the location on foot.

An alert was sent at 6:58 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 4400 block of G Street, SE. Police are looking for three Black males and one Black female who were last seen fleeing eastbound on G Street, SE in a silver Nissan Altima with DC tags.

The final alert was sent at 1:26 p.m. for a stabbing investigation that occurred at 12:45 p.m. on the 300 block of Vallum Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male with a light complexion, 180-190 pounds, 30-35 years of age, wearing glasses, a gray hoodie and a burg hat.

16 Homicides in September

There were 16 homicides in September, just two fewer than August.

Thirteen, nearly 82 percent, of the victims died from shootings.

There was also a police-involved shooting that happened on July 2. After fleeing Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on foot, Deon Kay allegedly brandished a firearm and was subsequently shot by an officer. He died at a local hospital. Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage of the incident was later released.

Kay was the youngest person who died from a shooting in September. The average age for the victims who died from homicides during the month was 33.

One victim’s cause of death remains unknown.

It was close to midnight on Sept. 17 when officers responded to the 7000 block of Blair Road, for the report of a shooting. There, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police canvassed the area and found 38 year-old Phillip Roache unconscious and unresponsive on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Roache’s death was the only homicide to happen in Ward 4 during the month of September. Homicides increased in Wards 2, 3, and 8. Homicides decreased in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6. Ward 7 was the only ward to go unchanged with four homicides.

One of the victims killed in Ward 8 includes David Farewell. Farewell was 45 years-old when he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle Sept. 4 on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE.

The preliminary investigation was intentionally struck, according to a press release. Six days later, 29 year-old Eric Beasley was arrested for first-degree murder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 to determine if the case against Beasley has enough evidence to go to trial.

An arrest has also been made in connection with the only stabbing death that occurred in DC this month. Hassan Jalloh, 20, was fatally stabbed Sept. 16 on the 600 block of I Street, NW. A juvenile female, 16, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in connection with Jalloh’s death on Oct. 6.

Police have also apprehended Stephon Darnell Williams for allegedly shooting 49-year-old Stephen Magruder on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE on Sept. 11. Williams, 28, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 28.

Terrell Edward Poe was also arrested for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Christopher Washington on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE on Sept. 23.

Poe, 33, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 26.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant Under YRA

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a felony domestic violence defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

Delante Pitt, 25, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury felony in August. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dropped his other case, in which he was charged with simple assault.

Judge Julie Becker sentenced Pitt to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of probation.

“I’m not a bad person, and I don’t have a background,” said Pitt. “I don’t have notorious charges, I’m a family guy.”

During the Oct. 9 sentencing, the prosecution requested an extended period of probation and asked for a stay away order.

Defense attorney Daniel Dorsey requested 18 months of probation to give his client time to satisfy the conditions of his probation.

Judge Becker recognized that the fundamental problem is the defendant’s mental health. She required the defendant to take mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes and anger management classes as part of his probation.

Pitt must also comply with a stay away order and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund.

Judge Releases 1 Defendant, Reschedules Hearing for Another

A DC Superior Court judge released one defendant and continued an arraignment of another on Oct. 9.

Arntae Jackson and Antonio Williams are charged with contempt of a Civil Protection Order (CPO)/Temporary Protective Order (TPO).

Jackson’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, requested his client’s released. The prosecution did not oppose the request.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan released Jackson on his promise to return to court for his next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 10. He must also report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and verify his address.

Antonio Williams was scheduled to be arraigned today, but he did not show up to court. Williams’ attorney, Alvin Thomas, said he has not been able to get in touch with his client.

Judge Raffinan continued the arraignment hearing to Oct. 16.

Arraignment Rescheduled For October

On Oct. 9, a DC Superior Court judge rescheduled the arraignment of a defendant charged with criminal contempt, while two other contempt defendants were scheduled for another hearing in November.

Jude Collins is charged with contempt of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) / Temporary Protective Order (TPO.)

Attorney Brandi Harden spoke on behalf of Collins, whose presence in court was waved. Harden asked for the arraignment to be continued because her client is currently on medication and would be unable to fully understand what is going on.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to schedule a new hearing for Oct. 30.

Another defendant, who is also charged with contempt in a separate case decided to plead guilty under a deferred sentencing agreement on Nov. 13. He is scheduled for a review on May 3, 2021.

A defendant, who is also charged with contempt, is scheduled for a status hearing on Feb. 23, 2021. The status hearing follows another noncompliance notice that was filed on Nov. 4.

The defendants have a status hearing scheduled for Nov. 10.

Emily Pengelly wrote this story

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