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Document: Suspect Sought In Burglary In H Street Corridor

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a second-degree burglary that occurred on the 400 block of H Street, NE on Sept. 3.

At around 3:40 a.m., the suspect, who can be seen below, broke into an establishment and took property before fleeing the scene.

Anyone who has knowledge of the incident can call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text the anonymous tip line at 50411.

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Document: Suspect Arrested in Connection with Double Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department arrested an 18-year-old for assault with intent to kill.

At around 7:56 p.m. on Aug. 21, officers responded to the 3000 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE for the report of a shooting. There, they found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. They were brought to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police arrested the suspect on Sept. 2. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was being supervised by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for a carrying a pistol without a license charge.

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Judge Appoints Conflict Counsel in Post-Conviction Case

A DC Superior Court judge appointed new legal counsel in a post-conviction case.

In April of 2019, 41-year-old, Travon Eliy was found guilty by a jury for assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, assault with intent to commit armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

He is currently waiting to be sentenced.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on two of the defendant’s charges: assault with significant bodily injury while armed of a senior citizen and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The court therefore declared a mistrial for those charges.

During the Sept. 2 hearing, Eliy’s defense attorney, Heather Pinckney, requested to withdraw counsel due to a conflict. Judge Danya Dayson confirmed that the conflict cannot be waived and therefore granted Pinckney’s motion to withdraw.

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy stepped in to serve as government-provided legal counsel following Pinckney’s withdrawal. 

Judge Dayson accepted Pinckney’s replacement.

Eliy was originally just charged with armed robbery in April of 2016. He picked up the other charges the following September.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1. 

Judge Holds Half of the Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Sept. 3, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 11 defendants and held 11 defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Jaz Pratt is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly participating in a violent shooting on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Aug. 21. Judge Crowell held Pratt due to the severity of the crime and because he committed it while on release for another case, in which he is charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

“I understand that the defendant does not have a long criminal history, but what he has done in the last 5 months is very serious,” Judge Crowell said.

Chistopher Mitchell is held on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for allegedly fleeing a traffic stop while in possession of a gun on Sept. 2. In another case, Mitchell has been wanted by police since April 3, when he escaped a penal institution. 

Dwayne Washington is charged with simple assault for allegedly sexually assaulting at least one individual on the 700 block of H Street, NW on Sept. 2. Judge Crowell held Washington, citing his long, repeated criminal history and that the alleged offense was committed while on release in another case.

Roneka Lewis is held on charges of simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, and destruction of property less than $1,000 for allegedly breaking a woman’s phone and attempting to stab her. Lewis has several open cases and has violated her release conditions for those cases several times. 

“The escalating violence is a particular concern,” said Judge Crowell. “She has also violated her release conditions multiple times, the most concerning being her failure to appear for a mental health assessment.” 

Rachon Bethea is held as a fugitive from justice. He is charged with failure to appear for a homicide case in Maryland. He will be held for three business days until the demanding jurisdiction retrieves him, or he will have another hearing in DC to discuss his release. 

Clifton Smith was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear to a hearing in July to discuss his noncompliance with pretrial release conditions. In the case, Smith is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and assault with a dangerous weapon. Judge Crowell held Smith, citing many court order violations, including stay-away orders, curfews, drug testing and GPS monitoring device tampering.

Zharmel Blount is charged with receiving stolen property. The prosecution was amenable to his release, so Judge Crowell released him in his new case, but he was held on another warrant matter.

Judge Crowell also held four defendants charged with domestic violence offenses.

The first defendant is charged with contempt for violating a stay-away order by calling the alleged victim in another case 19 times. Judge Crowell held the defendant, citing that the “court’s order is unambiguous” and the defendant’s other pending case involves assault.

The second domestic violence defendant held is also charged with contempt. The defendant has two other pending domestic violence cases involving the same complainant. Judge Crowell held the defendant, citing his noncompliance with GPS monitoring and said, “He’s been told not to contact this person and keeps doing it.”

The third defendant is charged with simple assault. Judge Crowell held the defendant, citing his three additional open domestic violence cases and the fact that he is on probation for violating a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) in 2019.

The fourth defendant is also charged with simple assault. Judge Crowell held the defendant as he has two additional pending cases with the same victim. “He appears incapable of complying with court orders.”

Of those released, one defendant did not have charges filed.

Two defendants, charged with being fugitives from justice out of Virginia and Maryland, were released by Judge Crowell with orders to turn themselves in to authorities within the next 24 hours. One of the defendants is also charged with simple assault and second-degree theft in a domestic violence case and was given a stay-away order.

Four defendants charged with felonies were released by Judge Crowell. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders and one was given an order not to possess any firearms or ammunition while his case is pending.

Judge Crowell also released four misdemeanor defendants with various release conditions. One of the defendants, charged with simple assault, was released on GPS monitoring and was given a no harassing, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) order. Another defendant was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with a stay-away order. The other two defendants were both given stay-away orders.

Finally, Judge Crowell presided over a status hearing for a defendant who was charged with being a fugitive from justice and has been in DC Jail since Aug. 29 in order for Maryland authorities to pick him up. The defendant was not picked up by Maryland, so the prosecution dismissed the charges, and he was released. 

Judge Sentences Felon for Misdemeanor Charges

A defendant took a plea deal to resolve six cases he picked up in 2019.

Kevin Lyles, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault and one count of misdemeanor sex abuse in three of his cases.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his other three cases, including charges for simple assault, threats to do bodily harm and bail violation, were dismissed. An additional charge of simple assault, which he picked up in his sex abuse case, was also dropped.

DC Superior Courts Judge Michael Ryan deemed Lyles competent to proceed with the Sept. 2 hearing. 

Judge Ryan sentenced Lyles to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus six months of probation for one of the simple assault charges. He sentenced him to time served for the other simple assault charge and the misdemeanor sex abuse charge.

Conditions of Lyle’s probation include a mental health assessment and treatment, drug testing and alcohol testing. 

The prosecution asked for the defendant to serve the maximum sentence of 180 days in jail with a six month probation period. The prosecutor said the defendant’s confessed crimes brought were a concern of public safety. 

Defense attorney Adam Hunter acknowledged the severity of the offenses, but noted that his client has been detained since October of last year. Hunter also said Lyles has sickle cell disease, which can lead to a “lifetime of chronic pain.” 

Lyles must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund for each of the three misdemeanors to which he pleaded guilty. 

Defendant Is Competent to Stand Trial, Judge Says

On Sept. 3, a DC Superior Court judge declared a defendant competent to stand trial.

Marvin Davis is charged with panhandling, contempt and unlawful entry onto public property. 

Defense attorney Samuel Bogash asked Judge Julie Becker for more time to look over the report on his client’s competency, which the court received from the Bureau of Legal Services on Aug. 28. 

Judge Becker scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 1. 

Davis, 24, picked up his charges for allegedly panhandling two people at the Washington Union Station in Northeast, DC on Aug. 13, according to court documents. He also allegedly touched one of the two individuals, who was shrinking away from him. Davis was ordered to stay away from the station several times before the incident. 

Document: Suspects Wanted in Two Homicides

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are seeking two suspects in two different homicide cases that occurred in July and August in DC.

MPD officers responded to the 800 block of 19th Street, SE on July 12 and found 28-year-old Shanika Williams suffering from a gunshot wound. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Steven Martin Robinson from Southeast, DC. He is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

The second suspect that is wanted for homicide is allegedly involved in the shooting and murder of 26-year-old Michael Brittingham from Northeast, DC.

Brittingham was killed on Aug. 6 on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE.

17-year-old Dreaun Young is wanted for second-degree murder while armed for the murder of Brittingham.

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Judge Transfers Defendant from DC Jail to Mental Institution

On Sept. 3, a DC Superior Court judge transferred a domestic violence defendant from DC Jail to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, the District’s mental institution, after he was found incompetent to stand trial.

The defendant is charged with simple assault and assault on a police officer.

Judge Michael Ryan ordered a full competency exam and treatment for the defendant. His next mental observation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30. 

Judge Orders Competency Evaluation for Defendant

On Sept. 3, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a preliminary screening to determine if a defendant is competent to stand trial.

Anthony Israel is charged with assaulting a police officer, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

Israel, 38, allegedly threatened a Special Police Officer (SPO) on Aug. 13 in front of the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. The defendant then allegedly pulled a machete from his waistband and dropped the weapon before walking towards officers, who arrested him. 

Judge Julie Becker scheduled the forensic examination for Sept. 8. A mental observation hearing will be held on Sept. 29.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Murder Case, Releases Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial, but released the defendant under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Rashad Johnson, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the the death of Senquea Whitley. The 27-year-old victim was shot to death on July 13 on the 3900 block of Clay Place, NE. 

Judge Todd Edelman ruled that the case had probable cause, citing footage from multiple surveillance cameras and a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer’s identification of the suspect as Johnson. Judge Edelman also cited multiple photographs on the defendant’s phone showing him with a handgun fitting the description of the murder weapon. 

Although Judge Edelman did find probable cause, the lack of eyewitness identification combined with the inconsistencies between Johnson and the shooter seen in the surveillance footage led Judge Edelman to release the defendant on HISP until his next court date.

Johnson must comply with GPS monitoring and orders to stay away from the 3800 Block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He will also have a 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew. 

During the Sept. 2 preliminary hearing, the prosecution showed multiple surveillance videos from a Subway restaurant off Minnesota Avenue, NE. The footage showed a male suspect wearing distinctive white Nike sneakers, a black t-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” on its front and a face mask. The man walked through a McDonald’s parking lot before crossing the street to Clay Place, NE.

Once across the street, the suspect appeared to fire three shots at the victim, who was later pronounced dead on scene. The gun in the footage appeared to be a black and silver handgun. The suspect was then seen riding a bicycle to the north before turning onto Benning Road, NE, and then later seen passing The Shrimp Boat restaurant on East Capitol Street, NE.

An MPD detective testified that another MPD officer who arrested Johnson in 2019 identified him as the suspect.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Stein, pointed out that the only person to identify Johnson was the MPD officer who arrested him in 2019. None of the seven eye witnesses could positively identify Johnson as the shooter, only the distinctive white shoes and black shirt worn by the shooter.

When Stein asked the detective how sure the identifying officer was about the shooter being Johnson, he responded by saying “90 percent sure.”

The prosecutors also asked the detective questions about the information collected from Johnson’s phone. The defendant’s phone showed Johnson with a similar black and silver handgun in multiple photos and Instagram posts. 

When Johnson was interviewed after the arrest, he said the photos were not taken by him and that he didn’t own a black and silver handgun. 

Stein argued that the suspect seen in surveillance footage wasn’t wearing a gold necklace that is present in nearly all of Johnson’s photos. He also argued that none of the eye witnesses had seen tattoos on the shooter when Johnson has numerous tattoos on his forearms. 

Stein went on to point out Johnson’s use of his left hand for writing during his interview with MPD officers. Johnson said he is left-handed. The shooter seen in the video is using his right hand to text outside of the Subway restaurant and later shoots the victim using his right hand. 

Stein also said the police failed to find the black and silver handgun, the distinctive Nike shoes or the t-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” on its front in Johnson’s home after obtaining a search warrant.

Judge Continues Sex Abuse Hearing

On Sept. 3, DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker continued a sexual abuse hearing to give the defense more time to review a possible plea offer. 

The defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping for allegedly carrying a victim from a bus stop in Northeast, DC to a small shed, and then raping and sodomizing her. 

The defendant is currently being held at DC Jail. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7.


Judge Schedules Hearing for Carjacking Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a carjacking case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Co-defendants Adrian Proctor and Montoya Woodfolk, both 21, are charged with attempted unarmed carjacking.

On June 22, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a call on the 2900 block of V Street, NE. The officers found the defendants inside their crashed car that they allegedly used to to flee the scene of the alleged offense. 

Proctor is also charged with unarmed carjacking in connection with a similar offense reported to have occurred on June 19. The defendant allegedly rear-ended a BMW. When the driver exited the vehicle, the defendant allegedly entered the car and drove off.

During the Sept. 3 hearing, defense attorney Prescott Loveland said he wanted to set a date for the preliminary hearing so the case could move forward.  Woodfolk’s defense attorney, David Cumberbatch, agreed to a late September hearing so that he has time to contact his client. 

Judge Julie Becker scheduled the hearing for Sept. 21.  

Proctor is currently being held at DC Jail. Woodfolk is released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Tracking Judges: Stats on Holds and Releases in August

During the month of August, DC Superior Court judges released 400 defendants and held 130 defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings, according to D.C. Witness data.

An additional 73 defendants were released because their charges were dropped by the prosecution.

At most, judges held 28 percent of defendants during their initial hearings. 

In total, 24.5 percent of the defendants presented were held and 75.5 percent were released by the judges.

Of the 130 defendants held, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell held 30 percent, DC Superior Court Judge McKenna held 26.2%, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun held 24.6 percent and DC Superior Court Judge Herrman held 19.2 percent.

Judge James Crowell held the second to lowest percentage of individuals compared to the other judges. Of the cases he heard, he only held 23.8 percent of defendants while releasing 76.2 percent.

Judge Heide Herrmann held the lowest percentage of defendants, holding 21.7 percent of the cases she heard and releasing 78.3 percent.

Judge Juliet McKenna held the highest percentage of defendants. In her courtroom, she held 28.1 percent of the cases and released 71.9 percent.

Finally, Judge Robert Okun held 24.6 percent of the defendants he heard and released 75.4 percent.

D.C. Witness follows the initial hearings every day in the DC Superior Court System, tracking all details of the defendants, including charges, pretrial release conditions, whether or not the defendant was on pretrial, probation or parole during the new alleged offense and whether or not COVID-19 plays a factor in whether the judge decides to release or hold them in DC Jail.

D.C. Witness previously wrote about the presentment hearings for June and July. The article can be read here.

*All figures in this article are approximate.

Crime Alerts: Sept. 2-3

Between 9 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 3, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:27 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’8″ in height, wearing a white tank top and black sweatpants. He was driving a dark colored vehicle.

An alert was sent at 12:59 a.m. for a confirmed shooting on the 4500 block of 1st Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 12:13 a.m. for a confirmed stabbing on the 1300 block of Morris Road, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

If anyone has information about these events, call 911.