Judge Doesn’t Release ‘Mentally Incompetent’ Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan did not release a defendant who was found mentally incompetent.

Omar Spriggs is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted threats to do bodily harm, destruction of property less than $1,000 and assault with significant bodily injury while armed.

Spriggs, 41, has been detained at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, since Jan. 23. He repeatedly refused to take part in competency assessments until June 16, when the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) submitted their report to the court.

The defendant was found mentally incompetent, as the DBH and defense attorney, Donna Beasley, recommended.

The prosecution requested another hearing with continued attempts to restore Spriggs’ competency. The hearing, held July 24, found that the defendant was still incompetent.

Spriggs allegedly smashed a car window on Dec. 4 on the 500 block of Indiana Avenue, NW. When a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer was talking to the victim, the defendant spontaneously said, “I smashed the window. I smoke crack. I’m sorry.”

The defendant continued to say he gets in fights with white people and that he was going to keep smashing windows.

On Dec. 23 on the 500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, the defendant allegedly punched a victim after she did not provide him with the money he asked for. He then fled the scene.

The next day, Spriggs allegedly attempted to rob a woman and tackled her to the ground on the 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. When the police arrived, he got into a verbal altercation with the victim. When she walked away, the defendant grabbed a bottle and tossed it towards her back. He tried to throw another unknown object at the victim, but was stopped by an MPD officer.

Spriggs also allegedly walked up behind a victim and struck them in the head with a club that had a metal screw protruding from it. This caused uncontrolled bleeding in the victim’s brain and required emergency surgery to alleviate brain swelling. The incident occured on Dec. 26 on the 700 block of 4th Street, NW.

Defendant Given More Time to Come Into Compliance

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defendant one month to come into compliance with the conditions of his probation.

Mustafah Mobley pleaded guilty in January to attempted fleeing and was sentenced to one year of probation. He also has a suspended sentence of 45 days.

During the July 24 proceedings, a representative with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said Mobley has repeatedly failed to comply with the conditions of his probation. These allegations include multiple failures to report for drug testing, including one positive drug test and a low battery alarm for his GPS.

Most of those violations are from before April. Mobley’s most recent violation is from July 23, when he was referred to a random drug test and refused to go.

Both the CSOSA representative and the prosecution requested that Judge Danya Dason revoke Mobley’s probation.

“This has just been flat-out refusal [to comply],” said the prosecutor. “He should stop wasting the resources of the community.”

The CSOSA representative also said that Mobley has regularly failed to call in for his bi-weekly meetings, which are currently taking place over the phone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“He just does not want to do it,” said the representative.

Judge Dason did not revoke Mobley’s probation.

Instead, Judge Dason ordered Mobley to come into compliance with his probation, telling him that he must complete a drug test as early as he can before July 28.

“This is the easiest high intensity probation ever,” Judge Dason said. “You might as well get it done now. Or don’t.”

Mobley is scheduled to return to court to assess his compliance on Aug. 24.

Judge Plans to Release Incompetent Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a July 24 hearing to July 27 so the defendant may be safely released.

On April 26, 2019, Jaquan Woodberry pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license. He was sentenced to 9 months in jail, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of supervised probation.

While on probation, Woodberry was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

The defendant is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. He was found incompetent due to cognitive limitations.

Defense attorney Rebecca Bloch argued for her client’s release. “I don’t see what continued hospitalization does for Mr. Woodberry except essentially warehousing him.”

The prosecution opposed the release, citing former noncompliance with probation. When he was previously released, the defendant received 15 violations of drug testing in roughly three months. The prosecution found this especially concerning, since Woodberry was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his offense.

The prosecution also said he had issues with GPS tampering and was a loss of contact with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.

While at St. Elizabeth’s, he was reported to have behavioral problems and be noncompliant with medication.

Bloch said Woodberry’s behavioral outbursts were the result of frustration of his hearings continuously being pushed back. His hearing was initially supposed to be held on March 31, but has since been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bloch said her client has been struggling with a prolonged period of hospitalization.

Judge Michael Ryan expressed a desire to release the defendant as soon as possible. He said that a mental health institution is not helpful to Woodberry, who has a developmental disability.

However, Judge Ryan decided against releasing the defendant because of safety concerns. “In my experience, bad things happen on weekends,” he said.

Judge Ryan plans to release the defendant at his next hearing.

Defendant Given 30 Days to Come into Compliance

On July 24, a defendant was given 30 more days to come into compliance with the conditions of his probation.

Aaron Williams pleaded guilty in December 2018 to simple assault. He was sentenced the following March to 60 days and one year of probation.

Even though the hearing was continued, Williams will have to maintain weekly drug testing and GPS monitoring. “Either you’re going to do this or you’re not,” DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dason said. “It’s up to you.”

During the July 24 proceedings, a representative with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said Williams was unable to complete two of his stays at the Re-Entry and Sanctions Center (RSC), a treatment facility for offenders with substance use disorders. She said this behavior is typical for Williams because he has struggled to complete other, similar programs.

The representative said Williams has allowed the battery for his GPS device to die. He has been accused of submitting a false sample for a routine drug test, among other violations.

Both the CSOSA representative and the prosecution requested that Judge Dayson revoke Williams’ probation.

“He doesn’t appear to take supervision seriously,” the representative said.

John Harvey, Williams’ attorney, asked that the matter instead be continued to allow his client more time to come into compliance. Harvey cited the extraordinary constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that Williams’ second failure to complete treatment at the RSC was due to fears of contracting the virus. The attorney said he is nor sure the Williams’ failure to charge his GPS was intentional.

He also said that while the representative implied that his client has been a loss of contact since July 1, he reported in person to have his GPS device taken off on July 8 after it was deactivated.

Harvey said his client, if given one more opportunity, would have sufficient motivation in coming into compliance, since any further violation would result in detention and would put him at a higher risk of possibly contracting coronavirus.

Williams is scheduled to return to court to assess his compliance on Aug. 26.

Judge Issues Summons for Defendant

On July 24, a DC Superior Court judge issued a judicial summons for a defendant who has been a loss of contact since his release in April.

Corey Holmes, 30, was charged with GPS tampering in April for a nearly year-old incident in which the battery on his court-ordered GPS device was dead for nine days in June of 2019. At the time, Holmes was on parole for a prior guilty plea to attempted second-degree burglary from 2012.

During the July 24 proceedings, Linden Fry, Holmes’ attorney, argued that it was possible his client was not aware of his responsibility to appear in court for this particular case. Holmes’ parole ended on April 30, six days after he was released pretrial on his GPS tampering charge.

Fry argued that, because Holmes’ parole had ended, he may have thought that this charge, which stemmed from that parole, had ended, too.

However, the prosecution requested that Judge Danya Dason issue a bench warrant for Holmes’ arrest. The prosecutor said that regardless of what Holmes understands, he was issued conditions to come into contact with pretrial services when he was charged with GPS tampering in April.

Holmes is a loss of contact, he said.

In addition to the summons, Judge Dayson also set an earlier date to address his absence of contact.

Holmes is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 24.

Judge Gives Defendant More Time for Compliance

On July 24, a DC Superior Court judge reserved bench warrant rights for a domestic violence defendant who is a loss of contact, giving her additional time to come into compliance with the conditions of her pretrial release.

The defendant pleaded guilty to simple assault on March 13 and her case is currently pending sentencing. She has been on release since being charged in February, and has had to comply with court-ordered GPS monitoring.

According to a notice of noncompliance, which was filed on July 14 by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), the defendant has not charged her GPS device since July 6, except for one time on July 18. The device’s battery has remained dead, and the defendant’s whereabouts are currently unknown by both her attorney, Edward Gain, and CSOSA.

However, during the July 24 hearing the prosecution refrained from requesting a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest because it was unclear whether or not she was informed of the hearing.

At the prosecution’s request, Judge Danya Dason issued a judicial summons for the defendant to appear in court on Aug. 10 to address her noncompliance.

The defendant is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 28, the same day as her co-defendant. The two pleaded guilty to assaulting the same victim.

Judge Grants Independent Competency Evaluation for Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request for an independent competency evaluation on July 24.

Dontelle Mott is charged with assault on a police officer while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon while armed for allegedly threatening Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers with a knife on the 1000 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW on Dec. 5.

Mott, 24, was transferred from DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, on Dec. 11. He was found mentally incompetent to stand trial on Jan. 13, Feb. 14 and March 13. However, he was found competent on April 21.

Defense attorney Kevin Oliver disagreed with the doctor’s finding and requested an independent evaluation.

Judge Michael Ryan approved the request and authorized $1,600 for testing.

However, Judge Ryan urged Oliver to talk to the original doctor about their findings as well. “This has been dragging on too long,” he said.

According to court documents, Mott allegedly threatened a cashier who confronted him about taking items from a store on the 1000 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW on Nov. 13, 2019. The cashier was advised to contact DC Police if Mott returned, which he did on Dec. 5.

The defendant fled on foot when the police were called, but was caught by officers. He took out a knife and swung it at officers he felt were too close to them. During the confrontation with police, Mott said he was “Illuminati.”

Mott’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, Denies Release

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in an assault case.

David Brown is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery.

Judge Neal Kravitz chose to hold the defendant in DC Jail because the violent nature of the crimes made him concerned for community safety.

During the July 23 preliminary hearing, the prosecution provided video surveillance of Brown, 52, allegedly attempting to steal from two victims.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective also testified that he saw the defendant commit the offenses.

Defense attorney Sean Murphy argued against probable cause since the detective said the defendant, whose face was covered during the offenses, had facial hair. Murphy said this suggests the detective is misremembering events.

However, the prosecution said that a minor issue with memory should not take away from the whole basis for probable cause.

Judge Kravitz agreed, citing video surveillance and the detective’s identification of the defendant.

According to court documents, on May 1, two victims said Brown tried to rob them at the Gallery Place Metro Station, which is located on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW.

The first victim said Brown grabbed her purse on the train. The defendant allegedly ran away when she fell onto the train platform, struggling to hold on to her belongings.

Shortly after, Brown allegedly came behind a woman at the station and wrapped one arm around her neck and another around her upper torso, saying “give me your money b****.”

After she struggled, he ran away, the documents state.

MPD officers detained the man and said they overheard him say, “so what if I did it. I’m a crackhead. I did it for crack.”

Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Judge Releases Defendant After Prosecution Withdraws Hold Request

A DC Superior Court judge released a domestic violence defendant after the prosecution withdrew their hold request.

The defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and threats to kidnap or injure a person.

The defendant was held at DC Jail on June 8. The prosecution withdrew their request to hold the individual on July 23.

Judge Judith Pipe released the defendant on a promise to return to court with a stay away order from the victim and the victim’s residence.

The defendant is also required to seek out mental health treatment with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Judge Continues Hearing for Burglary Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for burglary co-defendants at the request of both parties on July 24.

Antonni Flores-Diaz, 24, and Ryan Harding, 24, are charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into a residential building on the 1900 block of 3rd Street, NW and stealing a bicycle and vacuum cleaner on April 9.

The hearing was continued because the Department of Corrections was not given sufficient time prepare. Both parties initially entered the hearing on July 24 with intentions to take a plea deal.

Judge Rainey Brandt said that the court was alerted of the agreement after hours last night.

She said that the Department of Corrections, where Flores-Diaz and Harding are being held, needs more of a heads up in order to prepare for a plea agreement or release.

Counsel agreed to continue the hearing to a future date.

Before the next hearing date was set, Flores-Diaz asked for release.

Judge Brandt denied the request, saying she could not release the defendants based on their criminal histories and the nature of the crime.

According to court documents, while on pretrial release, Flores-Diaz picked up additional charges for assault with a dangerous weapon on April 14, when he threatened a victim with a knife on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW, and contempt of court on April 30 for disobeying a stay away order.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 12 to discuss accepting a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) and an Assault with Significant Injuries Offenses: 400 Block of 2nd Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in reference to a non-fatal shooting and an assault incident on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW, on June 28, July 11, and July 23.

According to MPD documents, on June 28, officers responded to the location for the sound of gunshots, where they located damaged vehicles. The investigation at the scene revealed two suspects firing firearms at one another. No injuries were reported.

On July 11, a victim was approached by three suspects at the location. The suspects assaulted the victim and fled the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

On July 23, officers stopped a suspect at the location in connection to the offenses mentioned above. During their investigation, the suspect was found to be in possession of an illegal firearm and synthetic marijuana.

On July 23, 25-year-old Ronald Yarborough was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property, assault with significant bodily injury, carrying a pistol without a license, possession with intent to distribute while armed, and possession of an unlawful firearm, among other charges.

These cases remain under investigation.

Judge Modifies Curfew for Man Convicted of Manslaughter

A DC Superior Court judge modified the curfew for a defendant who said he was wrongfully convicted.

In 2012, Donnell Washington, 36, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for shooting 34-year-old Stanley Dawson in 2010 on the 3500 block of 19th Street, SE.

Judge Neal Kravitz modified the defendant’s curfew to 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. to accommodate his work schedule.

Washington appealed his case, and in 2019, was resentenced to five years for voluntary manslaughter while armed. He was released on time served and given 18 months of supervised probation.

The July 23 hearing was scheduled to address Washington’s issues complying with the terms of his probation.

A Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative said Washington, 36, violated conditions of his probation by staying out past his curfew, not receiving drug testing and failing to comply with condition for his GPS tracking device. The representative recommended that the defendant’s release be revoked.

Defense attorney David Knight opposed the representative’s request, citing his client’s compliance with stay away orders. Washington has not picked up any new charges since the offense.

Knight said the defendant’s drug usage and curfew violations were ways of coping with his depression. Knight also said the defendant’s curfew violations were sometimes due to his employment.

“They’re violations, but it wasn’t because he was attempting to go out to commit criminal offenses,” said Knight.

Knight also said that Washington only stopped complying with drug testing because of COVID-19-related health concerns.

“I’m not a monster. I’m tired of being looked at like a monster,” the defendant told the judge. “I was wrongfully convicted, your honor. I took a guilty plea because it was best for my daughter. I’ve been in jail nine years for a crime I didn’t commit.”

Defendant Enters in Agreement for Drug Possession

On July 24, a defendant entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) for possessing cocaine.

Howard Watkins is charged with possession of a controlled substance after being found with cocaine on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE on April 9.

Watkins must complete 32 hours of verified community service in DC within the four month deferment period. He must also comply with any court orders and not violate the law or be arrested on probable cause.

If he completes these requirements, his charge will be dismissed.

DC Superior Court Judge William Nooter scheduled Watkins to return to court on Nov. 24 to evaluate his progress.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Defendants

On July 23, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause and held two defendants.

Co-defendants Keon Smith, 20, and Ja’cori Williams, 16, are charged with armed carjacking and armed robbery for allegedly demanding a victim’s rental car at gunpoint on May 9 on the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said probable cause could only be found if you rely on the victim’s account. However, she said the victim was not acting like a reliable witness, citing his behavior and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers’ reaction to him.

“I don’t think it’s proper to conclude the victim was lying because of a police officer’s thoughts,” said Judge Neal Kravitz.

Weller said that the victim never made specific claims about the defendants. She also said the video surveillance of the incident was too blurry to identify who stole the vehicle.

Weller said there was no way of confirming the gun found on the defendant’s flight path was the same gun used in the offense, as the victim was never asked to confirm the weapon.

However, the prosecution cited the defendants’ fingerprints on the car and a gun that was found on the defendants’ flight path as reason for probable cause.

Judge Kravitz was not convinced that the gun was not the same used in the incident, saying it was unlikely a different loaded pistol would be lying in the location where it was found.

He said there may be some legitimate questions raised about the victim’s credibility, but that there was enough corroboration with the evidence to find probable cause.

He also chose to hold both defendants, citing the violent nature of their crimes and concern for community safety.

According to court documents, Smith and Williams allegedly stole a dog and asked its owner to pay them $500 before they could return the dog. When the owner only provided $200, the two defendants allegedly pointed a gun at him and took his black Chevy Malibu. Surveillance footage showed the two men abandoning the vehicle at the intersection of Gainesville Street and Elvans Road, SE while being pursued by MPD officers.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Fatal Stabbing Penn Ave, SE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested July 23 a suspect in connection to a fatal stabbing that occurred on 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Police arrested 58-year-old Kenneth Wayne Stewart for first-degree murder while armed.

According to a press release, officers found two adult males inside a vehicle. One of the men was suffering from stab wounds and unconscious. The unconscious male, 54-year-old Courtney Jones was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The other male was treated on the scene for non-life threatening injuries.

Police believe the homicide resulted from a dispute among the individuals.

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