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.

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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.

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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.

Judge Holds Defendant at St. E’s Hospital

A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with carrying a pistol without a license in two separate cases.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Anthony May, 19, on Feb. 3 on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE after they found a 9mm pistol on him. MPD officers confronted the defendant again on March 24 inside a laundry shop on the 1100 block of Trenton Place, SE for suspected loitering. They recovered another pistol inside his pants.

The defendant was brought before the court on July 28 to address his lack of compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said May violated his curfew and home confinement orders by regularly leaving his residence late at night.

Defense attorney Frederick Iverson said his client had various reasons to go outside his residence. He said May had to move his belongings because he was issued an eviction notice.

May’s mother also said that her son tested positive for COVID-19 and stayed at a hotel room for self quarantine.

However, the prosecution said that May had no good reason to move in the middle of the night and staying at a hotel could not explain why he left his home multiple times a month.

The PSA representative also noted that the defendant was not competent to stand trial due to his mental health issues on March 17.

The judge ordered that May be held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for inpatient competency restoration.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Judge Schedules Felony Status Conference for Defendant

On July 28, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 26 after a defense attorney requested more time to consult with her client.

Tamer Castle is charged with second-degree theft and second-degree burglary in relation to several incidents that have occurred since March. One of those incidents involved the theft of an urn holding cremated ashes of a person.

The prosecution offered a plea deal that is on the table for the next four weeks.

“Some of Mr. Castle’s cases are very time sensitive, including him stealing an urn of cremated remains, and the family would really like the return of their loved one,” the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney Angela Ramsey requested more time to review the incidents with Castle. She said it has been difficult to contact the defendant due to increased security measures at DC Jail due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I need a lot more time to go over the overwhelming amount of documents that the prosecution has sent to us,” said Ramsey.

Judge Danya Dayson scheduled a hearing at the end of the prosecution’s four-week deadline for the plea deal.

Castle’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Judge Continues Pretrial Release for Defendant Charged Over 5 Years Ago

A DC Superior Court judge continued the release of a defendant who was charged with simple assault and bail violation over five years ago.

On July 20, Charles Dixon walked into court to address an outstanding warrant he had for a simple assault case he picked up in 2014. Judge Danya Dayson quashed the warrant on July 20 and allowed him to stay on pretrial release.

She scheduled a hearing for July 28 to determine if he was being compliant with his release conditions.

During the hearing, a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said Dixon has been fully compliant with the terms of his release.

The prosecution did not object to continuing the defendant’s release.

Dixon picked up the bail violation charge in 2014 after he failed to appear in court for his simple assault case.

Dixon is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 27 for a status hearing.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Assault with Dangerous Weapon Case

On July 28, a DC Superior Court judge ruled that an assault with a deadly weapon case has enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Kareem Boyd, 19, was charged in connection with a shooting that took place on April 4 on the 4900 block of D Street, SE. At about 1 p.m. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of two gunshots. The complaining witness reported that his cousin’s boyfriend had shot at him.

Later, a witness told officers that the shooter was Kareem Boyd. An MPD detective testified to this during the preliminary hearing.

The detective also testified that other witnesses described the shooter as someone who had the same physical features as Boyd.

Judge Heidi Hermann ultimately ruled that the evidence provided during the detective’s testimony met the “low standard” for probable cause in the case.

Boyd is currently being held at the DC Jail. He is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on Sept. 25.

Judge Reschedules Hearing For No-Show Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge chose not to issue a bench warrant for a defendant who failed to appear in court, instead the judge rescheduled the hearing to Aug. 13.

Daquan Kelly, 25, is charged with second-degree theft, misdemeanor sexual abuse and unlawful entry.

He was ordered to come to court on July 28 to address his issues complying with the terms of his pretrial release.

Defense attorney Lola Ziadie opposed the bench warrant, saying her client is currently homeless and has a history of mental health problems.

“He does have a number of challenges, and I think he was not made aware of this hearing,” Ziadie said.

The prosecution did not ask for the bench warrant, though they did mention that Kelly was issued a bench warrant on March 13 after he failed to appear for a pretrial show cause hearing for an unlawful entry case that was going to be addressed during this hearing.

However, Ziadie said Kelly only lost contact with his mother on July 27 and that he “wouldn’t have gone very far.”

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