Defendant Found Incompetent for Trial

A defendant was found incompetent to stand trial July 10.

Derrell Taylor is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He was detained at DC Jail, but was transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, in April.

Taylor has experienced symptoms of mental illness, including delusions and depression. He also has an intellectual disability and is receiving services from the Department of Disability Services (DDS.)

I would like to “stop this cycling into the criminal justice system,” DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said during the July 10 hearing.

He told the defendant that doctors would take one more opportunity to get him competent to stand trial, using a method designed to help intellectually disabled individuals gain competency.

Taylor allegedly assaulted a victim on the 800 block of 8th Street, NW by restraining the victim and holding a box cutter near his neck.

According to court documents, the victim, who managed to loosen Taylor’s hold, and a witness held the defendant down until Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on scene.

Staff at St. Elizabeth’s will make further efforts towards restoring Taylor’s competency throughout the next 30 days.

On Aug. 10, another hearing is scheduled to evaluate the defendant’s mental progress and determine what services he would need when he leaves the hospital.

June Homicides Decrease from Count in May

There have been 16 homicides in June, nearly a 16 percent decrease from the total number of homicides in May.

A majority of the June homicides occurred form gun-related incidents. D.C. Witness data shows there were 15 shootings and one stabbing.

Police have apprehended four suspects in relation to the homicides.

One suspect, Daniel Gayden, 54, was arrested on June 1 for allegedly stabbing 54-year-old Ronald Collins on the 5100 block of A Street, SE earlier that same day.

Gayden is being held at DC Jail.

His next court hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16.

Raymond Davis was arrested on June 3 for allegedly shooting 39-year-old Henry Hackett on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE on June 3.

Davis, 46, is scheduled for another hearing in August.

Micah Bidgell is accused of murdering Marquis Harrod on June 6.

Bidgell, 24, allegedly shot Harrod, 18, on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. He was arrested on June 17.

Bidgell’s next court hearing is scheduled on Aug. 7.

All three defendants are charged with second-degree murder.

On June 25, Philbert Griffith was arrested for the murder of 28-year-old Alante Moore.

The shooting occurred on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on June 19.

Griffith is scheduled for a hearing on Aug. 12.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Sex Trafficking of Children

On July 9, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect in connection to sex trafficking of children.

According to the press release, a resident of Silver Spring, Md. allegedly arranged for a sexual act for money with a child. The suspect traveled to DC at 6:44 p.m. on July 8 and was arrested upon arrival.

Lopez is awaiting his initial hearing in DC Superior Court.

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Document: Police Investigate Homicide on Benning Road, NE.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred during the evening on July 8.

According to a press release, officers found Eugene Anthony Hickson suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Hickson is the 96th homicide in Washington, DC in 2020, according to D.C. Witness data. D.C. Witness tracks all homicides in the District of Columbia, including vehicular fatalities that result in arrest and justified homicides such as police-involved shootings. The MPD records 94 homicides in 2020 as of July 10.

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 case in DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may also be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Defendant Sentenced to One Year of Probation

A DC Superior Court judge required a defendant to one year of probation.

Stephen Russell was sentenced in four cases during the July 9 hearing. Three of his cases included domestic violence charges, one case included a misdemeanor charge. Russell pleaded guilty to simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges of contempt, possession of a controlled substance and second-degree theft were dropped.

In addition to probation, Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Russell to 90 days, all of which were suspended with credit for time served.

Conditions of his probation include a mental health assessment, alcohol testing and drug testing. Russell must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund and comply with a stay away order.

Crime Alerts: July 9-10

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out four crime alerts between 8 p.m. on July 9 and 8 a.m. on July 10.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:04 a.m. for a robbery on the 600 block of H Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect at this time.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 3:43 a.m. on the 4300 block of Nannie Helen Boroughs Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’10”, medium complexion, thin build, short hair, slight facial hair, wearing a black shirt and dark color pants.

An alert for an armed carjacking was sent at 12:39 a.m. on the 1400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Police are looking for two Black males. One is approximately 18 years of age, wearing a black hoodie, armed with a handgun. The other was approximately 15 years of age, with no clothing description. A 2014 black Chevy Impala bearing MD tags 2EE7476 was taken. It was last seen turning right on 15th Street, SE going towards Mississippi Avenue, SE.

The final crime alert was sent at 9:33 p.m. for a robbery snatch at the intersection of 13th street and K street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male wearing all black and a baseball cap.

If anyone has information about these incidents, please call 911.

Document: Police Arrest One Suspect in Boy’s Murder, 3 More Wanted

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested one suspect in the murder of an 11-year-old child on July 4. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of three others.

Daryle Bond, an 18-year-old resident of Southeast, DC, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed July 9. Bond, along with three other men, allegedly shot Davon McNeal, an 11-year-old resident of Southeast DC, on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE, on Independence Day.

Police are looking for Carlo General, 19; Marcel Gordon, 25 and Christian Wingfield, 22 in connection to the murder.

The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

DC Police do not think that McNeal or anyone in his family was a target.

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Judge Waits to Schedule Defendant’s Next Hearing

On July 9, a DC Superior Court judge postponed scheduling a defendant’s next hearing until his competency examination is completed.

Kenneth Gray is charged with robbing a victim on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, after noticing the amount of money the victim was carrying with him.

On June 11, Judge Julie Becker ordered that a competency examination for Gray be conducted in DC Jail.

Jesse Winograd, Gray’s attorney, said that the court will have to wait until his client’s full exam comes back because the initial report said he was incompetent.

Judge Becker decided to keep Gray’s hearing on Sept. 24, which was scheduled on June 9, in preparation. She also said that when Gray’s competency tests return all parties can consider setting an earlier hearing.

Judge Discharges Probation Violation for Convicted Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe revoked July 9 a court order of non-compliance after the prosecution realized that a defendant has been fully compliant.

Mark Franklin was convicted of attempted threats to do bodily harm on Feb. 3. He was sentenced to 115 days in jail, which was suspended. He was also sentenced to one year on probation.

According to an officer from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), the defendant has been providing up to date mental health assessments and contact information.

Franklin received a notice of non-compliance on May 26 as well.

Judge O’Keefe asked Franklin to “please stay in compliance so you don’t face jail time.”

The defendant has no further hearings scheduled at this time.

Judge Gives Defendant One Week to Self-Surrender

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe gave a defendant, who is charged with attempted robbery, one week to self-surrender.

David Blake was charged with robbery on Jan. 14. His charge was changed to attempt to commit robbery on March 2. He was released from DC Jail on Mar. 26 due to safety concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic on the condition that he stays confined at home until his sentencing hearing.

However, the defendant failed to report his frequent outings to his Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer. Blake now has one week to return to court, so that he can be taken to DC Jail.

The PSA officer provided GPS tracking data which showed Blake leaving his house for extended periods of time as late as 1:56 am.

Blake’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, argued that the defendant has proven that he is no longer a danger to society due to many positive accounts from his psychologists. She also said that while he has failed to report every outing, he has kept in contact with the PSA officer.

Judge O’Keefe said the defendant should have followed the release conditions for the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). He said he will allow a grace period of one week for Blake “to get his affairs in order.”

The defendant must turn himself in by 9:30 a.m. on July 16. If Blake fails to turn himself in to the authorities, he could be subject to a $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail, or both.

Blake will remain under GPS supervision for the week and must report all of his outings to his PSA officer. After his self-surrender, he will remain in jail until his sentencing hearing.

The defendant’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

Judge Finds Probable Cause For Voluntary Manslaughter

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there is probable cause to bring a manslaughter case to trial.

Phillip Humphrey allegedly stabbed Cornell Mason, a 33-year-old resident of Northeast DC, April 14 on the 4000 block of Clay Place, NE. He was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed on April 10. However, the charge was changed to voluntary manslaughter while armed during the July 9 preliminary hearing.

While parties agree that witnesses saw Humphrey stab Mason, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits argued that he did so in self defense.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective said that, during his interview with the defendant, Humphrey said that Mason did not like when the defendant was in the house.

When Mason arrived at the address on Clay Place, NE, there was an altercation with Humphrey, according to court documents. Mason allegedly punched Humphrey in the face. Humphrey, who was already holding a knife, swung at Mason.

Though the prosecution argued to bring Humphrey to trial on the charge of second-degree murder, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there were no mitigating circumstances surrounding the stabbing.

However, the judge did rule that there is probable cause to go to trial on the charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed.

The judge said evidence of the location of the stab wound and witness testimony gave the manslaughter charge probable cause.

During the July 9 hearing, Humphrey was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) He was granted release because he has a stable home environment.

Judge Kravitz said the defendant is not a risk to the public.

A hearing to discuss the status of the case is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Defendant Involved in Jail Assault

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause for that a defendant conducted an attack on a fellow DC Jail inmate.

Marquette Tibbs is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing an inmate with a sharp object described as a homemade knife-like weapon. According to court documents, video surveillance shows the defendant lunging at the victim while he was being escorted to the second level of the jail.

Judge John Campbell decided not to release the defendant, saying the surveillance footage shows the defendant and his actions clearly. The judge said the defendant presents a danger to the community.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Stein said his client could have acted in self defense, though the prosecution said that surveillance footage showed the inmate in handcuffs and without a weapon.

Stein also opposed the prosecution’s request to hold Tibbs on the charge, saying it was unnecessary since he is already being held on two other charges.

On March 29, 2019, Tibbs allegedly attacked a correction’s officer with a sharp object. He is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The case is pending a grand jury.

Tibbs was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in February for his involvement in the death of 37-year-old Orlando Silver on November 27, 2016. A jury did not find him guilty of murder.

The prosecution said that if a judge dismisses the charges, there would be nothing holding Tibbs in jail. The prosecutor also said that if released, Tibbs would be a danger to the public because of his history of violence.

Tibbs’ next hearing is scheduled for July 28.

Prosecution Takes Back Non-Compliance Notice

On July 9, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled that a defendant’s notice of non-compliance was invalid.

Wendell Poole is charged unlawful possession of a controlled substance — cocaine.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said a notice was filed when there was trouble reaching Wendell Poole on July 8. Later that same day, the representative said the agency made a successful contact with the defendant and verified that he has been maintaining the conditions of his stay-away order.

The notice of non-compliance was discharged.

A previous notice of noncompliance was filed against Poole on June 10. Judge O’Keefe asked that the defendant becomes more proactive in contacting pretrial services.

The defendant has no further hearings scheduled at this time.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for a defendant’s arrest.

Clifton Smith was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly punching a victim on the 140th block of Wayne Place, SE on April 13, 2019.

Defense attorney Edward Gains said his client could not attend the hearing since he is currently at the United Medical Center in a psychiatric medical unit.

Smith, 54, received 14 notices of noncompliance with his pretrial release. The first notice was filed two weeks after he was released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP.)

The defendant got into a fight with a man at a birthday party. He allegedly hit the man with a closed fist and threatened to shoot him in the face. When the victim tried to leave, Smith got a handgun and followed him, court documents stated.

When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, the defendant allegedly attempted to run away from the officers and threw the gun into a grassy area.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Supervised Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 18 months of supervised probation.

The defendant was sentenced in four cases. He pleaded guilty to simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, contempt, obstruction and destruction of property less than $1,000.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges of second-degree theft were dropped.

The defendant’s conditions include taking a domestic violence intervention program, GPS monitoring and paying $300 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan also issued a stay away order from the victim, her residence and the restaurant where one of his crimes occurred.

The 20-year-old defendant violated a stay away order he received from a simple assault case by going to the woman’s home on the 5000 block of Hunt Street, NE. He pressed a knife against her neck and said, “shut the f*** up or I will cut your a**.” When she attempted to call the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for help, he took the cell phone from her hands., according to court documents.

The prosecution read her written victim impact statement during the July 9 sentencing.

“Some days I felt suicidal, some days I’ve cried all day and some days I’ve gone without eating,” the victim wrote.

She said the worst feeling is staring at blank walls while under a 48-hour watch to make sure she does not hurt herself. She now goes to therapy twice a week.

In two of the three times the woman called DC police on the defendant, her child was present when he assaulted her. In one case, she was holding the child.

The victim suffered multiple injuries as a result of Wallace’s actions. Her lips have split twice and she has experienced swelling in her eyes.

In another incident, the defendant was unhappy with a slushy he ordered at a restaurant on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He broke the machine by pushing it off the counter when his request for a refund was denied. He also threw a phone at it, which struck an employee.

The owner of the restaurant said he does not want any money to repair the $2,700 machine. He just asks that the defendant “focus on turning around and being good.”

Defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur said his client started acting out when his father got sick a year ago and could no longer influence his actions.

“He understands that he has messed up and that this is the time for him to make a turn in a different direction,” said Yallery-Arthur.

The defendant wishes to move to Maryland where he can get away from negative influences. He is taking classes and is only a few credits away from earning his GED.

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