Document: Homicide on Q Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE.

On July 1, officers found 18-year-old Kelvin Goggins suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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 homicide in DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Hearing Rescheduled for Later Date

A hearing for a defendant facing multiple charges has been rescheduled for September.

Bayney Parker was initially charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on Oct. 25, 2018. This case was dismissed because nine months passed without an indictment being issued.

However, the case was reopened on Dec. 11 when Parker was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and possession of an unregistered firearm.

On April 6, a hearing was scheduled to discuss the status of Parker’s case. That hearing was rescheduled for July 1, and was then rescheduled again to Sept. 16.

Parker was being held on a $250 cash bond. D.C. Witness could not verify is the bond was paid.

Document: Police Investigate Traffic Fatality on Naylor Road, SE

On June 30, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident on the 2500 block of Naylor Road, SE.

At approximately 1:55pm, a driver of a 2019 Kymco scooter was traveling southbound on the 1700 block of 25th Street, SE. The driver of the scooter proceeded to go around several vehicles that were stopped at a stop sign entering the intersection at Naylor Road. A 2001 Ford Expedition struck the scooter.

DC Fire Emergency and Medical Services arrived on the scene and transported the victim to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

There is no information on whether the driver of the 2001 Ford Expedition stayed on the scene or fled.

The victim has not yet been identified.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the police at 202-727-9099.

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Prosecutor Extends Plea Offer to Defendant

A defendant decided July 1 to waive his right to a hearing that will depict if the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Kenneth Phillips is charged with robbery for allegedly knocking a victim unconscious on the unit block of Hanover Place, NW on March 26. Phillips, 20, allegedly took $20 from the victim.

In response, the prosecutor on the case offered Phillips a plea deal. The plea has not been discussed with the defendant, therefore the prosecutor requested another hearing.

According to court documents, an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department stopped individuals who were on the scene. The defendant became irritable and loud as the officer was trying to separate him and the victim.

The victim was able to regain consciousness and told the officer that his money was missing from his wallet, the document states. The money was returned to the victim and the defendant was arrested.

Phillips’ hearing is scheduled for July 29.

Crime Alerts: June 30-July 1

From 8 p.m. on June 30 to 8 a.m. on July 1, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out five crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 2:25 a.m. for a shooting on the 4000 block of Grant Street, NE. Police are currently not looking for anyone in particular.

Another alert for a shooting was sent at 1:48 am on the 1800 block of Q Street, SE. Police do not have a suspect in this case.

Another shooting alert went out at 10:39 p.m. on the 5000 block of Benning Road, SE. Police are looking for a Black male occupying a black Nissan Altima.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 9:51 p.m. on the 3400 block of 23rd Street, SE. Police do not have a suspect in this case.

The final alert for another shooting went out at 9:30 p.m. on the 300 block of Van Buren Street, NW. Police are looking for a 4-door black sedan with yellow tags.

Anyone with information on these events should call 911. Please do not take any other action.

Judge Denies Motion to Return Property

DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell denied June 30 a defendant’s request for the court to return property that was seized during his arrest. D.C. Witness could not verify what the property was.

Charles Roberts was charged with second-degree burglary on June 2. He is accused of forcibly gaining entry into an establishment on the 200 block of Kennedy Street, NW during the early morning hours of that day. Once inside, Roberts allegedly took property and fled the scene.

Around 6:30 a.m., Roberts allegedly forced his way into another establishment on the 3000 block of M Street, NW, and took property. There, he was apprehended by Metropolitan Police Department officers.

He was granted release on his promise to return to court.

On June 22, Robert’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, filed a motion for Charles’ property to be returned.

Judge Releases All Defendants During Initial Hearings

On June 30, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released all defendants during their initial hearings.

Of the 11 defendants released, one defendant had two charges–one was dismissed and one was not filed by prosecution. Two of the cases were domestic violence-related.

One defendant was charged with assault and second-degree theft in a domestic violence case. The prosecution requested the judge hold him because he is on probation for an felony assault conviction from 2010.

Judge McKenna denied the hold request and released the defendant, citing his compliance with probation. She ordered him to stay-away from the complainant and the associated location.

Another domestic violence case was heard and Judge McKenna released the defendant with stay-away orders at the prosecution’s request.

A defendant was charged with felony robbery for allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at the Anacostia Metro station. Judge McKenna released the defendant, citing that there was no allegation of weapon use or injury.

The woman also received her property back from the defendant.

One defendant, charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, was released by Judge McKenna.

A man was charged with carrying a pistol without a license was released. The judge said the defendant’s very limited contact with the police and lack of adult convictions went into her decision.

One defendant was brought in on a bench warrant with an underlying charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer. Prosecution was amenable to his release, so Judge McKenna released him with another court date.

Four misdemeanor cases involving threats, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, theft and unlawful entry were all released per the prosecution’s request. Three of the four defendants were given stay-away orders by Judge McKenna.

Judge Holds Hearing to Discuss Case for Murder Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge accepted a defense counsel’s request for a further felony status conference in a murder case.

On April 30, co-defendants Derrick Kearney and Daquan Anglin were charged with the first-degree murder while armed of Devonte Speight, 26, who was shot and killed the previous day on the 1800 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

The two allegedly shot Speight, who was on his dirt bike, from their vehicle. According to a witness, it looked like Adams and Kearney’s vehicle was attempting to “flag down” Speight. After the victim began to ride away, the front passenger door opened and three shots were fired. Speight continued to ride until he reached 19th Street, NE and fell to the ground.

After the shooting, the suspects allegedly attempted to flee in a vehicle with temporary Maryland tags, but were apprehended after being pinned between a bus and a parked car at the corner of Kenilworth Avenue and Ames Street, NE.

On June 16, Judge Todd Edelman scheduled a felony status conference for June 30 to discuss how the case should be scheduled going forward.

During the hearing, the defense requested a further felony status conference, which Judge Edelman granted with no objection from the prosecution.

That hearing is set to be held on July 16.

Two juvinille co-defendants are also suspects in Speight’s murder.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant’s Arrest

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who failed to appear in court on June 30.

Herman Smith was charged with assault with intent to commit robbery on Oct. 31, 2018. On March 13, 2019, the charge was changed to attempt to commit robbery, to which he pleaded guilty that day.

On May 24, Judge Juidth Smith gave Smith a 14-month suspended sentence, meaning he would not have to serve any time behind bars. She also sentenced him to one year of supervised probation.

As part of his probation, Judge Smith required Herman to spend time at an in-patient drug treatment program, do 30 hours of community service, receive a mental health evaluation and comply with a stay away order.

A notice of non compliance was filed on Feb. 19, 2020, prompting Judge Smith to schedule a probation hearing for Feb 24. There, the defendant was put back into a drug treatment program.

Another notice of non compliance was filed on April 15, which was scheduled to be addressed in court on June 23.

When Smith did not show up to the hearing, Judge Heide Herrmann issued a warrant for his arrest. Another hearing was scheduled for June 30. When Smith once again failed to appear in court, Judge McKenna issued a second warrant for his arrest.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Request to be Removed From HISP

A DC Superior Court judge denied June 30 a defendant’s request to be taken off the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Joshua Massaquoi pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, accessory to murder after the fact and carrying a pistol without a license.

Massaquoi is currently awaiting sentencing. He is in home confinement and only able to leave for specific tasks, such as exercising. He has a curfew and is being monitored by a GPS tracking device.

Massaquoi assisted Mason Binion in the murder of Michael Francis Taylor, a 21-year-old resident of Northeast DC who was killed June 22, 2008 on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW.

According to court documents, the defendants picked up Taylor after he failed to acquire marijuana for which Binion paid him.

Massaquoi drove Binion and Victor Carvajal to pick Taylor up at a recreation center in Silver Spring, Md. He then drove everyone to an alley in the Brightwood Park neighborhood of DC, about five miles away.

Binion and Carvajal stepped out of the car with Taylor. Carvajal, whose subsequent first-degree murder while armed case was dismissed the day before opening statements, was alleged to have struck Taylor in the head with a rock. Binion shot him in the head with a pistol that belonged to Massaquoi.

After Taylor was shot, Massaquoi said he drove everyone back to Binion’s house and then hid the gun in the woods near his sister’s house.

Binion was convicted of first-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing.

According to court documents, Massaquoi approached the police with information about the murder in August 2015, seven years after it took place. He confessed to his role in the murder in the interviews that followed.

Massaquoi has been compliant with HISP since he started the program on March 24. He applied to schools and over 30 jobs during his time at home.

Judge Hiram Puig-Logo was sympathetic to his request, but said GPS tracking is the only type of monitoring available during the pandemic. Due to the virus, the Pretrial Services Agency is currently unable to do drug testing and face-to-face reporting.

Massaquoi’s sentencing was rescheduled from July 7 to Oct. 1. If possible, a virtual sentencing will be held at an earlier date.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant Charged with Robbery and Assault

Judge issued a bench warrant on June 30 for a defendant who failed to appear in court to discuss his inability to keep his GPS monitoring device charged.

Darryn Thomas is charged with robbery and assault with significant injury for allegedly attempting to steal cigarettes from a 7-Eleven located on the 900 block of 17th Street, NW. He also allegedly broke an employee’s ankle by pushing him to the ground when the employee confronted him about stealing the cigarettes.

Thomas failed to appear at his hearing, scheduled to address his loss of contact with pretrial services. He was placed under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on March 18.

A representative from Pretrial Services Agency said the defendant’s monitoring device stopped functioning on June 4 and Thomas has failed to report to them since then.

Thomas’ defense attorney, Sylvia Smith, said he was in compliance with his monitoring device for several months and suddenly dropped off. She said she is concerned about his well being. She also said she was uncertain whether he received notification about the hearing.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna issued a bench warrant for Thomas, citing his “egregious noncompliance.”

Defendant Incompetent to Stand Trial, Judge Rules

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found a defendant incompetent to stand trial on June 30.

Dominique Thurston is charged with second-degree burglary while armed, carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm.

On Jan. 22, Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence at the Tyler House Associates, an apartment complex on the 1200 North Capitol Street NW, for a burglary in progress.

When officers arrived, the resident expressed concerns that someone was inside the residence, which was supposed to be unoccupied at the time. Police opened the door with the resident’s key and discovered the defendant laying on the couch with a gun next to him, according to court documents.

Evaluations and reports from the DC Department of Behavioral Health concluded that the defendant is incompetent to stand trial, but is working towards becoming competent.

The defendant is being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Judge Gives Defendant More Time to Follow Probation Requirements

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna rescheduled a defendant’s hearing so that he could come back into compliance with his probation requirements on June 30.

Troy Bolden pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon in November 2019. He was released on probation in December 2019.

Bolden was scheduled for a hearing for failing to keep in contact with his probation officer. A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) also noted Bolden’s failure to report for drug testing in March and failure to attend residential treatment, which was also required.

Bolden’s defense attorney, Stephany Reaves, said he was a loss of contact because his phone broke and he was reporting for drug testing prior to the health crisis.

The prosecution said Bolden has since come back into compliance with probation and simply requested that CSOSA give an update on where he stands.

The judge said Bolden has since been placed on GPS monitoring by CSOSA and the defendant’s probation officer said she was unable to get in contact with him after he got his monitoring device installed, even though she called him multiple times.

Judge McKenna decided to give Bolden more time to get back in compliance with his probation requirements, citing that he has taken steps to follow his terms.

She also said her decision to give him time comes from the fact that Bolden’s most recent conviction spans back to 2001 for a distribution felony.

Defendant Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found a defendant incompetent to stand trial on June 30.

Brittney Marshall is charged with unlawful entry onto public property, attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt.

On Feb. 11, Marshall was arrested for trespassing into a United States Secret Service restricted area at the White House.

There was a sign informing citizens that the area was restricted, but she proceeded to walk in anyway, according to court documents. While being detained and questioned, the defendant said she was going to the White House to meet a friend and did not know the area was restricted.

Marshall was charged with contempt on Feb. 18 after she violated the conditions of her pretrial release by entering the White House Complex despite being ordered to stay away from it.

She was then charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm on Feb. 20 after yelling, “f*** her up and break all the windows out her vehicle” at a woman at the Malcom X Opportunity Center on the 1300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

The prosecution’s evaluations and reports determined that the defendant is currently incompetent to stand trial, but is making progress towards becoming competent.

Marshall is being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. Her next hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Judge Denies Defense’s Motion for Release

A DC Superior Court judge denied June 30 defense counsel’s request for their client’s release, scheduling another status conference instead.

Michael Starks was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device on April 22 following an incident that occurred the previous day on the 2300 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

The police arrested Starks after receiving a complaint that he had a firearm with him near his apartment. When officers responded to the scene, Starks attempted to flee into his apartment. He then tried to jump across balconies to avoid being arrested.

Starks previously waived his right to a hearing that would determine if there was enough evidence to move forward with the case because his arresting officers found a gun on his person when he was charged.

Rachel McCoy, Starks’ attorney, requested his release, but Judge Julie Becker denied the motion. McCoy then requested an additional status conference to evaluate the case.

Starks’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 16.

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