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Judge Finds Probable Cause For Assault on Police Officer Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that an assault on a police officer case has enough evidence to go to trial, but released the defendant into home confinement.

According to court documents, Jamar Byrd violated a stay away order and was causing a disturbance on July 4. The incident occurred on the 900 block of 16 Street, NW. Byrd, 26, allegedly resisted arrest and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers had to carry him to the patrol vehicle. While being carried, he allegedly bit one of the officers on his thigh.

The prosecution presented a picture of the mark on the officer’s thigh. That officer testified at the Sept. 4 preliminary hearing.

“It was a pretty hard bite, I still have a mark,” he said. “It required medical attention.”

The officer said he received ointment, bandages and a shot for the wound. 

“According to the complaint, Mr. Byrd is charged with a felony assault with significant bodily harm,” said defense attorney Linda Houston. “We would submit that biting [the officer] would be an assault but we would argue against the significant bodily harm. It did not require hospitalization, he went to the ER, he received medication and a shot.”

However, Judge Judith Smith did find probable cause.

“The photo reflects that the skin has broken, has a red area, a bruise, and bite mark,” she said. “The Government met its burden of probable cause.”

The prosecution asked Judge Smith to hold Byrd because of his separate charges in different cases while on release. 

Houston assured Judge Smith that there could be restrictions put in place for a proper release. 

“I’ve spoken to his family and he could live with his girlfriend if released,” she said. “Even if the court would order house arrest with the full understanding that if he would violate that, he could be put in jail until a trial date.”

Judge Smith decided to release Byrd into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) He will be under 24-hour home confinement and must report to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.) 

Judge Smith scheduled Byrd’s next hearing for Feb. 16, 2021. 


COVID-19 Pandemic Impedes Scheduling of Defendant’s Trial Dates

On Sept. 4, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to try and set trial dates for a defendant’s cases. 

Anthony Lamons, 27, is charged with simple assault and second-degree theft in these cases. 

Defense attorney Adrian Madsen asked Judge Jonathan Pittman to set trial dates for these cases before Nov. 9. Judge Pittman is unable to set the trial dates at this time due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The prosecution also said that a plea offer was placed on the record. Madsen said his client does not wish to accept the plea offer at this time.

Judge Pittman scheduled another status hearing for Sept. 8 to finalize the trial dates and abide by COVID-19 limitations. 

These charges resulted from incidents reported on July 28, 2019, Aug. 8, 2019, Sept. 12, 2019, Oct. 8, 2019 and June 1.

Lamons is currently being held at DC jail, where he has been since June 8. 


Judge Sentences Defendant to Probation, Again

A DC Superior Court judge re-sentenced a defendant to probation with the possibility of being considered for the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) again. 

Mustafah Mobley, 22, pleaded guilty to attempted fleeing on Jan. 7. He was originally given a 45-day suspended sentence plus one year of probation under the YRA. However, his probation was revoked in August due to noncompliance. 

“I’m sorry I took the probation like it was guaranteed,” Mobley said during the Sept. 4 hearing. “I’d appreciate it if I could get a second chance”. 

Defense attorney Sharon Weathers and the prosecution agreed that the defendant should get a second probation instead of jail time, as this was Mobley’s first encounter with the criminal justice system.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Mobley to 45 days, all of which were suspended, plus 3 months of probation. 

Judge Brandt also decided to schedule a probation review in two months to determine if Mobley should get the YRA. 

As conditions of his probation, Mobley must cooperate completely with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and  remain drug free for the entirety of his sentence. The defendant must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund. 

“It’s the small things in life that cause people the greatest problems,” said Judge Brandt, “It’s time for you to grow up real fast”. 

Mobley was in DC Jail for 12 days up until the re-sentencing.

August Homicides Drop from July

The homicide count for August decreased from the count in July, however the total number of deaths is still nearly 9 percent higher than this same time period last year.

D.C. Witness data shows that there have been 18 homicides in August, a 42 percent decrease from the 31 homicides reported in July. The most homicides occurred in Northeast, DC, specifically in Ward 5 during the month.

D.C. Witness calculated that Ward 5 had 28 percent of the city’s total homicides in August.

Ward 8, an area that is notoriously known to harbor the city’s largest homicide count, only accounted for three deaths in August.

Fourteen of the 18 homicides resulted from shootings. There were also three stabbings and one vehicular homicide.

The average age of the victims in August was 28 years old.

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the vehicular homicide and two stabbing deaths. The suspects include:

  • Tyrone Maurice Hector was arrested on Aug. 28. Hector, 52, is charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly driving in the wrong direction down 11 Street, NE when he collided with a scooter at the intersection of 11 Street and Constitution Avenue, NE earlier that day. Police have not released the identity of the victim as of Sept. 4.
  • Jaamil Hipps, 43, was arrested on Aug. 19 for allegedly stabbing for allegedly stabbing Sa’id Grey on Aug. 12 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW. Grey,40, who suffered from multiple stab wounds to his hand, upper back, and abdomen died at the scene. According to the Autopsy report, Grey’s body showed signs that he fought against his attacker.
  • Cory Lavene Brown was arrested on Aug. 8 for allegedly stabbed 40-year-old Latasha Estep, his girlfriend, earlier that day inside an apartment on the 1900 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Brown, 39, is pending a grand jury.

Officers are looking for 17-year-old Dreaun Young for his alleged connection to the shooting of 26-year-old Michael Brittingham on the
600 block of 46th Place, SE on Aug. 6.

Document: Suspect Sought In Sexual Abuse Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in relation to a misdemeanor sexual abuse offense that occurred on the 1600 block of Argonne Place, NW.

At approximately 7:37 a.m., the suspect approached the victim and engaged in unwanted sexual contact before fleeing the scene.

The suspect is believed to be a Black male, approximately 5’8″ in height. He can be seen in the photo and video below.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202713-9-4-20-Suspect-Sought-in-a-Misdemeanor-Sexual.html” responsive=true]

Document: Persons of Interest Sought in Connection with Armed Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are seeking the public’s help identifying three persons of interest in connection with an armed robbery.

At around 9:23 p.m. on Aug. 30, a suspect approached the victim on the 4100 block of Hunt Place, NE. The suspect took out a taser and demanded property from the victim. The victim complied. The suspects then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

The persons of interest were captured by a surveillance camera.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202621-9-4-20-Persons-of-Interest-Sought-in-an-Armed.html” responsive=true]

Document: Suspect Sought for Misdemeanor Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are asking the public’s help identifying a suspect they are seeking in connection with a misdemeanor sex abuse offense that happened on Sept. 2.

At around 10:45 a.m., a suspect approached a female victim on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The suspect engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim and then fled the scene.

The suspect can be seen in photos.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202606-9-4-20-Suspect-Sought-in-a-Misdemeanor-Sexual.html” responsive=true]

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested a suspected for a second-degree burglary offense that occurred on the 3900 block of 12th Street, NE on Sept. 3.

At around 10:48 p.m., the suspect broke into an establishment and took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspect, a 25-year-old male, was apprehended by officers and charged with second-degree burglary.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202598-9-4-20-Arrest-Made-in-a-Burglary-Two-Offense.html” responsive=true]

Recent Indictment Impacts Defendant from Proceeding to Sentencing

A defendant could not proceed to sentencing because he was indicted on another matter that could affect his cases in DC Superior Court.

Victor Davis, 29, has three cases in Superior Court in which he is charged with fleeing law enforcement, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and reckless driving, and a prison breach.

Davis was indictment in federal court on Sept. 3, which presents some compilation with sentencing for the other cases he was charged. D.C. Witness could not confirm what charge Davis is facing in federal court.

Lucase Dansie also withdrew as counsel during the Sept. 4 hearing due to conflicting circumstances. 

In August, the defendant took a global plea. His prison breach charge was dismissed in the plea.

Judge John Campbell scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 11. 

Document: Police Seek Suspects in Burglary Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying suspects in reference to a second-degree burglary that occurred on the 1200 block of H Street, NE on Sept. 4.

At approximately 1:34 a.m., the suspects broke into an establishment and took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspects can be seen in the photos below, and police are asking for anyone who has information to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202590-9-4-20-Suspects-Sought-in-a-Burglary-Two-Offense.html” responsive=true]

Crime Alerts: Sept. 3-4

Between 12 p.m. on Sept. 3 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 4, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

An alert was sent at 12:36 p.m. on Sept. 3 for a robbery one the 100 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Police are looking for two Black males of unknown age.

Suspect one has a dark complexion and is wearing a black jacket.

Suspect two is 6 feet in height with a slim build and dark complexion. He is wearing a black hoodie and black jeans.

The suspects were last seen driving a black Nissan Versa with Virginia tags.

If anyone has information about this event, please call 911.

Document: Police Seek Suspect for Child Sexual Abuse

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect and vehicle involved in second-degree child sexual abuse that occurred on the 5000 block of MacArthur Boulevard, NW on Sept. 3.

Between 12 and 12:30 p.m., the suspect approached a female victim and engaged in unwanted sexual contact before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

The suspect has been described as a tan-skinned adult male with an unknown age. He is between 5’10” and 5’11” in height and heavy set. He has short, dark hair and is wearing baggy clothes, black shorts, a black mask and sunglasses.

The suspect and vehicle were captured on a surveillance camera and can be seen in the video below.

If anyone has information about this event, please call (202) 727-9099 or text the anonymous tip line at 50411.

https://youtu.be/wh-B6Bu4RyI

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202324-9-3-20-Suspect-Sought-in-a-Second-Degree-Child.html” responsive=true]

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.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202323-9-3-20-Suspect-Sought-in-a-Burglary-Two-Offense.html” responsive=true]

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.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7202327-9-3-20-Arrest-Made-in-an-Assault-With-Intent-to.html” responsive=true]