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Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment, Considers Plea Deal 

A defendant was indicted on five charges related to a 2024 non-fatal shooting that left a victim paralyzed before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 22.

Damon Bradford, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW on Oct. 2, 2024. A victim sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. 

Joseph Yarbough, Bradford’s defense attorney, entered a plea of not-guilty, but stated that they were open to discussing a deal in the coming weeks.

The prosecution opened the hearing by notifying the court of a plea offer, which would require Bradford plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for a midline sentencing recommendation and the promise to not pursue a murder indictment, even if the victim passes away after the agreement.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sep. 12.

Shooting Suspect’s Mental Competency in Limbo

In an Aug. 25 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz reviewed the results of shooting defendant’s mental health screening but the findings were incnclusive.

Mario Kirksey, also known as Jaymario Kirksey, faces seven felony charges in connection to a non-fatal shooting of a victim at the 1300 block of Okie Street NE on Feb. 28, 2024. Kirksey is accused in three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, and one charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle.

A bench warrant was issued for Kirksey after missing his felony arraignment on the 29. As a result, he’s being held in the DC Jail without bail.

Judge Kravitz ordered a full mental competency evaluation be performed at the jail for Kirksey. There were no objections to the order. In order to stand trial, a defendant must be mentally compent, meaning he can understand the charges against him and be able to help his lawyer argue the case.

Parties are slated to reappear in court on September 24, 9:30am.

Judge Denies Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant’s Release Over a Roommate Dispute

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover denied a non-fatal shooting defendant release after finding probable cause during a preliminary hearing on Aug. 15. 

Neiby Boreshe, 24, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE on May 12. 

According to court documents, Boreshe’s girlfriend is also a suspect in the incident. She reportedly lived with a family member for several months before she was asked to move out for not contributing to the household.

When Boreshe returned to the residence with his girlfriend to retrieve her belongings a physical fight ensued and then Borshe allegedly shot seven times at the residence from his car. The front of the victim’s residence is reported to have damage from gunshots.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution brought in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who identified Borshe as the allgeded shooter. 

Defense attorney Kyle McGonigal, cross-examined the detective and asked if she was aware that there was a Ring camera in the neighborhood that could have captured the incident. The detective was unsure if the device worked. 

McGonigal also asked the detective if she was aware of the first fight that Borshe’s girlfriend had with the victim after the girlfriend was told to come back to get her belongings that were left outside on the porch. 

According to McGonigal, Boershe’s girlfriend believed she was being set up and told the victim, “Burn my stuff I don’t wanna go back.” However, she went back with Boreshe and the situation escalated into a profance exchange, said McGonigal.

McGonial argued that Boreshe acted out of self-defense allegedly hearing, “bust them windows,” an apparent threat.

The prosecution opposed Boreshe’s release because they say he “completely disregarded… human life.”

Judge Glover found probable cause and denied Boreshe’s releasen reasoning that Boreshe took out a gun allegedly to shoot in a squabble between roommates.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 20. 

‘You Will Be Back In That Jumpsuit,’ Judge Warns Corrections Officer After Release in a Road Rage Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover released a non-fatal shooting defendant with strict conditions despite finding probable cause during a preliminary hearing on Aug. 19. 

Akinde Akinseye, 43, a corrections officer at the DC Jail, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 12 on the 1700 block of New York Avenue, NE. No injuries were sustained.

According to court documents, Akinseye was on his motorcycle when he allegedly fired multiple shots at the victim’s car. Akinseye reportedly turned himself in later the same day and told the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that he shot his firearm in fear for his life. 

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution called a MPD officer who spoke with the victim who said multiple shots were fired towards his car.

Defense attorney Brandon Burrell presented body-worn camera footage in which the victim told a different MPD officer only one shot was fired and then another officer asked again and the victim confirmed it was only one shot. The officer testified that he was not aware the victim said only one shot.

In the footage, the victim also admitted he tried to block the road so Akinseye could not drive through on his motorcycle and said, “Maybe that pissed him off.” 

Burrell also asserted that when the victim was asked to give a description of Akinseye he said he had cornrow braids and no helmet. However, Burrell showed images of Akinseye wearing a helmet and bald. 

Burrell also called Akinseye’s girlfriend as a witness who was driving behind him and obvserved the incident. She testified that the victim tried to crash into Akinseye and she began to pray. However, the witness could not confirm where Akinseye was in relation to the victim when he allegedly fired the shots.

The witness also stated Akinseye immediately called 911. There was additional footage of Akinseye in the police station explaining the incident.  

The prosecution argued that this was a road rage incident that escalated into something very serious because Akinseye introduced a gun into the situation. 

Burrell argued that Akinseye acted in self-defense because he tried to defend himself after the victim almost crashed into him multiple times. Burrell stated Akinseye believed his life was in danger so he fired at the car’s tires.  

Judge Glover stated he understood how both sides believed they were the victim. 

However, he found probable cause because Akinseye allegedly had a gun, felt road rage and shot in broad daylight, putting others in danger.

Burrell subsequently asked for Akinseye’s release since he works as a correction officer at the DC Jail, has family support, and a limited criminal history that only relates to traffic matters. Burrell also emphasized that Akinseye took responsibility by calling 911 after the incident and turning himself in.  

Even though the prosecution was opposed, Judge Glover granted his release with a stay-away order from the victim and 24-hour home confinement.

Judge Glover emphasized that these conditions are not suggestions nor recommendations because the charges against him are very serious. 

The judge made it very clear to Akinseye, “if you do not comply with these conditions you will be back in that jumpsuit.” 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 1. 

Judge Dismisses Stabbing Case Against Aging Defendant For Want of Probable Cause

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe dismissed the case against an elderly stabbing defendant for lack of probable cause he committed the crime during preliminary hearing on Aug. 15. 

Edward Smith, 87, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 1800 block of Harvard Street, NW on Aug. 14. 

According to court documents, the victim reportedly went to Smith’s apartment to buy cigarettes when a fight ensued and he allegedly stabbed the victim with a large kitchen knife.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution brought in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who wrote the incident report as their witness. The prosecution asked the police officer how she identified Smith as a suspect and the officer responded by the victim’s statements.

The officer also said she was with the victim most of the night.  

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller asked the officer if she interacted with Smith at any point in order to identify him. The officer stated she did not but only knew Smith’s appearance based on what the victim described and from a photo that a detective showed her. 

The officer stated that all she knew about the case what a detective told her during a debrief and statements from the victim.

Weller argued that there was no probable cause due to there not being any interaction between Smith and the officer in order for the officer to confirm an identification. 

The prosecution argued that there was probable cause and alleged that during the fight between Smith and the victim, Smith was the only one with a weapon.

Judge Pipe found there was insufficient evidence and “no testimony before me” to demonstrate that Smith committed the stabbing as the basis for not finding probable cause.

With that, Judge Pipe dismissed the case and released Smith.  

No further dates were set.  

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Drive-By Murder

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 18. 

Korriek Akinola, 24, was originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Joshua White on the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE on June 6, 2023.

According to court documents, White was riding a bike in a Shell gas station parking lot, when Akinola drove past and shot him out of the window of a black sedan. 

At the hearing, Kevin Mosley, Akinola’s attorney informed Judge Kravitz that the defendant accepted a plea offer from prosecutors. Akinola pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the remaining charges.

Second-degree murder while armed carries a potential maximum sentence of 40 years of incarceration with five years of supervised release. 

Judge Kravitz accepted Akinola’s guilty plea as knowing and voluntary.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24.

After Turning Down Two Offers, Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty Days Before Trial

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty four days before his trial was scheduled to begin before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 21. 

Walter Jenkins, 36, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or place of business.

The charges stem from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 52-year-old David Williams on Nov. 14, 2021 on the 2000 block of Bruce Place, SE. A second surviving victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their legs. 

Parties were scheduled to return to court on Aug. 25 to begin the jury trial, however, they reconvened early regarding Jenkins decision to plead guilty. 

Jenkins’ attorney, Dominique Winters, informed Judge Brandt that Jenkins accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors. The deal required Jenkins to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges. 

Prior to Jenkins’ acceptance, he rejected plea deals from prosecutors twice. Both prior offers required him to plead guilty to the same charges. However, previous deals had an agreed upon sentence range of 16-to-23 years of incarceration. Prosecutors did not stipulate a sentence range in the deal Jenkins accepted. 

Judge Brant ensured Jenkins understood he could be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years for second-degree murder and 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors said at trial, they would have proven that Williams was in a romantic relationship with Jenkins’ sister and acted violently towards her. The day of the incident, Williams was in a car with two other individuals, when Jenkins fired over 20 shots through his backpack as he walked around the front of the car. Jenkins agreed to the facts proffered by prosecutors. 

Judge Brant found a factual basis and accepted Jenkins’ guilty plea as knowing and voluntary. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Judge Sentences Shooter in Leaf Blower Incident to 5 Years

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to five years of incarceration on Aug. 20 for an incident that began as an argument over blowing leaves.

Lawrence Murphy, 52, was convicted by a jury on April 4 of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The charges stem from his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured one victim in his wrist on the 1300 block of Queen Street, NE on March 31, 2020. 

According to court documents, the incident ensued after the victim, a landscaper, was blowing leaves into Murphy’s yard. 

At the start of the sentencing, Judge Di Toro noted that despite Murphy’s absence of a criminal history, the law required her to impose a mandatory minimum of five years of incarceration.

Prosecutors requested Murphy receive a sentence of 12 years of incarceration–five years for aggravated assault, five years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one year for unlawful possession, three months for the unregistered firearm, and three months for the ammunition charge. 

The prosecution emphasized that the victim was an entrepreneur in the community, and the injury changed his daily life because he lost mobility in his wrist. The victim did not attend the sentencing, but prosecutors asked Judge Di Toro to recall his testimony from the trial. 

Alvin Thomas, Murphy’s attorney, emphasized the mental health and cognitive struggles Murphy faces. According to Thomas, Murphy was a victim of a past incident that left a bullet in his head, which impacts his impulse control.

Thomas requested a sentence below the guidelines and Judge Di Toro interrupted to remind him of the legal minimum. “I can’t depart,” said the judge.

Judge Di Toro pointed out “Murphy has some genuine struggles” but that the incident caused harm to the victim and the community. She noted bystanders who testified during the trial reported hearing the gunshots. 

Judge Di Toro sentenced Murphy to five years for aggravated assault, five years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one year for unlawful possession, three months for the unregistered firearm, and three months for the ammunition charge. All time will run concurrent.

Murphy will serve a total of five years of incarceration with five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon his release.

Immediately following the sentencing, US Marshals took Murphy away.

No further dates were set.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Northeast Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 41-year-old Cornell Shumate in connection with a stabbing that occurred on May 30 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. The victim, an adult male, was physically assaulted and stabbed by multiple suspects and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Shumate has been charged with Assault with Significant Bodily Injury (Knife).

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Aug. 14 in Northeast. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Deon Cherry, was found unconscious in the rear alley of the 1600 block of Benning Road and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary findings suggest Cherry was struck by two vehicles, whose drivers did not remain at the scene.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in 2024 Kentucky Avenue Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 36-year-old Kareem Thomas in connection with a 2024 homicide on 16th Street and Kentucky Avenue, SE. On Oct 21, 2024, officers found 23-year-old Jakele Allen deceased from gunshot wounds. Thomas was apprehended in Mount Vernon, NY, and extradited to Washington, DC, where he faces charges of Second Degree Murder while Armed.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Knox Place Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 30-year-old Tarik Settles, who is alleged to have been involved in a homicide on April 22 on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. The victim, identified as 22-year-old Dar’Juan McRoy, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Settles has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 21-year-old Corneal Smith in connection with a shooting on Aug. 16 on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Smith allegedly fired a handgun at the victim, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital. The case remains under investigation.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in 2024 Southeast Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 49-year-old Dennis Christie, of Baltimore, MD, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on April 22, 2024, on the 4800 block of F Street, SE. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital. Christie was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife).

Document: MPD Investigating DC-295 Fatal Pedestrian Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Aug. 2 in the northbound lanes of DC-295. The victim, identified as 58-year-old Lee Clark from Capitol Heights, MD, was struck by a blue 2025 Toyota Camry, whose occupants fled the scene on foot. Detectives from MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are leading the investigation.