Judge Releases Defendant to Outpatient Services

A DC Superior Court judge found a defendant incompetent to stand trial, releasing him to receive outpatient mental health services.

David Dowdell, 64, was charged with simple assault on April 6, but was released with a citation. He was also charged with threats to do bodily harm and assault on a police officer on July 10, at which time he was held in DC Jail.

After the defendant received a forensic psychology examination, DC Jail recommended that Dowdell be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for competency restoration efforts.

The prosecution and the defense objected to the jail’s request, but agreed with the finding that the defendant was not competent.

Counsel said they believe outpatient mental health services would be the best option. Defense attorney Gregg Baron also pointed out that his client’s age made him more vulnerable to COVID-19, in which the spread of the virus at the DC Jail has concerned many.

A representative from DC Jail said the defendant has refused to take his medication. But, Dowdell said he only refused his medication because it had given his mother gallbladder disease.

After Dowdell told Judge Jonathan Pittman he would comply with release conditions, Judge Pittman decided to release him on his promise to return to court for his next hearing. Dowdell’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.

Judge Pittman also ordered Dowdell to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week, and admonished him to connect with outpatient mental health services.

Judge Pittman said he released Dowdell because his cases are not likely to go to trial soon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Probation

A defendant pleaded guilty to attempt to carry a pistol without a license outside a home or business and was sentenced to probation.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Michael Huskins on March 12 after finding a gun in his possession on the 200 block of Newcomb Street, SE.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Huskins on July 20 to 90 days in jail, which was suspended. She also gave him nine months of unsupervised probation and ordered him to pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act fund.

“I am responsible for my actions,” Huskins told Judge Dayson. He said he is getting help with his alcohol issues, which he called a “common denominator” of many of the challenges he faces in his life.

Crime Alerts: July 20

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out five crime alerts since midnight.

The most recent alert was sent at 6 a.m. for a shooting on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) available at this time.

At 4:36 a.m. an alert for a robbery on the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE was sent. Police are looking for a black female who is in her 20s, 5’7″ with medium complexion, short hair, black shorts, and a red shirt, She was last seen headed eastbound on Pennsylvania Ave., SE.

An alert for a robbery by force was sent at 2:35 a.m. The incident occurred at the intersection of 11th Street and O Street, NW. Police are looking for four males wearing black shirts with blue jeans.

At 2 a.m. an alert of another robbery was sent out. The incident occurred on the 1000 block of 31st Street, NW. Police are looking for 8-10 young males in an older model white sedan and a new model black SUV.

At 12:19 a.m., an alert of a shooting on the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE was sent out. Police to not have a description of the suspect(s) at this time.

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

Document: Homicide on 14th Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for the perpetrator of a July 19 homicide.

At around 4:53 p.m., MPD officers responded to a reported shooting on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW, which is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC. Upon arrival, officers discovered eight adult males and one female suffering from gunshot wounds.

Emergency personnel transported all of the victims to a local hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, Devin Peterson, a 28-year-old resident of Northeast DC, was pronounced dead.

The MPD is offering a reward of $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.

D.C. Witness data shows there have been 108 homicides in 2020 thus far, including two vehicular homicides. D.C. Witness collects homicide data on all homicides in the District including vehicular homicides and police-involved shootings. The MPD has recorded 106 homicides to date.

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Judge Allows Defendant Awaiting Sentencing to Remain Released

On July 16, a DC Superior Court judge allowed a defendant who is awaiting sentencing to remain released.

Rodney Hart Jr. pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree burglary in February for trying to remove a flat screen television from a building on the 2100 block of L Street, NW on Nov. 7. 2019.

The prosecution said Hart should be held in jail until he receives his sentence since he has had issues complying with release conditions, including violating a stay away order.

Defense attorney Todd Baldwin reiterated the argument he made in a hearing on July 14 that his client’s stay away order, which covers the entire District of Columbia, was too broad. He also said Hart is seeking mental health treatment.

However, the prosecution said Hart had no reason to be in the District of Columbia because he has not been working at his electrician apprenticeship in Navy Yard since March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prosecution also said that Hart’s grandfather said he does not want the defendant exposing himself to people who could potentially carry the virus.

Judge Gerald Fisher decided not to change his earlier ruling.

Hart is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 3.

Tracking Judges: Stats on Holds and Releases in June and July

Judges held at most 21 percent of defendants during their initial hearings at the DC Superior Courthouse in June and July.

Initial hearings are the defendants’ first appearance in court for charges that have been brought against them by the DC Government.

Between June 15 and July 17, four DC judges presided over the hearings, including DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrman, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna and DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell.

Each judge is scheduled to hear all of the presentment hearings for an entire week, and D.C. Witness tracks the rates at which each judge releases and holds defendants when they preside over initial hearings.

Judge Staples presided over hearing during the week of June 14. He heard a total of 89 cases throughout the week, releasing 70 and holding 19 in DC Jail.

Judge Herrmann presided over two weeks: the weeks of June 21 and July 12. She heard the most cases, releasing 163 and holding 44 in DC Jail.

Judge Staples and Judge Herrmann released and held defendants at the same rate with a hold rate of 21.3 percent and a release rate of 78.7 percent. Their hold rate was much higher than Judges McKenna and Crowell.

Judge McKenna heard 81 cases over the week of June 28. She decided to release 71 defendants while holding 10 in DC Jail. She held the second lowest percentage of defendants, only holding 12.3 percent of all cases.

Judge Crowell presided over the week of July 5 and held the lowest percentage of defendants. He heard a total of 109 cases, releasing 96 defendants and holding 13.. He only held 11.9 percent of the cases he heard.

D.C. Witness follows the initial hearings every day in the DC Superior Court System, tracking which defendants are held, released, the nature of their charges, pretrial release conditions and whether or not COVID-19 plays a factor in whether the judge decides to release them or hold them in DC Jail.

Defendant Gets Into Compliance with Pretrial Release Conditions

A defendant was found to be in compliance with the conditions of his pretrial release after his court-ordered GPS monitor was not installed on time.

D’Angelo Coleman is awaiting trial for his charges of first-degree child sex abuse and simple assault.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey told DC Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher that her client had his GPS device installed on July 15, a few days after it was supposed to be done. She said the delay was a result of him being stranded out of town earlier that week.

Coleman did not show up to the July 17 court hearing; however, Judge Fisher discovered that he had not been informed of the hearing.

Coleman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20.

Document: Homicide on Walnut Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for the perpetrator of a July 17 homicide.

At around 12:59 a.m., MPD officers responded to assist Takoma Park Police with a traffic accident on the 100 block of Walnut Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult males, in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Emergency personnel transported both victims to a local hospital for treatment. Anthony Riley, a 20-year-old resident of Northeast DC, succumbed to his injuries. The other victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The MPD is offering a reward of $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information should contact the police at 2020-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Defendant Enters Into Deferred Sentencing Agreement

On July 17, a defendant entered into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement (DSA) with the prosecution.

Shaun Jackson pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

As part of his DSA, he must complete community service requirements. If he does so by this time next year, his guilty plea will be withdrawn and his case dismissed.

After being stopped for speeding while going west on I-395 on March 15, Jackson, a Georgia resident, told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers he had two firearms in his car and gave the officer his Georgia concealed carry license. That license, however, did not allow him to carry a firearm in Washington, DC.

Additional Reward Offered in Search for Two Murder Suspects

An additional monetary reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of two men suspected in the murder of an 11-year-old boy.

Carlo General, 19, and Marcel Gordon, 25, are wanted for the first-degree murder while armed of Davon McNeal, who was fatally shot on July 4 on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE, which is located in the Anacostia neighborhood of DC.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers a reward of up to $25,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in a DC homicide.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division has offered an additional $25,000 and the FBI Washington Field Office has offered an additional $5,000 for the arrest and conviction of the suspects wanted in this case.

On top of that, the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Task Force has offered up to $10,000 for each suspect for information leading to their arrest.

Daryle Bond, 18, and Christian Wingfield, 22, were arrested July 9 and 10, respectively, for first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting.

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

MPD Investigating Homicide in Southeast, DC

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 16.

At around 10:11 p.m., police responded to a reported shooting on the 400 block of 33rd Street, SE, which is located in the Greenway neighborhood of DC. There, officers found an adult male with gunshot wounds in a residential building. He was taken to a hospital, but was ultimately pronounced dead.

Police are withholding the victim’s identity until they can notify his next of kin.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Five Years of Incarceration

On July 17, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced an involuntary manslaughter defendant to five years in prison plus five years of probation.

Edward Banks, who is also known as Michael Banks, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter of Abraham Binn on Feb 24. Banks and Binn were staying in the same shelter on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE when, on Aug. 19, Binn was intoxicated and urinating on a wall within the shelter when Banks struck him, knocking him to the ground and causing swelling and bleeding on the brain.

Binn was declared dead two days later.

Banks was originally charged with second-degree murder, but as part of a plea deal with the prosecution, his charge was amended to involuntary manslaughter.

Both parties recommended that Banks be incarcerated for the involuntary manslaughter minimum of five years, accompanied by five years of probation afterward.

“I’ve known him [Banks] to be extremely patient, kind, caring and extremely appreciative of the work I’ve done for him,” said defense attorney Ieshaah Murphy.

Banks is a participant in a lawsuit against DC Jail by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) regarding the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Juliet McKenna also recommended that Banks continue to receive substance abuse and alcohol treatment, along with participation in vocational, educational and mental health services.

“It is clear that Banks was acting impulsively,” said Judge McKenna.

Crime Alerts: July 16-17

From 11 p.m. on July 16 to 9 a.m. on July 17, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out four crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:24 a.m. for an armed carjacking on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE. Police are looking for two Black males with medium builds and 5’5″ in height. One of the suspects is wearing a grey shirt and has a bald head. The driver is believed to be armed with a handgun. A dark colored 2020 Town & Country minivan bearing MD tags of 2EE9974 was taken.

An alert was sent at 3:22 a.m. for a robbery on the 300 block of 8th Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black males, both wearing dark clothing. They were last seen on 8th Street, SE.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 2:05 a.m. on the unit block of Walnut Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

The final alert was sent at 1:34 a.m. for a robbery on the 600 block of Irving Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’8″, 50-60 years old, wearing a black hat, black t-shirt and jeans.

If you know anything about these incidents, please call 911.

Judicial Summons to be Issued for Defendant Who Failed to Appear

A DC Superior Court judge said he will issue a judicial summons for a defendant who did not show up to his hearing.

In April of 2019, Marcus Mathes was convicted of second-degree theft for stealing a woman’s property on Feb. 3, 2019 on the 1400 block of 14th Street, NW. He was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) to 15 days time suspended plus one year of supervised probation that could be changed to unsupervised in six months at the discretion of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.)

Mathes was scheduled to appear in court on July 17 for an amended sentencing agreement review, which was scheduled to address the defense’s application to have his conviction set aside in accordance with YRA guidelines. However, he did not appear, and Defense Attorney Daniel Kovler was unable to get in touch with him.

Judge Craig Iscoe continued the hearing to Aug. 28.

Judge Orders Defendant to Come into Compliance with Release Conditions

DC Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher ordered a defendant who was a loss of contact for over seven months to come into compliance with the conditions of his pretrial release.

Darrion Bullock was brought before the court in three cases on July 17. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful entry onto private property and simple assault.

As a condition of his release, Bullock is supposed to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week. However, he has had no contact with them since Dec. 9, 2019

Joseph McCoy, Bullock’s attorney, told Judge Fisher that Bullock’s homelessness has made it difficult for him to maintain access to a cell phone and has caused him to frequently lose his paperwork. He said his client hopes to have stable housing soon.

McCoy also said that while Bullock has not been in touch with the PSA, he has been in regular contact with the wellness center where he receives mental health treatment.

However, the prosecution said that, while Bullock has reconnected with the wellness center, the details of his most recent case, in which he is charged with simple assault and the possession of a prohibited weapon, show “fairly disturbing conduct.”

On June 27, Bullock allegedly assaulted a man with a wooden stick inside a gas station on the 4300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers say the defendant told them the assault was in response to the victim “disrespecting his family.”

The prosecution expressed concern that if Bullock is still involved in such offenses after he has begun receiving mental health treatment, his treatment plan may be insufficient.

Judge Fisher ordered Bullock to sign a release with the wellness center authorizing the PSA to assess his mental health records. He was also ordered to contact the PSA by the end of the day and maintain that contact going forward.

Bullock is scheduled to return to court on July 31.