Judge Holds 4 Of 18 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 14 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Three defendants charged with unlawful firearm offenses were held by Judge McKenna.

Marquel Minter is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The judge determined probable cause in this case because the defendant’s DNA was found on the pistol.

Judge McKenna approved the prosecution’s request for a hold because Minter is currently on supervision in two felony cases. He was also allegedly engaged in illegal conduct as he was found in a house with drugs and firearms.

Darius Thomas is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Probable cause was determined in his case and a hold was deemed necessary due to evidence that Thomas engaged in illicit drug distribution while in possession of a firearm.

Judge McKenna decided to hold Lamar Jones, who is charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense and unlawful possession of a firearm.

She determined that the police report establishes probable cause, especially since a witness positively identified Jones. Jones’ attorney requested home confinement instead of incarceration. However, the prosecution’s request for a hold was granted because Jones allegedly shot a witness during the robbery.

The judge held a defendant in a domestic violence case who was charged with contempt and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).

According to Judge McKenna, he defendant had been told to stay away from the victim twice and allegedly became extremely combative when confronted by officers on the scene.

Of those released, three defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. Judge McKenna released all three of them with stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

Judge McKenna also released two defendants charged with being fugitives from justice from Maryland. They are both to report as soon as possible to Maryland, where one is charged with shoplifting and the other with assault.

Three defendants with simple assault charges were released. One of the three defendants was also charged with attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, which was a knife. Another defendant has an additional charge of threats to do bodily harm. Judge McKenna released all three with stay-away orders. One defendant was also ordered to report for drug testing once available.

Two defendants charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business were released. One of the two defendant was also charged with armed robbery and the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense.

Both defendants were given stay-away orders and are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The judge also placed one of the defendants on 24-hour home confinement with GPS monitoring. The defendant is only permitted to leave his residence for verified employment purposes.

Four additional defendants charged with misdemeanors were released.

One defendant was still in the hospital, so his hearing is rescheduled for Aug. 27.

One fugitive from justice case was dismissed because Maryland authorities failed to retrieve the defendant from DC Jail within three business days.

Judge Finds ‘Substantial Evidence’ Against Defendant in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman determined in a hearing that there was enough evidence against a defendant in a homicide for the case to move forward.

Philbert Griffith Jr., 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing Southwest D.C. resident Alante Moore, 28, on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on June 19.

During the Aug. 26 hearing, the lead detective said the suspected murderer wore a belt with a large buckle and a hooded sweatshirt with writing on it. Griffith’s clothing matched the same description.

Griffith was also shot on June 19. He was treated for a gunshot wound in the abdomen in a nearby hospital where he was questioned by Washington.

The prosecution wanted Grffith to be held without bail in DC Jail. “[He is] still a major risk to the community at large,” the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney Douglas Wood, on the other hand, advocated that it was unjust to hold Griffith in jail because he does not have a previous criminal record.

Wood also said the homicide appeared to have been part of a larger conflict between two neighborhoods, but there was no evidence to suggest that Griffith was involved in this other conflict.

Judge Edelman determined that there were reasonable grounds for holding Griffith in jail and continuing the case.

“In my view, there is substantial evidence that he participated in this event,” Judge Edelman said.

The case is scheduled to continue with a felony status hearing on Jan. 6, 2021, at 9:30 a.m.

2020 CF1 005549

Judge Denies Request for Release After Viewing Video Evidence

On Aug. 26, a DC judge denied a defendant’s request for release.

Darius Perry, 24, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon following an incident occurring on July 11 between the Mt. Vernon and Shaw metro stations.

Surveillance footage from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority showed Perry shooting the victim with a gun on the metro.

The footage also shows the victim, who was allegedly drunk, with a tequila bottle in his hand coming back from a party.

The prosecution said the victim approached Perry and attempted to hug him, but the defense said the victim was being aggressive.

The court also viewed Perry’s Instagram story which showed him in possession of a gun a couple weeks prior to the incident on the metro.

Perry’s defense attorney Corinne Schultz argued that Perry should be released and put on house arrest as he has strong community and family ties, a job that he could continue working at while on release, a school that he attends that trains special police officers, as well as no prior criminal record.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said that although Perry had strong community ties, he would not release the defendant since the “notion of the circumstances were very serious in which the victim could have died.” Judge Okun also said video evidence strongly opposes any argument of self defense on the defendant’s behalf.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Perry on July 18. Perry will remain held at the DC Jail until his next hearing, which has not been scheduled as of Aug. 26.

Judge Keeps Defendant in Jail Until Sentencing

On Aug. 26, a defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.

Javon Hale was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that occurred on May 5. On that day, an Uber driver told Hale he could not drive the amount of people who were with him due to COVID-19 guidelines. The driver cancelled the trip and Hale then chased and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.

Hale’s attorney, James Williams, asked for his client to be released while he awaits sentencing. He said that Hale could greatly benefit from the types of services he could get on release, specifically anger management.

The prosecution asked that the defendant be held because the attack was unprovoked. The victim spent three days recovering in the hospital.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker decided to hold Hale due to his history of not complying with probation.

Hale is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Columbia Heights

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in Columbia Heights shortly before midnight on Aug. 25.

Officers found 31-year-old Adam Fongyen suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW. He died on the scene.

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

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Document: Traffic Fatality On Suitland Parkway

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Aug. 25 on Suitland Parkway near Stanton Road in Southeast DC.

At around 8:50 a.m., a Chevy Traverse was traveling inbound on the parkway when a dark colored vehicle approached from behind at high speed and attempted to pass the Traverse.

The driver of the Traverse lost vehicle of the car, crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck a Ford Transit van head-on.

The unidentified vehicle, which is thought to possibly be black in color, continued on the parkway and sideswiped two additional vehicles before fleeing the scene.

The front seat passenger of the Traverse was transported to a local hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead after life saving efforts failed. The decedent has been identified as 42-year-old Sherry Knight from Lothian, Maryland.

The driver and rear passenger of the Traverse as well as both occupants of the Transit were transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Additionally, the drivers of the two vehicles that were sideswiped by the unidentified vehicle were treated and released on the scene.

The case remains under investigation by the MPD.

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

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Crime Alerts: August 25-26

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:50 a.m. for a robbery that occurred at 6:06 a.m. on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Police are looking for three Black males, approximately 16 to 18 years of age, wearing masks. The first suspect is wearing a gray hoodie and black pants. The second suspect is wearing a black shirt and black pants. The third suspect is wearing a white baseball cap. The suspects were last seen heading westbound on Kenyon Street, NW in a gray sedan with unknown tags.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 3:04 a.m. on the 1800 block of Corcoran Street, NE. Police are looking for a white Chevy bearing Maryland tags 4BT1051.

The final alert was sent at 11:53 p.m. for a shooting on the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW. Police are looking for a white Kia SUV.

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

Crime Alerts: August 25

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert during the afternoon of August 25.

The alert, sent at 4:34 p.m. was for a shooting on the 4400 block of Southern Avenue, SE. The police do not have a description of the suspect(s) available.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 911.

Judge Gives Defense More Time

A DC Superior Court judge decided push back a hearing to give the defense more time.

Anton Goodman, 19, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and bail violation in four cases.

The defense was given more time to discuss a plea deal that was offered during the Aug. 25 hearing.

Defense attorney Lloyd Malech said he needed time to discuss the offer with his client. He asked Judge Judith Smith to hold the hearing on another day.

Judge Smith agreed, scheduling Goodman’s next court appearance for Oct. 14.

Goodman is currently being held in DC Jail.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Sexual Assault Case, Holds Defendant

On Aug. 25, a DC Superior Court judge ruled that a sexual assault case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on May 29 on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE.

Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause, saying the victim’s injuries were consistent with the claims.

Judge Edelman also chose to continue holding the defendant at DC Jail. He said the facts of this case were alarming and contribute overall to a finding of dangerousness, citing the defendant’s prior four assault offenses and self-reported use of PCP.

According to court documents, the defendant is accused of closely following his victim, approaching her and making a sexual comment.

He then allegedly touched the victim’s buttocks, pushed her to the floor and dragged her behind a parked car, forcing his body onto the victim’s stomach, punched her multiple times and pulled her pants down.

A witness driving by the road intervened after hearing the victim cry for help.

Footage from cameras outside of the Department of Motor Vehicles nearby supported the prosecution’s theory that the defendant followed the victim. Photos taken by officers of the victim’s injuries were also presented to support the claim that she was punched and dragged.

The defendant’s attorney, Sylvia Smith said the alleged touching of the victim’s buttocks was not seen on the DMV footage, no forensic samples were taken off of the victim and she denied care or an examination from a sexual assault nurse. Additionally, Smith said there were inconsistencies between the stories of the witness and the victims.

Smith also said the victim is known to interact with individuals in the area in a sexual way.

But, the prosecution countered that the victim’s reputation or interaction with other people is not relevant to disputing probable cause.

Another hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 11.

Judge Edelman also ordered the prosecution to disclose the complaint’s name, but not her date of birth, to the defense. The discovery deadline is Oct. 1.

Judge Gives Defendant Time to Complete In-patient Program

A DC Superior Court judge gave a defendant time to complete a 28-day in-patient drug treatment program.

Nicole McCray is on probation for driving under the influence and driving while impaired. McCray was not present for her Aug. 25 hearing because she is at the program.

Defense attorney Daniel Dorsey said he believes his client will receive outpatient care once she’s done.

“McCray needs treatment, I’m happy that she’s been accepted to a drug treatment program,” Judge Rainey Brandt said.

McCray was sentenced to two years of probation for her charges on April 11, 2019.

Judge Brandt scheduled another show cause hearing for Oct. 13. to assess the patient’s progress.

Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss in Murder Case

On Aug. 25, a DC Superior Court judge denied a motion to dismiss a murder defendant’s case.

Bobby Jordan, who is also known as Hilman Ray Jordan, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence and carrying a pistol without license outside a home/business. Jordan, 47, is accused of killing 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto on March 1 on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

The defense is seeking mental health evaluations of Jordan.

Defense attorney Dana Page expressed concern over the prosecution’s blocking of questions to police about Jordan’s mental health status.

The prosecution said “the police are not mental health professionals” and questions regarding Jordan’s mental health would be “speculative.”

Judge Danya Dayson agreed with the prosecution. She suggested the parties communicate about how the evaluation would be carried out by a doctor.

Judge Dayson ordered the prosecution to consult with a doctor and provide the defense with updated information about how the mental health evaluation will take place by Sept 2.

Jordan’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25.

Assault Defendant Released

On Aug 25, a DC Superior Courts judge released a defendant charged with assault.

Gary Reed, 51, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for allegedly threatening an off-duty taxi driver with a gun on Dec. 19, 2019, at 15th and U Street, NW.

Defense attorney Stephany Reaves requested her clients release, pointing out that Reed’s detention has been extended several times without any indication of when jury trials will resume.

However, the prosecution said that the defendant should be held, citing the seriousness of the allegations and arguing that all standards in place have been constitutional.

Reaves acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations against Reed but argued that because of the pandemic, health concerns, and Reed’s “indefinite” detention that his release is needed.

Judge Judith Smith decided to release Reed under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Judge Holds Six Of 18 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 12 defendants and held six defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Lawrence Gatewood is charged with assault with significant bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly fracturing a victim’s skull with a baseball bat on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Aug. 24. Judge McKenna held Gatewood due to the severity of the crime.

Joshua Smith is held on charges of simple assault and second-degree theft for allegedly stealing a cell phone from a taxi driver in front of Union Station on Aug. 25. Smith was also charged with simple assault on Aug. 22 and unlawful entry on private property on July 13. The judge held him due to the frequent and repeated nature of his offenses.

Judge McKenna held a domestic violence defendant charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 and a separate case in which he is charged with a bail violation. The defendant allegedly damaged a vehicle on Aug. 25 while on release for several pending cases involving similar assaultive and destructive conduct.

Judge McKenna cited the defendant’s noncompliance with release conditions as well as the “allegations of substantial destruction of property” in his new case for her hold decision.

Judge McKenna also held another domestic violence defendant who is charged with contempt for violating a stay-away order given to him by another judge in another domestic violence case.

Olonzie Coney is held for violating his probation multiple times since his release. On July 30, Coney pleaded guilty to simple assault for acting aggressively with a knife on a DC metro train on March 1. Since his probation began, the defendant has failed to charge his GPS device or report to a probation officer.

Sylvia Gassaway is temporarily being held on fugitive charges for an arrest warrant in Maryland. Maryland authorities have three business days to retrieve Gassaway from DC Jail. If authorities fail to pick Gassaway up, she will have another hearing in DC to discuss her release.

Gassaway is also charged with unlawful possession of liquid PCP and carrying a pistol without a license outside of her home or business for an incident which took place on Aug. 25. Judge McKenna released her on these charges with orders not to possess firearms once she is released in her fugitive case.

Of those released, two defendants were charged with domestic violence related offenses. Both defendants were given stay-away orders while one was also given a GPS ankle monitoring device.

Two defendants were released with fugitive charges. Both defendants are wanted in Maryland. One defendant is wanted for probation violation and shoplifting, and the other defendant is wanted for a family offense. The judge ordered them to turn themselves in to Maryland authorities immediately.

Five additional misdemeanor cases were presented. The charges included GPS tampering, contempt, simple assault, destruction of property, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon.

Judge McKenna released all five defendants and gave three of the defendants stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

Two defendants, charged with felonies for unlawful possession of liquid PCP and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, were also released by Judge McKenna.

One defendant, charged with second-degree theft, has reportedly been in the hospital since July 20.

However, the defendant’s defense attorney said he spoke to the hospital where the defendant was being treated and discovered that the defendant is no longer under the care of the hospital.

The defendant, who is on probation in two cases, has two outstanding bench warrants for his arrest for failure to appear to his hearings. Judge McKenna issued a judicial summons and scheduled his arraignment in his new case for Oct. 15.

One final defendant, charged with assaulting a police officer, has been in the hospital since Aug. 12, so his hearing was rescheduled for Aug. 26.

Judge Reschedules Hearing After Defendant Fails to Show

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing so that the defense attorney could locate his client.

Antwon Ray is on probation for a second-degree burglary, which he pleaded guilty to in November of 2018.

Ray did not show up for his Aug. 25 probation show cause hearing.

Defense attorney Ralph Robinson said he tried to contact his client but didn’t get an answer.

Judge Rainey Brandt continued the hearing to Aug. 26 so that Robinson can find his client.

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