Judge Isn’t Optimistic Defendant Will Get Virtual Plea Before Next Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker rescheduled a defendant’s hearing since the case could not proceed in June 25.

Larry Debose is charged with assault using a sword and a machete.

Debose wishes to enter a plea deal for the case, but he cannot because he must first enter a plea deal for his felony case. Virtual felony pleas are prohibited at this time.

The defendant is attempting to receive an amendment from the court of appeals so he may proceed in both cases.

However, Judge Becker said that she did not think the plea would be ready in time for Debose’s next hearing. I’m “not optimistic the court of appeals will move that fast,” she said.

Debose is scheduled for his next hearing on June 30.

Judge Continues Defendant’s Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge extended a defendant’s hearing, saying that the Department of Corrections needed more time to establish a reintegration plan before the defendant can be released into the community.

Edward Cowser is charged with attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, second-degree theft and shoplifting.

Cowser was previously on probation for a second-degree theft from January to March without any additional charges. However, in late April, Cowser was arrested multiple times for the aforementioned charges.

Judge Michael Ryan asked defense attorney Jamison Koehler why no plan has been made for Cowser’s release, since he is currently sitting in DC Jail’s mental health unit on misdemeanor charges.

Koehler said that he has had great trouble getting in contact with Cowser and authorities at DC Jail in order to create a plan for release.

Judge Ryan contacted the Department of Corrections, asking why a plan has not been established to release Cowser, especially because there is a federal judge’s order to lower the jail population based on COVID-19.

The Department of Corrections did not have a complete answer for Judge Ryan.

After requesting, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Behavioral Health begin shaping a release plan for Cowser.

Judge Ryan said that he is interested in safely releasing Cowser with an Assertive Community Treatment team, an approach devoted to delivering mental health services to those on the schizophrenia disorder spectrum.

Cowser is currently still being held in DC jail, but he is scheduled for a hearing on July 1 to evaluate his readiness for release.

Knight Grant Supports D.C. Witness’ Mission for Transparency

America is speaking, and it is saying change is needed.

But what will that look like? Defunding the police? Criminal justice reform?

At D.C. Witness, we do not believe our place is to advocate for any specific kind of change.

Instead, by bringing thorough transparency to the system and sharing the data we gather, our goal is to provide data-backed information so that better, more informed — and most importantly — more effective policies can be developed.

We believe accurate data holds the answers to which way forward we should go.

To that end, the Knight Foundation has joined us in our mission, awarding us a grant to rebuild our website as part of a $20 million three-year technology initiative to help newsrooms focused on local journalism strengthen their digital publishing solutions. The Knight Foundation, working alongside News Revenue Hub, developed a grant for publishing tools that will improve distribution, community engagement and revenue opportunities.

We are excited to be included in the foundation’s first group of grantees.

With this grant, D.C. Witness will build out our publishing platform to provide readers with more data visualizations on homicides, domestic violence and sexual assaults in the District. We will also use the grant to make our mobile output stronger.

All to the end of helping better plan what effective criminal justice reform should look like.

D.C. Witness Uses Technology Grant to Accelerate to A More Innovative Future

In a push to produce better sustainability for newsrooms and digital outlets across the country, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced June 22 that it has awarded D.C. Witness, a Washington, DC nonprofit organization, with a grant to improve digital publishing solutions.

The $20,000 grant focuses on improving distribution, community engagement and revenue opportunities, such as digital subscriptions and membership, through digital platforms.

Grants were given to 24 recipients across the country with a focus on local journalism. D.C. Witness’ mission focuses on criminal justice transparency during a time when citizens are calling for change in the criminal justice system.

“This is a time where trust in the criminal justice system needs to be reestablished, and what better way to do that than by data transparency,” said Amos Gelb, D.C. Witness publisher and chair of the board. “D.C. Witness provides the public with information on specific crimes with the intention that data on these crimes could empower several governmental and community entities with knowledge to produce policies that are better equipped to stop these horrific acts.”

As a community organization devoted to giving a voice to residents who are often overlooked in the wake of crime, D.C. Witness is hopeful that the grant will enable the nonprofit to create more data visualizations and reach a bigger audience looking for content that includes hard statistics on crime.

The grant, which is a part of a $20 million initiative will not only improve the way D.C. Witness’ content is published, but also strengthens the news site’s mobile agility to make accessing information from phones, tablets and other mobile devices easy and simple for users.

“We are in the courthouse. We gather the data. We disseminate the information,” Gelb said. “Let’s stop throwing together policies that are not backed by real data. We have the data.”

According to Gelb, the grant will enable the non-profit organization to continue to produce innovative measures to disseminate data and articles on homicides, domestic abuse and sexual assault in the city.

Knight, along with News Revenue Hub, a nonprofit organization that works with publishers on building membership revenue, growing audiences and developing sustainable business practices, developed the grant for newsrooms focused on providing local journalism.

“Now, more than ever, it’s critical for newsrooms and publishers to adopt digital solutions that meet audiences where they are and provide new revenue opportunities,” said Paul Cheung, Knight Foundation director for journalism and technology innovation. “These outstanding news organizations now have the opportunity to leverage technology to maximize their revenue and better serve their communities.”

Judge Postpones Suspected Murderer’s Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker granted a defense attorney’s request for more time to review evidence with his client.

NeQuan Carthens is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting Lagioria Brinkley on March 20 on the sidewalk on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE. Brinkley, 36, suffered from a gunshot wound to the head and died on the scene.

Some of the evidence includes video surveillance that two gun recovery unit officers used to independently identify Carthens, 19, as the shooter.

The defense attorney also requested Carthens’ name be edited to its proper spelling in the court system. Previously, he was listed as ‘MeQuan.’

Carthens is scheduled to reappear in court on July 13.

Judge Releases Assault Defendant

A defendant was released from pretrial detention and put on GPS monitoring on June 25.

The defendant was charged in a domestic violence case for simple assault on June 8.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defendant’s release, saying he was not a threat to the public or his spouse.

The prosecution argued that the defendant’s criminal history was grounds for pretrial detention. However, Judge Raffinan said the defendant’s criminal history is dated, so it should not be that large of a factor.

The prosecution also cited the defendant’s violent history with his spouse.

Judge Raffinan granted a stay away order to address possible problems.

The defendant’s next hearing slated to occur on Sept. 8.

DC Jail Needs to Make Accommodations for High Risk Defendant, Judge Says

On June 24, a DC Superior Court Judge ordered that accommodations be made for a defendant due to health conditions, which put him at a higher risk of dying from the coronavirus.

Quincy Walters, 38, is charged with assault with theintent to kill while armed. He was arrested in connection with an incident that occurred on April 12 in which two people were shot multiple times in the rear alley of the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. Both victims lived, but one sustained orbital fractures and brain swelling.

In her ruling, Judge Ronna Lee Beck ordered Walters remain in jail without bail.

He is scheduled to return to court on July 10.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of 28-year-old Man

The Metropolitan Police Department announced that an arrest was made in a murder investigation.

According to a press release, officers arrested 20-year-old Philbert Griffith Jr. on June 25 for first-degree murder while armed. Griffith allegedly shot 28 year-old Alante Moore on the 1500 block of 19^th Street, SE on June 19.

The case is still under investigation.

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 can be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Crime Alerts: June 24-25

From 7 p.m. on June 24 to 7 a.m. on June 25, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out six alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 4:47 a.m. for a shooting on the 2400 block of Elvans Rd, SE. The police currently do not have any suspects.

A robbery alert was sent at 3:19 a.m. for a robbery on the 800 block of West Virginia Ave, NE. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’10” with slim build and wearing all black clothing.

Another robbery alert was sent at 12:32 a.m. for a robbery on the 700 block of Galloway St, NE. Police are looking for four to five Black males, 19-25 years old, 5’8″, with one wearing a white t-shirt.

An alert for a shooting went out at 11:34 p.m. at Orren St, NE and Neal St, NE. The police are not looking for anyone specific.

Another alert for a shooting went out at 11:17 p.m. for a shooting on the 600 block of Mellon St, SE. Police are not looking for anyone specific.

Another robbery alert was sent out at 10:50 p.m. for a robbery investigation at the intersection of Massachusetts Ave and Southern Ave SE. Police are looking for a Black male, light complexion, meduim build, wearing a light hooded jacket. The man was last seen going south on Massachusetts Ave SE.

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

Hearing Continues Without Defendant’s Presence

A court hearing continued without the defendant after her counsel waived her presence.

According to defense counsel, Michelle Dodson did not have access to an electronic device that would allow her to attend the hearing, which was conducted virtually.

The defendant pleaded guilty to simple assault on Jan 13. She was given six months of probation, 90 hours of community service and a $100 fine.

DC Superior Court Judge James Cromwell terminated her probation.

However, Dodson must complete the 90 hours of community service. Once she does, her conviction will be removed from her record.

Judge Reschedules Hearing So Defendant Can Be Present

A hearing was postponed because of a scheduling conflict, which prevented the defendant from attending his hearing on June 24.

Michael Starks was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on April 22.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker granted the defense’s request for another hearing so that Starks could be present. The hearing is scheduled for July 1.

Defense Requests New Court Date for Defendant to Waive Prelim Hearing

A defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which would determine if there is enough evidence to bring his case to trial.

James Hawkins was charged with robbery on March 28.

A felony status conference was scheduled for June 24. However, defense attorney Rachel McCoy asked that a new date be set so Hawkins could sign a waiver forgoing the preliminary hearing.

Judge Julie Becker granted the request for a new hearing date, which is scheduled for June 30.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Time Served Plus Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 2 years in prison and three years on probation.

On March 16, Jerome Barnes pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for stabbing his victim 17 times with a knife.

Barnes received time served for the time he was to spend in prison. He must also complete a drug treatment program and an anger management course during his probation.

Barnes must not test positive for PCP, a hallucinatory drug, during his probation.

The prosecution read the victim’s impact statement. The victim did not wish any harsh punishment on the defendant, however the victim requested a stay away order. In the statement the victim expressed never wanting to have contact with Barnes again.

Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a three year stay away order, which forbids Barnes from coming within 100 feet of the victim.

The defendant and the victim have not had contact since the incident.

Weapons Case Results in Deferred Sentence

After pleading guilty to a felony, the defendant entered into a deferred sentencing agreement with the prosecution on June 24.

Chauntel Watson pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol outside a home or business.

DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell put her sentencing on hold until Jan. 15.

If Watson complies with the the conditions of the plea agreement during that time, she will be able to withdraw her guilty plea and her charge will be dropped.

The conditions state that Watson must not violate any laws or be arrested on probable cause.

She must also complete 48 hours of community service. Watson can choose where she wants to complete the hours, but it must be approved by pretrial services.

Judge Continues Case on Behalf of Counsel

A DC Superior Court judge ordered that a case currently undergoing an appeal be continued until Sept. 3 in order to figure out how the defense and prosecution would like to move forward.

Irik Wynn was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in February of 2017. He was sentenced to nearly four years months in prison. He received credit for time served. Wynn is also required to serve three years of supervised probation.

The defense appealed the sentence on May 3.

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