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Judge Allows Defendant to Remain Released

A DC Superior Court judge decided not to hold a defendant, who wasn’t complying with the terms of his probation, in jail.

Mark Franklin served nearly four months in jail for attempted threats to do bodily harm.

While on probation, he was instructed to report to Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) for check in.

However, a notice of noncompliance was filed on May 26.

According to DC Courts, Franklin has recently resumed contact with CSOSA. Judge Rainey Brandt allowed him to remain released. 

Franklin’s next hearing is scheduled for July 9.

Defendant Held in Jail for Not Complying

A DC Superior Court judge detained June 11 a defendant who was not complying with the terms of his probation.

Kenneth Cunningham was charged with robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business and assaulting a police officer.


He was on probation. However, after multiple notices of noncompliance were filed, Judge Rainey Brandt chose to detain him pending his next hearing, which is scheduled for July 23.

Defendant Asks to Withdraw Guilty Plea

A defendant made a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on June 11.

Terry Marbury is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawfully possessing ammunition, possessing a controlled substance and possessing an open container of alcohol.

DC Superior Court Judge Jose Lopez instructed the defendant to stay in contact with his counsel. His request to withdraw his guilty plea will be addressed at a later date.

Marbury’s next hearing will be scheduled for either July 23 or July 30.

Prosecution Extends Plea Offer

The prosecution in an assault case extended a plea deal to the defendant.

Larry Debose is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon – one with a machete and the other with a sword.

Judge Todd Edelman allowed the hearing to be rescheduled to give Debose an opportunity to accept the plea agreement. 

He was not at the hearing because his presence was waived.

Debose’s next hearing is scheduled for June 25.

Judge Adds Conditions to Defendant’s Release After Violation

A DC Superior Court judge decided to release a defendant on June 11.

Alexander Day is charged with his violating release conditions for a domestic violence case.

Judge Judith Pipe chose to release him with conditions that include GPS monitoring. He was also given a warning on the record.

Day’s next hearing is scheduled for July 24.

Judge Holds Defendant in Jail

A DC Superior Court judge chose not to release a defendant.

Omara Hussein is charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and attempted threats to do bodily harm. According to court documents, Hussein engaged in unruly conduct and assaulted a police officer outside of a homeless shelter in Northwest DC after being told that she was not permitted inside.

The defense counsel asked that he be released, but Judge Robert Okun denied the request.

Hussein requested release from the DC Jail because of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 27.

Hussein’s next court date is scheduled for June 18.

Judge Doesn’t Revoke Defendant’s Probation

On June 11, a DC Superior Court judge ruled against the Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency’s request to revoke a defendant’s probation. 

Anthony Mason was brought before the court regarding two different cases. In one, he was charged with armed robbery and ultimately pleaded guilty. In the other, he was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business, possessing an unregistered firearm, unlawfully possessing ammunition, possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device and possessing a controlled substance.

He pleaded guilty to two charges. As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges were dismissed.

The probation officer and and the prosecutor asked that Mason’s probation be revoked on June 4. However, during the hearing, Judge Judith Smith denied the request. The reason why she denied the request was not clear.

Mason’s next court date is scheduled for July 8. 

Judge Modifies Defendant’s Release Conditions

A DC Superior Court judge allowed a defendant’s release conditions to be modified on June 11.

Ronald Hobby is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business.

On March 17, Judge Heidi Herrmann, on behalf of Judge Rainey Brandt, allowed the defendant to be released under high intensity supervision program.

After being found to be in compliance with his release conditions, Brandt granted the defense’s motion to modify Hobby’s release conditions. It is unclear what modifications were made.

Murder Defendant Requests More Time to Review Evidence

A defense attorney requested to continue his client’s hearing to review new evidence. 

The defendant, 19-year-old Mequan Carthens, was arrested on March 26. He is charged with second-degree murder of 36-year-old Lagioria Brinkley in the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE on March 20.

Carthens’ presence was waived for the hearing on June 11. 

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner said that he requested the continuation because the prosecution recently provided additional video evidence that has not yet been shared with Carthens due to DC Jail restrictions. 

Gardner said that he is working with the jail to deliver the new evidence to Carthens. 

Judge Todd Edelman granted Carthens’ counsel the continuation, which has been rescheduled from June 11 to June 18.

Carthens remains in confinement without bail.

Court Denies Felon’s Request for Transfer to Psych Ward

On June 11, DC Superior Court Judge Jose Lopez denied a convicted felon to be transferred to a psychiatric ward. 

Victor Purdie, 56, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2017. Police arrested him for assaulting 57-year-old Richard Lewis after an altercation between the two outside of Union Station on the 100 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Lewis succumbed to his injuries on Jan. 6, 2017.

Purdie has been held at a facility in Springfield, Mo. 

Purdie asked to be transferred to the John Howard Psychiatric ward in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in DC. 

Purdie’s defense attorney, Sweta Patel, said he is dissatisfied with the treatment he is being provided for his mental health issues at the Missouri institute. Purdie previously transferred from a Texas facility because the proper medication for his condition wasn’t available.

Judge Lopez said the court has no authority to fulfill Purdie’s request. He also said Purdie did not meet the necessary requirements to be designated as mentally incompetent. 

The hearing was originally scheduled to convene on March 2 but was pushed back to June 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Releases Most Defendants During Presentment Hearings

A DC Superior judge released all but one of the 13 defendants whose cases were presented to the court on June 11.

Judge Rainey Brandt decided to hold Delonte King, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, in preventative detention.

A variety of charges were brought before the court, including unlawful entry, destruction of property, simple assault and more.

Some of the people involved in the hearings were present virtually due to circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic. There were some technical difficulties, as there have been in previous days during the hearings, but the issues were ultimately resolved.

Defendant Considers Plea Agreement

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defendant’s request for time to consider a plea agreement.

Tywone Sommers was brought before the court regarding two different cases. In the more recent one, he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing and requested to take time to consider a plea agreement, which Judge Todd Edelman granted.

Sommers is also awaiting sentencing for an earlier case, in which he is charged with receiving stolen property over $1,000, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, driving recklessly, destroying property less than $1,000, leaving after colliding and driving without a permit. In February, he pleaded guilty to three of the charges.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, the other charges were dropped. 

Sommers’ next hearing is scheduled for July 22.

Document: Police Arrest 2 Suspects for Burglary

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two suspects who are connected to a burglary on June 10.

According to a press release, the suspects entered an occupied residence on the 1300 block of Orren Street, NE on June 9. Once inside the residence an altercation occurred between the suspects and multiple residents.

A gun was used to threaten the residents, according to the release.

Both suspects, a 20 year old and a 28 year old, were arrested for burglary. The older suspect was also arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon.

The case is still being investigated.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the Department’s Text Tip Line —  50411.  A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this case or any crime committed in the District of Columbia.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Assault

On June 10, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect who is connected to a violent assault with a gun.

According to a press release, officers responded to the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE after hearing gunshots. The officers found two victims suffering from a gunshot wound. The victims were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The 25-year-old suspect was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Several Offenses

On June 10, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a male suspect who is connected to several violent assaults.

The 32-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed two victims on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW on June 7 and the 2600 block of 14th Street, NW on June 6.

The suspect was arrested for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

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