Judge Gives Homeless Defendant 2nd Chance to Appear for Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge gave a homeless defendant, who failed to appear at his Aug. 13 hearing, a second chance to make it to court.

On Dec. 20, 2018, Nathaniel Carter pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary.

Carter was sentenced to two years, one of which was suspended, plus one year of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant’s adjustment to supervision was “extremely poor.”

The officer said he has been a loss of contact since Jan. 14 and received multiple violations in Montgomery County, Md.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson asked for time to find the defendant, who may not have had notice of the hearing due to homelessness.

Carter’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Judge Rainey Brandt said she will issue a bench warrant if he fails to appear at the next hearing.

Judge Continues Defendant’s Probation

On Aug. 13, a DC Superior Court judge continued a defendant’s probation.

Kenneth Carrol pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license on Oct. 24, 2018.

He was sentenced to 24 months, in which 15 of those months were suspended, plus two years of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant has been compliant with his probation.

“Keep up the good work,” Judge Rainey Brandt told Carrol.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty to Simple Assault

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve 45 days in jail with credit for time served and one year of probation.

Conner Brown was charged with simple assault, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm, violation of a civil protection order, attempted second-degree cruelty to children, and contempt for violating release conditions. As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, all charges were dropped except for three charges of simple assault. The assaults took place in January of 2019, February, and July.

As part of the conditions of his probation, Brown must stay away from the victim and her home, enter and complete a domestic violence intervention course and undergo drug and alcohol testing.

“You’re a very young individual. Your life can certainly take a different path,” Judge Maribeth Raffinan said.

For all three charges of assault, Brown will serve concurrent sentences of 45 days in incarceration and one year on probation.

The defendant must also pay $500 in restitution to the victim for stealing her phone and $150 to the Crime Victims Compensation fund.

Judge Holds 6 of 24 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun released 18 defendants and held six defendants in DC jail during initial hearings.

Michael Moore was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear for his hearing for an armed robbery charge. Judge Okun decided to hold Moore, citing the nature of the case and his noncompliance with pretrial services.

Terrell Baker, charged with robbery for allegedly stealing a victim’s Airpods, backpack, wallet and $200, was also held by Judge Okun. Baker is on pretrial supervision for another robbery charge that he was arrested for on Aug. 6.

Michael Grantham was charged with being a fugitive from justice, where he is wanted in Pennsylvania. He decided to waive his extradition hearing in DC in order for Pennsylvania authorities to pick him up from DC Jail within three business days.

Three defendants involved in domestic violence cases with charges of simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, unlawful entry and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon were all held by Judge Okun.

There were three additional domestic violence defendants, and all were released with stay-away orders and one was also put on GPS monitoring.

Two defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were released to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions in which they are wanted.

There were six misdemeanor cases, and Judge Okun released them all with various conditions, including orders not to possess firearms, no harassing, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders and High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) orders.

There were seven additional felony cases presented before Judge Okun. Six were released with conditions, and one was given a judicial summons because he was released at an earlier date to return back to court.

Two defendants were still hospitalized, so Judge Okun scheduled their hearings for Aug. 14.

Judge Terminates Defendant’s Probation

A DC Superior Court judge terminated a defendant’s probation earlier than the intended end date.

On Feb. 5, Alden Jackson pleaded guilty to attempted possession of an unregistered firearm.

Jackson, 22, was sentenced to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus nine months of probation.

On Aug. 13, a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant had recently been in compliance with probation, despite initial problems.

Defense attorney Mary Kennedy asked for her client’s probation to be terminated, citing his “wonderful family support.”

Judge Rainey Brandt terminated the probation based on his compliance and a desire to not waste the resources of the court.

The defendant will receive the benefit of his case being effectively sealed from public view under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

On May 19, 2019, a driver attempted to flee from a traffic stop, causing a collision with another vehicle on the 2500 block of Stanton Road, SE. The driver fled on foot and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers saw Jackson exiting the front passenger seat. When he stood up, an unregistered handgun fell from his waistband.

Judge Plans to Terminate Probation if Defendant Continues to Comply with Conditions

A DC Superior Court judge said she will terminate a defendant’s probation if he continues to adhere to the conditions of his release until his Dec. 2 hearing.

Alonte King pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on Dec. 30, 2019.

Later that day, he was sentenced to one year of jail, which was suspended, plus one year of probation.

King, 32, was rearrested for distribution of a controlled substance on March 14 for allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

However, a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant has otherwise been compliant with conditions of his probation.

The officer said King tested negative for drugs before the testing was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The officer also said he has not had an issue with contacting the defendant.

The officer reported that King completed 90 volunteer hours, a condition of his probation, during February and July. However, the service was for a local business, not a non-profit, a requirement the defendant had been informed of.

The defendant said he was not paid for the work.

Judge Rainey Brandt did not rule on whether or not the hours would be counted as community service during the Aug. 13 hearing.

On Aug. 13, 2019, King was initially arrested for selling $20 worth of cocaine to another undercover MPD officer. He was found to be in possession of $46 cash and 32 bags containing a white rock substance, according to court documents.

Judge Continues Hearing to Assess Defendant’s Compliance

A DC Superior Court judge continued a defendant’s hearing to assess his compliance with probation.

On Nov. 12, 2019, Suneverlasting Hall pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license for having an illegal handgun in his waistband on Sept. 9, 2019, on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW.

Hall, 21, was sentenced to six months, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation the following January.

During the Aug. 13 hearing, a Court Services and Supervision Offender Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant has stable housing and been fully compliant with probation, despite early instances of noncompliance.

Judge Rainey Brandt said she was “thoroughly impressed” with the defendant.

“I am so proud of you, you have come such a long way,” she told Hall. “Keep up the good work.”

Hall’s next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2 to assess the defendant’s compliance.

Judge Brandt said if he remains compliant by this hearing, his probation will be terminated early.

Judge Continues Murder Defendant’s Hearing

On Aug. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna continued a murder defendant’s hearing to Oct. 28.

Glenn Dolford is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Raheem Murray. According to court documents, a car approached three victims who were standing on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE on Feb. 2. Dolford and another man allegedly got out of the vehicle and shot the victims.

Dolford, 27, has been held at DC Jail since June 26.

Robbery Defendant Pleads Guilty

On Aug. 13, a robbery defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

Alfonzo Alegria, 37, was initially charged with robbery for grabbing a victim’s purse from her car when she was sleeping on the 60th block of New York Avenue, NW on May 1. According to court documents, the victim began to chase Alegria, and when she caught up to him, he began to choke her.

As part of the agreement, the prosecution agreed to recommend a shorter sentence for the offense.

Defense attorney Todd Baldwin asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna to release Alegria while he waits to be sentenced, but Judge McKenna denied the request.

Judge McKenna said her choice to keep Alegria in jail was because the defendant was on supervised probation in three prior cases when he committed the crime.

Baldwin then asked the judge to sentence Alegria as quickly as possible.

Alegria is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 16 for sentencing.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty

On Aug. 13, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to 90 days in jail with credit for time served plus one year of probation.

Jose Rivera Vasquez pleaded guilty to violation of a civil protection order and contempt for violating his release conditions. On multiple occasions between February and June, Vasquez failed to abide by a protective order and stay away from his victim and her home.

“The very troubling piece about Mr. Vasquez’s conduct is that it has occurred over the course of a two-year period and it is repeated,” Judge Maribeth Raffinan said. “From the information that I have heard in this case, alcohol is also a tremendous problem and certainly needs to be addressed.”

According to both parties and the judge, the defendant was drunk during each incident.

The conditions of Vasquez’s probation include alcohol and drug testing, mental health screening, GPS monitoring and a stay away order from the victim and her home. He must also pay $150 to the Crime Victims Compensation fund.

Vasquez will serve two concurrent sentences of 45 days in DC Jail, with credit for time served, for a charge of violation of a civil protection order and a charge of contempt for violating his release conditions. He will also serve a consecutive sentence of 45 days for another violation of a civil protection order. For all three charges, Vasquez is also required to serve a concurrent sentences of one year on probation.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 28 Months in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna sentenced a defendant to 28 months of incarceration followed by three years of probation.

Samuel Bucey pleaded guilty to attempting to commit second-degree burglary. He was originally charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and possession on Feb. 6, 2017. According to court documents, Bucey broke into an apartment building and stole various items from multiple residences.

Bucey was also charged with bail violation for failing to appear in court on March 28, 2019.

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, the bail violation case and the remaining first-degree burglary and possession charges were dismissed.

“He robbed me of my sense of security,” the victim wrote in an impact statement that the prosecution read during the Aug. 13 hearing. “That is a loss that has no compensation.”

Judge Continues Defendant’s Probation

On Aug. 11, a DC Superior Court judge continued the probation of a defendant who was not being compliant with his probation conditions.

Leon Quarles pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and a bail violation on March 18, 2019. He was sentenced to 18 months and 90 days in jail. Nearly half of the sentence was suspended. The judge also order that Quarles complete 18 months of probation.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said Quarles violated his curfew numerous times and has not charged his GPS monitor since Aug. 5.

The officer also said the defendant failed to report to mental health services since June 26. According to the officer, the defendant made concerning comments about women to his staff.

Judge Robert Okun ordered the defendant to participate in a sex offender assessment. Judge Sean Staples previously requested this on June 18, but the defendant did not comply.

Quarles’ next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 to assess his compliance with the terms of his probation.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty, Released Awaiting Sentencing

On Aug. 13, a domestic violence defendant took a plea deal from the prosecution.

Joey Grady pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss his three pending cases. He was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm for pulling a gun on victims on May 7 on the 1600 block of Lincoln Road, NE.

As a part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, counsel agreed to recommend that Grady receive a shorter or probationary sentence.

Defense attorney Quo Judkins requested her client’s release, saying his most recent conviction was a traffic conviction from 2015, and the remainder of his convictions were even more dated and for nonviolent offenses.

Judge Juliet McKenna granted Judkins’ request, releasing Grady into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring. She also ordered him to complete mental health and drug use assessments and stay away from the victim and her family.

At the defense’s request, Judge McKenna modified the stay away order to only include the victim. She then ordered the defendant not to Harass, Assault, Threaten, or Stalk (HATS) the victim’s children.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, But Releases Murder Defendant on HISP

On Aug. 12, a DC Superior Court judge decided that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. The judge also released the defendant into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Daniel Gayden is charged with second-degree murder. He is accused of stabbing 56-year-old Ronald Collins to death on June 1 on the 5100 block of A Street, SE.

Judge Neal Kravitz denied defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman’s motion to dismiss the case, but asked her to file a motion to sanction the prosecution.

According to court documents, Gayden, 54, got into an argument with the victim about a woman with whom the prosecution said they were both interested in pursuing romantically. Gayden was in a car with a woman outside of Collins’ house. After the woman went into the victim’s house for a short time, the victim walked out and began arguing with Gayden for “disrespect[ing] his woman.”

Witnesses said Collins said, “put the knife down and fight me like a man.” Collins briefly left, but allegedly returned with a cane, which he used to strike the defendant’s rear passenger window.

The cane got stuck in the vehicle, causing Collins to be dragged as Gayden drove away. The defendant allegedly exited the vehicle, kicked the victim twice and stabbed him.

Cadman introduced an audio recording of a 911 call where a witness said the victim was holding a knife. This is despite the prosecution’s statement during the initial hearing that the victim was “completely defenseless.”

Cadman said the prosecution did not provide her with the 911 call, even though it was filed as evidence on June 2. In a June 24 motion for evidence, she wrote that the prosecution had only provided her with the police report.

Through independent investigation, Cadman discovered the 911 call, of which the prosecution had not alerted her. Cadman said the prosecution also never corrected the police document with this information, as required.

“I find very disturbing the government’s behavior in this case,” said Judge Kravitz.

He said it is the prosecution’s responsibility to provide this evidence and update court documents.

“Any prosecutor handling murder cases- or misdemeanor cases for that matter- should know that,” said Judge Kravitz. “What I find most disturbing… is that so many of your legal arguments are premised on clear misstatements of the law.”

The prosecution showed a photo of Collins in the middle of a road, covered in blood next to the cane.

The prosecution also presented pictures of suspected blood on the defendant’s shoes, pants and a knife. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recovered the knife from the defendant’s vehicle.

Cadman said the defendant was wearing different clothes than what a witness described.

She also said one witness described the murder weapon as having a hook, which Gayden’s knife did not have.

During cross-examination, Cadman asked the lead detective if the victim had a prior manslaughter charge and he said he did not know.

He also did not know whether the woman was located or if the blood on the knife was tested.

The prosecution said there was a prior altercation between Gayden, Collins and Collins’ family in July 2019. The defendant was charged with disorderly behavior for allegedly being loud outside of the families’ Maryland house. The prosecution said the defendant also made threats to kill the whole family.

Judge Kravitz said there was no factual basis to this argument since the defendant was not charged with threats. However, the prosecution said this is because five people must be present for police to charge threats in Maryland. The case was ultimately dropped because police officers did not appear in court.

The prosecution asked that the defendant be held due to the danger he presents to the community.

The prosecution said Gayden assaulted a woman multiple times, at points making her go to the hospital. In a police interview, the woman said if Gayden knew she was providing information, he would kill her.

The prosecution also said the witnesses are at risk now that the defendant is aware of some of their addresses.

However, Cadman requested her client’s release, pointing out that the defendant only has one prior conviction for a 2004 marijuana-related offense.

Judge Kravitz released the defendant under HISP, with stay away orders from the decedent’s family, a woman and 5100 block of A Street, SE.

“I won’t let you down,” the defendant said.

Gayden’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Document: Fatal Stabbing in Northwest, DC, Residence

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 12 in the Brightwood neighborhood of DC.

At around 12:46 p.m., officers responded to a residential building the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW for the report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found Sa’id Grey, a 40-year-old resident of Northwest, DC, suffering from stab wounds. He showed no signs consistent with life.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7035244-8-12-20-Homicide-1300-Block-of-Missouri-Avenue.html” responsive=true]

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