On July 2, a prosecutor told a defense attorney that he is willing to offer a plea deal.
Robert Smith is charged with a bail violation.
Smith, 29, failed to appear for his jury trial on Sept. 24, 2019. He was being charged for unlawful possession of a firearm.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled Smith’s next hearing for July 21 for the bail violation. A new hearing for the unlawful possession charge has not been scheduled as of July 2.
A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant’s first hearing on July 2. The defendant was initially presented to the court two months ago.
Judge Todd Edelman said the delay was due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 2, David Brown was charged with assault with intent to commit robbery.
The day before, two complaining witnesses said that Brown, 59, tried to rob them at the Gallery Place Metro, which is located on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW.
The first complaining witness said the defendant grabbed her purse on the train. The defendant ran away when she fell onto the train platform as she struggled to hold on to her belongings.
Shortly after, Brown allegedly came behind a woman at the station and wrapped one arm around her neck and another around her upper torso, repeatedly saying, “give me your money b****.” After she struggled, he ran away.
Metropolitan Police officers detained the man and said they overheard him say, “so what if I did it. I’m a crackhead. I did it for crack.”
Both complaining witnesses identified Brown.
The prosecutor said a plea offer was being put together and would likely be extended to the defendant in the next day or two.
Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for July 16. He is being held without bail.
On July 2, a judge decided to terminate a defendant’s probation, which was scheduled to expire on July 3, and excuse him of his final community service requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malik Bullocks pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in March of 2019.
In July of 2019, he was sentenced to six months in confinement. The time was suspended under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). Bullocks was also sentenced to one year of probation under YRA, 90 hours of community service and had to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.
His probation requirements included maintaining or seeking employment, participating in a life skills program, participating in the Vocational Opportunities, Training, Education, and Employment (VOTEE) program and a general education diploma preparation program.
The prosecution said that Bullocks had been in compliance since March but had been out of compliance for the majority of his probation.
Bullocks’ probation officer said, however, that he was only out of compliance with his community service and life skills program because of the pandemic. She also mentioned he is required to contact her twice a week, which he is in compliance with.
She requested that his probation either be terminated or an extension be put in place in order for him to complete his requirements, though she was uncertain when he may be able to do that given the health crisis.
Bullocks’ defense attorney, Christopher Mutimer, agreed with probation and requested that his supervision be terminated.
District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna noted that this was Bullocks’ first contact with the criminal justice system. He has remained arrest free since 2017, which is when he was first arrested for his felony conviction.
Judge McKenna removed the community service requirement and terminated Bullocks’ probation. Bullocks’ final requirement is to pay $100 to the fund, which is due on July 3.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered that witness statements be provided to the defense by July 10.
Eldred Watts was charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Zenus Epps on April 25.
On March 25, Metropolitan Police Department officers heard gunshots and arrived on the 3500 block of A Street, SE, which is located in the Greenway neighborhood of DC. There, they found Epps, a 31-year-old resident of Southeast DC, unconscious and unresponsive.
Officers heard multiple witnesses screaming inside the building, court documents said.
Watts is accused of shooting Epps at close range outside of his girlfriend’s apartment. An autopsy report revealed that the victim died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Earlier that night, Epps got into a verbal altercation with Watts’ girlfriend because he would not give her cigarettes. Witnesses said there were issues between the defendant and victim, but offered differing reasons as to why.
When shown a photo array, a witness identified the defendant as the shooter, “100%.”
Watts’ next hearing is scheduled for July 17.
A probation revocation hearing had to be continued July 2 due to time constraints. In the meantime, the defendant will remain at DC Jail.
Jesus Downing was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in 2015. On July 10, 2015, he was given a 180-day sentence that the judge suspended. He was also sentenced to five years of probation, and required to register as a sex offender.
On March 13, a notice of noncompliance was issued when Downing was observed having unaccompanied interaction with two minor boys in violation of his probation.
He is also under investigation for having inappropriate contact with another underage female.
A Metropolitan Police Department detective testified that the female victim said Downing had inappropriate sexual contact with her during an interview.
The detective also said Downing denied the allegations.
DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna said she was not ready to release Downing. Instead the hearing is slated to continue in the coming weeks. An official date has not been scheduled.
A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve three months in jail followed by one year of supervised probation.
The 41-year-old defendant was convicted for simple assault. He was also involved with two previous domestic violence cases with the same victim.
As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his destruction of property charge was dropped.
Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced the defendant to six months. However, he will only have to serve half of his sentence behind bars.
The defendant was previously on probation for the other domestic violence cases when he was arrested. He has been incarcerated since his most recent arrest, which occurred on April 12.
Judge Raffian also required the defendant to stay away from the victim and place of the incident, participate in an online domestic violence intervention program and take drug and alcohol assessment and get treatment.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the Southeast, DC.
According to a press release, officers found 23-year-old Zamonte Clark suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1500 block of 25th Street, SE. 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 case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information can call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the depatment’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
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On July 2, a judge granted a request to remove a defendant’s GPS monitoring device after the victim moved out of the area.
Norman Horace is charged with stalking a woman.
He appeared before District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann on June 25 to discuss his noncompliance with his GPS monitoring requirement. He had come back into compliance right before the hearing by getting his GPS device replaced.
At that time, Judge Herrmann continued the hearing to see if Horace would remain in compliance with his instructions to report to the Pretrial Services Agency daily.
On July 2, Horace appeared before District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna. A representative from pretrial services confirmed that Horace had been in full compliance since his last hearing.
Horace’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, requested that he be removed from GPS monitoring as the victim has moved out of the area.
Judge McKenna granted the request to remove the GPS requirement, citing that Horace was only on monitoring to protect the victim. She confirmed that there had been no violations of the stay-away order.
Horace’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Three co-defendants pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered firearms as part of a deferred sentencing agreement with the prosecution on July 2.
Michael Riley, Michael Carson and Sheldon Adams agreed to complete 48 hours of community service. They must also certify in writing that they have made themselves aware of DC firearm laws and waive their right to trial.
DCSuperior Court Judge John Campbell explained that the prosecution would drop all charges against them if the defendants complete their requirements within the next six months.
Riley, Carson and Adams were arrested on March 5 after police discovered a white Chevy Tahoe SUV with multiple handguns lying on the front and back passenger seats. The car belonged to the defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants parked the vehicle on the 400 block of 17 Street, NW, claiming they got out to take pictures of the White House on their way to work.
All three defendants are scheduled for a deferred sentencing review on Jan. 7.
A judge denied a release request for a defendant who has chronic health issues and says he is not being given adequate treatment at the DC jail.
The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that took place May 13.
A motion for release was filed on June 22 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Defense attorney, Donald Dworsky, said his client has a number of medical issues, including diabetes and breathing problems.
He said the defendant’ was found collapsed on the floor twice, but the jail has not been able to give him a machine to help him breathe.
A representative from the jail said the defendant is receiving proper care, given daily medications and is in a chronic care program. The representative also said that they are working to getting a machine from the defendant’s residence.
But, the defendant said the representative was not accurately describing the medical treatment he is receiving at the jail. He said he does not feel safe and no one is watching over him or giving him the treatment he needs.
DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian said it appears that the defendant is receiving adequate treatment. However, he ordered that a machine to help the defendant breathe be transferred to the DC jail.
A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant from DC jail so he could turn himself in to the Charles County Sheriff’s office, where he currently has an outstanding warrant.
James Demyers was charged with threats to do bodily harm, attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property on June 8.
According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers observed Demyers to be under the influence of narcotics the previous day on the 500 block of Edgewood Street, NE. Officers attempted to stop Demyers, who resisted arrest.
A bystander approached the officers and said that, prior to the officers’ arrival, Demyers approached him from behind and punched him in the nose with a closed fist.
Another bystander approached the officers and said that, prior to the officers’ arrival, Demyers threatened to hit her with a belt.
When police ran Demyer’s name, they found that he had two outstanding warrants: one from Charles County Sheriff’s office issued on Dec. 5, 2019, for failure to appear in court for a second-degree assault and the other filed by the DC Superior Court on Dec. 18, 2019, for firing a weapon.
During the time after the defendant was placed under arrest and being transported to Central Detention Facility at DC Jail, Demyers was seen vandalizing a toilet and destroying one of the light fixtures in the cell he was placed in.
DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian released Demyers so he could turn himself in to the Charles County Sheriff’s office. Then, the defendant must report to pretrial for placement under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) and mental health services from community connections. Community Connections is an organization that provides behavioral health, residential services, and primary health care coordination for marginalized and disenfranchised individuals.
Another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4.
DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian allowed a defendant to remain on pretrial release despite the prosecution’s request for the defendant to be held.
Roscoe Atchinson is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Atchinson, 28, allegedly pulled a handgun and pointed it at a victim’s head. An unknown suspect attempted to disarm him. At the same time, the victim grabbed the handgun and shot both suspects in the back and legs, according to court documents.
The incident left Atchinson paraplegic. He now uses a wheelchair.
Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said there was more to being paralyzed than not being able to walk. Atchinson also suffers from skin breakdown and bladder issues. He needs help with daily tasks, such as putting on clothes.
His injuries require frequent medical treatment with physical, occupational and neurological therapists. While incarcerated, he received only two sessions with a physical therapist. He has fallen four times in the jail and had to wait for nearly a half hour to be picked up, defense counsel said.
“He’s not getting the care,” Weller said. “He’s getting this very basic level of staying alive care, which I don’t think is appropriate.”
Since his release, Atchinson has been able to meet with spinal doctors and urologists.
Weller also mentioned that Atchinson is no longer a threat to the community due to his injuries. The prosecution disagreed, citing the violent nature of the crimes.
Atchinson’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred just after midnight in Southeast, DC.
According to a press release, officers found 30-year-old Demetrius Sullivan, a resident from Suitland, Md., in suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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 DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
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Between 8 p.m. on July 1 and 8 a.m on July 2, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out five crime alerts.
The most recent alert went out at 4:41 a.m. for a shooting on the 1500 block of 25th Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.
An alert went out at 1:15 a.m. for a robbery at the intersection of 14th Street, NW and Shepherd Street, NW. Police are looking for two Black males wearing gray or black clothing armed with a handgun.
Another alert for a shooting was sent at 12:57 a.m. on the 1100 block of 46th Place, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.
Another alert for a shooting was sent at 10:18 p.m. Police do not have a description of the suspect.
The final alert went out at 9:13 p.m. for a stabbing on the 2300 block of Nicholson Street, SE. Police are looking for three Black males.
Anyone with information on these events should call 911. Please do not take any other action.
The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert since 3 a.m. on July 1.
At 4:07 p.m. the police sent out a crime alert for a shooting on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE. Police are looking for a black male who is wearing white shirt.
If anyone knows about the incident, contact 911.
