Prosecution Waits on ME’s Report to Determine Murder Charge

A prosecutor is waiting on the medical examiner’s report to determine if a defendant’s charges should be changed to murder.

Tyrone Williams, 49, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed on March 30. After Williams was charged, the victim of the assault died.

An autopsy was conducted to determine if the assault was the cause of death.

Another hearing is scheduled for June 18 so the defendant can change his legal representation. William’s attorney Charles Allen is not able to represent Felony 1 cases.

Defendant moves towards a plea

Another court proceeding has been scheduled to give a defendant time to decide if he wants to accept to a plea deal.

Anthony Barnes is charged a with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. He was arrested on the 100 Block of Ivanhoe, NW.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 9.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Prison Time Despite Health Concerns

A defendant pleaded guilty to assault and attempted possession of a knife and was sentenced to one year in prison despite his health concerns.

Joseph Armstrong was originally charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing a victim under their arm on Sept. 11. Armstrong also allegedly punctured the victim’s tire.

The prosecutor requested that Armstrong be sentenced to six months for each charge, citing his “lengthy criminal history,” previous infractions while on probation and noncompliance with pretrial conditions.

Defense Attorney David Richter explained that Armstrong struggles with mental health issues, homelessness and the challenges that come with being transgender.

The defense also said that Armstrong is HIV positive, and that being at the DC Jail during the COVID- 19 pandemic has been very scary for his client, who is concerned about his health.

DC Superior Court Judge Micheal O’Keefe agreed with the prosecution, saying that Armstrong has proven that, because of previous probation infractions, confinement is necessary.

Prosecution Finalizes Plea Deal for Suspect Charged with Misdemeanors

On June 15, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled another hearing for a defendant who was arrested for assault..

Police arrested Ariel Amaya won April 14 for allegedly breaking into a store and assaulting the manager. He also allegedly carried an open container of alcohol.

Amaya expressed interest on May 20 in taking a global plea deal that is being offered by the prosecution. A prosecutor said more time is needed to get paperwork together and collect victim statements before finalizing a plea agreement.

Amaya’s next hearing is scheduled for June 22.

Crime Alerts: June 15

Between the hours of 8 am. and 8 p.m. on June 15, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out three crime alerts for robberies.

The most recent alert was sent at 7:21 p.m. for a robbery on the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW. Police are looking for two black males who are in their 20s, wearing dark clothing and masks. One Suspect is wearing a Bob Marley hat.

At 6:46 p.m. an alert was sent out for a robbery on the 4200 block of East Capitol Street, NE. Police are looking for a black male who is wearing a black hat, white shirt and black pants. Police are also looking for a black male with long dreadlocks, wearing a black shirt, black pants, and a skull cap. The suspect is perceived to be armed with a handgun.

At 10:44 a.m., an alert was sent out for a robbery on the 1000 block of 17th Place, NE. Police are looking for a black male who is 5’7″, 170-180 pounds, wearing ab all black Adidas sweatsuit, and black mask. The suspect is perceived to be armed with a black handgun. Police are also looking for a black male who is wearing a black sweatsuit and black mask. The suspect has braids and was last seen headed towards 17th Street, NE.

If anyone has information on these robberies please call 911.

Document: Homicide in Congress Heights

At approximately 7:19 am on June 14, police officers responded to a shooting on the 1300 block of Congress Street in Southeast, DC.

Officers report that there were two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victims to local hospitals.

One of the victims, 21 year-old Albert Smith, died after all life saving measures were performed. The second victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The MPD is currently offering an award up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in DC.

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Judge Releases Defendant

A defendant who has been held in DC Jail sine May was released on June 15.

Corina Smyers was placed under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) with GPS motoring after she was found mentally competent on June 9.

Smyers is charged with simple assault and possession of prohibited weapon for allegedly attempting to stab a victim on the 400 block of Newcomb Street, SE on May 13.

Smyers was released with GPS monitoring and a stay away order.

Defendant Released After Agreeing to Complete Community Service

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant on June 15 after he agreed to terms set by the prosecution.

Travone Person, 32, was arrested on April 4. He was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon for an incident that occurred earlier that day on the 1900 block of Savannah Street, SE.

Defense Attorney Jonathan Layni requested a hearing after Person entered into an agreement which grants him pardon from the prosecution if he completes 32 hours of community service.

Judge Juliet Mckenna released Person after evaluating his commitment to service and rehabilitation. He is released on personal recognizance as long as he promises to appear at all future court dates.

Future hearings will be set to discuss Person’s improvement, as stated in the agreement. Person’s next scheduled court date is on Oct. 15.

Document: Police Arrest Man for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

A man was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon on June 14 in Lafayette Square.

At approximately 2:17 p.m., a MPD officer discovered a man with deep lacerations to his left eye at the intersection of 16th Street and H Street, NW. A witness claimed the suspect harassed her and her group, wielding a sharp stick.

The victim allegedly confronted the suspect for his behavior and was later stabbed in the face.

The suspect fled on foot before Secret Service agents apprehended him on the 1500 block of H Street, NW.

His initial hearing at DC Superior Court was scheduled for June 15.

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3 Misdemeanor Cases Rescheduled for August

Three cases that were supposed to happen on June 15 at the DC Superior Courthouse were rescheduled to late August.

O’Donna Daniels and Kevin McKelvin are charged with simple assault. Daniels was scheduled for a mental observation hearing and McKelvin was scheduled for a probation show cuase hearing.

William Sibert is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. He was scheduled for a post trial show cause hearing.

All cases were rescheduled to Aug. 31.

Defendant Doesn’t Show for Hearing, Judge ‘Not Surprised’

When a defendant did not appear for his court hearing to discuss his pretrial release conditions, a judge said that this was “not surprising”.

Antoine Jackson was charged with second-degree burglary on April 11. He was released from pretrial confinement under the terms that he would comply with GPS monitoring guidelines and speak with a pretrial services officer weekly.

Jackson was t given a higher level of supervision on June 12. A notice was filed of Jackson’s noncompliance on June 9.

Another hearing was scheduled to evaluate the status of Jackson’s pretrial release.

Jackson failed to appear at the hearing.

According to the pretrial services representative, Jackson said he was living with his mother. However, the representative said that, on June 8, Jackson said he actually was not living with his mother and did not have housing.

Jackson does not own a cell phone, so the representative said they have no way of contacting him.

The prosecution requested a warrant for Jackson’s arrest, however Judge Rainey Brandt denied the request.

Man Released from Jail After Accepting Plea Deal

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced and released June 12 a defendant from jail after he accepted a plea deal for second-degree theft and unlawful entry.

Judge Michael Ryan sentenced Timothy Jordan to four months in prison. The confinement time was suspended as long as Jordan, 40, seeks treatment for his mental health issues and stays away from the CVS on Alabama Avenue, SE.

The judge said he believes that Jordan has had adequate time to consider his actions and sincerely wishes to improve himself.

On June 30, 2019, Jordan broke into the window of a closed CVS store and stole $673 worth of oral hygiene products.

At the time, Jordan was working for a temporary employment agency and experiencing severe toothaches. He wished to resolve these issues and profit off the excess products.

The following day, Jordan was charged with second-degree burglary, destruction of property less than $1,000 and second-degree theft. The other charges were dropped in the plea deal.

Jordan was found on March 3 when he attempted to shoplift two beers from a convenience store on the same street.

He was arrested for second-degree theft and failure to appear in court.

Later that month, he was caught stealing from two vehicles.

According to court documents, Jordan broke into the passenger seat of a car on 12th Place NE and took a saw. He then went south towards Constitution Avenue, NE.

On the way, he entered a van and stole tools, according to the documents.

Judge Ryan ordered Jordan to pay the minimum $50 fine for each of his four misdemeanor cases. One of these fees could be raised to $250 on the condition that the prosecutor can provide appropriate proof that Jordan damaged the van.

Judge Releases 5 Defendants During Initial Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Rainy Brandt released five defendants during their initial hearings on June 12.

The prosecution also dismissed one defendant’s case, however the defendant remained at DC Jail because of a parole violation in another case.

Five of the cases were related to domestic violence, including one defendant whose initial hearing was delayed since June 9 because he was in the hospital.

Judge Bandt released the defendant, who is charged with assault and destroying property in a domestic violence-related offense, on June 12. The defendant has to stay away from one person and the 800 Adrian Street, SE.

Four defendants were not released.

Three defendants were not released because they faced multiple charges on similar offenses within a short time period.

Another defendant was not released because of her unwillingness to comply with stay away orders.

Judge Sentences Convicted Felon to 1 Year in Prison

A convicted felon will only have to serve one year in prison plus the time he has already served for robbery, armed kidnapping, armed robbery, threats to do bodily harm and simple assault.

During his sentencing, Rondal Lynch thanked Judge Patricia Broderick for her help.

“Once I’m done this time, I’m done, your honor,” he said. “You have helped me in a lot of ways. You have saved my life in a lot of ways.”

Rondal Lynch was originally charged with kidnapping in October 2014 and faced additional charges the following May. He has been put on supervised release multiple times.

Lynch violated his release conditions on many occasions, which the prosecutor cited during the sentencing as evidence of a “history of noncompliance.”

Lynch has long struggled with mental illness and addiction. Judge Broderick told the defendant to continue receiving treatment and remain on his medication.

“You keep throwing it away,” Judge Broderick said. “Don’t break my heart again and don’t break your family’s heart again. I still believe you can do this.”

Lynch was also charged in 2018 with bail violation. Judge Broderick suspended the remaining time on the offense in addition to giving him credit for his time he already served. He was initially sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

With good behavior, Judge Broderick said Lynch would be eligible for 30 days of supervised release at the end of his sentence. She said this would ensure he still had the mental health treatment he needs once released.

When released Lynch will have to abide by conditions, including seeking vocational training, completing his GED and seeking necessary medication and treatment.

Lynch Will also have to pay $100 fine to be paid towards the Victims of Violent Crime Fund for each of his cases. Even though the judge tried to set up a system for Lynch to pay it, he refused vowing to pay the money.

“No, I’ll pay it, your honor,” he said. “I’ll definitely make sure I pay it.”

Hearing for Domestic Violence Case Postponed

A status hearing set for June 12 did not happen as scheduled.

Tony Arrington is charged with simple assault and a bail violation in a domestic violence case.

Arrington was charged with simple assault in December of last year. In January, a notice of noncompliance was filed and a bench warrant was issued. He was charged with the bail violation in February.

Arrington was scheduled for a status hearing on June 12. However, it was cancelled.

Arrington’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.

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