Judge Releases Mentally Incompetent Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant after finding him incompetent to stand trial.

Jaquan Woodberry is charged with carrying a pistol without a license with a prior felony and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found a firearm in his waistband on Oct. 21, 2019, on the 2200 block of Sherman Ave, NW. At the time, the defendant was on probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

During the July 27 hearing, Judge Michael Ryan ordered the defendant to make himself available for interviews so the prosecution could decide whether or not to file a petition for civil commitment.

He was found incompetent, with no substantial probability of regaining competency, due to cognitive limitations.

Woodberry has been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, since Jan. 27.

“I don’t see what continued hospitalization does for Mr. Woodberry except essentially warehousing him,” said defense attorney Rebecca Bloch.

The prosecution opposed release, citing Woodberry’s lack of compliance with probation.

While on probation, the defendant received 15 violations of drug testing over the course of three months. The prosecutor said this especially concerning since Woodberry was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his offense.

The prosecution also said the defendant had issues with tampering with his GPS tracking device, and was a loss of contact with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, a community-based service that provides mental health treatment.

He was noncompliant with medication and had behavioral issues at St. Elizabeth’s.

Bloch said Woodberry’s behavioral outbursts were the result of his frustrations with his hearings continuously being pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His hearing was initially supposed to be held on March 31.

Woodberry’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21 to give the prosecution time to decide if commitment papers will be filed.

Defendant Pleads Guilty

On July 27, a defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

On Sept. 15, 2019, Stephen Harper, 20, fired multiple shots at two men who got into a physical altercation with his acquaintance on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Street, SW earlier that day, according to a proffer of facts by the prosecution. Harper did not injure either of the men, but he did accidentally shoot a 54-year-old bystander in the foot. The defendant was charged on Dec. 10, 2019.

Harper was briefly released to a halfway house on Dec. 17, 2019. However, he was returned to DC Jail on Feb. 26 for misconduct. He also repeatedly violated pretrial release conditions.

According to the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed not to seek indictments on further charges that could have stemmed from the incident. The agreement also requests that the judge impose supervised probation for less than three years.

Judge Danya Dayson accepted Harper’s guilty plea.

Derrick Page, Harper’s attorney, requested for his client’s release from DC Jail pending sentencing after the agreement was accepted.

Judge Dayson denied the request, saying that the nature of the offense is quite serious and Harper was firing his weapon indiscriminately.

Harper is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 14 for sentencing.

Defendant Fails to Appear for Hearing

A defendant failed to appear to his hearing on July 27.

Tyree Stanley is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. He picked up the charge after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers pulled him over on June 3 on suspicion he was driving a stolen vehicle. When officers searched the vehicle, they retrieved the firearm.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker denied the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant. Instead, she continued the case to July 31 to give the defendant another chance to appear.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 3 Charges

On July 27, a defendant pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, violation of bail, and contempt in exchange for his domestic violence charges of simple assault and unlawful entry onto private property being dropped.

The defendant agreed that, on Nov. 27, 2017, he killed his acquaintance’s cat in front of said acquaintance and his daughter.

According to the District’s sentencing guidelines, the cruelty to animals charge can hold a penalty of up to five years with a maximum of three years in prison.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun decided to hold the defendant in the DC Jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 25, citing the defendant’s past inability to show up to previous court hearings.

After being indicted by a grand jury, the defendant did not return for three scheduled court dates in July and August of 2018. The defendant also failed to complete a mental health assessment that was a condition of his pretrial release.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant After Loss of Contact

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who has become a loss of contact while awaiting his sentencing.

Bernard Eddy pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license on March 13. As part of his plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges of possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device were dropped.

Eddy’s attorney, Christopher Gowen, had no objections to the bench warrant. However, he asked Judge Judith Smith to preserve his client’s eligibility to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) if there turns out to be a “reasonable justification” for his lack of contact.

A representative with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) told the judge, during the July 27 hearing, that the defendant has not been in contact with them since May 20.

According to court documents, CSOSA made several attempts to contact Eddy, who also failed to appear for his pre-sentence interview and hearing.

Eddy’s attorney said he was also unaware of the defendant’s whereabouts. He said the phone number he used in the past to contact his client is not working.

Eddy was originally scheduled to be sentenced on May 29; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sentencing was moved to Aug. 24. As of July 27, the sentencing hearing has been cancelled and will take place at a later date. A specific sate has not been set.

Eddy, 20, picked up these charges after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found him in possession of a handgun and an extended magazine on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE on Sept 18, 2019.

Judge Sentences Defendant Convicted Of Carrying A Pistol Without A License

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on July 24.

On Jan. 19, Edward Morgan, 40, boarded a Metro bus heading east on the 1300 block of U Street, NW while carrying a Smith & Wesson revolver and 41 rounds in his backpack. Morgan pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license on Feb. 21.

Judge John Campbell sentenced Morgan to 18 months in jail and three years of supervised release.

He did not grant the defendant’s request for a split sentence, which would allow Morgan to serve a portion of his sentence on supervised release. The judge said he denied the request because of the defendant’s record of noncompliance with the terms of his probation in other cases.

“When he’s not incarcerated, he commits a new crime,” said the prosecution said, asking for 24 months.

Defense attorney Terrence Austins said his client should be given only 18 months in jail and three years of supervised release.

He said the majority of Morgan’s convicted offenses were drug-related and that he was cooperative with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers when they boarded the bus to conduct a search on him.

Austin also said that Morgan was already being punished by being held in the DC Jail for seven months, four of which were during the COVID-19 pandemic, prior to his sentencing.

“He’s been punished, and he’ll continue to be punished staying in jail during COVID-19,” Austin said.

Judge Sentences Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on July 24.

Ahmed Hassan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in 2019. The 52-year-old pointed a gun at three individuals with whom he had an altercation with on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. He was seen priming his gun before being tackled by the individuals.

Judge Robert Salerno sentenced the defendant to one year of confinement plus three years of supervised probation.

During the hearing, the prosecution asked that Hassan be sentenced to 24 months of incarceration. The prosecutor said the defendant committed a series of gun-related offenses in multiple states across the country.

“There’s never been more than 5 years without a felony,” said the prosecution.

The prosecutor said the only exception was when the defendant was incarcerated for nine years in the state of California for threatening to shoot a person.

But, defense attorney Jon Norris said his client should be given only one year of incarceration and three years of supervised release.

He said Hassan did not start the altercation and was outnumbered three to one before he acted in what he wrongfully thought was self defense.

Norris also suggested that an intervention plan including trauma counseling be added to the defendant’s sentence.

Judge Salerno agreed. Hassan’s case “may not have been an instance of aggressive conduct,” the judge said.

The judge also added an intervention plan to the defendant’s sentence.

Hassan must register as a gun offender with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide on 16th Street, SE

On July 25, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred earlier that day.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 11:41 a.m. on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE. At the scene, they found a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim died at the scene.

The victim was then identified as 40-year-old Tia Cokley, a resident of Southeast, DC.

MPD’s investigation also revealed that the victim and suspect knew each other.

David Robinson, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. He is being held in DC Jail and awaiting a hearing on Aug. 27.

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Judge Continues Defendant’s Hearing for Further Plea Negotiations

On July 27, a DC Superior Court judge continued a defendant’s hearing to Aug. 17 after parties requested more time to discuss a potential plea agreement.

Antonio McCoy, 41, is charged with robbery for allegedly snatching a victim’s purse at the intersection of 7th and R Street, NW on March 13. McCoy allegedly grabbed the victim from behind, covered her mouth and then took the her purse once a witness began approaching.

McCoy is also charged with second-degree theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon for allegedly stealing items from an ambulance parked on the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE on May 3.

Both parties said they needed more time to negotiate the details of the plea agreement. Cheline Schroeder, McCoy’s defense attorney, said she wanted to go over more of the prosecution’s evidence with the defendant before a plea agreement was made official.

Judge Danya Dayson agreed to continue the hearing to a later date, when both parties would feel comfortable with McCoy pleading guilty.

McCoy will remain in DC Jail until then.

Judge Holds Defendant, Finds Probable Cause

A DC Superior Court judge held a defendant and found probable cause for unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device charges.

On April 20, Richard Little, 32, fled on foot with three other people from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after the officers stopped their vehicle. Little allegedly tossed an AM-15 AR pistol wrapped in a jacket in the back yard of a residence on the 100 block of 33rd Street, NE.

During the July 27 hearing, defense attorney Atiq Ahmed said there was not enough evidence that the gun recovered belonged to his client.

He said the officer, who testified during the hearing, was chasing Little’s accomplices and thus did not see what Little did prior to him being arrested by another officer.

Ahmed also asked that Little be released. He said a report from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) mistakenly claimed that one of Little’s gun-related offenses back in 2012 involved a machine gun, which falsely indicates that Little poses more danger to the community.

The prosecution objected, saying that footage shot from an MPD helicopter shows Little discarding an object shortly after splitting up with another accomplice at the intersection of Blaine Street and Alden Street, NE.

Judge Judith Pipe said the footage was “more than convincing.”

She also denied the defendant’s request for release, saying Little is a danger to the community, given his criminal history and his pending case for a charge in Virginia.

“Whether he had a machine gun [in the 2012 case] is irrelevant,” said Judge Pipe. “What’s important is that it’s a gun-related offense.”

Little’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug 13.

Crime Alerts: July 26-27

Between 9 p.m. on July 26 and 9 a.m. on July 27, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 3:47 a.m. for a robbery on the 1300 block of Belmont Street, NW. Police are looking for three Black males. The first suspect is wearing a white tank top and dark shorts, in his 20s and 5’10” in height. The third suspect is thought to be wearing a black tank top and in his 20s.

A second alert for a robbery was sent at 2:48 a.m. on the 1900 block of T Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’6″, bald, wearing a grey shirt.

A final alert for a robbery was sent at 12:33 a.m. on the 3100 block of 14th Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male with a gray beard, wearing a white shirt.

If anybody knows anything about these incidents, please call 911 and do not take any other action.

Document: Homicide on 7th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 26.

At 2:49 a.m., officers responded to a report regarding sounds of gunshots on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. Instead, they found a male victim in a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound on the 4200 block of 7th Street, SE. The victim displayed no signs consistent with life.

The victim was later identified as 23-year-old Keith Rawlings of Glenarden, MD.

The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect Connected to Missing Person/ Homicide Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect July 23 that they believed is involved in the disappearance of a 24-year-old woman.

Darnell Sterling, 55, was arrested on second degree murder charges. The arrest stems from information the police gathered while investigating Olga Ooro’s disappearance on the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW..

She has been missing since July 18 when officers found a juvenile male who could not find his mother.

According to a press release, an investigation revealed that the disappearance is related to domestic violence. Because of the suspicious circumstances of the woman’s disappearance, the department’s homicide division is now investigating.

Ooro’s remains have not been located.

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 202-797-9099. Anonymous information can be sent to the department’s Tip Text Line — 50411.

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Judge Releases Defendant

On July 24, a DC Superior Court judge released a defendant who was charged with shoplifting and unlawful entry.

Juven Luis was arrested on May 1 after Luis disobeyed a barring notice from the unit block of Dupont Circle, NW.

Judge Jonathan Pittman decided to release Luis, reminding him of the stay away order implemented against him and ordering him to continue complying with medication and community mental health services.

Luis allegedly returned to the barred location daily after he was ordered to stay away. The suspect allegedly tried to leave the establishment without paying for his items when he was placed under arrest.

Judge Pittman previously ordered a full mental evaluation for Luis on July 16. The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) delivered the report on July 22.

The report indicated that Luis was competent to stand trial, and that he had been receiving mental health treatment at DC Jail.

Luis’ attorney, Thomas Lester, then requested Luis’ release based on his competency report. The prosecution did not object to Luis’ release, but asked that he be reminded of the stay away order and admonished to comply with mental health services.

The prosecution said a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) was offered before the hearing.

Judge Pittman said a diversion agreement would be less problematic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which the prosecution agreed to consider.

Luis is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 17 to discuss the status of his case.

Judge Holds Defendant, Says He Is A Danger to Victim

On July 24, a DC Superior Court judge decided to hold a defendant, saying his conduct during his pretrial release shows he is a danger to a victim.

Mark Anthony, also known as Huber Frescas, is charged with stalking, destruction of property less than $1,000 and unlawful entry. He was arrested on June 20, after he broke into the victim’s home in the 4900 block of 1st Street, NW. Anthony, 39, had been stalking the victim since May 9, and the unlawful entry was his third incident with the victim.

When Anthony was first presented before the court on June 20, Judge Sean Staples released him on his personal promise to return to court, along with GPS monitoring. Within hours of his release, Anthony was arrested again. and He never reported to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to receive his GPS monitor.

Anthony’s release was immediately revoked, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Anthony was detained on July 16, and has been in DC Jail ever since.

Anthony’s attorney, Gregg Baron, requested that his client be released on some sort of supervision condition. Judge Jonathan Pittman denied Baron’s request, saying Anthony’s behavior was “really troubling.”

When explaining his decision, Pittman cited the PSA representative’s comment, which implied that GPS monitoring will only alert PSA if Anthony went near the stay away area, but will not prevent him from going to it.

The judge also mentioned additional charges that Anthony had picked up in Maryland.

Anthony is being held in DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled on July 31.

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