Youth Rehabilitation Act Sentencing Hearings Not Held

Two Youth Rehabilitation Act sentencing hearings that were scheduled for May 14 were not held.

David McKinney was found guilty of armed carjacking, robbery while armed with a firearm, first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle on Feb. 27.

His full report and sentencing is scheduled for May 19.

Nelson Hernandez pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury on March 10.

His full report and sentencing is scheduled for May 22.

It is unclear on if either sentencing will be rescheduled.

Judge Reschedules Hearing After Defendant Was Turned Away

A magistrate judge at the DC Superior Courthouse was forced to reschedule a probation show cause hearing because a defendant was told there was no court hearings on May 14.

Franklin Fludd is serving one year of probation after being found guilty of simple assault on Jan. 16. He has a trial pending in Maryland for a rearrest.

According to court documents, Fludd showed up to the courthouse and was told by a court security officer that there was no court so he left.

Judge Sean Staples rescheduled the hearing. The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency will let Fludd know when to report back to court.

A probation show cause hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for a defendant on May 14.

Davon Boyd was sentenced to serve 15 months on probation on Sept. 3, 2019 after pleading guilty to attempt to commit robbery.

On May 14, Boyd did not show up for his probation show cause hearing causing Judge Sean Staples to issue a bench warrant.

There are no future hearings scheduled.

Judge Denies Release

A DC Superior court judge denied a murder defendant’s release on May 14.

Keith Toney, 41, is being charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 45-year-old Melton Grant on the 600 block of Morton Street, NW in June of 2019.

D.C. Witness previously reported that on May 8 Judge Neal Kravitz continued the hearing so that James King, Toney’s attorney, could file an affidavit.

Judge Michael Ryan decided to keep Toney detained at the DC Jail without prejudice on May 14.

Toney filed a motion for release from the jail because of the COVID-19.

A felony status conference is scheduled for June 26.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Request for Release

A murder defendant’s request for release because of COVID-19 was denied by two DC Superior Court judges.

Marcus Whitaker, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the murder of 22-year-old David Hart at an apartment complex on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE in July of 2018.

Even though the defendant’s hearing was presided by Judge Michael Ryan, Judge Michael O’Keefe denied the defendant’s motion on May 13.

Whitaker’s case was heard on May 14 so that considerations for a medical plan could be decided because the defendant had tested positive for the coronavirus and was very ill.

This was the second time Whitaker’s request for release was denied. The motion was initially filed on April 9 and was originally denied by Judge Ronna L. Beck on April 24.

A status hearing is scheduled for July 17.

Defense Withdraws Request for Release

A defense attorney withdrew his client’s request for release on May 14.

William Johnson is charged with distribution of a controlled substance heroin, possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance while released for other charges and violating bail.

Donna Beasley, Johnson’s attorney, withdrew the motion for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Johnson refused to come to the phone for his bond review hearing.

Johnson also refused to attend his hearing on May 8.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 17.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Multiple Burglary and Robbery Offenses

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect May 11 for multiple robbery and burglary offenses.

According to a press release, the 15-year-old juvenile is charged with armed robbery, burglary two and armed carjacking with a gun. The suspected has been connected to five criminal offense that took place from March 30-May 10.

On May 10 on the 4000 block of 17th Street, NW. The suspect allegedly pulled a gun and took a victim’s property.

Two days before, on May 8, on the 3000 block of 40th Street, SE the suspect allegedly entered an occupied residence, took a victim’s keys and fled the scene in the victim’s car.

On April 24, the suspect and another individual allegedly took property from a business on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE.

The suspects also allegedly threatened a victim with a gun on the 5300 block of C Street, SE on April 11. According to the press release, the suspects took keys to the victim’s car and fled the seen in the vehicle.

On April 8, on the 3800 block of 9th Street, SE, one of the suspects pulled a gun on a victim and demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle. The suspects also fled the scene in the vehicle.

The suspect, who police arrested, allegedly took property from another business establishment on the 2900 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE on March 30.

The cases remain under investigation.

Anyone who has knowledge of these incidents should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.

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Court Update: May 13

On May 13, judges at the DC Superior Courthouse released two inmates.

There were two hearings that were not in relation to emergency releases because of COVID-19. One was an extradition hearing where a man’s fugitive from justice charge was dropped. A man convicted of assault and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction was sentenced to serve six months in prison.

Two hearings were continued.

One request for release was denied.

In total there were eight defendants that had cases. A majority of the cases were for bond review hearings. You can read about each case on dcwitness.org.

Judge Sentences Man to 6-Months in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to serve six months in prison on May 13.

Robert Frazier pleaded guilty to assault on a police officer and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction on Nov. 25, 2019.

Judge Steven Berk sentenced Frazier to serve six months in jail followed by one year of probation.

According to court documents, on Oct. 24, 2019, Frazier was sitting in a car that was reported stolen. An officer approached him and asked Frazier to give him the keys. Frazier refused and put the car in reverse, backed up 10 feet then put the car drive while the officer had his hand on the gear shift.

Frazier tdrove into a nearby pole and hid inside a woman’s apartment where he was later apprehended by police. While doing a search, police recovered a gun in the car.

Defense Hasn’t Received Medical Records, Attorney Says

A defense attorney said he hasn’t received his client’s medical records as of May 13.

Marquie Smith is charged with first-degree sexual abuse where the victim was under the age of 18 and actor had significant relationship with a victim. He was also found guilty of committing sex offenses against two or more victims, first degree sexual abuse of a minor and kidnapping against a minor.

D.C. Witness previously reported that defense attorney, Jonathan Armstrong, agreed to speak with Smith over a phone call to discuss his medical records. However, on May 13, Armstrong told Judge Michael Ryan that he had yet to receive the records.

Armstrong also said and that he would submit a request for a food conversion tray for Smith.

The prosecution said the documents would be sent over soon.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled for July 17.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release from Incarceration

A judge denied a defendant’s request for release on May 13.

Errol Vailes is charged with robbery while armed with a pistol, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property worth $1,000 or more and committing credit card fraud.

Judge Michael Ryan decided to hold Vailes despite the defense’s efforts get Vailes released.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 3.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Assault

A defendant was released by DC Superior Court judge on May 13.

Aaron Smith is charged with simple assault for hitting a woman in the back of the neck on Sept. 27, 2019.

Judge Michael Ryan released Smith with conditions to ensure the safety of the community and his return to court when possible.

Smith motioned for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 9.

Smith is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on July 28.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Assaulting Officer and Other Crimes

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect on May 12 who was wanted in connection to an assault on a police officer.

According to a press release, 30-year-old Mark Crawford is charged with assault on a police officer while armed, resisting arrest, felon in possession, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition and receiving stolen property.

According to a press release, the officer responded to the 3400 block of A Street, SE to investigate a report of unlawful entry when he came into contact with a suspect who fit the description he was provided with for the offense.

A struggle occurred and the suspect shot the officer once in the lower extremities, MPD Patrol Chief Chanel Dickerson said at a press conference on May 12. The officer suffered from non-life threatening injuries.

In addition to the charges Crawford received for the incident, he is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly pulling a gun on a victim in a residential building on the the same block on March 10.

Police are also charging Crawford with burglary two while armed for allegedly entering an occupied residence on the 100 block of 35th Street, SE, pulling a gun on a victim and taking property.

Crawford is scheduled for a status hearing on July 8.

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Judge Releases Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant on May 13.

Paul Jones is charged with possession with the intent to distribute cannabinoid schedule one abusive drug.

Jones was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program by Judge Michael Ryan.

Jones filed a motion for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 12.

A status hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Judge Considering Releasing Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge said he is considering releasing a defendant but needs more information before making a decision.

Michael Dudley is charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000.

Judge Michael Ryan said he is considering putting Dudley in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) but needs the defense to contact pretrial services to confirm that Dudley is eligible for the program.

D.C. Witness reported that Dudley was not eligible for the program on May 6 because an arrest warrant was not executed.

Judge Ryan decided to continue the hearing so that the defense can make contact with pretrial services.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on May 15.

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