A defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 26.
Ernest Moody pleaded guilty to simple assault, threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property less than $1,000.
Judge Juliet McKenna sentenced Moody to serve 180 days in jail, which was suspended. She also sentenced Moody to serve 18 months of probation, pay the Victim’s of Violent Crimes Fund $50, pay $87 in restitution, participate in anger management classes and get a mental health screening.
A man convicted of murder, who is also suing the DC Jail, was denied his release for the third time.
Edward Banks pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of 45-year-old Abraham Binn at a homeless shelter on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Aug. 20. Banks pleaded guilty in February.
Judge Juliet McKenna denied Banks’ request for release on May 26, saying the issues for the request — his medical condition — was addressed at previous hearings. The judge said that Banks has not complained about any deficiencies in his treatment.
Judge McKenna also said that the DC Superior Court has made efforts to reduce the jail’s population during the pandemic that upheld with public safety. The statement regards Banks claim of overcrowding at the jail.
His request for release was also denied twice before by Judge Anita Josey-Herring on April 13 and 17. Banks motioned for release because of COVID-19 on March 13, March 31 and May 19.
Banks is a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit against the DC Department of Corrections for intentionally disregarding the health and safety of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit is currently being heard in the DC District Court.
Four people were killed over the Memorial Day holiday weekend from the evening of May 22-May 25. Homicides over the weekend doubled the amount that occurred in 2019.
The victims include:
18-year-old Antwaun Roach on the 3800 block of East Capitol Street, NE on May 22,
71-year-old Sheila Lucas on the1600 block of Savannah Street, SE on May 23,
26-year-old Kayvon Kinney on the 1800 block of Gainseville Street, SE on May 24, and
22-year-old Christopher Beckwith on 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW on May 25.
All of the homicides stemmed from shootings. One victim was a woman.
The homicides occurred in Southeast and Northwest, DC. Police have not apprehended any suspects.
There were two homicides in Washington, DC in 2019, including a stabbing and a shooting that took place in Southeast, DC, over the holiday weekend.
On May 22, judges at the DC Superior Courthouse released three inmates.
There were three hearings that
were in relation to emergency releases because of COVID-19.
One bench warrant was issued for Darius Mcknight who didn’t show up for his probation show cause hearing.
Olivia Cartwright-Cole probation show cause hearing was continued so the defendant could get into compliance with her release conditions.
The 28 year old is charged with second-degree murder while armed. She allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Joel David Midgett on the 200 block of K Street, NW in 2015. Cole is a transgender woman.
Cole is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 26.
Two co-defendant’s status
hearing was not called or held
Judges did not deny any releases.
In total there were 8
defendants whose cases were heard on May 22. You can read about each case on dcwitness.org.
Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on May 22, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out three crime alerts.
The most recent alert was sent out at 7:53 p.m. for a shooting that occurred on the 1200 block of Delaware Avenue, SW. Police are looking for a black male wearing an orange or red shirt fleeing westbound.
An alert was sent at 5:23 p.m. for a shooting that occurred on the unit block of Anacostia Road, NE. Police are looking for a black four-door Sedan.
An alert was also sent out at 2 p.m. for a shooting that occurred on the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Police are looking for a brown skin black male wearing dark jeans, a gray hoodie, driving an ice cream colored Honda with unknown DC tags.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are looking for suspects connected to 12 crimes throughout Washington, DC from May 7-May 19.
According to press releases sent by the MPD, police are searching for suspects in connection to the following crimes:
Armed Robbery
Police are trying to identify and located a suspect who is connected to an armed robbery that occurred on May 19 on the unit block of Riggs Road, NE. The suspect allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and took property.
Destruction of Property
On May 12, officers responded to the 3700 block of Ely Place, SE for gunshots. Police found evidence that a vehicle had gunshots in it.
Dangerous Weapon
Police notified the public that they were searching for a suspect in connection to a dangerous weapon (sharp object) offense at the 400 block of L Street, NW that occurred on May 16. Apparently, a suspect and victim were involved in a verbal argument that led to the suspect stabbing the victim with a sharp object. The suspect fled the scene and the victim was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
On May 21, officers responded to the 1600 block of E Street, NE for a shooting. An adult male victim was found suffering from gunshot wounds and was brought to a hospital to treat his injuries.
Burglary Two
Police are searching for a suspect who stole property from a business located at the 3000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on May 8.
MPD is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in connection to a burglary two offense of a business on the Unit block of District Square, SW on May 14. The suspect took property from the establishment and fled the scene.
Assault
Police notified the public that they were looking for suspects involved in an aggravated assault offense that occurred on May 9 at the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW. The suspects allegedly had a verbal argument with a victim, then assaulted the victim and fled the scene. The victim was brought to a hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
On May 7, a suspect fired gunshots at a victim on the 900 block of 21st Street, NE. A victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a hospital.
On May 18, a suspect approached a victim with a handgun on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW. The suspect fled the scene and the victim refused medical attention for their non-life threatening injuries.
Armed Carjacking
The police are also requesting the public’s help in locating and identifying a suspect connected to an armed carjacking on May 9 on the 4600 block of Livingston, SE. According to a press release, there were three suspects who met a victim. One suspect pulled a gun for the victim’s vehicle.
The victim surrendered the vehicle and the suspects fled the scene. Shortly after, police located the stolen vehicle and arrested two of the suspects. A handgun was also found.
Police are still looking for the third suspect.
Robbery
Police are looking for a suspect connected to a robbery offense on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE on May 7. Apparently, the suspects approached the victim, stole their property and fled the scene.
Suspects are also being sought for a robbery by gunpoint on the 4300 block of Military Road, NW on May 16.
Police are also requesting the public’s help to locate a suspect involved in an armed robbery on the 700 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on May 19.
Police request that anyone with information on these suspects or events contact the department at 202-727-9099. Tips can be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411. The department is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.
A status hearing for two defendants convicted of murder was not called or held on May 22.
Rodney Brown and Leonard Bishop are appealing their 1996 conviction of first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. The two men were convicted of killing Andre Newton and injuring four others in a shooting on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE on Nov. 25, 1994.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two suspects for two different robbery cases.
On May 19, officers arrested a juvenile for armed robbery with a knife. The juvenile allegedly pulled a knife on a victim on the 100 block of Franklin Street, NE on May 18. There were no injuries reported.
Earlier on May 18, officers also arrested a suspect for assault with the intent to commit robbery. The suspect allegedly assaulted a victim and attempted to take that victim’s property on May 17.
A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing on May 22, so a defendant could come into compliance with his release conditions.
Kenneth Cunningham is currently on probation after pleading guilty to robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business. Cunningham was sentenced to serving 18 months in prison with three years on supervised release and five years on probation.
Judge Rainey Brandt continued the hearing after learning that Cunningham had not been in compliance with his conditions.
A judge granted a defendant’s release after receiving more information about his medical condition.
Devonte Jafferson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition on Jan. 5.
Judge Todd Edelman released Jafferson on May 22 after his attorney filed more paperwork in regards to Jafferson’s medical condition inside the DC Jail.