During a status hearing, an assault defendant had his medical concerns addressed.
Maurice Byars, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed with a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of an unregistered firearm for an incident that occurred on April 7, 2019. Byars allegedly attempted to assault and kill a victim.
During the hearing on April 24, the defense addressed medical concerns regarding the defendant, who has been quarantined since April 19, and had multiple visits from health officials in March and April.
During an April 24 hearing, a defendant who assaulted a Metropolitan Police Department officer was denied his motion for release.
Robert Frazier, 38, pleaded guilty on Nov. 25, 2019. He was initially charged with assault of a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving, leaving the scene after colliding with an animal, and unlawful possession of a firearm for an incident that occurred in the 300 block of Parkland Place, SE, on Oct. 24, 2019. D.C. Witness could not confirm the charges he pleaded guilty to.
Frazier is being held without bail. He filed for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17.
Two sentencing hearings were set for Frazier, but one was vacated and another changed into a status hearing. On April 17, Frazier’s defense lawyer filed a motion to continue the sentencing. A sentencing date has not been scheduled as of April 24.
Frazier was identified in a car that was previously used in a carjacking and attempted to flee the scene when confronted by officers.
During an April 24 hearing, a judge denied a defendant’s motion for release.
Antwone Ford, 25, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business for an incident that occurred on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW, on March 9. According to court documents, Ford was openly carrying the weapon.
Ford’s defense attorney, Joseph Molina, filed a motion for release based on the unsafe conditions in D.C. jails because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the flyers, which were released during the week of April 19, there were suspects sought in two assaults, four robberies, two burglary offenses and a homicide.
Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department are searching for 20-year-old Carson Posey. A warrant is out for his arrest, charging him with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Shantal Hill on April 15 on the 1200 block of North Capital Street, NW. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police released a flyer notifying the public of a suspect who got into an altercation with a victim on the 1900 block of Gallaudet Street, NE on April 14. The suspects allegedly brandished a gun and shot the victim.
The victim received treatment at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect is being sought for an assault with a dangerous weapon offense.
Two suspects are being sought in connection to another assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) offense. On April 19, two suspects allegedly began shooting at a vehicle on the 200 block of 37th Street, SE. There were no injuries reported.
Suspects are also being sought in connection to four robberies that occurred from March 30-April 17.
Police announced that they were looking for suspects who allegedly assaulted a victim and took property on the 6200 block of 14th Street, NW on April 8. The suspects were captured on surveillance video.
On April 17, a suspect allegedly assaulted a victim and took their property on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE just before noon.
In an attempt to locate a suspect, the MPD updated information on a release, notifying the public of a person who is being sought in relation to a robbery on April 7 a little before 1 p.m. on the 1100 block of U Street, NW. The suspect allegedly assaulted a store employee and took merchandise.
Police are still looking for a suspect who snatched a victim’s property on March 30 on the 1300 block of Massachusetts, NW.
There is also a search for suspects in connection to a burglary that took place April 9 at an establishment on the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.
Police are looking for a suspect for a burglary two offense. The suspect allegedly gained entry to an establishment on the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW and took property.
Officers are looking for a vehicle that they believe is connected to an assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) offense that occurred on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE on April 20.
Vehicle sought in connection to assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) offense.
During an April 24 hearing, a defendant’s case was dismissed and he was granted release.
Keenan Miller pleaded guilty to violating bail in another case. As part of the plea agreement the defendant’s other case where he was charged with first-degree theft, receiving stolen property in excess of $1,000, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.
According to court documents, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the defense motion for release following the end of Miller’s mandatory quarantine period in relation to COVID-19. Miller is to be released no later than April 25 at 10 a.m. because he was being held in quarantine on April 24.
According to court documents, Miller is homeless and his counsel was able to confirm there was a shelter that is accepting occupants. The shelter is testing all new occupants and separating those who have COVD-19 from the occupants who do not.
Miller’s March 20 sentencing was rescheduled to July 13.
Between the hours of 8 p.m. on April 23 and 8 a.m. on April 24, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert in relation to a robbery.
The alert was sent out at 2:11 a.m. for a robbery on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a black male weighing around 140 pounds wearing a dark coat, dark pants and carrying a backpack.
On April 23, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a police officer.
According to a press release, an officer was entering an unmarked cruiser on the 5000 block of Hayes Street, NE on April 22. The suspect allegedly approached the cruiser and threw a Molotov cocktail. The bomb hit the cruiser and landed on the ground.
After a brief chase, the suspect was apprehended by responding officers. No one was injured.
The suspect was charged with assault with the intent to kill, possession of a Molotov Cocktail with the intent to use, and assault on a police officer.
Six more inmates housed in the Central Detention Facility of the DC Jail tested positive for the coronavirus on April 23.
According to a press release, all of the inmates are male. Four inmates are in their 20s, one inmate is 35 and another inmate is 41 years old.
As of April 23, 47 inmates have tested positive and are in isolation. Sixty-two inmates have recovered from their illnesses and returned to the general population.
In order for an inmate to return to the general population, that inmate has to be free from fever for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, according to the release.
The inmate must also show improvements in other symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath. For inmates to go back into general population at least a week needs to pass since the first symptoms appeared, the release says.
On April 13, the DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) announced that one inmate died from the coronavirus.
According to the District’s site on the coronavirus, 29 personnel members at the DC DOC have tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty-one of those members are not at work and seven members have recovered from their symptoms and returned, as of April 23. One personnel member died from the coronavirus.
On April 23, judges at the DC Superior Courthouse released six inmates, keeping two at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.
Four defendants’ bond review hearings were carried for a ruling at a later date. Two defendants had their hearings delayed, so parties could agree on release conditions.
Four hearings were vacated.
Six defendants did not show up for their hearings. Cash bonds were set for four of those inmates. The other two defendants had bench warrants issued for their arrest.
There were four hearings that were not in relation to emergency releases because of COVID-19. One inmate’s lawyer indicated that his client was no longer asking to be released from St. Elizabeth’s.
There were three halfway remand hearings, five pre-trial show cause hearings and one probation hearing
Judges also denied the release of three inmates.
In total there were 28 defendants that had cases. A majority of the cases were for bond review hearings. You can read about each case on dcwitness.org.
Leonard Smith’s hearing was continued until April 24, so parties could agree on his release conditions.
Smith, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon (knife) for his alleged roll in the stabbing of 26-year-old Leonte Butler on the 4000 block of South Capitol St., SE, in March of 2017. He is scheduled for a status hearing on July 8, after his request for release was denied.
Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. D.C. Witness was able to track two crime alerts sent out from the Metropolitan Police Department.
The most recent alert came at 4:59 p.m. in relation to a sixth district shooting that occurred on the 3600 block of Ames Street, NE. A lookout was released for a black 2006 4-door Mercedes with Virginia tags. The driver is described as a black male with dreadlocks wearing a white T-shirt with a dark coat covered in NBA team logos.
The first alert came at 2:41 p.m. in relation to a first district robbery on the 900 block of Pennsylvania Ave, SE. A lookout was released for a 2012 bronze Hyundai Accent with Virginia tags being driven by a black male in his late teens. The male is described as tall with a slim build.
During an April 23 hearing, a murder defendant’s hearing was continued to work out the details of his release.
Leonard Smith, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon (knife) for his alleged roll in the stabbing of 26-year-old Leonte Butler on the 4000 block of South Capitol St., SE, in March of 2017.
Smith is currently released to Hope Village, a halfway house, so he could work. However, the defense amended an initial motion for Smith to be released from Hope Village to the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) given the imminent closure of the halfway house.
Smith’s hearing on the matter is scheduled to continue on April 24.
During an April 23 pretrial show cause hearing, a defendant did not appear in court.
On March 1, 25 year-old Olonzie Coney allegedly assaulted a Metropolitan Police Department Officer Odette Lagui with a knife at 100 block of 19th Street, SE.
According to court documents, the MPD was called out to a train station because there was an individual allegedly harassing patrons and drinking alcohol. Officers found Coney in a train seat with a 750ml bottle of Belleruche Rose, an alcohol beverage. Coney allegedly harassed the officers as they asked him to leave the train, pulling a knife on Lagui once they exited the train.
During a hearing on April 23, counselors decided to continue the case of a defendant in violation of his civil protection order.
Kenneth Currie is charged with violation of CPO (civil protection order) and contempt of his condition of release violation.
After being deemed mentally incompetent and sent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, the defense and prosecution have agreed to continue the case to determine if a discharge plan can be set up for the defendant upon release.
During an April 23 presentment, a burglary defendant did not appear in court because he is still in the hospital.
Kennyatta Williams, 41, was charged April 14 with burglary two for allegedly forcibly entering an establishment at 2300 block of Good Hope Road, SE and stealing property, including a cash drawer on April 8.
The reason why Williams’ is still in the hospital is not known. He has been in the hospital since April 15, according to DC Courts.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to Marbury Plaza Apartments in regards to a burglary of a convenience store located in the basement of the apartment building. Officers found a large hole in the drywall with a view inside the store, as well as missing ceiling tile in the hallway, which was found on the floor near the hole.
Video surveillance captured two men, Xavier Jones and Williams, walking through the interior apartment breezeway.
A felony status conference is scheduled for July 23.
