3 Youth Rehabilitation Act Sentencings Rescheduled

Three sentencings under the Youth Rehabilitation Act were rescheduled on May 7.

Larry White pleaded guilty on Feb. 10. HE was initially charged with unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device and unlawful possession of ammunition. D.C. Witness could not confirm what charges he pleaded guilty to.

White’s sentencing has been rescheduled to July 23.

Andrew Brown pleaded guilty to robbery on Feb. 28

Brown’s sentencing has been rescheduled for July 23.

Keith Baham was convicted of armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle on Feb. 27.

Baham’s sentencing is scheduled to occur on May 19.

All three hearings will be heard in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release

A DC Superior Court judge denied May 7 a murder defendant’s release.

Jerome Alexander, 26, is charged with felony murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Richard Washington, 28, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on Dec. 19, 2019.

Alexander filed a motion to amend his confinement on April 20. He requested to be put into the high intensity supervision program.

Alexander also received a new attorney on March 16 after he requested that Madalyn Harvey be replaced after claiming that she did not come to see him.

Alexander is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 18.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defendant’s release and discussed his medical condition.

Marcus Vines is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Vines also decided to share his medical records with his attorney so that the two could figure out his best course of action going forward.

A felony status conference is scheduled for June 2.

Judge Releases Defendant

A judge released a defendant on May 7.

Mohamed Mohamed is charged with possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon brass knuckles, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and bail violation.

Judge Neal Kravitz released Mohamed despite him not being qualified for the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and not having a fixed home address. Instead, the judge released Mohamed with specific conditions imposed that he is to adhere to. The conditions were not disclosed.

The prosecution did not oppose the release.

Mohamed is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 6.

Defendant is Still Receiving Medical Attention

A prosecutor told a DC Superior Court judge that a defendant is still receiving medical treatment while incarcerated.

Tyron Hines is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior convcition.

The prosecutor told Judge Neal Kravitz that Hines is currently receiving treatment while incarcerated.

Hines gave consent to the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to share his medical records with his attorney, Christopher Mutimer.

The case was continued until May 12.

Number of DC Jail Inmates Isolated by COVID-19 Drops

The number of DC Jail inmates who are being isolated after testing positive for the coronavirus degreased by more than 20 cases from May 5 to May 7, according to the jail.

As of May 7, three more inmates tested positive for the virus. The inmates were all housed in the central detention facility (CDF) and are all male, ranging in age from 19 years old to 40 years old. Inmates who have tested positive for the virus since April 20 were all housed in the CDF.

A total of 34 inmates are in isolation from the coronavirus, as of May 7. There were 57 inmates in isolation because of the coronavirus on May 5.

The jail also noted that four inmates, who finished their sentences but also tested positive for the coronavirus, were released. According to DC Jail, the inmates were provided with personal protection equipment (PPE) and information on how to self isolate.

Inmates who could not self isolate were referred to the Department of Human Services for temporary housing at a site developed for isolation and quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the press release.

Four inmates, who were previously diagnosed with the coronavirus, are still being treated for their illnesses at a local hospital.

Judge Addresses Murder Defendant’s Medical Needs

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s bond review hearing until May 13 to give defense counsel time to review medical records.

Chad Everette Hawthorne is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 35-year-old Antonio Bassett on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Ave., SE on May 22, 2017.

Hawthorne gave the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia verbal consent to share his medical documents with his attorney Steven Kiersh.

According to Kiersh, Hawthorne received a diagnosis. D.C. Witness could not confirm what the diagnosis was for. Hawthorne motioned for release from DC Jail because of the COVID019 pandemic on March 23. The motion was denied by Judge Michael O’Keefe on April 23.

Document: Police Arrest 5 Suspects in Burglary Offense

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department arrested five suspects May 7 who are believed to be connected to burglary offenses.

According to a press release, suspects gained entry into a residence on the 2600 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE on May 6. The suspects attempted to take property, but were apprehended by police.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Assault on Georgia Ave, NW

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect May 7 who is believed to be connected to an assault on the 5700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

The 23-year-old suspect is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun).

According to a press release, the suspect and the victim were involved in a verbal dispute when the suspect pulled a gun on the victim. The suspect fled the scene. There were not injuries.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6883934-5-7-20-Arrest-Made-in-an-Assault-With-a.html” responsive=true]

Slight Uptick in Homicides in April, Data Shows

Homicides in the month of April showed a gradual uptick of 9 percent since February, according to D.C. Witness data.

Data shows that homicides increased from 11 murders in both February and March to 12 murders in April.

The ward with the most homicides in April was Ward 7, which accounted for five homicides. There were three homicides in Ward 6 and two homicides in Ward 8. Ward 4 and Ward 5 only counted one homicide, each. Wards 1, 2, and 3 did not have any homicides in April.

Police have apprehended seven suspects as of May 6, including:

Phillip Humphrey charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Cornell Mason on the 4000 block of Clay Place, NE on April 10.
Ravel Mills is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Toussaunt Strong on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE on April 18.
Ch’Juan Robinson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Louis Kingbury on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW on April 29.
Daquan Anglin, Derrick Kearney and a juvenile are charged with first-qegreemurder while armed for allegedly shooting Devonte Speight on the 1800 block of Maryland Avenue, NE on April 29.
Karlos Kinney is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Resha Blount on the 900 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW on April 30.

Editor’s note: A previous article incorrectly stated that there were no homicides in Ward 8 in April. The article now reflects the two homicides that occurred in Ward 8 during the month.

Court Update: May 6

On May 6, judges at the DC Superior Courthouse released one inmate.

There was one hearings that were not in relation to emergency releases because of COVID-19. That hearing was a detained 24 hour forensic exam.

Two bond review hearings were rescheduled.

One man was released in his criminal case but was awaiting the outcome of a civil petition hearing to be released from incarceration.

Another man was held on other criminal charges.

One hearing had no ruling on release but instead addressed accommodations made by DC Jail

One defendant withdrew his request for release.

One bench warrant was issued for Raekwon Sutton.

One hearing was vacated.

Judges denied four releases.

In total there were 14 defendants that had cases. A majority of the cases were for bond review hearings. You can read about each case on dcwitness.org.

Defendant Withdraws Request for Release

A defendant withdrew his request for release on May 6.

Wendell Macklin is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and bail violation.

Macklin withdrew his request for release from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. He has been at St. Elizabeth’s since Jan. 25, 2019.

Judge Michael Ryan accepted the request.

No further hearings are scheduled for Macklin.

Defendant Waits on Civil Matter Ruling for Release from Jail

A defendant is waiting on a ruling for his civil case in order to be released from jail.

Jesse Payne is charged with simple assault for grabbing the victim’s butt after the victim refused to give him money.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released Payne on his own personal recognizance on May 6 however, remanded him to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, until his civil petition hearing is held on May 28.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled on July 27.

DC Jail Accommodates Murder Defendant

Representative from the DC Jail told a judge May 6 that accommodations were made pursuant to guidelines for a murder defendant.

Raul Rodriguez is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license and bail violation for his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting of 31-year-old Charles Wilkins on the 100 block of M Street, SE in 1995.

Rodriguez was released on bail in 1995 and fled the country. He was extradited from El Salvador in 2018.

Judge Kravitz denied the defense’s request for more accommodations. It is unclear what the specific accommodations were.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 19.

Judge Releases Defendant

A judge released a defendant on May 6 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Idreis Augustus is charged with assault with the intent to kill and first degree cruelty to children (grave risk).

Judge Neal Kravitz released Augustus under the high intensity supervision program with strict house arrest conditions and a stay away order which was sealed.

The defendant filed a supplement motion for review and modification of his detention order on April 24.

Augustus is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 12.

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