After Guilty Plea, Judge Releases Stabbing Defendant

Over objections by the prosecution, a stabbing defendant was released pending sentencing after she pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Oct 28.

Kenyada Floyd, 48, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a non-fatal stabbing which occurred on Sept. 19 on the 1900 block of Benning Road, NE. Two victims sustained wounds.

Colleen Archer, Floyd’s attorney, alerted the court of her intent to accept a plea deal, which required her to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Archer also requested the defendant’s release, stating Floyd has three teenage kids she is the primary caretaker of, has a stable job she can maintain before sentencing, and would lose her apartment if she isn’t released soon.

Archer also noted Floyd was injured in the incident and presented the incident contextually as self- defense in a physical altercation.

Prosecution requested the defendant be held until her sentencing, citing that she has a history of “assaultive conflict,” noting one charge that is dated.

The judge ruled that Floyd would be released under the conditions of GPS monitoring and home confinement pending sentencing. In addition a no harassment, assault, threats or stalking (HATS) order was put into place for the two victims who live in the same apartment complex as the defendant.

Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing Jan. 30.

More Than Half of Pending Plea Deals For DC Violent Crimes Accepted in October

According D.C. Witness data, 34 plea deals–more than half– were accepted in October for homicide, non-fatal shooting, stabbing and carjacking cases, nearly 62 percent of the total number of pending plea deals. It’s an increase from the September plea deal total for he same crimes. .

Overall there were approximately 55 plea deals pending from current and past cases in October. Of those 55, 34 were accepted,13 were rejected, and eight are still pending.

The number of accepted pleas increased from 25 in September across the listed crimes in the District. There were 46 plea deals pending in September.

Byron Sneed, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Raymond Washington on June 30, 2024, at the 700 block of Marietta Place, NW. Sneed rejected a plea deal offered to him on Oct. 8. The terms of the deal were discussed under seal with DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan.

For homicides, six pleas were accepted, while three were rejected, and one is still pending a decision.

On Oct. 17, Mussay Rezene, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, in the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Darrow Johnson on Aug. 19, 2023, at the DC Jail. Rezene accepted a plea deal of 15-to-20 years of incarceration for his guilty plea, and was sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz to 20 years on Oct. 30.

Data shows there were 29 cases that began in October. Out of those cases, two plea deals were offered with defendants rejecting one plea while the other is still awaiting a decision.

Defense Questions New Limited Homicide Information Policy

Prosecutors and a defense attorney clashed over a new homicide division policy that restricts the flow of grand jury testimony and witness information to defense attorneys before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Oct. 28.

Tyquan Jennings, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Vonte Martin and the injury of another person on the 3000 block of Stant Road, SE on Aug. 19, 2024.

During an earlier hearing, Jennings’ defense attorney, Nate Mensah, and a prosecutor had come to an impasse on the terms of a protective order that defined the scope of Mensah’s access to information from grand jury transcripts.

Protective orders are legally binding agreements between prosecutors and defense attorneys that establish safeguards for grand jury information and protect the identity of witnesses in the case.

Historically, prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office’s (USAO) homicide division have often shared information about grand jury testimony with defense attorneys through protective orders months in advance of trial.

During the hearing, a supervisor from the USAO explained to the court that the homicide division will no longer disclose grand jury materials to defense attorneys far in advance of trial unless they agree to a protective order that stipulates that any modification to the protective order must be approved by prosecutors. The protective order prohibits the defendant from knowing who testified to what in the grand jury.

The supervisor argued that it had become commonplace for defense attorneys to use their right to have sealed conversations with Judges when discussing their theory of defense to successfully petition for modifications to protective orders. Prosecutors, unable to participate in much of these sealed conversations, were unable to effectively argue against revealing the information, the prosecutor said.

“It may seem like a big shift but there are legitimate reasons why we are doing it,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Park initially expressed skepticism about the homicide division’s new policy, though his perspective on the issue shifted during the course of the hearing. He pushed back against prosecutors’ notion that the sealed conversations put them at a significant disadvantage during evidentiary hearings, arguing that they had a right to be heard by the judge to argue against the revelation of grand jury testimony information.

Judge Park said that he was less concerned by the new policy when he understood that it would not prevent defense attorneys from petitioning for Brady information — evidence in the control of prosecutors that may be exculpatory for the defense.

Mensah disagreed with the new policy which prevented him from sharing grand jury information with Jennings and required him to notify prosecutors about any violation of the protective order. Mensah argued that compelled disclosure raised Fifth Amendment concerns, and said several times throughout the hearing that he did not think it was appropriate for him to consent to the protective order in its current form.

Judge Park said Mensah’s objections raised very important theoretical questions but that he was not in a position to practically effect any orders on prosecutors, given that the defense was not entitled to grand jury testimony up until the trial.

“Fundamentally the prosecution is right that I do not have a…legal basis to compel the prosecution to disclose grand jury information,” Park said. “This whole history will have to be something that will have to be litigated.”

During the hearing Judge Park also denied Mensah’s motion to release Jennings and accepted Jennings’ waiver of his right to independent DNA testing.

“I don’t think any circumstances have changed with respect to that determination,” Park said.

Parties are slated to return Dec 15.

‘I Do Find That It Would Be Helpful To the Fact Finders,’ Judge Says of Murder Witness Testimony

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park allowed the prosecution to use a witness’ identification of a homicide defendant as evidence over objections from defense attorneys on Oct. 28.

Dion Lee, 24, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside the home. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Pamela Thomas, 54, on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE on Feb. 9, 2022.

Rashod Dunbar, 26, is charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly providing Lee with a change of clothes near the 500 block of 50th Place shortly after the shooting.

Much of the hearing focused on whether prosecutors could admit into evidence a witness’ identification of a man prosecutors allege is Dunbar. The defense team for Dunbar and Lee objected on the grounds that an investigator had not properly interviewed the witness and that the identification was altogether unnecessary.

Prosecutors pushed back against notions that the detective assigned to the case had acted with any impropriety in his interactions with the witness. They cited quotations from the grand jury transcript of the witness testifying that she was treated well by the police and that she did not feel coerced.

Defense attorneys Carrie Weletz, for Dunbar, and Joseph Yarbough, for Lee, argued that the standard grand jury “catch all questions” would not indicate whether the detective had made any suggestive statements about the suspect’s identity in his interactions with the witness.

Prosecutors called in the detective who said he never suggested the suspect’s identity to the witness and that the witness had always “seemed normal” in his interactions with her, never upset or angry.

Yarbough questioned the objectivity of the witness identification pointing out that the detective had met with the witness to talk about her relation to Dunbar twice before he met with her to conduct a suspect identification.

During cross-examination, the detective also said that he had mentioned Dunbar to the witness before asking her to make a witness identification in his last meeting with her. Throughout his testimony, the detective indicated he had a difficult time recalling specific details from conversations from 2022.

Yarbough and Weletz argued that the evidence was faulty because the detective had talked about Dunbar with the witness before asking her to make an identification. Yarbough also argued that, suggestivity concerns aside, witnesses could make out the suspects’ identity for themselves based on surveillance videos of the suspect, who prosecutors allege is Dunbar.

Judge Park ultimately ruled in favor of prosecutors, saying that the witness’ identification was both legitimate and useful.

“It certainly is the case that just from my observation the image is pixelated,[distorted]” Judge Park said. “I do find that it [the witness identification] would be helpful to the fact finders.”

During the hearing, Judge Park also denied a motion from Lee’s other defense attorney, Patrick Nowak, to preclude evidence of location data from the co-defendants’ phones. Novak argued that the method for locating phones based on their interactions with cell towers, known as cell-site analysis, was not widely accepted by the scientific community and imprecise.

In his denial of the motion, Judge Park said that the information did not necessarily need to meet the criteria outlined by Nowak and that courts had consistently allowed the use of cell-site analysis evidence.

“Cell site analysis has been widely accepted,” Judge Park said.

Parties were not able to resolve two issues about the qualifications of witnesses prosecutors hope to call to testify during the trial. Yarbough objected to the proposed testimony of a ballistics expert on the grounds that he did not have enough training in the evidence prosecutors hoped he would testify about.

Prosecutors said that they were working to add 20 hours to his contract for additional training and familiarization with the materials in this case and that they would inform the court of his status at the next hearing.

Yarbough also objected to specialized information witnesses testifying about information from the ballistics detection system known as ShotSpotter that prosecutors claim captured audio of five gunshots at the time of the homicide.

Yarbough’s arguments centered on the fact that the prosecutor’s proposed witness did not have the technical knowledge to answer questions about the mechanisms and reliability of ShotSpotter devices.

Judge Park said he would reserve his ruling on ShotSpotter until a later hearing.

Parties are slated to reconvene Dec. 15.

Repeat Offender Sentenced for ‘Gory’ Jail Murder

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz sentenced a chronic violent offender for his involvement in a fatal stabbing at the DC Jail during a hearing on Oct. 30.

On Oct. 17, Mussay Rezene, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Darrow Johnson on Aug. 17, 2023 at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.

Through the plea deal, parties agreed to a 15-to-20 year sentence.

During the hearing, the prosecutor deemed the stabbing “gory,” stating that the incident “encapsulates the type of person [Rezene] is.”

According to the prosecution, Rezene attacked Johnson in a physical therapy room at the jail with a homemade shank and tried to flush it down a toilet.

The prosecution displayed body-worn camera footage from Rezene’s arrest three minutes after the stabbing, where he could be seen smiling and telling people he was “alright.”

The prosecutor requested Rezene be sentenced to 20 years, highlighting that Johnson was an “unsuspecting and unarmed individual,” at the time of the incident.

Johnson’s wife and daughters provided victim impact statements, highlighting his devotion to being a good father and partner. His eldest daughter told the court she’s had to step into a caretaker role since his loss, in order for their mom to have multiple jobs to make ends meet.

“Losing him was losing stability and comfort,” Johnson’s daughter cried, adding “a fair and serious sentence will show that [Johnson’s] life mattered.”

“He was my hero and best friend,” Johnson’s wife read a letter from their youngest daughter, who added “please stop the violence because no family should have to feel this kind of pain.”

The prosecution discussed Rezene’s adult criminal history, which started in 2005, and went through 2021, when he was arrested for the murder of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro, two-weeks after his involvement in a deadly mass shooting. Rezene received a 50 year sentence for Villatoro’s murder, and three years imprisonment for the mass shooting.

According to the prosecution, Rezene has a pending federal gun trafficking case, robbery and shooting case in Atlanta, Georgia, and multiple convictions for violent offenses. The prosecution also claimed he is known to tamper with witnesses, and is the “epitome of a menace to society.”

The prosecution claimed Rezene had an “utter lack of remorse,” for everything, and refused to participate in the pre-sentence report process – an interview that helps the judge make decisions about sentencing.

“He doesn’t think the law applies to him,” the prosecution insisted, requesting a 20 year sentence.

Camille Wagner, Rezene’s attorney, requested he be sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, stating that he accepted responsibility for his actions in the case.

“I sincerely apologize for my actions,” Rezene told Judge Kravitz, adding that he has had time to think about his life, future and change while he’s been incarcerated.

“All that I have is hope,” Rezene stated, “I’m not a monster like [the prosecution] paints me out to be.”

“I ask you to give me a chance, your honor – I want better for myself. Please give me that chance,” he said.

Judge Kravitz sentenced Rezene to 20 years of incarceration for this murder, which will run consecutively to all other sentences.

Parties are not slated to reconvene.

Defense Attorneys Claim Carjack Victim’s Testimony Inconsistent

The victim of an armed robbery faced critical cross-examination from defense attorneys in a carjacking case before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Oct. 29.

Marcus Tucker, 30, is charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon in relation to his alleged involvement in an armed carjacking that occurred April 17 at the intersection of 30th and Hartford Streets, SE.

The defense, led by Jason Tulley, questioned the victim on the information he provided to the 911 dispatcher, officers on scene, detective, and the investigator about the events in the case.

Tulley pointed out apparent inconsistencies in the description of the assailant’s clothing as wearing “all black” on the 911 call but to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, he identified a suspect in all white and a black coat as the perpetrator. The witness also gave different accounts about the number of guns present at the scene and which direction the suspects drove away.

The witness stated that he had been arrested for having an open container of alcohol a few hours before the carjacking. He stated that he bought tequila multiple times throughout the day and was repeatedly questioned about whether he was drunk when the incident occurred, which he denied.

Officers can be seen on the body worn camera footage of the victim who appeared drunk.

Tulley questioned the victim about his criminal history, where he revealed that he had a pending case in Maryland for driving under the influence and resisting arrest, and was released pending trial in a felony strangulation case in DC.

The prosecution’s redirect focused on clearing up the irregularities in the witness’ testimony by confirming that he had been confused by all the questions thrown at him by so many different people, but that he was telling the truth to the best of his ability.

During the hearing, prosecutors also questioned an FBI agent who specializes in tracking communications between cell phones and cell towers. The field, known as “historical cell site analysis,” allows investigators to locate and identify which cell towers connected to a suspect’s phone at a particular date and time.

The witness stated that Tucker’s phone was in the general vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the carjacking.

Defense attorney Marta Garcia questioned the accuracy of the map and the usefulness of historical cell site analysis in her cross examination.

“The call record doesn’t list the location of the phone itself, does it,” Garcia said. The witness testified that cell site analysis could not provide such precise information.

The trial is slated to resume Oct. 30.

Juvenile Co-Defendants Accept Plea For Carjacking

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro accepted a plea agreement in a carjacking case with teen co-defendants on Oct. 28.

Denhym Boykins, 16, and Dekhyri Greene, 17, were originally charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. These charges stem from the armed carjacking of a Toyota Prius on Aug. 7, at the 1000 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE.

Boykins and Greene are charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be charged as adults for certain serious offenses.

At the hearing, Boykins and Greene accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors that required them to plead guilty to robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and carrying a pistol without a license. The mandatory minimum for robbery is two years of imprisonment with a maximum sentence of 15 years. The maximum sentence for the other two charges is five years.

In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss any greater and remaining charges and not oppose the sentences run concurrently.

The prosecutor said if the case had proceeded to trial they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on Aug. 7, at the 1000 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE, Boykins and Greene robbed a victim of her vehicle while pointing a firearm at her.

Boykins and Greene committed the crime knowingly and voluntarily and there was no legal justification for their actions.

Greene’s defense counsel, Varsha Govindaraju, motioned to have him released pending sentencing, due to the overcrowding at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and his outstanding performance since his incarceration. According to Govindaraju, Greene received straight A’s on all report cards, participates in optional programs such as Free Minds, and has had no prior interaction with the criminal legal system.

Boykin’s defense counsel, Carrie Weletz, joined in the motion and requested her client’s release, citing similar reasons. Weletz said Boykins is supposed to receive 24 hours a week of educational support, but due to overcrowding at the DYRS is receiving little to none of that support.

The judge denied both motions to release the boys pending sentencing.

Parties are set for sentencing on Jan. 16, 2026.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Two Homicide Investigations

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas in connection with two separate homicide investigations. Lucas is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, who died on July 1 after a shooting incident on Jun. 30, and the murder of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, who was found dead on July 4. Lucas was apprehended in Germantown, MD, and charged with First-Degree Murder While Armed for both cases.

Defendant Acquitted in Domestic Violence Related Carjacking

A jury in a domestic violence related carjacking case found the defendant not guilty on all charges before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Oct. 29.

Bernard King, 40, was charged with carjacking and threatening to kidnap or injure a person due to his alleged involvement in a carjacking that took place on the 2000 block of S Street, SE, on June 10.

After deliberations on Oct. 29, the jury acquitted King on both of the charges.

Both the victim and King testified that they were in a dispute because the victim took King’s phone. King then followed her out of a deli parking lot to an officer’s house nearby.

Defense attorney Karen Minor claimed that the victim was driving erratically and may have been under the influence of a substance. King testified to being worried for the victim’s safety, claiming she allegedly did not have a license.

Parties are not slated to reconvene.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 51-year-old Shawnta Aiken in connection with a fatal shooting on Nov. 2 in Southeast. The victim, identified as 56-year-old Richard Walker, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. Aiken has been charged with Second-Degree Murder While Armed in this domestic-related case.

Six Sentenced for ‘Act of War’ in Deadly Mass Shooting, Ring Leaders Get More Than 100-Years

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz sentenced six defendants on Oct. 30 for their involvement in a mass shooting that killed three. The judge singled out what he termed the ring leaders that terrorized a neighborhood for prison terms as long as 123 years.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, were convicted of conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and injured three additional individuals.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, were convicted of accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their involvement in assisting the other defendants in discarding evidence and avoiding arrest.

“Over four years ago, gunfire cut through a city block,” the prosecutors told Judge Kravitz, highlighting the “brutality, shocking violence, and devastation brought by the defendants.”

According to the prosecution, the defendants “turned a block into a battlefield… those images are indelible.”

“What we cannot quantify is how many lives were impacted,” the prosecutor insisted, adding “we cannot allow this history to repeat itself.”

Braxton and a surviving victim’s aunt stated she was “standing ten toes down for my nephew,” adding she was grateful for the conviction. She deemed the defendants “monsters, serial killers.”

“DC can rest assured now that they’ll be behind bars for the rest of their lives,” she said.

“I just ask for justice,” Dyson’s mom told Judge Kravitz, asking him to understand her impact statement based on a letter she filed before the sentencing. The letter was not read in court.

The prosecution argued the defendants committed “one of the most horrific acts of violence the District has seen in decades,” and insisted “there were so many others that were put at risk,” by the defendants’ actions.

The prosecution requested Judge Kravitz impose a sentence of 240 years for Queen, 246 years for Dubose, and 25 years for Rezene, citing their leadership roles. According to the prosecution, they were the principal organizers of the attack and all have a history of glorifying violence.

Prosecutors stated that although Rezene was not a shooter, he intended to be but did not show up to the scene fast enough.

The parties agreed that the shooting was in retaliation for a shooting aimed at Queen and his friends earlier that day, at a house occupied by his grandmother and mother.

However, the prosecution stated that did not excuse their actions. “[Queen] took matters into his own hands,” instead of calling the police, and the defendants all celebrated together after the incident.

“Rather than becoming a better man, he turned to violence,” the prosecution said, highlighting Queen’s history of criminal activity. According to the prosecution, he was released from prison for a shooting months before the mass shooting.

Prosecutors also requested that Judge Kravitz impose a 193-years-and-two-month sentence for Johnson-Lee, 158-years-and-four-month sentence for Thompson, and two years of incarceration for Johnson.

According to the prosecution, Johnson-Lee deserved a lower sentence despite being a shooter due to his lack of criminal history and his young age at the time of the incident. The prosecution argued Johnson-Lee was the “most lethal of the shooters at Longfellow,” but has expressed intent in changing his life since his conviction.

As for Thompson, the prosecution argued he deserved a shorter sentence because he was not a shooter and acted only as the getaway driver. However, they stated it was clear he was “ready and willing to answer the call in any form it came,” and the incident wouldn’t have happened without him.

The prosecution also stated Johnson should be incarcerated, rather than serving a probationary sentence, due to her “truly stunning persistence in deceiving” officers.

The prosecution insisted that the defendants have refused to take accountability for their actions and have no remorse.

Michael Bruckheim, Dubose’s attorney, argued that Dubose has participated in multiple programs at the jail to help him become a better person. He requested a sentence that would allow Dubose to use the lessons he’s learned from the programs in the community.

“He will be much older, wiser, and hopefully better,” Bruckheim stated, asking for an opportunity to “live a little of life without incarceration.”

Camille Wagner, Rezene’s attorney, stated the prosecution’s request was “egregious,” and requested he be sentenced within the guidelines. She also requested he go to Federal Correction Institution (FCI) Pollock in Louisiana to continue participating in trade and career programs.

Peter Fayne, Johnson-Lee’s attorney, requested leniency and a sentence at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. He also requested that all sentences run concurrently with each other, despite DC code stating that sentences for incidents with multiple victims must be served consecutively.

Elizabeth Weller, Thompson’s defense attorney, stated he would be asserting his right to an appeal, and stated that although the incident destroyed the lives of many people, it also destroyed his family.

Weller requested Judge Kravitz recommend he be placed at a FCI that is near New Orleans so he has access to family.

Charles Murdter, Thompson’s other attorney, read a letter written by Thompson to the court. “I truly apologize,” Thompson wrote, adding “I ask for your mercy.”

Brian McDaniel, Queen’s attorney, deemed him a charismatic individual with “a great deal of potential.”

“Queen sits here an individual who is redeemable,” McDaniel stated, asking he be given a lighter sentence than the prosecution requested.

“I ain’t a cold-blooded nothing,” Queen stated, citing prosecutors’ prior statements, and added he is “remorseful for what happened, but not taking accountability.”

David Akulian, Johnson’s attorney, requested Judge Kravitz impose a probationary sentence. He cited her family’s support, and stated she has been fully compliant with release conditions for multiple years.

“The facts of the case are profound enough to speak for themselves,” Judge Kravitz stated, adding he understood the gravity of his decision for sentencing, which weighed on him heavily since the defendants were convicted.

“[The defendants] committed an incredibly dangerous violent act,” said Judge Kravitz, insisting that the community “deserves meaningful protection from them and they deserve significant sentences.”

Judge Kravitz claimed the defendants are complex humans, and should not only be judged by their actions on the day of the incident, despite it “surely [being] the worst thing each of them has done – the humanity of defendants in this case must be respected.”

According to Kravitz, Dubose and Queen were deserving of the greatest punishment because of their criminal history and their leadership roles. “Their behavior was simply unacceptable in a civilized society.”

He imposed an aggregate sentence of 123 years for Dubose, 120 years for Queen, and 105 years for Johnson-Lee – all of their charges’ sentences will run consecutively.

Thompson was sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment, due to a mitigating factor that Judge Kravitz stated allowed the sentences to run concurrently rather than consecutively. According to Judge Kravitz, if he imposed consecutive sentences for Thompson, it would amount to 105 years in prison.

“In my opinion, that would be excessive by a lot and a manifestation of injustice,” for a getaway driver, Judge Kravitz said. “He’s being punished significantly.”

As for Rezene, despite the prosecution’s argument that Rezene wanted to be a shooter, “we punish people for what they did, not what they wanted to do.” Judge Kravitz imposed a three year sentence for Rezene, which will run consecutively to all other sentences he faces, including 50 years for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro on Sept. 18, 2021, and 20 years of imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Darrow Johnson at the DC Jail on Aug. 17, 2023.

Judge Kravitz stated Johnson lived a “decent and law abiding life,” since her arrest in 2021, and despite her “meaningful but mindful role,” he imposed 24 months of incarceration, suspended, with a year of probation.

According to Judge Kravitz, it is “unclear if she was acting out of love, loyalty, or fear… she was doing another person’s bidding.”

Thompson, Queen, and Johnson-Lee will remain at the DC Jail until January in order to complete plumbing programs and GED classes.

All the defendants intend to appeal but no further dates were set.

Judge Denies Defense Request to Dismiss Carjacking Charges For Lack of Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied a carjacking defendant’s motion to dismiss charges on Oct. 23 after the defense complained they didn’t receive all the evidence.

Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 21, and Julio Villafranco, 21, are charged with armed carjacking, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of robbery while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in an incident on March 26 on the 3100 block of Hiatt Place, NW.

Defense counsel for Lemus-Cruz, Quianna Harris, motioned to dismiss the case because she claimed the prosecution never sent additional evidence that’s “integral to Lemus-Cruz’s” involvement.

Harris claimed that Lemus-Cruz was detained without sufficient evidence and asked for his release. She added that without examining the evidence, she has no information about Villafranco’s alleged involvement and noted she might file a motion to sever the cases.

The prosecution admitted that they should have sent the additional grand jury transcripts, records of the complaints against the involved officers, and body-worn camera footage after Villafranco joined the case.

Judge Hertzfeld claimed that the defendant’s cases were properly joined and therefore, according to the law, the government is entitled to a 45-day continuance to provide the evidence.

Additionally, Judge Hertzfeld vacated the previously scheduled trial date, ordered the prosecution to provide the defense with the new evidence, denied the motion to dismiss the case, and rejected Harris’ request to release Lemus-Cruz.

At the same hearing, Villafranco was arraigned and his attorney, Camille Wagner, informed parties that he pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Wagner also asked the court for more time to go through evidence and potentially negotiate a plea deal.

The parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 20.

Homicide Defendant Considers Another Plea Offer

A homicide defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Oct. 24, but is considering a counter offer.

Lamar Odoms, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Mark Odoms, 25, on the 1800 block of Tubman Road, SE on Dec. 5, 2024.

During the hearing, the court discussed a plea offer that the prosecution extended in a prior hearing. If accepted, Odoms would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, and the prosecution would agree to dismiss all other charges.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens told the court that she had extended a counter offer and that she believes both parties are “on a realistic path to resolve things.” The new offer was not discussed in open court.

Parties are set to return on Nov. 14.

Judge Allows Suspect in Fatal Beating to Stay on Release

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman determined that a homicide defendant did not violate his release on Oct. 30.

Jose Ramos, 38, is charged with second-degree muder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of Eduardo Cruz, 58, on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, on Jan. 25, 2022.

A notice of non compliance with Ramos’ conditions of release was filed by the Pretrial Service Agency (PSA) on Oct. 14.

According to Judge Edelman, Ramos violated his conditions of release. On Oct. 11, Ramos traveled to Falls Church, VA, to attend an alcoholic anonymous (AA) meeting, which Judge Edelman granted under the conditions Ramos abide by 24-hour home confinement, along with the opportunity for him to attend work, a religious class, and care for his aging father.

However, Ramos was unaware that he was prohibited from traveling to VA to attend AA meetings, according to his defense attorney Wole O. Falodun.

Judge Edelman requested verification that Ramos, in fact, attended the AA meeting.

Ramos’s Pretrial Service Agency (PSA) representative confirmed the existence of a picture Ramos sent to show he attended the meeting and was there for a little over an hour.

After Judge Edelman received verification, he said he was satisfied.

Additionally, Judge Edelman said that Ramos had been compliant with electronic monitoring and the other conditions of his release.

Judge Edelman discharged the notice of non-compliance and reiterated to Ramos that he is not allowed to travel out of DC for AA meetings.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 19.

Stabbing Defendant Ordered to Mental Health Treatment

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel accepted a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) request to give to stabbing defendant more mental health guidance on Oct. 28.

Ellen Williams, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and threat to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly assaulting her sister with a knife on Sept. 28 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

At the hearing, defense counsel for Williams, Claudine Harrison, informed Judge Israel that she is working on a plea deal in mental health court and requested more time. DC Superior Court Mental Health Community Court (MHCC) is a specialized unit focused on criminal defendants diagnosed with mental illnesses.

According to MHCC guidelines, if a defendant successfully completes the ordered treatment within the plea agreement, the prosecution can reduce or drop charges against them.

Judge Israel stated she received a request from PSA for Williams to get mental health services and ordered Williams to comply with treatment.

As Harrison and Judge Israel were discussing mental health treatment, Williams mumbled a series of statements, at the end stating “I don’t trust nobody”.

The parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 19.

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