Judge Delays Ruling on Sick Murder Defendant’s Release

A DC Superior Court judge delayed ruling on a murder defendant’s release because he is currently sick.

Samuel Davis, 61, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for allegedly strangling Mawuli Kocuvie on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. Kocuvie, 53, was killed on Oct. 28, 2017.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring heard arguments from both the defense and the prosecution on Davis’ release. However, since Davis’ presence was waived due to his medical condition, she opted to delay her ruling until he could be present to hear his fate.

Davis’ medical condition was not revealed on the court docket.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the defense and prosecution set a new status hearing, which is scheduled to occur on May 8. The reasons for the status hearing were not stated in open court.

Davis’ sentencing was never scheduled according DC Courts.

Davis’ case will be recalled on April 23.

Judge Agrees to Re-hear Evidence Supporting Inmates Release

A judge agreed April 13 to listen to further arguments as to why an inmate should be released in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emmanuel West is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home/business, possession of a unregistered firearm/unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance- marijuana and offenses committed during release.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring denied West’s release for the time being but is giving his attorney time to gather more information as to why West should be released.

The case is scheduled to be recalled on April 17.

Robbery Defendant Undergoes Mental Evaluation; Not Released

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a 24-hour detained mental exam for a robbery defendant instead of releasing him.

Kenneth Phillips is charged robbery for allegedly taking a $20 bill from a person on the unit block of Hanover Place, NW on March 26. The victim was allegedly punched in the head by Phillips, 19. According to court records, the victim and the defendant do not know each other.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring ordered that Phillips,19, be detained for mental observation instead of granting his motion to be released because of coronavirus.

There were allegedly two suspects. The second suspect walked away from the scene when an officer was trying to separate Phillips, who had become “irate and begun shouting,” from the victim, documents state.

Phillips is pending a grand jury. He is scheduled for a felony status conference on May 29.

Judge Denies Release; Will Rehear Evidence in 2 Days

A judge denied a defendant’s release, but she said she will rehear his case in two days.

Roscoe Jones is charged with assault with intent to kill with a sharp object, assault with significant bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon (sharp object), assault with significant bodily injury while armed with a sharp object, unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution and destruction of property less than $1000.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring said she would rehear the defense’s argument on April 15 in order to give Jones’ attorney more time to gather more information on his condition to support his motion for release during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Denies Release for Inmate

A judge denied an inmates request for release on April 13.

Daniel Chapman is charged with aggravated assault and assault with intent to kill while armed.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring denied Chapman’s request to be released because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chapman is scheduled for a status hearing on May 26 .

Judge Delays Ruling on Defendant’s Release

A DC Superior Court judge delayed her ruling on the release of an inmate on April 13.

Cornell Glover is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm) and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior felony conviction.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring carried the case until April 15, when she said she will make a ruling.

According to court documents, on December 29, 2019, Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE for reports of gunshots in the area.

Upon arrival, officers saw Glover outside of the location where he seemed to be under the influence. Glover told police he was locked outside of his girlfriend’s house and asked officers to knock on the door and tell her that he loved her.

As Glover began to walk away police noticed a loose shell casing on the ground where Glover was standing. Police then detained Glover and searched him.

During the search police recovered a gun, an ASP baton, a loaded magazine and an open container of wine. Police saw that Glover did not have a permit to carry a gun and he was subsequently arrested, according to court documents.

Further investigation revealed that an officer responded to the same location the night prior when Glover’s alleged girlfriend said that he used the baton to break her car window, slapped her in the face, pointed the loaded gun at her after he cocked it and said, “Imma kill you.”

Release Denied for Murder Defendant Involved in DC Jail Lawsuit

A murder defendant, who is also a party in a lawsuit against the DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC), was denied release on April 13 in response to an emergency motion filed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

DC Superior Court Judge Anita Joesy-Herring denied Banks’ request for the time being while his defense attorney, Ieshaah Murphy, gathers more information to provide more reasoning for his release.

D.C. Witness previously reported that during a preliminary hearing Judge Juliet Mckenna said that since Banks, 48, used, “significant force,” it shows that he was “attempting to inflict some sort of additional harm to Binn.”Judge McKenna found probable cause that Banks killed Binn.

Banks is scheduled for a another bond review hearing on April 17.

Lawsuit

Banks is one of four defendants suing DC DOC. The lawsuit against the department was filed on March 30. According to the inmate’s complaint, the DC DOC has “proven that it will not, and cannot, ensure the reasonable health and safety of its residents.”

According to court documents, two of the defendants are being held in the Central Detention Facility, while the other two or being held in the Correctional Treatment Facility. The inmates are suing the DC DOC for violating their fifth and eighth amendment rights

The inmates also took out a temporary restraining order against Quincy Booth, director of the DC DOC and Lennard Johnson, DC DOC’s warden.

In an opposition to the TRO, the DC DOC states that “the allegations the [inmates] proffer to support their arguments do not reflect the extensive measures [DC] DOC has taken to address the rapidly unfolding events of the pandemic.”

A teleconference for the lawsuit is set to take place on April 15 before Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

Document: Arrest for Burglary Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested a man on burglary charges.

According to a press release, the 24-year-old man allegedly gained entry by force to an establishment on the 2600 block of 15th Street, NW. Once inside, the suspect attempted to take property but was apprehended by responding officers.

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Document: Arrest Made in Homicide on Clay Place, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man who is suspected of being involved in a murder on the 4000 block of Clay Place, NE.

According to a press release, 44-year-old Phillip Humphrey was arrested on April 11. He was charged second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 33-year-old Cornell Mason on April 10.

According to court documents, Mason died at a local hospital on April 11. The death allegedly resulted from a dispute between the men.

Humphrey’s first hearing in court for the matter occurred on April 13. He is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 12. Humphrey is being held without bail.

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Murder Defendant Dies from Coronavirus

A man who was charged with first-degree murder died April 13 while being hospitalized for the coronavirus.

The DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC)) announced that Deon Crowell died while in DC DOC custody. The DC DOC is still collecting and verifying information on the death.

Crowell, 51, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for a murder that was especially heinous or cruel for allegedly stabbing Joni Rockingham, 53, on the 300 block of 34th Street, NE in 2017. He was scheduled for a status hearing in May, according to DC Courts. Crowell was being held without bail in the Correctional Treatment Facility.

According to the DC DOC’s press release, Crowell, 51, passed away from complications inflicted by the virus during the morning hours. He was hospitalized on April 7 after testing positive for COVID-19 and experiencing respiratory problems.

His attorney, Elizabeth Weller, filed an emergency motion for release from custody in March, according to DC Courts. According to the motion, Crowell suffered from diabetes and other health risks from his illness.

The prosecution filed an opposition to the defense’s motion for release on April 9.

Document: Homicide in Mayfair

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting on the 3700 Block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to a press release, 19-year-old Antonio Burnett Jr. was located April 13 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Additionally, two other adult male victims were located with gunshot wounds. These victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

The department is offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

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More Inmates Test Positive at DC Jail

Four more inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus, the DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) reported April 11.

All four inmates are male. Two inmates are aged in their mid-to-late 30s, one is 40 years old and another one is 23.

According to a press release from the DC DOC, two of the four inmates were being housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility as a precaution after being in close proximity to another inmate who tested positive. The other two inmates were being housed in the Central Detention Facility.

According to the DC DOC, 42 inmates tested positive at the facilities. All of the inmates who tested positive are in isolation and being monitored by medical staff.

Nine inmates have recovered from the virus and were released back into the general population.

Fifteen members of DC DOC’s staff have tested positive for the virus as of April 11, according to the District’s site on the virus.

Almost All DC Superior Court Cases Were Bond Reviews

There were 24 criminal cases being heard in DC Superior Court, all but two were bond review hearings.

Even though there were 25 criminal cases, there were only 12 defendants. Multiple defendants had more than one case on the DC Superior Courts Criminal Division Calendar.

On April 10, three defendants were released from jail, including Tamika Green, Travis Russell, and Bruce Ross.

The judge denied release for six defendants, Javon Gunter, Herman Williams, Zaid Morgan, Aaron Williams, Teela Lott and Vincente Tillman. Lott’s case was continued so that the judge who has presided over her case could make the release decision.

David Brown received a reduce sentence as was put on supervised release.

The two hearings that were not bond review hearings were a status hearing for Javlin Patterson and a probation show cause hearing for Andy Williams.

Although the calendar shows that Williams was scheduled for a hearing on April 10, the site does not indicate that a hearing was schedule or took place. Williams was sentenced for second-degree theft on April 10, 2018. His sentence was for about 6-months, 180 days, with a restitution fee of $270. A court date is not listed on DC Courts.

Patterson was scheduled for a status hearing on April 10. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice.

His case was closed after he was picked up.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the DC Superior Court is only operating four courtrooms to hear adult arraignments and presentments; family court emergencies; neglect and juvenile hearings; criminal and domestic violence emergencies; and civil, probate and tax emergencies. Most of the hearings are being conducted remotely.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Carrying Pistol

On April 10, a judge granted a defendant’s motions for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the motion, Bruce Ross’s lawyer requested that he be release because of the potential dangers from the global pandemic, or he be allowed to speak with his counsel.

On April 4, the DC Department of Corrections implemented a medical stay-in-place, stopping all visits will attorneys unless actively in trial.

Ross, 18, is charged with carrying a pistol outside of a home or business. He was initially charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and tampering with a GPS device.

According to court documents, on March 26 officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were patrolling an area located near the 1500 block of Tobias Drive, SE when they heard gunfire.

When the officers responded to the area the the shots came from Ross ran away and the officers gave chase. During the chase Ross discarded a black .9mm ghost gun.

The gun was retrieved with no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. Documents state that there was a strong gunpowder odor coming from the magazine as if the gun had recently been fired.

Officers also found a cut GPS tracking device.

Judge Releases Inmate After Finding Suitable Housing

On April 10, a DC Superior Court judge released a murder defendant after he was able to obtain suitable housing.

Travis Russell, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Michael Hooker, 44, on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 26, 2019.

Judge Neal Kravitz granted the motion for release. D.C. Witness previously reported that Russell’s hearing was continued in order for his defense attorney to find suitable housing.

Russell was released to a halfway house and has the ability to work.

A status hearing is scheduled on May 22.

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