Crime Alerts: April 20

Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., D.C. Witness was able to track three crime alerts sent out by the Metropolitan Police Department.

A crime alert went out at 6:11 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 3500 block of Hayes Street, NE. A lookout was released for two suspects. The first was a black male who was 30 years old and wearing all black. The second suspect was also a 30 year-old black male wearing gray sweatpants.

Another alert was sent at 1:12 p.m. in relation to a robbery at 4th and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. A lookout was released for two black males between 17 and 18 years old with dreadlocks. Both suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts. One of the sweatshirts was red.

At 9:12 a.m. police sent out an alert of a stabbing that occurred on the 900 block of Decatur Street, NW. A lookout was released for a 40-year-old black male with short hair, short in height with a heavy build, and wearing a gray jump suit.

Written by Wyatt Mullins

Teens Test Positive for COVID-19 at DC Jail

The DC Department of Corrections announced April 20 that seven more inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus. Two teenagers are included in that number.

According to the press release, the new positive cases include an:

18-year-old male
19-year-old male
21-year-old male
36-year-old male
40-year-old male
two 42-year-old males

All seven inmates were housed in the Central Detention Facility.

The number of inmates who have contracted the virus increased to 44. All of the inmates who contracted the virus are in isolation. Fifty-two inmates have recovered from their illnesses and were released back into the jail’s general population.

Court Updates: April 20

On April 20, a judge at the DC Superior Court denied the release of two inmates and rescheduled six hearings

In total there were 11 defendants that had cases. A majority of the cases were bond review hearings, most of which were rescheduled.

Of the six rescheduled hearings, one was because the defendant is currently in the hospital. The case is also the only case that was not a bond review hearing. Another case was rescheduled to allow for an interpreter to be present and the other four cases were rescheduled because DC Jail had technical issues.

One of the defendant’s, Devin Hill ,sometimes referred to as Devin Smith, is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 9. His motion was denied but will be heard again because his attorney raised Constitutional rights issues with his incarceration.

Hill is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 28-year-old Michael Cunningham on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE on Nov. 29, 2019.

DC Jail’s Tech Issues Delay Hearings for 2nd Time

On April 20, DC Jail experienced technical issues that led to the delay of four separate emergency hearings.

This is the second time in a week that the jail has had some sort of technical issue that has delayed hearings. The first time occurred on April 14, causing nine hearings to be delayed.

All four defendants, whose hearings were delayed, have been rescheduled to new dates.

Antwone Ford is charged with carrying pistol without a license outside of a home or business.

Matthew Hooper is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business.

Both Ford and Hooper’s hearings were rescheduled to April 23.

D’Angelo Phillips is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon gun and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Romiel Hightower is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the July 21 murder of 27 year-old Jamal Bandy on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

Phillips and Hightower’s hearings were rescheduled for April 24.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Assault to Home Confinement

A DC Superior Court judge released April 20 a defendant to home confinement.

Michael Quander is charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1000.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson released Quander under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Part of the conditions of his release are GPS monitoring, home confinement and a stay away and no contact order for the person he allegedly assaulted and their home.

Quander was initially supposed to be released to a halfway house on Jan. 31, but due to the pandemic was detained at the DC Jail.

He filed a motion for release on April 15. His hearing for release was scheduled for April 16 but then was rescheduled to occur on April 20.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release, but Agrees to Review Later

A DC Superior Court judge denied April 20 a defendant’s release but agreed to hear further arguments for his release at a later date.

Roscoe Jones is charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed with a sharp object, assault with significant bodily injury while armed with a sharp object, assault with a dangerous weapon sharp object and unlawful possession of contraband while in a penal institution.

Judge Danya Dayson denied Jones’ motion, which also denied by Judge Anita Josey-Herring on April 13. However, Dayson agreed to review the case on April 23 after the prosecution files a motion to quash an outstanding warrant for Jones.

Jones’ attorney, Anthony Matthew, filed an emergency motion for release due to the novel coronavirus on April 9.

Jones first bond review hearing was scheduled on April 13 when his motion was denied. Jones was scheduled to return to court so Matthews could gather more information on Jones’ health.

Jones’ hearing has been rescheduled two times.

Judge Releases Defendant Being Held in Isolation at DC Jail

A judge released a defendant April 20 despite the fact that he is currently being held in isolation at the DC Jail.

Tre’Quan Nelson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of an unregistered firearm on March 5.

Judge Danya Dayson agreed to release him into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) until his sentencing date, which is scheduled to occur on July 6.

The DC Department of Corrections has instituted the term “isolation” to refer to inmates who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The terms and timing of Nelson’s release were not made available.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for N Street, NW Homicide

On April 17, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in relation to a homicide on the 100 block of N Street, NW.

According to a press release, officers charged 36 year-old Lejeevan Toudle, a resident of Northeast, DC, with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 34-year-old Eugene Isaac, Jr. on the 100 block of N Street, NW on Feb. 15. Issac died at a local hospital.

The case remains under investigation.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction for this case or any other homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information can be sent to the department’s text tip line — 50411.

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Defendant’s Bond Review Hearing Rescheduled for Third Time

As of April 20, there has been one case that was scheduled for a bond review hearing multiple times but has yet to occurred.

Mamadou Seck was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction on Aug. 6, 2019.

Seck filed a motion for emergency release due to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 7. Seck was scheduled for a bond review hearing on April 14 but due to a power outage at the DC Jail his hearing was rescheduled.

The hearing was scheduled to occur on April 16 and April 17, but it was continued to April 20 for reasons not explained on the DC Courts’ website.

On April 20, Seck’s hearing was continued to April 21 to allow for a French interpreter to be present.

Document: Arrest Made for Assault on North Capitol Street

On April 20, 2020, Metropolitan Police officers arrested a suspect they believe is connected to a North Capitol Street assault.

The suspect is charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife).

According to a press release, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on April 20, the suspect approached the victim at the listed location while brandishing a knife, and threatened to stab them.

The victim fled, and no injuries were reported. According to the release, an investigation revealed that the suspect and victim knew one another.

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Document: Arrest Made in Burglary Two Offense

An arrest has been made in relation to a burglary two offense in the 900 block of U Street, NW.

According to a press release, the suspect allegedly entered an establishment and took property on April 17. The suspect was then apprehended by responding officers.

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Judge Releases Robbery Defendant

A judge released a robbery defendant April 20.

Parris Thurman is charged with robbery while armed.

Judge Danya Dayson opted to release Thurman on April 20.

Information regarding Thurman’s release conditions is currently unavailable.

Judge to Review Constitutional Issues for Inmate’s Release

A judge agreed to review information regarding a murder defendant’s Constitutional rights before making a final decision on his release.

Devin Hill ,sometimes referred to as Devin Smith, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 28-year-old Michael Cunningham on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE on Nov. 29, 2019.

Judge Danya Dayson found no factual support as to why Hill should be released but agreed to hear arguments about Hill’s Constitutional rights being violated and will file a written order.

On April 17, Hill’s defense attorney, Roderick Thompson, requested a continuance of the hearing until April 20 in order to make a determination on Hill’s health.

Hill was supposed to be examined by a doctor and the results would be provided to the prosecution. However, it is unclear whether or not Hill had the examination or not.

Hill is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 9.

Police Write 2 Business Violations, One Stems from COVID-19 Pandemic

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported two business violations during the week of April 11-April 19.

However, unlike the weeks before, only one violation was related to the mayor’s public emergency orders in response to the coronavirus. The other violation dealt with selling alcohol.

On April 18, a person who was posted in front of The Dirty Waters Sports Bar. According to the incident report, the individual was in violation of selling alcohol with chips instead of prepared food. Police sent him on his way.

On April 17, a restaurant in Ward 2 was cited for violating Mayor Muriel Bowser’s order that hotel workers, guests, and visitors; food establishment workers and customers; anyone who gives or receives rides in a rideshare service, taxi or private transportation service; and workers for public transportation services wear a face masks.

The face masks clause is part of the mayor’s public emergency and stay-at-home order, which is effective until May 15.

According to documents obtained from the MPD, 18 businesses have received violations since mid-March to April 19 for not abiding by the mayor’s orders..

D.C. Witness reported that there were 16 business violators from mid-March until April 4.

There were no business violations from April 5 – April 10, according to the MPD.

Read more information about the coronavirus in the District, here.

Judges Release 43 percent of Cases Heard

Judges presided over 84 defendants’ cases at the DC Superior Courthouse between April 9 and April 17. Of the cases, only 43 percent of the defendants were released.

DC Superior Court Judges Neal Kravitz Anita Josey-Herring, Rainey Brandt, Michael Ryan, John Campbell , Lynn Leibovitz and Juliet McKenna presided over all the cases. Most the cases heard were also felony defendants or defendants charged with both felonies and misdemeanors.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring has heard the most cases in this time span with 38. Judge Herring has released 17 defendants.

JudgeNeal Kravitz has heard 20 cases since April 9. He released three defendants.

Judge Michael Ryan has heard 9 cases since April 9, releasing five of nine of the defendant’s to St. Elizabeth’s psychiatric hospital.

Judge Rainey Brandt has mainly only presided over fugitive from justice extradition hearings. She has heard 13 cases since April 9, releasing nine defendants.. She has also issued two bench orders in those matters.

Judge Juliet McKenna has heard two cases since April 9. She released one defendant on April 10 and delayed the presentment of Kenyatta Williams, who is charged with burglary, until he is released from the hospital. Williams is scheduled for a presentment on April 20.

Judge John Campbell heard one case where he re-sentenced murder defendant Darrick Evans, who was initially sentenced to 40 years in prison for murdering a 14-year-old boy who was picking up his cousin. The boy was not the intended target. The re-sentencing was granted under policy that says that convicts who we charged as youth and have spent more than 20 years in prison could have their sentences modified.

Judge Lynn Leibovitz has only heard one case where she decided to keep a man charged with sexual abuse of a minor on probation after he requested to have his probation revoked.

Sixty-five percent of the cases were in regards to defendants with felonies or defendants charged with both felonies and misdemeanors. Seventeen percent of the cases were for defendant’s charged with misdemeanors. Fifteen percent of the cases were of people charged with being a fugitive from justice.

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