‘The Victim Was Shot With 2 Different Firearms,’ Detective Says

During a preliminary hearing on March 10, a detective testified that two different bullets from two different weapons resulted in the death of a 19 year old.

Eugene Morgan, 26, and Martinez Raynor, 20, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 19-year-old Malik McCloud on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.

“One entered the back, I can not recall the other,” the detective said. “The bullets were tested and we found that the victim was shot with two different firearms.”

The interrogation of the detective spanned over two days, March 6 and March 10 with the prosecution using one full day for arguments and the defense using the other day to argue the case.

According to the detective, a witness spoke of watching tv at the time of the shooting. The witness said the sounds of the shots were louder than the television.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson found probable cause that the defendants could have committed the crime.

Judge Dayson also denied the defense’s motion to modify the defendants’ conditions of release. Morgan and Raynor are being held at DC Jail without bail.

A felony status conference is scheduled to occur on May 8 for Morgan and Raynor. A grand jury in the case has not be held as of March 10.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

Document: Homicide in Shipley Terrace

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on March 9.

According to a press release, officers located 24-year-old Markiese Johnson, a resident of Southeast, DC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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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Murder Defendant Competent to Stand Trial, Eval Says

After an evaluation at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, DC’s psychiatric institution, a murder defendant was deemed competent to stand trial.

Bratrell Hawkins, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Xavier Tate on the 1400 block fo 3rd Street, SW, on Jan. 5, 2019. He also faces a presentment charge of second-degree murder while armed.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said that Hawkins was found competent to stand trial following a March 5 mental exam that conducted at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Hawkins’ defense attorney, James King, contested the finding, informing the court that the defense would have independent testing done.

King’s motioned for Hawkins to remain at St. Elizabeth’s until independent testing was complete. Judge Kravitz granted the motion.

A another mental observation hearing is scheduled to occur on March 23.

Written by Wyatt Mullins

Defense Calls Murder Case ‘Flawed’

During closing statements March 9, defense counsel reiterated that the defendant was innocent, blaming a faulty investigation by the police for his arrest.

Dajuan Jones, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Cheyenne Washington on the 4400 block of E Street, SE in July of 2018. Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license with a prior felony, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

“They arrested and charged a witness to a crime because of a failed, flawed and flimsy investigation,” said David Knight, one of Jones’ two defense attorneys.

“No evidence here shows that Dajuan Jones even knew who Cheyenne Washington was,” Knight said, referencing that the prosecutions argument of the timing Jones got off a public transit bus was not enough evidence to convict.

Knight also addressed concerns about the eyewitness to the crime, who has repeatedly contradicted himself in his testimony.

“Unequivocally believing what he says would be comical,” DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz told counsel on March 3.

On March 2, Prescott Loveland, Jones’ other defense attorney, told the jury that the witness described someone entirely different than the defendant.

“The eyewitness to this crime described the shooter as heavyset, about 200 pounds, and wearing light blue jeans. Dajuan Jones is slim and was wearing white pants,” Loveland said.

Then, during trial, the witness changed his initial description.

During the prosecution’s closing arguments, the prosecutor reviewed surveillance video one last time with the jury.

“When Cheyenne Washington pulled the cord to signal it was his stop to get off, Dajuan Jones stood up from his seat,” the prosecutor said. “When Cheyenne Washington didn’t move, Dajuan Jones sat back down. When Cheyenne Washington got off the bus, Dajuan Jones got off the bus.”

The prosecutor continued by reminding the jury of photos on Jones’ Instagram that were posted before the murder. In the photos Jones can be seen clutching a gun in his front pants pocket.

According to a firearms expert, who testified during trial, the gun found in Jones’ possession, a Rugar LCP, was determined to be capable of shooting the type of shell casings found at the scene of Washington’s murder.

“This case started and ended with Cheyenne Washington. He was a young man in his 20s who just wanted to walk home. And now he’s gone. And that’s because of the defendant,” the prosecutor said.

Jurors began deliberations on March 10. Jones was found not guilty on March 12.

Written by Wyatt Mullins and MiriYam Judd

February Homicides Decrease from January, Remain Unchanged from Year Before

D.C. Witness data shows that the total number of homicides in February decreased from January, but remain unchanged from a year ago.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 11 homicides in February, a 27 percent decrease from the 15 homicides that were recorded in January.

A majority of the homicides occurred in Northwest, DC (4) and Northeast, DC (4). Three victims, who were residents in North DC, were also under the age of 18.

The juvenile victims include seventeen-year-old Wilfredo Torres and 16-year-old Jaime Zelaya on the 6000 block of 13 Street, NW on Feb. 23.

The young men were also found with an adult woman. All three suffered from gunshot wounds. The woman suffered from non-life threatening injuries. Police have not apprehended a suspect.

All but one homicides were gun-related. The one homicide that was not gun-related was of 11-month-old Makenzie Anderson, who died from trauma related injuries on Feb. 6. The homicide took place on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE. The case is still under investigation.

On Feb. 13, police arrested 20-year-old Jaykell Mason for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Terence Dantzler on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW earlier that same day.

The number of homicides in February 2020 was the same has the homicide count in February 2019.

Judge Needs More Time to Decide on New Trial

During a status hearing March 9, a judge said she would need at least 30 days to decide whether or not to grant the defense’s motion for a new trial.

Gary Proctor, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawfully possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection to the murder of his cousin, Jerome Diggs, 47. The victim died on Jul. 27, 2015, on the 1300 block of First Street, SW in his home.

Betty Ballester, Proctor’s defense attorney, filed a motion with the court for a new trial for Proctor. The reason for the new court date was not disclosed during the hearing.

The prosecution filed an opposition to the motion.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson told counsel that she would make a decision on the motion within 30 days.

A sentencing date was scheduled for April 24, and Judge Dayson said that, depending on whether she grants or denies the motion, the sentencing could be converted to a status hearing.

This article was written by MiriYam Judd

Judge Sentences Co-Defendants to 8 Years

During a sentencing March 6, three co-defendants received eight years in prison.

Marcus Martin, 22, Marc Butler, 23, and William Cunningham, 32, are sentenced for voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon for their alleged roles in the shooting of 19-year-old Derryk Johnson on the 600 block of N Street, NW, on Aug.3, 2016.

The men were originally charged with felony murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill, conspiracy, attempted robbery and firearms offenses.

As previously covered by DC Witness, the three defendants pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon. Martin, Butler, and Cunningham were sentenced to 8 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

The three have already served nearly half of their sentence since being arrested in 2016.

The prosecutor said the defendants acted together to do a senseless and brutal murder. She said that Johnson’s family was forever changed.

Johnson’s brothers found Johnson shot and bleeding on the ground, one held him while the other called 911. Their mother, who was so shocked by the murder, develped serious health problems and passed away a year later.

“The loss they caused is senseless and immeasurable,” said the prosecution.

Butler’s defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, said that his client ended up in this situation due to bad associations in life. He explained how Butler had ADHD, no father figure, and grew up in a crime ridden neighborhood, which contributed to his bad associations and decisions.

“But he’s still young enough to change his behaviour under the right supervision” said Jones.

Cunningham’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, instead, said that Cunningham was the oldest and fully accepted responsibility for his actions. He explained his client was sorry for his conduct, and keeps the victim’s family in his thoughts and prayers.

Martin’s defense attorney, Dana Page, asked the judge to sentence her client under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. She said Martin expressed remorse and wanted to take responsibility for his actions.

Page also said Martin had been the only one kept in solitary confinement for the past 4 years.

Martin said he was sorry for the crime, adding that “all I think about is my son” and “after prison I wish to be an engineer or go to culinary school”. He said he regretted his actions and pleaded to be given another chance, so that he could be a good role model for his son and make the right decisions.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced the three defendants to 8 years, saying it was the appropriate sentence.

Judge Iscoe did impose Martin’s sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

“I’m giving you a chance, but only one chance” said Judge Iscoe.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

Witness Admits to Lying to Police

During her third day of testimony, a murder defendant’s ex-girlfriend admitted to lying to police for several hours while being interrogated.

Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, attempt to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged roles in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017.

Everett’s ex-girlfriend told Hewitt’s defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, that she lied to police for the first three hours of her interview because she was, “trying to help herself and others.”

She said she lied because she wanted to protect everyone even though she and Everett broke up weeks prior.

“Even though we weren’t together, I still wanted to protect him. Once you have feelings they just don’t suddenly go away once you break up,” she said.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Everett, his ex-girlfriend and Hewitt contacted Heard in order to buy PCP, a hallucinatory drug, but the prosecution believes the group planned to rob Heard.

Her initial interview with police was played in court where MPD detectives asked her if there was a robbery planned. She told the detectives no for three hours until she admitted a robbery was part of the plan.

“I figured I should help myself out and be honest instead of digging myself into a deeper hole,” she said.

Case Acquitted: Judge Reschedules Murder Defendant’s Court Dates

This case has been acquitted.

A busy trial season leads to a judge rescheduling the dates of a murder defendant’s criminal proceedings.

Tony White, also known as Cedric Alexander, 47, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Daquan Hooks, a resident of Northeast, DC, on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE on March 23, 2017. Hooks, 38, was found unconscious with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to an area hospital and succumbed to his injuries.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck arranged to reschedule both the status hearing and trial dates because she faces a busy trial season. Even though she planned for a status hearing on April 3, and subsequently a trial on June 1, both are subject to change.

Judge Orders Murder Defendant to Remain in Restorative Program

A murder defendant, who has been in a restorative program at St. Elizabeth’s hospital for three and a half years is ordered to continue treatment.

Brandon Byrd is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing his father, Otis Byrd, 44, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW, on Aug. 10, 2016. Byrd, 24, had been ruled incompetent to stand trial, and has been a resident at the psychriatric institution.

During a mental observation hearing, Byrd’s lawyer, Craig Hickein, requested, on Byrd’s behalf, that he be remanded to jail so that he is no longer required to take medication. Byrd’s lawyer said, in a previous hearing, that Byrd did not like taking the medication because it made him feel sick.

Doctors at the hospital say Byrd has psychosis and schizophrenia, which makes it hard for him to engage in conversation and basic activities. The doctors said his mental state makes it hard for the defendant to understand the procedures of the court.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck said, despite Byrd’s requests, that experts said the defendant has made significant progress on the medication. She concluded that he should continue to be treated at St. Elizabeth’s and also receive cognitive behavioral therapy. She said he would have to continue to take medication, so that he can continue to make progress in attaining competence.

“Nobody’s disputing that he’s incompetent,” she explained.

Judge Beck scheduled a status hearing on July 10 to reevaluate the defendant’s progress.

Noa Donvan wrote this article.

‘I Felt Like He Was Trying to Set Me Up,’ Witness Says

A witness told a jury March 5 that she felt her boyfriend was trying to set her up after he allegedly committed a murder.

Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, attempt to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged roles in the murder of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017.

Everett’s ex-girlfriend took the stand for the second day in a row. She detailed her experience of being pulled over by Prince George’s County Police officers and questioned about Heard’s murder. She said she started feeling like she was being set up by Everett because he left all the evidence of that night with her or in her house.

She said the officers placed her in the back of a squad car while they searched her vehicle. “What you’re looking for is in the glove box,” she said she told the officer sitting in the car with her. She said she was making reference to the murder weapon.

She then was taken to an MPD station where she identified both Everett and Hewitt through a photo array.

She said she also signed three consent forms for police to search her two cell phones and her house.

According to the witness, she was then escorted back to her house where police took pictures and items pertaining to the night of the murder, including the purse she was carrying, a camisole, sweatpants and a hat she was wearing. Police also took the jacket and pants Everett was wearing that night.

After the murder, she said she discovered that Everett was cheating on her and attempted to send herself screenshots of him talking to other women.

Instead of sending herself the screenshots she said she accidentally sent them to her mother who then texted Everett the screenshots and asked, “what is this?”

According to the witness, after Everett saw the texts. He made a phone call where she specifically recalled him saying, “that’s conspiracy to murder.” She said after he hung up the phone he asked her to take him to a park near the woods somewhere in Hyattsville, Md. where she lived.

She said she ended up in an alley in Capitol Heights, Md. Once they arrived in this alley, she said he asked her to get out the car and she saw him reach under his thigh for a gun.

Immediately, she got back in the car and drove back to her house she said.

She also testified that after MPD released a person and vehicle of interest, Everett suggested they change the color of her BMW and take off one of the license plates.

She said she took off her front license plate and threw it away.

DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring instructed the jury not to consider Hewitt’s innocence or guilt based upon Everett’s ex-girlfriend’s testimony about changing the color of the car and removing the front license plate.

This story was written by Jaylin Hawkins

Judge Modifies Conditions of Release for Murder Defendant

A judge modified conditions to release a murder defendant March 5, increasing the time he’s allowed to drop off of his child.

Terrell Brent is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Darrell Michael Grays, Jr. on the 1600 block of E Street, NE in .

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson reviewed the conditions of Brent’s release after realizing that there was a discrepancy about how long it takes Brent to drop his child off at daycare.

According to Brent’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, there was an agreed upon time that the round trip to the daycare was around 25 minutes.

However, Brent’s roundtrip has been taking 45 minutes one way.

Matthews said Brent never had to time the dropoff before and wasn’t really sure about the time it would take.

Judge Dayson modified his terms based on geographic location as opposed to time limits. Brent is required to wear a GPS tracking device.

During the motion hearing, Matthews also asked Judge Dayson to allow Brent to take his child to doctor’s appointments.

Judge Dayson denied the request.

“I’m not making an effort to ruin Mr. Brent’s life, but the conditions of his release are meant to be restricted,” Judge Dayson said.

A felony status conference is scheduled on May 29.

Defense Attorney Says Witness Statements Are Inconsistent

During a felony status conference on March 4, an defense attorney argued that a witness made inconsistent statements towards a murder defendant.

Michael Fahnbulleh 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Michael Andre Francis, 28, on Nov.30, 2019, on the Unit block Danbury Street, NW

According to the defense attorney, the witness said that the defendant was in dark colored clothes with a hat and walking towards an mailbox on the day of the murder.

However, during an interview, the witness said the defendant was in bright colored clothes getting in a car.

The prosecution agreed that the witness made the conflicting statements.

Defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested that Fahnbulleh be released from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) because he has been doing well and hasn’t violated the terms of the program.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied the request, even though he agreed that the witness’s statements made the case look weak. He said there was still probable cause that Fahnbulleh could have committed the crime.

Judge Edelman also said Fahnbulleh had only been in the program for three weeks.

If the defendant continued to do well, then he could possibly be released, Judge Edelman said.

Fahnbulleh is expected to return back to court for a felony status conference on April 10, 2020.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 2nd-Degree Murder

A murder defendant agreed to take a plea deal from the prosecution. Under the terms of the plea, the defendant could spend up to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

William Gallardo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his connection to the death of 22-year-old Noe Alberto Gallardo Ponce, who was found strangled, in a rowhouse on the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW on Nov. 26. Apparently, the two men were cousins and roommates.

Under the terms of the deal, all of Gallardo’s other charges, including obstruction of justice, solicitation of murder and assault on a police officer were dropped.

Under Washington, DC’s voluntary sentencing guidelines, second-degree murder hold a penalty of up to life imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz did not make a decision on the plea during the status hearing scheduled on Feb. 27. He said he wanted time to review the evidence.

A sentencing is scheduled to occur on April 22.

Could Youth Rehabilitation Act Apply to 19 year old’s Case?

During a status hearing on March 5. the prosecution and defense asked a DC Superior Court judge if the youth rehabilitation act applied to a murder defendant.

Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018. Jarmon, 19, allegedly had gotten into an altercation with Pinkney, 18. Apparently, Jarmon followed Pinkney and his friends while carrying a firearm, shooting Pinkney in the back.

The prosecutor said she was afraid the defendant would withdraw his guilty plea if the youth rehabilitation act did not apply to him. The youth act may provide sentencing alternatives.

“I don’t want this to drag out and then we get to sentencing and everything changes”, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring.

Jarmon’s defense attorney, James King, told the prosecutor and Judge Josey-Herring that there was nothing to worry about. He said his client was not planning on taking back his guilty plea.

“There is nothing to worry about when it comes to a withdrawal,” King said.

Judge Josey-Herring said she would find out if Jarmon falls under the youth act.

A full report and sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

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