Murder Defendant Remains Hospitalized

A murder defendant will continue to be hospitalized at a psychriatric institution.

Vaughn Alexander Kosh, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Alayna Danielle Howard in her apartment on the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, NE on Dec. 7, 2019. Howard’s mother and boyfriend were also injured in the shooting.

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health recommended that Kosh remain hospitalized at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Neither the defense nor the prosecution objected.

The defense requested a hearing date in the future because Kosh had a change in treatment.

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 28, the parties agreed to set a new preliminary hearing and mental observation hearing to occur on April 10.

Defense Requests Independent Testing

A defense attorney requested independent testing for a knife that was collected as evidence on a murder scene.

Mark Price is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and burglary while armed for allegedly shooting 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on July 30, 2018.

Price’s defense attorney, Pierce Suen, submitted a proposal for independent testing of a black folding knife during a status hearing on Feb. 28. Price, 25, waived his IPA testing rights to the other materials that the prosecution tested.

The knife was recovered in close proximity to Young’s body, according to an arrest warrant.

The defense said the results should be available before the trial readiness hearing, which is scheduled to occur on May 1.

The prosecutor requested that the knife be submitted for expedited testing. If other materials need to be retested, the prosecutor said he would be willing to expedite any re-testing.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck told Price about the advantages and disadvantages of independent testing, saying the results could either help or hurt his case.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant on Personal Recognizance

A murder defendant was released on personal recognizance in order to deal with matters pertaining to his charges in Maryland.

Reginald Turner, a resident of Southeast, DC, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Malik Muhammad, who is a resident of Bowie Md., in the back of the neck, lower back, and upper left back on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018. Muhammad, 37, was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 1, 2018.

In addition to the charge in the District of Columbia, Turner, 34, is currently facing several open cases in Prince George’s County, Md., including attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault against a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property valued more than $1,000, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm with a prior felony, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, transporting a handgun and handgun on person.

He pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charge in Prince George’s County, Md.

Turner has been undergoing treatment at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. The clinician that evaluated Turner’s competency suggested further testing, requesting that he undergoes a neuropsychological test by an expert in the field as soon as possible.

A felony status conference is scheduled to occur on July 10.

Noa Donvan wrote this article.

Document: Police Investigate 2 Sunday Homicides

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating two homicides that occurred on March 1.

According to press releases, officers located 13-year-old Malachi Lukes suffering from a gunshot wound in the Shaw neighborhood on the 600 block of S Street, NW.

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Six minutes earlier, officers found another male suffering from a gun shot wound in Deanwood on the 4900 block of Nash Street, NE. Police have not identified the man, pending notification of next of kin.

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The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. 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.

Murder Defendant’s Trial Date Goes Unchanged

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, parties decided to keep the scheduled trial date for November of this year.

Bernard Mckinney is charged with first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit a robery with a firearm, assualt with the inent to rob while armed, possesion of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed. Mckinney allegedly shot 24-year-old Daymond Chicas on the 300 block of 50th Street near the Kelly Miller pool on June 12, 2018.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz asked both parties if they would be able to move up Mckinney’s trial date, which is scheduled for November of this year.

The defense was available on July 13, but the prosecution was not.

The lead prosecutor said she has back to back trials both before and after the November date.

Mckinney also requested to participate in an automotive certification at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Judge Kravitz said the defense must report about the supervision and transportation that will be provided. The defendant has completed prior certification programs at DYRS.

A status hearing is slated for May 29 and a trial readiness hearing is scheduled to occur on Oct. 16.

Trial is slated to begin on Nov. 2.

This article was written by Julia Smith, Natalie Weber, Matt Nygaard and MiriYam Judd

Judge Moves Murder Defendant’s Trial Up

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, the trial date for a murder suspect was moved up by two months.

Jordan Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearm offenses for allegedly shooting Yashika Green, 42, on the 200 block of Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said the current trial date of July 2021 is too far away and that a closer date would make more sense. He explained that the longer the wait between the crime and the trial makes it more difficult for witnesses to recall the event.

Mani Golzari, one of Smith’s two defense attorneys, said the earliest he is available is May of 2021. “I recently accepted a new position in the Public Defender’s Office that has more responsibilities, so my availability before the July date is limited.”

The defense and prosecution were ultimately able to agree on a trial date of May 3, 2021.

This article was written by Julia Smith, Natalie Weber, Matt Nygaard and MiriYam Judd

Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty and Request Trial

Co-defendants in a homicide case pleaded not guilty Feb. 28 and requested a jury trial.

James Mayfield and Robert Moses are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Jamahri Sydnor in the head on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, on Aug. 10, 2017. Sydnor, 17, was found inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on Aug. 12, 2017.

Moses and Mayfield are also charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed in a drive-by or random shooting offenses committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed committed during release, assault with the intent to kills where the victim was especially vulnerable due to age or mental or physical infirmity, drive-by or random shooting, aggravated assault with grave risk while armed, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

According to court documents, Mayfield, 17, and Moses, 19, injured two others; one unknown victim suffered from a gunshot wound, and the other suffered from cuts to the face, hands, and leg from shattered glass in the car, which was caused by the gunfire.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a status hearing on March 27 to further discuss these matters and ultimately schedule a trial date for the future.

Philip McDaniel has also been charged with assault with the intent to kill in the murder. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing. His next hearing, with will be a status hearing is slated to occur on July 30.

Noa Donvan wrote this article.

Judge Suspends Part of Convicted Murderer’s Sentence

A judge suspended part of a murder defendant’s sentence on Feb. 28.

Malcom Cunningham, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for stabbing 79-year-old David Norwood multiple times on the 600 block of C St, NE on April 16, 2017.

During a sentencing on Feb. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck suspended part of Cunningham’s sentence. She sentenced him to 18 years in prison with three years of his sentence suspended.

At the time of the murder, Cunningham was staying with his grandmother a few blocks away from where Norwood lived. Apparently, Cunningham lived at Norwood’s house, however he was asked to leave a week before the murder.

On April 16, 2017, Cunningham traveled to Norwood’s house. According to the prosecution’s theory, Cunningham was angry that he couldn’t get all of his stuff even though his grandmother was under the assumption that all of Cunningham’s belongings had been moved out.

At the time of the incident, Cunningham was dealing with Schizophrenia, the prosecution said. He was not getting treatment.

“Malcom was accusing people of things he believed happened, even though everybody knew they did not happen,” defense attorney, David Knight, told the judge.

Knight said that Cunningham would rather go to prison than put any of his family members through the experience of going to trial.

“I hope that they will find it in their true heart to forgive me,” Cunningham said.

He said he hopes to one day become an architect. He will continue to take his medication and focus on his goals during his sentence.

After his sentence is completed, Cunningham will be required to serve five years on supervised release with additional conditions, including mental health treatment, substance abuse assessment & treatment, vocational, educational and employment programs as directed by CSOSA, and supervision by the Mental Health Unit of CSOSA.

Judge Reschedules Hearing to Give Parties More Time

During a felony status conference on Feb. 28., a DC Superior Court judge rescheduled hearing to give parties more time to secure indictment.

Xavier Hamilton, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 39-year-old Ivy Smith on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2016. According to court documents, another individual was found suffering from a gunshot wound at a nearby beauty supply store.

Shortly after Hamilton was brought into the courtroom, both the prosecution and defense approached the bench to speak with DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edleman.

Another felony status conference is set for March 13.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo, Emily Disalvo, and Destiney Davis.

Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Statements Given to Police

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

During a murder defendant’s motion hearing Feb. 26, a judge denied a motion to suppress statements given by the defendant to an officer of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Dewayne Shorter, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Daniel Parker on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Ave., SE, in 2017.

Shorter’s defense attorney, Jon Norris, argued for suppression of statements given by Shorter to an arresting officer. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck denied the motion to suppress testimony from the officer.

Judge Beck rescheduled the initial trial date due to ongoing DNA testing for the defense. The trial was originally scheduled to begin on March 2.

A trial readiness hearing is now slated to occur on March 2.

Opening statements are set to begin on March 3.

‘The Evidence is Seriously Problematic,’ Defense Says

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 26, the defense argued that the evidence did not connect the defendant to the scene.

Diantre S Smith, 43, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Nyesha Lenea Galloway, 28, on Dec. 20, 2019, on the 400 block of 42nd Street., NE in December.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective revealed inconsistent time frames that connect Smith to the murder.

Smith’s attorney, Madalyn R. Harvey, explained that the timestamp of the video submitted by the prosecution and witness statements on the timeframe do not add up. The times show the window in which Smith allegedly committed the murder to be too narrow.

Harvey said the evidence the prosecution was relying on was weak and did not definitely connect Smith to the crime.

The defense also argued that since the prosecution had only proven probable cause, Smith should be granted release under home confinement. Harvey said Smith was not a danger to the community, adding that Smith has serious health issues and was recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.

He would receive better care at home than in prison, Harvey said.

The prosecution opposed the request for release.

The prosecutor said that Smith was both a danger to the community and a flight risk. Smith has priors with weapons and previously shot at law enforcement, the prosecution said.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet J. McKenna denied the request for release. She said there were no combination of release that would ensure the safety of the community, or that Smith would return before the court.

Smith is scheduled for a felony status conference on May. 8.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

DNA Links Suspect in Potomac River Rapist Case

A detective said Feb. 27 that his findings are connected to a suspect in a 21-year-old homicide case.

Giles Warrick, 60, has been charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault for allegedly striking 29-year-old Christine Mirzayan in the head several times with a large rock in addition to raping her. During the evening hours on Aug. 1, 1998, Mirzayan was walking in the 3600 block of Canal Road, NW when Warrick allegedly approached her. Warrick allegedly physically and sexually assaulted Mirzayan. On Aug. 2, 1998, Mirzayan was found dead.

Officers gathered Warrick’s DNA in November 2019 when they first spoke to him. His DNA was a match to the DNA found on the scene of Mirzayan’s murder.

When officers searched Warrick’s home they recovered a letter written by Warrick for his fiance. In the letter, Warrick asked for forgiveness.

Officers also recovered a firearm in the kitchen that belonged to Warrick’s fiance. The detective testifying said that she said she normally kept the firearm in a bedroom, not in the kitchen.

The MPD detective said that the moving the gun and writing the letter were a consciousness of his guilt.

Apparently, another detective saw the lights turn on in Warrick’s South Carolina house at 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2019.

“The concern was that he was going to leave. He was going to go somewhere,” a MPD detective said during court.

The detective said officers took Warrick’s restless state as another indication of a consciousness of guilt.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause in the case. Despite Warrick’s lack of recent criminal history, from 1979 to 1998, he had a repeated pattern of misconduct.

Judge Edelman ruled that Warrick was a present and future danger to the community and held without bail.

A felony status conference is scheduled to occur on May 8.

Jury Selection Begins for Deadly 2018 Shooting

During jury selection on Feb. 26, a DC Superior Court judge interviewed potential jurors on a murder case.

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.

During jury selection questions were asked pertaining to the jury’s view of the criminal justice system.

Some questions were standard, such as “How long have you lived in the DC area?”, “Do you know anyone who works for the courthouse or the DC Superior Courts?”.

Other questions were “Do you have any major feelings towards the criminal justice system?” “Do you have any opinions or feelings based on the nature of the crime?” and “Do you practice at all in criminal law?”

The prosecution’s case in this trial will include several police officers, according to counsel.

According to court documents, Washington, who died on the scene, suffered from multiple gunshots to his chest, upper right arm, left forearm and left thigh. Apparently, the shooting could have resulted from an argument the victim had with several individuals more than a week before he was murdered.

Trial is scheduled to begin on March 2.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo and MiriYam Judd.

Document: Traffic Fatality on the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE

On Feb. 26 a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident on the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

a pedestrian was rolling in the roadway in the 2400 block of Alabama
Avenue, Southeast. While the pedestrian was in the roadway, a vehicle traveling in the left lane of the northbound lanes of travel ran over the pedestrian then fled the scene.

DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the pedestrian to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead on scene.

The decedent’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

This case remains under investigation.

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

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Judge Denies Prosecutors Request to Change Trial Date

During a hearing on Feb. 26, prosecutors asked for more time before trial commenced.

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.

The prosecutors said that there was a possible scheduling issue with the trial dates and asked the judge to consider giving them more time since they have yet not chosen their jury. They also asked the judge to revisit a motion they had discussed at their previous meeting which was a 40-minute video call involving Everett.

The prosecutors also said they sent the defense an email summary showing what the parties have agreed to in regards to the agreement DNA testimony.

D.C Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring denied the prosecutors request to change any trial dates since she would be unavailable on the dates they requested.

She continued by revisiting the previous motion and said that she accepted the defense’s objection when a video recording of Everett and a witness were presented due to an explicit conversation between them. Judge Josey-Herring then asked both defense attorneys if they had made the agreement with the prosecutors on what would be allowed in court.

Hewitt’s defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, did not have any issues or objections for the court.

Everett’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, also did not have any comments or updates for the court.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27.

This article was written by Naysha Carrasquillo.

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