During his first appearance in DC Court for the murder of a 28-year-old woman in Northeast, DC, a judge upheld a defendant’s murder charge.
Diantre Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Nyesha Lenea Galloway on the 400 block of 42nd Street, NE on Dec. 20, 2019.
DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna will take over the case for a preliminary hearing that is scheduled to occur on Fev. 21.
During an status hearing Jan. 13 a judge postponed a detention hearing because she was not prepared to make a ruling.
Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggregating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and attempt to commit robbery while armed for allegedly shooting Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44. The double homicide occurred on April 25, 2018, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson, rescheduled the hearing because it was not specifically placed on the docket.
Originally, the docket scheduled an ascertainment of counsel hearing because, as D.C. Witness previously reported, Walker’s initial attorney, Judith Pipe would be removing herself from the case for unexplained reasons.
Walker’s new defense attorney, Jason Tulley, told the judge that he came prepared to argue on behalf of Walker for his release.
“I was told that Ms. Pipe filed a motion to release Walker and that the judge would be ready to hear arguments,” Tulley said.
Judge Dayson said she would try to fit it into her calendar and recall the case. However, when the case was recalled, she told counsel that she did not have time and would reschedule the hearing.
A status hearing is scheduled to occur on Jan. 31.
Walker is held DC Jail without bail.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 700 Block of 24th Street, NE on Jan. 11.
According to a press release, officers found 41-year-old Tavon Cox, a resident of Baltimore, MD, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital and treated for life threatening injuries.
On Jan. 12, Cox succumbed to his injuries.
The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward 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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During a status hearing Jan. 10, a DC Superior Court judge asked a murder defendant to be more compliant with his conditions of release or risk being detained until trial.
Mason Binion, 32, Victor Carvajal, 33, and Joshua Massaquoi, 32, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the shooting of Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW, on June 22, 2008.
D.C. Witness previously reported that Binion was taken off of HISP and his GPS monitor was removed.
On Jan. 7, a notice of non-compliance was filed against Binion. The notice stated that he was not reporting to his probation officer or submitting drug tests.
During the hearing, the prosecution told Judge Ronna Beck that Binion had begun complying since the notice was filed.
Judge Beck told Binion that it would, “behoove” him to comply, considering how close trial was.
“You don’t want to risk step back and because trial is so close I would encourage you comply completely,” Judge Beck said.
A motion hearing for co-defendants Binion and Carjaval is scheduled to occur on Jan. 15. The two are set to go to trial on Jan. 21.
A status hearing for Massaquoi is slated to occur on Feb. 5.
A D.C. Superior Court judge postponed a preliminary hearing Jan. 10, to give the defense more time to review case materials.
Terell Kevonte Blackman and 25-year-old Devin Hill are charged with first-degree murder while armed. Hill is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for their involvement in the death of 28 year-old Michael Cunningham on Nov. 29.
Blackman’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, asked Judge Anita Josey-Herring for additional time to review discovery materials given to him by the prosecution.
Hill’s attorney, Roderick Thompson, also asked for a continuance because he wanted a co-counselor to join him on the case.
The prosecutor did not object to the continuance.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled to occur on Jan. 16.
During a detention hearing Jan. 10, a murder defendant asked a DC Superior Court judge if he could attend his father’s funeral.
Demetrius Void, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 24-year-old Anthony Daniel Lawson on the 6200 Block of Eastern Avenue, NE in September of 2018.
Void asked Judge Anita Josey-Herring if he could attend his father’s funeral given that he and his father had a close bond.
Judge Josey-Herring verbally denied Void’s request, saying she believed that, given the nature of the crime, Void was still a danger to the community.
A felony status conference and felony arraignment are scheduled to occur on Jan. 16.
The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for a suspect who is connected to a homicide on the 1400 Block of 3rd Street, Southwest.
According to a press release, police are currently looking for Bratrell Hawkins. Hawkins, 27, is wanted on an DC Superior Court arrest warrant for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Xavier Tate in a residence on Jan. 5. Tate was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Hawkins, or who has knowledge of this incident should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411. The police department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.
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The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1300 Block of 7th Street, NW on Jan. 8 .
According to a press release, officers found 18-year-old Malick Cisse, a resident of Northwest, DC, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward 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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Questions over a murder defendant’s competency to stand trial caused a DC Superior Court judge to continue a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9
Matthew Walker is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32-year-old David Anthony Remen. The shooting occurred on the 1700 block of Hamlin Street, NE on Feb. 14, 2019.
Walker’s defense attorney, Andrew Ain, requested a continuance because he said he was “worried” that his client’s competency would not be fit for trial. He said he wanted those issues resolved.
The prosecutor also asked for a continuance because she wanted the case to be certified and sent to DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring because she would be receiving the case soon anyways and wanted her to be up to speed with the case. Judge Neal Kravitz currently presides over the case.
Judge Kravitz continued the hearing to Feb 20.
Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.
During a status hearing, Jan. 9, the prosecution told a DC Superior Court judge that they planned on offering a plea deal.
Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting his roommate, Keon Delonte Wallace, on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE. Cole, 24, who turned himself into the police, said he shot his roommate in self-defense after Wallace, 24, pulled a semi-automatic rifle on him.
The prosecutor said he intended to extend a plea deal to Cole within the next two weeks.
Cole’s defense attorney, James King, said that despite the incoming plea offer, Cole still wanted to exercise his right to DNA testing.
King said the DNA test results would be returned by the end of March.
The defense attorney also asked DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz for an earlier trial date. However, due to the March return date and the prosecution’s trial calendar an earlier trial date could not be found.
Defense attorney, Jenna Cobb, joined Cole’s defense team as co-counsel.
Cole is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on July 10.
A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a man committed a murder in June of 2019.
Terrance Prue is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE on June 5.
Judge Danya Dayson said she found probable cause that Prue, 19, committed the murder because there were multiple witnesses who named and identified Prue as the person who shot Gilmore despite there being another person of interest during the Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation.
Prue’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, argued that detectives prompted a witness to identify Prue as a shooter during a viewing of a photo array.
During video footage of the photo line up, Harden said the witness can be seen pointing to a photo of Prue and, after a 60 second pause, the detective asked the witness if, “that was the person you saw shoot?”
Harden also said that the original person of interest had motive and reason to kill Gilmore because there was a conflict between Gilmore and the person of interest.
The prosecution argued that Prue was identified by two separate individuals who were helping Gilmore move that day.
Prue is scheduled for a status hearing in front of Judge Anita Posey-Herring on April 24.
A murder defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder during a status hearing on Jan. 8.
Jerrell Powell, 24, was intially charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. His co-defendant, Jeremiah Jordan, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The men are accused of shooting Antoine D. McCullough, 30, on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.
DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring accepted the guilty plea. Powell is scheduled for sentencing on March 13.
On Oct. 9, 2019, a prosecutor told a judge that he would only offer plea deals if both defendants agreed to plead guilty.
According to the prosecution, Powell and McCullough had a physical altercation on the day of the murder.
Before entering his apartment, McCullough is seen via surveillance camera standing on the corner of 18th Street, SE talking to a group of people.
McCullough then walks out of view of the surveillance camera, towards his apartment.
Powell, Jordan and one other male, who was not charged in this case, walk into the view of the camera right after McCullough exits the view. As they continued to walk towards McCullough’s apartment they leave the camera frame.
According to court documents, Powell then began shooting at McCullough. Jordan and the other male then run away from Powell.
The bullets struck McCullough in his groin and lower back.
Jordan pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed on Jan. 6. His other charges were dropped.
Jordan was sentenced to three years of supervised release on Jan. 6.
A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to nine and a half years in prison for killing a man in 2018.
Timothy Gibson, 28, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon, Sept. 8, for his role in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Carl Day-Baker on the 1500 block of T Street, SE on Sept. 1, 2018.
Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Gibson to nine and a half years in prison which was compliant with the requests made by both the defense and prosecution.
“I just want to say sorry to my family, y’all know this isn’t me or how I act at all and I just want everyone involved to please forgive me,” Gibson said.
The prosecution said the murder occurred after a physical altercation between Gibson and Day-Baker.
Day-Baker was in a romantic relationship with Gibson’s sister and had apparently physically abused her.
According to court documents, when Gibson heard about the altercation between Day-Baker and his sister he met up with Day-Baker that night where the two had a physical fight.
After the fight ended Gibson went to his vehicle and retrieved a gun. He then shot in the direction of Day-Baker and his brother, documents said.
The bullets struck Day-Baker in the back.
A defense attorney requested extended time to file a notice of defense, Jan. 8.
Hilman Jordan, also known as Bobby Jordan, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE on March 1. A nearby security camera recorded the murder, according to court documents.
Jordan’s defense attorney, Dana Page, who was given the case by Jordan’s former attorney, Anthony Matthews, asked DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson for more time to file a notice of what the defense’s theory will be during trial.
Page also asked for any information the prosecution may have that could exonerate Jordan in regards to his mental health issues.
The prosecution did not object to any of her requests.
Judge Dayson agreed to give Page more time, saying she must file the notice by April 6.
The status hearing is scheduled to continue on April 9.
On Jan. 8, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 17-year-old man in connection to a homicide that occurred in the Southwest Waterfront area of Washington, DC.
According to a press release, Jwahn Simpson a resident of Gaithersburg, MD was charged, as an adult, with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 16-year-old Domonique Franklin on the 200 block of M Street, Southwest on Aug. 30, 2019.
Domonique, who was a resident of Southeast, DC died on the scene.
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