Crime Alerts: April 14

On April 14, D.C. Witness tracked four alerts that came from the Metropolitan Police Department from midnight to 6 p.m. The four alerts were in regard to two shootings, one stabbing, and one robbery.

At 12:20 a.m., an alert was sent out in relation to a shooting that occurred in the fourth district on the 700 block of Longfellow St., NW. Metro police were looking for a white Cadillac in relation to the shooting. According to Metropolitan Police documents, 25-year-old Clarence Skrine was located at the scene suffering multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Three hours later at 3:06 a.m., another alert was sent out in relation to a sixth district stabbing that occurred 2400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. A lookout was released for two black males wearing all black clothing, one with a red bandana.

Later in the morning at 7:06 a.m., an alert was sent out in relation to a robbery that took place in the sixth district on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. A lookout was released for a black male with a dark complexion wearing a mask, a black jacket, and blue jeans.

Finally, an alert was sent out in the afternoon at 2:35 p.m. in regard to a seventh district shooting on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. There was no lookout.

Written by Wyatt Mullins

Bond Review Hearing Rescheduled

A bond review hearing that will address the release of a DC Jail inmate was rescheduled.

David Cunningham pleaded guilty to unlawful entry-private property on March 1, 2019. Cunningham was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act and served 1 year of probation. Cunningham was rearrested on October 3, 2019, for not complying with the terms of his probation.

Cunningham’s hearing was rescheduled for April 17 for reasons not stated on DC Courts’ website.

Judge Drops Charges

A DC Superior Court judge dropped charges against a fugitive.

Rondale Wilson was charged as a fugitive from justice.

His charge was dropped by the emergency calendar judge and his extradition hearing, scheduled for July 8 was cancelled.

Hearing for Previously Released Inmate Vacated

A hearing for a inmate who was previously released was vacated April 14.

Tamika Green is charged with simple assault and violating a court protective order. The hearing on Tuesday was for a fugitive from justice charge.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Green was not detained after her hearing on April 10. Instead, she was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program.

Green is scheduled for an extradition hearing on July 15.

Four Youth Diagnosed with COVID-19 at DYRS

Four youth, who are being held in custody at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), have been diagnosed, as of April 13, with the coronavirus, according to the District’s website on the virus.

Three of these youth are being held in isolation and one has recovered.

Three other youth residents are being quarantined.

Seven members of the DYRS staff have been diagnosed with COVID-19. One member, Kenneth J. Moore, died from the virus on April 1.

Six staff members for DYRS are out and 81 have been quarantined because of the virus.

Eight staff members have returned to work.

Document: Homicide in Brightwood Park

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting on the 700 Block of Longfellow Street, NW.

According to a press release, 25 year-old Clarence Skrine. was located April 13 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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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Crime Alerts: April 13

As of April 13, D.C. Witness will begin tracking all crime alerts in the district.

On April 13, D.C. Witness was able to record five alerts that came from the department. Three of the alerts were in regards to robberies and two were of shootings.

At 11:34 p.m. the Metropolitan Police Department sent out an alert for a robbery investigation on the 2400 block of M Street, NW. A lookout for two black males and a hispanic male was released. The suspects are armed with a knife.

An alert went out a bit earlier at 8:35 p.m. to officers in the Sixth District to be on the lookout for three black juvenile males in a robbery investigation on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

At 1:14 p.m. to be on the lookout for a person of interest in a robbery that occurred near the cross section of 8th and Dahlia Street in Northwest DC. Officers were looking for a slim built, black male between 20 and 25 years old, wearing a hooded black jacket, dark jeans and black and white shoes. The person of interest was last seen walking northbound on 8th Street, NW. The alert also disclosed that the man was armed with a handgun and action should not be taken if he is located.

At 3:36a.m. there was a shooting on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE. There was no lookout.

About two-hours before another alert of another shooting went out at 1:42 a.m. on the 3700 block of Heyes Street, NE. There was look out for a silver sedan.

Editor’s note: D.C. Witness will publish crime alerts from the Metropolitan Police Department twice a day.

Most Defendants Denied Release

Cases for eight defendants being charged with felonies were heard at the DC Superior Courthouse April 13.

All of the cases were on motions for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The judge denied most of the cases, rescheduling some at a later date to give lawyers more time to gather information on the defendants’ health conditions.

One of the denied cases involved Edward Banks, a murder defendant who is suing, along with four other inmates, the DC Department of Corrections on how it is handling inmates and staff’s health and safety during the pandemic. Read more about the lawsuit, here.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring also denied Roscoe Jones case on April 13. However, she 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.

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 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.

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