Document: Homicide in Mayfair

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting on the 3700 Block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to a press release, 19-year-old Antonio Burnett Jr. was located April 13 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Additionally, two other adult male victims were located with gunshot wounds. These victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

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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More Inmates Test Positive at DC Jail

Four more inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus, the DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) reported April 11.

All four inmates are male. Two inmates are aged in their mid-to-late 30s, one is 40 years old and another one is 23.

According to a press release from the DC DOC, two of the four inmates were being housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility as a precaution after being in close proximity to another inmate who tested positive. The other two inmates were being housed in the Central Detention Facility.

According to the DC DOC, 42 inmates tested positive at the facilities. All of the inmates who tested positive are in isolation and being monitored by medical staff.

Nine inmates have recovered from the virus and were released back into the general population.

Fifteen members of DC DOC’s staff have tested positive for the virus as of April 11, according to the District’s site on the virus.

Almost All DC Superior Court Cases Were Bond Reviews

There were 24 criminal cases being heard in DC Superior Court, all but two were bond review hearings.

Even though there were 25 criminal cases, there were only 12 defendants. Multiple defendants had more than one case on the DC Superior Courts Criminal Division Calendar.

On April 10, three defendants were released from jail, including Tamika Green, Travis Russell, and Bruce Ross.

The judge denied release for six defendants, Javon Gunter, Herman Williams, Zaid Morgan, Aaron Williams, Teela Lott and Vincente Tillman. Lott’s case was continued so that the judge who has presided over her case could make the release decision.

David Brown received a reduce sentence as was put on supervised release.

The two hearings that were not bond review hearings were a status hearing for Javlin Patterson and a probation show cause hearing for Andy Williams.

Although the calendar shows that Williams was scheduled for a hearing on April 10, the site does not indicate that a hearing was schedule or took place. Williams was sentenced for second-degree theft on April 10, 2018. His sentence was for about 6-months, 180 days, with a restitution fee of $270. A court date is not listed on DC Courts.

Patterson was scheduled for a status hearing on April 10. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice.

His case was closed after he was picked up.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the DC Superior Court is only operating four courtrooms to hear adult arraignments and presentments; family court emergencies; neglect and juvenile hearings; criminal and domestic violence emergencies; and civil, probate and tax emergencies. Most of the hearings are being conducted remotely.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Carrying Pistol

On April 10, a judge granted a defendant’s motions for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the motion, Bruce Ross’s lawyer requested that he be release because of the potential dangers from the global pandemic, or he be allowed to speak with his counsel.

On April 4, the DC Department of Corrections implemented a medical stay-in-place, stopping all visits will attorneys unless actively in trial.

Ross, 18, is charged with carrying a pistol outside of a home or business. He was initially charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and tampering with a GPS device.

According to court documents, on March 26 officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were patrolling an area located near the 1500 block of Tobias Drive, SE when they heard gunfire.

When the officers responded to the area the the shots came from Ross ran away and the officers gave chase. During the chase Ross discarded a black .9mm ghost gun.

The gun was retrieved with no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. Documents state that there was a strong gunpowder odor coming from the magazine as if the gun had recently been fired.

Officers also found a cut GPS tracking device.

Judge Releases Inmate After Finding Suitable Housing

On April 10, a DC Superior Court judge released a murder defendant after he was able to obtain suitable housing.

Travis Russell, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Michael Hooker, 44, on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 26, 2019.

Judge Neal Kravitz granted the motion for release. D.C. Witness previously reported that Russell’s hearing was continued in order for his defense attorney to find suitable housing.

Russell was released to a halfway house and has the ability to work.

A status hearing is scheduled on May 22.

Police Arrest 19 Suspects in Beginning of April

The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested 19 suspects as of April 10.

One suspect is charged with robbery, six suspects are charged with burglary, one suspect is charged with destruction of property and seven suspects are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Two of the 12 suspects have multiple charges.

Seven of the arrested suspects are juveniles.

Suspects

Tavesa Nitinia Rose-Moore was arrested April 10. the 43-year-old is charged with assault with intent while armed (knife) for allegedly stabbing a woman on the 400 block of M Street, SE earlier that day.

Thomas Christopher White, 58, was arrested on April 10. He is charged with burglary two for allegedly forcibly gained entry to a construction site office on the 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene.

Ryan Harding, 24, was arrested on April 9 for allegedly entering a residential building located on the 1900 block of 3rd Street, NW on April 8 and taking property. He is being charged with burglary two and destruction of property.

Geovanny Alexis Grandos Turcios, 28, was arrested on April 7. He is being charged with burglary two for allegedly taking property out of an establishment located on the 3500 block of Garfield Street, NW on April 6.

A juvenile was arrested and charged with robbery (snatch). The juvenile allegedly snatched property from a victim on the 1800 block of 1st Street, NW earlier that same say.

Another juvenile was arrested on April 6. The juvenile was charged with armed robbery (knife). On March 30, the juvenile allegedly was one of two suspects who approached a victim, brandished a knife and fled the scene, located on the 2000 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE with property. The case is still under investigation.

Earnest Brown, 44, is being charged with burglary 2 for allegedly brandishing a knife during a dispute on April 6. The incident allegedly occurred on the 2500 block of 10th Street, NE. He was arrested on the same day.

Two 16-year-old juvenile males were arrested for burglary two April 6 for taking several vehicles from an establishment located on the 6200 block of Chillum Place, NW on Jan. 9.

The juveniles took a 2017 Mini Clubman, 2016 Ford Fusion, 2014 Honda CRV, 2015 Audi Q5, 2016 Volvo S60, 1997 Mercedes E420 and 2003 Honda Accord. All vehicles were recovered, according to the release. The juveniles were arrested on April 6.

Christian Anthony Davis-Gooding, 21, was arrested on April 6 and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun). He allegedly brandished a handgun, saw an officer and ran from the scene located on the 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE earlier that day.

Two juveniles were arrested April 4 and charged with armed robbery (gun) for allegedly approaching a victim, brandishing a gun and demanding money. The robbery occurred on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE on April 1.

Malick Gueye, 45, was arrested and charged April 4 with assault with a dangerous weapon (knife). He allegedly brandished a knife during a dispute on the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW earlier that day.

Travis Littlejohn, 35, was arrested on April 3 for allegedly shooting four individuals on the 3500 block of Clay Place, NE on July 5. He is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun). All four victims were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

A juvenile was arrested and charged April 3 with robbery (force and violence) for allegedly assaulting a victim and taking property on the 1600 block of Columbia Road, NW earlier that day.

Willie Johnson, 63, was arrested April 2 and charged with burglary one. He allegedly took property from an occupied residence on the 4000 block Q Street, SE on March 24.

Wendell Eugene Hawkins, 26, was arrested on April 2 and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He allegedly brandished a glass bottle and assaulted a victim during a dispute on March 31. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Jason Washington, 28, was arrested on April 2 and charged with robbery and burglary two. He allegedly committed two offenses, one on Dec. 21, 2019, when he assaulted a victim and took property and another on Jan. 20 where he took property from an establishment. Both incidents occurred on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE.

Kimani Octavious Cromartie, 27, was arrested on April 2 and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun). He allegedly fired at an individual on the 3700 block of D Street, SE on Nov. 19, 2019.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to show additional arrests in the beginning of April that were announced after the post published.

Judge Denies Motion for Release Despite Low Cash Bond

A DC Jail inmate was denied her release despite having a low cash bond.

Teela Lott is charged with unlawful entry-private property, attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault and violation of bail.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied Lott’s motion to be released even though she is currently being held on a $25 cash bond.

The case is being continued, so that it can be heard by Judge Jonathan Pittman, the judge who has presided over case.

Lott is not scheduled for any future hearings at this time.

Judge Denies Release of Inmate After Re-Arrest

A DC judge denied April 10 the release of a DC Jail inmate after being re-arrested on new charges.

Aaron Williams pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license after being re-arrested on March 2.

Williams previously pleaded guilty to robbery and carrying a pistol without a license in 2018. He was sentenced to serve his sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act which he violated with his March 2 re-arrest.

Judge Neal Kravitz denied his request to be released.

Williams is scheduled for sentencing on May 29.

Robbery Defendant Denied Release

On April 9, a robbery defendant was denied his release from DC Jail.

Zaid Morgan is charged with robbery committed while released and attempted identity theft in the second-degree. He allegedly committed the offenses during his release.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied the motion to release Morgan.

Morgan was initially charged with robbery and released with conditions on March 4, 2019. Morgan allegedly violated the terms of his release by committing two more offenses. He was rearrested on April 30, 2019.

Judge Denies Murder Defendants Request for Release Despite COVID-19 Concerns

A DC Superior judge denied a murder defendant’s request for release because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Herman Sylvester Williams, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 36 year-old William Boykin on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE on May 28.

On March 31, Williams’ attorney, Ieshaah Murphy, filed a motion to release Williams due to concerns over the coronavirus.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied the motion.

Williams is scheduled for a status hearing on June 16.

DC Court of Appeals Cancels July DC Bar Exam

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic the DC Court of Appeals has decided to cancel its July DC Bar Exam.

According to the DC Courts website, Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the DC Court of Appeals announcedApril 10 that the Court will not administer the July 2020 DC Bar Exam due to the ongoing public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we are making this decision several months in advance, we believe it necessary given the uncertainty that we currently face, including no firm date on which public gatherings – such as taking an exam – will be allowed. We do not make this decision lightly, understanding the impact it has on hundreds of recent law graduates and others seeking admission to the DC Bar,” she said just after the Court issued the order.

The DC Court of Appeals will make a decision on a Fall exam by early May and is considering expanding the rules to allow recent law school graduates to practice law in DC on a temporary basis.

“The Court understands that recent law school graduates are anxious to be certified to practice law as soon as possible, but we must balance that with public safety and our obligation to protect the public by ensuring that persons licensed to practice law in the District are competent and possess the requisite character and fitness,” the Chief Judge continued. “In the next few weeks, we will not only evaluate whether a fall exam will be possible, but we will also explore options that would allow law school graduates seeking bar admission in D.C. to practice here on a temporary basis should the pandemic adversely affect our regular admissions process for an extended period.”

For more information, please check the Committee on Admissions webpage, which will be updated no later than May 4, 2020, with further details.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release Request to Prevent COVID-19 Contraction

A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s request for release, which was filed in order to prevent his contraction of COVID-19.

Javon Gunter, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Thomas Johnson on Oct. 9, 2019, on the 1300 Block of Half Street, SW.

Judge Neal Kravitz denied Gunter’s release after asking the prosecution to file a response to the defenses motion on April 9.

Gunter was released to a halfway house on Jan. 4. However, on Feb. 14 DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson reversed the decision after the prosecution made the argument that the killing of Johnson was a, “targeted assassination.”

DC Jail COVID-19 Cases Reduce Despite More Positive Results

As of April 10, six more inmates at the DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) tested positive for COVID-19.

The DC DOC reported that there are now 39 inmates in custody who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Eight inmates have recovered from their illnesses and were released back into the general population.

The inmates who recently tested positive are male. Four of the six inmates are in their 30s, one is in his mid-forties and another inmate is 50 years old.

Five of the inmates, who recently contracted the virus, were being quarantined at the Correctional Treatment Facility after they had been in close proximity to an individual who tested positive, a press release from the DC DOC said. The other inmate was being quarantined in the Central Detention Facility as a precautionary measure for new inmates.

The number of inmates who have the virus is two less than the 41 confirmed cases the DC DOC reported on April 9. According to a press release, the 39 inmates are in isolation.

The DC DOC’s medical division is working with the the DC Department of Health to trace any contact the individuals may have had.

Several Business Violate Mayor’s Orders during COVID-19 Pandemic

The Metropolitan Police Department reports that there have been 20 violations of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s orders during the coronavirus pandemic.

To minimize the number of individuals who contract the virus, the mayoral administration has enacted several orders that prevent mass gatherings of more than 10 people, require eating establishments to stop dine-in service and the close all non-essential businesses until April 24, according the District’s site on it’s reponse to the COVID-19 virus.

Even though the orders on large gatherings have changed since being enacted in mid-March, businesses continue to violate them.

According to documents obtained from the MPD, businesses in all four quadrants of the city have received violations since from mid-March to April 4 for not abiding by the mayor’s orders during the pandemic.

Documents show that 16 business located in Northwest, DC have violated orders by serving patrons inside dining establishments, holding large gatherings, violating the 10pm business curfew and disregarding the order for the closure of non-essential businesses.

Three of those businesses, including a retail company and two eating establishments have received multiple violations.

As of April 8, the mayor issued another order that implements social distancing protocols at retail food sellers, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, food banks and food halls.

The order does not apply to restaurants or other facilities that prepare food for delivery carry out or grab and go. However establishments must maintain social distancing protocols with markers outside and/or within the locations. The order does not apply to schools or senior centers that provide free food to students or the public.

Farmers markets and fish markets no longer qualify as essential businesses.

Read more information about the coronavirus in the District, here

Judge Reduces Inmate’s Sentence

A DC Department of Corrections inmate received a reduced sentence April 10, which resulted in his release from confinement.

On April 8, DC Superior Judge Juliet MCKenna e-signed documents granting the defense’s motion to reduce David Brown’s sentence. The defense filed the motion on March 14. Brown’s defense attorney, Susan Ellis, filed a motion to reduce his sentence.

Brown, 59, pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree theft and simple assault on June 28, 2019.

Brown’s sentence was reduced to a 45 days with credit for time served. He was placed on supervised probation for 18 months.

Brown must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act by April 8, 2021.

On April 9, Brown was sentenced to a 180 days or about 6 months for each charge. The sentences were scheduled to run concurrently.

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