Murder Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A murder defendant accepted a plea deal during his preliminary hearing on Nov. 26.

Keith Jenkins, 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for allegedly shooting 19-year-old Alvin Barnes on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Barnes died of a fatal shot to the head.

Jenkins decided to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter while armed. He was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed.

If DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman accepts the sentencing term, which was agreed to by both parties, Jenkins could face 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

The charge holds a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison with 5 years of unsupervised release.

Jenkins’ defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, motioned for Jenkins to be released to a high intensity supervision program until his sentencing hearing because he willingly turned himself in when he found out the police were looking for him. Jenkins first appeared in DC Superior Court on Oct. 28.

Judge Edelman denied the request because Jenkins has an accessory to theft charge and a robbery charge that he pleaded guilty to in Maryland.

Judge Edelman also said he would look into whether Jenkins could be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur on Feb. 7, 2020.

Danuellys Diaz wrote this story.

Document: Homicide on Rhode Island Ave, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting on the 2500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, officers found 22-year-old Dante Hicks suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anonymous information can be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Document: Homicide on Benning Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 17-year-old Eric Mercer, a resident of Northeast, DC, suffering from a gunshot wound on Nov. 22. He was transported to a local hospital. Mercer succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 26.

The police department is offering a reward of 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 about the case should 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 Misses Court Appearance

During a felony status conference on Nov, 26 a murder defendant failed to appear.

Michael “Miesha” Hines is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a firearm for allegedly shooting Wendell Youngblood, 46, on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE on Aug. 3. Hines, 23, is a transgender woman.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe. rescheduled the preliminary hearing due to reasons discussed at the bench.

A U.S. Marshal told Judge Iscoe that Hines would not be present due to medical reasons.

D.C. Witness previously reported that surveillance footage shows a man being knocked down and a figure drawing a gun and firing at the victim. The shooter then walks in the opposite direction, off camera, only to return, pointing in the victim’s direction.

According to the detective, several witnesses identified Hines as the shooter.

The detective said a key witness also told police that individuals discussed robbing Hines prior to the shooting.

Hines is being held without bond.

A status conference has been scheduled for Dec. 3.

This article was written by Demetria Tymus

Document: Police Arrest Woman in Connection to October Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Nov. 26 a woman who is suspected of being involved in an October homicide.

According to a press release, 28 year-old Olivia Cartwright-Cole is charged with second-degree murder while armed. She allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Joel David Midgett on the 200 block of K Street, NW in 2015.

Police say the case is still under investigation.

The department is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about the case should call the police at (202) 727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text tip Line — 50411.

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‘Only God Can Judge Me,’ Man Says During Sentencing

A murder defendant told a judge that only God could judge him.

Astriane Horton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Deon “Face” Coleman on the 4700 block of Brandywine Street, SW in 2008. Horton says he and Coleman were best friends.

Horton spoke for an extended period in front of the court and Coleman’s family when he mentioned that, “no one knew the circumstances behind what happened except the people that were there.”

Horton also said that he recognizes that jail isn’t where he is supposed to be but that he’s helped a lot of people while he’s been incarcerated over the last four years and will continue to do so.

“Deon didn’t deserve this. Especially, not from someone who called himself his best friend,” Coleman’s sister said.

The prosecutor said that she hoped Horton was on his way to turning his life around but also said that while reading the defense team’s pre-sentencing memorandum she came across some “alarming” things.

She said Baker’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetartis, said Horton’s upbringing and that it was difficult for him to escape the life which could have potentially lead to the killing.

“There are plenty of people who grow up in worse situations than Horton and still managed not to kill people,” the prosecutor said.

The parties agreed on a 20-year sentence. Members from Coleman’s family said they were not happy with the sentence.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson accepted the agreed upon conditions and sentenced Horton to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Defense Counsel Plans on Asking Prosecution for More Evidence

A defense counselor said, during a status hearing Nov. 26, that he plans on asking for more evidence.

Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Kareem Ware on the 3800 block of Halley Terrace in 2009. Evans, 33, was also acquitted of the murder of 16-year-old Breyona McMillian in February. McMillian was killed in 2016.

Evans defense attorney, James King, asked DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson for another status hearing, so he could get more evidence from the prosecution.

The prosecutor told King that there was already a status hearing set on Feb. 21, 2020.

Judge Dayson suggested that the current date remain, and if King felt that another hearing was needed, he could contact chambers.

Prosecution Concludes Arguments in Murder Trial

The prosecution in a murder trial rested their arguments on Nov. 26. Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th St., SE. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill. Baker is a transgender woman. The medical examiner, who completed the autopsy, was the last person to testify for the prosecution. The prosecutors also played Wiggins and Baker’s 911 calls the day before the stabbing on Jan. 27, 2016. The medical examiner said the stab wound found at the center of Wiggins’ chest was consistent with a kitchen knife being the murder weapon. She also said the wound was three inches deep and the blade pierced through the right side of Wiggins’ heart, which was the cause of death. Pictures of the autopsy and stab wound were shown to the jury. The medical examiner also said Wiggins tested positive for marijuana, opioids and cocaine in his toxicology report. Following the medical examiner’s testimony, the jury heard an altercation between Baker and Wiggins on a 911 call. On the first call played, you could hear Wiggins requesting an ambulance for Baker because she might have re-fractured her jaw. In the second 911 call, Wiggins said he was being followed by Baker, who had a knife in her hand, and he could be heard telling her to get away from him. Wiggins called law enforcement a third time, telling them that Baker was right behind him and urging officers to hurry up and arrive. “This ain’t the first little episode” he said. Baker made ta final 911 call, saying a physical altercation happened between her and the victim. She admitted to following him so that he could not evade the police. After the prosecution finished arguments, the defense motioned to acquit Baker because there was insufficient evidence of premeditation and this was a case of self-defense and accident. DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said he would not make a ruling on the motion until he was ready. He said he wanted more time to review both parties’ arguments. The defense team called Wiggins’ ex-girlfriend to testify about the abusive relationship she had with the victim. Wiggins’ ex-girlfriend said he would constantly beat her and trap her in rooms. He even choked her until she blacked out at one point, she said. She said Wiggins would collect all the knives and screwdrivers in their home and hide them so that the ex-girlfriend could not defend herself. The actions the ex-girlfriend described were similar to Baker says Wiggins did the day he was fatally stabbed. Wiggins’ ex-girlfriend also had a restraining order against him in 2009. She said Wiggins would constantly reach out to her and show up to her job even after they had broken up. The defense is scheduled to continue arguments after the holiday break on Dec. 2.

Document: Police Arrest Man for Woman’s Death

The Metropolitan Police Department have arrested a man for his connection in a homicide that occurred in the summer.

According to a press release, 36 year-old Thomas Fields, Jr. is charged with first-degree murder (premeditated) for his alleged involvement in the death of Marquita Lucas on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE on Aug. 17.

Lucas, 24, was found after firefighters extinguished a brush fire on the 3100 block of Mill Branch Road in Bowie, Md. She displayed no signs of life.

An investigation determined that Lucas was killed in a residence on Horner Place.

Lucas is awaiting his first appearance for the crime in DC Superior Court.

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Incomplete Files Push Medical Examiner’s Testimony Back

A medical examiner was supposed to testify in a murder trial Nov. 25 but could not because her evidence file was incomplete. The examiner, who performed Wiggins’ autopsy, was supposed to testify to Wiggins’ cause of death.

Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the Jan. 31 stabbing death of 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th St., SE. Baker was initially charged with assault with the intent to kill. Baker is a transgender woman.

The medical examiner will be allowed to testify on Nov. 26, after the prosecution inquires about the missing pages with the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.

However, Baker’s defense team objected to the examiner’s testimony, saying they only received 30 pages of a report that was more than 170 pages long.

The defense team said the missing pages could raise issues with their cross examination strategy because there could have been pertinent information in those shredded files.

To explain the missing pages, the examiner said she shredded documents that she deemed unimportant to give her expert opinion in this case.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied the defense’s motion to exclude the examiner’s testimony.

He said he could fault no one but the medical examiner’s office.

However, Judge Edelman said the defense team could use the missing documents as a strategy during their cross examination.

In addition to calling the medical examiner, the prosecution also played a witnesses’ testimony on video because he could not appear in court due to his severe medical illness.

In the video the witness said he found the alleged murder weapon on March 11, 2016, when he was breaking down a red couch as part of a cleaning job on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE.

The witness described hitting the couch with an ax several times and suddenly a bloody kitchen knife fell from the couch. The witness said he immediately alerted law enforcement.

A Metropolitan Police Department officer also testified about a domestic call he responded to involving Baker and Wiggins.

He said Wiggins called the police saying he was being followed by a man with a knife, but when the officer arrived at the scene Wiggins said it was a lie.

The officer also testified that Baker had been bleeding around her mouth. He said Baker said she fell on the ground.

The defense team asked the officer if he investigated the claim any further and the officer admitted that he had not.

Baker’s trial is scheduled to continue on Nov. 26.

Danuellys Diaz wrote this story.

Document: Man Killed Leaving Meeting for Violence Interrupters

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 3200 block of Dubois Place, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 40 year-old Clarence Venable suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Venable was part of an anti-violence program out of the Washington, DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG) called Cure the Streets.

The program uses proven, public-health strategies that treat violence like a disease that can be interrupted, treated, and stopped from spreading, according to OAG’s website. Cure the Streets originated from a CURE Violence model, which has seen a 20-60 percent reductions in shootings and killings in more than 100 cities nationwide and globally.

“I want to tell you, the violence interrupters, the community outreach folks, they are committed to reducing violence in our city, and yes, they are going to be hurt, but they are going to be even more committed tomorrow and the days that follow, because we can do better by our community and we’re going to work hard to make it better,” DC’s Attorney General Karl Racine told NBC 4.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information which leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide r any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Document: Homicide in Skyland

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 33 year-old Brian Tyrell Butler inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

An investigation of the scene revealed that Butler was shot inside the residence.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction and arrest for this homicide or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about the case should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Defense Says Prosecution is Prejudice

During a status hearing on Nov 22, a defense attorney accused a prosecutor of being prejudice towards his client.

Kimberly Thompson was convicted in March of 2019 of first-degree murder while armed for shooting Charles Mayo on 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE on Dec. 17, 2015. Thompson filed a post-trial motion for new counsel.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley told DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee that the prosecution was not turning over evidence in a timely manner before court proceedings. Mosley said the prosecution’s lag in turning over evidence showed prejudice towards his client.

Mosley requested that Judge Lee to grant the prosecution more time to file a response to Mosley’s motion to turn over evidence.

The prosecution agreed to have the requested evidence turned over by December.

Judge Lee decided to continue the status hearing on Dec.16, so all parties would have time to consult.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Thompson’s sentencing was postponed in order for Thompson to obtain new counsel.

Thompson is being held without bond.

This story was written by Demetria Tymus

Document: Arrest Made in June Homicide in Southeast, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Nov. 22 a 19 year old in connection to a homicide that occurred in Shipley Terrace.

According to a press release, Terrance Prue is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 39 year-old Bruce Gilmore, a resident of Southeast, DC on the 5300 block of 22nd Street, SE on June. 5.

Gilmore, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, was transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A juvenile male was also transported to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

11 22 19 Arrest Made in a Homicide 3500 Block of 22nd Street, Southeast (PDF)

11 22 19 Arrest Made in a Homicide 3500 Block of 22nd Street, Southeast (Text)

Judge Pushes Murder Trial Back in Lieu of Pending Motions

During repeated questioning of witnesses, a DC Superior Court judge expressed frustration towards a murder defendant’s defense attorneys.

Marquette Tibbs is charged with first-degree-murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the death of Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Rd., SE in 2016. Tibbs was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed.

“I’m trying not to get frustrated, but I’m failing at that as time goes on,” said Judge Todd Edelman as Tibbs’ defense attorneys questioned a third witness after the judge repeatedly ruled that the questions were irrelevant or leading.

Tibbs’ defense attorneys, Prescott Loveland and Jessica Willis, questioned three witnesses who are currently or were formerly employed by the Metropolitan Police Department. All three were involved with the investigation into Silver’s murder.

While questioning the witnesses, the defense attorneys attempted to prove that there was cause to suppress three statements Tibbs made after he was arrested.

Tibbs told police that he didn’t want to “go into the cage” when police attempted to place him in a cell, according to a MPD Sergeant. Tibbs added that once he went into “the cage” he would “be there for a long time.”

The defense said the officers continued to question Tibbs after he invoked his right to an attorney, and therefore any statements he made were not admissible.

“This statement appears to occur in the context of continued questioning,” said Loveland. “He could be going into a jail cell for any number of reasons short of homicide.”

Loveland said the officers knew that, at the time of his arrest, Tibbs was in possession of marijuana and a firearm even though he was wearing an ankle monitor.

Tibbs also told police that he was wearing the ankle monitor and that he “did not shoot anyone” after invoking his rights, according to the Sergeant.

Prosecutors said it was a “spontaneous statement” from Tibbs.

Tibbs’ trial has already been delayed twice before. The trial was first scheduled to occur in February, then it was rescheduled to May. The most recent delay was from Nov. 18 to January.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said the trial needed to be pushed back because he needed time to review evidence before making a ruling on whether he would suppress any of Tibbs’ statements.

Tibbs trial is now scheduled to begin on Jan. 15, 2020. A motions hearing is scheduled to occur on Jan. 10, 2020.

Cinquan Cartledge, 24, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the Tibbs’ murder. Judge Edelman granted a motion to sever the cases in March.

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