‘I Felt Like He Was Trying to Set Me Up,’ Witness Says

A witness told a jury March 5 that she felt her boyfriend was trying to set her up after he allegedly committed a murder.

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.

Everett’s ex-girlfriend took the stand for the second day in a row. She detailed her experience of being pulled over by Prince George’s County Police officers and questioned about Heard’s murder. She said she started feeling like she was being set up by Everett because he left all the evidence of that night with her or in her house.

She said the officers placed her in the back of a squad car while they searched her vehicle. “What you’re looking for is in the glove box,” she said she told the officer sitting in the car with her. She said she was making reference to the murder weapon.

She then was taken to an MPD station where she identified both Everett and Hewitt through a photo array.

She said she also signed three consent forms for police to search her two cell phones and her house.

According to the witness, she was then escorted back to her house where police took pictures and items pertaining to the night of the murder, including the purse she was carrying, a camisole, sweatpants and a hat she was wearing. Police also took the jacket and pants Everett was wearing that night.

After the murder, she said she discovered that Everett was cheating on her and attempted to send herself screenshots of him talking to other women.

Instead of sending herself the screenshots she said she accidentally sent them to her mother who then texted Everett the screenshots and asked, “what is this?”

According to the witness, after Everett saw the texts. He made a phone call where she specifically recalled him saying, “that’s conspiracy to murder.” She said after he hung up the phone he asked her to take him to a park near the woods somewhere in Hyattsville, Md. where she lived.

She said she ended up in an alley in Capitol Heights, Md. Once they arrived in this alley, she said he asked her to get out the car and she saw him reach under his thigh for a gun.

Immediately, she got back in the car and drove back to her house she said.

She also testified that after MPD released a person and vehicle of interest, Everett suggested they change the color of her BMW and take off one of the license plates.

She said she took off her front license plate and threw it away.

DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring instructed the jury not to consider Hewitt’s innocence or guilt based upon Everett’s ex-girlfriend’s testimony about changing the color of the car and removing the front license plate.

This story was written by Jaylin Hawkins

Judge Modifies Conditions of Release for Murder Defendant

A judge modified conditions to release a murder defendant March 5, increasing the time he’s allowed to drop off of his child.

Terrell Brent is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Darrell Michael Grays, Jr. on the 1600 block of E Street, NE in .

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson reviewed the conditions of Brent’s release after realizing that there was a discrepancy about how long it takes Brent to drop his child off at daycare.

According to Brent’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, there was an agreed upon time that the round trip to the daycare was around 25 minutes.

However, Brent’s roundtrip has been taking 45 minutes one way.

Matthews said Brent never had to time the dropoff before and wasn’t really sure about the time it would take.

Judge Dayson modified his terms based on geographic location as opposed to time limits. Brent is required to wear a GPS tracking device.

During the motion hearing, Matthews also asked Judge Dayson to allow Brent to take his child to doctor’s appointments.

Judge Dayson denied the request.

“I’m not making an effort to ruin Mr. Brent’s life, but the conditions of his release are meant to be restricted,” Judge Dayson said.

A felony status conference is scheduled on May 29.

Defense Attorney Says Witness Statements Are Inconsistent

During a felony status conference on March 4, an defense attorney argued that a witness made inconsistent statements towards a murder defendant.

Michael Fahnbulleh 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Michael Andre Francis, 28, on Nov.30, 2019, on the Unit block Danbury Street, NW

According to the defense attorney, the witness said that the defendant was in dark colored clothes with a hat and walking towards an mailbox on the day of the murder.

However, during an interview, the witness said the defendant was in bright colored clothes getting in a car.

The prosecution agreed that the witness made the conflicting statements.

Defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested that Fahnbulleh be released from the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) because he has been doing well and hasn’t violated the terms of the program.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied the request, even though he agreed that the witness’s statements made the case look weak. He said there was still probable cause that Fahnbulleh could have committed the crime.

Judge Edelman also said Fahnbulleh had only been in the program for three weeks.

If the defendant continued to do well, then he could possibly be released, Judge Edelman said.

Fahnbulleh is expected to return back to court for a felony status conference on April 10, 2020.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 2nd-Degree Murder

A murder defendant agreed to take a plea deal from the prosecution. Under the terms of the plea, the defendant could spend up to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

William Gallardo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his connection to the death of 22-year-old Noe Alberto Gallardo Ponce, who was found strangled, in a rowhouse on the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW on Nov. 26. Apparently, the two men were cousins and roommates.

Under the terms of the deal, all of Gallardo’s other charges, including obstruction of justice, solicitation of murder and assault on a police officer were dropped.

Under Washington, DC’s voluntary sentencing guidelines, second-degree murder hold a penalty of up to life imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz did not make a decision on the plea during the status hearing scheduled on Feb. 27. He said he wanted time to review the evidence.

A sentencing is scheduled to occur on April 22.

Could Youth Rehabilitation Act Apply to 19 year old’s Case?

During a status hearing on March 5. the prosecution and defense asked a DC Superior Court judge if the youth rehabilitation act applied to a murder defendant.

Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018. Jarmon, 19, allegedly had gotten into an altercation with Pinkney, 18. Apparently, Jarmon followed Pinkney and his friends while carrying a firearm, shooting Pinkney in the back.

The prosecutor said she was afraid the defendant would withdraw his guilty plea if the youth rehabilitation act did not apply to him. The youth act may provide sentencing alternatives.

“I don’t want this to drag out and then we get to sentencing and everything changes”, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring.

Jarmon’s defense attorney, James King, told the prosecutor and Judge Josey-Herring that there was nothing to worry about. He said his client was not planning on taking back his guilty plea.

“There is nothing to worry about when it comes to a withdrawal,” King said.

Judge Josey-Herring said she would find out if Jarmon falls under the youth act.

A full report and sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

Trial Preparation Continues in Fatal Stabbing Case.

Counsel in the murder case of Marquette Jordan agreed March 5 on pretrial appearance dates.

Marquette Jordan is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a knife, robbery while armed with a knife and threat to kill or injure a person. On April 30 2018, Jordan allegedly stabbed Ivan Lynch on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

According to court documents, Jordan allegedly stabbed Lynch after an argument and then left the scene with his two young children.

Leading up to the trial, which is scheduled on Aug. 3, there is slated to be a trial readiness hearing on July 20 and a status hearing on May 29.

Judge Says it Would be “Comical” To Trust Witness

During the first week of a murder trial, a judge said believing an eyewitness to the crime would be “comical.”

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.

The eyewitness to the crime, who was taking his bike off a bus as the gun was shot, has repeatedly contradicted himself, according to DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz.

The witness first told police that the suspect’s back was to him and he couldn’t see the murder weapon. But, during his testimony on March 3, he said that he could see the gun, but he “couldn’t be sure” of its color.

However, during his testimony on March 2 and 3, the witness repeatedly said that the gun appeared “silver or chrome colored.”

This witness also testified in front of a grand jury that he could see the side of the suspect’s cheek.

On March 3, the witness said he could only see the back of his neck. He described the shooter as “heavyset, about 200 pounds,” which did not match Jones’ description at the time of the crime, according to photos from the defendant’s Instagram account.

“Unequivocally believing what he says would be comical,” Judge Kravitz told counsel.

This article was written by MiriYam Judd and Wyatt Mullins

Case Acquitted: Judge Removes Murder Defendant’s Attorneys

This case has been acquitted.

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, a judge removed defense attorneys from a homicide case due to a conflict of interest.

Cedric Selinus Alexander, also known as Tony White, 47, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed with a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting Daquan Hooks, 38, on March 23, 2017, on 1900 block of 13th Street., SE.

Alexander’s attorneys, Jacqueline Cadman and Roderick Thompson, said they may have a conflict of interest and, if so, could not continue to represent Alexander.

The nature of the conflict was not explained.

The prosecution said he found it to be surprising that defense counsel would choose to withdraw from a case they’ve had for 1.5 years with only a few months before trial.

“I like these lawyers and I don’t want new ones”, said Alexander.

The defendant spoke to Cadman and Thompson, saying it was not in his best interest to throw in another lawyer. “I don’t like this at all”, said Alexander.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck said her decision was not based on whether Alexander wanted to retain counsel.

After a call between the US Attorneys Office and the Public Defender’s Service, Judge Beck decided that the conflict was too great for Cadman, Thompson or anyone in the Public Defender’s Service could represent him.

According to Leah H. Gurowitz, director of media and public relations at DC Superior Court and DC Court of Appeals, if the Public Defender’s Service is conflicted, they do not take the case and instead a Criminal Justice Act Attorney is assigned to it. She told D.C. Witness March 4 that it is not unusual, especially in co-defendant cases.

Judge Beck also said she would inquire about whether she could make arrangements with someone on the criminal justice panel to represent Alexander.

Alexander’s trial date is subject to change depending on who his new defense attorneys would be.

Alexander is scheduled for an ascertainment of counsel on March. 6.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

‘Everything Was Wiped Clean With bleach,’ Witness Says

During a preliminary hearing on March 4, an expert witness testified that the murder scene was wiped down and cleaned with bleach before the Metropolitan Police Department was able to search.

Thomas Fields Jr., 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 24-year-old Marquita Lucas on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE on Aug. 17.

“What was going on in the house before the search after the search warrant was conducted,” a prosecutor asked a Metropolitan Police Department detective.

“Everything was cleaned with bleach,” the detective replied.

Defense attorney, Ronald B. Resetarits, asked DC Superior Court Judge Danya A. Dayson if there was anyway she would consider releasing Fields to a halfway house instead of sending him back to prison.

“I will continue the detention of Fields,” Judge Dayson said. “We cannot guarantee the safety of the public or of the witnesses if he is released at this time.”

Judge Dayson said there is enough evidence in the prosecution’s case, including two witnesses and evidence that the defendant had a violent relationship with the victim, to find probable cause.

A felony status conference is set on May 8.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo and Naysha Carrasquillo.

Judge Grants Defense’s Request to Continue Hearing

During a preliminary hearing on March 4, a defense attorney requested a continuance in order to go through all of the evidence material.

Jaykell Mason, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a firearm for allegedly shooting Terence Dantzler, 29, on Feb. 13, 2020, on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW.

Mason’s defense attorney, Ieshaah Murphy told DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Elderman that she needed a continuance in order to go through all the material.

Murphy said the prosecution sent a lot of material the previous evening.

She also said the defense, despite the large volume of evidence, were still waiting for the rest of the material.

The prosecution did not object to the request for a continuance.

The prosecutor also said that as soon as he had all the testing results and evidence, he would send it to the defense.

Judge Edelman continued the hearing to give counsel time to properly prepare.

Mason’s rescheduled preliminary hearing is set to occur on April. 1.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

During a preliminary hearing on March. 4, a murder defendant rejected a plea deal, and the parties discussed the relevance of a peice of the discovery.

Clinton Womack, 27, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and burglary while armed for allegedly shooting Terry Crutchfield, 45, on Dec. 6, 2016, on the 1500 block of Olive St., NE.

The parties told DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman that Womack had been offered a plea deal second-degree murder. According to the terms of the deal, Womack could be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Womack rejected the plea deal.

The prosecutor told Judge Edelman that he was still in the process of retesting ballistic evidence. He said he would send the results to the defense as soon as he received them.

The prosecutor also said he may need to ask for a later trial in order to have all his arguments and ballistic reports ready.

The prosecutor said he was only testing one casing because it was the only piece of evidence the crime scene.

There is no biological evidence in the case.

The prosecutor also said a gun, which he believed was Womack’s, would also be introduced into evidence. Apparently the gun was found in the defendant’s brother’s vehicle in South Carolina.

However, Womack’s attorney, Steven R Kiersh, told the Judge Edelman that it made no sense to bring the gun into evidence because there were too many dissimilarities between the gun and the casing from the scene. Kiersh said the gun didn’t match the casing.

Kiersh also said there was nothing linking the gun to Womack because it was found in another state after the defendant was arrested.

Judge Edelman told the prosecution that while he understands there are issues with the ballistics testing, he did not understand the relevance of the gun.

Womack is scheduled for a motions hearing on April. 1.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

Judge Encourages Parties to Wait Before Choosing Trial Date

During a felony arraignment on March 3, a Washington, DC Superior Court judge encouraged counsel to wait until they knew whether or not the case would go to trial before scheduling a date.

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.

Mani Golzari, Russell’s defense attorney, waived the reading of Russell’s rights and entered a plea of not guilty. He requested a trial date, a motions calendar and that the prosecution turn over DNA examination results when they get them back.

Instead of scheduling a trial date, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said that the reason the court gets so backed up is because trial dates are scheduled for cases that sometimes don’t end up going to trial. He suggested that counsel wait until DNA results return before choosing a trial date.

DNA results are expected in mid-April. A hearing for the defense to decide if independent testing would be conducted is scheduled for May 22.

Russell is being held without bail.

This article was written by MiriYam Judd and Wyatt Mullins

Defense Opts to Forego Independent Firearms Testing

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, a defense attorney said a murder defendant would not conduct independent DNA testing on a firearm found at the scene.

Denzel Grandson, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting Simwone Milstead, 36, on May 17, 2014, on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

Grandson’s attorney, Frances D’Antuono, told the judge that the defense will not be conducting independent DNA testing on the firearms.

D’Antuono also requested a new trial date because the defense’s firearms expert is currently recovering from surgery, and would take longer than expected to complete all the necessary reports.

The defense also told DC Superior Court Judge Juliet J. McKenna that the prosecution had not shared all of the evidence.

Judge McKenna granted the request for a new trial date and told the prosecution to share all the evidence.

The prosecutor said he did not have all the evidence, but as soon as he did, he would pass the items to the defense.

Judge McKenna set a court date 60 days before trial to ensure the prosecution has all the evidence he is still waiting for and that everything is sent to the defense.

Grandson is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on March. 20.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.

Co-defendant Case is Two Cases, Defense Says

A defense attorney said a murder caseshould be treated as two separate cases.

“This is really two cases,” said Everett’s defense attorney, Michael Madden. He didn’t expand his statement any further.

Everett and Hewitt are being tried as co-defendants in this murder case.

The prosecution began the opening statements on March 3. They based their argument off the presumption that this was a prearranged robbery on Heard.

“Easy money was the only way to describe what happened,” a prosecutor said during opening statements.

According to the prosecution, on April 26, 2017, Hewitt, Everett, and Everett’s girlfriend were driving around town.

According to the prosecution, the female then got in contact with Heard via a texting app called TextMe. They were in contact on April 26, 2017. However, they did not arrange a place to meet until April 27, 2017. The female then waited where Heard instructed her to wait for him during the early hours of April 27, 2017.

Heard arrived and the female gave him her money. Once Heard would not give her the drugs in return, Everett approached.

Everett had a firearm in his hand and demanded Heard give the money up. When he did not give the money up, Everett allegedly shot him two times. One shot in the leg, and one fatal shot in the chest.

Apparently, Heard was staying with the witness for a few days, since he was just released from jail. The witness checked her sofa and did not see him there. Then she proceeded to go to her back door and saw him outside on the ground.

She ran back inside and called 911.

A MPD watch commander was driving by in the area with his windows down and said he heard the sound of gunshots.

When MPD officers located Heard’s body, he was laying in between two SUV’s on the outside passenger side of the rear wheel.

There was a cell phone recovered near Heard’s body.

The defense attorney said she does not think this was a robbery.

Defense attorney, Nikki Lotze said the only evidence the prosecution has will be the female’s testimony. Madden said she was offered a deal in exchange for her cooperation.

“They (the prosecution) get to decide whether she’s telling the truth,” Madden said.

Trial is scheduled to resume on March 4.

Judge Sets New Trial Date Following Unexpected Evidence

On the second day of a murder trial, a DC Superior Court judge decided to suspend arguments until Jan. 11, 2021.

Joseph Brown and Rondell Mcleod are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Antwan Baker on November 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE. According to court documents, the two confronted Baker and his brother, who were selling PCP, an hallucinatory drug, when a shootout began. The brother survived. Alicia Mccoy is a co-defendant in this case and is being charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in relation to the murder.

The prosecution disclosed information, the night before opening arguments began. Opening arguments were supposed to begin on March 3.

The defense attorneys, for all three defendants, said was detrimental to their cases. The attorneys said the information needed to be researched before continuing with trial.

The defense attorney for Alicia McCoy, Rebecca Bloch, said that at 7:30 pm the night before opening arguments began, she received an email outlining an interview between a witness, a detective of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the prosecutors.

During the interview, the witness denied their previous testimony about not having a romantic relationship with the victim.

Bloch said the information changed the course of the trial, and she needed time to research issues and prepare a new case for her client.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

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