Judge Sets Several Dates in Murder Defendant’s Case

During a felony arraignment March 3, a trial date and motions deadlines were set.

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.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson scheduled a status date and an IPA hearing for March 31.

All other motions are due by July 2 and responses to the motions are due by July 17.

Witness statements are due by July 28.

According to DC Courts, Williams is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on July 31 and a motions hearing on Aug. 14.

Convicting Suspect is A Tragedy, Defense Says

During the first day of a murder trial March 2, a defense attorney told the jury about how a conviction would lead to two tragedies, instead of atoning for one.

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 victim’s death is a tragedy, no question, but convicting a young man of a murder he did not commit would be just as much of a tragedy,” Prescott Loveland, one of Jones’ two defense attorneys, told the jury.

“They arrested a witness to a crime,” Loveland said. “Dajuan Jones did not kill Cheyenne Washington. He did not shoot Cheyenne Washington. He did not even know Cheyenne Washington.”

Loveland said an eyewitness to the crime described someone entirely different than the defendant.

“The eyewitness to this crime described the shooter as heavyset, about 200 pounds, and wearing light blue jeans. Dajuan Jones is slim and was wearing white pants,” Loveland said.

However, the witness’s testimony was not as helpful to the defense’s argument.

There were inconsistencies with statements the witness gave a detective after the murder and statements the witness made during trial.

Apparently, the witness changed his story of the description of the murderer and his position, saying he did in fact see the gun.

The witness previously said that when the shooting occurred, the murderer’s back was facing him and he never saw the gun.

The prosecutions opening relied on surveillance footage that was captured moments before the murder.

“Four seconds, that’s how long it took for the defendant to kill Mr. Washington,” said a prosecutor during her opening statements in the trial.

After admitting into evidence surveillance videos from the bus Jones and Washington were on, minutes before the crime, the prosecutor walked the jury through the video frame-by-frame.

She told the jury that Jones followed Washington onto a bus, and when Washington exited the bus Jones exited as well. She also pointed to Jones’ pocket and said it was possible he was carrying a gun.

“When you follow the evidence, it will lead you to this defendant,” the prosecutor said.

Trial is scheduled to continue on March 3.

This article was written by Lea Gianasso and MiriYam Judd

Document: Homicide on Quebec Place, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 700 block of Quebec Place, NW.

According to court documents, 24-year-old Malik Brown, a resident of Northwest, DC, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case 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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Trial Review: Jury Convicts Man for 12-Year-Old Murder

After four days of deliberation, a jury convicted a man of a murder that happened 12 years ago.

Mason Binion, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder while armed after allegedly shooting Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW on June 22, 2008. Apparently, Binion and Taylor were friends. Binion’s co-defendant, Victor Carvajal’s case was dismissed the day before opening statements. Carvajal, 33, was also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Joshua Massaquoi, another person charged in the case, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol during a crime of violence and accessory to second-degree murder. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 30.

The trial lasted for a week and a half, beginning with opening statements on Jan. 27 and moving to jury deliberations on Feb. 5.

Trial Breakdown

The prosecution theorized that Taylor was killed because of a drug deal gone wrong. The prosecution said Binion was looking to buy $4,000 worth of marijuana but did not know who he could buy a large amount of drugs from.

According to the prosecution, Taylor knew someone who could supply the drugs. The supplier said that when the exchange of drugs and money was happening, he realized that there was not enough money for the amount of drugs requested.

He said that instead of giving them the correct amount of drugs, according to the amount of money they handed over, he just took the money and left without giving Taylor the marijuana.

He also said that he took Taylor’s phone and dropped it in his car and never looked at it again,. Taylor tried to call the phone, but the supplier never answered.

The prosecution also called a ballistics and tool marking expert who testified that the rounds that were fired at the scene more than likely came from the same gun. He also said the unfired bullet found at Binion’s home matched the bullets recovered at the crime scene.

The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Taylor testified that he had a deep wound on his head as a result of blunt force trauma. She also said that the gunshot to the back of the head was the fatal wound.

“We don’t know if Mr. Binion actually pulled the trigger but, what we do know is that he was the last person seen with Mr. Taylor before he died and we know that because of corroborated testimony by multiple witnesses who identified him in court. He was a part of this conspiracy to kill Michael Taylor,” said the prosecutor.

Massaquoi, 32, said that Binion was on the scene, however he could not be sure that Taylor pulled the trigger.

Binion is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1.

Judge Proceeds with Jury Selection Despite Defense’s Objection

A DC Superior Court judge started jury selection March 2 after overruling an objection made by the defense against the prosecution.

Joseph Brown, 30 and Rondell Mcleod, 26 are being charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting shooting Amari Jenkins, 21 on August 18, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Brown is also being charged with allegedly shooting Antwan Baker, 29, on November 12, 2015, on the 5300 Block of Clay Terrace, NE.

Defense Attorney, Megan Allburn objected to the prosecution’s case before jury selection began. She said the prosecution didn’t depict the crime scene correctly.

Allburn said the prosecution’s description of the crime scene made it seem like the crime happened inside of a residential building. She said she wanted to make it clear to the jury that the crime occurred outside of the building.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman overruled the objection. He said he decided that the address was not misleading and stated that the prosecution can continue as planned.

Jury selection started afterwards with a large group of jurors.

Judge Edelman asked potential jurors whether they had mistrust in the criminal justice system or the police department. He said the questions were being asked because the prosecution’s case included testimony from law enforcement.

Opening statements are set to begin on March 3.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

Counsel Sets New Hearing Date

Counsel set a new hearing date for a murder case during a status hearing on Feb. 28.

Samuel Davis, 60, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for strangling 53-year-old Mawuli Kocuvie. The incident occurred on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. Kocuvie, 53, was killed on Oct. 28, 2017.

The defense and prosecution set a new status hearing, which is scheduled for May 8. The reasons for the status hearing were not stated in open court.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled as of March 2.

Murder Defendant Remains Hospitalized

A murder defendant will continue to be hospitalized at a psychriatric institution.

Vaughn Alexander Kosh, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Alayna Danielle Howard in her apartment on the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, NE on Dec. 7, 2019. Howard’s mother and boyfriend were also injured in the shooting.

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health recommended that Kosh remain hospitalized at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Neither the defense nor the prosecution objected.

The defense requested a hearing date in the future because Kosh had a change in treatment.

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 28, the parties agreed to set a new preliminary hearing and mental observation hearing to occur on April 10.

Defense Requests Independent Testing

A defense attorney requested independent testing for a knife that was collected as evidence on a murder scene.

Mark Price is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and burglary while armed for allegedly shooting 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on July 30, 2018.

Price’s defense attorney, Pierce Suen, submitted a proposal for independent testing of a black folding knife during a status hearing on Feb. 28. Price, 25, waived his IPA testing rights to the other materials that the prosecution tested.

The knife was recovered in close proximity to Young’s body, according to an arrest warrant.

The defense said the results should be available before the trial readiness hearing, which is scheduled to occur on May 1.

The prosecutor requested that the knife be submitted for expedited testing. If other materials need to be retested, the prosecutor said he would be willing to expedite any re-testing.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck told Price about the advantages and disadvantages of independent testing, saying the results could either help or hurt his case.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant on Personal Recognizance

A murder defendant was released on personal recognizance in order to deal with matters pertaining to his charges in Maryland.

Reginald Turner, a resident of Southeast, DC, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Malik Muhammad, who is a resident of Bowie Md., in the back of the neck, lower back, and upper left back on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018. Muhammad, 37, was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 1, 2018.

In addition to the charge in the District of Columbia, Turner, 34, is currently facing several open cases in Prince George’s County, Md., including attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault against a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property valued more than $1,000, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm with a prior felony, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, transporting a handgun and handgun on person.

He pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charge in Prince George’s County, Md.

Turner has been undergoing treatment at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. The clinician that evaluated Turner’s competency suggested further testing, requesting that he undergoes a neuropsychological test by an expert in the field as soon as possible.

A felony status conference is scheduled to occur on July 10.

Noa Donvan wrote this article.

Document: Police Investigate 2 Sunday Homicides

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating two homicides that occurred on March 1.

According to press releases, officers located 13-year-old Malachi Lukes suffering from a gunshot wound in the Shaw neighborhood on the 600 block of S Street, NW.

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Six minutes earlier, officers found another male suffering from a gun shot wound in Deanwood on the 4900 block of Nash Street, NE. Police have not identified the man, pending notification of next of kin.

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The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. 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.

Murder Defendant’s Trial Date Goes Unchanged

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, parties decided to keep the scheduled trial date for November of this year.

Bernard Mckinney is charged with first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit a robery with a firearm, assualt with the inent to rob while armed, possesion of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed. Mckinney allegedly shot 24-year-old Daymond Chicas on the 300 block of 50th Street near the Kelly Miller pool on June 12, 2018.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz asked both parties if they would be able to move up Mckinney’s trial date, which is scheduled for November of this year.

The defense was available on July 13, but the prosecution was not.

The lead prosecutor said she has back to back trials both before and after the November date.

Mckinney also requested to participate in an automotive certification at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Judge Kravitz said the defense must report about the supervision and transportation that will be provided. The defendant has completed prior certification programs at DYRS.

A status hearing is slated for May 29 and a trial readiness hearing is scheduled to occur on Oct. 16.

Trial is slated to begin on Nov. 2.

This article was written by Julia Smith, Natalie Weber, Matt Nygaard and MiriYam Judd

Judge Moves Murder Defendant’s Trial Up

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, the trial date for a murder suspect was moved up by two months.

Jordan Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearm offenses for allegedly shooting Yashika Green, 42, on the 200 block of Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said the current trial date of July 2021 is too far away and that a closer date would make more sense. He explained that the longer the wait between the crime and the trial makes it more difficult for witnesses to recall the event.

Mani Golzari, one of Smith’s two defense attorneys, said the earliest he is available is May of 2021. “I recently accepted a new position in the Public Defender’s Office that has more responsibilities, so my availability before the July date is limited.”

The defense and prosecution were ultimately able to agree on a trial date of May 3, 2021.

This article was written by Julia Smith, Natalie Weber, Matt Nygaard and MiriYam Judd

Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty and Request Trial

Co-defendants in a homicide case pleaded not guilty Feb. 28 and requested a jury trial.

James Mayfield and Robert Moses are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Jamahri Sydnor in the head on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE, on Aug. 10, 2017. Sydnor, 17, was found inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on Aug. 12, 2017.

Moses and Mayfield are also charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed in a drive-by or random shooting offenses committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed committed during release, assault with the intent to kills where the victim was especially vulnerable due to age or mental or physical infirmity, drive-by or random shooting, aggravated assault with grave risk while armed, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

According to court documents, Mayfield, 17, and Moses, 19, injured two others; one unknown victim suffered from a gunshot wound, and the other suffered from cuts to the face, hands, and leg from shattered glass in the car, which was caused by the gunfire.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a status hearing on March 27 to further discuss these matters and ultimately schedule a trial date for the future.

Philip McDaniel has also been charged with assault with the intent to kill in the murder. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing. His next hearing, with will be a status hearing is slated to occur on July 30.

Noa Donvan wrote this article.

Judge Suspends Part of Convicted Murderer’s Sentence

A judge suspended part of a murder defendant’s sentence on Feb. 28.

Malcom Cunningham, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for stabbing 79-year-old David Norwood multiple times on the 600 block of C St, NE on April 16, 2017.

During a sentencing on Feb. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck suspended part of Cunningham’s sentence. She sentenced him to 18 years in prison with three years of his sentence suspended.

At the time of the murder, Cunningham was staying with his grandmother a few blocks away from where Norwood lived. Apparently, Cunningham lived at Norwood’s house, however he was asked to leave a week before the murder.

On April 16, 2017, Cunningham traveled to Norwood’s house. According to the prosecution’s theory, Cunningham was angry that he couldn’t get all of his stuff even though his grandmother was under the assumption that all of Cunningham’s belongings had been moved out.

At the time of the incident, Cunningham was dealing with Schizophrenia, the prosecution said. He was not getting treatment.

“Malcom was accusing people of things he believed happened, even though everybody knew they did not happen,” defense attorney, David Knight, told the judge.

Knight said that Cunningham would rather go to prison than put any of his family members through the experience of going to trial.

“I hope that they will find it in their true heart to forgive me,” Cunningham said.

He said he hopes to one day become an architect. He will continue to take his medication and focus on his goals during his sentence.

After his sentence is completed, Cunningham will be required to serve five years on supervised release with additional conditions, including mental health treatment, substance abuse assessment & treatment, vocational, educational and employment programs as directed by CSOSA, and supervision by the Mental Health Unit of CSOSA.

Judge Reschedules Hearing to Give Parties More Time

During a felony status conference on Feb. 28., a DC Superior Court judge rescheduled hearing to give parties more time to secure indictment.

Xavier Hamilton, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 39-year-old Ivy Smith on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2016. According to court documents, another individual was found suffering from a gunshot wound at a nearby beauty supply store.

Shortly after Hamilton was brought into the courtroom, both the prosecution and defense approached the bench to speak with DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edleman.

Another felony status conference is set for March 13.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo, Emily Disalvo, and Destiney Davis.

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