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Suicides in the District

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, there have been 45 suicides that have occurred in Washington, DC, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Washington DC.

Of those 45 suicides 10 victims resided in Maryland, two people had no fixed address and two other victims resided outside the region. Twenty-eight victims resided in DC.

Most of the victims were between the ages of 30 to 39 years old at the time of death. There was only one victim over the age of 80. Five victims were between the ages of 13 to 19 year old.

Given the data, most people died of suicide by hanging. The most suicides, 8, occurred in July.

According to D.C. Witness data, there have been two suicides that were thought to be connected to homicides between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15.

On June 7, officers responded to the 4300 block of Windom Place, NW. Upon arriving ,officers gained entry to the front door of the residence where they saw an adult male with a hand gun. Officers then heard a single gun shot and found 51-year-old Jason Rieff suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. After searching the residence further the officers also found 45-year-old Lola Gulomova who displayed no signs consistent with life. The OCME ruled the manner of death a murder-suicide carried out by Rieff.

A few days later, on June 15, police found Richfield Chang shot to death in his apartment on Jenkins Row, a complex on Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast DC. Peter Nhek Neth was wanted in connection to the murder.

Days later authorities found Neth’s body in a residence in Ashburn, Va. He suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, changing the case to a murder suicide across district lines.

According to DC Police Chief Peter Newsham, the men had an “amicable relationship.” Apparently, the apartment the two men shared with a woman was used to sell marijuana. The police said they did not believe the shooting was drug-related.

Jaylin Hawkins wrote this article.

Document: Homicide on 16th Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 4.

According to a press release, officers found two adult male victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3100 block of 16 Street, NW. Both victims were transported to a local area hospital where 28-year-Christopher Shepherd was pronounced dead.

A third adult male victim suffering from apparent stab wounds was located in the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, Northwest. Further investigation by detectives revealed, the victim’s injuries occurred at the offense location. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

According to D.C. Witness data, Shepherd is the first homicide in the month of November.

Police are 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 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.



11 4 19 Homicide 3100 Block of 16th Street, Northwest (Text)

Murder Defendant’s Counsel Prepares For Trial Amidst LGBTQ Issues 

A judge ruled on several motions as well as gender and sexuality conflicts before a jury trial that is set to begin this week. 

Sean M. Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Robert Leroi Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE. Baker is a transgender woman. 

During motions hearings on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman heard arguments from both the prosecution and defense on a motion to suppress statements and a motion to suppress tangible evidence by the defense. 

Baker’s defense counsel, John Fowler, told the court that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) inappropriately questioned Baker. 

Fowler said MPD officers interviewed Baker at her home and then detectives interviewed her at the police station, giving her the impression that she was a witness to the crime. He said the police did not read Baker her miranda rights before they began the questioning. 

Fowler also said Baker was interrogated by five to six members of MPD for several hours until they decided she was a suspect and formally placed her under arrest.

He said Baker was in an emotionally volatile state after the death of her partner and felt she could not leave the station even though she was not formally under arrest nor in police custody for the first two to three hours.

According to Fowler, detectives kept saying they were helping Baker, however they were coercive and did not let Baker know that she could leave. 

Fowler said Baker asked several times to go to the hospital to see her partner and was ignored by MPD. She also asked to go outside and smoke a cigarette, but MPD would not let her. 

Finally, in an attempt to get the attention of the police, Baker pulled the fire alarm in the interrogation room and asked to leave once police came into the room. 

“Bullshit is bullshit, don’t worry about what you told us before you’re either a cold blooded killer or a victim,” said an MPD officer according to Fowler.

Fowler said he filed the motion to suppress tangible evidence because the police only obtained a search warrant to look at Baker’s cell phone for communication between her and Wiggins.

Fowler said the search warrant did not give the prosecution authority to look at Baker’s internet searches and locational services.

The prosecution said web searches and locational data provided information on the relationship between the victim and Baker. Adding that there were threatening text messages between Baker and the victim. 

Judge Edelman denied the motion to suppress the statements. 

He said that Baker voluntarily went to the police station with MPD officers and was allowed to keep her phone and purse. Judge Edelman said Baker was not restrained, the officers never raised their voices, and she was allowed to sit in a padded desk chair as opposed to metal chairs in the interrogation room. 

“The manner in which the meeting was conducted would not have conveyed to a reasonable person they are under arrest,” he said.

Judge Edelman said he would make a decision on the motion to suppress tangible evidence before jury selection on Nov. 5. 

During jury selection, fowler also requested that Judge Edelman ask multiple questions to the jurors about their opinions on transgender people in order to maintain a fair trial.

However, the prosecutor raised concerns about asking potential jurors too many questions about possible transgender bias.

Judge Edelman told counsel that he would like to focus jury questions on gender identity as opposed to sexual orientation.

Judge Edelman also said he would allow the defense to brief the prosecution and jurors on the correct pronouns to refer to Baker before trial. 

A jury trial is set to begin on Nov. 5. 

 

Prosecution Extends Joint Plea Deal to Murder Defendant

A prosecutor put a plea deal on the record for a murder defendant who is being tried for two  crimes in Maryland and DC.

Reginald Turner, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a firearm for his alleged role in the death of 37-year-old Malik Muhammad on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018. 

Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Maryland for assaulting police. According to court documents, the cases are connected. 

During a felony status conference Nov. 1, the prosecution told the court that she would be making a joint plea deal with the Maryland prosecutor.

The prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that she is willing to let Turner plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed for 15-27 years in prison. 

Under the DC voluntary sentencing guidelines, if found guilty, Turner could face 30-60 years in prison for first-degree murder and 3.5- 6 years for possession of a firearm with a prior charge.

These sentences would run concurrent with the guilty plea of second-degree assault.

Judge Iscoe granted James King’s requested to give his client one week to consider the plea deal.

Another felony status conference is scheduled on Nov. 11.

 

Document: Arrest Made in September Homicide

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department apprehended Nov. 4 a man for the murder of another man in Northeast, DC in September.

According to a press release, 22-year-old Tyrell Powell, a resident of Southeast, DC, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Semaj Alsobrooks. The shooting occurred on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, NE on September 4, 2019.



11 4 19 Arrest Made in a Homicide 3900 Block of East Capitol Street, Northeast (Text)

What Time Do Most DC Homicides Occur?

At what time do most homicides occur in Washington, DC?

D.C. Witness data shows that there have been 733 homicides in DC from Jan. 1, 2015, to Oct. 1. Of those homicides, 57 homicides occurred during the 9 p.m. hour from Jan. 1, 2015, to Oct. 1.

Overall, D.C. Witness data shows that the evening hours from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. have been a deadly time in the city. According to the data, there have been 55 homicides during the 8 p.m. hour and 53 homicides during the 10 p.m. hour.

In addition to the evening’s deadly trend, D.C. Witness data shows that 52 percent of the homicides within the nearly five-year timespan have taken place during the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.

According to the data, 720 homicides, out of the 733 homicides, have time data available. Of those homicides with a time stamp, 383 occurred between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. 

The lowest number of homicides occurred during the 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. hours.

In addition to the number of homicides in DC, there have been 22 vehicular homicides from Jan. 1, 2015, to Oct. 1, according to the data. Similar to more violent types of homicides, such as shootings, stabbings and assaults, a majority of the vehicular homicides, 17, also took place between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.

 

Only four of the vehicular homicides took place between normal business hours — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two killings took place on the weekend, including the death of 51-year-old Sherron Pressley on Aug. 30, 2018, and David Salovesh, 54, on April 19.

Markel Ford, the driver who hit Pressley and another pedestrian who survived, is scheduled for a felony status conference on Dec. 11. Court documents state that Ford drove away from the scene. He is charged with voluntary manslaughter. Ford, 20, is currently released on personal recognizance. According to DC Courts, counsel is working on a plea deal.

The driver, Robert Earl Little Jr., who hit Salovesh while he was riding his bicycle, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in July. He was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison in September. 

Both cases involved a vehicle traveling at a high speed. According to police documents, Little, 26, had traces of PCP in his blood. 

According to D.C. Witness data, the pattern of “vehicle and pedestrian fatalities” is similar to that of vehicular homicides. There have been 87 total fatalities between Jan. 1, 2015, and Oct. 1. Eighty-two of the cases have time data available. Of those fatalities, 72 percent (59 fatalities) took place between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m.

“Fatalities” refer to deaths caused by a vehicle in which there were no charges.  

Eighteen percent (15 deaths) of the traffic fatalities included a victim who was operating a vehicle other than a car, such as a motorcycle, bicycle, dirt bike or scooter.

Three of seven fatalities during the 3 a.m. hour were the result of a single crash, including Antonio Holroyd, who lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a grass island and guard rail killing both him and his two passengers on Jan. 19, 2017. The crash took place at approximately 3:15 a.m. 

Paul Mulholland wrote this article. 

3 of 10 Defendants Currently in Solitary Confinement

During a status hearing Nov. 1, three murder defendants, of 10, challenged their detention in solitary confinement.

Darrise Jeffers along with Saquan Williams, Quincy Garvin, Mark Tee Price, Isaiah Murchison, Antonio Murchison, Gregory Taylor, Marquell Cobbs, Qujuan Thomas, and Quentin Michals are charged with first-degree murder for their alleged involvement in the shooting of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53 Street, NE on July 16, 2018. Quanisha Ramsuer is charged with obstruction of justice in relation to the shooting.  According to court documents, the shooting resulted from a neighborhood rivalry.

During the hearing, attorneys representing Price, Thomas, and Antonio, told the judge that their clients were being held in solitary confinement for no discernible reason, and the defendants do not wish to be held there any longer.

Attorneys Howard McEachern, Linden Fry, and Jason Clark represent Price, Thomas, and Murchison, respectively.

A prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck that she did not request that any of defendants be separated from the other or held in solitary.

Judge Beck agreed to schedule a separate hearing for Price, Thomas, and Antonio on Nov. 12 to resolve their confinement. She said that if the issue could be resolved before then the hearing would be vacated.

The other defendants are not being held in solitary confinement.

The prosecutor said that all forensic testing was done on the evidence. A hearing was set to occur on Dec. 2 for all 10 defendants to discuss whether any of them would wish to independently test the evidence.

A bench warrant for Isaiah Murchinson was issued on Aug. 14. Isaiah has not been arrested as of Nov. 1.

Judge Beck discouraged each defendant from independently testing each item on their own, since tests can take up to 60 days. With ten defendants, total testing time could postpone trial for close to two years.

According to the Department of Corrections Price, Thomas and Antonio could not be held in solitary confinement because per, a FOIA request from D.C. Witness, the DOC does not utilize solitary confinement but instead “segregated housing.”

Defendants Michals and Garvin also requested to be released from jail.

Judge Beck denied both requests on the grounds that there are no safe conditions of release.

 

Police Arrest Key Witness in Murder Case

A defense counselor told a judge Nov. 1 that an important witness in a murder case was arrested for homicide. 

Andre Dubose is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a wooden object for allegedly assaulting 37-year-old Ahmad Simms on the 1800 Block of Q Street, SE on March 17 2019.

During a felony status conference, Dubose’s defense counsel, John Fowler, told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that he was told a key witness had been arrested for murder.

The defense provided no specific information about the nature of the murder.

Fowler said the witness was only identified as “Baba.”

He asked the court to disclose the identity of “Baba” so he could contact him.

The prosecution said the witness’s crime was committed outside the jurisdiction of the DC.

He said said the prosecution would try to provide the identity to the defense.

A felony status conference is scheduled on Jan. 24, 2020. 

 

Murder Defendant Waives Right to DNA Testing

During a status hearing on Nov. 1, a murder defendant waived his rights to DNA testing after his DNA was discovered on the evidence. 

Derek Turner, 28, is being charged with first -degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting  of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE in March of 2017. His co-defendant Ronnika Jennings, 41, is charged with first-degree murder, accessory after the fact, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and conspiracy. Turner is also charged with two other murders, including the death of Devin Hall in DC and North Carolina. 

Defense counsel, Michael Madden, told DC Superior Court Judge Juilet McKenna that he and Turner discussed the option of testing for DNA on items entered into evidence by the prosecution. He said Turner decided to not have any of the items tested. 

DC Witness previously reported, the prosecution tested clothes and the alleged murder weapon found in the car where McPhatter was found shot multiple times. The DNA on clothing recovered from the crime scene matched Tuner, but not anyone else involved in the case.The DNA found on the weapon could not be matched to any of the defendants.

Jennings defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, told Judge McKenna that Jennings had no issues to bring to the court before trial.

Two other defendants in the case are Marshay Hazelwood, 26, and 28-year-old Duan Hill. The men are charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy. Both are released on personal recognizance.

A trial readiness hearing for all four defendants is scheduled on Feb. 21 2020. The trial date is set to begin on Jan. 25, 2021. 

Prosecution Shifts Attitude Towards Releasing Murder Defendant 

On Nov. 1, a prosecutor told a DC Superior Court judge that he thinks a murder defendant should be released. 

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

The prosecutor said he changed his mind and no longer thinks Smith is a danger to the community under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

“This is a profound change in the government’s assessment. What has changed?” DC Superior court Judge Craig Iscoe asked.

The prosecutor did not explain the reason for his change of mind in open court.

During the trial readiness hearing, Smith’s defense counsel, Mani Golzari, told Judge Iscoe  that the prosecution and defense agreed to request Smith’s release under HISP. 

Golzari said he received excellent reports from the staff at the halfway house Smith has been held at for the last two months.

Golzari said he does not think Smith would fail to appear in court. Golzari also told Judge Iscoe that Smith’s mother, who attended the hearing, has a residence where he can stay.

Judge Iscoe ordered Smith to be released under HISP. Smith is required to wear an ankle monitor, stay away from witnesses and abide by a 7 a.m.-9 p.m. curfew. 

A jury trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 12.

Defense Counsel Criticizes Prosecution’s Disclosure Process

During a status hearing on Nov. 1, a defense attorney for a murder defendant said the prosecution has yet to disclose anything that is “really of any substance.” 

Jerome Myles, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 19-year-old Antonio Dixon on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE on Oct. 20, 2018.

Myles’ defense attorney, Brandi Harden, argued that the prosecution has been slow to turn over materials relevant to the case.

The prosecutor argued that the only things needed to be disclosed were footage from a body camera and the transcript of Grand Jury testimony, which the prosecutor had just received herself and needed time to redact. 

She said she would disclose the Grand Jury transcripts by the end of the week. 

The prosecutor also said that she was not planning on testing the evidence, but there are a number of items which could be tested including a water bottle, earbuds and a hat.

During the status hearing, Harden said that while she anticipates ordering evidence testing, she needs at least a month to decide what items, if any, would be tested since the prosecution did not disclose the existence of the evidence until two days ago.

During the status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman set a trial date for Myles despite the defense’s argument that a trial date should be set after disclosure was completed. 

Judge Edelman said there would be plenty of time to finish disclosure and scheduled the trial on Dec. 7, 2020.

Judge Edelman said the date was so far away because Myles was placed under the High Intensity Supervision Program in September. Judge Edelman said he wanted to give priority to defendants who are incarcerated. 

Myles is scheduled to have another status hearing on Jan. 31, 2020.

Judge Removes Mandatory Drug Testing for Manslaughter Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge removed mandatory drug testing as one of the conditions of release for a man charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Markel Ford, 20, is charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly killing 51-year-old Sherron Pressley on Aug. 30, 2018. Both the victim and the suspect resided in Northeast DC at the time.

Both the prosecutor and defense attorney, John Fowler, agreed that drugs had nothing to do with the case and that drug testing is not necessary. 

Ford’s last drug test, which was on May 2, indicated that he wasn’t using any narcotics. 

The prosecutor said that plea negotiations were ongoing. The nature of those negotiations was not discussed in open court. 

Ford is released under the High Intensity Supervision Program.

A felony status conference is scheduled on Dec. 11.

Still Waiting Medical Records, Defense Says

During a status hearing on Oct. 28, a defense attorney said she was still waiting for a victim’s medical records.

 Brian Wooden, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and first-degree cruelty to children for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s son, 1-year-old Carter Sanders, on the 4700 block of Benning Rd., SE on May 16, 2018.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Wooden’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, requested that the prosecution turn over all of the medical records from the infant because she suspected there were prior injuries that Carter may have gone to the doctor for.

The prosecution said she still has not contacted Carter’s mother to get the records.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee continued the case while parties wait for the child’s medical records. 

Wooden is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program.

HE is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 23, 2020. 

Judge Postpones Trial to Rule on Motions

During a trial readiness hearing a DC Superior Court judge decided to delay the jury selection process by one day in order to rule on pre-trial motions.

Leonard Smith, 33 is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Leonte Butler, 26, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Smith and two other individuals  were seen on surveillance footage, covered in blood and changing clothes after the incident.

Smith’s jury trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 12. However, Judge Danya Dayson said that instead of calling in a jury panel she would rule on the pre-trial motions filed by both the prosecution and defense. Judge Dayson said jurors would be called on the following day.

She said her reasoning was because she needed to think over the motions making a final decision

The prosecution filed four motions to be considered including, a motion to preclude a self-defense argument, a motion to limit cross examination of a witness, a motion to admit consciousness of guilt and a motion to preclude the defense from introducing hearsay statements from the defendant.

The prosecution said the defense should not be able to question a particular witness about an unrelated domestic offense that occurred two years after the homicide.

The prosecutor said that Smith demonstrated consciousness of guilt when he missed drug testing and a check-in with his parole officer after the murder occurred. According to court documents, Smith was on parole for a weapons charge in 2015.

The prosecutor also said he put forth a general motion to stop the defendant from giving hearsay statements if he decided to take the stand and testify.

Smith’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said that he did not plan on using a self defense theory.

He said he would question the witness about the domestic offense because he felt as though the witness may have a bias. He also said the witness was important because not only was he with Smith and Butler at the time of the murder, but the witness could also be a potential suspect.

Matthews also told Judge Dayson that Smith has missed several probation meetings and drug tests. By missing meetings and tests around the murder was not indication of guilt, just a pattern of behavior, Matthews said.

Matthews also said that he was not sure if Smith would testify at the trial.

The trial readiness hearing was scheduled to resume on Nov. 12.

Jury selection is slated to begin on Nov. 13

Murder Defendant Will Likely Gain Competency to Stand Trial, Report Says

A report stated that even though a murder defendant is not competent to stand trial now, she  will likely gain competency after treatment.

Alisa Randall, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Ronald Jones in an apartment on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW on July 15.

The Department of Behavioral Health report stated that there was a “substantial probability” that Randall would regain competency to stand trial in the future.

Randall is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.

Randall’s defense attorney, John Fowler, did not dispute the report. However, during the mental observation hearing Oct. 31, he requested that the prosecution would turn over contact information for witnesses in the case.

Fowler said the witnesses had information on Randall’s state of mind on the day of the homicide. He said the testimonies could provide a basis for a not guilty by insanity defense.

The prosecutor said he would provide the information as long as Fowler does not disclose how he obtained information about the testimonies.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe told Fowler that if any witnesses ask how he obtained information about them, he could say he received the information from a court order.

Judge Iscoe also denied a motion to prevent the prosecution from destroying DNA evidence in the process of testing it.

Judge Iscoe explained that the lab should try to preserve biological evidence, so that the defense could also test it. But if it is necessary to consume all of the material, then the prosecution could do so.

Randall is scheduled for another mental observation hearing on Dec. 3.