Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release While He Waits for Trial

On Oct 30. a judge denied release of a murder defendant who has been held in jail for over a year while he waits for his trial to begin.

Tondrick Murphy, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence during release, and unlawful posession of a firearm during release with a prior conviction for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Marquis Jones on 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Oct. 6, 2018. Murphy said the shooting was in self defense.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said that the nature of the offense was very serious. He also said that in a video of the altercation, the moment leading up to the shooting did not look like self defense despite the defense’s claim.

Judge Edelman said the defendant had prior bench warrants, and he could not be sure Murphy would return to court for trial.

During a felony status conference, Murphy’s defense counsel, Ronald B Resetarits, said new discovery shows Murphy was robbed by the victim.

Resetarits said that, according to a witness, the victim had threatened to kill Murphy during the days leading up to the altercation.

Resetarits reiterated that Murphy did not have a history of violent offenses.

Murphy has been held in jail since November of 2018.

His trial is scheduled to begin on July 13, 2020.

A status conference is set for Jan. 17, 2020.

Murder Defendant Disappears from Halfway House

During a pretrial show cause hearing a DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for a murder defendant who disappeared from a halfway house.

Edward Leroy Brown, 55, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 29-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE in January of 2018. Twenty-eight-year-old Charles Young, 23-year-old Steven Robin and 22-year-old Sean McKenzie are co-defendants in the case. All three co-defendants are also charged with first-degree murder while armed. In addition to the murder charge, Young and Robin are charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

“I spoke to him last week,” said Brown’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern. “He seemed to be doing well.” Brown was ordered to stay in the halfway house in July.

Young and McKenzie are scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 22. Robin is scheduled for a status hearing on the same day.

Prosecution Requests Second Competency Exam

A prosecutor requested that a murder defendant go through another competency exvaluation because the first one was unsatisfactory.

Daryl Thompson, who is also known as Darryl Tomkins, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern. Roberts, 29, was killed on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW on July 30, 2016. McEarchern, 23, was killed on the 3100 block of Beuna Vista Terrace, SE on Aug. 29, 2016.

During a mental observation hearing on Oct. 25, the prosecutor said the second evaluation was requested because he wanted to address Thompson’s mental health with another expert.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Thompson has already undergone three mental competency evaluations. All three evaluations were inconclusive.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe granted the prosecution’s request for an additional mental competency evaluation.

However, Thompson’s defense lawyer, Suen Pierce, said he intends to challenge the competency finding.

Pierce also requested that Thompson, 30, be released to a halfway house instead of held in DC Jail.

Judge Iscoe denied the request, citing his inability to keep the community safe and ensuring Thompson will appear at his next court date.

Another mental observation hearing is scheduled on Dec. 2.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability In Murder Case Against Veteran

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there is substantial probability that a veteran murdered a stranger in what the judge called a “completely random act of violence.”

Lance Ammons, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 62-year-old Robert Bolich on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge on Aug. 22.

During the investigation, Ammons said he was homeless and “lived in the forest,” according to the lead detective.

Ammons defense attorney, Ieshaah Murphy, argued that her client may not be fit to stand trial, citing potential mental health problems.

Judge Todd Edelman said he wasn’t sure if Ammons would ultimately be fit to stand trial, either.

Judge Edelman also said there was substantial probability that Ammons killed Douglass based on accounts fro several witnesses who observed parts of the assault.

Judge Edelman ruled that Ammons would be held without bond despite arguments from Murphy, requesting that her client should be placed in a halfway house.

Murphy said that if Ammons was placed in a halfway house he could take advantage of mental health services offered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Releasing him into the community at this point would pose a significant risk to members of the community,” said the prosecutor.

Ammons is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on Nov. 6.

Judge Continues Motion Hearing in Murder Case for Fourth Day

A DC Superior Court judge decided Oct. 30 to continue a motion hearing again for further witness testimony. The hearing began on Oct. 28.

Sean Baker, 40, was 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., Southeast. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill,

Judge Todd E. Edelman denied the defense’s motion to dismiss blood and urine samples because the agencies that collected the evidence were not biased towards the prosecution, as the defense claims, when they collected the samples.

The defense also motioned to suppress a witness’s testimony and phone record that would incriminate the defendant.

Phone records show Baker making threats after heated arguments with the victim. According to another witness, Baker was chasing Wiggins with a knife the day before the alleged stabbing.

However, Judge Edelman says he would wait to rule on the motion to suppress until he hears the witness’s testimony in court.

The defense said the witness’s statement is hearsay and that there is no evidence to corroborate that the defendant chased anyone with a knife.

The witness’s testimony and further motions are scheduled to be addressed on Nov. 1.

According to court documents, Baker said she stabbed Wiggins in self defense. Baker, who has been released from jail while awaiting trial, allegedly stabbed Robert Wiggins in the heart during a fight in their apartment last year.

A jury trial is scheduled on Nov. 4.

Defense Motions to Pause DNA Testing in Juvenile Murder Case

The defense asked the court to halt DNA testing to stop consumption in a juvenile’s murder case.

The juvenile is charged with first-degree murder and assault with the intent to kill for allegedly stabbing 15-year-old Jaquar McNair to death on the 300 block of 1st Street, SE on Oct. 12.

The juvenile’s defense attorney, Matthew Davies, requested the lab be permitted to begin testing on biological materials, but not test all the evidence.

Davies did not argue for specific items of evidence. Instead, he said he did not want the prosecution to test all the evidence, requesting that the process be stopped in the middle of testing. He said he wanted to discuss testing to decide if the defense would test materials as well.

The prosecutor told the judge that testing would be conducted on stains from a sweatshirt and a screw driver that may have been used during the murder.

He also said the lab needed court orders to begin testing and would not stop in the middle of the process.

DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz said there was no way possible to begin testing and then stop in the middle of the process in order to litigate what evidence the defense would like to test.

She denied the defense’s motion to preclude consumption.

A status hearing is scheduled on Nov. 14.

Prosecution Not Working to Level They Are Supposed To, Judge Says

On Oct. 28, a judge considered the prosecution’s motion to continue a murder case after discussing why counsel is taking so long to prepare for trial.

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

“The government has not worked on this case in the extent they are expected to do so,” said DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe

During a status hearing, Smith’s defense counsel, Mani Golzari, told Judge Iscoe that he does not think the prosecution should be allowed to continue the case.

Golzari said the prosecution wants to bring in multiple experts to test a footprint left in blood. He said the testing could have been done beforehand and it is taking an unusual amount of time.

“It’s become clear that the government has not tried to prosecute in a good faith effort or in a good faith way,” he said.

Golzari added that if prosecution were granted a continuance Smith would be kept in a halfway house for even longer.

“The halfway house is a glorified jail he can’t leave,” Golzari said.

Golzari requested Judge Iscoe dismiss the case for delaying the trial.

The prosecution asked Judge Iscoe for a one to two month continuance to meet with experts.

Judge Iscoe said that he did not think the prosecution gathered or analyzed evidence in a timely fashion. He said the preliminary hearing was almost two years ago and the prosecution has had time to test evidence.

“It appears to me a great deal that could have been done wasn’t done,” he said.

Judge Iscoe did not comment on the motion to dismiss.

Judge Iscoe denied the motion to continue.

A pre-trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Nov. 1.

Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

During a felony status hearing Oct. 29, a murder defendant rejected a plea deal.

Tony McClam, 29, is charged with first – degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing 11-year-old Karon Brown on the 2700 block of Naylor Rd, SE, DC on July 18, 2018.

The prosecutor offered a plea deal to McClam, which he said was due to expire today. The details of the deal were not discussed in open court.

McClaim decided to reject the offer.

The prosecution said an indictment is expected to be ready within the next few weeks. The prosecutor requested more time to secure it.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he would reschedule the felony status hearing to Dec. 13. He also granted the extended time.

Surveillance footage, from a BP gas station, shows a shirtless McClam and four individuals, entering the 2700 block of Naylor Road. McClam is captured pointing and firing a gun into a vehicle.

Miranda Rights were Violated, Attorney Says

During a continued motions hearing Oct. 29, a defense attorney said his client’s Miranda Rights were violated.

Defense attorney, John Fowler, cross-examined a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective in an attempt to argue that Baker was being forcefully held prior to being read her Miranda Rights.

The witness made claims in open court that were not consistent with video surveillance evidence from the initial interrogation on Jan. 27.

The defense also motioned to have a voir dire jury, in which jurors are carefully selected to prevent any bias. In the case, the defense wants to ensure that no jurors are biased against a transgender woman.

The defense also motioned to exclude a GPS expert’s testimony.

This motion hearing has been scheduled to continue on Oct. 30.

Baker who is a transgender woman said she stabbed Wiggins in self defense. Baker, who has been released from jail while awaiting trial, allegedly stabbed Robert Wiggins in the heart during a fight in their apartment last year, according to court documents.

Judge Denies Prosecution’s Motion to Submit GPS Evidence

During a motions hearing Oct. 30 a judge denied a prosecutor’s motion to submit GPS tracking into evidence.

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

Judge Todd E. Edelman said the prosecution’s reason for entering GPS tracking into evidence was highly speculative.

The prosecution argued that GPS tracking shows the defendant within a 3-mile radius of the crime scene two days before the murder weapon, a steak knife, was turned in by a maintenance worker for the apartment complex where the crime occurred.

The prosecution said the knife appeared as a result of Baker visiting the area. However, GPS tracking provides the only argument to support the theory.

Judge Edelman said there was no suitable connection between the defendant and the murder weapon just because she was in the area.

Baker’s defense attorneys motion for voir dire in open court was denied. Voir dire would allow potential jurors to be interviewed in front of the public to reduce potential prejudice or bias against the defendant, who is a transgender woman.

Judge Edelman will also allow 911 calls from both Baker and Wiggins to be entered into evidence.

Another motions hearing is scheduled to occur on Nov. 1.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 4.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Case of Police Employee

A judge found substantial proabability for first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for a former Metropolital Police Department (MPD) civilian employee.

Ronnika Jennings, 41, is charged with first-degree murder, accessory after the fact , possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and conspiracy for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE in March of 2017.

During a detention hearing on Oct. 28, the prosecution said Jennings allegedly gave confidential police information to the shooter, Derek Turner, after the shooting. According to prosecution, she informed Turner whether or not the police were looking for him after looking in the department’s data base.

Jennings allegedly had contact with Turner, calling him more than 30 times in six days.

The prosecution said there was an inferred agreement between the two parties. He said that Jennings knew that Turner had committed a crime and willingly and knowingly gave him information about the shooting.

Defense counsel Dorsey Jones told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that there was no probable cause because Jennings never had a mutual agreement with the shooter. He said there was no plan between them and that they were not as closely associated as the prosecution suggested.

Jones told the court that Jennings did not have any connection to Turner’s crew, the “Warren Place Crew”.

Jones said the phone calls may constitute aiding and abetting but does not constitute conspiracy.

Judge Iscoe said the number of phone calls between Jennings and Turner had shown there was ongoing communication. He said Turner’s acts were foreseeable as he had a history of violence, and Jennings knew this.

She was in a unique position working for MPD and utilized her access of the data base to help Turner, said Judge Iscoe.

Judge Iscoe ordered Jennings to be held without bond.

He did not feel confident that any conditions of release could ensure Jennings would not utilize electronics to obstruct justice.

A status hearing is set on Nov. 1.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Stabbing Elderly Man

A murder defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on Oct. 29.

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.

The conditions of the plea deal would dismiss all greater charges and offers a prison sentence of 12-18 years in prison with five years of supervised release if DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck agrees to it.

If Judge Beck does not agree to these terms, the maximum penalty for Cunningham would be 70 years in prison with five years of supervised release.

According to court records, Cunningham stabbed Norwood with a kitchen knife at least 46 times and went on to inflict 14 more wounds. The defendant then exited the residence and tossed the kitchen knife into a nearby recycling bin. He then returned to the residence and washed the clothes he committed the crime in.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur in January of 2020.

Document: Double Homicide on Eastern Avenue, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating two fatal stabbings that occurred on Oct. 28.

According to a MPD, officers found Shevon Ronford Turner and Arthur Randolph suffering from multiple stab wounds on the 300 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. Both victims succumbed to their injuries.

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.

Judge Denies Continuing Case for Prosecution

On Oct. 28, judge denied continuing a murder case after discussing the reasons why the prosecution is taking a long time to prepare for trial.

“The government has not worked on this case in the extent they are expected to do so,” Said DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe.

During the status hearing, Smith’s defense counsel ,Mani Golzari, told Judge Iscoe that he does not think they should be allowed to continue the case.

He said that the prosecution wants to bring in multiple experts to test a footprint left in blood. Golzari said this could have been done beforehand and it is taking an unusually long amount of time.

“Its become clear that the government has not tried to prosecute in a good faith effort or in a good faith way,” he said.

Golzari added that if prosecution were granted a continuance, Smith would be kept in a halfway house for even longer.

“The halfway house is a glorified jail he can’t leave,” Golzari said.

Golzari requested that Judge Iscoe dismiss the case because the prosecution is delaying the trial.

The prosecution asked Judge Iscoe for a one to two month continuance to meet with experts.

Judge Iscoe said that he did not think the prosecution acted in a timely fashion to gather and analyze evidence. He said the preliminary hearing was almost two years ago and there has been enough time to test evidence especially since there has been no unexpected circumstances.

Judge Iscoe did not comment on the motion to dismiss.

“It appears to me a great deal that could have been done wasn’t done,” He said

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Nov. 1.

Judge Continues Case to Hear Witness Testimony

A DC Superior Court judge decided to continue a murder case for further witness testimony.

Sean Baker, 40, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Robert Wiggins.. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill, but the charges were upgraded after Wiggins died from his injuries on Jan. 31.

Baker said she stabbed Wiggins in self defense.

According to court documents, Baker, who was released while she waits for trial, allegedly stabbed Robert Wiggins in the heart during a fight in their apartment last year.

Judge Todd E. Edelman denied the defense’s motion to dismiss blood and urine samples because the agencies that collected the evidence were not biased towards the prosecution, as the defense claims.

The defense also motioned to suppress a witness’s testimony and phone record that would incriminate the defendant.

Phone records show Baker making threats after heated arguments with the victim. Another witness said Baker was chasing Wiggins with a knife the day before the alleged stabbing.

However, Judge Edelman says he will wait to make a ruling on the matter. He said he wants to hear the witness’s testimony in court.

The defense claims it is all hearsay and that there is no evidence to corroborate that the defendant chased anyone with a knife.

Witness testimony and the continued motions hearing are scheduled to be addressed on Oct. 29.

A jury trial is scheduled on Nov. 4.

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