Eyewitness Tells Murder Victim to ‘Drink His Last Drink’

A defense witness said she heard the only eyewitness to a crime tell the victim to “drink his last drink,” before he died. 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. The first witness the defense called testified said she was at the house partying with Smith, Butler and others the night of the murder. She said everybody was drinking and smoking that night but, at one moment, in the night she said she over heard the only eyewitness to the murder ask Butler if he had kids. When Butler responded no, the witness said she heard the eyewitness tell him, “if you don’t have any kids by now, you won’t,” then told Butler to “drink his last drink.” She said even though she was intoxicated she thoroughly remembered the conversation because “even if you’re intoxicated you can still recall information accurately and I remember what was said.” Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, asked the witness how she was connected to Smith, the eyewitness and Butler. The witness said she lived with the eyewitnesses’ cousin and that same cousin was Smith’s girlfriend at the time. The medical examiner who performed Butler’s autopsy said she believed a sharp object with a bladed edge was the murder weapon. However, she said she could not explicitly say it was a knife. Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, was also expecting another witness to testify about a video recording on the night of the murder, but the witness did not show up. DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson issued a bench warrant for his arrest Nov. 19. Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases. Closing statements are expected to be held on Nov. 21. This article was written by Jaylin Hawkins

Document: Arrest Made in September Homicide in Northwest, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 19 year old in connection to a homicide that occurred in Shaw.

According to a press release, Adrian Vinson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 19 year-old Tahlil Byrd, a resident of Southeast, DC on the 600 block of S Street, NW on Sept. 29.

Byrd, who was suffering from a gunshot wound through his left abdominal region, according to police, was transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to court documents, officers were on patrol when they heard multiple gunshots. A 9mm handgun, five 9mm casing and a black moped were found on the scene.

Vinson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 25.

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Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Fatal Stabbing in 2018

Shackled and dressed in an orange jumpsuit from the department of correction, a 54-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing a man in 2018.

Jose Luzunaris is charged with first-degree murder for stabbing 56-year-old Gregory Monroe on Feb 3, 2018, at the Judiciary House Apartments on the 400 block of H Street, NW. Luzunaris was indicted on first-degree murder while armed offenses committed during release, possession of drug paraphernalia offenses committed during release, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Nov. 20, Luzunaris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The lesser charges were dropped.

According to the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant could face up to six years in prison for the crime.

Luzunaris is scheduled for a sentencing on Feb. 21, 2020.

According to court documents, the victim suffered from stab wounds to the side of his neck and right ear.

Murder Defendant Fails to Appear for Hearing

During a status hearing on Nov 19, a murder defendant was not present. Dazmine Anderson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Oct. 7, 2018. Anderson, who was 16 at the time of the crime, is being charged as an adult. Anderson’s defense Attorney, Madalyn Harvey , told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee that Anderson would not be present due to a lack of information to Anderson’s holding facility, New Beginnings. New Beginnings is a maryland-based juvenile facility where Anderson is being held. The facility was not aware of Anderson’s hearing which resulted in his absence. Judge Lee decided to continue the hearing on Nov 21. Anderson is being held without bond. This story was written by Demetria Tymus

Murder Defendant Becomes Emotional During Trial

A defendant on trial for murder became tearful when video of her police interview was played in front of a jury.

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 intent to kill. She is a transgender woman.

Baker cried when the jury saw video of an interview she had with police. In the video, Baker told the cops about the incident that led to the stabbing. She began to shake her leg and wipe her tears while hearing herself ask police if Wiggins was still alive, and if she could visit him at the hospital. During the police interview, the lead detective said he saw injuries on the defendant’s body. However, during his testimony in court on Nov.19, the detective said he never saw injuries on Baker or any evidence that her hair had been pulled out. Baker said she had been wrestling with Wiggins when she stabbed him. Photos shown to the jury did not show any cuts or bruises on the defendant. “I was in survival mode, I did not want to stab him.” Baker said during her police interview. The prosecution also called a DNA analyst to testify as an expert witness on biological material. The DNA analyst concluded that the blood found on the knife, which is the suspected murder weapon, matched the DNA of Robert Wiggins. According to Baker, she grabbed the murder weapon when Wiggins collected all the knives in the house, and one happened to fall out of the backpack he placed them in. The trial is scheduled to continue on Nov. 20 when the defense is expected to cross examine the lead detective. This article was written by Danuellys Diaz.

I ‘Never Searched’ Murder Defendant’s House, Technician Says

During trial Nov. 19, a crime scene technician testified that a search of a murder defendant’s house was not conducted by him. 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. Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, asked the technician if he found the suspected murder weapon, a knife, while doing the search. The technician answered that he did not conduct the search and was told everything to take picture of. Matthews also asked the technician about the bag the knife was found in and if it were a bag that could be potentially be used for carrying food items and utensils because of its apparent insulated lining. The trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 20.

Document: Man Dies After Hit & Run in H Street Corridor

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on the Unit block of H Street, NE.

According to a press release, 39 year-old Hubert Hinds was stuck Nov. 15 by a 2015 green Ford Mustang as he was crossing the street outside of the crosswalk. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he died on Nov. 19.

The driver of the mustang fled the scene of the crash and subsequently struck a DC Circulator bus with no passengers. The mustang also hit a parked vehicle on the Unit block of H Street, NW.

Anyone who has knowledge of the incident call police at (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to the department’s Text Tip Line –50411. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

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Document: Fatal Shooting on Pomeroy Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 2400 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 24-year-old David Rogers in a hallway of an apartment building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Another man, who was in an adjacent building located at the 2900 block of Stanton Road, SE, also suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.

Rogers was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The status of the second victim is unknown at this time.

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 DC. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Victim Had History of Abusing Transgender Women, Defense Says

A defense counsel told the jury that a victim has a long history of physically and mentally abusing transgender women. Sean M Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Robert L. Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE. Baker is a transgender woman. During a jury trial on Nov. 18, defense attorney John Fowler told the jury that Wiggins had a history of gathering sharp objects that could be used for protection, and then beating and abusing transgender women within the household. Fowler showed the jury a picture taken in early 2016 of Baker beaten and bruised, which Wiggins had done, he said. Fowler said Wiggins was attacking Baker and that she made a split second to grab one of the knives Wiggins had collected and stabbed him while he was on top of her. The defense said she did it out of fear for her own life. “Mrs. Baker had grown up in foster homes and was taught not to trust police,” said Fowler, explaining why Baker lied about Peanut. However, the prosecution said Baker stabbed Wiggins intentionally after she discovered that he was cheating on her. The prosecutor said Baker made up a fake assailant named “Peanut,” who she claimed came in and stabbed Wiggins. Only after Baker thought Wiggins was alive did she changed her story to say the two were wrestling over a knife after he had been abusing her, said the prosecution during opening arguments. According to the prosecution, Baker said she accidentally stabbed Wiggins. In addition to the opening arguments, the prosecution showed video footage of Baker being interviewed at the police station by the detective. DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman told the court there was four hours of footage to go over and they would reconvene the following day. The jury trial is set to continue on Nov. 19.

Witness Identifies Murder Defendant as Stabbing Assailant

During a jury trial Nov. 18, the only eyewitness to a stabbing claimed that a murder defendant was the perpetrator and not him. Leonard Smith is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Leonte Butler, 26, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017. During the eyewitness testimony, which continued from last week, he said he watched Smith stab Butler. The witness told the jury that he did not commit the crime like the defense says. The witness testified that Smith stabbed Butler because Butler hit Smith in the mouth causing him to bleed. Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, played a recorded video of Smith and the witness slap boxing the night of the murder. The time of day when the video was taken was not told in court and the witnesses testified that he did not even remember the video being taken. The witness also said that all three parties were drinking and high that night from a cocktail of drugs. Matthews also questioned the witness about his testimony being influenced by the reward money. During an interview with Metropolitan Police Department detectives, the interview inquired about the reward. The witness said he was just saying he would like to have that amount of money not that he was, “trying to cooperate for the money.” He also said he believed and still believes the police may be considering him as a suspect for the murder but admitted he lied to the police during his first interview because he “wanted no parts of any of this.” DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson dismissed the jury for the day and required both the defense and prosecution to return to court later in the day to discuss a matter that was not talked about in open court. Trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 19.

Document: Police Arrest Man Connected to August Murder

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man Nov. 18 who was wanted in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred during the summer.

According to a press release, police arrested 26-year-old Melvin Simmons. Simmons, a resident of Temple Hills, Md., is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the death of 28-year-old Ronald Brown on the 3400 block of 18^th Street, SE on August 22.

Brown, who was a resident of Southeast, DC, died on the scene.

Simmons is awaiting his first DC Superior Courts hearing in connection to the charge.

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Document: Juvenile Fatally Shot in Ward 7

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.

On Nov. 17, officers responded to the location after hearing gunshots. Officers found 17-year-old Shaquan Buggie, a resident of King George, Va., unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a press release. Buggie was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about this 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 Will No Longer Contest Medical Order

During a status hearing Nov. 15, a defense attorney indicated that he would not contest a judge’s order to give his client medication against his will.

Brandon Byrd is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing his 44-year-old father, Otis Byrd, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW in 2016.

D.C. Witness previously reported that medical experts had testified that Byrd is incompetent to stand trial, but if he received medication, which he had so far refused to take, then his competency would likely be restored.

Defense attorney Craig Hickein said that the court could not medicate Byrd against his will.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck ordered that Byrd be medicated in order to restore his competency to stand trial. During the hearing, Hickein indicated that he would not seek to dispute the order.

Judge Beck asked Byrd to cooperate with medical staff, saying she hoped that his competency would be restored.

Byrd is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on March 6, 2020.

This article was written by Paul Mullholland.

Prosecution is Coercing Witnesses, Defense Says

A team of defense attorneys said a prosecutor was coercing witnesses and obstructing justice in a murder case. Jolonta Little, 26, and Monte Johnson, 21, are charged with conspiracy in a bias-related robbery while armed, a bias-related crime with a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and felony murder while armed for a bias-related crime for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, a transgender woman, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE in 2016. During a status hearing on Nov. 15, the defense requested that the case be dismissed due to prejudice. Johnson and Little went to trial in March of 2019. However, a mistrial was declared because the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said that a previous prosecutor had knowledge that one of the juror’s son was being prosecuted by another prosecutor that worked in the same office. According to Irving, the former prosecutor who was assigned to Little’s case said he talked to the prosecutor assigned to the juror’s son’s case and suggested she be fair in her sentence. The prosecutor was then removed from the case after the first trial in March 2019, and a new prosecutor was assigned. No information was given as to why the prosecutor was removed. “He had a plan to influence the jury, there’s prejudice here, his action taints everything he did in this case,” said Irving. The defense claimed that it was an obstruction of justice and the prosecutor’s actions were intentional. Defense counsel requested that the case be dismissed, or, at least have a hearing where the prosecutor would testify. “It should not have been done, but it is not criminal. It does not affect the jury, there is no evidence the trial was tainted,” said the current prosecutor. DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee said the prior prosecutor’s behavior was not consistent with justice but was consistent with a need to win cases. “When stuff like this happens in your office, nobody knows. Your office has to be looking at it, it’s troubling, that there’s a different standard for the defense because everything is public. If you act like it’s okay it could be replicated,” said Judge Lee. Judge Lee said he would make a final judgement after the prosecution and defense filed further arguments. Another jury trial is set on Feb. 25 2020. This article was written by Ellery Groth.

Teenage Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal, Again

A murder defendant rejected a plea deal, opting to go to trial. Malik Holston, 17, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 15-year-old Gerald Watson in an apartment building on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE in 2018. During a status conference on Nov. 15, the prosecution told Holston that if he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances all other charges would be dropped. The deal carried a potential sentence between 15 to 22 years in prison. Holston rejected the offer. D.C. Witness previously reported that Holston rejected an initial plea deal in October as well. Holston’s defense counsel, Anthony Matthews, told the DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee that the defense intended to conduct independent DNA testing on materials recovered from Holston’s home. Holston is being charged as an adult. A trial is scheduled to occur on July 22. This article was written by Ellery Groth.