The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 12.
According to a press release, officers found an adult male victim in the hallway of a residential building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE. 21-year-old Mahje Powers was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead
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.
During a court proceeding the day before trial, a DC Superior Court judge denied a motion for a defendant to admit guilt because he missed weekly drug screenings.
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.
“If we were talking about someone who was in complete compliance all the way up until the murder then, I think you’d have a point, but we’re not,” said Judge Danya Dayson Nov. 12.
Judge Dayson said Smith missed check-ins and drug testings sporadically throughout the entire time he was on probation.
She also said the prejudice of his non-appearance outweighed the probability that he missed the appointments because he knew the police were looking for him in connection to the homicide.
The prosecution said that Smith was in compliance of his probation before the murder. He was not after, the prosecutor said.
According to the prosecution, Smith had shown up for 81 percent of his check-ins and drug testing in 2016 while on parole for a 2015 weapons charge.
Smith’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said that in order to even consider this motion the judge would have to look at the dates immediately before and after the murder because that is the o.nly way it would be accurate.
Jury selection is slated to begin on Nov. 13.
Jaylin Hawkins wrote this story.
During a status hearing on Nov 12, a witness was appointed counsel.
Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the Jan. 31 2016 stabbing of 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE.
Baker’s defense attorney, Dominique Winter, said she needed more time to prepare a witness to testify.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted the defense’s request for extra time to prepare the witness. He also appointed an attorney to represent the witness. The witness is supposed to testify on the facts of the case, only.
D.C Witness previously reported that Judge Edelman refused to delay Baker’s trial after continuing a motions hearing nine times from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8.
Jury selection is scheduled to resume on Nov 13.
During a status hearing on Nov. 12, a defense attorney requested time to discuss a plea deal.
David Hahqwon Beale, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 42-year-old George Johnson, Jr. on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE on May 7, 2018.
D.C Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted the Betty Ballester, Beale’s defense attorney, request to have more time with the prosecution to discuss the specifics of a plea deal.
The details of the plea deal were not discussed in open court.
The prosecution told Judge Edelman that DNA testing would not be conducted.
D.C. Witness previously reported that police recovered multiple firearms, including a Glock, from Beale’s residence. According to court documents, shell casings from the scene of the crime were fired from the gun found in Beale’s residence.
Beale is being held without bail.
Beale is scheduled for another status hearing on Feb. 14, 2020.
During a status hearing Nov 12, counsel for the DC Department of Corrections said three murder defendants are being held in protective housing, or solitary confinement, for disciplinary infractions.
Qujuan Thomas, Antonio Murchison, and Mark Tee Price 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.
Eric Glover,general counsel for the DC Department of Corrections, told DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck that Price was being held in protective housing for a contraband violation, Thomas for fighting, and Murchison for assaulting jail staff.
Price’s attorney, Howard McEachern, told Judge Beck t hat Price was found not guilty for having the alleged contraband.
Kristin McGough, Thomas’ defense attorney, said that the fight took place near the end of August, and Thomas received a 30-day sentence in solitary for it. She said the sentence should have expired before today’s hearing.
Jason Clark, Murchison’s defense attorney, told Judge Beck that his client was also found not guilty of assaulting jail staff.
Glover said he did not have all the information he needed to proceed with the hearing.
“What’s become clear is that there is a lot of confusion,” Judge Beck said. She decided to solve any outstanding issues at the next hearing.
All ten co-defendants are scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 2.
Homicides in the District of Columbia increased by three in October; most of the incidents were gun-related.
Overall, D.C. Witness data shows that there have been 157 homicides in the city in 2019, nearly a 5 percent increase from the 149 homicides during the same time in 2018. MPD reports that there have been 147 homicides in 2019 as of Nov. 12.
According to D.C. Witness data, there were 19 homicides in October. Fifteen homicides in October involved the use of a firearm. Data shows that there were 16 homicides in September, of which 14 stemmed from gun-related incidents.
Of the 19 homicides this month, four suspects have been arrested. Two of the suspects are juveniles charged with first-degree murder while armed and second-degree murder.
Jaquar McNair
One juvenile is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 14 for allegedly stabbing Jaquar McNair on the 300 block of 1st Street, SE on Oct. 12. The other is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 22 for allegedly hitting 15-year-old Amoni Richardson on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, SE on Oct. 24.
Apparently, the juvenile left the scene and was later apprehended by the officers from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Devon Miler
Davon Peyton is charged with allegedly shooting 27-year-old Lekelefac Fonge and 24-year-old Devon Miler on Oct. 9 on the 1600 block of Rosedale Street, NE. According to news reports, Fonge was a caregiver for Miler who had autism. Peyton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 22.
Lekelefac Fonge
According to court documents, the shootings stemmed from what seems to be an attempted robbery.
Lamar Hicks, 24, was arrested on Oct. 11 for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Jonathan Jones on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE earlier that day.
Hicks’ case was dismissed on Oct. 24. He was also released later that same day.
Gregory Antwan Washington
The Metropolitan Police Department is also searching for 30-year-old Gregory Antwan Washington, who is wanted in connection to the shooting of 32 year-old Alie Labay.
Police found Labay on the 900 block of 21st Street, NE.
There have been 22 homicides in the Fall so far, nearly half the number of homicides that occurred during the Summer; June 21-Sept. 23.
Editor’s note: D.C. Witness’s homicide count differs from the Metropolitan Police Department’s calculation because D.C. Witness records all violent deaths, including police-involved shootings and vehicular homicides.
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 9.
According to a press release, officers found an adult male victim unconscious, and not breathing, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 200 block of L Street, SW. 31-year-old Robert Hobson was pronounced dead on the scene.
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.
A judge sentenced a murder defendant with 25 prior arrests to 17 years in prison.
Quincy Green, also known as, Wayne Wright, was sentenced for second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 44-year-old Dana Hamilton on the 800 block of Southern Avenue, SE in 2016.
At a sentencing on Nov. 8, the prosecution asked DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe to accept the plea offer of 17 years in prison.
The prosecution said that Green has had a long history of crime with 25 arrests and 11 convictions as an adult.
He said Green has had a history of committing crimes while on prohibition and should be sentenced to the full sentence.
According to court documents, Green was on high intensity supervision for a gun charge in Maryland when he shot the victim.
Green had a GPS tracking device attached to his prosthetic leg which he detached and placed at home while he committed the crime.
“We are all still grieving after three plus years and it will never go away,” said Hamilton’s mother.
The defense also asked judge Iscoe to accept the plea deal.
Green’s defense attorney, Dominique Winters, said that he had a very traumatic childhood and was shot 18 times which left him mentally scarred.
Green apologized to the victim’s family and to the court.
Judge Iscoe said that he saw 17 years as an appropriate sentence given the circumstances.
A murder defendant’s attorney counter offered a plea deal.
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 Muhammed on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018.
At a status conference on Nov. 8 Turner’s defense counsel, James King, told the court that they were negotiating a plea deal.
The prosecution said they had offered Turner a deal and he countered with one of his own.
The specifics of the two deals were not discussed.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he will give both parties some time to consider the offers and then make a decision.
A status conference is scheduled for Nov. 13
This article was written by Ellery Groth.
A DC Judge said that jury selection would happen on Nov. 12 despite a scheduling conflict which will prevent one of the defense’s witnesses from testifying.
Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the Jan. 31 stabbing of 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill.
After continuing a motions hearing nine times DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman refused to delay Baker’s trial.
According to one of the defense attorneys, Dominique Winters, Baker preferred to delay the trial until the witness was available to testify.
“I understand that might be her preference but in a 2016 case we are past the point of preference,” said Judge Edelman.
According to Winters the witness in question is someone who would only testify to the facts of the case, not someone who would offer their opinion as an expert on a particular subject.
Judge Edelman said that he would rule on the remaining motions on Nov. 13 and order the jury to return either later that day or on Nov. 14, to begin hearing the prosecution’s theory.
During a status hearing on Nov. 8, two murder defendants plead guilty.
Kevon Pinkett and Keith Johnson plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for their involvement in the stabbing of Edwin Richardson on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on April 5.
Both Pinkett, 19, and Johnson, 26, chose to waive their rights to DNA testing and the right to a trial. They also opted not to have a preliminary hearing which was scheduled to take place on Oct. 18.
Defense counsel Dominique Winter and Lisbeth Sapirstein informed the judge the plea agreements had a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
The prosecution told the court that both defendants were seen on surveillance video chasing Richardson with a group of individuals when they stabbed Richardson and continued to assault him even after his body went motionless. The prosecution added that the defendants were not acting in self defense.
DC Superior Court Judge Dana Dayson accepted both defendant’s guilty pleas.
Pinkett and Johnson were they only individuals apprehended for the murder.
Sentencing for both Pinkett and Johnson is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2020.
A DC Superior Court Judge ordered a prosecutor to hand over the identities of five witnesses to the defense attorney of a murder defendant.
Tony S. Aiken, 48, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Kendra Smith on the 4300 block of D Street, SE on Sept. 6, 2004.
According to Aiken’s defense attorney, Jason Tulley, an informant told Metropolitan Police Department officers that one of the witnesses said it was his brother who shot Smith.
The prosecutor said it was not necessary to hand over the identities of the witnesses because the information they provided to Metropolitan Police Department Officers “is not necessarily inconsistent with the government’s theory.”
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said that the prosecutor’s argument acknowledged that the accounts of the witnesses could be inconsistent with the government’s theory.
Judge Edelman said that because there is possible inconsistencies, the prosecution must provide the identities of the witnesses to Aiken’s defense attorney, Jason Tulley.
Aiken’s trial readiness hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2020.
During a status hearing on Nov. 8, a defense attorney requested a continuation.
Robert Edward Green is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 43-year-old Andre Junior on the 1500 block of Park Road, NW on March 15, 2018.
Defense attorney, Mani Golzari, asked DC Superior Court Judge Dana Dayson to allow him to receive the results of a DNA test before proceeding forward with the case.
The prosecution did not have an issue with the request to wait.
Judge Dayson rescheduled the hearing for Dec 13.
Paul Mullholland wrote this article.
A motion hearing scheduled for Nov. 7 was continued to Nov. 8 after a witness could not testify.
Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the Jan. 31 stabbing of 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill.
Baker’s former defense attorney, Janet Mitchell, was scheduled to testify in court about statements that Baker made to her in regards to the location of the knife that was allegedly used to murder Wiggins. Mitchell was unable to make it to court so the hearing was continued.
DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna presided over the hearing, after DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman temporarily recused himself because of a conflict of interest.
Edelman said, during a hearing on Nov. 6, that because of his professional and social relationship with Mitchell he would pass the issue.
Baker’s current attorney, John Fowler, said Baker’s statements to his former attorney should have been protected by attorney-client privilege, and should be suppressed.
Mitchell is scheduled to testify in court on Nov. 8
During a trial readiness hearing Nov. 7, a recently appointed defense attorney told a DC Superior Court judge that he would be ready for trial on Jan. 27.
Keith Archie was indicted on second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, tampering with physical evidence and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly stabbing 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE in 2017.
Defense attorney Jason Tulley was appointed to represent Archie earlier this month. It is not clear why his previous attorney, Blase Kearney, was unable to continue representing him.
Tulley told Judge Todd Edelman that he should be ready for the Jan. 27, 2020, trial date.
On Nov. 5, Tulley filed a motion to suppress statements given to the Metropolitan Police Department. He said MPD arrested Archie without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, and they began questioning him before reading him his Miranda rights.
Tulley requested that all evidence produced from the police search of Archie, as well as anything he said while under interrogation, not be used during trial.
Tulley told Judge Edelman that when he observed the police body-worn camera footage, he noticed some officers were taking notes. He asked if the prosecution would be able to turn these notes over as part of discovery.
The prosecution said they would try to get the notes to the defense. Judge Edelman gave the prosecution until Dec. 19 to turn the notes over.
Tulley also requested any information on Rush’s criminal history.
According to Tulley, Rush had a nickname “Deebo”, which is a reference to a 1995 film called “Friday”. Tulley described Deebo as being “large and knocking people out with one punch.”
Tulley asked if the prosecution could turn over any information on the origins of the nickname, suggesting that it could be part of a self-defense theory.
Archie is scheduled for a motion hearing on Dec. 20
This story was written by Paul Mullholland.
