Case Dismissed: Prosecution Plans to Offer Plea Deal to Murder Defendant

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

During a status hearing, Jan. 9, the prosecution told a DC Superior Court judge that they planned on offering a plea deal.

Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting his roommate, Keon Delonte Wallace, on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE. Cole, 24, who turned himself into the police, said he shot his roommate in self-defense after Wallace, 24, pulled a semi-automatic rifle on him.

The prosecutor said he intended to extend a plea deal to Cole within the next two weeks.

Cole’s defense attorney, James King, said that despite the incoming plea offer, Cole still wanted to exercise his right to DNA testing.

King said the DNA test results would be returned by the end of March.

The defense attorney also asked DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz for an earlier trial date. However, due to the March return date and the prosecution’s trial calendar an earlier trial date could not be found.

Defense attorney, Jenna Cobb, joined Cole’s defense team as co-counsel.

Cole is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on July 10.

Judge Finds Probable Cause Against Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a man committed a murder in June of 2019.

Terrance Prue is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE on June 5.

Judge Danya Dayson said she found probable cause that Prue, 19, committed the murder because there were multiple witnesses who named and identified Prue as the person who shot Gilmore despite there being another person of interest during the Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation.

Prue’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, argued that detectives prompted a witness to identify Prue as a shooter during a viewing of a photo array.

During video footage of the photo line up, Harden said the witness can be seen pointing to a photo of Prue and, after a 60 second pause, the detective asked the witness if, “that was the person you saw shoot?”

Harden also said that the original person of interest had motive and reason to kill Gilmore because there was a conflict between Gilmore and the person of interest.

The prosecution argued that Prue was identified by two separate individuals who were helping Gilmore move that day.

Prue is scheduled for a status hearing in front of Judge Anita Posey-Herring on April 24.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to 2nd Degree Murder

A murder defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder during a status hearing on Jan. 8.

Jerrell Powell, 24, was intially charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. His co-defendant, Jeremiah Jordan, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The men are accused of shooting Antoine D. McCullough, 30, on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.

DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring accepted the guilty plea. Powell is scheduled for sentencing on March 13.

On Oct. 9, 2019, a prosecutor told a judge that he would only offer plea deals if both defendants agreed to plead guilty.

According to the prosecution, Powell and McCullough had a physical altercation on the day of the murder.

Before entering his apartment, McCullough is seen via surveillance camera standing on the corner of 18th Street, SE talking to a group of people.

McCullough then walks out of view of the surveillance camera, towards his apartment.

Powell, Jordan and one other male, who was not charged in this case, walk into the view of the camera right after McCullough exits the view. As they continued to walk towards McCullough’s apartment they leave the camera frame.

According to court documents, Powell then began shooting at McCullough. Jordan and the other male then run away from Powell.

The bullets struck McCullough in his groin and lower back.

Jordan pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed on Jan. 6. His other charges were dropped.

Jordan was sentenced to three years of supervised release on Jan. 6.

Murder Defendant Receives 9.5 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to nine and a half years in prison for killing a man in 2018.

Timothy Gibson, 28, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon, Sept. 8, for his role in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Carl Day-Baker on the 1500 block of T Street, SE on Sept. 1, 2018.

Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Gibson to nine and a half years in prison which was compliant with the requests made by both the defense and prosecution.

“I just want to say sorry to my family, y’all know this isn’t me or how I act at all and I just want everyone involved to please forgive me,” Gibson said.

The prosecution said the murder occurred after a physical altercation between Gibson and Day-Baker.

Day-Baker was in a romantic relationship with Gibson’s sister and had apparently physically abused her.

According to court documents, when Gibson heard about the altercation between Day-Baker and his sister he met up with Day-Baker that night where the two had a physical fight.

After the fight ended Gibson went to his vehicle and retrieved a gun. He then shot in the direction of Day-Baker and his brother, documents said.

The bullets struck Day-Baker in the back.

Defense Attorney Asks for Extra Time to File Notice

A defense attorney requested extended time to file a notice of defense, Jan. 8.

Hilman Jordan, also known as Bobby Jordan, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE on March 1. A nearby security camera recorded the murder, according to court documents.

Jordan’s defense attorney, Dana Page, who was given the case by Jordan’s former attorney, Anthony Matthews, asked DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson for more time to file a notice of what the defense’s theory will be during trial.

Page also asked for any information the prosecution may have that could exonerate Jordan in regards to his mental health issues.

The prosecution did not object to any of her requests.

Judge Dayson agreed to give Page more time, saying she must file the notice by April 6.

The status hearing is scheduled to continue on April 9.

Document: Arrest Made in 2019 Juvenile Homicide

On Jan. 8, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 17-year-old man in connection to a homicide that occurred in the Southwest Waterfront area of Washington, DC.

According to a press release, Jwahn Simpson a resident of Gaithersburg, MD was charged, as an adult, with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 16-year-old Domonique Franklin on the 200 block of M Street, Southwest on Aug. 30, 2019.

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

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Document: Triple Shooting Leaves One Dead in Langdon

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE.

According to a press release, officers found three adult males, including 38 year-old Lamar Walters, a resident of Northeast, DC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

All three men were taken to an area hospital where Walters was pronounced dead. The other two victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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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Document: Arrest Made in 2016 Homicide

On Jan. 6, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 30-year-old woman in connection to a homicide that occurred in the Civic Betterment area of Washington, DC.

According to a press release, Julius Senior a resident of Southeast, DC, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Christopher Redfear on the 5100 Block of H Street, Southeast on Sep. 2, 2016.

Redfear, who was a resident of Capitol Heights, MD was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

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Document: Homicide in Benning

On Jan. 6, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 21-year-old woman in connection to a homicide that occurred in the Benning area of Washington, DC.

According to a press release, Tierra Posey, a resident of Southeast, DC, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Tia Carey on the 3700 Block of Minnesota Avenue, Northeast on Jan. 6.

Carey, who was a resident of Southeast, DC was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

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Document: Police Investigate U Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1200 block of U Street, NW on Jan. 5. .

According to a press release, officers found 22-year-old Dy’Mani Priestley, a resident of Hyattsville, Md., suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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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Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Mount Vernon Triangle

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the Unit Block of K Street, Northwest on Jan. 4.

According to a press release, officer found 39-year-old Anthony Ward, a resident of Northwest, DC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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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Document: Police Investigate A Homicide in Southwest Waterfront

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1400 block of 3rd Street, SW on Jan. 5.

According to a press release, officers found 26 year-old Xavier Tate, a resident of Northeast, DC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a residence. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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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Document: Traffic Fatalities at the Intersection of 13th Street and Alabama Avenue, SE

On Jan. 4 , a driver of a vehicle and a passenger was killed in a traffic accident at the intersection of 13th Street and Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to a MPD press release, the operator of a Honda Accord was traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on 13^th Street, SE. When the vehicle entered the intersection of 13^th Street and Alabama Avenue, SE, running a red light, it was struck by a Range Rover traveling eastbound on Alabama Avenue, SE.

The operator and a passenger of the Honda Accord displayed no signs consistent with life. The victims remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Two other passengers in the Honda Accord and the operator of the Range Rover were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The victims are 32-year-old Michael Hutcherson, a resident of Columbia, Md., and 34-year-old Seret Medhani, a resident of Southeast, DC.

This case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.

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Document: 1st Homicide of 2020 takes place on 19th Place, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 2000 block of 19th Place, SE on Jan. 4.

According to a press release, officers found 60 year-old Charles Robinson, a resident of Southeast, DC, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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.

Robinson is the first homicide of 2020.

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Help D.C. Witness Better Serve the District in 2020

As D.C. Witness embarks on a new year, we want to take the time to reflect on and show thanks for the accomplishments our local nonprofit has had in Washington, DC. We also wish to reach out to request donations so that we can expand our great cause and truly represent each and every resident of the District of Columbia.

D.C. Witness is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce homicides in the District of Columbia. We do this through collecting data on homicide statistics and reporting from the courtrooms on a daily basis. We believe Criminal Justice transparency will bring about an end to the rising number of homicides in the city.

Transparency sheds light in an area where many residents are only half aware of what lurks in the dark. Imagine D.C. Witness as a light in that dark abyss. DC homicides are growing, and simplistic policies such as throwing more police in the community, is not working. But, through data collection, D.C. Witness could show policymakers realtime information on homicides, so they can create more effective policies to reduce them.

D.C. Witness is thankful for the work we have been able to contribute to bringing transparency to the criminal justice system, so far. However, we would like to do much more to inform people on the criminal justice system and to mark each life lost.

In 2018, D.C. Witness was able to secure funding from the city and other private organizations to help in the fight against this apex crime, which has been on a steady incline since 2017. According to D.C. Witness data, homicides rose by 32 percent from 2017 to 2018. And as of Dec. 31, 2019 homicides were above 2018’s 169 murders count with 180, according to D.C. Witness data. The count is nearly 6.5 percent higher than last year.

We need to keep this engine running in 2020 and request donations to not only strengthen our data collection but also expand it. By donating as little as $10, residents can help D.C. Witness continue to serve the public and also contribute to making the Nation’s Capital a safer, more inclusive and better community.

D.C. Witness’s homicide count is higher than the Metropolitan Police Department’s count of 166 homicides because D.C. Witness’s count includes vehicular homicides, police-involved shootings and all incidents, legally justified or not, that result from one person killing another person.

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