Defense Asks for Victim’s Medical Records

During a status hearing Oct. 21, a defense attorney asked for all prior medical records of a child victim.

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.

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.

She said her investigator found two doctors that Carter had seen before his death, however, she did not know if the prosecution had already known about both of the doctors.

She also asked that the prosecution get in contact with Carter’s mother as soon as possible to clarify his records so that the trial date would not be continued for a second time. The trial, which was originally scheduled on Oct. 21 is now slated to begin on March 23, 2020.

The prosecutor said that Carter’s mother recently had a baby and was recovering. However, the prosecutor said she would reach out to the mother and get the names of the doctors. The prosecutor said she would give the defense the names of the doctors within the next two weeks.

The prosecutor said she needed two weeks to gather the information because she just finished a month long trial and had another trial in February of 2020 before Wooden’s trial.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee, said the prosecutor needed to focus on both trials because he would not push the trial date back any more.

A status hearing is scheduled on Oct. 30.

Document: Homicide on Hartford Street, SE

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

According to a press release, officers found 30 year-old Christopher Parks, a resident of Hyattsville, Md. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on Oct. 19. He died on the scene.

Police are searching for a vehicle of interest. A white pickup truck shown below.

The police department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that will lead to an arrest and conviction of this homicide or any homicide in DC. Anyone with information about this case 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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Murder Defendant Takes Plea Deal For Stabbing Victim

On Oct 18. a murder defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Juan Kibler,28, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and aggravated assault. He was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed for stabbing 40-year-old Joseph Harris on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE on May 7, 2018.

During a status conference, Kibler took a plea deal. According to the terms of the deal, Kibler could serve six years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and 7.5 years in prison for aggravated assault.

According to DC’s volutary sentencing guidelines, the sentencing range for a second-degree murder while armed conviction is 12-24 years in prison if the defendant has a criminal history score from 0-0.5. Aggravated Assault carries a sentence range from 1.5 to 5 years in prison.

D.C. Witness data show that Kibler has a prior simple assault conviction.

According to a proffer of facts, the prosecutor said that if the case had gone to trial he would have proved that Kibler, who was angry on the night of the murder, walked into an apartment building and stabbed Harris multiple times in the back and shoulder.

After Kibler was arrested he was sent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, for a mental competency screening on June 12. The prosecutor also said Kibler got into an altercation with an employee, knocking him unconscious.

Kibler’s defense attorney, Joseph Wong, requested that DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck push back the sentencing so Kibler could see his family in DC before going to prison.

Judge Beck agreed and set Kibler’s sentencing on April 3.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Shooting Stepbrother

A murder defendant pleaded guilty Oct. 18 to murdering his stepbrother.

Antonio Williams,39, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a violent crime and unlawful possession of a firearm for shooting Antwaun Smith, 41, on the 600 block of Newton Place, NW in 2017.

During a status hearing, Williams agreed to a plea deal that would downgrade his first-degree murder while armed charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed. His other charges would be waived except for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Under the deal, Williams could be sentenced to ten years in prison. Under the volutary sentencing guidelines, a first-degree murder while armed charge carries a sentence term between 30-60 years in prison. The guideline states that voluntary manslaughter while armed holds a possible sentence of five to 30 years in prison.

The prosecution said that if the case had gone to trial they would have found that Williams shot his stepbrother in the back of the head after asking him to pick something up off the ground.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck set Williams’ sentencing date on Dec. 31.

Prosecution Says It Needs 2 Experts to Testify

During a status hearing on Oct 18, a prosecutor told a judge that it was important that two experts testified on the record.

Master Matthew Thomas, 33, is charged with felony murder while armed for allegedly shooting 59-year-old Chijioke Agbakahi on the 5100 block of Georgia Ave, NW. Thomas is also charged with first and second-degree murder in a unrelated case in Prince George’s County, Md.

The prosecution said DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman overlooked evidence of entering the ballistic experts to focus on other matters of the case.

One of the prosecutors asked DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe to grant a hearing on Nov. 4, so the prosecution could question the firearms experts about DNA in the case.

Thomas’ defense attorney, Heather Pinckney, said she did not have sufficient time to prepare for a cross examination of the experts by Nov. 4. She said the prosecution already had an opportunity to argue the importance of the experts but were dissatisfied with Judge Edeleman’s choice to bypass the motion.

Pinckney said she would not be ready to cross the experts until January. She also said trial for the case is not scheduled until 2021, so there should be enough time for a delay.

But, Judge Iscoe said a delay of the status hearing would affect not only his schedule, but also his ability to remain on the case.

Judge Iscoe scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 23 so all parties can come up with a detailed timeline for the case.

Prosecution’s Request Confuses Judge, Defense Attorney

During an emergency status hearing Oct. 18, a DC Superior judge said he was confused by a prosecutor’s request to make sure the scheduled trial date was still going to happen.

Wilbert Whitaker, 70, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Leo Hackett on the 800 block of 21st Street, NE on May 2, 2016.

The prosecution asked for an emergency hearing because they said they were concerned the defense was going to ask for a continuance.

The prosecutor said that if the trial was delayed, it would be the fourth trial date to be set. She did not want to draw the trial out any longer because it had been almost four years since the murder took place. The trial is set to begin on Feb.3, 2020.

The prosecutor also said she spoke with Whitaker’s defense attorney, Mani Golzari, over the phone, where he said that he had three trials in close proximity to each other. According to the prosecutor, Golzari said the trials could potentially run over.

However, Golzari said he never spoke to the prosecution over the phone and that he had no idea why this hearing was even happening. He said he know the prosecution was asking around about his trial calendar.

Golzari also said he was confused as to why the prosecution did not try to contact him first instead of asking other people about his schedule.

Golzari told DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman that he did not intend to ask for a continuance, at this point, but if he did he would fill out the proper paperwork.

Judge Edelman told the prosecution that there was nothing he could do to make sure the trial date would not change.

Whitaker is scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 18.

Murder Defendants Disagree on Plea Offer

During a status hearing, one defendant said he was willing to accept a plea offer, but the other defendant rejected it.

Titus Iracks and Dearren Dawkins, 22, are charged with first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy while armed, among other charges, for allegedly shooting Larry Harrell on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on June 13, 2018. Iracks, 17, is being charged as an adult.

Dawkins’ defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, told DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson that his client is prepared to accept the prosecution’s deal. However, Iracks’ defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, said his client was rejecting the offer. According to DC Courts, the defendants were offered a deal that needed to be accepted by both parties. Specific charges and sentence lengths for the deals were not discussed in open court.

According to early reports by D.C. Witness, Iracks and Dawkins rejected a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter while armed in January.

Judge Dayson set a trial date for May, and a deadline to sever the cases in March. No motion to sever the cases has been made at this time.

Dawkins is currently held without bail in DC Jail. Iracks is being held at DYRS.

Both defendants are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 5.

Defendant Committed Murder Over Insults, Prosecutor Says

During a preliminary hearing Oct. 17, a prosecutor argued that a murder defendant killed his friend over a “few insults.”

Keith Toney, 41, is being charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 45-year-old Melton Grant on the 600 block of Morton Street, NW in June.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective said two witnesses said the fight happened because Grant made fun of Toney’s eyepatch which, he was known to wear at times.

The detective also said security video showed Grant punching Toney but the another witness initially said that it was Toney who punched Grant.

The prosecution said there was surveillance footage that depicted the shooting and Toney was identified by both witnesses.

Defense attorney James King argued that none of the witnesses were reliable and therefore the prosecution failed to demonstrate probable cause.

King raised the issue that one of the witnesses, who was not present when the crime was committed, relied on information from friends who were present.

Despite King’s arguments DC Superior Court Judge Juliet Mckenna ruled that the prosecution met the standard of probable cause.

Toney rejected a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter before the hearing began.

Toney is scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 4.

Judge Orders Prosecution to Turn Over Audio Recording

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that the prosecution must allow a 17-year-old murder defendant to access an audio recording of an interview between Metropolitan Police Department detectives and a key witness.

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. Anderson, who was 16 at the time of the crime, is being charged as an adult.

The prosecutor said a transcript of the interview was already provided to the defense.

However, Anderson’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said the transcript was heavily redacted and the prosecution could not transcribe parts of the conversation because they were unintelligible.

She said that without access to the full conversation she can’t determine just how weak the prosecution’s case is.

Harvey also requested a video of the interview and the witness’s identity.

She said the prosecution’s case against Anderson is built entirely on the testimony of this witness, who Harvey said she believes could be an alternate suspect.

“We need to investigate this person,” said Harvey. “We need to understand his motivation to lie and how violent he is.”

DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee denied Harvey’s request for the video and the witness’s identity but said the issue would be discussed at Anderson’s next hearing.

Anderson is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 7.

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Motions, Maintains Substantial Probability Ruling

A judge denied Oct. 17, two motions a defense attorney filed to reopen a preliminary hearing and modify his client’s detention order.

Elhadji Babacar Ndiaye is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Travis Deyvon Ruth on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE in January. According to court documents, Ruth was shot nine times with a majority of the wounds in his back.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said nothing that was mentioned in the motion to reopen the preliminary hearing could prove that his substantial probability finding was incorrect.

Judge Edelman also said that a witness identified Ndiaye as the shooter. Judge Edelman said the witness’s story was corroborated by another witness and surveillance footage.

Furthermore, Judge Edelman said there were no conditions of release that would ensure the safety of the community because Ndiaye had a prior history of not complying with supervision and also threatened people in the community.

Ndiaye is being held without bail.

Another felony status conference is scheduled on Nov. 14, which is the end of the nine-month period the prosecution has to secure an indictment.

Murder Defendant Decides to Test DNA Materials

During a status hearing Oct. 16, a murder defendant announced that he would test some evidence for DNA.

Roger Hector Hamilton, 38, is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug, and reckless driving for his alleged involvement in the death of 42-year-old Vincent Childs. The incident occurred on the 3200 block of Wheeler Road, SE on March 2, 2018.

Hamilton’s attorney, Joseph Scrofano, said he intends to test the airbags for DNA, but not any of the other items.

Scrofano also requested that DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson remove Hamilton’s GPS tracker since he has been compliant with the conditions of his release for the last 19 months.

Although Hamilton was released on personal recognizance, he is only permitted to drive to work. He is not allowed to drive to any other location.

Judge Dayson refused the request, and kept Hamilton on his current release conditions.

Hamilton is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 6, 2020.

Defense Requests Trial Date

During a felony status conference Oct. 16, a murder defendant requested a trial date.

Delonta Daniel, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Bernard Jarvis, 25, on the 2400 block of 14th Street, NE on June 28. Jarvis died on the scene.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving was appointed to represent Daniel on Sept. 30 after Daniel’s former attorney, Kristin McGough,left the case to go on maternity leave. Irving told DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson that he was updated on the case, and requested a trial date.

Daniel’s trial is set to begin on Sept. 21, 2020.

The prosecution said that the deadline to secure an indictment is on March 11, 2020. The prosecution has not conducted DNA testing.

Daniel is scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 9.

Document: Homicide on Chesapeake Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers located 32-year-old, Dilcia Rodriguez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on Oct. 16 inside a residence. Rodriguez was pronounced dead on the scene.

As a result of an investigation police found a suspect. Upon further investigation the police discovered the offense was domestic in nature. Later that day, police found 37-year-old Calvin Aughtry was discovered in a car in Prince George’s County, MD with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Judge Denies Defense’s Request for Cash Bond

After finding probable cause that a murder defendant was involved in a 2009 homicide, a DC Superior Court judge denied an attorney’s request to place his client on a cash bond.

Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Kareem Ware on the 3800 block of Halley Terrace in 2009. Evans, 33, was also acquitted of the murder of 16-year-old Breyona McMillian in February. McMillian was killed in 2016.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said that given the nature of Evans’ current charge and his criminal history, she was not confident that setting a bond would be a “good idea.”

Evans is being held for a firearm’s conviction he received in relation to McMillian’s murder. He is appealing the 8.5-year sentence, according to his defense attorney, James King.

King said he requested that Judge Dayson set a cash bond for Evans because he was already serving time for a prior charge. King said there would be no reason why Evans would not show up to his court date since he was already being incarcerated.

But, Judge Dayson said that even though it was unlikely for Evans to successfully appeal and be released on the firearm’s charge, she did not want to take a chance.

Cash bonds are no longer required to ensure pretrial release. Instead, release is decided by a judge, according to DC law. A judge can grant pretrial release if the defendant does not pose a danger to any person or the community. When deciding whether a defendant should be released, a judge also has to consider the likelihood of whether that defendant would return for future court proceedings. Even though the bonds are not required, a judge can set one to make sure that a defendant returns to court.

Evans is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 26.

A jury trial is slated to begin on June 15, 2020.

Judge Places Murder Defendant Back in Jail for Violating Release Conditions

Instead of waiting for his trial at his home, a murder defendant will now wait for it while he is being held at the DC Jail.

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.

On Oct. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck told Jeffers, 20, that he violated the terms of his release. She order that he wait for his trial, which is scheduled to begin in 2021, at DC Jail.

According to Judge Beck, Jeffers left his house multiple times late at night. He was released under home confinement.

According to Judge Beck, Jeffers was warned by DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe about the penalties of not adhering to the terms of his release.

She said, after he had broken the rule the first time, a social worker told him to stop leaving the house. However, he continued to violate the terms of his release.

Judge Beck said he was well aware of the penalties and repeatedly ignored warnings.

Jeffers defense counsel, Veronice Holt, said home confinement was overwhelming for Jeffers.

Instead, she requested Jeffers be placed in a halfway house.

She said the halfway house would be accountable if Jeffers violated his release conditions. She said the halfway house could send him to jail without intervention from the court.

Judge Beck denied her request.

“There is clear and convincing evidence the community cannot be safe and I cannot be sure he will return to court,” Judge Beck said.

All of the defendants except for Ramsuer, 26, are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov 1.

Garvin, 19, Williams, 17, Thomas, 20, Michaels, 21, Taylor, 23, and Price, 24, are scheduled to got to trial in June of 2020. Jeffers, 19, Cobbs, 17, Antonio, 26, and Isaiah, 19, are slated to begin trial in January of 2021. The defendants are being held without bail.

Ramsuer, who is released on personal recognizance, is scheduled to begin trial on Feb. 3, 2020.

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