Prosecution Fears Trial Won’t Begin On Time

During a status hearing Aug. 13, a prosecutor said she is worried that a murder trial will not begin on time because the defense has not conducted independent DNA testing, yet.

Eunise Roosevelt Milton, 63, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with an unknown metal object for allegedly killing 29-year-old Jerimi Meade. The incident occurred on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE in 2016.

The prosecutor told the judge that the turnaround for all the necessary documents would be cutting it too close to the trial date.

Defense counsel, Ieshaah Murphy, told the judge that she received the case file, which contained all the evidence, the night before the hearing.

Murphy said the defense has identified a possible labatory. However, she said there is also another lab that may possibly have a quicker turnaround time.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson, said she would schedule quick turnaround dates for evidence consent orders, evidence transfer and evidence return to help the trial begin on time.

Milton is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Sept. 3.

Murder Defendant Commends Defense Counsel

During a status hearing Aug 13, a murder defendant told a judge that he was satisfied with the independent DNA testing done by his counsel.

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.

Smith told DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson, that he was “more than satisfied” with the evidence that his counsel had tested for DNA.

Defense counsel, Anthony Matthews, told the court that the defense was still waiting for some results. He told the judge that the trial date would not be affected.

A new prosecutor has also taken over the case.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Nov. 1.

Document: Police Search for Murder Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department has identified, but not yet apprehended, a suspect in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on the 300 block of K Street, SE.

According to an MPD press release, Duron Hudson, 18, is wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for his alleged role in the shooting of 22-year-old George Hendrix on June 22.

An additional suspect was caught on video, but has not been identified.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Murder Defendant Has to Comply with Conditions of Release, Judge Says

During a status hearing Aug. 8, a judge rejected the defense’s motion to remove a condition of release.

Markel Ford, 20, is charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly killing 51-year-old Sherron Pressley on Aug. 30, 2018. Both the victim and the suspect resided in Northeast DC at the time.

Defense attorney, John Fowler, argued for less strenuous conditions of release for his client. Fowler asked the judge for drug testing to be revoked because Ford had tested negative in the past.

Fowler also said it was difficult for Ford to travel to the mandatory drug testings. Apparently, Fowler has missed multiple testings.

Judge Todd Edelman said Ford needed to comply with his conditions of release in order for lesser conditions to be considered.

Edelman also said that Ford, who was released on personal recognizance with mandatory drug testing, needs to comply with his conditions to avoid going back into the High Intensity Supervision Program or jail.

Ford is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 19.

Judge Allows Firearms Expert to Testify Under Specific Conditions

During a motions hearing Aug. 8, a judge limited a firearms expert’s testimony.

Marquette Tibbs, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing Orlando Silver, III, 37, on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE in 2016. Cinquan Cartledge, 24, is also charged with the first-degree murder while armed. DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted a motion to sever the cases.

On Aug. 8, Judge Edelman granted a partial motion for Tibbs’ defense team. His ruling will not allow the prosecution’s firearms expert to link a specific bullet to the alleged murder weapon.

Apparently, an officer told Judge Edelman that Tibbs was caught throwing a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol into the woods, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Judge Edelman said the witness would be able to link the bullet to the class of the same type of gun. Edelman also said the expert could testify on the reliability of the methods used to test bullet markings.

According to court documents, Tibbs’ defense counsel, Jessica Willis, filed a motion to exclude expert firearm testimony in December of 2018.

Neither the defense nor the prosecution argued against the ruling.

Tibbs is scheduled for a felony arraignment on Aug. 23. His trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 18.

Cartledge is scheduled for a status hearing Dec. 4, 2019. His trial is scheduled on May 4, 2020.

Murder Defendant Rejects 2nd Plea Offer

During a status hearing Aug. 7, a murder defendant rejected another plea offer that had been given by the prosecution.

James Embre, 25, is charged with felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children, and second-degree cruelty to children for his alleged role in the death of 2-year-old Aceyson Aizim Ahmad on the 3400 block of A Street, SE in April of 2018. According to court documents, Embre was involved in a romantic relationship with Ahmad’s mother.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution gave Embre a plea deal last January which he also rejected.

While the terms of the recent plea offer was not discussed in court, the January offer would have reduced his charge of felony murder to second-degree murder.

According to the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, second-degree murder carries the possibility of a sentence between 12 to 24 years in prison if the defendant has a criminal history score between zero and a half point.

Both the defense and prosecution said they would be ready for trial, which is set to begin on Sept. 4.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet J. McKenna scheduled a status hearing on Aug. 22.

Judge Denies Severance, Continues to Hold Murder Defendant

During a motions hearing Aug. 7, a judge denied the defendant’s motions for release and separation from his co-defendant.

Charles Young, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE in 2018. Young’s co-defendants Sean McKenzie, Steven Robin and Edward Brown are also charged with first-degree murder while armed. Robin is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, argued that evidence presented by the prosecution showed that Young was not a shooter and at most was only driving the car that the shooters got into after committing the murder.

However, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said the difference between Young and two of his co-defendants, who were released to a halfway house, was that there was enough evidence to suggest that Young was culpable for the crime.

On July 9, Judge Edelman said he released McKenzie and Brown because he felt as if the defendants earned the privilege through their behavior in the past 18 months.

During a preliminary hearing on the same day, the prosecution revealed that Mckenzie’s DNA was found in the car that was allegedly involved with the crime. Brown’s DNA was not found in the car.

Judge Edelman also said that in regards to the motion for severance he did not believe that court proceedings infringed on Young’s right to a speedy trial or imposed a cruel or unusual punishment.

Young is scheduled for a status hearing alongside his three other co-defendants on Nov. 15.

Numbers of Gun Recoveries Decrease from Spring to Summer, but Fatal Shootings Increase

Even though firearm recoveries have decreased by 26 percent as the city moved from the Spring to Summer, gun-related homicides increased in Washington, DC.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 333 firearms collected by a program initiated through the Metropolitan Police Department from April 1 through June 30. However, D.C. Witness data shows that 448 firearms were collected from Jan. 1 through March 31.

In the first three months of 2019, there were 28 homicides in DC, according to D.C. Witness data. During the months of April, May and June, gun-related homicides increased by 24 percent bringing in a total of 34 homicides.

Out of the 34 gun-related homicides, 20 of them occurred in the Southeast quadrant of DC.

In the same quadrant, 133 guns were recovered during the same time period. There were 10 gun-related homicides in Southeast, DC between January and March, and 197 guns recovered.

From the 34 gun-related homicides, only eight of those firearms were collected by MPD, according to their communications director. All but one of those firearms were unregistered. The one registered gun is connected with a domestic violence-related homicide.

The orange markers represent firearms recovered by MPD during April 1- June 30. The blue markers represent the locations of gun-related homicides during the same time period.

Document: Homicide on Bass Place, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred on the 5000 block of Bass Place, SE.

According to a press release, officers located 29 year-old Pierre Fenner suffering from multiple stab wounds on Aug. 5. DC Fire and Emergency Services transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are 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 should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may also be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line – 50411.

Homicides Continue to Climb in July

Homicides are getting worse compared to the last few Summer months.

There were 19 homicides in July, which is 19 percent above the 16 homicides that occurred in June and more than 100 percent above the nine homicides that occurred in May.

July’s homicide number reflects the total amount of homicides in April.

Almost all of the homicides that occurred in July resulted from gun violence, except for one trauma-related death in Ward 8 on July 29.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Michael Anthony Grant on the same day for allegedly assaulting Lucas Alonzo Thomas on the 3100 block of Randle Place, SE on July 28. Thomas, 33, died at a hospital the next day.

According to court documents, Grant, 34, told police that he hit Thomas in self defense. Grant said Thomas, who was allegedly drunk at the time, hit him first, egging on a fight.

“Throw your sh** up. Your hands,” Grant told the police Thomas said. Grant said Thomas yelled the words at him while in a fighting stance.

Apparently, Grant knocked Thomas out with one blow. However, while Thomas was still on the ground, Grant hit him again. He told the police that he didn’t think it mattered how many times he hit the victim since the victim struck him first, according to court documents.

Court documents say that Thomas suffered from multiple fractures to the jaw and multiple brain hemorrhages. A medical examiner with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia said Thomas’ injuries were caused by multiple strikes.

The event was not only recorded by Grant after Thomas fell, but also recorded by other witnesses.

According to DC Courts, Grant is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 13. He is being held without bail.

The ward with the most homicides was Ward 8 with 10 homicides. In July, Wards 2, 3, and 4 did not have any homicides.

Demetria Tymus contributed to this article.

Murder Defendant Requests Relocation for Home Confinement

During a status hearing on Aug. 5, a murder defendant, who is released on home confinement, would like to be held at a different address.

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

Whitaker said his current residence has become difficult for him to live in. He did not disclose more information in open court.

As a result, defense counsel said they would request Whitaker be confined to a different address. As of Aug. 6, a motion for a change in location had not been filed.

The defense also requested that another hearing be scheduled later in the month to give the prosecution time to respond to the motion.

Whitaker was released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) in May of 2016. He has been under home confinement ever sense.

In addition to the motion, defense attorney Mani Golzari said he was ready to test DNA material. However, Golizari, said he is waiting on the prosecution to provide the materials to the lab.

The prosecution indicated that the evidence would be sent to the defense during the week of Aug. 5.

In response to the defense’s request, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled a status hearing on Aug. 21.

Judge Appoints New Co-Counsel for Murder Defendant

During a status hearing Aug. 6, a murder defendant was appointed another lawyer to assist his primary counsel.

Cinquan Cartledge, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and several gun related charges for his alleged role in the shooting death of 37-year-old Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE on Nov. 27, 2016 . Cartledge was initially charged with second-degree murder.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman approved a motion from the defense to add co-counsel. Sara Kopecki is expected to join the case to assist Cartledge’s defense attorney, Carol A. Blume.

The defense also requested that Cartledge be released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

However, the judge denied the request on the grounds of community safety. Judge Edelman also noted that Cartledge was under GPS supervision at the time of the shooting.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Cartledge, and another defendant in the case, Marquette Tibbs, were wearing ankle monitors that placed them near the scene of Silver’s murder. Two witnesses identified Tibbs, 27, as the shooter.

Tibbs and Cartledge severed their cases, so they could testify in each other’s defense.

Cartledge is scheduled to have a status hearing on Dec. 4.

Murder Defendant Has One Day to Accept Plea Offer

During a felony status conference Aug. 5, the prosecution indicated that a murder defendant has only until Aug. 6 to accept a plea offer.

Tondrick Murphy, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 26-year-old Marquis Jones on the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Oct. 6, 2018.

The prosecution offered a plea deal that would lower Murphy’s second-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter. The offer would also drop an unrelated misdemeanor offense.

Defense counsel told DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman that more time was needed to consider the offer. A specific time allotment was not discussed. Murphy previously rejected a plea offer in February of 2019.

The prosecution also said an indictment would be secured by the end of the week.

Murphy has a felony status conference scheduled on Aug. 23.

Judge Grants Continuance for DNA Testing

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts.

During a trial readiness hearing Aug. 5, a judge granted the defense a continuance to conduct independent DNA testing.

Dewayne Shorter Jr., 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, assault with the intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Daniel Parker on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Ave. SE in 2017.

D.C. Witness previously reported that, Shorter waived his right to conduct his own DNA testing.

During the hearing defense counsel, Jon Morris, said that Shorter had reconsidered his position and would like time to conduct testing, especially on shell casings and ballistics. A majority of the prosecution’s arguments would reference those items, according to the prosecution.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck granted the continuance and set a new trial readiness hearing and trial date to allow time for the results to return.

Shorter’s new trial readiness date is set on Jan. 31. A new trial date is set on March 2.

Defense Waives Right to Test Evidence in Murder Case

During a status hearing Aug. 2, defense counsel for a murder case said independent testing on evidence would not be conducted.

Marquette Jordan, 28, was arrested April 30, 2018, for allegedly stabbing 58-year-old Ivan Lynch, a resident of Hyattsville, Md., on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. Jordan is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee that it was still waiting on DNA results from unspecified biological material.

Jordan is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 27. A trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 9.