Document: Medical Examiner Rules Cause of Death as a Homicide
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal assault that occurred on Jul. 31.
According to a press release, officers found 53-year-old David Bodrick unconscious suffering from signs consistent with an assault on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NE. Bodrick was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 31.
An autopsy was performed by the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. As a result, the cause of death was ruled as complications of blunt force trauma. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
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.
9 17 19 Homicide 1300 Block of New York Avenue, Northeast (Text)
Defendant Says ‘Dark Forces’ Spoke to Him Night Dog Walker Killed
During a Sept. 16 preliminary hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department detective told a DC Superior Court judge that a murder defendant said he heard “dark forces” speaking to him the night a dog walker was attacked.
Eliyas Aregahegne, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Margery Magill, 27, on the 400 block of Irving Street, NW on Aug. 27. Magill was stabbed multiple times in the neck, back, and shoulder while walking a dog. The murder has attracted international attention in the media.
Police brought Aregahegne in for questioning the night of the incident. He told detectives that there were “dark forces” speaking to him inside his head.The detective said the defendant kept giving different answers when asked if he had seen the victim that night.
The detective said there were no witnesses who saw the incident occur, no one saw Aregahegne on Irving Street, and no one saw Aregahegne at all on the night in question. The detective also said there was no evidence that connected the defendant to the crime.
Defense counsel David Knight submitted a video taken from a home security camera as evidence. The video showed the victim walking eastbound followed by a black man in a white shirt walking towards the victim. The man is then seen running away from the scene soon after the stabbing.
According to the prosecution, while the man is running in the video, the victim can be heard screaming, “no, no, no!”
According to court documents, around midnight MPD followed a blood trail from the scene of the crime to Aregahegne’s father’s home.
Apparently, the defendant had been living with his father for two weeks prior to the murder.
Police searched the house and found an open kitchen knife package on the floor with the defendants finger prints on it, documents state. Police also found a white shirt covered in blood.
The defense said the evidence the prosecution presented was not convincing. Knight said “[Areghedne] is a black male with a white shirt. Like every black male who lives and works in Washington D.C.”
DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck ruled there was probable cause for the case to proceed forward. She said “it is a circumstantial case, but I have no problem finding probable cause.”
Judge Beck denied the defense’s request for release under the high intensity supervision program. She said she was concerned with the community’s safety due to the “brutal” nature of the crime, the history of mental illness the defendant has and the defendant’s prior violation of probation.
Aregahegne is being held without bail.
Aregahegne’s next status hearing is scheduled on Dec. 13.
Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Offer
During a Sept. 17 status hearing, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer for a lesser sentence.
Joseph Smith, 61, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of his 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, in their family home located on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9.
Joseph Smith rejected the plea offer, which included a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution said that under the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Smith would have served 7.5 to 15 years in prison.
According to the guidelines, a defendant convicted of second-degree murder while armed with a criminal history score between 0 and 0.5 could face a prison sentence between 12 years to 24 years.
The Tuesday morning hearing was originally scheduled to go over DNA results from testing the prosecution administered. However, the prosecution said 60 more days were needed to complete testing.
Smith is scheduled for trial on Oct. 5. 2020.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson suggested that counsel could schedule more hearings before the trial if needed because the date was far away.
A hearing to review the DNA results is scheduled on Nov. 18.
Judge Continues Show Cause Hearing for Case of Girl’s Death
A DC Superior Court judge and counsel agreed to continue a murder defendant’s pre-trial show cause hearing Sept. 17.
Darrise Jeffers is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53 Street, NE on July 16, 2018. effers is currently one of eleven other co-defendents on this murder case. These co-defendants include Saquan Williams, Quincy Garvin, Mark Tee Price, Isaiah Murchison, Antonio Murchison, Gregory Taylor, Quanisha Ramsuer, Marquell Cobbs, Qujuan Thomas, and Quentin Michals. Police classified the shooting as a neighborhood rivalry. Wilson was caught in the crossfire as she went to get ice cream.
Judge Ronna Lee Beck asked Veronice A. Holt, Jeffers’ defense attorney, to be ready to cross-examine the prosecution’s expert witness at the next hearing on Oct. 22
Counsel will also cross-examine a pretrial service employee about Jeffers’ whereabouts, according to coordinates given by a GPS tracking device.
Holt will also question an expert witness.
Co-defendants Garvin, Williams, Price, Thomas, Michals and Taylor are set to go to trial on Aug. 10, 2020. Jeffers, Cobbs, Antonio and Isiah are set to go to trial on Jan. 05, 2021.
A jury trial for Ramsuer, who was separated from the other defendants, is scheduled on Feb. 03, 2020.
Jeffers is currently being held without bond for failure to appear in court for a previous hearing.
Document: Homicide Turns to Police Involved Shooting, Leaving Two Dead
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal officer involved shooting that occurred on Sept. 16.
According to a press release, officers responded to the sound of gunshots on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. Upon arriving to the residence the suspect exited the house, brandishing a handgun and fired at the officers. Officers returned fire striking the suspect.
Upon arriving to the scene, DC Fire and Emergency Services found the suspect had no signs consistent with life. During the exchange of gunfire a MPD officer was shot and transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
After further investigation, officers discovered an adult male victim located inside the residence with no signs consistent with life. Based on preliminary investigation, it appears that the deceased suspect shot and killed the victim inside the residence.
The deceased suspect had been identified as 53-year-old Eric Carter. The vicitm has been identified as 55-year-old Alphonzo Carter, both of Southeast, DC.
9 17 19 MPD Officer Involved Shooting 2200 Block of Savannah Terrace, Southeast (Text)
Victim’s Sister is Lying, Defense Says
A defense counselor focused on the credibility of a victim’s mother and sister during opening statements in a murder trial on Sept. 16.
James Embre is charged with felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children and second-degree cruelty to children for his alleged role in the death of two-year-old Aceyson Aizim Ahmad on the 3400 block of A Street, SE on April 17. According to court documents, Embre, 33, was involved in a romantic relationship with Ahmad’s mother.
Defense attorney, Johnathan Zucker, said Ahmad’s sister, who is the only eyewitness to the murder, is known for not telling the truth. Zucker also said Ahmad’s sister and mother had been violent towards Ahmad in the past.
In addition, Ahmad’s sister changed her story multiple times when talking to her mother and the police, the defense lawyer said. Apparently, she first told police that Ahmad fell off the bed. Then, seconds after, she said that Embre punched Ahmad in the stomach and later said he actually punched him in the back.
“People who commit child abuse almost always were abused themselves as a child,” Zucker said, referring to Ahmad’s mother’s childhood. Zucker also said that Ahmad’s mother told police, on the night of the incident, that she “whipped their butts” with an electric cord as punishment.
Apparently, a medical examiner, who will testify later in the trial, discovered there were 20 plus prior fractures to the victim’s rib cage.
Ahmad’s godmother, who was a main caregiver for Ahmad, told the jury that she did not notice any marks on the boy when she dropped him off at school that morning.
According to paperwork from the daycare, there were two instances where Ahmad arrived with a black eye and a burn on the top of his foot.
The godmother said Ahmad’s mother told her that the burn could have been a cigarette burn that Ahmad got from one of her cigarettes. Ahmad’s mother also told the godmother that the black eye occurred from Ahmad’s sister hitting him with a truck.
Another defense attorney, Kristin McGough, asked the godmother about a statement she told police about the victim’s sister playing too rough. Even though the godmother denied accusing Ahmad’s sister of the death, she did acknowledge that she made the statement.
According to the prosecution, Embre was guilty because the sister said she saw him hit the child.
Murder Defendant Hires Private Attorney
During a felony status conference Sept. 16, a murder defendant hired a new private attorney to represent him.
Raymond Avent, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 23.
Avent’s previous attorney, Elizabeth J. Weller, withdrew from the case for reasons not stated in court.
Leonard L. Long is now representing Avent. Long is not a public defender, and was apparently retained by Avent.
Long requested a status hearing so he could familiarize himself with Avent’s case.
Avent is scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 14.
Paying Back the Court System: Fines and Fees in DC
Annie Brennan created and reported on this post.
Annie Brennan created and reported on this post.
Document: Homicide on 35th Street, NE
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 15.
According to a press release, officers found 20-year-old Lamont Munden unconscious suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the Unit block of 35th Street, NE. Munden was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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.
9 16 19 Homicide Unit Block of 35th Street, Northeast (Text)
Document: Homicide on Arkansas Avenue, NW
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 13.
According to a press release, officers found 32-year-old George Ransford inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 5000 block of Arkansas Avenue, NW. Ransford was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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.
9 14 19 Homicide 5000 Block of Arkansas Avenue, Northwest (Text)
Murder Defendant Considers Plea Deal
Defense counsel told Sept. 13 a DC Superior Court judge that she has discussed the prosecution’s plea offer with her client and they are still considering it.
Daquan Gray is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. Gray, 17, allegedly shot 15-year-old Jalyn Wheeler on the 600 Block of Alabama Avenue, SE on May 16, 2018. Gray is being charged as an adult.
Gray’s counsel, Dana Page, said the defense was not prepared to proceed with independent DNA testing at this time.
Page also waived the defendant’s presence for the proceedings. Gray is currently released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).
The prosecution agreed to leave the plea deal open. A deadline for the plea offer was not discussed in open court.
Page asked to approach the bench and had an undisclosed conversation with DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe and the prosecution. No further details about the conversation were discussed in open court.
A status hearing is scheduled on Oct. 25.
Murder Defendent Pleads Guilty to Stabbing
A murder defendent pleaded guilty Sept. 13 to stabbing a man in February.
Darius Murphy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Jason Wood ,39, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. on Feb. 19.
According to a proper of facts, Murphy got into an altercation with the victim and the victim punched Murphy.
Murphy revealed a knife after which the victim walked away. Ten minutes later, Murphy approached the victim and stabbed him multiple times and then fled the scene, according to the proffer.
The prosecution recommended a sentence of 12-22 years in prison.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he was satisfied with the plea deal and chose to accept it.
Murphy is being held without bail.
Murphy’s sentencing is scheduled on Nov. 15.
Defense Asks Judge to Reconsider Holding Murder Defendant
During a motions hearing Sept. 13, a defense attorney asked a DC Superior Court judge to reconsider holding a murder defendant in jail.
Alonzo Lewis is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 40-year-old Jaquon Helm and 35-year-old Venius Badgett on the Unit block of Galveston Street, SW in May of 2018. Lewis, 33, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Judge Danya Dayson decided to continue to hold Lewis in jail based on the nature of the murders, as well as, his past offenses. Lewis was convicted of two drug felonies in 2012 and assault with significant bodily injury in 2008.
Defense attorney, John Fowler, requested that the prosecution get all the information on the details of one of the victim’s criminal history.
According to Fowler, one of the victim’s had been involved in past criminal cases more than 20 years back. Fowler cannot get the documents of the cases because the criminal acts occurred more than two decades ago.
Judge Dayson ordered the prosecution to provide this information to Fowler before the next status hearing.
A status hearing is scheduled on Nov. 15.
Document: Second Ward 8 Homicide in Two Days
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 12.
According to a press release, officers found 48-year-old Robert William Wagoner inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 700 block of Brandywine Street, SE. Wagoner was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Officers also located a second adult victim in the same vehicle as Wagoner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He received treatment at a local hospital for life threatening injuries. An update on the second victim’s status has not been released.
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.
9 13 19 Homicide 700 Block of Brandywine Street, Southeast (Text)