Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to 2 Felonies

During a trial readiness hearing Aug. 23, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to murder and soliciting.

Quincy Green, who is also known as Wayne Wright, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 44-year-old Dana Hamilton on the 800 block of Southern Avenue, SE in 2016.

In addition to pleading guilty to second degree murder, Green also pleaded guilty to soliciting murder in 2019.

Apparently, Green made a jail phone call where he asked a witness to tell another witness that someone in jail told on him and to kill the informant’s wife.

A sentencing date has not been set yet.

Defense Points to Missing Evidence as Reason to File Motion to Dismiss

Defense counselors told a judge Aug. 27 that they would file a motion to dismiss a murder case because of deleted body worn camera footage.

Deon Crowell, 50, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Joni Rockingham, 53, on the 300 block of 34th Street, NE on Dec. 12, 2017.

Defense counsel, Rachel McCoy, said she along with her co-counsel, Elizabeth Weller, who was not present, would request sanctions, including a dismissal of the case, since body worn camera footage was deleted before they could see and review it.

McCoy said the prosecution emailed her on Aug 26. saying there was a “a bunch” of body worn camera footage that had been deleted and was therefore unavailable for the defense.

DC Witness previously reported that defense counsel believed the prosecution was purposefully delaying the turnover of evidence.

During an emergency hearing on Aug. 21, where the prosecution withdrew its objection to a continued trial date, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ordered both the defense and prosecution to come back to court with a list of dates of when documents were turned over.

Because of the delays, the defense filed a motion to release Crowell.

The prosecution said that timing of the document turnover should not affect whether Crowell is released or not because he is still a danger to the community.

The prosecution also said the defense did not expedite the process of turnover because they did not respond to two emails sent in April and May, respectively.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said the lack of communication between the prosecution and defense does not relieve the prosecutions of its duties. However, she said that because of how “data heavy” the case is both parties should try their hardest to make sure the turnover process “runs smoothly.”

She said the delay did not come from gross negligence, but a break down in communication.

Judge Dayson did not want to discuss the deletion of body worn cameras because it would be a matter that would be litigated when the defense filed its motion for release.

Judge Dayson also said she was not prepared to grant Crowell’s release because she believes there were no terms or conditions that would ensure the community’s safety.

Pending the filing of the motions, an evidentiary hearing is scheduled on Oct. 4.

According to court documents, Crowell and Rockingham were associates. Rockingham was reported missing in November of 2017. Apparently, several witnesses thought she was targeted because of information she had on previous homicides.

Document: Homicide on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal assault that occurred on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, police located an unidentified male unconscious on the night of Aug. 18. DC Fire and Emergency Services transported him to a local hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 20.

On Aug. 22 the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as complications from injuries from blunt force trauma and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

On Aug. 22, MPD arrested 47-year-old Edward Banks and charged him with first degree murder while armed.

DC Homicides Increase, Arrest Rates Decline

While homicides have been increasing in Washington, DC, arrests have declined.

According to D.C. Witness data, there have been 113 deaths in the District of Columbia as of Aug. 22, a 13 percent increase from the 97 homicides in 2018 during the same time period.

Arrests have been made in 42 of the homicide cases in 2019 during that timespan, a decrease by 14 percent from the 49 cases where arrests were made in 2018.

Homicide by month in 2018 (black) and 2019 (red).

Out of the 60 suspects arrested in 2019, two defendants have been dismissed, four have pleaded guilty, three are awaiting sentencing and two have been sentenced. Nineteen are pending a grand jury, 24 are pending a preliminary hearing and nine are in court proceedings.

There are 71 homicide cases that suspects have still not been arrested for in 2019.

As of Aug. 22, 22 defendants, who were arrested in 2018, are pending trial; 15 are undergoing court proceedings; two have been released; five are pending sentencing; two are pending a grand jury trial and five have pleaded guilty.

In 2018, there were six cases that had multiple arrests.

As of Aug. 22, there have been three cases with multiple arrests.

Arrests made in 2018(black) and 2019(red)

As of Aug. 22, there are 48 homicides cases from 2018 in which no one as been apprehended for the crime, according to D.C. Witness data.

Defense Asks for Grand Jury Witnesses Names

During a status hearing Aug. 23, defense counsel asked for an original version of grand jury documents with witness names.

Demonte Hewitt, 17, and Kurt Hewitt, 19, who are cousins, have been charged with second-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Tyshon Perry. The stabbing occurred on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE on May 1, 2018.

Defense counsel, James King asked that counsel provide an unredacted version of grand jury testimony so he could go over information with his client, Demonte.

King and Kurt’s counsel, Clarence Powell, also signed off on consent protective orders for Instagram accounts.

Both the defense and prosecution agreed to request independent DNA testing.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Demonte is being charges as an adult but will continued to be held at DYRS.

According to court documents, Perry had gotten into an argument with a female student from KIPP DC College Preparatory, a school in Northeast DC. The female student allegedly threatened Perry, who was later attacked by a group of men by the NOMA Gallaudet University Metro stop.

A status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22.

Defense Requests Additional Information to Build Self-Defense Case

During a mental observation hearing Aug. 23, defense counsel requested additional information about a victim’s past to build a case around self-defense.

On July 15, officers arrested 31-year-old Alisa Randall for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Ronald Jones on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW. She is charged with second-degree murder.

Defense counsel, John Fowler, requested information on Jones’ history with violence and drugs in order to build a self defense case.

In a previous hearing, Fowler said Randall stabbed Jones in self-defense after she tried to get away from him.

Apparently, Randall said Jones attacked her. She also said Jones sexually assaulted her daughter.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe asked the prosecution to provide pertinent information.

Judge Iscoe also ruled that, based on a mental evaluation, Randall was not competent to stand trial at this time.

He ordered her to stay at St.Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, for 30 days.

Randall is scheduled for a felony status conference on Sept. 18.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 11-Year-Old Murder Case

During a status hearing Aug. 23, a man pleaded guilty to murder.

Astriane Horton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Deon “Face” Coleman on the 4700 block of Brandywine Street, SW in 2008.

The plea agreement carries a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss the obstruction of justice charges.

According to the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, Horton could have faced between 30 and 60 years had he been convicted of first-degree murder while armed.

According to court documents, Horton, 37, killed Coleman over a missing gun. Horton said he kept a gun at his grandmother’s house, which was only known to Horton and a mutual friend. When the gun went missing, Horton said he believed Coleman had stolen it.

Horton said he was looking for Coleman and found him on Brandywine Street, SW, which was where Coleman lived.

On June 19, 2008, Horton went to Coleman’s house and confronted him in the street about the missing gun, the documents said. After appearing to end things on good terms, the two men exchanged more words.

Horton then reached through the driver side of the vehicle, where Coleman was sitting and punched him in the face. Horton then pulled out a gun and fired it four times.

The bullets fatally struck Coleman in the face, neck, back and forearm.

The prosecution said that while Horton was being held at DC Jail, he called two witnesses and asked them to testify in his favor. Horton was subsequently charged with two counts of obstruction of justice.

DC Superior Judge Dana Dayson accepted Horton’s guilty plea.

A sentencing is scheduled on Nov 1.

Judge Sentences Convicted Murderer to 18 Years

During a sentencing hearing Aug. 23, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a convicted murderer to 18 years in prison.

Jamal Blocker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 23-year-old Damon Dickens on the 2500 block of Bowen Road, SE on Sept. 24, 2018. Blocker was charged as an adult.

]Judge Ronna L. Beck sentenced Blocker, 17, to 18 years in prison, with five years of supervised release after hearing statements from Dickens’ aunt and mother.

Blocker was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed. He was given an offer to plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder in April.

After his prison term, Blocker is required to serve five years on supervised release.

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges

During a felony arraignment Aug. 23, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges listed in his indictment.

Marquette Tibbs is charged with first-degree-murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the death of Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Rd., SE in 2016.

During the hearing, defense counsel, Maro Robbins, informed the court that he intended to file a motion to dismiss the indictment due to the prosecution withholding evidence about the case.

A status hearing was scheduled on Oct. 11 to settle the motion.

On March 19, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman separated Tibbs case from 25-year-old Cinquan Cartledge‘s case. Both are charged with the murder.

According to Cartledge’s defense attorney, Carol Blume, Cartledge wanted to separate his trial from Tibbs, 26, so he could be a witness in Tibbs’ trial. Blume said Cartledge wanted to prove his friend’s innocence.

If Tibbs, wanted to do the same, Judge Edelman said he would have to give up his right against self-incrimination in order to testify for Cartledge.

Tibbs said he would testify for Cartledge even if he was found guilty during his trial. Judge Edelman said he would schedule Tibbs’ trial before Cartledge’s, which would allow Tibbs to reserve his right to testify in his own trial.

According to court documents, Tibbs and Cartledge were wearing GPS ankle monitors that placed them near the scene of Silver’s murder. Two witnesses identified Tibbs as the shooter shortly after witnessing the incident.

A police officer said he saw Tibbs throw a loaded pistol, which the prosecution said was the same gun used in Silver’s murder.

Tibbs trial is scheduled on Nov. 18.

Homeless Man Tells Police Devil Told Him to Kill

An arrest has been made in a homicide that occurred on the Frederick Douglass Bridge Aug. 22. The suspect was identified as a homeless man.

Lance Ammons, 42, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 62 year-old Robert Bolich earlier the same day.

According to the court documents, Ammons told detectives he heard the devil’s voice urging him to stab the bridge inspector. Ammons told police that he tried to ignore the voice. However, he repeatedly stabbed Bolich four times.

Bolich, a resident of Alexandria, Va., worked for HNTB Corp, an infrastructure design firm, as a senior environmental specialist and project manager. He was working on a major renovation of the bridge that carries South Capitol Street across the Potomac when Ammons approached him with a knife, The Washington Post reported.

Bolich tried running away after being stabbed, but collapsed a short distance away. When police arrived, Bolich was unconscious but still breathing.

According to police reports, Bolich was rushed to George Washington University Hospital. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner stated that the decedent suffered from four stab wounds, including two to the left chest, which struck the lung and heart, one in the left thigh and one to the right upper leg.

When police officers arrived at the crime scene, Ammons was across the bridge watching the nearby bikers try to save Bolich’s life. Ammons told police he regained control of his thoughts after the stabbing, according to police reports.

Evidence recovered from the scene includes a vest with blood stains, a notebook with blood stains and a bloody sketch book. Blood was located on a red Milwaukee Fastback knife with a silver blade which was located on the concrete barrier at the foot of the bridge closest to the street, according to police reports.

One witness, who was approximately 300 yards away from the crime, described the defendant as a black male with a bright blue shirt. The witness said the man was beating someone on the bridge, according to police reports. The witness could not see a weapon.

Another witness administered CPR until medics were on the scene. The witness identified the man across the bridge as the defendant. The witness said the defendant hit the victim in a stabbing manner. However, the witness did not see the defendant with a knife or book bag.

According to police reports, Ammons told police that after graduating high school, he completed one year of college and was briefly enrolled in the Army before moving to the District of Columbia. Ammons told police that he lives in a forest near the bridge and that he came to D.C. to prepare for the end of the world.

Ammons received a 90-day suspended sentence in 2007 for assaulting a police officer, according to NBC Washington.

NBC Washington also reported that, in 2011, Ammons was accused of assaulting a police officer and threatening bodily harm, but the charges were dismissed.

Court documents show that Ammons was arrested by U.S. Park Police in 2016 for “threatening to kidnap or cause bodily harm” to someone in front of the Organization of American States Building. There is no information available whether he was prosecuted for this crime or not.

Ammons is being held without bail until his next court hearing on Sept. 4.

Document: Homicide on 18th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 3400 block of 18^th Street, SE.

According to a press release, police located 28 year-old Ronald Brown suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the night of Aug. 22. He died 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 Washington, 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.

Document: Homicide on Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

According to a press release, officers located 62-year-old, Robert Bolich suffering from multiple stab wounds on Aug. 22. DC Fire and Emergency Services transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Later that day, police arrested 42-year-old Lance Ammons and charged him with first degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide on K Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 100 block of K Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers located 48-year-old Berner Johnson suffering from signs consistent with an assault on May. 15. DC Fire and Emergency Services transported the victim to a local hospital. Berner succumbed to his injuries on May 19.

The DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as complications of blunt force injuries to the head with alcohol intoxication and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

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.

Defense Attorney Asks to Withdraw from Murder Defendant’s Case

During a felony arraignment on Aug. 21, a defense attorney asked to withdraw from a case due to differences about how the case should be argued.

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

Defense Counsel, Kevin McCants, said his client wanted him to argue that he killed Jones in self-defense, but McCants thought this was a poor strategy since Murphy was apparently on video shooting at Jones many times.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman asked Murphy if he wanted a new lawyer, and Murphy said “yes”.

Judge Edelman agreed to appoint Murphy new counsel, and set a date for an ascertainment of counsel.

McCants also said Murphy rejected two plea offer in February and August.

Murphy has an ascertainment of counsel hearing scheduled on Sept. 6.

Defense Requests Judge Preclude Child’s Testimony

During a status hearing Aug. 22, defense counsel requested that a testimony of a child witness be precluded from upcoming proceedings.

James Embre, 26, 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.

Defense counsel, Jonathan Zucker, argued that the witness, Ahmad’s sister, should be precluded from upcoming proceedings. Ahmad’s sister is the only eyewitness to the events leading up to Ahmad’s death besides Embre.

Defense counsel argued that her testimony is unreliable since she consistently changed her story. In a motion filed on Sept. 15, the defense said the distinction between the truth and a lie needs to be explained to the child because she did not understand the difference.

The defense also argues that her memory of events may have been distorted by suggestions made to her by prosecution staff. According to the defense’s motion, children are vulnerable to leading questions and suggestion.

The witness’s age was not specified in court documents.

The prosecution has not yet filed a response to the motion.

Embre is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 28. He is set to begin trial on Sept. 4.

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