Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

During a preliminary hearing Aug. 12, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Tyler Hurley, 21, is charged with voluntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in the death of Kunal Talwar, 38, on Dec. 23 2018, at the intersection of 19th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. According to court documents, Hurley was driving between 64 and 73 miles-per-hour in a 25 miles-per-hour zone. He drove through a red light before colliding with Talwar’s car.

Hurley was originally charged with second-degree murder.

The prosecution recommended a three-year sentence under the Youth Act.

While DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepted Hurley’s guilty plea, he is not legally required to honor the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Hurley had been offered a plea agreement on June 25. It is not apparent if the plea Hurley accepted was the same agreement offered in June.

Hurley has been released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP). He will remain on HISP until his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled on Oct. 18.

Judge Orders Mental Competency Eval for Murder Defendant

During a trial readiness hearing Aug. 12, a judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a mental competency evaluation.

Bernard Coleman III, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, burglary, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for allegedly shooting his father, Bernard Coleman Jr., 43. The shooting occurred on the 4000 block of Cole Boulevard on March 17, 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepted the DC Department of Mental Health’s recommendation that Coleman receive mental evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial.

All of Coleman’s trial dates have been vacated pending the results of his mental evaluation. His trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 19.

D.C. Witness previously reported that defense counsel requested a mental exam on July 25 due to Coleman’s disciplinary issues while in custody.

Judge Iscoe said he expects the results of the evaluation to be ready by the next hearing.

Coleman is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on Sept. 9.

Cellphone Records Help Judge Find Probable Cause

During a preliminary hearing Aug. 9, a judge found probable cause that a murder defendant killed a man from his cellphone records.

Raymond Avent, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the killing of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 23.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective told DC Superior Court Judge Kimberly Knowles that he believed Avent was connected to the murder based on cellphone records as well as photos and videos found on Avent’s phone.

The detective said surveillance video, that was not shown in court, showed three individuals getting out of a car and shooting at someone near Brentwood Road on March 23.

Another surveillance video, which was also not shown in court, showed three individuals walking into an apartment complex on Bladensburg Road in Maryland, the detective said.

The detective said the distance between the crime scene and the apartment complex is about two miles and that the individuals walked into the complex six minutes after the murder.

The detective said the photos and videos, found on Avent’s phone, were of him holding guns that matched the description of the guns that were recovered six days after the murder.

Apparently, an eye witness told police that people got out of a dark colored Cadillac and shot at the victim on the night of the murder.

According to the detective, a Cadillac Seville, which Avent was riding in, was pulled over on March 29. Avent was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm.

The detective also said the guns were thrown out of the Cadillac before the individuals were pulled over.

Defense counsel, Elizabeth Weller, said Avent’s DNA was not found on the weapons and the detective only received the arrest information through other officers, which she said she believed was hearsay.

Judge Knowles said there was probable cause that Avent killed Hawkins because of cellphone tower evidence that placed Avent near the crime scene and an apartment complex in a short timespan after the murder.

Avent’s next hearing is scheduled on Sept. 16.

Defense Argues DC Court Does Not Have Jurisdiction Over Murder Defendant’s Case

During a motions hearing Aug. 13, defense counsel argued that the District of Columbia Superior Court system may not have jurisdiction over his client’s murder case.

Terrance Barnes, a resident of Southeast DC, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 57-year-old Barry Holmes on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Defense attorney, Jeffrey D. Stein, said Barnes, 28, may have been in Maryland at the time of the shooting even though Holmes’ body was found in DC. Stein said there is a possibility that the case would be relocated to Maryland.

But, the prosecution disagreed, saying Barnes was in DC when he fired at Holmes.

Even if he wasn’t, DC has jurisdiction over him since the “consequence” of the crime was in DC, the prosecutor said.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he believed the prosecution was correct, but gave the defense until Aug. 20 to find case law supporting their interpretation.

The prosecution has until Aug. 28 to respond to any additional arguments made by the defense.

Barnes is scheduled for another motions hearing on Sept. 9.

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.