Document: Homicide on Penn Avenue, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 37 year-old Richfield Chang inside a residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on June 15. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Officers also located a female victim who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was treated at a local hospital for life-threatening injuries.

Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in DC. Anyone with information should contact the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Dept. of Correction’s Counsel Delays Murder Case

During a status hearing June 14, counsel for the Department of Corrections (DOC) was unable to provide answers to a majority of questions asked by a judge, causing more setbacks in the progression of a murder case.

Timothy Gibson, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Carl Day-Baker on the 1500 block of T Street, SE on Sept. 1, 2018. Gibson is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and first-degree burglary.

The main issue discussed during the status hearing was whether Gibson would be eligible for a halfway housing program. According to counsel for the DOC, Gibson did not meet the department’s criteria to be eligible for a halfway house.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson asked whether this failure to meet the criteria was due to Gibson’s current charges or his previous assault charges. The DOC counselors said they were not sure but guessed it was due to both.

The prosecution said Gibson has a history of assaultive behavior and that the DOC would need to grant a waiver to place Gibson in a halfway house. However, given Gibson’s charge of first-degree murder, in combination with his criminal history, the prosecution said it would be reasonable for the DOC to deny the waiver.

The prosecution also said that DOC’s policy made Gibson ineligible for the halfway house program. According to the policy, Gibson must be employed full-time, part-time, or enrolled in an educational program. Gibson does not fit into any of those categories.

Gibson’s defense attorney, Eugene Ohm, asked the counselors what they considered to qualify as “past assaultive behavior.” Counsel said they did not know, and told Judge Dayson that they were not there on a factual basis, which was why they could not provide answers to many of the questions.

Judge Dayson expressed frustration with the DOC for not having prepared the answers. She also asked for a clear interpretation of DOC’s policy on halfway housing, but the counsel could not provide an explanation of the policy.

Ohm also expressed his frustrations with DOC counsel, saying their failure to answer the important questions was causing unnecessary delays in the case that were unfair to Gibson. He asked Judge Dayson to hold them in contempt and fine them $10,000/day.

“We’ve been having this same hearing over and over again,” Ohm said. Gibson was apparently supposed to be on a work release eight months ago, but he has been detained while the DOC figures out the answers to the court’s questions.

Ohm said he wanted Gibson to have a fair opportunity to look for a job while he waited for the outcome of the case.

However, Judge Dayson said she was willing to reconsider the halfway house release order since new evidence, which was not specified, could suggest Gibson might be a danger to the community.

On Sept. 20, 2018, Judge Dayson ordered Gibson to be held at a halfway house. However, because of policy, the DOC changed the halfway house order to a work release.

DOC counsel is expected to answer several questions about the agency’s halfway house policy and work release stipulations at a status hearing on June 21.

Gibson is scheduled for trial on Sept. 9.

Murder Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Evidence

During a status hearing June 14, a murder defendant waived his right to independently test DNA evidence.

Larry Brown is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 33-year-old Derrick Wright to death. The stabbing occurred on the 1300 Block of Florida Avenue, NE, on March 24, 2018.

The prosecution listed the items that are subject to DNA testing, including the victim’s DNA blood card, the victim’s fingernail clippings, a key fob with suspected blood, three shirts with suspected blood on them, and two swabs of the interior passenger’s side of a car.

The prosecutor said he has only tested the card and fingernail clippings. He said the DNA profile on the items matched Wright’s profile. Brown’s DNA was not found on the items that were tested.

Brown, 32, stated that he did not want to test the evidence for DNA, and DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson accepted his choice.

According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Wright on the sidewalk, suffering from a puncture wound to the chest.

Apparently, a surveillance camera captured footage of two individuals engaging in an altercation near the scene of the crime. Police received an anonymous tip that Brown was the shooter.

A status hearing is scheduled on Sept. 6.

Document: Homicide on West Virginia Avenue, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1600 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, officers found 43 year-old Damon Bell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds around 1:18 am. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, 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.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty After Mistrial

Almost a year after a 2018 mistrial, a DC Superior Court judge accepted a murder defendant’s guilty plea.

Paul Swann was charged with first-degree murder for his role in the death of 21-year old Adam Barker. Swann, 27, was also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction.

During a motions hearing June 14, the defense announced that Swann would be pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed, dismissing all other charges, in addition to the charges in four unrelated cases.

Judge Ronna L. Beck granted the defense’s request for sentencing to be decided during the hearing, waiving the protocol of a pre-sentence investigation. Defense attorney, Mani Golzari, explained the unusual request by saying that the defendant “is ready to accept responsibility.”

Based on the facts offered by the prosecution, Swann admitted to arguing with Barker on Feb. 29, 2016, and shooting him in the back. As a result of the plea, Swann would receive 12 years in prison with 5 years of supervised release, rather than 40 years, which was the maximum penalty under the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines.

Barker’s father gave a victim impact statement, pleading for Judge Beck to not sentence Swann to “serve less time than my son was on this earth.” He continues to say “I pray that we take this to trial.”

Despite the request, Judge Beck sentenced the defendant by the terms of the plea agreement, including a requirement that he register as a gun offender for seven years after release from prison.

Juvenile Wasn’t Worried About Murder Charge, Witness Says

A cooperating witness for the prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz that a juvenile defendant wasn’t worried about being charged with homicide because the defendant would be released at 21.

The juvenile is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Jamal Kwame Crump during the afternoon hours on the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue, NW in February. The juvenile is currently being held at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

“Don’t worry about it. It’s going to be alright,” the witness, who was testifying as part of a plea deal to attempted robbery in connection to the homicide, said the defendant told him. “I’ll just go down to the C (Youth Corrective Services) and get out when I’m 21,” the witness said the juvenile told him.

Apparently, the defendant, witness and another individual planned to rob Crump for a silver Smith & Wesson .40 caliber automatic hand gun. Court documents state that Crump was a known drug dealer who possessed two guns.

According to the witness, the juvenile orchestrated the plan to rob Crump for his gun, saying “If he grab one of y’all, I’ll shoot him.”

Apparently, the group met up with Crump, walked to a grassy piece of land near a dumpster, engaged in small talk while one of the three placed Crump in a chokehold from behind.

The witness said he and the juvenile defendant began searching for Crump’s gun. Once the gun was found, the juvenile and the individual who choked Crump ran away. The witness said he ran, but saw a phone he believed to belong to one of the members of the group and went back to retrieve it.

While picking up the phone, the witness said Crump grabbed him.

According to the witness, the other two members of the group saw the altercation and ran back to the scene. Even though Crump let the witness go, saying “It’s cool bruh,” the juvenile shot him multiple times, the witness said.

An expert from the Department of Forensic Sciences said eight casings, belonging to the same gun, were found on the scene.

In an attempt to impeach the cooperating witness, the defense showed the judge a video recording of the witness while he was talking to his mother about the case. During the recording, the witness is heard saying, “I lie anyways.”

During the homicide investigation, two officers identified the juvenile in a photo released to authorities. Apparently, the officers had numerous interactions with the juvenile.

Even though defense counsel objected to the credibility of both officers’ identifications, Judge Leibovitz accepted them.

There were also two eyewitnesses to the homicide. However neither witness was able to clearly identify the shooter or the individuals in the group that allegedly attacked Crump.

The case’s lead detective said that when the juvenile was arrested, the defendant was in possession of a 9mm gun and two phones, one of which belonged to Crump.

Counsel rested their cases on June 12. Closing statements are scheduled on July 16.

Judge Sentences Man to 30+ Years in Prison

In light of a guilty verdict, a convicted murderer was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for murder.

On June 7, Sean Green was sentenced to 38.5 years in prison for first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for shooting Derrick Black on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2015. Black, 24, fell in the street after being shot and was subsequently run over by a car Green was operating. The incident was captured by a security camera.

Green was also sentenced to ten years for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and a year and a half for unlawful possession of a firearm. The gun possession convictions will run concurrent to the the murder and assault convictions.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff acknowledged several hardships Green, 28, went through, including losing his mother, sexual abuse, a head injury and drug use at an early age. However, the judge said that there was nothing to justify taking another man’s life.

“I can’t accept the notion that when (Green) was 24 or younger he didn’t understand the consequences of his actions,” Judge Bartnoff said. “He intended to to do what he did.”

Judge Bartnoff said Green was lucky he didn’t kill anyone else, emphasizing that he could have chosen another way. Apparently, Green shot Black several times after he fell to the ground and also shot into a local restaurant called the Mothership.

After a three year wait, Black’s sister told the judge that her “brother will get the justice that he deserves.” She said the crime, was “gruesome” because Green chased Black on Georgia Avenue and shot him three times in the back. After being shot, Black fell to the ground and was shot two more times.

The sentence given, which was suggested by the prosecution, was at the lower end of the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines for the crime.

According to the defense, Green will be a different man after his prison term, saying he is taking GED, finance, and math classes among others. The lawyer said vocational training at a prison facility will help Green put his life back on track.

“It seems to me the government has not only been very reasonable, but also taken into account [the] factors the defense mentioned,” Judge Bartnoff said.

Green will also be required to pay $500 to the Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, which will be taken from his prison pay. He must also serve five years on supervised release after his prison term and register as a gun offender.

Judge Orders Murder Defendant Held Without Bail

In a case where three men were shot to death, a suspect has been identified and was ordered held without bail on June 12.

Rakeem Willis is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Sean Shuler, 26, Javon Abney, 26, and Tyrik Hagood, 24. The shooting occurred on Jan. 26 on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE.

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond appointed Howard McEachern ordered that Willis, 28, be held without bail. He also appointed the defendant defense counsel.

According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found all three victims suffered from multiple gunshot wounds. Two of the victims were found inside of a vehicle. All three victims were pronounced dead on the scene. Willis was arrested as a suspect in the murder on June 11.

The case remains under investigation.

Willis is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on June 20.

D.C. Witness reported that Schuler was supposed to testify in a murder trial for Saeve Evans. Evans, 33, was found not guilty of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in February in connection to 16-year-old Breyona McMillian. He was sentenced to 4.6 years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect they believe is connected to a fatal shooting that occurred on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to a press release, 21-year-old George Malik Anderson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 24-year-old Devon Butler on June 13. Officers found Butler suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Arrest Made in Fort Davis, SE Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on January 26 on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE.

According to a press release, 28 year-old Rakeem Willis is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 26 year-old Sean Shuler, a resident of Capitol Heights, Md.;26 year-old Javon Abney, a resident of Southeast, DC; and 24 year-old Tyrik Hagood, a resident of Northeast, DC.

All three victims died on the scene.

The case is still under investigation.

Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, 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.

Document: Homicide on 62nd Street, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 300 block of 62^nd Street, NE on June 12.

According a press release, officers found 27 year-old Darryl Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.

The police are offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and convection in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, 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.

Defendant Rejects Plea Offer in 2018 Murder Case

During a felony status conference June 12, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer.

Antonio Booze is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of Eugene Johnson on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW on Nov. 11 2018.

The offer entailed the defendant entering a guilty plea to second-degree murder while armed. The prosecution agreed to request Booze’s sentence to be no longer than 18 years in prison.

According to the District of Columbia’s Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, Booze could receive a sentenced between 14 and 24 years.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna also asked if there was an update on a grand jury indictment. The prosecution replied that it was unsure if it would be able to meet the Sept. 30 indictment deadline because of a recent personnel change at the United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.

The prosecutor also told the judge that she has been assigned to a new division in the office and will no longer be working on the case.

Booze’s defense attorney, Judith Pipe, objected to further delay on the indictment and requested that the prosecution actively work toward an indictment until new counsel is assigned.

“There will be no extension because of a personnel change,” Judge McKenna said.

The next court date is scheduled on Sept. 27 to discuss the status of the indictment.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Fatal Stabbing

During a hearing on June 12, DC Superior Court Judge Ronna L. Beck accepted a defendant’s guilty plea for a 2017 homicide.

Gregory Williams pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for stabbing 46-year-old Andrew Alphonso Cook, III on the 1700 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

Under the agreement, Williams could face an 11-year prison term. Agreements offer is less than offense’s sentencing maximum of 30 years, according to the District of Columbia’s Mandatory Sentencing Guidelines.

According to the plea deal, all other charges, including robbery while armed and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed would be dropped.

Williams is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 23.

Judge Sentences Convicted Murder to 15 Years in Prison

On June 7, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder while armed, in addition to four other charges.

Allen Culver, 30, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed as well as to four other charges for shooting 31-year-old Robert Plight. The shooting took place on June 1, 2013, on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Plight had five children, according to WJLA.

Judge Todd Edelman suspended all but eight years on the 15-year sentence. He also sentenced Culver to five years for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, half a year for simple assault, eight years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two years for carrying a pistol outside the home or business.

Judge Edelman said he would give Culver credit for the time he has already served.

“There’s nothing that I can do here that rights this wrong … criminal sentencing isn’t meant to right wrongs; the purposes are punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.” Judge Edelman said.

Judge Edelman acknowledged the difficult circumstances in which Culver had grown up. He said “Culver was born and raised by his mom in Berry Farms which is a very difficult and violent neighborhood.” Judge Edelman also said that Culver’s mother had had significant substance abuse issues and Culver dropped out of high school after the 10th grade.

Edelman also mentioned that, although Culver has had some substance use issues, he does not have a violent criminal history.

Judge Edelman said there was “no evidence presented of Plight’s weapon, [and] Culver was outnumbered in a heated exchange.” Judge Edelman said Culver didn’t have to be there and it was clear that he killed Plight.

Judge Edelman acknowledged that there might have been an element of self defense, but said it was not enough to warrant Culver’s actions.

Larry Caldwell used to mentor Culver through a prison program.

Caldwell, who has known Culver since he was 17 years old, said the defendant’s mother was violently murdered which “changed him a little.” Caldwell described how Culver had gotten into trouble with nonviolent crimes, such as drug use and minor robbery. But, despite those issues, Caldwell praised Culver’s character and said “he is a changed man” who is “worth redeeming.”

Culver’s defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, said that, prior to the shooting, Culver had never been accused of a crime of violence. Additionally, in the six years that have passed since the incident, the defense said that Culver had not been in any additional trouble.

Zucker said that Culver expressed remorse and sympathy for Plight’s family and said he deeply regretted what he had done.

Zucker said Culver shot Plight because he was “scared and fearful.” He said there is a tape of the incident that shows Plight approaching Culver, taking a drink from his hand, and “getting in his face.”

Culver also spoke on his own behalf in front of the court to deliver his side of the story. He said Plight had accused him of trying to rob his brother and cornered him. “To me at that moment, it didn’t seem like a fire drill,” Culver said.

Culver said he didn’t intend to kill Plight; he just wanted to stop him because he was afraid Plight was going to shoot him. Culver said he was sorry for the consequences of his actions and said he just wanted to give his side of the story.

After Culver finished, one of Plight’s family members shouted “exterminate the rat.”

The prosecution said that even though Culver has shown remorse and change since his initial incarceration, it “does not take away from his actions” and the painful impact Plight’s death has had on his family.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Edelman also ordered Culver to pay $500 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund and register as a firearms offender after his release.

Judge Finds Probable Cause Defendant Committed Murder

During a preliminary hearing June 11, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a defendant killed a man she lived with in March.

Barbara Sanders, 53, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a knife for her alleged involvement in the stabbing of 59-year-old Thurman Knight at their residence on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE in March. The two were involved in a romantic relationship, according to court documents.

Judge Craig Iscoe said the evidence provided suggests that the defendant was more than just present during the murder, agreeing with the prosecution’s arguments that Sanders told multiple parties contradicting stories. Court documents state that the defendant told conflicting stories to not only the police but also witnesses involved in the investigation.

According to the prosecution, a blood trail at the crime scene, “connects the defendant to the case.” The prosecution said the blood trail proves that “something” happened inside the apartment.

However, Judge Iscoe said the evidence didn’t suggest that an altercation took place inside the apartment before the murder.

Sanders’ defense counsel said her conflicting stories were the result of a traumatic experience. This would “naturally lead to differing stories,” counsel said. Apparently, there was a history of domestic abuse within the relationship.

Defense counsel also said the blood trail did not prove that the murder happened inside the residence on Montana Avenue because the direction could not be determined.

Court documents state that police found a knife near Knight’s body. The knife contained both Sanders and Knight’s DNA. There was no other DNA found on the weapon.

In addition to finding probable cause, Judge Iscoe also continued a ruling on Sanders release to give the defense more time to provide specifications about a residence and its occupants where Sanders would stay. Sanders is currently being held at DC Jail without bail.

A felony status conference is scheduled on June 18.

Julia Guercio and Brooke Welsh contributed to this article

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