Judge Finds Juvenile Involved in Murder of 23 Year Old

On July 17, a DC Superior Court judge found a juvenile involved in a murder earlier this year.

Judge Lynn Leibovitz found the juvenile was responsible for the charges of second-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition for the murder of 23-year-old Jamal Kwame Crump on the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue, NW on Feb. 27.

Judge Leibovitz determined that the juvenile and two friends attacked Crump.

According to the prosecution, the attack was to rob Crump of a firearm that he was carrying.

However, Judge Leibovitz could not establish that Crump was robbed beyond a reasonable doubt on the grounds that video footage does not clearly show anyone removing a gun from Crump’s person during the attack. She said she did not want to rely on the testimony of the two individuals who conspired with the juvenile since they had been unreliable in the past.

Although the defense suggested that the friend that Crump grabbed may have been the real shooter, Judge Leibovitz said she was certain the juvenile was the shooter from video footage of the attack.

She said the juvenile’s distinctive clothing set the defendant apart from the other suspects during moments when his face was not entirely clear.

During closing statements, the prosecution said there was a pause after the second shot, which was followed by six additional shots. The pause between the second and third shot, meant the juvenile decided to kill Crump.

But, Judge Leibovitz said the shots occurred in “rapid fire.” She said there was no evidence that suggested that the juvenile met Crump with a plan to murder him.

The defense requested that Judge Leibovitz consider the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter instead of first or second-degree murder. The defense lawyer said the juvenile saw a friend was under attack and acted out of passion and fear for the friend’s life.

The lawyer also said Crump had a reputation for owning two guns, and there was no way for the juvenile to know if Crump was still armed. However, a second gun was not found on Crump.

The juvenile is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 7. A disposition hearing is set to occur on Sept. 23.

Paul Mulholland wrote this story.

Document: 11-year-old Boy Killed in Fight, Police Say

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE near a BP Gas station and a shopping center on July 18.

According to a press release, officers were notified that 11-year-old Karon Brown was taken to a Prince George’s County fire station and then to the Children’s National Medical Center in the District where he was pronounced dead.

Apparently, the shooting stemmed from a fight. Police do not know what sparked the fight. Assistant Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said the juvenile got into a car that was directly shot at.

Police are searing for the gunman who is described as being a black male in his 20s to early 30s with a medium complexion, a medium build, wearing black pants, and no shirt.

Suspect wanted for 11-year-old boy’s murder.

“We’re asking for the public’s assistance,” Contee said. “I want to add my condolences to the family.”

There have been 91 homicides in 2019 in the District of Columbia, according to D.C. Witness data, as of July 19. Of those homicides, four juveniles have died.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for this homicide or any other homicide in the District of Columbia. 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 2nd Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 3800 block of 2nd Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 28-year-old Mondell Valentine, a resident of Takoma Park, Md., which is located in Montgomery County, suffering from a gunshot wound on July 17. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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
is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information
may also be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in February Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred in February.

According to a press release, officers arrested 31-year-old Brandon Randall, a resident of Churchton, Md., which is located in Anne Arundel County, on July 17.

Randall is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW on Feb. 24. Brandon was a resident of Burtonsville, Md., which is located in Montgomery County, Md.

Randall is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 16.

Witness Issues Continue to Delay Murder Trial

Before a murder trial begins, counselors told a DC Superior Court judge that they are still trying to secure witnesses.

Gary Proctor is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol outside a home or business and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in the death of his cousin, Jerome Diggs, 42. The crime occurred on the 1300 block of First Street, SW on July 27, 2015.

Judge Dayna Dayson said she expected opening statements would start July 17, but counsel is struggling to contact critical material witnesses.

Steven Kiersh, Proctor’s defense attorney, said he is waiting for a response from two witnesses. The prosecution is waiting for one more witness to respond. At this point counselors are concerned the witnesses will fail to show up to testify in the trial.

Jury selection occurred on July 17.

Opening statements for the trial are expected to begin on July 18, the courtroom’s law clerk told D.C. Witness.

The prosecutor told the judge that, despite the slow start, he thinks the case will move faster that expected.

Police Still Seek Help to ID Suspects in Homicide

Nine months after a man died from a fatal shooting, the Metropolitan Police Department is still asking for the public’s assistance in finding two suspects connected to a homicide that occurred on Oct. 16, 2018.

According to a press release, Rubelio Gomez Cervantes was shot on the 1100 block of 51st Street, NE. The 40 year old 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 case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Gang-Related Murder

A defendant pleaded guilty to murdering his friend.

Mario Alfaro pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for shooting 22-year-old Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2017. Alfaro, 24, also pleaded guilty for attempted possession of a prohibited weapon after staff from the Department of Corrections (DOC) found a seven inch metal shank in his jail cell in 2018.

According to the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant could spend up to 30 years in prison for the charges.

Alfaro was initially charged with second-degree-murder while armed, which has a maximum sentence of 27 years, according to the he District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines.

The defendant and the victim were allegedly apart of the same street gang.

Alfaro and the victim’s mother said Vilchex and Alfaro were friends. Apparently, the two young men got into an altercation behind the Lucky Corner Market, when both pulled out firearms and began to fire.

“I would like to ask for your forgiveness,” Alfaro told Vichez’s mother in Spanish, adding “He was my friend.”

“I hope that God can forgive you because I cannot,” Vilchez’s mother said in response.

According to DC Courts, Alfaro is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 1. However, his sentencing is scheduled on Aug. 30.

Victim Was Targeted for ‘Snitching,’ Witness Says

A witness said a man was targeted twice because he was allegedly cooperating with police.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggrivating circumstances for allegedly shooting Carlton Fisher on Oct. 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. McLeod is also charged with first-degree murder for shooting Devaun Drayton, 17, on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.

The witness said that, in 2004, the defendant approached her when she went to get cooking supplies from his house. According to the witness, McLeod asked her if she was still with Fisher, 23, since he snitched on him.

The witness said she called Fisher while he was incarcerated in 2004 and he denied snitching on McLeod.

Several people told the police that when Fisher died, there was a rumor was that he was killed because he was cooperating with police.

In 2006, a few months before Fisher was killed, the witness said she went to visit him in jai. She said she noticed a scratch on Fisher’s face when she visited him.

According to the witness, Fisher said he was involved in a fight after someone accused him of being a snitch because he was getting out of jail early. Fisher was released a week later.

According to court documents, McLeod told Fisher he killed Drayton over a stolen gun.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 17.

Murder Defendant’s Reason to Withdraw Plea Has No Legality, Judge Says

A DC Superior Court judge said July 17 there was no legal grounds for a murder defendant to withdraw his guilty plea.

Ricardo Boston pleaded guilty to murder on April 22. His charges include first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and multiple counts of obstruction of justice for shooting 20-year-old Dante Coleman on the 3100 block of 1st Street, SE on Dec. 29, 2017.

Boston, 24, filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on July 5. However, Judge Todd Edelman said there was no explanation of the legal parameters of his motion.

Boston said the prosecution’s proffer of facts incorrectly depicted his character. “I am not a cold blooded killer,” he said, adding that he agrees with the charges in the agreement and would like to request an Alford plea.

An Alford plea is when the defendant accepts a plea offer but professes innocence, which may happen when the defense does not have enough evidence to fully exonerate the defendant.

Judge Edelman said the Alford plea doesn’t apply to Boston’s case because the defendant agreed with the charges in the plea agreement. Judge Edelman said the matter is more of a sentencing issue.

According to Judge Edelman, Boston’s defense counsel, Dorsey Jones, can speak to the inaccuracy of the way the proffer depicts Boston’s character.

Boston’s sentencing is scheduled on Sept. 6.

A Murder Witness Risks Self Incrimination

During a murder trial on July 16, counsel expressed concern that questions from the prosecution could cause a witness to incriminate himself during his testimony.

Gary Proctor is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol outside a home or business and unlawful possession of ammunition for allegedly shooting Jerome Diggs, 42. The crime occurred on the 1300 block of First Street, SW on July 27, 2015. Proctor, 41, is the victim’s cousin.

One of the defense’s witnesses has been charged with assault in Maryland.

The witness’s attorney was present in the courtroom and informed counsel that his client decided to waive his 5th Amendment right. The lawyer requested that questions avoid language that could force the witness to tell on himself.

Apparently, the defense’s witness was at a picnic where the defendant, the Diggs and his nephew had gotten into a physical altercation.

Diggs’ sister allegedly sent text messages to the witness accusing him and Proctor of numerous felonies, including molestation and murder.

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh said the nature of the case is an “on-going family dispute.”

Counsel agreed that while the witness is important to the case, he could potentially bring up information that is not connected to the murder.

Judge Dayna Dayson said she expects a jury to be present during the next trial date.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 17.

Witness Says Two Guns Were Fired to Kill One Victim

A witness said a defendant, who is on trial for murdering two people, used different guns to kill a man who was considered to be a “snitch.”

The witness said he heard three rounds fired from one gun, and five to six rounds fired from another gun on the night of 23-year-old Fisher’s death. He said there was a short pause between the two guns being fired.

“It is no mistake that there were two firearms,” the witness said.

The gun that McLeod allegedly fired was a .357 caliber Magnum revolver, which was recovered by police a few months after Fisher was killed.

A second gun was not recovered.

The prosecution also presented multiple witnesses who spoke to Fisher’s character.

One witness said that Fisher was a “good dude,” and was respectful and polite.

Another witness said Fisher was a good father to his 10-months-old daughter.

According to the prosecution’s theory, McLeod killed Drayton over a stolen gun, told Fisher, and the killed Fisher for being a snitch. Apparently, Fisher told police that McLeod was responsible for Drayton’s death.

Prosecutions Needs to Record Key Witness’s Testimony to Preserve Case

A DC Superior Court judge ordered July 15 that a witness’s testimony be videotaped to preserve it for trial.

Taron Oliver is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the

shooting of his step-father, Nathanial Williams. Williams, 41, was found in his home on the 3100 block of 20th Street, SE on July 18, 1995.

The prosecution informed Judge Craig Iscoe that the key witness is suffering from a severe infection that resulted from bed sores. A nurse, who is treating the witness, told the prosecutor that the infection is resistant to antibiotics and that the only treatment they could offer at this time is hospice care.

Judge Iscoe said that since, “death could come rather rapidly,” the testimony should be recorded to preserve it in case the witness is unable to testify at trial.

A previous article reported that the prosecution would be unable to move forward with the case without this witness’s testimony.

Defense counsel, David Benowitz, said that the witness’s condition, “doesn’t sound like life or death,” and would like to review the medical records before allowing the recorded testimony to be shown at trial, if need be. The prosecution presented the records to the defense and Judge Iscoe on July 15.

With the ruling, Benowitz requested that the prosecution cover the cost of the defendant and his counsel to travel to Georgia in order to have the opportunity to cross-examine at the deposition recording. Benowitz said this is an unexpected expense for his client.

Judge Iscoe requested the motion be filed in writing so the defense could explain why Oliver could afford to pay for an attorney but not for travel. However, Judge Iscoe noted that he anticipates approving the motion.

According to court documents, Williams had been arrested multiple times for assaulting the defendant’s mother. Witnesses also confirmed a history of domestic violence between the couple.

Prosecution also said that both parties are still negotiating a possible plea offer.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Sept. 6.

Document: Homicide in Columbia Heights

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that appears to be domestic in nature.

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. Jones died on the scene, according to a press release.

Randall is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Defense Suggests Alternative Suspect, Requests Witness’s Identity

A murder defendant’s defense attorney requested the identity of a witness that he said he believes is the real suspect.

Demetrius Pierce, also known as Orlando Little, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 68-year-old Nazir Ahmad on Nov. 3, 2018, on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

During a status hearing on July 12, Pierce’s attorney, Jeffrey Stein, said he needed to investigate the person who a Metropolitan Police Department homicide detective questioned in connection to the murder. In order to conduct a sufficient investigation, Stein said he needed to know the person’s true identity.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman agreed and postponed the issue for two weeks.

According to court documents, surveillance footage of the Valero Gas Station Food Mart captured a suspect wearing a black North Face jacket, light blue ripped jeans, black shoes, black gloves and a baseball cap. A baseball cap with Pierce’s DNA was located at a McDonald’s approximately a block away from the crime scene.

Apparently, the witness told police that he drove the Pierce, 33, to a McDonald’s where he met another man. The witness said he dropped both men at a location on the 1900 block of Gallaudet Street, NE.

Court documents state that a cash register and a piece of paper with the gas station’s address were in a small building at the location on Gallaudet Street.

Judge Edelman scheduled a felony status conference on Aug. 22.

Police Arrest Another Suspect in 10-year-old’s Murder

In accordance with a cash bond issued for a murder defendant, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested and charged an eighth person with the death of a 10-year-old child.

On July 15, officers officially arrested and charged 26-year-old Antonio Murchison with first-degree murder while armed for shooting 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

Even though there are typically no cash bonds in Washington, DC, the prosecution requested one be set for Murchison. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna L. Beck placed July 12 a $10,000 cash bond on the defendant. The prosecutor said she only placed the bond so he would remain in DC, rather than returning to prison, where he is serving time for an unrelated felony.

Ten men and one woman have been charged in connection to the homicide. However, police have only arrested eight suspects, including Qujuan Thomas, Gregory Taylor, Quentin Michals, Darrise Jeffers, Mark Price, Marquell Cobbs and Quanisha Ramsuer. Ramsuer is charged with obstruction of justice while the other defendants are charged with murder.

One of the men that have been charged with the crime is still at large. U.S. Marshals are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Isaiah Murchison, Antonio’s brother. Isaiah is believed to be one of the gunmen who opened fire.

In July, Prince George’s County police arrested Kevin Eugene Jones and charged him with carjacking and assaulting a woman in Lanham, Md., on July 1. Jones apparently stole the vehicle, a black Infiniti, that was used in the shooting. The vehicle was found in Temple Hills, Md. Jones, 20, has not been charged for Wilson’s death.

According to a press release, during the evening hours, four masked males exited a black vehicle and began shooting. Makiyah, who had been playing in the area, was shot when she went to get ice cream. Several other adults sustained gunshot wounds. Makiyah was the only fatality.

The shooting stemmed from a street feud between the Wellington Park and Clay Terrace neighborhoods, according to the police.

The police are still investigating the case, according to a press release. A $45,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the suspects in the case. 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. Information can also be given to the FBI’s DC office at (202) 278-2000. Anyone with information about the case can also submit tips at https://tips.fbi.gov.

Search