During a status hearing June 21, two defendants in a murder trial pleaded guilty to murder.
Codefendants Robert Washington, 22, and Derrick Hart, 23, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and voluntary manslaughter, respectively, for their roles in the shooting of 22-year-old Maleak Coffin. The shooting occurred on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE on Dec. 23, 2017.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said he wasn’t going to rule on the plea offer, which stipulates a sentencing range between 5-8 years in prison, until sentencing. He said he is planning to hear more from counsel and family members before he makes a decision.
Judge Edelman also said that if he decides a 5-8 year sentence range is inappropriate, he would allow the defendants to reconsider whether they want to plead guilty.
Coffin’s mother told Judge Edelman that the plea agreements presented to both defendants were not severe enough. She said a video of the incident showed the defendants willfully and intentionally killed her son. “This is not justice,” she said.
According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Coffin inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the hospital three days later.
Surveillance footage shows Hart exit a gas station and proceed to shoot at Coffin and another individual. The footage also shows Washington driving a Lexus near Coffin’s stopped vehicle, where he began to fire shots at Coffin’s car.
Hart and Washington are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20.
A murder defendant’s attorney objected June 21 to terms put in place for his client’s protective order, which he said hindered his ability to adequately utilize evidence.
Elhadi Babacar Ndiaye, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Travis Deyvon Ruth. The shooting occurred on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE on Jan. 18.
Ndiaye’s attorney, Blase Kearney, said 20-25 percent of the statement made by Detective Wilson was redacted from a document provided by the prosecution. Kearney argued that it looked as though key pieces of information had been hidden.
The prosecutor said the statements were redacted because Kearney would not agree to most of the protective order. She said that if she and Kearney could come to an agreement on the protective order, she would be happy to provide him with the unredacted statements.
However, Kearney said Ndiaye already knows the witnesses’ identities, so the prosecution’s goal of protecting witnesses does not justify so many redactions. He said he would not agree to certain portions of the protective order, including not showing the statements to Ndiaye and destroying the document afterwards.
Because counsel could not agree on the protective order, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said he would compare the redacted and non-redacted copies to determine if the redacted information was actually important for the defense’s case.
The prosecutor also said she was making progress in the indictment but was still waiting for responses for a few outstanding warrants.
According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Ruth unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
Another felony status conference is scheduled on Aug. 23.
During a status hearing on June 20, a DC Superior Court Judge divided 10 co-defendants for a murder case into two groups. Each group was given their own trial date.
Quentin Michals, Qujuan Thomas, Quincy Garvin, Gregory Taylor, Mark Tee Price, Marquell Cobbs, Darrise Jeffers, Antonio Murchison, Isaiah Murchison, and Saquan Williams are all charged with first-degree murder, plus additional charges, for allegedly shooting 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting occurred on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE. According to court documents, the shooting was spurred over a neighborhood rivalry.
The prosecution suggested the ten suspects be divided into two different groups: Garvin, 19, Williams, 17, Thomas, 20, Michaels, 21, Taylor, 23, and Price, 24, were placed in one group. Jeffers, 19, Cobbs, 17, Antonio Murchison, 26, and Isaiah Murchison, 19 were placed in another group.
The first group was given the original Aug. 5 trial date and the second group was scheduled for trial on Jan. 5, 2021.
According to a press release, during the evening hours, four masked males exited a black vehicle and began shooting. Makiyah was playing in the area near Marvin Gaye Park and KIPP DC Quest Academy Public Charter School. She and several other adults were shot.
According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Makiyah unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound to the body. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Makiyah was the only fatality in the shooting.
All ten suspects are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 1.
During a status hearing/felony arraignment on June 20, a DC Superior Court judge changed a modification provision of a protective order despite objections from one of the defense attorneys.
Quentin Michals, 21, Qujuan Thomas, 20, Quincy Garvin, 19, Gregory Taylor, 23, Mark Tee Price, 24, Marquell Cobbs, 17, Darrise Jeffers, 19, Antonio Murchison, 26, Isaiah Murchison, 19, and Saquan Williams, 17, are all charged with first-degree murder, plus additional charges, for allegedly shooting 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting occurred on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.
Jeffers’ attorney, Veronice A. Holt, said she was concerned about the modification of provisions in the order but didn’t specify what the provisions said.
Despite concerns, Judge Ronna Lee Beck said she would change the modification provision to read that the order could be modified with the permission of the court. Holt is expected to file a statement by June 29 about whether she agrees to the protective order as modified.
Judge Beck also denied the motion to sever 10 of the 11 defendants charged in the murder. Quanisha Ramsuer’s case was severed from the other defendants. She has been charged with obstruction of justice in relation to the murder. Ramsuer, 26, is released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).
She is scheduled for trial scheduled on Feb. 3, 2020.
According to a press release, during the evening hours, four masked males exited a black vehicle and began shooting. Makiyah was playing in an area near Marvin Gaye Park and KIPP DC Quest Academy Public Charter School. She and several other adults were shot. The shooting is believed to have been spurred by a neighborhood rivalry.
According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Makiyah unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound to the body. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
All ten suspects are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 1.
According to court documents, two of the victims were found inside of a vehicle and the other victim was found ‘a few car lengths’ away. A police investigation indicates that the victims may have been in the area to buy guns or drugs. Police were informed by a witness from the area that Schuler and Abney may have also committed robberies together.
Apparently, Willis called Schuler multiple times months before the homicides and then on the same day of the homicides.
Due to ‘technical difficulties,’ DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson was unable to proceed with the scheduled preliminary hearing.
For the last four years D.C. Witness has tracked every homicide in DC from act to judicial resolution. We have covered over 750 lost lives and gathered over 70,000 data points, striving to bring transparency to the judicial system and shining light on the blight that affects our community. Sadly, it continues to grow.
This week Courtland Milloy of the Washington Post captured the essence of what we are trying to do in an amazing column that you can read here.
If you are reading this note hopefully you find what we do of value.
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During a motions hearing for a 2015 murder case, counsel told a judge about issues with contacting witnesses involved with the case.
Gary Proctor, 41, 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 Jerome Diggs, 42. The crime occurred on the 1300 block of First Street, SW on July 27, 2015.
Defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, said he is having problems getting in touch with a material witness. He informed DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson that there have been two subpoenas ordered for this witness as of June 20.
The prosecution also told Judge Dayson that she was having difficulties contacting witnesses.
Judge Dayson continued the hearing to June 27 when counsel is expected to discuss the witness issue further.
During a felony status conference June 20, a prosecutor notified a judge that he would need until the Sept. 24 deadline to reach an indictment.
Stephen Maye, also spelled Steven, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvment in the death of Derek Anthony Walcott in December of 2018. Walcott, 46, was found stabbed multiple times on the 5100 block of B Street, SE.
According to court documents, Walcott’s death was the result of a fight between him and Maye, 49. A witness told police that Maye had a knife while he and Walcott were fighting. According to police documents, Walcott was at Maye’s apartment to smoke PCP.
Defense counsel, Mani Golzari, requested that any evidence the prosecution has against the defendant that could help the defense’s case be turned over as soon as possible. If the prosecution fails to provide this evidence, it would be a violation of the defendant’s fifth amendment right to due process.
Golzari also said he was in favor of negotiating a protective order regarding body-worn camera footage from the crime scene. He did not provide any further explanation about the details of the protective order.
At the crime scene, a blood trail led from the apartment to where Walcott was found by police. Walcott’s body and a knife were found behind a U-Haul truck, according to police documents.
Police found Maye in the driver’s seat of the truck. He said, “they said he took some drugs … they were going to kill him,” according to police documents. It is unclear who Maye was referring to when he said “they.”
Another felony status conference is scheduled on Aug. 23. DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said if both parties could agree on the protective order and the prosecution begins to provide discovery, the hearing would be vacated.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the Park View neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC.
According to a press release, 29-year-old Juan Marcell Grant was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on June 19 on the 700 block of Princeton Place, NW. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The police are offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case 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.
During a motion hearing June 18, defense counsel raised multiple objections to the prosecution’s draft of a protective order regarding the disclosure of witness identities.
Alonzo Lewis is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 40-year-old Jaquon Helm and 35-year-old Venius Badgetton 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.
The prosecution claimed all evidence has been given to the defense and they would continue to hand over any new material. The prosecutor then spoke with DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson under seal to explain the need for a protective order.
Judge Dayson suggested removing the clause to prevent future problems.
Fowler agreed, noting that PDS has procedures and counsel to address possible issues.
Fowler said the prosecution is making unfair promises to witnesses about keeping their identities hidden. He said if the case were to go to trial, the names could be released.
The defense also said the wording of the protective order lowered the requirement of the prosecution to make all evidence available, which is required by law. Fowler said he plans to file a motion by the next hearing scheduled on Sept. 20.
But, the prosecutor argued that the defense attorney doesn’t need to discuss the evidence with other attorneys, claiming the clause would prevent future conflicts if any other attorneys are representing one of the witnesses in a different case.
Judge Dayson suggested limiting disclosure at PDS to a practice group that is cleared for conflicts. She didn’t make a determination on whether the protective order would be granted.
Since 2015, a group of aspiring young journalists has chronicled every homicide in the District on the site D.C. Witness. No killing goes unnoticed. Every victim gets a story, usually accompanied by a photo. Every arrest. Every courtroom hearing. Every verdict. That gets reported, too.
The result is a view of killings as cause for both alarm and sadness.
The stories are brief, but they provide an opportunity for people to see that their loved one existed.
“Through our work, we can see how a homicide can affect people who live throughout the city, sometimes the region,” said LaTrina Antoine, editor in chief at D.C. Witness. “People who are killed usually have lots of family and friends here.”
During the past four years, D.C. Witness has reported on 641 homicides in the city — a count that tracks closely with stats published by the D.C. police department. That’s more than the 550 people killed in mass shootings in the country, from the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 to the Virginia Beach killings in May.
Mass shootings strike terror because the public never knows when or where one might happen. But D.C. Witness reporters know from covering the trials of homicide victims that there is also terror in living in a neighborhood where killings are all too frequent, where a fatal gunshot could be precipitated by no more than a perceived slight.
“The District is actually a safe city, but not if you’re a young black man between 18 and 27,” said Amos Gelb, founder and publisher of D.C. Witness.
“I see it constantly in the courtroom,” Antoine added. “Black men saying if they weren’t going to be the perpetrator they were going to end up being the victim. And you see the tears of the family. I’ve seen so many tears, and I just keep adding more black male victims to the website.”
D.C. Witness covers every murder in the District. From left, writers Annie Brennan, Regina Woolridge, editor in chief LaTrina Antoine and writer Julia Guercio. Back row from left, writers Nick Slater, Brooke Welsh and publisher Amos Gelb. (Brooke Welsh/D.C. Witness)
Gelb started the website to provide journalism and law school students internships where they could learn how a courtroom works and write about it. He soon saw a need to provide more information about developments in homicide cases — especially for the family and friends of those involved in the tragedy. The work is also supported with grants from the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and the Charles Koch Foundation.
He first hired three students, then later increased that number to five to work with Antoine and an assistant editor as court reporters.
D.C. Witness focuses on a steadily growing mountain of human life cut short.
For instance, combing the homicide tallies for three years — from 2015 to 2017 — there were 339 black males killed in the District, compared with 11 white males, according to D.C. police. During that same period, 36 black women were victims of homicide, compared with four white women.
On average, about 30 percent of homicide cases remain unsolved, according to police statistics.
The primary agencies that handle homicide cases — the D.C. police, the U.S. attorney’s office and D.C. Superior Court — have websites that provide the basic facts about a killing — who was killed, when they were killed, trial dates. Family members need that information, but much more.
D.C. Witness combines data from all three agencies and follows each case as it makes its way through the criminal justice system. The information includes daily updates on court proceedings.
Asked what drives her, Antoine recalled how she had been affected by homicide.
In 2002, she was in an automobile accident that left her in a coma, she said. When she came out of it, she learned that her father, Richard Antoine, 54, had been shot and killed. (His killer was arrested and convicted of reckless use of a firearm.)
“I didn’t know what had happened and getting answers from my family was really difficult,” she recalled. “Part of the reason was they didn’t want to talk about it but also they hadn’t been able to get answers either. That’s what motivates me. Helping families get answers about their cases and telling the stories.”
Gelb had his motivation as well.
“My son just graduated from Wilson [High School in Northwest Washington], and he knew Breon Austin and Jamahri Sydnor,” he said.
“On the school bus, on his way to a football game, one of my son’s teammates got word that his dad had been shot at a Metro station,” Gelb said. “And I’m thinking, ‘This is my kid, this is my city; we have to do more to put an end to this.’ ”
During a felony status conference June 18, counsel in a murder case discussed a warrant for a defendant’s DNA.
Tyree Irving is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Davane Williams in January on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Irving, 22, is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon as part of a separate offense in February.
The prosecution applied for the warrant ex-parte, which defense attorney, John Fowler, objected to.
Fowler argued that collection of Irving’s DNA is an intrusion on his body. He also said he did not want the DNA sample to be entered into evidence if the case went to trial.
Fowler said the prosecution’s discussion of the warrant with the judge should not be ex-parte. It’s inappropriate to test a detained person’s DNA, he said.
Fowler also said he believes the evidence will go nowhere but gave no further explanation.
After DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson allowed the prosecution to proceed with the warrant application, Fowler said he would file a motion to quash the warrant.
Judge Dayson gave the defense until June 24 to file a motion to quash the warrant. She said the warrant could not be executed until the motion to quash was resolved.
The prosecution’s response to Fowler’s motion is due by June 25 and a motions hearing is scheduled on June 26.
The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for a suspect who is connected to a homicide on the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Police are searching for Peter Nhek Neth in connection to a homicide on June 15.
According to a press release, police are currently looking for Peter Nhek Neth. Neth, 30, is wanted on an DC Superior Court arrest warrant for allegedly shooting 37-year-old Richfield Chang in a residence on June 15. Chan was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
A woman, who was also in the residence, sustained multiple gunshot wounds as well. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Neth, or who has knowledge of this incident should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411. The police department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) obtained surveillance footage that shows a vehicle that is possibly involved in June homicide.
Darryl Johnson, 27, was shot multiple times on the 300 block of 62nd Street, NE on June 12. He died on the scene.
Police are currently looking for the vehicle described as a blue ‘newer’ ford fusion with tinted windows.
Vehicle of Interest in Darryl Johnson’s homicide.
If anyone has information about the vehicle, please call the police at 202-727-9099. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any homicide case in DC. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
A DC Superior judge rescheduled a murder defendant’s preliminary hearing to July 19.
Travis Russell is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvment in killing Michael Hooker on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 26.
Judge Craig Iscoe made the ruling after the defense requested a continuance. The reason why the defense asked for the hearing to be continued was not disclosed.
According to court documents, Hooker, 44, and Russell, 35, stayed at the same homeless shelter. Russell allegedly got into an altercation with Hooker at a bus stop near the shelter. A short time later, Russell allegedly pushed Hooker to the ground and stabbed him three times with a glass bottle. At the time of the murder, Hooker was allegedly intoxicated.
