Judge Sets New Trial Date for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge granted the defense’s motion and pushed back the trial date for a defendant accused of fatally beating and shooting a man in Northeast DC.

Tavon Davis is charged with first-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice, among other charges, for his alleged role in the death of 29-year-old Michael Vest on the 1300 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE in 2017.

Davis, 24, is now scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 3, 2020. His trial was originally scheduled to begin on May 15.

Defense attorney, Matthew Davies, notified the court April 19 that he and the prosecution resolved issues regarding items he planned to test for DNA. However, he said the testing would create a delay and therefore he would need additional time to be prepared to go to trial.

According to DC Courts, Davies filed a motion to push back the trial date on April 16.

Davies also said he was not sure if Davis would accept a plea offer from the prosecution. According to DC Courts, a plea agreement has not been filed as of April 22.

According to court documents, Vest was found unconscious by police with multiple wounds on his head and face. Apparently, Vest’s body was propped in a chair on a front porch with pieces of wood in his hair, which police believe is evidence the victim was struck with a bat.

Documents state that police found a piece of paper with “Tavon Clayton-Davis” written on it near the crime scene. A witness also told police that Davis confessed to beating Vest with a stick and shooting him five times.

Davis is scheduled for a status hearing on May 13.

Judge Delays Juvenile’s Murder Trial by 2 Months

Amid undisclosed case developments and a motion to continue, a DC Superior Court judge pushed back a juvenile’s murder trial.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department press release, a juvenile is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged role in the death of 23-year-old Jamal Kwame Crump on the 1300 block of Monroe Street, NW on Feb. 27.

Judge Lynn Leibovitz pushed back the date after a prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney General submitted a motion to delay. The juvenile is now scheduled to go to trial on June 10, exactly seven weeks after it was originally scheduled to begin. D.C. Witness previously reported that the juvenile was slated to go to trial on April 22.

“I don’t believe it’s reasonable for either side to be ready to go forward,” Judge Leibovitz said.

The push goes against the regulation specified in Title 16, Chapter 23 of the DC Code. According to the policy, juveniles charged with murder should begin trial no later than 45 days after they are detained by family court.

While acknowledging the law as is, Judge Leibovitz said it’s “extremely difficult” to go to trial on a 45-day clock, especially given the case’s nondisclosures, which include the prosecution’s failure to inform the defense that detectives said an adult suspect said the victim allegedly had a gun.

The prosecutor said he learned about the suspect’s statement on April 19, nearly two weeks after it was given.

Apparently, the prosecutor also failed to tell the defense that Crump’s mother said he was known to carry a gun.

An Assistant United States Attorney, who is working on the the suspect’s case, said he may have mistakenly given detectives the impression that they weren’t supposed to notify the Office of the Attorney General about the statement. As of April 23, the suspect has not been arrested for the crime and D.C. Witness couldn’t verify that a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

The juvenile is slated to appear in court on June 5 for a status hearing.

‘Warm Sandwich’ Supports Defendant’s Innocence, Defense Says

During closing arguments April 22, the defense in a murder trial said a warm sandwich found under a victim’s body, corroborates their theory that someone else is responsible for the death of a 17 year old.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the deaths of Devaun Drayton and Carlton Fisher in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

McLeod’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, said the defense’s theory rests on a previous witness who testified that he shot Drayton over a stolen gun. The witness told the jury he got food at a golf course with Drayton before the shooting.

The defense said the warm sandwich found at the crime scene was from the golf course.

“[The witness] testified that he shot Devaun Drayton. What you have is a person whose motive is aligned with the crime,” Madden told the jury.

The defense also sought to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses, saying their stories didn’t make sense. Madden said multiple witnesses only testified in order to get a lighter sentence. He said there was no DNA evidence linking McLeod to either murder.

Furthermore, Madden said that if McLeod didn’t kill Drayton, then the theory that he killed Fisher, 23, for “snitching” doesn’t make sense.

Madden said that Fisher, who was a drug dealer, had a reputation as an informant and that any number of people could have a motive to kill him. He said the neighborhood was “plagued” with violence and had a hostile attitude towards informants.

The prosecution, however, said a warm sandwich is not enough to prove that the defense’s witness was being truthful when he took responsibility for Drayton’s death.

According to the prosecution’s theory, McLeod shot Drayton in the back of the head over a stolen gun. They said McLeod then shot Fisher seven times in front of his apartment building for “snitching” to police about Drayton’s murder.

“You hear from Fisher in the form of an interview he gave to police,” the prosecution said. “ This was about a gun, but it was also another opportunity because the defendant didn’t like [Drayton].”

The prosecution’s key witness previously testified that he saw McLeod holding a gun moments after Drayton was shot. Apparently, McLeod also told the witness he “put [Fisher’s] brains all over his mailbox.”

“The defendant thought by shooting Fisher that he would be able to silence him, like he silenced Drayton,” the prosecution said. “This case is not only about one life lost. It’s about two.”

The jury began deliberating on April 22.

Case Acquitted: Prosecution Files Motion for DNA Testing

This case has been acquitted.

A prosecutor filed April 19 a motion that would require a murder defendant to submit to DNA testing.

Cedric Alexander, also known as Tony White, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE in 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck said the defense must file a motion by April 25 if they plan to object to the testing.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said if Judge Beck allows for the testing to be performed, then she would request that a member of the defense team be present during the testing.

Prosecutors also said they were “making progress” towards an indictment, which they said would be secured before May 28, the indictment deadline.

D.C. Witness previously reported that prosecutors said a “new development” caused a delay in securing an indictment by a grand jury. The prosecution did not disclose what the “development” was.

Alexander is scheduled for a status hearing on May 23.

Document: Arrest Made for April Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect for a fatal stabbing on the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, 58-year-old David Allen Hackney, a resident of Capital Heights, Md., is charged with first-degree murder while armed for stabbing 46 year-old Chester Belfield, a resident of Temple Hills, Md. on April 13.

Hackney is scheduled to appear in court on the afternoon of April 23.

Follow D.C. Witness for updates on the case.

Convicted Murderer Gets 30 Years for Double Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to 30 years in prison for “executing” two men in Northeast DC.

In August of 2018, Matthew Moore, Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed for his role in the deaths of 22-year-old Ronnell Tye Reaves and 23-year-old Kevin Kennedy on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE in July of 2018.

According to DC Courts, Moore, 34, tried to rescind his guilty plea in January but the court denied his request. Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge Danya Dayson said Moore had the right to appeal her ruling on withdrawing his guilty plea.

“This coward took someone so dear to my family,” Reaves’ sister told the judge.

Amid tears, various members of Reave’s family spoke about his dreams and the happiness he brought to their lives. Apparently, Reaves is the youngest of eight children.

“You left a hole in my heart that even time will not fill,” Reaves’ mother wrote in an impact statement that was read by one of his sisters.

Reaves family said he was a recording artist who was hoping to make it big. According to Kennedy’s mother, Reaves and Kennedy were best friends and had the same passion for music.

The mother said Kennedy lived for 18 months on a ventilator and feeding tube before succumbing to his injuries. She said Reaves was like a son to her and losing both of them pains her deeply.

She said Kennedy didn’t have his father in his life and because of that, he was trying to be the best father possible to his own son. She said Kennedy was his son’s “Superman.”

Both families requested Moore be given the maximum sentence, 36 years. Both families also said Moore has shown no remorse for his actions.

The prosecution also requested the maximum sentence, noting that Moore had been arrested 21 times over the course of 17 years, citing a robbery conviction when he was 16 years old.

“I am deeply remorseful and I’m very sorry,” Moore said, addressing both families.

Moore said Reaves and Kennedy were drug dealers and that’s how the men met. He also said he worked with them in the music studio.

Moore’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, said his client believed his life was being threatened and that the victims were armed.

According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, Moore was driving with the victims and parked on 14th Place NE. Moore and Reaves got out of the car and walked to a nearby alleyway and Kennedy stayed in the car. Reaves returned to the car and got into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later Moore opened the passenger door, leaned in and fired four shots — two at Reaves and two at Kennedy.

Following his release from prison, Moore is expected to serve five years on supervised release. He will also be required to register as a gun offender.

Absent Counsel Delays Murder Case

On April 19, a murder defendant’s hearing was rescheduled to June because counsel for both the defense and prosecution was not present in court.

Stephen Maye is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 46-year-old Derek Anthony Walcott on the 5100 block of B Street, SE in 2018.

Apparently, Maye’s defense attorney, Emily Stirba, is on leave, so unassigned counsel stood in for both the defense and the prosecution. It’s unclear why the prosecution was absent.

According to court documents, Walcott was stabbed at least 24 times. Maye, 49, was found near the scene of the stabbing with Walcott’s wallet.

A felony status conference is slated to occur on June 14.

Document: 3 Traffic Fatalities Over Easter Weekend

Three traffic fatalities occurred in the District over the Easter weekend.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a pedestrian, 31-year-old Abdul Seck, who was a resident from New York, died from a crash that occurred at the intersection of 16^th Street and V Street, SE during the morning hours on the day of the Christian holiday.

Police say Seck was stuck by a Chevrolet Malibu that veered off course when a Chevrolet Cruz crashed into the Malibu after traveling at a high speed. The operator of the Cruz, the operator of the Malibu, its three passengers, and the pedestrian were transported to area hospitals, a press release stated.

The operator of the Cruz, 21-year-old Dejuan Andre Marshall, a resident of Southeast, DC, was arrested. He has been charged with second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.

Another traffic fatality occurred during the morning hours on April 20 on the 4000 block of East Capitol Street, NE.

The decedent’s identification has not been released.

According to a press release, an Infinity was traveling westbound in the 4000 block of East Capitol Street, NE at a high rate of speed. The operator lost control of the vehicle and struck the south side curb. The vehicle continued westbound, crossing all three westbound lanes until it struck a tree. The car caught on fire.

Police are requesting that anyone with information about this crash contact the department at (202) 727-9099.

David Salovesh, a resident of Northeast DC, died in a traffic fatality that occurred on April 19 at the intersection of 12^th Street and Florida Avenue, NE.

According to a press release, 25-year-old Robert Earl Little, Jr., a resident of Northwest DC, allegedly stole a van in the area of Benning Road, NE. When police attempted to stop him, he fled in the vehicle, running a red light, hitting a Hyundai that was traveling South on 12^th Street, NE, striking Salovesh, 31, who was riding a bicycle in the eastbound lanes of Florida Avenue and finally hitting a tree.

Solavesh was pronounced dead on the scene. Little was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Hyundai did not sustain any injuries.

Little is charged with second-degree murder while armed and scheduled to appear in court on April 22.

Judge Sentences Defendant To 16 Years for Killing ‘Pillar of the Community’

A judge sentenced April 19 a defendant to 16 years in prison for killing a man who prosecutors say was a “pillar of the community.”

In August of 2018, Bikila Kejella pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting 23-year-old Eric Garrett on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW in 2016. According to court documents, Garnett was transferred to a hospital where he succumed to his injuries six days later.

“I sit in disbelief that he isn’t here to talk to,” Garrett’s mother told Judge Juliet McKenna. “I struggle to hold myself together because he’s not here.”

Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge McKenna heard from many of Garnett’s loved ones who described the victim as a person who worked tirelessly to brighten the lives of people in his neighborhood.

Garnett’s aunt said he overcame early trauma, after being shot in the leg at a young age, which forced him to give up a basketball scholarship. But, Garnett continued to work to improve his community by joining the Boys and Girls Club and serving as a mentor to younger children.

“The children still cry for him,” a friend, who volunteered with Garnett at a local recreation center, said. “The hood lost too much that day.”

A prosecutor said Garnett’s family and community were “robbed” of a caring and talented individual.

“Eric was a remarkable man that took bad experiences and made them positive,” the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney, Jacqueline Cadman, said Kejella, 20, is an immigrant from Ethiopia. Cadman said the defendant had been attacked multiple times in his neighborhood. Kejella was robbed several hours before the murder and shot Garnett because he looked like one of the robbers, the attorney said.

Cadman said Kejella is “devastated” over his actions and has been working to better himself while he’s been held in DC Jail. After completing his General Education Development exam (GED), Kejella was admitted to the The Georgetown Prison Scholars Program, a partnership between Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative and the DC Department of Corrections. During his time at DC Jail, Kejella has been taking English and Government classes for college credit.

A representative from the program said Kejella is a driving force in class discussions and topped the class with a recent paper on politics.

Kejella also participated in a mentorship program and said he, like Garnett, hopes to work with children to prevent them from going down the wrong path.

“I know my actions will never be forgettable,” said Kejella while addressing Garnett’s family. “But, I hope you can find it in your heart to make them forgivable.”

Judge McKenna said she will let Kejella complete his current educational program in DC Jail before transferring him to prison to serve out his sentence.

Kejella is also expected to serve five years on supervised release after his term. Once released, he would have to register as a gun offender.

Murder Defendant Asked for Help to Move Guns, Girlfriend Says

A murder defendant’s girlfriend told the jury April 18 that he asked her to help him move guns and ammunition from his stepmother’s house after he was arrested.

Derryck Decuir is charged with first-degree murder while armed against a minor for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Malek Mercer on the 2800 block of 28th Street, SE in 2015. Decuir, 26, has been tried twice before. Both trials resulted in mistrials after the jurors could not come to a unanimous decision regarding his murder charge.

The girlfriend said Decuir used to call her nearly every day from prison. She said, at one point, he asked her to give someone a message about moving a “dog.” The girlfriend said she later realized he was referring to a gun. She also said he talked about “toenail clippings” and “dog food,” which she said were code names for bullets and ammunition.

During a previous trial, the prosecution also said that Decuir used the code name “jerseys” to refer to guns.

During the trial, a Metropolitan Police Department officer told the jury that she spoke with Mercer’s friend. She said Mercer’s friend told her that three men “followed them off the bus.”

The friend gave descriptions of the suspects and mentioned that they were pointing at Mercer’s duffel bag, the officer said.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Mercer was waiting at a bus stop with his friend when they ran into a group of three men. The prosecution said Decuir made a comment about Mercer’s belt but became enraged when Mercer “snickered” at his response. Decuir followed Mercer and eventually shot him in the neck.

The defense says Decuir fired in self-defense after he saw Mercer pulling a shotgun out of his duffel bag.

The trial is scheduled to resume on April 24.

Rebekah Herman contributed to this article.

Judge Orders Prosecution to Hand Over Camera Footage

A DC Superior Court judge ordered April 18 the prosecution to hand over discovery evidence.

MacArthur Venable is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old James Eric Ferrell on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE on Oct. 31, 2018.

Judge Danya Dayson told the prosecution to give the defense camera footage from the Metropolitan Police Department officers’ who responded to the scene by May 3. According to the defense, the footage was requested previously but never delivered. A specific date of when the defense first requested the footage was not disclosed.

According to court documents, Venable and Ferrell got into a verbal altercation that turned physical. Apparently, someone tried to separate the men, but Venable and Ferrell got into another fight. When the same individual tried to separate the men again, Venable began shooting at Ferrell.

Venable, 34, is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 19.

Murder Defendant Faces Possible Obstruction Charge

During a status hearing on April 19, the prosecution said a murder defendant could face additional charges after incriminating letters, allegedly written by the defendant, were discovered.

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

The prosecution said they found six letters that would support charging Green, 37, with obstruction of justice. In one of the letters, Green threatens to kill a witness.

The prosecution said a grand jury investigation is still ongoing. However, the investigation is expected to end in a month.

The defense requested that the prosecution turn over all of the letters. They also said they were seeking to introduce a handwriting expert.

D.C. Witness previously reported that, at the time, of the murder, Green was being monitored by a GPS tracking device. The GPS, however, was attached to his prosthetic leg. Detectives said Green took off the prosthetic leg and used a spare prosthetic to avoid being monitored.

Green is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 23.

Defendant Waives Right To Remove Co-Defendant’s Attorney

A murder defendant waived his right April 18 to have his co-defendant’s attorney removed amid a potential conflict of interest.

Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017.

Everett’s attorney, Michael Madden, said his client met with defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, while he was in jail before Madden was his lawyer.

Lotze now represents Hewitt, who is Everett’s co-defendant. DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said Lotze’s status as Hewitt’s attorney could be a conflict of interest.

However, Everett said he would waive his right to remove Lotze because he said he did not remember telling her anything “important” during the jail meeting. Lotze said she did not remember speaking to him, but if she had she did not keep any notes.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Laurence Socci, Everett’s previous attorney, filed a motionl to be dismissed. Michael Madden was then appointed by Judge Dayson to represent Everett.

A status hearing is scheduled on July 19.

Prosecution is ‘On Track’ to Indict Teen for Homicide

The prosecution in a murder case notified the court April 18 that they are “on track” to secure a grand jury indictment, charging a 19-year-old with a fatal shooting.

Kewon Hunter is charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Dion Boyd on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE on July 30, 2018.

The prosecution said they expect to have the indictment before the deadline in June.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Magistrate Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause and ordered Hunter to be held without bail. Hunter also has a charge for burglary while armed from an unrelated case in 2018, according to DC Courts.

In lieu of the pending indictment, Hunter’s felony status conference was continued to June 21.

A DC Murder Defendant Faces Charges in Maryland

A DC Superior Court judge announced April 18 that a murder defendant was transported to Maryland to address unrelated charges.

Reginald Turner is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 37-year-old Malik Muhammad on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018.

Judge Craig Iscoe told the court clerk that Turner would be prosecuted for his charges in Maryland and then be sent back to DC to address his pending murder charge. Turner, 34, is being held without bail in Maryland.

Both counsel for the defense and the prosecution were not present in court for the hearing.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Turner is charged with attempted murder, assault and gun offenses in Maryland. Apparently, Turner’s Maryland charges stem from an incident involving a police chase.

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