Carjacking Defendant’s Release Request Denied

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro denied a carjacking defendant’s request for release on June 3 due to his pending gun related charges in Maryland.

Kendall Joiner, 21, and Daniel Aligbasia, 19, are charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a incident that occurred on May 30, 2024 on the 2000 block of Savannah St, SE.

According to court documents, the victim received a call from Aligbasia, someone the victim previously knew for three-to-four-years, asking to be driven to the incident location to meet Joiner, a friend of Aligbasia’s. Joiner allegedly produced a firearm, and pistol whipped the victim multiple times across the face. After a struggle over the keys, the victim received another strike to the face, leaving a large cut on his head.

The victim was forced out of their vehicle, a phone was thrown out of the window, and both suspects drove off in the victim’s vehicle, according to court documents.

During the hearing, Selano Simmons, Joiner’s attorney, requested his release from incarceration while plea offers were being discussed. However, the prosecution argued that the severity and time of the crime taking place during the day does argue against release. They also pointed out that Joiner is facing separate gun related charges in Maryland.

Judge Di Toro ruled that Joiner not be released over concerns that he would be held in Maryland’s custody which could delay this case.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 17.

Uber Shooting Defendant Sentenced to 30 Months

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a shooting defendant to 30 months of incarceration at a sentencing hearing on June 2.

On March 28, Sean Butler, 29, pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, endangerment with a firearm, felony destruction of property, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on May 6, 2024 on the 2000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, Butler shot 12 times at the trunk of an Uber vehicle. The driver was unharmed.

Matthew Rist, Butler’s attorney, and the prosecution agreed that Butler struggled with chronic mental health issues, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Over the course of his life, according to Rist, Butler reportedly checked himself into various mental health facilities.

Rist linked Butler’s history of mental health struggles to the incident, claiming that he acted on a perception of danger. Rist argued that, given his condition, Butler should be taken to a prison with a federal medical facility instead of a standard prison.

Rist noted the defendant’s positive relationship with his family and boxing community. Butler’s mother attended the hearing. The victim of the shooting did not appear in court.

The prosecution drew attention to Butler’s endangering the public and that he appeared conscious of his own guilt. During the hearing, the prosecution showed video footage of the incident, detailing how Butler created a “zone of danger” including construction workers and a woman with a stroller near the scene. The prosecutor also argued Butler was seen quickly fleeing the scene through a nearby apartment complex.

Judge Lee encouraged Butler to take more proactive steps to manage his mental health condition, advising him to take medication consistently and meet with a mental health professional. Such actions would not only benefit himself, but his community, according to Judge Lee.

The judge imposed a sentence of 30 months for each of the charges, which are set to run concurrently.

No further dates were set.

Jury Trial Delayed For Defense to Prepare

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro granted a shooting defendant’s attorney’s request to delay trial for a week on June 3, since the attorney wasn’t ready and needed more time to prepare.

Shaqunda Reed, 32, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license and carrying a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on March 2, 2024, on the 800 block of Florida Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene for the report of a shooting, where they located evidence including cartridge casings. No injuries were reported.

In what was supposed to be the first day of trial, Sara Kopecki, Reed’s attorney, alerted Judge Di Toro that she wasn’t able to move forward at this time. The prosecution did not have any objections to the delay, and Judge Di Toro granted the request.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 9.

Judge Denies Stabbing Defendant’s Request to Terminate Probation

A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and a stabbing defendant’s attorney requested a probation be terminated and deemed unsuccessful before a reluctant DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on June 3.

Tyrone Graham, 43, was sentenced to 120 days for simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on July 13, 2024 at the intersection of 12th and U Street, NW.

During the hearing, a representative from CSOSA alerted DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno that Graham has failed to check in with his case manager, has skipped and tested positive in drug tests.

Wole Falodun, Graham’s attorney, requested his probation be terminated, stating he had successfully completed outpatient care in the past and is in the process of completing it a second time. According to Falodun, Graham’s relapse in the past few months is due to his substandard housing in an unsafe community as an obstacle to substance treatment.

Falodun, in agreement with Graham’s probation officer, requested to terminate his probation and deem it as unsuccessful. Judge Salerno stated that Graham could either attempt proper recovery under an extended probation or go back to complete his sentence.

Following Judge Salerno’s ruling, Graham told the court the chances of his successful completion of probation are slim, but agreed to undergo treatment.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 19.

Homicide Defendant Sentenced to 21 Years

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a homicide defendant to 21 years of incarceration during sentencing on May 30.

Johnwann Elliott , 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Nikia Young on March 15, 2022, on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue SE.

Young’s mother and godsister who were present at the sentencing hearing expressed their grief and longing for justice. During the victim impact statements, Young’s mother was in tears as she recounted telling her daughter to be careful leaving the house the morning of the incident. She grieved that Elliott still has the opportunity to experience life, which her daughter lost.

Young’s godsister emphasized that Young was permanently stripped from the opportunity to grow and live a full life.

In a statement to Judge Raffinan she said, “I pray that you usher this man’s justice to God.”

After stating that there was no clear motive in the case, the prosecution repeatedly referred to the nature of the murder as “senseless,” arguing that the incident was “not a robbery gone wrong… This was violence for violences’ sake.”

The prosecution played a video surveillance clip of the incident, showing Elliot intercepting the victim at on Minnesota Avenue, pushing her to the ground, and shooting her multiple times at close range.

Elliot’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, brought the defendant’s mental health and substance abuse issues to the forefront, these allegedly stemming from his unresolved childhood trauma. O’Sullivan noted that Elliot was raised by a family friend of his mother after she was stabbed and killed when he was four-months-old. His father was absent. The defendant recalled feeling neglected in his family since the family friend who raised him often favored her biological children.

O’Sullivan highlighted that after having had time for introspection between now and the incident in 2022, Elliott recognized he needs help and has developed work and family-focused goals, wanting to show his 11-year-old daughter that change is possible. This and the defendant’s accepting responsibility should indicate maturity and the first steps to change, according to O’Sullivan.

The defense and prosecution agreed to a recommendation of 21 years of incarceration prior to the sentencing, which Judge Raffinan accepted. Elliott was also sentenced to five years of supervised release for second-degree murder, and one year and ten months of incarceration along with three years of supervised release for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. His sentences run concurrently.

Elliott must also contribute $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund within a year of release, and register as a gun offender at the time of release, and must participate in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated.

No further dates were set.

Document: MPD Investigating Trinidad Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on June 2 on the 1200 block of Raum Street, NE. The victim, identified as 33-year-old Kalil Jerald Brown of Northeast, DC, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Expert Witnesses Testify to Abuse in Infanticide Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park ruled to allow expert testimony describing the infant victim’s extensive trauma in an infanticide case on June 3.

Faneshia Scott, 38, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder of a victim that was especially vulnerable due to age, and seven counts of first-degree cruelty to children. The charges are based on Scott’s alleged involvement in the abuse and fatal beating of her 16-month old daughter, Rhythm Fields, and abuse of her two other children, which occurred on the 5400 block of C Street, SE on March 21, 2017.

During the hearing, the prosecutors insisted that the injuries and abuse inflicted upon Scott’s children was intentional and knowingly carried out.

Scott’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, argued that the victim’s injuries were not disputable, but rather what caused the injuries and if her death was a direct cause of it.

The prosecution introduced expert testimony from a forensic anthropologist. The witness conducted a post-mortem skeletal exam on Fields, and presented the jury with a detailed analysis of the injuries found in Fields’ ribcage.

The expert confirmed that the 23 fractures identified in her examination of the ribcage were inconsistent with standard administration of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), an accidental fall, or normal handling of a child. Further, the witness claimed there were indicators of constriction found in the victim’s ribcage which could have only been inflicted by an adult.

Additionally, the prosecution brought out a witness who is a friend of Scott’s friend. In her testimony, she claimed that Scott had allegedly harmed the victim while in her car on one occasion. When asked by the prosecutors about the event, the witness claimed that Scott was sitting in the backseat and when she heard Scott’s baby crying as Scott yelled, “She bad as s***.”

Scott’s other attorney, Megan Allburn, questioned if the witness was sure that Scott had hit her child, but she remained adamant that there was no other reason for the child to have burst into tears.

Further, the witness recalled hearing about Fields’ death from a mutual friend on the day it happened, noting that the friend sounded upset.

Prosecutors also called on a social worker who, at the time of the incident, investigated Scott’s case. She testified that her responsibility was to assess the potential presence of child neglect and determine the safety of the children in the Scott household.

In her investigation, the witness learned that Scott was not the person regularly taking her children to medical appointments. According to the social worker, Fields’ godmother, who was also the person who found Fields dead on March 21, 2017, was the one taking them.

The witness testified that Scott administered Robitussin to Fields, a medication not generally recommended for toddlers due to potential side effects of agitation, drowsiness, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures.

Prosecutors called on a pediatrician to discuss the alleged presence of child abuse in the case. In her testimony, she explained that Fields experienced blunt force trauma to the head, which caused bleeding inside the head, retinal bleeding, and injury to the tongue caused by biting down from repeated trauma. Other injuries included fractured ribs, bleeding from the pancreas, and bruising.

Such injuries were too severe to be inflicted by another child, the pediatrician claimed.

The witness believed abuse was present given the extent of the victim’s wounds.

Prosecutors also called on an acquaintance of Scott’s, who testified that when she separated from her husband, she moved in with her mother and her teenaged sons to live with Scott, who she identified as Nene.

The acquaintance’s son also testified, noting that he considered Scott’s kids his siblings, and shared a special bond with Fields. While he never witnessed any abuse or neglect of Fields at the apartment, he found Fields with a black eye one day after coming home from school. According to the witness, Scott reasoned that Fields’ older sibling had hit her sister with the blunt end of a toy.

One night, a while before Fields had died, the witness testified, Scott left the apartment at nine p.m. and did not return until the witness needed to leave the apartment to make it to school, leaving the kids alone for an undetermined amount of time.

However, the witness explained that he and his brother were rarely home during the day, and would often return later in the evening due to after school activities.

Due to time constraints, the witness was unable to conclude his testimony.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 4.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Homicide, Denies Defendant’s Release But Highlights Problems in DC Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause a defendant acted as a getaway driver for a homicide during a preliminary hearing on May 30.

Byron Sneed, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Raymond Washington on June 30, 2024 on the 4100 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Washington sustained a single gunshot wound to his lower left back that damaged his heart and left lung.

According to court documents, a fight over a gun occurred between Washington and two other young men. Following the altercation, surveillance video reportedly captured the two men leaving an apartment, getting into a burgundy Hyundai, and Sneed allegedly driving them to carry out a drive-by shooting targeting Washington.

Before issuing his ruling, Judge Ryan summarized arguments presented by parties during the preliminary hearing held the previous day. Neither the defense nor prosecution disputed that Sneed drove the car during the incident.

Judge Ryan said prosecutors argued Sneed aided and abetted first-degree murder by driving the car and presented surveillance evidence of the car’s route. Sneed’s attorney, Destiny Fullwood-Singh, argued there is no evidence linking Sneed to the younger individuals, he was innocently helping them, and there was no premeditation.

Judge Ryan found probable cause Sneed facilitated the getaway for the murder because the path, speed, and mode of transportation indicate distinct and purposeful travel by Sneed.

Fullwood-Singh requested Sneed’s release on home confinement. Fullwood-Singh informed the court Sneed sustained an injury from a fall down 16 concrete steps two years ago and since his incarceration, his wound has grown and is infected.

Fullwood-Singh emphasized the length of time between when the jail changed Sneed’s bandages and showed the court graphic photos of his wound bleeding through his clothes. “DC Jail is ill-equipped to care for people,” said Fullwood-Singh.

Judge Ryan noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, US Marshals discovered unhealthy conditions in the DC Jail and since then then the goal has been to avoid sending people there unless absolutely necessary.

According to a D.C. Witness report last year, in 2021, the US Marshals Service determined after an inspection that DC Jail conditions “do not meet the minimum standards of confinement as prescribed by the Federal Performance-Based Detention Standards.”

Based on that review, the marshals removed 400 detainees in their custody from the facility.

The judge said he will pursue the health issue with the DC Department of Corrections.

Judge Ryan noted Sneed had positive drug tests at the time of his incarceration, previous bench warrants, and a criminal history.

Fullwood-Singh pointed out that Sneed’s most recent contact with the legal system was 25 years ago and said since then he “lived an extremely peaceful life.”

Judge Ryan denied the request to release Sneed but said he would reevaluate his ruling if Sneed does not receive proper medical treatment.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 18.

Judge Denies Youthful Carjacking Suspect’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied a carjacking defendant’s request for release during a June 2 hearing.

Anardo Little, 18, is charged with armed carjacking and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a shooting and carjacking incident that occurred on Oct. 14, 2024 on the 1200 block of H Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.

During the hearing, Susan Ellis, Little’s attorney, argued for Little to be released to home confinement, emphasizing his youth and the fact that certain services, such as those provided by St. Elizabeths Hospital for mental patients, are unavailable in the DC Jail. Ellis proposed that Little could stay with his mother, who has consistently attended all his hearings

The prosecutor opposed the request for Little’s release. The judge expressed a willingness to explore creative solutions to provide necessary services for Little while he remains incarcerated, butdenying the defense’s request due to the seriousness of his charges.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 23.

Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal, Remains Jailed

A carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on June 2.

Tamika Burriss, 36, was initially charged with armed carjacking for her involvement in an incident on Feb. 17, 2024 on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW.

During the hearing, Quiana Harris, Burriss’ attorney, alerted the court of her intent to accept a deal, which required her to plead guilty to assault with intent to rob while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking indictment on greater charges.

Through the deal, prosecutors agreed to request a sentence at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Burriss was the perpetrator in the incident. Prosecutors claimed surveillance footage, in which Burriss identified herself, and witness statements placed Burriss at the scene.

Harris filed a motion for release pending sentencing, arguing that Burriss needed to care for her children, citing her record of three misdemeanors and no violent offenses. Judge Hertzfeld denied the motion after the prosecution referenced a resolved 2016 case in which she allegedly threatened to commit bodily harm with a knife against another individual.

According to Harris, the victim of the carjacking called Burriss over to the car in the moments leading up to the incident. Judge Hertzfeld was unmoved by the allegation, replying, “I don’t think that changes the calculus here,” and denied the request for release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7.

Parties Dispute If Homicide Defendant Destroyed Video Evidence

The defense and prosecution disputed whether a defendant was responsible for lost footage of a homicide during a motions hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on May 30.

Desmond Gaskin, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree theft, and destruction of property less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old William Whittington on July 19, 2022 on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE. Whittington sustained a single gunshot wound to his head. Gaskin allegedly returned to the scene on July 20 and allegedly stole a DVR device with surveillance footage.

During the hearing, parties presented arguments regarding a defense motion requesting the court impose sanctions on the prosecution for failing to preserve material evidence. Gaskin’s attorney, Jason Tulley, informed the court that footage from a Ring camera near the incident was lost. Tulley explained that when motion activated the camera, an image was captured and sent to an external drive, however the videos stayed within the DVR.

Tulley said the detective’s method of screenshotting the images produced “essentially useless” images that are extremely blurry and difficult to read the dates and times. Tulley argued the missing evidence was essential to Gaskin’s defense.

Prosecutors acknowledged the images were low resolution but disputed Tulley’s argument and mentioned that three of Gaskin’s charges relate to him allegedly deleting the recordings. “The defendant broke into the room and took the DVR,” said prosecutors. They also noted the cameras are from a private residence, not proprietary to prosecution.

Tulley and Gaskin’s other attorney, Cora Holt, both laughed when the prosecution noted the defendant’s charges related to destroying evidence.

Judge Ryan noted that a grand jury indicted Gaskin on charges allegedly resulting from actions which made the evidence inaccessible. The judge added it did not benefit the detective to intentionally produce unclear images.

Judge Ryan planned to review Tulley’s questioning of the detective from the preliminary hearing before deciding if he will grant an evidentiary hearing.

Parties are scheduled to resume motions discussions on June 2.

Key Witness Testifies After Arrest In Murder, Mass Shooting

Outfitted in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffed, a reluctant witness was asked to identify suspects in a deadly mass shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz during a hearing on June 2.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, are charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and injured three additional individuals.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants discard evidence and avoid arrests.

The witness was subpoenaed last week but failed to show up, resulting in his arrest over the weekend and appearance on the stand Monday morning. He was given immunity for his testimony in the case, meaning that he cannot be prosecuted for anything said under oath unless he makes a false statement or otherwise refuses to comply.

He confined most answers to single words. When the prosecution asked the witness if he wanted to be present in court that day he responded “absolutely not.”

The witness was questioned about his knowledge of and relationship to Dubose, Queen, and Rezene. He denied close involvement with any of the defendants, but stated he grew up with them in the District. When later questioned about his whereabouts the night of the shooting, he said that he was “getting drunk” and did not remember specifics.

However, when confronted with his previous grand jury testimony he admitted that he was with Rezene that evening. According to the witness, he left a store on Piney Branch Road with Rezene and traveled to an apartment complex on the 400 block of Galloway Street, NE. He confirmed that he had previously identified himself, Rezene, Queen, and Johnson-Lee on a security video from the apartment complex.

The prosecution played surveillance videos, and after initial hesitation, the witness reconsidered identifying himself and others– Dubose, Rezene, and “Baby P”–in the footage, referencing his previous grand jury testimony. Prosecutors have previously identified Baby P as Johnson-Lee.

The defense pressed the witness on memory and credibility. He had invoked the Fifth Amendment in his first grand jury appearance, but later testified after receiving immunity. He also admitted he knew what the prosecution would ask before the second grand jury session, but said no one told him what to say.

Judge Neal Kravitz informed jurors that the witness would be released later that evening.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 3.

Urinating in Public Linked to Homicide, Say Prosecutors

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman heard testimony on June 3 on what prosecutors say was a suspect urinating near the victim’s car.

Alvin Cruz Garcia, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the homicide of 38-year-old Ramon Gomez-Yanez. The incident occurred on March 23, 2021 on the 1500 Block of Ogden Street, NW, right outside the Ogden Street Market grocery store.

According court documents, Gomez Yanez parked around his 8:30 p.m. before buying groceries. Returning to his car, he saw Cruz-Garcia urinating very close to it. Surveillance showed a short exchange between the two before Cruz-Garcia allegedly kicked and punched Gomez-Yanez several times in the head and fled. Gomez-Yanez died at the scene from head and neck injuries.

The victim’s younger brother was around the corner in their shared home, came outside, and witnessed his brother’s death despite efforts by first responders.

Gomez’s brother appeared grief stricken during testifying saying he “still didn’t understand” how something like this could happen. The Ogden Market store owner also testified in court, describing Ramon Gomez as a “nice, good guy,” and had “nothing bad to say” about him.

A police captain who was one of the first officers to arrive on the scene, captured bodycam footage of the victim showing his swollen face and a fractured skull.

Crime scene analysts later identified a silver Honda Civic they say contained evidence linking Cruz-Garcia to the incident and a fingerprint analyst testified the suspect’s prints were likely at the scene.

The defense challenged the evidence saying police should have looked more thoroughly, not just in a few locations.

DC’s Deputy Chief of the Homeland Security Department testified that a man resembling the defendant appeared in surveillance footage wearing a red Washington Nationals baseball cap at Metro stops near the crime scene. The defense countered the the ID was not definititive.

Charges Dropped After Inmate Fatally Stabbed at D.C. Jail

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is continuing to investigate a fatal stabbing of an inmate at the D.C. Jail on May 1. Consequently, the prosecution closed the case against him.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, police responded to the jail’s Central Detention Facility on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, where they found Carlos Shelly, 29, not breathing and suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead by first responders at the scene.

Prior to his death, Shelley was indicted in a non-fatal shooting and a carjacking that took place in December of 2023.

As a procedural matter, the prosecution dismissed all charges against Shelley on May 13. No one has been arrested for his killing but authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information about the case.

Document: MPD Investigating Northwest Juvenile Fatality

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a shooting on May 29 in Northwest, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Angel Ernesto Dominquez. The incident occurred on the 900 block of Florida Avenue, where officers found the juvenile male with gunshot wounds. Despite being transported to a hospital, he was pronounced dead.

Search