June Homicides Almost Double from Month Before

The month of June showed a significant increase of homicides compared to the month of May.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 16 homicides in the month of June compared to 9 homicides in May.

The homicides occurred in all Wards apart from Ward 2. Of the June homicides, all 16 were gun-related, which mirrored the homicides that occurred the month before.

Fifteen of the victims were male and one was female. The victims’ ages ranged from 18-years-old to 51-years-old.

As of July 12, there have been 88 homicides in the city in 2019, seven more than the amount of homicides that occurred during the same time period a year ago.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to April Murder

During a preliminary hearing on July 11, a defendant pleaded guilty to murdering a man in April.

David Hackney, 59, pleaded guilty to second-degree-murder while armed for stabbing Chester Belfield on the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE on April 13.

According to court documents, a witness observed the defendant in verbal confrontation with the victim. The verbal confrontation turned into a physical altercation outside of a gas station. Another witness recorded the incident on his phone, which shows the defendant chasing the victim with a knife and then stabbing him.

Hackney’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said the defendant is willing to accept the prosecution’s plea offer for a 15-year sentence. Initially, Hackney was charged with first-degree-murder while armed. According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines of the District of Columbia, he could have faced up to 60 years in prison for the charge.

Judge Milton C. Lee said he would make his decision on a sentencing period after all pre-trial reports are submitted.

A status hearing is set for Sept. 27.

Murder Defendant’s Indictment is Still Pending, Prosecution Says

During a felony status conference hearing on July 11, the prosecution told a judge that he is still working on an indictment.

Robert Smith, 23, was charged with second-degree murder on December 4, 2018 for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 19-year-old Nya Howard-Reynolds on the unit block of 57th Place, SE

With the indictment deadline on Sept. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe asked the prosecutor when he would expect an indictment. The prosecutor said he was still investigating the case but “anticipates filing the indictment prior to the deadline.”

Defense attorney, Kevin McCants, had no objection.

Smith’s next hearing is scheduled on Sept. 6.

Murder Defendant Had Revolver, Witness Says

During a murder trial July 11, a witness connected the defendant to the suspected murder weapon in a 2006 homicide.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggrivating circumstances for allegedly shooting Carlton Fisher with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on Oct. 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. The shooting of Drayton, 17, occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.

The suspected murder weapon in Fisher’s shooting is a .357 caliber magnum revolver. According to witness testimony, McLeod had a .357 magnum revolver on him in December 2006, two months after Fisher was killed.

Apparently, the witness, McLeod and three others individuals were in a vacant house off of M Street, NE when a gun went off. Officers responded and retrieved a .357 magnum revolver. McLeod and two other individuals were arrested.

DNA testing on the revolver came back inconclusive.

On July 9, another witness told the jury that h

e referred McLeod to Fisher to buy .357 magnum bullets around the time of Drayton’s shooting.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 15.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for January Murder

During a preliminary hearing July 10, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a defendant was part of a gang-related murder.

Tavist Alston is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12. Alonzo Brown, 22, and Stephon Evans, 18, are also charged with first-degree-murder while armed in connection to Taylor’s death.

Judge Todd E. Edelman said the police investigation shows Alston’s involvement in Taylor’s death because it reveals that Alston purchased one of the murder weapons from another defendant, Carlos Turner, after the shooting.

On May 14, Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence for his role in the victim’s death. As of July 10, DC Courts does not show that a plea has been filed.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Alston drove a grey Impala, which police believe was involved in the homicide. Court documents state that the Impala drove the suspects to and from the Benning Courts Apartments located in Northeast, DC before and after the murder.

“This [crime] involves two rival groups,” the prosecution said, adding “we believe [Alston] is a danger to the community and should be held.”

However, Marnitta L. King, Alston’s defense attorney, said there was only one witness who said Alston was in the vehicle.

King said there is no proof that her client had any intention to kill. She told Judge Edelman that her client has been working at the airport to support his two children and requested that the judge release him under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

As King made the request, she motioned to the defendant’s family and friends, who filled the right side of the courtroom, in support of Alston.

Judge Edelman denied the request and ordered that Alston be held at DC Jail without bail.

Alston is slated to join two of the other defendants at a felony status conference on Oct. 3.

Judge Re-opens Preliminary Hearing for Defense Cross

During a felony status conference July 10, a DC Superior Court judge ordered the prosecution to hand over a transcript of an interview with a witness and police.

Jerome Myles, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 19-year-old Antonio Dixon on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE on Oct. 20, 2018.

After Brandi Harden, Myles’ defense attorney, filed a motion June 10 to reopen a preventative detention hearing for her client, Judge Todd. E. Edelman decided to reopen a preliminary hearing to give Harden the opportunity to cross examine a witness before an indictment deadline in August.

Harden said the prosecution failed to hand over evidence that she believes is important to the case. Harden said she suspects the interview proves her client’s claim of self defense.

Judge Edelman told the prosecution to provide the defense with the interview transcript within two weeks.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue on July 19.

Witness Identifies Murder Defendant as Shooter

During a murder trial July 9, an eyewitness identified the defendant as the shooter in a 2004 homicide.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton and with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for allegedly shooting Carlton Fisher. The shooting of Drayton, 17,occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on October 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.

The prosecution began by questioning a former friend of McLeod, who was present at the time of Drayton’s murder. The witness is currently being detained at DC Jail for an unrelated murder case.

The witness agreed to provide information about the case to the prosecution as part of a plea deal. In exchange for his cooperation, the witness said, the prosecution will “speak up for him” during his sentencing and hopefully negotiate a shorter sentence.

The witness said he was good friends with McLeod and Drayton in 2004. Apparently, he knew Drayton through a mutual friend. The witness also said he was friends with Fisher, although the two weren’t close.

According to the witness, Drayton needed a gun because he was in a conflict with people from another neighborhood. Apparently, Drayton was given the gun under the condition that he would give it back the next day.

However, Drayton denied having the gun. The witness said Drayton broke a “street code” that includes not taking other people’s belongings.

On the morning of the murder, the witness said, he was walking to school with a group of friends, including Drayton and McLeod.

Once behind the Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School located in Northeast, DC, the witness said he heard a gunshot. He said he saw McLeod holding a gun, but did not see him shoot Drayton.

There is “no doubt in my mind” that McLeod killed Drayton, the witness said.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 10.

Witness Testimony Points to Murder Defendant as Shooter in 2nd Murder

During a murder trial July 10, a witness testimony pointed toward a murder defendant as the shooter in a 2006 homicide.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggrivating

circumstances for allegedly shooting Carlton Fisher and with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on October 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. The shooting of Drayton, 17, occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.

One witness said she heard McLeod tell another individual, “snitches get stitches,” in reference to Fisher cooperating with authorities about Drayton’s death.

The witness said gunshots woke her. She said she saw Fisher lying face down in a pool of blood. By that time, she said police had already arrived.

The witness then went upstairs to Fisher’s apartment to tell his mother he had been killed.

The witness also recounted events from earlier that evening. According to the witness, there was a block party on 21st Street, where Fisher and McLeod both lived. Many people from the neighborhood were outside.

While the witness said she did not remember everyone she saw at the block party, she said she does remember seeing McLeod more than once throughout the evening.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 11.

Murder Defendant’s Competency Still Inconclusive

>A murder defendant’s competency for trial is still uncertain even though he has undergone several examinations since 2018.

Daryl Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern.

During a mental observation hearing on July 9, DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe reviewed the results of Thompson’s latest mental evaluation. According to the report, Thompson would need to undergo another full competency exam. A doctor for DC Courts said Thompson, 27, would not have to be sent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, for the exam.

Counsel agreed that Thompson will be held at DC Jail until he is examined. Apparently, all of Thompson’s examinations have been conducted by the same doctor.

According to court documents, Roberts, 29, was found shot on the 3500 block of 14th street NW on July 30, 2016. McEachern, 23, was also found shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace SE on Aug. 29, 2016.

Thompson’s next mental observation hearing is scheduled on Aug. 23.

Judge Extends Indictment Deadline

During a motions hearing July 9, a DC Superior Court judge granted the prosecution’s request to extend a defendant’s indictment deadline by 20 days.

Kaevon Sutton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Aujee Tyler on the 3500 block of Stanton Rd., SE on March 19, 2018.

The indictment deadline was extended until Aug. 3.

According to court documents, the shooting resulted from an argument over stolen cars. Apparently, Sutton, 18, and his friends routinely stole cars.

Sutton is currently being held at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Defense counsel’s motion to reconsider Sutton’s detention was denied.

A felony status conference is scheduled on Aug. 2.

Judge Releases 2 Defendants to Halfway House

During a preliminary hearing on July 9, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that two defendants could have been involved in a murder in 2018.

Antonio (Sean) McKenzie and Edward Brown are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the shooting of 29-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on Jan. 20, 2018.

Based of the testimony of a Metropolitan Police Department detective, Judge Todd. E. Edelman found probable cause that McKenzie, 21, and Brown, 19, were involved in the victim’s death.

According to the prosecution, a witness identified two suspects in the alleged vehicle that took the defendants to and from the scene of the crime. Additionally, McKenzie’s DNA was found in the vehicle. Brown’s DNA was not found in the car.

Judge Edelman agreed to release the defendants into a halfway house. He said he felt as if the defendants earned the privilege through their behavior in the past 18 months.

Charles Young, 28, and Steven Robin, 23, are also charged with first-degree murder while armed with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the homicide. Young and Robin were present so that counsel could schedule a trial date.

All four defendants are scheduled to be tried together on Sept. 8, 2020. They are also scheduled for a status hearing on July 30.

Reviewing Traffic fatalities in the District: Data Shows Increase

Traffic fatalities in Washington, DC have been rising in the last couple of years despite the mayoral administration’s implementation of an initiative to decrease traffic fatalities in Washington, DC.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there were 23 traffic/pedestrian fatalities in 2016, 28 fatalities in 2017 and 31 fatalities in 2018. As of July 9, D.C. Witness has already logged 11 traffic/pedestrian fatalities in 2019, totaling 93 traffic fatalities in the District since 2016. According to D.C. Witness data, there were 15 traffic fatalities in 2015.

Police arrested suspects in 21 of the cases. More than half of the 21 cases involved some type of drug impaired driving. PCP, a mind altering drug, was present in six cases, alcohol was present in five cases, PCP and cocaine in one case, and alcohol and fentanyl in one case. Another incident included a Metrobus driver who was talking on the phone while driving through a crosswalk, striking two women in the process.

All of the fatalities occurred in the wake of a traffic initiative — Vision Zero — released by the Mayoral administration in 2015.

Vision Zero was created as a call to action by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s initiative “Safer People and Safer Streets.” According to the Vision Zero site, DC Mayor Muriel Bower’s administration hopes to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and corresponding injuries in the District to 0 by 2024.

After its initial year, Vision Zero entered its implementation stage in 2016. During that year, the mayor’s office began allocating funds to non-profits and DC agencies as a means to support and create “innovative solutions” to address the District’s traffic fatality problem.

According to the Vision Zero website, in 2016 the mayoral administration allocated nearly $400,000, in 2017, $600,000 was dispersed. According to the initiative’s site, various organizations, including The George Washington University Hospital and Gearin’ Up Bicycles, applied for and were awarded grants to implement plans to bolster Vision Zero’s initiative. The District Department of Transportation website states that $555,000 was distributed in grants in 2018.

As of July 1, 2019, a Vision Zero report has not been released for 2018.

While the vast majority of the money was allocated to infrastructure and education for pedestrian and bicycle safety, D.C. Witness data notes that motives behind traffic fatalities that result in arrests are linked to impaired driving.

As stated in the 2016 Vision Zero Progress Report, the 2017 grant awarded to GW hospital was one of the only responses to combat impaired driving. According to the report, GW’s funding went toward replicating a procedure to examine blood in relation to impaired driving.

Meanwhile, the remaining funding went toward infrastructure and pedestrian education.

In 2018, Vision Zero allocated:

$150,000 to George Mason University (GMU) in order to teach students how to navigate and balance on a bicycle in a simulated environment.
$100,000 to the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) in order to compile data relating to DC traffic fatalities and injuries.
$100,000 to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership in order to foster community engagement concerning safe walking, driving and bicycling as well as planning and designing safe infrastructure.
$80,000 to Gearin’ Up Bicycles in an effort to organize mechanics to provide education, repairs, safety equipment and safety checks.
$65,000 District of Columbia Office of Planning (OP) in order to study and implement “design interventions” in a high priority location in an effort to address issues including speeding vehicles in busy pedestrian areas.
$60,000 to the Southwest Business Improvement District in order to “pilot and measure” the effectiveness of safety interventions in a DC neighborhood.

In 2017, Vision Zero allocated:

$169,000 to The George Washington University Hospital in order to replicate a procedure to examine blood in relation to “drunk and drugged” driving.
$160,000 to DC Villages / Capitol Hill Village in order to reduce the number of seniors driving.
$130,000 to the District of Columbia Office of Risk Management (ORM) in order to implement a driver safety program.
$80,000 to Gearin’ Up Bicycles in an effort to organize mechanics to provide education, repairs, safety equipment and safety checks.
$61,000 to the District of Columbia Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) in order to create compliance checkpoints, among other things, to address dangerous driving specifically regarding vehicles for hire.

In 2016, Vision Zero allocated:

$156,000 to the Department of Public Work in order to install Side Underride Prevention Devices, or metal bumpers that prevent cars from sliding under trucks during an accident, on dump trucks.
$100,000 to the Office of Disability Rights in order to “inventory and evaluate bus stop accessibility and sidewalk conditions.”
$80,000 to the District Department of Transportation in order to create a campaign to spread awareness about large and commercial vehicle blind spots.
$41,000 to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in order to install art discouraging street harassment.
$20,000 to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in order to provide an ANC liaison tool kit and pedestrian safety training.

This article is the first in a series of articles D.C. Witness will release on traffic policies and initiatives in the District of Columbia.

Olivia Osborne also contributed to this article.

Prosecution’s Case Rests on Witness’s Health

The prosecution told a DC Superior Court judge that they wouldn’t move forward with a case if a witness died.

Taron Oliver, 44, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Nathaniel Williams, his stepfather, in 1995. A previous article reported that

Williams was arrested multiple times for assaulting Oliver’s mother.

During a hearing on July 8, Oliver’s defense attorney, David Benowitz, requested medical documentation, or another form of evidence, to support the claim that a witness in the case would pass away soon. On July 3, Judge Craig Iscoe granted the prosecution’s motion to allow a witness to have their deposition videotaped, rather than appearing in court.

The prosecution said the account of the witness’ “imminent death” comes from the wife of the witness. Judge Iscoe said the witness’ condition created urgency for attaining the videotaped deposition quickly.

When asked, the prosecutor said that he wouldn’t be able to move forward if the key witness died, but he would work to get the witness’s medical records. According to court documents, the witness is currently hospitalized in the state of Georgia for congestive heart failure.

Counselors told the court that they are in plea negotiations.

A status hearing is scheduled on July 15 to assess the status of the medical records.

Will 3rd Mental Exam Solidify Murder Defendant’s Competency?

After three competency evaluations since being charged in 2016, a murder defendant’s mental health is still being contested.

Roberts, 29, was found shot on the 3500 block of 14th street NW on July 30, 2016. McEachern, 23, was also found shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace SE on Aug. 29, 2016.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe granted the defense’s request for Thompson’s third mental health exam on July 2, however, the exam was rescheduled to July 8. Defense attorney, Dana Page, said that due to reasons not stated in open court, she was obligated to make the request pursuant to a precedent that states that issues regarding a defendant’s competency for trial must be raised before the trial begins.

Thompson’s next mental observation hearing is scheduled on July 9.

In March of 2018, Thompson, 27, missed a hearing due to behavioral issues that resulted in making him ineligible for transfer to the courthouse. Thompson’s first forensic mental exam was ordered after the missed hearing. After analyzing the results, Judge Iscoe ordered a full competency examination even though the defense argued against the report’s conclusion.

The full competency exam took place in May of 2018. Thompson was found competent to stand trial.

Two months later, the defense filed a motion for another forensics mental health examination. According to DC Courts, the examination resulted in Thompson being released to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for another full competency evaluation.

Thompson was found incompetent for trial.

Even though the defense opposed the second exam’s results, Judge Iscoe ordered that Thompson be sent to St. Elizabeth’s for mental competency treatment.

In November of 2018, after the treatment, according to DC Courts, Judge Iscoe found Thompson competent for trial. A date was set on Oct. 7 2019.

Judge Denies Defense’s Request to Dismiss Murder Case

During a motion hearing on July 8, a DC Superior Court judge denied the defense’s motion to dismiss a case after the prosecution allegedly did not hand over evidence in a timely manner.

Marquette Tibbs is charged with first-degree-murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unalwful possesion of a firearm for his alleged involvment in the death of Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Rd., SE in 2016.

Defense counsel accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence which included information on the victim’s criminal history and pieces of a pre-trial investigation report. Defense counsel claimed, “with simple due-diligence the documents could have been found in a matter of minutes or hours.”

However, the prosecution said the evidence was not disclosed because it was not exculpatory. “This was not an intentional suppression of any information,” the prosecutor told the judge.

Judge Todd E. Edelman decided that a dismissal wasn’t justified because the evidence was too vague to be exculpatory. Judge Edelman said the prosecution’s violations were more of an oversight.

Tibbs, 27, is set to go to trial on Nov. 18.

In addition to being charged with murder, Tibbs is also charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed in a separate case that is scheduled for trial in 2020.

Tibbs had a co-defendant, Cinquan Cartledge, in the homicide, however their cases were separated in March. Cartledge, 25, is scheduled for trial in 2020.

Nick Slater and Julia Guercio contributed to this article

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