Second Trial Begins for Murder Defendant

The second trial for a man who allegedly murdered two men began July 8.

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton and with first-degree murder while armed with aggrivating circumstances for allegedly shooting Cartlton 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.

During the prosecution’s opening argument, counsel said the murder of Drayton is what led to the murder of Fisher. Apparently, Fisher told police that McLeod was responsible for Drayton’s death, breaking the “no snitching” rule. As a consequence, the prosecution said McLeod killed Fisher.

Even though the prosecutor told the jury that there was no scientific evidence in the case, but he said it wouldn’t be necessary because there was ample witness testimony.

According to the prosecution, Drayton was murdered because he stole a gun, lied about it, and didn’t give it back.

Apparently, Drayton asked David Warren, a good friend of his, if he could have a gun. Warren wanted to sell the firearm to McLeod, so he allowed Drayton to borrow the gun under the condition that he’d give it back. However, the prosecution said, Drayton did not give the gun back and lied about it, saying he no longer had it.

The prosecution called a former police officer for the Metropolitan Police Department, who had been one of the first responders to the scene.

The officer said none of the witnesses provided her with any information about who shot Drayton.

The prosecution also called a woman who lived near the scene of the crime. She said she was home when she heard a “pow,” which she said sounded like “the backfire of a truck.” She said she saw a body lying at the bottom of the steps behind the playground. She said she did not see anyone else near the body at that time.

The witness said she had seen Drayton earlier that morning, hanging out by the top of the steps with three other men. She said she saw him every day. She also mentioned that the men who were at the scene when she arrived were not the same men she saw Drayton hanging out with earlier.

A former forensics officer, who had been the lead technician processing the crime scene, said DNA testing was not conducted on any items of evidence, including a red car that was on the scene and two sandwiches.

The witness also said he did not test anyone who was present at the scene of the crime for gunpowder residue or DNA since he did not have a search warrant and because no suspect had been identified on the scene who would need to be tested.

The trial is scheduled to resume on July 9.

Defense Announces Plans to Conduct Independent DNA Testing

Defense counsel said there are plans to independently test evidence in murder case.

Robert Dean, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a screwdriver for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on March 31, 2018.

Dean’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said he planned to test two items of evidence, a screwdriver and a knife, for DNA. Matthews didn’t give a definitive answer about testing the items, saying he wanted to reserve the right to re-test the items once he receives more information from the prosecution.

The prosecutor said she would have results from a DNA test applied to the victim’s fingernails to him within two weeks.

The prosecutor also said multiple biological materials were collected from existing evidence, including items of clothing, a screwdriver, a knife found inside White’s purse and a paternity test.

The prosecutor said the test results indicated the presence of White on a screwdriver. Apparently, White and Dean’s DNA was also on a jacket. According to the prosecutor, the paternity test indicated that Dean was the biological father of the fetus.

Matthews said the defense would not be re-testing the other items of evidence, including the paternity test.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found White conscious and breathing, bleeding uncontrollably from the left side of her neck in a McDonald’s restaurant. White was pronounced dead later that afternoon.

Surveillance Footage at the McDonald’s restaurant shows White drive to the fast food store, holding her neck as she entered.

Apparently, a witness called the crime tip line and reported that Dean and White had gotten into a verbal altercation, during which Dean stabbed White several times with a screwdriver.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Sept.17.

Document: Homicide on Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting shooting that occurred during the early morning hours on July 8.

According to a press release, police found 22-year-old Anfernee Vernon Walker suffering from gun shot wounds on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW. The victim died at a local hospital. Three other victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

No arrests were made as of the time of publication on July 8.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Document: Homicide on W Street, NW

A second arrest was made July 8, 2019 in relation to the murder of Christopher Payne on June 30, in the 1400 block of W Street NW. Malik Coles, 22, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. A warrant had been issued for his arrest on July 3.

Previously, Duan Garmany had been arrested on June 30, the same day as the murder, and was also charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. Duan Garmany is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 12.

An additional gunshot victim was treated for non-life threatening wounds that he suffered as a result of the same shooting on June 30.

Document: Homicide on Burns Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 400 block of Burns Street, SE.

According to a press release, police officers located 25-year-old Demarco Jones suffering from multiple gunshot wounds during the early morning hours on July 6. He died on the scene.

Second Trial Slated to Begin Soon for Murder Defendant

A man charged with the murder of two men is scheduled to appear in trial for a second time.

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 Cartlton 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.

The first trial for McLeod began on November 5, 2018, and lasted for nearly three weeks. On May 7, after almost two weeks of deliberation, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision about whether McLeod was guilty of the two homicides. Because the jury was hung, a mistrial was declared.

On May 17, the prosecution indicated that they would retry the case, and a jury was selected on July 1 and 2. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 8, 2019. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck predicted that the trial would be over by July 18. She also estimated that jury deliberations would begin on July 22.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Drayton suffering from a gunshot wound to the head during the evening hours on March 10, 2004. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Fisher was interviewed as a witness within a few weeks of Drayton’s murder. Apparently, he had had a conversation with McLeod a few days after the murder. During their conversation, McLeod asked him if he had any bullets, saying “I had to get him before he get me.” Apparently, McLeod told Fisher that when Drayton turned his back, he shot him in the head. Fisher also positively identified a photo of McLeod.

On October 1, 2006, police officers found Fisher suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Multiple witnesses said they saw McLeod, Fisher, and another individual together right before Fisher’s death.

Document: Fourth of July Shooting

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Independence Day.

According to a press release, police found 23-year-old Keonte Haynesworth, a resident of Upper Marlboro, Md. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4200 block of 7^th Street, SE.

He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Judge Grants Motion to Decrease Defendant’s Sentence

During a motions hearing on July 3, a DC Superior Court Judge granted the prosecution’s motion to reduce a defendant’s sentenced.

In 2017, a jury found Johnathan Taylor guilty of first-degree murder while armed for the death of 25- year-old Dexter Motley on the unit block of 46th Place, NE in 2014. Taylor, 28, was also found guilty of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm and obstruction of violence. Taylor was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2017.

The prosecution filed a motion to reduce Taylor’s sentence because of his cooperation. The prosecutor did not provide any other specifics about Tabor’s cooperation.

The prosecution told Judge José M. López that the defendant has come a long way. The prosecutor said Taylor “earned” a reduced sentence.

Judge Lopez granted the motion to reduce the sentence for the defendant on one charge, but his other charges will stay the same. D.C. Witness couldn’t verify the charge that Judge Lopez will reduce.

Taylor is also serving six years in prison for voluntary manslaughter in connection to the death of 23-year-old Dwayne Dilliard on the 2600 block of Douglas Place, SE on July 4, 2015.

In 2017 two defendants, Harry Herbert and Shakim Lyons, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm for their roles in Dillard’s death. Herbert, 31, was sentenced to 11 years in prison Lyons, 30, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Last year, a fourth defendant, 28-year-old James Coffield, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his role in Dillard’s death. Corrfield was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Murder Defendant Requests to Apply for Passport

During a status hearing on July 3, a murder defendent expressed his desire to obtain a passport for travel and inquired about whether he could do so.

Demetrius Brandon is charged with accessory after-the-fact to assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Marcus Manor, 38, on the 2900 block of Sherman Avenue, NW on Oct. 20, 2015. Brandon, 31, was found not guilty of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a jury on March 8, 2018, but a unanimous decision on his accessory charge was not reached. Consequently, a mistrial was declared on March 12.

Brandon said he is planning to go on vacation out of the country in late July, but was concerned about whether he would be able to apply for a passport given his charges.

Brandon’s defense attorney, James Williams, was sick and not present at trial. Another attorney stood in for Williams.

The defense said that a pending plea agreement would reduce Brandon’s charges to a misdemeanor.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck called Williams over the phone to ask about the plea offer. Williams was not able to give specifics about the agreement.

As a result, Judge Beck scheduled another status hearing on July 19 to ensure that Williams could be present to sort out the details of the pending plea offer. She said she wanted to give Brandon a solid answer about his ability to obtain a passport, even though she did not think there would be an issue.

Kevin Chase, 30, was sentenced to a total of six and a half years incarceration and 5 years of supervised release for his charges of voluntary manslaughter while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge Denies Further Access to Witness in Murder Case

During a motion hearing July 1, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a motion to disclose the identity of a witness. The defense requested the witness’ identity so he could reach out for a second interview.

Keonte Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 25 year-old Deandre Hawkins on the 5300 block of E St., SE. on April 22.

Judge Edelman said he saw no reason why the defense wants to meet with the witness privately. Apparently, the witness refused to speak with Johnson’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, during a previous meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Matthews, an investigator and the witness were the only people present at the meeting.

Matthews argued that if the meeting wasn’t at the prosecution’s office, the witness would have been more open to talk.

Despite meeting face-to-face, defense counsel wasn’t given the identity of the witness. The prosecution said the witness’ identity is confidential because the witness is in a witness protection program as part of a separate investigation.

Rather than issuing another order for the witness’ identity, Judge Edelman ordered the prosecution to ask if the witness spoke to anybody after the crime occurred.

A felony status conference is scheduled on Sept. 6.

Judge Continues Murder Trial to 2020

During a status hearing July 3, a DC Superior Court judge continued a murder trial for a 25-year-old case until April of 2020.

Therion Bryant is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 25-year-old Charlene Johnson on the 3600 block of New Hampshire Avenue., NW on Oct. 16, 1993.

The trial was continued because the defense needs more time to review a massive amount of documents pertaining to the case, according to defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman. Bryant, 51, was not required to be at the hearing. He is currently released on personal recognizance.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Bryant became a person of interest in the case in 2014 when DNA from the crime scene was entered into an FBI database and his came up as a match.

According to WUSA 9, the police questioned Bryant about the murder in 2014. At that time he said he knew Johnson but hadn’t seen her that day. However, in 2016, DNA from a sexual assault kit performed on the victim’s body matched Bryant, prompting his arrest.

There were three other suspects in the case, including Johnson’s boyfriend; Daryl Turner and a third suspect, who confessed to the stabbing while he was at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, but later took back his confession. Both victims were ruled out because their DNA was not found on the scene.

The prosecution told Judge Craig Iscoe that a plea offer for voluntary manslaughter was offered, but no decision has been made. The prosecution didn’t discuss any further details of the plea deal.

The prosecution requested that Bryant be present at the next status hearing scheduled on Oct. 25.

Prosecution Requests More Time in Murder Case

A prosecutor told a DC Superior Court judge July 2 that the prosecution would probably need the full nine months to secure an indictment for two murder defendants.

Stephon Evans and Alonzo Brown are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12. Evans,19, and Brown, 22, were arrested on Jan. 23.

The prosecutor said more time was needed because a fourth suspect, Tavist Alston, was arrested on June 26 in connection to the case.

According to court documents, security footage shows four armed men approach the Pentacle Apartments on Benning Road. Apparently, the suspects were canvassing the area and then fired their guns at multiple people running for cover. Taylor was the only person to succumb to his injuries.

Even though D.C. Witness reported that 21-year-old Carlos Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in May, the plea deal has not been filed on DC Courts. Another hearing has been set for Turner on Oct. 11.

Brown is scheduled for a grand jury hearing. The date of the hearing wasn’t disclosed. Evans is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 3.

Judge Finds Probable Cause 1 Defendant Murdered Vic, But Not the Other

During a preliminary hearing on July 1, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that one of the co-defendants was involved in a murder that occurred in April.

Xavier Culbreth is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing 40-year-old Jamal Ferrell at the Potomac Avenue Metro station located on the 700 block of 14th Street, SE on April 28. After police arrested Culbreth on June 21 after searching for him for weeks.

Judge Todd Edelman said there was enough evidence for him to believe that Culbreth convicted the offense. The case is still pending a grand jury.

On June 6, Culbreth’s girlfriend, Jada Jena Smith, turned herself in for the crime. She was also charged with first-degree murder.

After going through the evidence, Judge Edelman said that while Smith, 18, was on the scene and allegedly stole the victim’s wallet, she did not have direct involvement with the murder.

According to court documents, a witness said the defendant and the victim were seen fighting outside the escalator entrance to the station. Surveillance footage shows Culbreth kick Ferrell down the escalator. The defendant then followed the victim down the stairs where he allegedly stabbed him several times.

According to an autopsy report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, the victim allegedly had meth in his system.

Culbreth, 19, is being held without bond while Smith was released on July 1.

The prosecution has until July 10 to provide the defense with additional discovery. The case is scheduled for a status update on Sept. 6.

New Halfway House Policy Complicates Defendant’s Release

The Department of Corrections issued new policy regarding halfway housing that complicated a murder defendant’s eligibility for release.

Barbara Sanders is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a knife for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Thurman Knight on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE in March. According to court documents, Sanders, 53, and Knight resided together and were in a romantic relationship.

During a detention hearing July 1, counsel discussed a mandate from the Department of Corrections that stipulated that Sanders couldn’t move into a halfway house because she was charged with a crime of violence within 10-years.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies argued that the current charge should not be used as a “history,” and that the policy has “rewritten the district’s codes on release,” asserting that discretion of the defendant’s placement should be left to the judge. DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe agreed that the mandate was inconsistent with the phrasing of the policy.

A representative from the Department of Corrections explained that current charges were included in the interpretation of the policy for the protection of the members and staff of the house, as well as the public. However, he said the DOC would allow her placement if it was specifically ordered by the judge.

The representative stated that it is DOC’s position that members with criminal violence records shouldn’t be released at all.

Davies raised an alternate solution. He suggested releasing Sanders into the home of her son, his fiancee and teenage children in Northwest DC.

But, the prosecutor raised concern about the safety of the members of the household and the lack of monitoring. Apparently, Sanders son has a criminal record.

On July 2, Judge Iscoe agreed with the prosecution, saying “the safest placement for the community is the halfway house.”

Judge Iscoe previously approved the defendant’s release on June 24 into a halfway house because she didn’t have a criminal history. However, on June 26, an order was filed to stop processing the defendant into a halfway house, according to DC Courts.

Sanders is scheduled for a felony status conference on Aug. 30.

Murder Case Unlikely to Result in Plea Deal, Prosecution Says

The prosecution said during a July 1 status hearing that a plea deal is currently on the record but is likely the defense will not accept it.

Joshua Artis is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Ryan Matthew Addison, 28, on the 200 block of Elmira Street, SW on Aug. 11, 2015. Artis, 29, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to the prosecution, the defense wouldn’t accept the deal because the prosecution couldn’t get the district court of Eastern Virginia to agree to a waiver of protection that would have prevented Artis from being given additional charges.

On May 23, DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck said there was an enormous amount of evidence the prosecution needed to transfer to the defense. She also said computer problems delayed the transfer.

Judge Beck didn’t allow the prosecution to submit a letter Artis wrote to a witness. She said the letter was too vague and was likely to create unfair prejudice towards the defendant.

Judge Beck will allow two witnesses to testify. Apparently, one of the witnesses gave police a detailed account of a murder that could’ve been the crime Artis is accused of committing.

Judge Beck said she didn’t have time to evaluate the permissible scope of expert testimony before the hearing. She said she would give more detailed guidelines closer to trial.

According to court documents, Addison was discovered by police suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

According to a grand jury indictment, Artis is a member of IGB and was “authorized” by the Imperial Gangsta Bloods’ (IGB) leader to travel from Virginia to Washington, DC to kill Addison, who they believed killed Rodney Davis, a friend of theirs. Davis was fatally shot on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW in 2015.

A status hearing is scheduled on July 19.

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