During a mental observation hearing April 1, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a full mental health assessment as well as treatment.
Mason Binion is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW in 2008. Binion, 32, is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Joshua Massaquoiand Victor Carvajal are also charged with Taylor’s death.
According to Judge Todd Edelman, a Department of Behavioral Health report concluded that Binion was incompetent to proceed to trial. As a result, Judge Edelman adjusted Binion’s conditions of release to include mental health treatment in addition to his current conditions, which includes drug testing, maintaining a curfew and wearing a GPS monitor.
The prosecution argued in favor of requiring the defendant to refrain from smoking marijuana in light of the report. Apparently, the report stated Binion smokes three to four “joints” a day.
Judge Edelman denied the request saying, he can only create restrictions if the issue pertains to the safety of the community or to ensure the defendant appears in court.
According to court documents, a witness told police that Taylor helped “broker a deal” between a drug dealer and a group of individuals, including Binion, Carvajal and Massaquoi, 31. Apparently, the group paid for marijuana but never received it.
Binion told policehe supplied the gun and set up the murder. Massaquoi told police Binion shot Taylor and that Carvajal, 32, hit Taylor in the head with a rock.
Binion is scheduled for another mental observation hearing on May 7. Carvajal is scheduled for a status hearing on April 4. Massaquoi is scheduled for a status hearing on April 11.
On March 29, in congruence with DC law, a DC Superior Court judge officially detained a defendant on a murder charge.
Dewayne Chatman is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Evan Williams on the 4000 block of 3rd Street, SE on Sept. 8, 2016. Chatman, 32, was arrested on Nov. 22, 2016.
The decree for detention occurred after Judge Danya Dayson temporarily released Chatman to execute a parole warrant on March 15. Even though released, the defendant remained in custody.
The reason the warrant was issued was not clear. Chatman is being held without bail.
He is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on May 2.
A DC Superior Court judge placed a murder defendant in a halfway house on March 29.
Dejuan George is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 46-year-old Abdul Watts on the 5600 block of Dix Street, NE on Jan. 8, 2019.
During a preliminary hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department detective told Judge Danya Dayson that a witness saw Watts get stabbed 16 to 17 times. However, the witness told police that a knife was not visible. The witness identified George, 25, as the attacker through a photograph presented by investigators.
Defense attorney Judith Pipe questioned the witness’s account. During cross examination, the detective testified that the witness wanted to share information with police hoping that prosecutors would drop a misdemeanor charge. The witness also said, in a later interview, that Watts was only stabbed three to four times.
Judge Dayson found probable cause for second-degree murder, and said she would place George in a halfway house. George will be allowed to leave the halfway house for work, but will be under GPS monitoring.
Watts was found inside Marvin Gaye Park, which, according to Washington Parks and People — a nonprofit website — is DC’s longest municipal park covering 1.6 miles through Deanwood, Burville, Hillbrook, Lincoln Heights, and Northeast Boundary areas. Court documents state that Watts sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest. Footage from a body-worn camera appears to show Watts identifying George as his assailant. However, the audio from the footage is not clear.
George is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 29.
A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant March 29 to two years in prison for “facilitating” a fight that led to the death of a 29-year-old man.
In January, Roderick Terrell Gaither pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for his role in the stabbing death of Johnathan Grady on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in June of 2018.
Gaither’s co-defendant, James Manuel Johnson, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection to Grady’s death. Johnson, 44, is scheduled to be sentenced May 3.
“Every night I feel pain knowing a mother lost her child,” Gaither said, addressing Grady’s family. “I’m truly sorry for my acts and this situation. I take full responsibility for my actions.”
On behalf of his family, Grady’s uncle addressed the court and explained their family dynamic. He spoke of how Grady used to help with family cookouts and was trying to get back in the church. The uncle also said that Grady would sometimes help the elderly get to church, carrying them from their apartments when the elevators weren’t working.
“We’re a Christian family. We forgive him,” Grady’s uncle said referring to the defendant.
The prosecution said Gaither too was a family man. The prosecutor said Gaither, 24, has a son and that he tries to be a good dad. He said Gaither only got into this situation because he wanted to see a fight. Apparently, Gaither was on the same street when Johnson was chasing after Grady and followed them. The prosecutor said Grady recorded the chase.
“(Gaither) watched the decedent run for his life, being chased like an animal,” the prosecutor said. Apparently, it was during the chase that Gaither told Johnson where the victim was going.
The defense said Gaither’s charge stems from 12 seconds when Gaither told his codefendant where the victim was headed. Defense attorney Kevin Mosley said that as a society we hope people would intervene in a fight, but unfortunately as a society, we’re not there. Mosley noted that there are websites devoted to fights of videos and acknowledged that social media also plays a factor.
Mosley also said his client tried to help. Apparently, after the stabbing occurred, Gaither got a rag and gave it to someone near the victim to apply pressure to the wound.
Judge Ronna Beck said she believes Gaither didn’t know that his actions would lead to death, but she did acknowledge that Gaither’s actions were “consequential.”
Judge Beck told counsel that she recommends Gaither undergo grief counseling, acknowledging that he lost a son and his grandmother while in prison. She also gave Gaither credit for time served.
Gaither is also expected to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s motion to dismiss his indictment.
Hakeem Burroughs, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting of 22-year-old Jarell Walker on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE in 2016.
According to defense attorney Dominique Winters, the prosecution violated the defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Apparently, the prosecution failed to obtain a second indictment, assess a cooperating witness’s “viability” and give the defense evidence about the witness. As a result, Winters said the delay for trial was “sought in bad faith.” Burroughs was initially scheduled to begin trial on May 21, 2018.
During the March 29 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said she did not find “good cause” to approve the motion to dismiss the indictment.
Burroughs’ trial is scheduled to begin on April 15.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested March 28 a man suspected of killing another man in Northwest DC.
According to a press release, officers apprehended 25 year-old Deontay Britton. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25 year-old Dawud Debruhl on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 14.
During a trial March 28, an eyewitness refuted the defenses theory and said a murder defendant did not shoot a victim in self-defense.
Andre Becton is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the shooting death of 35-year-old Darnell Peoples on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE in 2016.
The witness told the jury she was on Mellon Street trying to buy crack-cocaine the night Peoples died. According to the witness, Peoples initially approached Becton in a friendly manner, attempting to “to hug him.” It was then that Becton, 27, allegedly shot Peoples.
The witness, who knew the victim as both her friend and part-time drug dealer, said Peoples was being “loving” the night he was killed. Furthermore, she said she had never seen him angry while high on drugs.
The defense, however, questioned the witness’s sobriety during the time of the shooting.
The witness said she was sober during the time of the murder. However, defense attorney Jeffrey Stein said the witness had initially told detectives that she smoked crack and drink alcohol before the murder.
During opening arguments, the defense also told the jury that the witness was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and that the diagnoses were going untreated.
D.C. Witness previously reported that the defense said Peoples was high on PCP, a mind altering drug, and was being “aggressive.” The defense said Becton shot Peoples out of self-defense.
Exactly six years after shooting her husband, a defendant was found guilty of killing her spouse during a violent argument.
Dianna Lalchan
On March 28, a jury found Dianna Lalchan guilty of voluntary manslaughter while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for shooting her 36-year-old husband, Christopher
Lalchan, on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW on March 28, 2013. She is scheduled to be sentenced June 14. She is being without bail.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution refuted the defense’s theory that Dianna, 33, acted in self-defense because Christopher was shot in the back of the head. During closing arguments, the prosecutor said the gunshot wound is consistent with Christopher being shot while he was unarmed and face-down on the ground.
An expert said that when the bullet hit the back of his head, Christopher was close to the wall and not more than 18 inches from the floor. The expert also told the jury that Dianna fired three times and that Christopher was killed by the second or third shot. Bloodstain analysis can determine that Christopher was killed after a bullet struck the floor near his head. However, the sequence of the three shots cannot be determined.
Also, the prosecution said there was no evidence that suggested that Dianna was abused. Throughout the trial, multiple witnesses testified that they never saw bruises on Dianna and had no knowledge of any domestic abuse. However, a few witnesses said they were aware of violent arguing in the relationship.
The prosecution said Dianna committed premeditated murder for varying reasons, including being ashamed of the divorce, not wanting her family to find out that she was a lesbian and to avoid paying alimony. The prosecution said Dianna was a “manipulative and cold” person who was “setting up a ruse,” by using domestic violence to get out of her marriage and avoid paying alimony.
Emails from Dianna to her husband and friends showed that she meticulously tracked and questioned Christopher’s expenses.
“It was all about money,” the prosecutor said. “She shot him to solve all her problems.”
However, the defense told a different story.
According to the defense, the couple had violent arguments and were planning to separate. When she called 911, Dianna told police that she was a victim of domestic abuse. However, she said she didn’t report the abuse because she didn’t want to jeopardize her husband’s future.
During opening arguments, the defense described Christopher as the “Hulk,” saying he was unable to control or stop himself. He had apparently strangled Dianna to unconsciousness in the past. Dianna was “living in daily fear,” the defense said.
An instructor at Krav Maga, a DC martial arts school where Dianna took self-defense classes, said Dianna told him about the domestic abuse she was enduring. The instructor told the jury that he offered to help Dianna leave her home and relationship, but she refused because she was afraid Christopher would retaliate.
According to court documents, police found guns, gun memorabilia, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a tactical vest in the home, all of which apparently belonged to Christopher. Police also said there were no signs of a struggle in the home and that Dianna didn’t have any physical injuries.
The defense counsel also challenged the prosecution’s theory that Dianna was only concerned with her own financial situation, saying she didn’t want to leave her husband until he was financially stable. Her counsel said that as a pharmacist who made a six-figure salary, Dianna was happy to support Christopher.
“She lost her best friend,” the defense said. “She didn’t shoot Christopher Lalchan, she shot the Hulk.”
During a preliminary hearing March 28, the defense said a victim may have been killed outside of the District of Columbia and therefore the court doesn’t have jurisdiction.
Co-defendants Marcel Vines, 22, and Malique Lewis, 20, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involement in the shooting of 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE in 2017.
Kerrice’s murder coincides with the death of 27-year-old Armani Coles. The case is being handled in Maryland. It is unclear whether Vines and Malique are being charged in connection to Coles’ death.
According to court documents,there are witnesses and cell data evidence that corroborate Vines and Lewis are connected to the shooting of Coles, whose body was pushed out of a vehicle in Maryland. The defense said the witness’s account is reason enough to believe that Kerrice may have been shot outside of DC, too.
Court documents state that Kerrice was found in the trunk of a burning vehicle in a DC alley. The defense said that ballistic evidence, which includes shell casings found at the scene, suggests there is a possibility she was shot elsewhere and moved.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson disagreed with the defense and said that there is reasonable probability that Kerrice was killed within DC’s jurisdiction.
A detective told the court that a witness saw two men in DC shooting into the trunk of the vehicle and fleeing the area in a black sedan. Judge Dayson said that witnesses and cell phone data place both defendants in the vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the murder.
Judge Dayson also said there is a possibility that the co-defendants kidnapped Kerrice within the District. She said that while there is not sufficient evidence to assume that Coles was kidnapped, there is reason to believe that Kerrice was forcibly carried away and detained since she was found in the trunk of a vehicle.
D.C. Witness previously reported that witnesses told police Kerrice and Coles’ murders were in retaliation for the death of 23-year-old Ronzay Green, who was killed on the same day. The witnesses said Kerrice set Green up to get robbed and is responsible for his death. Following Green’s death, witnesses reported overhearing Vines say “this isn’t fair,” and “someone needs to pay.”
Ashton Briscoe is also charged with Kerrice’s murder. Judge Dayson said there is evidence that Briscoe, 24, acted as a lookout and getaway driver. Briscoe is scheduled for a felony status conference on May 29.
Vines and Malique are scheduled for a felony status conference on May 23.
A murder defendant was prepared to waive his right to make any challenges regarding his counsel because of a potential conflict of interest. However, the defendant’s co-defendant was hesitant to do the same.
Nyekemia Everettand Malik Hewittare charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged involvement in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017. According to court documents, Everett, 33, and Hewitt, 38, allegedly planned to rob Heard, shooting him in the process.
To mitigate the situation between the defendant and his lawyer, Justin Okezie was appointed to Hewitt and presented in court on March 27. Okezie said Hewitt is aware of any conflicts on the part of his defense attorney, Nikki Lotze.
“He wants to go forward with Ms. Lotze and he is waiving any potential conflict,” Okezie told the court. Two defense attorneys who previously worked on Hewitt’s case were dismissed last month.
Before Hewitt can officially submit the waiver, Everett has to also waive any challenges to any conflict as well. The court granted a continuance to conduct a thorough discussion about the defendant’s representation.
According to the American Bar Association, a lawyer may request that their client can waive any future conflict that may arise, so long as the client has a “requisite understanding” of the matter and consents to a particular type of conflict. If the consent is not specific, it will be considered ineffective.
Everett is scheduled for a status hearing on April 8. Both defendants are scheduled to appear for a status hearing on April 18.
A friend of a murder defendant told a jury that he was with the defendant on the day a man was killed in Southeast DC. However, the prosecution said the witness’s testimony was inconsistent.
Andre Becton is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while released and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while released for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Darnell Peoples on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE in 2016.
Becton’s friend, said he, Becton and others spent the day together. The witness said he and the defendant were “like brothers” and, on the day of the murder, Becton was “always by his side the whole time.” He said he saw everything the defendant had done that night.
However, the friend told the grand jury that he only spoke with the defendant after the night of the murder.
According to the prosecution’s theory, Peoples noticed a group of individuals playing a game of dice who were hunched over with their butts out. Peoples, who was high on PCP, made a homophobic comment, and as a result Becton, 27, became angry. The two got into a physical altercation. The prosecution said Becton shot Peoples.
However, defense counsel said that Peoples was the aggressor.
With nearly two weeks until a murder defendant’s trial begins, he chose to waive his right to new counsel amid a potential conflict of interest.
William Edward Smith is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon for his alleged role in the stabbing death of 29-year-old Dominic Brooks on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE in 2017.
“I’ll stick with the attorneys I got,” Smith, 34, said. He is scheduled to go to trial on April 8.
The prosecution notified the court March 27 that the Public Defender Service represented the victim in two previous cases in 2015. According to DC Courts, the cases were for drug possession and bail reform act offenses.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson accepted Smith’s waiver after defense attorney Jason Tulley said the attorney who represented Brooks had no contact with Smith’s case.
During the hearing, the prosecution also said Smith rejected their plea offer. Apparently, the prosecution offered to downgrade Smith’s charges to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecutor said they rejected the defense’s counter offer for negligent homicide.
According to court documents, a witness, who was in a relationship with Brooks, said Smith and another individual named Lou ran into Brooks and the witness when they were walking away from a birthday party. The witness said an argument turned into a physical altercation between Smith and Brooks.
During a murder trial, a detective said a victim identified his shooter moments before he succumbed to his injuries.
Andre Becton is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 35-year-old Darnell Peoples on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE in 2016.
During his testimony on March 26, a detective said he arrived on Mellon Street and found Peoples lying in front of a house with multiple gunshot wounds. The detective said Peoples identified “Dre” as the man who shot him. The victim also said “Dre” was from the Trenton Park neighborhood.
One of the defendant’s friends also testified.
The friend said Becton, who goes by “Dre,” rode with him and another friend to Mellon Street on the night of Peoples’ murder. The friend said he stayed in the car, which was parked at a convenience store, while Becton walked down the street. Apparently, when Becton returned to the car, he asked his friend to drive him home.
The jury also heard from Peoples’ wife who said she spoke to Peoples hours before his murder. The wife said Peoples “seemed fine” over the phone. But, defense attorney Bernadette Armand said Peoples was under the influence of PCP, a mind-altering drug, at the time of his murder. Armand said Peoples was agitated and combative with Becton.
D.C. Witness previously reported that Armand argued during her opening statement that Becton shot Peoples out of self defense. Armand pointed out that Peoples had multiple convictions for drug crimes and solicitation of sex.
On March 26, defense counsel in a murder trial closed a case by saying a wife “lost her best friend” when she was forced to shoot her husband during a violent argument.
Dianna Lalchan
Dianna Lalchan is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting her 36-year-old husband, Christopher Lalchan, on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013. Dianna, 33, is claiming self-defense. She is currently released on personal recognizance.
Christopher Lalchan
The defense said that, on the night of the incident, Christopher punched a television and verbally threatened Dianna. According to Dianna’s testimony, Chistopher got overwhelmed with emotion and started to “come at her.” The defense said Dianna had no choice but to open fire.
“She didn’t want to,” the defense told the jury. “There was evidence that she was in serious danger.”
The defense also said that even though Christopher was unarmed, he didn’t need a gun to be considered a threat. According to Dianna’s testimony, Christopher strangled her to unconsciousness before. She was scared that he was going to kill her, the defense said.
Furthermore, the defense said Dianna, who at the time was being paid a six-figure salary, was happy to provide for her husband’s financial needs. Apparently, Dianna paid for Christopher’s immigration lawyer and an education program at American University. D.C. Witness previously reported that Christopher was unemployed for various portions of the four year marriage.
“One of the things she loved about Christopher Lalchan was that he had a mission,” the defense said. “She told her friends that she didn’t want to leave him until he was financially stable.”
However, the prosecution said Dianna did not act in self-defense.
The prosecution said the murder was premeditated, referencing expert testimony that said Christopher was unarmed and face-down on the floor when he was shot in the back of the head.
“In that particular moment she was not in danger,“ the prosecutor told the jury.
The prosecution said Dianna was a “manipulative and cold” person who was “setting up a ruse,” by using domestic violence to get out of her marriage and avoid paying alimony.
“It was all about money. She shot him to solve all her problems,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecution said Dianna was the one who held the power in the relationship, identifying the wife as the abusive partner who treated her husband like a “servant.”
The prosecutor also said Christopher wanted out, referencing emails between the couple. D.C. Witness previously reported that Christopher told Dianna’s parents that they were getting a divorce.
Several witnesses were called during the prosecution’s rebuttal to testify about any knowledge they had of domestic abuse in a murder defendant’s marriage. Even though some witnesses said they were aware of the alleged abuse, none of the witnesses ever saw bruises on the defendant.
Dianna Lalchan
Dianna Lalchan is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting her 36-year-old husband, Christopher Lalchan, on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013. Dianna, 33, is claiming self-defense and is currently released on personal recognizance.
On March 25, the top self defense instructor at Krav Maga, a martial arts school in DC, said he spoke to Dianna about abuse in her relationship after she asked another instructor “awkward questions” about tactics to use when being held down, pistol whipped or threatened while in a vehicle.
Christopher Lalchan
The instructor told Dianna to get out, get a restraining order and go to a shelter. However, he said Dianna refused to follow his advice because she said she was afraid Christopher would retaliate. The instructor told the jury that he offered to help her leave, but she refused.
The instructor said Dianna had bruises on her wrists that were consistent with bruises that would occur during self-defense lessons. He said he never noticed any bruising that may have been from any kind of abuse.
Dianna’s sister said she occasionally spoke to Dianna about marital problems, however, she said Dianna never mentioned anything about domestic abuse. The sister also said Dianna seemed relieved to get a divorce.
The sister said that, at one point, Christopher’s relationship status on social media changed to “single” while the couple was still together. She said Dianna seemed “frustrated and annoyed” upon learning of his status. During the defendant’s testimony, she said she was upset because Christopher lied to her about who could see the status.
The prosecution also called Dianna’s former neighbor who said she heard arguments coming from the couple’s residence “about every week.” The neighbor said she consistently heard crashes and things being thrown, as well as shouting.
But, the neighbor said she never noticed bruising or injuries on Dianna.
In the weeks following Christopher’s death, the neighbor testified that she heard crying coming from the residence.
A co-worker of Dianna’s said Dianna talked to her about marriage problems and a potential divorce, however, she said Dianna never disclosed anything about abuse. The co-worker also told the jury that she never noticed any bruises on Dianna.
D.C. Witness previously reported that Dianna testified that she shot her husband during a violent argument. The defense said Dianna didn’t intend to kill him and that she immediately called 911 to report the incident.
However, the prosecution said the shooting was not done in self-defense, saying there was never any evidence of injuries from domestic disputes. Apparently, Dianna said she had been abused throughout the four year marriage, however she never called the police to document the alleged abuse.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin on March 26.
