Prosecution Begins to Disclose Evidence to Defense, Murder Case Moves Forward

During a status conference, defense counsel for a teenage murder defendant told a judge that the prosecution disclosed some discovery evidence and plans to send more.

Elijah Jarmon is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018. Police also arrested a 15-year-old juvenile. According to a press release, the juvenile was also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to defense attorney James King, the hearing was initially scheduled because the defense did not receive discovery evidence from the prosecution. However, now that the prosecution sent over some evidence with plans to send more, King said there were no issues.

Counsel did not specify when the rest of the evidence would be disclosed to the defense. Neither party discussed specifics about any items of the prosecution’s discovery package.

Jarmon, 18, is currently being held at DC Jail. A felony arraignment and felony status conference are scheduled on June 27, a few days before the prosecution’s indictment deadline on July 2.

Jury Finds Murder Defendant Guilty

After three days of deliberations, a jury found a defendant guilty of shooting a 53-year-old man in Northeast DC.

Kimberly Thompson was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, among other firearms offenses, for shooting Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE in December 10, 2015. According to court documents, Mayo suffered from multiple gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries seven days later.

During the trial, which lasted more than two weeks, prosecutors argued that Thompson disliked Mayo. Thompson described Mayo as “cruddy, a drug dealer and a bad person” to police when he was brought in for questioning.

Two police officers said they spoke with Thompson, who seemed defensive and easily agitated, on the night of the murder. At the time, Thompson was not a suspect.

Prosecutors said Mayo was sitting outside around 1:30 p.m. when Thompson confronted him and shot him multiple times. When police arrived on the scene, Mayo was slipping in and out of consciousness. He could not identify his shooter.

Mayo’s nephew testified that he saw Thompson shoot his uncle, and that he “saw the man’s face through the window as he drove up.”

Defense attorney Arthur Luk questioned the nephew’s testimony. During closing arguments, Luk said the witness was sleep deprived and high on marijuana. Luk said the music the nephew was playing made it difficult for him to focus. Luk also pointed out that the nephew admitted to getting parts of his testimony wrong and that Thompson had no real motive to kill Mayo.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed a car similar to Thompson’s silver Mercedes Benz driving near the scene of the murder. Police were never able to identify the driver of the other car. According to a witness, police mistook another silver car for Thompson’s car.

Cell phone records also placed Thompson near the scene of the murder.

One witness testified that she saw Thompson in the neighborhood on a regular basis. She said Thompson asked to stay with her, but she declined because of his “irritable attitude.”

Police found a handgun in the trunk of Thompson’s car. A firearms expert said the shell casings found at the scene of the murder matched the recovered gun. According to court documents, nine shell casings were recovered but only two were found in the area where police believe Mayo was standing when he was shot.

Thompson’s sentencing is scheduled on June 7. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Judge Sentences Convicted Murderer to 40.5 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a convicted murderer March 22 to 40.5 years in prison for his role in a murder he still claims was done out of self-defense.

In October of 2018, a jury found Babajide Pittman guilty of first-degree murder while armed, aggravated assault, assault with the intent to kill and four gun-related offenses for his role in the death of 27-year-old Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016. According to the prosecution, Young’s girlfriend was also shot and sustained permanent nerve damage in her foot.

“It’s a shame that in the preservation of life, a life was lost,” Pittman, 33, said prior to his sentencing. Pittman also said that he stands by what he said in trial. D.C. Witness previously reported that Pittman testified that he kept shooting the victim until he stopped moving.

“Never in a million years, did I think my son would die before me,” Young’s mother said. “That I would endure this pain.”

Amid tears, the mother told the judge about how her life has changed in the wake of her son’s death. “My life is consumed by stress and depression,” she said.

The mother also said Pittman “never showed an ounce of remorse” and told the judge that she wonders if he’ll do it again. Pittman’s aunt spoke of the victim’s daughter and how she carries his clothes just to feel close to him.

During the week and a half long trial, the defense sought to prove Pittman acted in self-defense and that the situation was “kill or be killed.”

According to the defendant, the confrontation between the men began when Pittman’s ex-wife accused him of statements he allegedly told a doctor regarding a medical procedure. Young apparently overheard Pittman’s conversation with the doctor and told the ex-wife.

Surveillance footage captured Pittman pacing and allegedly waiting for Young minutes before the homicide. Footage also captured Pittman shooting at Young eight times, pausing briefly, and then shooting at him four more times.

Pittman said when Young opened the passenger door of the vehicle, he thought Young was reaching for a gun.

Pittman is expected to serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

Judge Sentences Convicted Murderer to 19 Years

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a convicted murderer to 19 years in prison for shooting a man in the midst of a car robbery.

In January, D’Angelo Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the death of 37-year-old Michael Miller on the 1600 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE in July of 2018.

Given Davis’ high criminal history score, Judge Danya Dayson said 19 years is a fair sentence. According to DC Courts, Davis has multiple drug possession convictions. He also has cases in Maryland involving robbery and theft offenses.

“I don’t think anyone’s life should be taken away for any reason,” Miller’s brother told the judge during Davis’ sentencing on March 22.

According to court documents, Davis initially lied to police about the robbery. However, he later said he and Miller went into an alleyway on the pretense of having sex and that’s when he robbed him of his car keys.

Documents state that Davis said it was supposed to be a “simple” robbery but there was a struggle and the gun went off.

“I do apologize for what I’ve done and I do say I’m sorry,” Davis told the judge.

Davis’ attorney Judith Pipe said her client didn’t intend to hurt anyone that night and that he wished it didn’t happen. Pipe noted that her client confessed to police and that while he can’t bring back Miller he has done everything he can to take responsibility for Miller’s death.

Davis is expected to serve five years on supervised release following his release from prison.

Document: Homicide in Northeast DC

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a deadly shooting that occurred in Northeast DC.

According to a press release, officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE. They found 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE. Hawkins was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in DC. Anyone with information about this case can call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

Judge Orders Mental Heath Eval for Murder Defendant

On March 22, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a mental health screening.

Mason Binion, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW in 2008. Binion is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Defense lawyer, Kristin McGough, requested Binion be mentally evaluated to determine his competency for trial.

“Binion does not believe there is an issue, but he feels it will make everyone feel better if there is a forensic,” said Mcgough.

Judge Todd Edelman approved the request and continued the case to allow time for the screening.

A screening is scheduled on March 28.

Binion is also scheduled for a mental observation hearing on April 1.

Defense Awaits DNA Testing for Next Course of Action

During a murder defendant’s status hearing March 22, a defense lawyer said he would wait on the prosecution’s testing of evidence to determine his next course of action.

Keith Archie, 38, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE in 2017.

Archie’s defense lawyer, Blase Kearney, said his decision to pursue DNA testing depends on the results of the prosecution’s testing of evidence.

If the prosecution’s testing uncovers anything that can be used against the defense’s case, then the defense would conduct its own testing for additional evidence, Kearney said.

The defense also requested that the prosecution deliver their results in two-to-four weeks.

Judge Todd Edelman approved the requested time frame.

A status hearing is scheduled on May 2.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

During a hearing March 22, the prosecution agreed to downgrade a defendant’s murder charge to manslaughter.

Rodney Bell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his role in the death of 32-year-old Kevin Thomas on the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SW on October 19, 2018.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution and defense agreed on a six year sentence. Contingent on the judge’s approval, Bell, 42, is expected to be sentenced on June 7.

According to the prosecution, Bell was “actively” under the influence of morphine, fentanyl and PCP, a mind-altering drug, when he got into a car accident, killing his passenger in the process. Apparently, Bell was driving 98 miles per hour (mph) in a 25 mph zone when he struck multiple cars and a metal pole. The car then caught fire.

Thomas, who was in the front seat, was pronounced dead on the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that he died from blunt force injuries.

Bell was hospitalized following the crash and suffered from a fractured shoulder blade and leg burns. According to the defense, Bell is scheduled to undergo surgery in May for injuries linked to the crash.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Assault

A murder defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting a 64-year-old man after prosecutors said complications from injuries led to his death.

Manuel E. Bermudez is charged with aggravated assault for his role in the death of Miguel Pineda-Hernandez on the 1300 block of Irving Street, NW in 2018. According to court documents, Pineda-Hernandez died as a result of complications from injuries in the weeks following his assault. Bermudez, 38, was initially charged with second-degree murder.

During the hearing on March 22, a prosecutor said that Bermudez pushed Pineda-Hernandez into the ground, causing him to fall over an iron fence. Pineda-Hernandez sustained severe injuries that a medical examiner said contributed to his death weeks later.

The prosecutor also said that Bermudez was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and Bermudez admitted to having alcohol abuse issues during an interview with police.

Bermudez is also charged with misdemenor sexual abuse after grabbing the buttocks of another victim, who witnessed Pineda-Hernandez’s murder.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Pineda-Hernandez suffered from other health conditions, such as kidney and heart problems, that made him a “uniquely fragile” target. According to court documents, surveillance footage captured both of the assaults on Irving Street, and Bermudez identified himself from still photographs taken from the footage.

Bermudez is scheduled for sentencing on June 7.

Judge Continues Hearing For Second Time

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a mental observation hearing for a second time after the defense said they still could not find an expert for a man accused of killing a senior citizen.

Malcolm Cunningham is charged with first-degree murder while armed of a senior citizen and first-degree burglary for his alleged role in the death of 79-year-old David Norwood in the 600 block of C Street, NE.

During a hearing on March 22, defense attorney Ieshaah Murphy requested two additional weeks to secure an expert who could evaluate Cunningham’s competency status. Murphy said she intends to pursue an insanity defense for Cunningham, who was found competent to stand trial in January of 2018.

In response, a prosecutor said he was “concerned” with the amount of delay because of the defense’s requests for continuances. He said he wanted to see the case resolved quickly so the defendant’s life partner, who is 86 years old, could be present during the trial.

D.C. Witness previously reported that defense attorney David Knight requested a continuance in January for a mental observation hearing because of the government shutdown, which made it difficult to find a mental health expert.

According to court documents, Cunningham threatened Norwood with a knife weeks before the stabbing. Cunningham also threatened his own family members with a knife.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled on April 5.

Wife Tells Self Defense Instructor About Abuse

A self defense instructor, who taught classes to a murder defendant, said she told him about being in an abusive relationship with her husband shortly before his murder.

Dianna Lalchan is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting her 36-year-old husband,

ChristopherLalchan, on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013. Dianna, 33, is claiming self defense and is currently released on personal recognizance.

During the trial, an instructor with Krav Maga, a martial arts school in DC, testified that Dianna attended his classes for three months. He said he pulled her aside one day in March of 2013 after she asked him “strange” questions about jumping out of a moving vehicle. He said Dianna told him that she was involved in an abusive relationship. According to the instructor, Dianna said her husband constantly threatened her with guns.

During cross examination, the prosecution pointed out that people who take Krav Maga classes often sustain bruises and injuries. D.C. Witness previously reported that photos of Dianna, taken by police after the murder, showed bruising that the defendant said she could gave gotten from the class. The photos did not show Dianna with any other injuries, such as a black-eye.

An investigator who specializes in 3D modeling also testified that he created a model of the murder scene and said he could not confirm where in the room Dianna was standing at the time she fired the gun. D.C. Witness previously reported that there were three gunshots, and though the exact order could not be verified, another expert said that, according to blood spatter, the floor was shot before Christopher was shot in the back of the head.

The trial is set to continue on March 25.

Information About Murder was ‘Secondhand,’ Detective Says

During a preliminary hearing March 21, a detective said that most of the information police received regarding a shooting was “secondhand,” which means it was based on the words of others.

Co-defendants Marcel Vines and Malique Lewis, 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. Lewis’ death is allegedly connected to the shootings of 27-year-old Armani Coles and 23-year-old Ronzay Green, which took place on the same day. According to police, all three victims were believed to be involved in a credit card scam.

The detective told the court that he was unaware of any connection the co-defendants had with the shooting of Lewis. However, witnesses identified Vines, 22, and Lewis, 20, as suspects. Cell phone data also placed the two defendants together in the vicinity of where Lewis was found.

The detective said that casings found at the scene were consistent with one handgun and one rifle. He said a witness told police that they saw a man with a “long-gun” strapped to his shoulder. Police have not recovered the murder weapons.

According to the detective, another witness said they saw two men shooting into the trunk of a vehicle and fleeing the area after seeing Lewis’ car engulfed in flames. The witness told police she was not forthcoming with this information at first out of “fear.”

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue on March 22.

Ashton Briscoe is also charged with first-degree murder while armed and kidnapping while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting. Briscoe, 23, has a felony arraignment and a status hearing scheduled on May 29.

Man Pleads Not-Guilty to 39-Year-old Man’s Murder

A murder defendant entered a plea of not-guilty for killing a man in 2018.

Tywan Porter, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 39-year-old Alexander Mosby on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on May 26, 2018.

During a felony status conference, the prosecutor said she did not have a plea offer to give, but if Porter was interested in one, his attorneys should contact them.

On the night of the crime, police went to the listed address in response to a report of a shooting. Officers found Mosby suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. Mosby succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital.

Porter is scheduled for a status hearing on May 23.

Police Changed Murder Theory, Defense Says

A defense lawyer says that detectives’ initial theory of how a woman was killed in 2004 changed.

Tony Aiken, 47, is charged with second-degree murder for the alleged murder of 23-year-old Kendra Smith on the 4300 block of D Street, Southeast on September 6, 2004.

During Aiken’s felony arraignment, his defense lawyer, Eugene Ohm, revealed that homicide detectives originally believed the gunshot that killed Smith came from outside of the car she was sitting in. However, police now believe it came from someone inside the car.

Ohm requested that the prosecution hand over all Metropolitan Police Department investigative materials on the case, including documentation regarding their original theory.

Judge Todd Edelman accepted the request.

Aiken is scheduled for a status hearing on May 17.

Jury Finds Defendant Guilty for Murdering Out of Town Artist

After four weeks of trial and two days of deliberations, a jury found a man guilty for the murder of a 34-year-old woman from North Carolina.

El Hadji Toure, 30, was found guilty of all counts, including first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping while armed and robbery while armed, for stabbing Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to the prosecution, Mehiel was in the process of returning home when she was killed.

During closing arguments on March 19, the prosecution said Mehiel had a “lovely” weekend with her boyfriend and looked forward to returning home to be with friends and family.

“He took away her hope; her possibilities,” the prosecutor said. “He took away her next day.”

According to court documents, on March 21, 2017, Mehiel was found unresponsive, tied up with clothing, and suffering from multiple stab wounds to her neck and body. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure attacked Mehiel while she was loading her car outside the apartment she was renting. Toure then held Mehiel hostage, raped and stabbed her to death. Apparently, Toure stole Mehiel’s blue Toyota Prius and bank cards.

In the following days, surveillance footage shows a man who appears to be Toure using Mehiel’s ATM card to withdraw money from various ATMs in the DMV area. In total, $4000 was withdrawn.

The prosecutor said Toure had a consciousness of guilt by getting rid of artifacts that would tie him to the crime, such as Mehiel’s car and the pair of jeans he was wearing on the day of the crime.

“He’s giving you the puzzle pieces that show his guilt,” said the prosecutor.

On March 5, Toure’s father told the jury that the person in the footage “looks like” his son.

Along with the video footage, a forensics expert said a DNA mixture from Mehiel’s body contained results from Mehiel, her boyfriend and a third source. The third source, according to the expert, is much more likely to be from Toure than if it came from an unknown individual.

However, according to the defense, Toure and Mehiel had a consensual sexual encounter and the true murderer attacked the victim afterwards.

“The evidence doesn’t show what actually happened to Ms. Mehiel,” said defense lawyer Jacqueline Cadman. “It shows the defendant in this unfortunate situation.”

The defense also claimed that some samples of DNA had been contaminated when they were processed by forensic services.

“[The prosecution] has absolutely failed to maintain the evidence of this case,” said Cadman.

Apparently, earlier that same month, a rape with many similarities to Mehiel’s occurred in the Kalorama area in Northwest DC on March 3, 2017. The prosecution did not notify the defense of the earlier rape so, Judge Juliet Mckenna sanctioned the prosecution to prevent them from challenging shelter documents that placed Toure at a homeless shelter away from the scene. As a result of the sanction, the prosecution was not allowed to draw on similarities between the two cases, while Mehiel’s case underwent trial.

Cadman insisted that along with the prosecution’s failures, the police didn’t conduct a thorough investigation into the murder.

A detective told the jury that a tip hotline was made available to the public. According to the detective, the police received multiple tips about individuals who may have been involved in Mehiel’s murder. The police also received a tip from Mehiel’s family about a potential suspect who had a “thing” for Mehiel.

However, the tips were disregarded when police found out that they pointed to white men as the murderer. According to the police, they were searching for the black man who was seen in the surveillance footage.

In addition to not looking into the tips, on Feb. 26, a Metropolitan Police Department officer testified that he turned off his body worn camera shortly after arriving to the crime scene, despite laws prohibiting him from doing so.

Toure is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7.

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