Wife Kills Husband Over Money, Prosecution Says

The prosecution in a murder trial used time during cross examination to prove that a wife killed her husband for financial reasons. However, the defense sought to prove the woman acted in self-defense.

Dianna Lalchan is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting her 36-year-old husband, Christopher Lalchan, on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013. The couple was married in 2008.

During a nearly three-day cross, the prosecution used Dianna’s email correspondences with friends and her husband to show how worried she was about the couple’s finances. According to the correspondences, Dianna tracked every expense Christopher, who did not work for periods of time within the marriage, charged. Correspondences show Dianna questioning Christopher about purchases he made that cost hundreds of dollars to a purchase that cost a little more than $3.

The prosecutor pointed out that Dianna’s meticulous control of the couple’s finances, let her know how much Christopher spent on guns and ammunition. However, Dianna claimed to not know there were more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition in the condo.

The prosecution also referenced Dianna’s emails to Christopher, often dictating tasks for him to work on or scolding him for tasks he had not completed, which she said was odd for a woman who claimed to be abused.

These weren’t the things that set him off,” Dianna said, mentioning that Christopher had triggers that made him act like he was “out of control.” Dianna said Christopher was set off if she said anything that contradicted him in public, left the marriage, reported the abuse or filed for a restraining order.

However, the prosecution said Christopher was planning to divorce Dianna and even told Dianna’s parents, who Dianna kept at a distance, about it. Apparently, Christopher also changed his relationship status on Facebook to “single,” which the prosecutor said, angered Dianna.

“I have a deep pain in my heart for the hurt and the fear I have done to you,” Christopher told Dianna through an email. According to the correspondence, he realized that the two wanted different things in life and the marriage wasn’t working.

On several emails to a co-worker, Dianna mentioned that she would have to pay Christopher money if they were to divorce before he added a sufficient amount of money to their joint bank account. She also said she couldn’t leave the condo because, if she did, it would go to Christopher. According to court documents, at the time Christopher recently started working at Dulles Airport in Virginia.

However, the defense later showed the jury an email Christopher sent to Dianna, saying that he was “adamant” about paying her back for all the money she spent on him. Apparently, Dianna paid for Christopher’s immigration lawyer and an education program at American University.

After Dianna’s testimony, one of her friends, said that while she never saw any bruises or physical altercations on Dianna’s person, she did notice her demeanor change when Christopher was around. The friend said Dianna would be out with friends and that Christopher would come later and that’s when Dianna would become “timid,” “disengaged” and avoid eye contact.

The friend also told the jury that Christopher and Dianna would argue and that Christopher’s body language was “aggressive.” During one instance, the friend said the couple was arguing so loudly that the friend contemplated an intervention.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 21.

LaTrina Antoine contributed to this article.

Document: Medical Examiner Rules 3 Month Old’s Death A Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a 3-month-old infant in Southeast DC.

According to a press release, on March 16 officers responded to reports of an unconscious infant inside a residence on the 4300 block of G Street, SE. Skylar Newman was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on March 19.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia ruled the death as a homicide by blunt force trauma.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

Defendant to Testify in Co-defendant’s Murder Trial

A DC Superior Court judge separated the cases of two co-defendants on trial for murder because both defendant wanted to testify on the other’s behalf.

Cinquan Cartledge and Marquette Tibbs are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the death of Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE on Nov. 27, 2016. A medical examiner determined Silver’s cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the back.

During a motions hearing March 19, defense attorney Carol Blume said Cartledge, 24, wanted to separate his trial from Tibbs, 26, so he could be a witness in Tibbs’ trial. Blume said Cartledge wanted to prove his friend’s innocence.

If Tibbs, wanted to do the same, Judge Todd Edelman said he would have to give up his right against self-incrimination in order to testify for Cartledge.

Tibbs said he would testify for Cartledge even if he was found guilty during his trial. Judge Edelman said he would schedule Tibbs’ trial before Cartledge’s, which would allow Tibbs to reserve his right to testify in his own trial.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Edelman denied a severance motion in February after Cartledge was deemed mentally competent to stand trial.

According to court documents, Tibbs and Cartledge were wearing GPS ankle monitors that placed them near the scene of Silver’s murder. Two witnesses identified Tibbs as the shooter shortly after witnessing the incident.

A police officer said he saw Tibbs throw a loaded pistol, which prosecutors believe to be the same gun used in Silver’s murder.

A trial readiness hearing for Tibbs is scheduled on April 11. His trial is slated to be held on May 6.

Judge Rules in Favor of Murder Defendant’s Self-Defense Claim

During a hearing March 19, a DC Superior Court judge ruled on multiple motions, including the defense’s right to claim their client acted in self-defense.

Andre Becton is charged with second-degree murder 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.

After speaking with defense counsel under seal, Judge Juliet McKenna ruled Becton’s attorneys could use a self-defense claim during the trial, which is slated to begin with jury selection on March 20.

Judge McKenna later denied the defense’s request to suppress statements Becton, 27, gave to police during an interview in 2016, about a month after the murder. The judge said the defendant initiated contact with the lead detective and “voluntarily” arranged transport to the station. Based on the interview, Judge McKenna said any “reasonable” person would believe they could refuse to talk to the police.

The court also denied the defense’s request to suppress Peoples identification of the shooter. During the hearing, the officer who initially responded to the crime scene told the court Peoples identified Becton as his shooter prior to his death.

However, the defense noted that the officer’s body camera footage shows that when the officer asked the victim if he knew who the shooter was the victim shook his head in the negative. The defense also said there were multiple people near Peoples who could have told the victim who they thought the shooter was.

According to court documents, a witness told police Becton was playing craps, a dice game, with a group of individuals when Peoples approached and called the group homosexuals. Apparently, Peoples and Becton began fighting and that’s when the witness saw Becton pull out a silver gun and shoot Peoples.

Defense Cites Faulty Testimony from Witness during Closing Arguments in Murder Trial

The prosecution in a murder trial told a jury that the defendant was guilty because he was near the scene of the crime and did not like the victim. However, the defense says that a key witness in the case was wrong.

Kimberly Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for allegedly shooting 53-year-old Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Thompson was shot on Dec. 10, 2015, and succumbed to his injuries seven days later.

During closing arguments March 18, Thompson’s defense attorney, Arthur Luk, told the jury that the witness, who had very little sleep the night before, was listening to music, and was high on marijuana. Counsel said the witness didn’t see what happened.

The witness, Mayo’s nephew, previously told the jury that he saw Thompson shoot his uncle from a silver car. At the time, Thompson drove a silver Mercedes.

“I saw the man’s face through the window as he drove up,” the nephew said, referring to the defendant who was driving a silver Mercedes Benz at the time.

The nephew admitted to getting parts of his testimony wrong.

In addition to the incorrect testimony, the defense said that, during the beginning of the investigation, a detective mistook Thompson’s Mercedes as the vehicle of interest.

According to the lead detective on the case, a car, similar to Thompson’s car, was captured by surveillance cameras in the area. It is not clear if police located the owner of the other car.

D.C. Witness reported earlier that experts linked shell casings from the scene to a gun in the trunk of Thompson’s car, however the defense said that Thompson didn’t have a motive to kill the victim.

However, the prosecution said that a possible motive was Thompson’s dislike for Mayo. D.C. Witness reported earlier that Thompson told the police that Mayo was “cruddy, a drug dealer and a bad person.”

The prosecution also said cell phone records placed Thompson, 53, on the street where Mayo was killed at the time of the murder.

Apparently, a witness told the jury she saw Thompson regularly in the area of the shooting. She said that a week or so prior to the shooting, Thompson asked her for a place to stay, but she turned him down because of his “irritable attitude.” She also said she saw him sleeping in his car in the area.

The jury began deliberations on March 18.

Louie Shearon contributed to this article.

Document: Police Arrest Third Suspect in 2017 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a third suspect in connection to a fatal shooting in Southeast DC.

According to a press release, 30-year-old Gabriel Brown was arrested March 19 and charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for his role in the alleged shooting of 24-year-old Tyrone Johnson on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on March 10, 2017.

The police previously arrested two other suspects in connection to the case. Jordan Woods and Antonio Upshaw were arrested on Dec. 29, 2017. Upshaw, 29, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder. He is currently being held without bond and scheduled for a status hearing on April 8.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Woods, who was 23 years old at the time of the murder, was released and his charges were dismissed.

Defendant Requests New Attorney For Second Time

A murder defendant requested new defense counsel after he said he did not receive good advice from his attorney about a pre-indictment plea deal. As a result of the allegation, the defendant’s attorney filed a motion to withdraw.

Ricardo Daquan Boston is charged with first-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting of 20-year-old Dante Coleman on the 3900 block of First Street, SE in 2017.

A prosecutor said she offered a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter while armed, which carries a sentencing range of 10-15 years before an indictment was filed on Nov. 7, 2018. However, after the indictment, the prosecutor said she would offer a plea of second-degree murder while armed. If Boston, 24, decides to take the deal, he could serve up to 16 years in prison.

Boston claims he did not understand the terms of the pre-indictment plea.

During the hearing on March 19, defense attorney Keith Irving said Boston wanted a new attorney because of allegations of ineffective counsel. Irving filed the motion to withdraw on March 12.

Judge Todd Edelman said he would grant Irving’s motion in a few days once a new attorney was appointed.

Judge Edelman also said this was not the first time Boston was appointed a new attorney. According to court documents, attorney Gabriel Diaz was dismissed from Boston’s case in June of 2018.

Court documents state that Coleman was found by police with a gunshot wound to the head. Surveillance footage shows Boston pointing an object believed by prosecutors to be a gun at Coleman. A witness said that Coleman and Boston were in a room with the doors closed when gunshots were fired.

A status hearing is set on April 8.

Document: Homicide on Montana Ave, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the fatal stabbing of a 59-year-old man.

According to a press release, officers found Thurman Knight suffering from a stab wound on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE on March 17. Knight was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

Counsel Argues Probability of Murder Defendant’s DNA on Victim During Closings

Even though counsel could not solidify whether a murder defendant’s DNA was actually on a 34-year-old victim, the attorneys centered on the prospect during closing arguments.

El Hadji Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in March of 2017. According to the prosecution, Mehiel was an artist who was visiting the city from North Carolina.

The prosecution spoke about the vicious attack, while the defense said the two were sexually involved.

According to the prosecution, Toure attacked Mehiel while she was loading her car outside the apartment she was renting. Apparently, Toure held Mehiel hostage and sexually assaulted her inside her home, stabbing her to death.

“That man did it,” said the prosecutor. “He did it just because he could.”

D.C. Witness previously reported that an expert testified that it was “likely” that Toure’s DNA was included in a mixture of DNA found on a victim who was allegedly robbed, raped and murdered. According to the expert, Toure could be a possible contributor of DNA found in a vaginal swab. His semen was also found on a pair of leggings that was used to bound Mehiel.

In addition to the DNA, surveillance footage shows a man, who appears to be Toure, using Mehiel’s debit and credit cards to withdraw money from various ATMs days after the homicide.

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

However, according to the defense, the sexual contact between Toure and Mehiel was not only consensual but the true murderer committed the crime 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.”

Cadman told the jury that the investigation unit did not investigate any tip or lead that didn’t support their theory of the case. Furthermore, she mentioned how some DNA samples had been contaminated while they were processed by forensic services.

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

D.C. Witness previously reported that a request for tips was released to the public. The detective said multiple tips came from callers who reported individuals that may have been involved in Mehiel’s murder. However, the detective said he didn’t follow-up with the tips because the callers reported white men and police were searching for a black man.

Apparently, police also received a tip from Mehiel’s family about a potential suspect who had a “thing” for Mehiel. According to the detective, the tip was briefly looked into but disregarded when they learned that the man was white.

The detective said his priority was finding the man seen on the footage. “He was the most immediate person we found using stuff from her apartment,” the detective said.

The jury began deliberations on March 18.

Wife Takes Stand to Back-up Self Defense Claim

The trial of Dianna Lalchan has become centered on whether she shot her husband in self defense.

Dianna, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, but the defense hasn’t been able to produce evidence of domestic violence in a marriage that ended with a fatal

gunshot to the back of her husband, 36-year-old Christopher Lalchan’s head. The shooting occurred at the the Carrollsburg Condominiums located on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013. The couple had been married since 2008.

On March 14, the murder defendant took the stand to tell the jury about the instances of domestic violence in her marriage. Dianna’s testimony is the only form of evidence in the trial, so far, that indicates she suffered domestic abuse. During their relationship, she never filed any reports or charges against her husband, nor did she follow up with medical services for wounds she received from the abuse.

“Chris was not in control of himself,” she told the jury, mentioning that during arguments he would become overwhelmed with emotion and flip out. She described the episodes as if he were turning into the Hulk, the comic book character that would start as a man whose anger converted him into an out-of-control, violent monster.

She said her husband would slap, push, shove and strangle her duing arguments but she stayed in the relationship anyway.

“I loved him. I wanted to be with him. [I] believed in him,” she told the jury. “If he wanted to hurt me, he would hurt me. He was a lot stronger than I was.”

But, she said things started to shift in 2012.

In 2012, Dianna says her sexual orientation began to change after seeing a coworker “come out” sexually.

Dianna said she discussed her sexuality with her husband, admitting that she was attracted to women. She said her husband understood, mentioning that he had struggled with his own sexual identity in the past.

Dianna said Christopher told her he was fine with her sexuality as long as she returned to him at night.

But, Dianna said Christopher started to become afraid that he was losing his wife, mentioning that the two discussed the possibility of divorce. “The relationship wouldn’t end,” she said. “We still wanted to be each other’s person.”

Dianna said she started to tell others about the abuse she was suffering, which was becoming worse.

She described one incident when she woke up with Christopher’s hand around her neck. She said he lifted her in the air and threw her around the room while holding a gun in his other hand. Dianna said the incident occurred after he read one of her journal entries. She said that incident ruined any chance the two had of being together.

Dianna also told the jury that she took photos of bruising that occurred from the abuse. However, the jury wasn’t shown any photos of Dianna with bruising.

Dianna also said she didn’t show the photos to anyone because she didn’t want to prevent Christopher from accomplishing his dreams. Apparently Christopher wanted to join the military and become a politician.

After experiencing several abusive incidents, Dianna told the jury that she began to create an exit strategy, which included sending her personal information, such as her social security card and birth certificate, to the a coworker for safe keeping. Dianna also said she tied a rope to the balcony to enable a quick exit in case Chris attacked her again, carried an extra bag that contained clothing and her work ID, slept with a pocket knife and ordered a lock to use if Christopher ever left the apartment.

By this time Dianna and her husband had settled on filing for divorce.

Dianna told the jury that the two got into another argument, this time about how to divide property, during the evening of March 27. She said that during the argument, Christopher punched the television, which was photographed by the police on a cart; broke her violin stand and threatened to kill himself with one of the four guns in the condo.

“The dynamics had changed,” she said. “I was already on edge.”

A few hours later the couple got into another argument. Dianna said Christopher charged at her, saying, “Do I need to shut you up?” She said she grabbed the gun and fired it at him.

“This time he didn’t stop,” she said, adding that she was aiming at him to stop him.

D.C. Witness reported earlier that the gun was fired three times with bullet fragments found in the living room wall, the floor and the back of Christopher’s head.

According to a blood stain analyst and crime scene reconstruction expert, Christopher was not killed by the first gunshot. Although a sequence of shots cannot be determined, the expert said that, based on blood stains on a broken piece of flooring, Chris was shot in the back of his head after a bullet hit the floor. The expert also said that Chris’s head was close to the floor, with his face down, when he was shot.

A neighbor who heard the gunshots said he had not heard an argument before they were fired.

“I didn’t want to,” Dianna told the jury. “I felt very sad and disappointed in myself and in him that we couldn’t … I was hopeful that we could get out of this and that he would be successful and achieve all [of his] dreams.”

As she said that, Dianna began crying hysterically. “It’s really complicated. He had just wanted to kill himself. It could have gone so many other ways,” she said.

The prosecution began cross-examining Dianna on March 18. The cross is scheduled to continue to March 19.

Judge Gives Defense More Time to Review Evidence

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge scheduled another status hearing in April for a murder defendant.

Jerome Wilson is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery and two gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the death of Sean Anderson on the 2300 Block of Good Hope Road, SE on March 24, 2018.

The judge scheduled the second status hearing on April 18 because the defense requested more time to review evidence including surveillance video and body cam footage.

The prosecution also requested to get a hard drive from defense to hand over the rest of the evidence package.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a detective on the case said Wilson, 36, was the last person to see Anderson, 48, alive. Apparently, the men were in Anderson’s apartment smoking crack cocaine and watching pornography. A witness told police Anderson was armed with a revolver, which the detective said could have been the murder weapon.

Prosecution Says It Needs Nine Months to Issue Indictment

During a felony status conference March 15, a prosecutor said he would need at least nine months to issue an indictment for a 41-year-old murder defendant.

Alphonso Walker, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE on April 25, 2018.

The prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee that progress was being made towards issuing an indictment, but it could possibly take until December.

“Nine months should not be the norm,” said Judith Pipe, Walker’s defense lawyer. “There is only one witness who identifies Mr. Walker.”

The prosecutor said he “is trying to move up the case but has other trial schedules.”

The prosecutor also said he hasn’t made a decision on testing DNA from the crime scene or items in the defendant’s home. However, the prosecutor said that “testing or not testing won’t impact the issuing time of the indictment.”

The felony status conference is scheduled to continue on June 7.

Defense Counsel Withdraws from Representing Murder Defendant

During a preliminary hearing March 15, a judge allowed a defense attorney to withdraw from a murder case.

Marcel Vines and his co-defendant, Malique Lewis, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE in 2017.

Justin Okezie, Vines former defense attorney, did not specify why he decided to withdraw from the case. The court appointed defense attorney Frances D’Antuono to represent the defendant.

Lewis, Vines’ co-defendant, is being represented by defense attorneys Kristin Mcgough and Kevin Robertson. As of March 15, his attorneys haven’t requested to withdraw from the case.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson also granted a continuance to allow defense counsel to become familiar with the case.

Another defendant in the case, Ashton Briscoe, is scheduled for a felony arraignment on May 29.

According to court documents, Kerrice’s death was allegedly in retaliation for the death of Ronzay Green. Witnesses told police that Vines believed the victim was responsible for Green’s death. According to court documents, the victim apparently set Green, 23, up to get robbed.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue on March 21.

Murder Defendant Accepts Involuntary Manslaughter Plea

A murder defendant decided to accept a plea offer from the prosecution on the last day it was eligible.

Andre Gray pleaded guilty March 15 to involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in the death of 37-year-old Keisha Whitaker on the 1500 block of 18th Street, SE on Sept. 12, 2018. Apparently, Whitaker was riding in the front passenger seat of a car Gray was driving while he was under the influence of PCP, a hallucinatory drug.

Under the agreement, Gray, 56, could face four to five years in prison. All of Gray’s other charges, including a misdemeanor case, would be dismissed.

Gray initially rejected the plea offer. However, according to DC Courts, he accepted the offer after receiving notice to return for his preliminary hearing, which was scheduled to occur on March 27.

“Your honor, I know it might be in my best interest to take the deal,” Gray told DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck.

Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on June 19. He is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program.

Monthly Recap: Homicides in the District Dip in February

During the month of February, the District saw a decrease in homicides compared to the start of the New Year, which tallied 19 homicides. However, D.C. Witness data shows February homicides have increased by nearly 50 percent compared to February 2018.

Throughout February, there were 10 homicides, including eight gun-related deaths, one stabbing and one vehicular homicide.

Three days into the start of the month, police found 59-year-old Michael Bernard Wells suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 500 block of 60th Street, NE.

Three days later, on Feb. 6, Daniel Olaya succumbed to injuries he obtained the day before when he was hit by a vehicle on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW.

Police arrested and charged Morris Kenya Harley with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Olaya’s death. Harley, 36, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

According to a press release, Harley “intentionally” struck Olaya, 35, with a vehicle in the midst of an argument.

On Feb. 14, police arrived on the 1700 block of Hamlin Street, NE and found two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The men were brought to a nearby hospital, where 32-year-old David Anthony Remen succumbed to his injuries.

On Feb. 15, police found 20-year-old Matthew Washington suffering from a gunshot wound on the 100 block of Harry Thomas Way, NE.

On Feb. 22, 39-year-old Jason Wood was found on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Police arrested and charged Darius Murphy with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Wood’s death. Murphy, 24, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

On Feb. 24, 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon succumbed to injuries he obtained in connection to a shooting on the 300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Later that same day, police found Mark Mosley suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE. Mosley, 33, was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Feb. 25, police found Georgette Goodman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4700 block of 1st Street, SW. Goodman, 35, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Two days later, on Feb. 27, 19-year-old Corey Farmer succumbed to his injuries in connection to a Feb. 19 shooting on the 400 block of 37th Place, SE.

On the same day, police found 23-year-old Jamal Kwame Crump suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1300 block of Monroe Street, NW.

On March 7, police arrested and charged a juvenile with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to Crump’s death. The juvenile is scheduled for a status hearing on April 8. His trial is set to begin on April 22.

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