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Jury Tampering Allegations Delay Murder Trial

A D.C. Superior Court judge delayed closing arguments in a murder trial Feb. 25 because of allegations of jury tampering.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE is 2016. Brothers Cyheme Hall, 23, and Shareem Hall, 25, are also charged in Dodds’ murder.

Judge Milton Lee said he was concerned that a juror was exposed to information about the case that could impact their decision. He is continuing closing arguments so he could investigate the allegation.

The defense said they also have concerns about the prosecution coercing a witness and tampering with the jury. However, the government said there is no evidence of misconduct.

Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, are allegedly connected to a string of armed robberies that targeted transgender women in the summer of 2016, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Little acted as a getaway driver and Johnson shot Dodds.

Closing arguments are scheduled to continue on Feb. 26.

Murder Defendant Will Not Receive Extension for Plea Deal, Prosecution Says

On Feb. 22, prosecutors said they would not extend a plea offer for a murder defendant they believe stabbed a man in 2017.

William Edward Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 29-year-old Dominic Brooks on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Brooks suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest.

Defense attorney, Jason Tulley, requested that a plea deal for Smith remain open until the results of an independent DNA test were released. Tulley said testing should be completed by March 11. 

Prosecutors said that unless defense told them what evidence was being tested and why, the plea offer would close. The plea deal expired on Feb. 22. 

Judge Juliet McKenna ordered the prosecution to hand over evidence, including cell phone information and jail calls to defense by March 8. She also said she had to push back Smith’s trial date because of scheduling issues with an unrelated trial.

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 a conversation started but turned violent.  

Smith’s new trial date is scheduled on April 8, which is seven days later than the previous trial date. 

Prosecutors Inquire About Permissible Actions Under Sanctions

When prosecutors discovered the true extent of their sanctions in a murder trial they requested advice from the judge about how to proceed forward. 

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed and first-degree sexual abuse, among other charges, for his alleged role in the stabbing death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Mehiel’s wounds were consistent with torture.

During a hearing on Feb. 22, prosecutors asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna about what they were permitted to say during opening arguments under their current sanctions. Judge McKenna set the sanctions after prosecutors neglected to hand over evidence regarding a rape that occurred weeks before Mehiel’s murder.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the crime, which took place in Kalorama on March 3, had a lot of “striking” similarities to Mehiel’s murder.

According to Judge McKenna, prosecutors are not allowed to make any reference to Toure being the assailant in the March 3 rape. This includes the introduction of any evidence that may tie Toure to the other crime.

A prosecutor said that witch hazel was used to clean the victim of the March 3 rape, but the assailant asked the victim for rubbing alcohol. Toure was found with a bottle of rubbing alcohol on his person when he was arrested by police.

Judge McKenna said she would allow evidence that referred to the rubbing alcohol evidence or the witch hazel but not both.

Cadman says she intends to argue that the same person who commited the earlier rape murdered Mehiel, and that the assailant was not Toure.

Prosecutors were also asked to remove some of the photos that will be submitted into evidence, including depictions of Mehiel’s wounds, which Cadman called “excessive”.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Feb. 25.

Document: 2 Fatal Shootings Sunday, Suspected Murderer Still Loose

Two deadly shootings on Feb. 24 added to Washington, DC’s dismal homicide count in 2019. The count now stands at 26, nearly an 86 percent increase since the same time last year.

According to press releases, during the evening hours Sunday, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found 33-year-old Mark Mosley suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE. He died on the scene.

Earlier that day, officers found 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Police have not apprehended any suspects in connection to the two murders.

Juvon Julian Searles

In addition to the shootings, there is an arrest warrant out for 37 year-old Juvon Julian Searles for allegedly fatally shooting 46 year-old Paul Williams, Jr. on the 800 block of R Street, NW on July 24, 2018. He is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

Searles is described as a 37 year-old black male, 6’1” tall, 249 pounds, medium complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

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. Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.







Judge Refuses to Modify A Murder Defendant’s Release Conditions

A  D.C. Superior Court judge ruled Feb. 22 to keep a murder defendant’s release conditions in place.

Maurice Allen is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury for his alleged role in the death of 27-year-old Arthur Thompkins on the 5400 block of Hunt Place, NE  in 2017.

Allen is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision program (HISP).

Judge Danya Dayson told Allen’s defense attorney that she would not release Allen on his own personal recognizance. Instead, Judge Dayson ruled Allen would continue wearing a GPS monitoring device and undergo random drug tests.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued in favor of the court’s ruling, saying Allen has a lengthy criminal history and tried to avoid detectives when they attempted to serve him a subpoena to testify in a grand jury.

However, Allen’s defense attorney, Randy McDonald, argued against the ruling, saying his client has been compliant under HISP and that he was not a flight risk or danger to the community. McDonald also said Allen testified in favor of the prosecution’s case during the grand jury.

It’s unclear whether Allen testified against his codefendants, Markale Moore and Tyrone Harris, at the grand jury hearing. Moore, 29, and Harris, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in Thompkins’ death.

According to court documents, Moore and Thompkins had an argument about money and a woman. Witnesses told police that Moore shot Thompkins and Harris drove the getaway car.

Moore, Harris and Allen are scheduled for a status hearing on May 5.

Prosecutor Says He’s Making ‘Substantial Progress’ in Securing Murder Indictment

On Feb. 22, a prosecutor in a murder case said he is making “substantial progress” in securing a grand jury indictment.

Dazmine Anderson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Oct. 7, 2018. Anderson, 16, is being charged as an adult.

The prosecutor didn’t clarify the details of the “progress” he made.

According to court documents, a witness said a group of “young guys” robbed an unidentified individual and that a group of bystanders, including Jackson, were trying to stop them. The witness said the group of bystanders caught one of the robbers and there was a struggle. Apparently, shortly after the struggle, the witness noticed that Jackson was suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Anderson is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 7.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Stabbing

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Feb. 21 a man who is suspected of fatally stabbing another man earlier that day.

According to a press release, officers arrested and charged 24 year-old Darius Murphy for allegedly stabbing Jason Wood on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. Wood, 39, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Murphy is charged with second-degree murder while armed.



Defendant Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide

A murder defendant pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to charges stemming from her role in a car crash that resulted in the death of a 43-year-old woman.

Terica Younger pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault for her involvement in the death of Talata Williams on the 2400 block of Good Hope Road, SE in 2017.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to downgrade Younger’s second-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss two unrelated cases, including an assault on a police officer charge and a violation of release conditions.

During the hearing Younger, 42, told the court that she doesn’t remember all of the details from the night of the murder. She told D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee that she remembers drinking at a bar, but that she doesn’t remember getting behind the wheel or doing fentanyl. That being said, Younger still agreed to the plea agreement and said she doesn’t dispute that she’s responsible.

According to court documents, multiple witnesses saw a Dodge pickup, the vehicle Younger was operating, crash into a Honda Accord, the vehicle Williams was a passenger in. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene. At the time of the crash, Younger’s blood alcohol level was .10, which was above the .08 legal limit. She also tested positive for using fentanyl, a narcotic.

Younger is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3.

Judge Modifies Stay Away Order for Alleged Child Abuser

Following a ruling Feb. 22, a defendant, who is charged with the death of her 1-year-old child, is allowed to be around children.

Faneshia Scott is charged with first-degree murder and child cruelty for her alleged role in the death of her daughter, Rhythm Fields, on the 5400 Block of C Street, SE in 2017. Scott, 32, is currently released on home detention and maintains a curfew.

During the hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee amended Scott’s stay away order, which stated she couldn’t be around children. Judge Lee said Scott could be around children as long as there are other adults around to supervise. The judge said he based his ruling on the fact that Scott has been in full compliance with her conditions of release.

Scott’s defense attorney Steven Kiersh requested the change saying, Scott lives with her parents, who have multiple grandchildren, and that the stay away is a “difficult” restriction on the family.

The prosecution was against the ruling and said, “Given Scott’s track record with her own kids, it’s unfair to put other children at risk.”  Before the death of her daughter, Scott had three children. According to a grand jury indictment, Scott abused all of her children. 

The indictment said she “intentionally, knowingly and recklessly” tortured and beat her daughter.

Scott is scheduled for a status hearing on May 6.

Judge Sentences ‘Grown Man’ to 8 Years for Teenager’s Death

During a hearing Feb. 22, a D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a 43-year-old man to eight years in prison for fatally shooting a teenager, who was less than half his age. “A grown man shot a boy,” the prosecution said.

In September of 2018, Antwan Horactio Buchanan pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the death of 18-year-old Teshean Jermaine Ashe on the 700 block of 16th Street, NE in 2016.

Buchanan’s eight year sentence stems from an agreement between counsel in accordance to D.C.’s plea agreement procedure 11(c)1(c). The policy states that the prosecution and the defense can set a specific sentence or sentencing range that they deem fit for the circumstances of the case.

Prior to accepting the agreement, Judge Danya Dayson inquired about why Buchanan was offered such a plea given the defendant’s extensive criminal history, which includes assault and a gun charge.

Judge Dayson ultimately found the prosecution’s explanation satisfactory after she said the plea was based on the strength of the evidence in the case and the defendant’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions.

“Why did you murder my grandson?” Ashe’s grandmother said addressing the court. “I don’t know what an 18 year old could have done to you that you would kill him in broad daylight.”

“I apologize,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan told the court that he felt “pressured” into “defending” himself from Ashe.

“I really didn’t want to take your son’s life and that’s the truth,” Buchanan said noting that he’s a father of seven. Buchanan didn’t elaborate about how he ended up shooting the teen.

According to the prosecution, Ashe was riding a bike in a parking lot, when he got into a verbal altercation with Buchanan. Apparently, the argument escalated, Ashe ran away and Buchanan followed him. The prosecutor said Buchanan then pulled out a gun and shot Ashe four times.

Defense attorney Frederick Sullivan said Buchanan believed he was acting in self-defense. Sullivan also said that Buchanan was recently diagnosed with a mental disorder for the first time.

Buchanan is expected to serve five years on supervised release after he is released from prison.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty To Killing His Father

During a hearing Feb. 21, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to stabbing his father to death.

David Blakeney, Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the death of his 53-year-old father, David Blakeney, Sr. on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE in 2017. According to the prosecution, the father’s family found him in his bathtub.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, Blakeney’s first-degree murder charge will be downgraded to second-degree murder. The prosecution also agreed to drop a threat to do bodily injury charge from an unrelated 2017 case. 

According to court documents, members of the defendant’s family said Blakeney, 27, and his father argued a lot with one another. The family also said Blakeney and his father had gotten into physical altercations in the past.

Police reported that during an interrogation, Blakeney appeared to drink his own urine. Officers also said Blakeney appeared to be having an “imaginary conversation with his mother.” Blakeney said his mother killed his father, documents state.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a report from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, D.C.’s psychiatric hospital, stated that Blakeney was mentally competent and could be held criminally responsible for his actions. Apparently, Blakeney chose to waive his right to an insanity defense, according to court documents. 

Blakeney is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17.

Transgender Woman Was ‘Fighting for Her Life,’ Prosecution Says

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a transgender woman was “fighting for her life,” when she was shot and killed during a robbery.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Brothers Cyheme and Shareem Hall are also charged in Dodds’ murder. 

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 21 that four men are responsible for Dodds’ death. He said Johnson, 23, committed the murder, and Little, 28, helped. Apparently, brothers Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, also participated.

According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into plea agreements in exchange for their testimonies.

According to the brothers, Johnson was the shooter and Little was the getaway driver. The brothers admitted to participating in the robberies, but denied hitting or shooting anyone. 

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies, saying they previously admitted to lying and constantly changed their stories. Irving said the brothers are only cooperating for a lighter sentence and that the information they provided may not have been the truth.

Irving also said the prosecution lacked physical evidence such as fingerprints or video footage. He said Johnson cannot be placed at the scene and, aside from the brothers, none of the witnesses could identify him as being one of the assailants.

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 25.

Judge Sanctions Prosecution Before Murder Trial

On Feb. 19, a DC Superior Court judge placed sanctions on the prosecution to prevent them from challenging a piece of evidence in a murder trial.

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure, also known as Elie Brown, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and first-degree sexual abuse, 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 2017. According to court documents, Mehiel died from multiple stab wounds that were consistent with torture.

Judge Juliet McKenna said she would allow the defense to admit homeless shelter records that place Toure away from the scene of the rape. The prosecution will not be allowed to challenge the shelter records during trial. 

The prosecution is prohibited from challenging the shelter documents because counsel did not hand over evidence of a rape that occurred weeks before Mehiel’s murder in 2017. 

Even though prosecutors said the evidence was not disclosed earlier because it was part of an ongoing investigation, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the rape and Mehiel’s murder had a lot of “striking” similarities.  Both victims were raped and had their bodies washed. Judge McKenna said the records would prevent jurors from assuming Toure committed both crimes.

Judge McKenna also denied multiple motions by the defense to suppress evidence from the jury during trial. 

Opening arguements are scheduled to begin on Feb. 25.

Judge Schedules Murder Defendant for 2nd Arraignment

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant to be arraigned on May 29.

Ashton Briscoe is charged with first-degree murder while armed and kidnapping while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting death of 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE in 2017. Marcel Vines and Malique Lewis are also charged in connection to Lewis’ death. 

On Feb. 21, counsel requested a second arraignment date be set for Briscoe’s case. According to DC Courts the first arraignment was held on Nov. 9, 2018. It is not clear why counsel requested a second arraignment.

A status hearing will also be held for Briscoe on the same day as the arraignment.

Vines, 22, and Lewis, 21, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 15.

According to court documents, Vines, Lewis and Briscoe’s cell phone data place them near the crime scene and in contact with each other before the murder.

A witness told police the murder was in retaliation for the death of Ronzay Green, who was an associate of Vines. According to the witness, Lewis set Green up to get robbed.

Murder Defendant Requests Testing Of All Evidence

On Feb. 21, a murder defendant requested to independently test evidence in his case in preparation for his trial.

Mario Alfaro is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun related charges for his alleged role in the shooting death of of 22-year-old Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2017.

Defense attorney James King said his client wishes to test all of the evidence in his case, including DNA from multiple blood trails and two guns. The prosecution does not intend to test any case evidence.

Alfaro, 24, is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 19.

According to court documents, officers found a blood trail leading to a dumpster, which contained a firearm. Apparently, Alfaro was found suffering from gunshot wounds near the dumpster.

Surveillance footage shows Alfaro in a convenience store mouthing something to Vilchez, documents state. Later, the video shows both men pull out firearms and Vilchez shooting Alfaro, who was shooting at Vilchez while running away.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a detective on the case testified that Alfaro appeared to be in the same gang as Vilchez.

Alfaro is scheduled for a status hearing on May 21.