Stabbing Defendant Pleads Guilty, Accepts Global Plea

A stabbing defendant pleaded guilty, accepting a so-called global plea agreement that resolved two outstanding cases against her during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on July 17.

Starleash Clyburn, 36, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery for her involvement in a stabbing that injured an individual on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE, on March 24, 2025.

Clyburn pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from the stabbing and simple assault as well as a domestic violence offense that she committed while on release in the stabbing case. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges in both cases.

Clyburn’s defense attorney, Karen Minor, requested that her client be placed on release with electronic monitoring. Minor stated that her client has no remaining contact with the victims in both cases, having moved out of her original home and changed her phone number. Additionally, she mentioned that Clyburn had completed programs for anger management and substance abuse, and has since been very compliant with the court.

The prosecution opposed Clyburn’s release, raising concerns about her committing a domestic violence offense while she was on release in the stabbing case. The prosecution also noted that Clyburn has been noncompliant with conditions of release in the past, due to failing or avoiding drug tests.

Judge Di Toro denied Clyburn’s release due to the issues based on the prosecution’s concerns.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 9.

‘Please, I Almost Died Over There,’ Stabbing Defendant Says of Saint Elizabeths Hospital

A non-fatal stabbing defendant was sent to Saint Elizabeths Hospital despite his objections at a mental observation hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on July 17.

Aaren Striplin, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on July 4 near the 900 block of G Street, NW.

According to court documents, Striplin allegedly pepper-sprayed and stabbed the victim in the legs, then turned himself in the same day.

The court received notice that Striplin had been found incompetent earlier that day in a hearing for a different case and had been ordered to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital immediately for psychiatric observation.

Striplin addressed Judge Arthur, saying he had a right to a preliminary hearing.

Judge Arthur explained that Striplin would have a preliminary hearing in September and his lawyer would explain everything.

“I will not be alive for September,” Striplin replied.

A US Marshal then tried to escort Striplin out of the courtroom, but Striplin resisted although he was finally subdued.

“Please, I almost died over there,” Striplin shouted, referring to Saint Elizabeths, “I don’t know what is going on.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 11.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Fatal Jailhouse Stabbing

A stabbing defendant was ordered held without bond after DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause during a preliminary hearing on July 21.

Marquise Jones, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. The counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Carlos Shelly at the DC Central Detention Facility (CDF) located on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on May 12. The CDF is the high security area of the DC Jail.

According to court documents, Jones allegedly used a sharp metal object in a physical altercation between him and the victim. The fight left Jones unconscious, and he was immediately taken to Howard University Hospital due to injuries that led to emergency surgery on his jaw.

Prior to the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer. If Jones agreed to plead guilty to unarmed voluntary manslaughter, he would be sentenced within the applicable guidelines, which, at the very least, could be 48-to-120 months. Jones rejected the offer.

During the hearing, the court heard testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who led the case at the homicide unit. He confirmed that there were multiple inmates present at the incident and that a total of three sharp objects were found in a sweep.

Jones’ defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, argued Jones acted in self-defense as the surveillance footage appears to show the victim approaching Jones and starting a verbal argument. She also argued that the victim “swung first,” which led to the physical altercation. The prosecution disagreed, arguing that there was no significant evidence in favor of the defendant acting in self-defense, citing that the defendant did not suffer from any stab wounds.

Even though Judge Edelman found probable cause for the murder charge, he did not fully rule out that Jones acted in self-defense because the surveillance footage allegedly showed the victim approaching Jones and starting an altercation.

The prosecutor ended her argument by stating, “not only is he a significant risk to the community, he is also a flight risk.” She said, in 2018, the defendant shot an individual in the hand and claimed self-defense, then failed to appear in court. Also, in 2021, Jones was charged with assault and battery.

The defense asked for Jones’ release with either GPS tracking or home confinement, arguing that he had already completed his sentence for the previous convictions.

The judge granted the prosecution’s request for continued detention. He noted Jones’ criminal record, prior bench warrants, and history of non-compliance.

“There are no conditions of release that would assure the safety of the community or his return to court,” said Edelman.

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.

Stabbing Victim Describes Lingering Trauma at Sentencing

A stabbing defendant was sentenced to 12 months’ incarceration by DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on July 18 after the victim recounted the long-term and physical emotional harm caused by the incident.

Oscar Cornejo, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed in connection to an April 11 stabbing on the 5100 block of Sheriff Road, NE.

According to court documents, Cornejo stabbed the victim in the back during a confrontation inside an apartment building, causing serious internal injuries, including lung damage, that required multiple surgeries.

The victim gave a statement during the hearing, saying he did not want to accuse anyone and emphasizing that he had no enemies. He described the aftermath of the attack, including medical complications from surgeries and related expenses.

“I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else,” he said.

The victim’s girlfriend also spoke, calling the incident traumatic and explaining how difficult it was to witness her partner go through the ordeal.

“Just with a little more time, he wouldn’t be here right now,” she said, testifying to how close the victim came to dying.

Prosecutors requested a sentence of 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, citing the extent of the injuries and the continued emotional and physical impact on the victim.

Cornejo’s defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, argued that the stabbing was the result of a “drug-fueled incident that happened in a drug-infused setting.” He said Cornejo had been using fentanyl and cocaine and barely remembered what happened. Catacalos also said the defendant and the victim knew each other and used drugs together. He asked the judge for a suspended sentence with drug treatment.

“I know I need help,” Cornejo told the court. “These three months that I have been in jail, my mind is clearer. What I did was bad, and I am very sorry.”

Judge McLean said she was “not comfortable giving a probationary sentence to someone who has caused such serious injuries to a member of the community.”

She sentenced Cornejo to 24 months under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), suspending all but 12 months and one day. He will also serve two years of supervised probation under the YRA, with a suspended sentence of three years’ supervised release.

The Youth Rehabilitation Act is a DC law designed to give individuals under the age of 25 a chance at rehabilitation. It allows judges to impose lighter sentences and seal records in certain cases, if the defendant fulfills the court’s conditions.

Judge McLean also ordered 90 hours of community service and required Cornejo to comply with a court-ordered intervention plan, which includes drug treatment and support programs.

No further court dates have been set.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

A shooting defendant accepted a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on July 14.

Nathaniel Washington, 20, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 7 on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE.

Washington’s defense attorney, Chantal Baptiste, informed Judge Arthur that Washington intended to accept a plea deal extended by the prosecution under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The law effectively seals a defendant’s record if he successfully completes his sentence.

The plea deal required Washington to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment and dismissing all other charges in the case.

Baptiste said Washington had decided to waive his right to independently test any DNA evidence.

The prosecution told the court that, on Feb, 7, Nathaniel and another suspect began shooting at the victim’s vehicle as he was driving away. The prosecution added that police conducting a search of Washington’s residence found a nine-millimeter Glock on Feb. 19.

Washington and his accomplice “were not acting in reasonable self-defense,” said the prosecution.

Judge Arthur found a factual basis for the plea offer and accepted Washington’s guilty plea.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sep. 15 for sentencing.

Police Procedure Faces Scrutiny in 2020 Metro Shooting Trial

A police methods were questioned in Metro shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson in ongoing trial on July 14.

Demann Shelton, 32, is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from Shelton’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 9, 2020 on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW, in which the suspect allegedly aimed a gun at a group of five people, then opened fire. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to their right wrist near the Columbia Heights Metro station.

A detective on scene was brought to the stand. The prosecution questioned whether he took notes during an on scene interview. He recalled only that he assisted the lead detective in summarizing the on scene interview for the record. The officer cited the three year retention rule for some case material, including notes, at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as the reason he would no longer have the notes.

Defense attorney Emily Sufrin questioned the officer about how he would usually convey information attained in a witness interview to a lead detective. He said he would transcribe the interview verbally, hand over physical notes, or send an email but regarding this case stated, “it’s my testimony that I don’t remember.”

In discussions between parties without the witness present, Sufrin noted her view that there is a strong suggestion that notes were taken, thus stating she believes that so-called Jencks material that could be exculpatory regarding this witness are missing.

The prosecution agreed that records show the officer wrote what was later reported in the main detective’s testimony. They argued that at minimum, the information in the report is attributable to the testifying officer even if the particular word choices in the report are not.

Judge Dayson disagreed with the prosecution’s description allowed the defense to cross-examine the testifying former detective.

The prosecution questioned the officer on a witness interview, referring to previous testimony where he had stated that this witness testified to seeing two individuals in the alleyway that detectives deemed the flight path. The officer stated the second individual was never considered a suspect as he did not match the description of the shooter. He also noted that the witness had indicated that the other individual seemed to get tired and started walking, something the sergeant argued a suspect would not have done.

The officer was questioned on the contents of acivilian report that was sent to detectives to consider in parallel to their investigation and find leads. He clarified that the report provided background information including surveillance video and GPS data, testifying that video evidence was of poor quality and foggy in this case.

The prosecution presented a number of surveillance footage clips from outside and inside the Wawa across the street from the Metro station as well as of the courtyard in front of the station entrance at 14th and Union where the shooting occurred. The sergeant identified the suspect as wearing black puffy coat, black pants with green pocket, dark sneakers, and a mask and hood in all footage where he was present.

The prosecution asked about the accuracy of time stamps in the footage. The witness replied, “A lot of times the cameras are not 100 percent accurate with the time” but the cameras that captured the scene were approximately accurate as their time stamps aligned with when 911 calls were received.

In the defense’s cross-examination they questioned the failure to collect crucial footage that would have allegedly shown the shooting itself as well as the flight path of suspects even the material was flagged for retention.

Shelton’s attorneys questioned MPD’s lack of follow-up with possible suspects on GPS tracking that were located within 20 feet of the shooting. Questioning revealed that three out of the four individuals under faced minimal or no questioning from Metro Police.

Prosecution also presented an eyewitness to the suspect’s escape from the incident. The court was led through his testimony, which recalled how the suspect paused to throw an object, thought to be a face mask, under a car into a sewer before continuing to run away from officers in pursuit. The defense used their cross-examination to highlight that officers did not collect testimony or question the witness until December 2024, four years after the incident. The witness insisted his memory was as clear as the day of the shooting.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 15.

Stabbing Defendant Again Deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe deemed a stabbing defendant incompetent to stand trial for a second time during a mental observation hearing on July 15.

On Nov. 29, 2022, Allen Shorter, 58, was convicted and sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, with 18 suspended, for assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Oct. 6, 2019, on a Metro bus between Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Blue Plains Drive, SW.

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) deemed Shorter incompetent to stand trial in a previous mental observation hearing on June 17. A new report dated July 9 from DBH reached the same conclusion.

Judge Iscoe ruled that it would be best if Shorter remained in inpatient hospitalization at St. Elizabeths Hospital for mental patients, and cited the resources he needed would “not be found in the community.” Neither the defense or prosecution challenged this ruling.

Judge Iscoe also questioned whether competence restoration could be determined explaining t a “decision could not be made today” because he did not have the DBJ report in front of him. He allowed Shorter 30 days in hospital to determine if he can be restored.

Defense attorney Quo Meiko Judkins also brought up an email from Shorter’s doctor about Shorter being released from in-patient treatment to out-patient treatment if Shorter could receive transportation to St. Elizabeths.

Shorter’s wife in the email also told the doctor she would ensure he would be attending all of his appointments if he was released and staying with her. However, Judge Iscoe stated that Shorter will remain in in-patient treatment until there was further confirmation that Shorter would honor the terms.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 14.

‘You Put the Entire Community at Risk Over One Guy,’ Judge Tells Shooting Defendant at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced a defendant to 18 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release on July 16.

Terry McNeal, 44, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 2, 2024, on the 2400 block of H Street, SE.

McNeal accepted a deal extended by the prosecution and pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges in the case.

According to court documents, McNeal followed the victim as he was driving and fired several shots into the air.

The prosecution recommended a sentence at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. They acknowledged that McNeal had not had any interactions with the criminal justice system for 20 years, was a productive member of the community and accepted full responsibility for the crimes. However, they also stated that the crime was very serious and McNeal had been involved in a separate incident in Prince George’s County connected to the victim’s family in the shooting case.

McNeal’s attorney, Matthew Davies, told Judge Hertzfeld that McNeal and the victim had managed to reconcile with the support of their community, and the victim was not interested in pressing charges. The case went forward due to the threat prosecutors felt McNeal posed to the community.

Davies requested that McNeal receive a split sentence, which would require McNeal to serve only a part of his sentence in prison and the remainder on probation. Davies said McNeal has extensive family support to help integrate him back into the community, pointing to his family members in the courtroom. Davies argued that McNeal would abide by his release conditions and had employment arrangeed upon release.

“This is not a dangerous person. This is not who he is,” Davies said about McNeal. “He is sitting here full of regret.”

“I regret everything I’m going through,” McNeal told the court. “I let my family and my job down. You don’t have to worry about this happening again.”

“You put the entire community at risk over one guy,” Judge Hertzfeld said to McNeal. She told him that he had the potential to be a productive member of the community, but she was extremely concerned about his judgement and decision-making ability.

Judge Hertzfeld sentenced McNeal to 18 months of incarceration with three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon, and six months of incarceration with three years of supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license. Both sentences are to run concurrently. She ordered that McNeal register as a gun offender following release and pay two hundred dollars to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF.)

No further hearings were set in this case.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant’s Children ‘Bereft Without Him’ Says Defense Attorney

A defendant in a non-fatal shooting case was ordered to remain in custody during a before DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan on July 14.

Rene Bost, 41, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on July 11 at the 100 block of Thomas Circle, NW.

According to court documents, Bost pulled a gun out from his glove box and fired shots into the air in a public area. The defendant was allegedly found wandering around in circles, his vehicle crashed into a fence with two flat tires.

After Judge Nolan accepted Bost’s waiver of a preliminary hearing, Defense Attorney Kavya Naini argued for Bost’s supervised release, stating that Bost was willing to comply with GPS monitoring and home confinement.

Naini emphasized Bost’s considerable support from family members, many of whom were present in court. She presented multiple letters from family members that spoke to Bost’s character and his impact on the community.

“It’s largely circumstantial evidence,” Naini said about the case against Bost, stressing that no one was harmed during the incident. She urged the court to favorably consider Bost’s background as an honorably discharged army veteran of four years, currently receiving treatment for related trauma.

Bost has no history of weapons offenses and a single simple assault misdemeanor. Naini argued that in that matter, Bost “has shown he is someone who can successfully complete probation.”

Furthermore, Naini highlighted the fact that Bost has two children and possesses sole physical custody of his 12-year-old son. The elder son is currently attending university as a second year student.

Naini asserted that Bost’s “absence is keenly felt and would be keenly felt [by his children] if he continued to be at the jail.… They would be bereft without him.”

The prosecution responded by stressing the serious nature of the offense. Bost allegedly discharged the firearm only a mile from the courthouse in a dense residential area.

“To say that doesn’t pose a danger to the community,” the prosecution said, “stretches all bounds of reason.

The prosecution further brought up Bost’s five convictions for driving while under the influence (DUI) and three for driving while suspended, which occurred in the past ten years while he was on probation.

Judge Nolan agreed that Bost had no significant criminal history, but was concerned by the DUIs, especially considering Bost’s level of disorientation and possible inebriation during the shooting incident. He questioned whether Bost would comply with home confinement, having already proved his inability to comply with the law which asked him not to drink and drive.

Ultimately, Judge Nolan ruled that Bost would remain in custody.

Parties are set to reconvene July 28.

Witnesses Called in Metro Shooting Case Revived After 4 ½ Years

The trial in a non-fatal shooting near the Columbia Heights Metro Station continued with witnesses from both parties in DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson’s courtroom on July 16.

The charges stem from Shelton’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 9, 2020, on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW, in which the suspect allegedly aimed a gun at a group of five people, then opened fire. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to their right wrist.

The case was initially dropped a month after the shooting, but was reopened in February 2024, after new DNA evidence was found from a face mask allegedly tying Shelton to the shooting. By that time, evidence collected from initial investigations had been partially destroyed or lost.

Before the hearing, the prosecution disclosed that they had found additional CCTV footage that they had previously told the court did not exist.

Shelton’s defense attorneys, Emma Mlyneic and Emily Sufrin, asked Judge Dayson to impose sanctions punishing the prosecution for their multiple alleged failures to disclose evidence. Judge Dayson has not yet decided on the motion.

Meanwhile, the prosecution called a witness who alerted officers to a gun that had been discarded in a storm drain while people were fleeing the shooting.

The witness told prosecutors that the suspect holding the gun was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants. After she was allowed to review a record of her initial statement, she said he had short hair and wore a black jacket, black pants, and a black mask.

During cross-examination, Mlyneic and Sufrin challenged the witness on whether she had seen the gun.

“It was a gun. I know what a gun looks like,” she said.

Mlyneic played body-worn camera footage from an officer on the scene who had initially interviewed the witness. In the footage, the witness said she had seen “something” being discarded by the suspect but did not specifically mention a gun. When questioned by officers, the witness said she did not know what the object was.

“It’s been four and a half years., I can barely remember anything that happened,” the witness said when confronted with the inconsistencies in her statements.

The defense called an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify about his investigation of the Columbia Heights Metro Station Plaza on the day of the incident. The officer said he approached the scene of the incident, wearing a body-worn camera, after hearing a series of gunshots. He briefly spoke with a group of individuals who said that they had been under fire

In cross-examination, the officer testified that he did not see the shooting as it happened. He had been across the street in an apartment building when he heard several loud shots that drew him to the scene.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 17.

Teen Carjacking, Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

A teen defendant in a carjacking case rejected a plea offer on July 15, deciding to go to trial before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Anardo Little, 18, is charged with armed carjacking and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a shooting and carjacking incident that occurred on Oct. 14, 2024 on the 1200 block of H Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.

The prosecution made an offer to Little, stating that if he were to plead guilty to the charges of armed carjacking and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, they would waive other legal sanctions.

After discussion with his defense, Susan Ellis, Little rejected the offer and requested to go to trial. Little’s trial has been set to begin Sept. 8, and is expected to last four days.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 30.

Bench Warrant Issued for Stabbing Defendant Battling ‘Very Serious Addiction’

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee issued a bench warrant for a non-fatal stabbing defendant after her failure to appear in court on July 21.

Brenda Blanco, 36, was sentenced on May 16 to 24 months of incarceration for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon following a non-fatal stabbing on Feb. 17 at 3612 14th Street, NW. Blanco’s sentence was fully suspended, allowing her to serve her time on probation.

Following an alleged violation of her probation, Blanco was scheduled to appear in court on July 21, which she failed to do.

Per her release conditions, Blanco had been attending a drug treatment program. However, it was reported that she was unsuccessfully discharged after relapsing while enrolled. Additionally, Blanco has not reported for supervision since June 26.

Blanco’s defense attorney, Jonathan Lanyi, provided context for his client’s release from the treatment program, explaining that Blanco was hospitalized due to an overdose.

“This is a very serious issue, a very serious addiction…that she’s struggling to get away from,” Lanyi stated, after disclosing that Blanco’s heart is currently functioning at about 20 percent capacity.

Lanyi also described his efforts to locate Blanco, which included sending an investigator in pursuit of her and leaving a note at her last known residence. Despite these efforts, Blanco remains unaccounted for.

At the request of the prosecution, Judge Lee issued a bench warrant for Blanco, effective immediately.

Parties will reconvene when Blanco is taken into custody.

Document: MPD Investigating Northeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 18 in the 400 block of Fort Drive, NE. Officers found 41-year-old Allen Sharpshire deceased from a gunshot wound in an apartment on the 100 block of Fort Drive. The incident has been ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Document: MPD Investigation of Child’s Death Leads to Homicide Charge

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an update on the investigation into the death of 5-year-old Deandre Pettus, which occurred on October 6, 2024. The incident took place on the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The child’s father, 33-year-old Deandre Pettus, was initially charged with First Degree Cruelty to Children. Following a Grand Jury indictment, he has now been charged with First Degree Murder-Felony Murder and was arraigned on Jul 11, 2025.

Document: MPD Investigating G Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal shooting on G Street, SE, on July 12. The incident involved a domestic dispute where 38-year-old Tiffany Montgomery was shot by 43-year-old Patrick Cockrell Jr., who then allegedly inflicted fatal injuries on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

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