A D.C. Superior Court judge continued a motions hearing Feb. 21.
Hakeem Burroughs is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for his alleged role in the death of 22-year-old Jarell Walker on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE in 2016.
According to court documents, a witness told police Burroughs, 27, and Walker were arguing prior to the shooting. Apparently, Walker walked away and that’s when the witness saw Burroughs pull out a gun and rack the slide. The witness then heard gunshots, but did not see the shooting.
Another witness told police that Burroughs may have killed Walker in retaliation for the death of an unidentified man who was buried on the same day.
During their investigation, police also learned that Burroughs was wearing a GPS tracking device, which placed him near the crime scene.
During a motions hearing Feb. 21, a D.C. Superior Court judge said she would hear arguments concerning forcibly administering non-emergency medication to a murder defendant at a later date.
Brandon Byrd is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon for his alleged role in the death of his 44-year-old father, Otis Byrd, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW in 2016. Byrd, 23, currently resides at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.
Judge Danya Dayson said she would hear from parties on the issue at the next hearing, which is scheduled on Feb. 27. Judge Dayson also issued a stay, ordering St. Elizabeth’s not to medicate Byrd “involuntarily.”
During the hearing, a St. Elizabeth’s representative said that Byrd is “extremely symptomatic,” and “decompensating.” She did not say anything further regarding his diagnosis.
However, Byrd’s defense attorney, Craig Hickein, said that forcibly medicating a patient is unconstitutional.
According to DC Courts, the defense filed two motions, one on Feb. 15 and another in 2017 to prohibit St. Elizabeth’s from administering non-emergency medication involuntarily.
The court ultimately ruled that St. Elizabeth’s has the “authority” to medicate Byrd involuntarily. The ruling was then appealed and is still pending a resolution, according to Hickein.
In November of 2018 Judge Ronna Beck said the court would refrain from making a decision on the matter because the issue was being reviewed by the Court of Appeals.
According to court documents, an eyewitness saw Byrd hit his father multiple times in the chest in the garage of the Washington Hospital Center. However, the witness didn’t see Byrd with a knife. Apparently, Byrd previously threatened to kill his father.
On Feb. 20, a pedestrian was hit by a car on the 5000 block of North Capitol Street, NE.
According to a press release, an individual, whose identity has not been released, was struck by a 2011 Ford Escape that was traveling Northbound. The pedestrian was transferred to a local hospital where doctors pronounced the individual as dead.
The driver of the Ford Escape remained on the scene, according to the press release.
If anyone has information about the incident, please contact the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099.
This story will be updated as more information is released.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 36-year-old man Feb. 19 in connection to a homicide.
Morris Kenya Harley is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 35-year-old Daniel Olaya on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW on Feb. 5.
Harley was presented in court Feb. 20. He is being held without bond.
According to a press release, Olaya and Harley were involved in a verbal altercation, which escalated when Harley reportedly struck Olaya with his vehicle. Apparently, Harley fled the scene.
Harley is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 1.
A judge ruled that the prosecution in a murder trial didn’t have enough evidence to support their theory that a transgender woman’s death was a hate crime.
Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged role in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016.
According to the witness, Little asked her to have sex in exchange for money and when she declined he pulled out a gun and told her to strip. The prosecution said the assault demonstrates that Little has a pattern of targeting transgender women.
However, Judge Lee noted that during the witness’ testimony she and the prosecution repeatedly referred to the alleged incident as a “robbery” when they were instructed not to. As a result, Judge Lee said the testimony was “prejudicial” and while he refused to declare a mistrial, he decided to strike the witness’ testimony from the record.
Judge Lee said the rest of the prosecution’s evidence regarding the hate crime claim is “weak.”
According to the prosecution’s theory, Johnson, 23, Little and the Hall brothers were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women. Shareem testified that he saw Johnson shoot Dodds.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin on Feb. 20.
A D.C. Superior Court judge appointed a murder defendant new counsel Feb. 15 because of a conflict of interest.
Xavier Hamilton, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 39-year-old Ivy Smith on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2016. According to court documents, another individual was found suffering from a gunshot wound at a nearby beauty supply store.
During the hearing, Judge Todd Edelman dismissed Hamilton’s attorney Madalyn Harvey and appointed defense attorney Heather Pinckney.
Harvey did not specify the nature of the conflict of interest during the hearing.
According to court documents, police found a trail of blood from a nearby bus station to the gas station where Smith was found. Eyewitnesses said two men were driving, near the bus stop, in a dark colored van prior to the shooting. They said one of the men who was sitting in the front passenger seat fired a handgun.
Hamilton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 22.
During a hearing Feb. 15, a D.C. Superior Court judge agreed to delay a preliminary hearing for a January homicide.
Alonzo Brown, Stephon Evans and Carlos Turner, 20, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the shooting death of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12. According to court documents, two other people were shot during the shooting.
Judge Todd Edelman granted the continuance after Brown’s defense attorney, Russell J. Hairston, said he needed more time to review case evidence.
The prosecution did not object to the continuance.
According to court documents, surveillance footage shows four armed men walking near an apartment complex on Benning Road. The men then stood in a line, shooting towards the top of a staircase.
A witness identified Brown, 22, who he knew as “Spark Plug Shawty,” as one of the shooters. Police officers identified Evans and Turner from surveillance footage.
During the investigation, police learned Brown and Evans, 18, were linked to the “Big Walk Down Gang” and so was their friend, Shamar Marbury, documents state. Marbury, 19, was killed on Jan. 1 and his family members told police they believed there would be “retaliation” for his death.
Brown, Turner and Evans are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 1.
During a hearing on Feb. 15, Judge Todd Edelman said Carledge was competent to stand trial based on a mental health expert’s report.
Regarding the defense’s motion to sever the codefendants’ cases, Judge Edelman said the disparity of evidence that the prosecution has against either defendant doesn’t guarantee them separate trials, as of now.
Cartledge, 24, and Tibbs, 26, are scheduled to go to trial on May 6.
According to court documents, two eyewitness identified Tibbs as the shooter shortly after the incident.
Furthermore, a police officer saw Tibbs run away from him and reach into his waistband to throw an object into the woods, court documents state. The officer said the object thrown was a loaded Smith and Wesson pistol, which prosecutors said they believe is the same gun used in Silver’s murder.
Police said Tibbs and Cartledge were wearing GPS ankle monitors at the time. According to the monitors, the defendants were near the scene of the crime.
As the District of Columbia brought in the New Year, there was an uptick in homicides that was mostly gun related.
Throughout the month of January, there were 19 homicides:15 gun-related homicides, two stabbings and two were in connection to a residential fire. Last year, by the close of January, the District only tallied 10 homicides, a 90 percent increase. A Washington Post columnist refers to the increase and the impact a single homicide could not only have one a family but the entire community.
Shamar Marbury
On New Year’s Day, the Metropolitan Police Department located 19-year-old Shamar Marbury suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4200 block of Barnaby Road, SE.
Nearly four days later on Jan. 5, police responded to a residence on the 3300 block of Ely Place, SE about reports of a fire and located Joseph Burgess and Regina Bowman. Burgess, 60, and Bowman, 50, were pronounced dead on the scene.
Joseph Burgess
On Jan. 6, police found 21-year-old Donald Rafus Benson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the Unit block of O Street, NW.
Nearly an hour later, Vongell Lugo was found in the hallway of a n apartment building on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW suffering from multiple stab wounds. Lugo, 36, was pronounced dead on the scene.
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Collin Potter was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Lugo’s death. Apparently the two men were in a relationship, according to the Washington Blade. Potter, 26, is scheduled for a status hearing on March 1. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on March 15.
James Lamont Stewart
Later that same day, police located 28-year-old James Lamont Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds on the 800 block of Varnum Street, NW.
Damon Dukes
On Jan. 7, 25-year-old Damon Dukes succumbed to a gunshot wound in connection to a shooting that occurred the previous day on the 200 block of V Street, NW.
Abdul Watts
On Jan. 8, 46-year-old Abdul Watts was located on the 5300 block of Dix Street, NE suffering from apparent stab wounds.
Michael Taylor
On Jan. 12, police found three people suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. All three individuals were brought to a nearby hospital, where 22-year-old Michael Taylorsuccumbed to his injuries.
Police arrested and charged Alonzo Brown, Stephon Evan and Carlos Turner with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Taylor’s death. Brown, 21, Evans, 18, and Turner, 20, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 1.
Alexis Washington inside a vehicle on the Unit block of Forrester Street, SW suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Two days later, police located 22-year-old Davane Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds
Davane Williams
on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.
Travis Deyvon Ruth
On Jan. 18, police located Travis Deyvon Ruth suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE. Ruth, 21, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Albert Ford
On Jan. 24, Albert Ford was found suffering from a gunshot wound on the 3700 block of O Street, SE. Ford, 56, was pronounced dead on the scene.
On Jan. 26, police found Kevin Jerome Harrison suffering from a gunshot wound on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE. Harrison, 59, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Later that same day, police found Sean Shuler, Tyrik Hagood and Javon Abney suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE. Shuler, 26, Hagood, 24 and Abney, 26, were pronounced dead on the scene.
Tyrik Hagood Javon Abney Sean Shuler
Apparently, Shuler died the weekend before he was supposed to testify in a trial against murder defendant Saeve Evans regarding to the shooting of a 16-year-old girl in 2016. Evans was found not guilty on Feb. 8.
The final homicide of the month occurred on Jan. 27, when 28-year-old Troy Souder succumbed to injuries connected to a 2017 shooting on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.
Police have arrested four suspects from two homicides in January.
After a murder defendant requested a new attorney, a judge rescheduled his trial date, for a second time.
Clinton Womackis charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of Terry Crutchfield on the 1500 block of Olive Street, NE in 2016. According to court documents, Crutchfield died from a gunshot wound to the back.
Womack’s last attorney, Lee Goebes, was dismissed on Jan. 11. Womack, 29, is now scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 9.
During the hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman agreed to delay Womack’s trial in order to give his new attorney, Steven Kiersh, enough time to review evidence.
Womack was originally scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 17, 2018, but the defense said there were issues with the evidence. Judge Edelman granted the first continuance on Sept. 7, 2018.
According to court documents, Womack and another man entered an apartment where Crutchfield and six other individuals were located and threatened them with handguns. Both men attempted to rob Crutchfield while looking for drugs. Crutchfield was the only person harmed during the attempted robbery.
One of the witnesses who escaped identified Womack as the shooter.
After serving more than 24 years in prison for orchestrating a mass shooting in 1994, a defendant was released from prison Feb. 12 and ordered to serve five years on supervised release. The defendant’s release stems from a wave of changes put in place by the Youth Act.
A photo of Duwan A’vant.
In April 1995, a jury convicted Kevin McCrimmon of second-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and assault with a dangerous weapon for his role in the shooting death of 15-year-old Duwan A’vant at 7th and O Street, NW in 1994. McCrimmon allegedly ordered his co-defendant William Napper to carry out the shooting at O Street Market with three other men. Eight additional victims were injured in the process.
McCrimmon, who was 17 years old at the time, was sentenced to life in prison. Napper was also found guilty in connection to the case and is currently being held without bond.
During the hearing Feb. 12, Judge Ronna Beck said that because the defendant appeared to show true remorse for his actions and because he was 17 at the time of the shooting, that McCrimmon was no longer a danger to society. She also said that McCrimmon’s psychologist inside the prison concluded he has a low risk of recidivism.
McCrimmon faces life in prison if he violates the terms of his supervised release.
According to DC Courts, in September of 2018 the defense filed a motion, requesting that the court reduce McCrimmon’s sentence pursuant to the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016. The act, which went into effect Oct. 1, is part of the Comprehensive Youth Amendment Act of 2016, which, among other things, bans life sentences for juvenile offenders.
Judge Beck granted the motion on Feb. 6.
According to court documents, McCrimmon was not present at the time of the shootings, but instead, ordered the shooting and helped carry it out by supplying people with guns.
Judge Beck said that the shooting was part of a deal between McCrimmon and his codefendant, William Napper. Apparently, Napper planned to shoot A’Vant, who allegedly robbed and shot McCrimmon in an earlier incident. In exchange McCrimmon promised to kill another man who shot Napper’s brother.
According to court documents, four men, including Napper, arrived at O Street Market and opened fire with semi-automatic pistols, which were supplied by McCrimmon.
The Washington Post reported that among the victims shot, was a young mother and her 7-year-old daughter and two off-duty FBI officers.
According to the judge, McCrimmon would be released in a few weeks.
A defense attorney notified the court Feb. 15 that he filed a motion for his client’s release.
Jeremiah Jordan and Jerrell Powell are charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged role in the death of 30-year-old Antoine McCullough on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.
Jordan’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, said he filed a motion to reconsider Jordan’s held without bond status. Powell, 23, is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.
Powell’s defense attorney Brandi Harden also said she would be away for a portion of the trial, which is scheduled to start on July 15. Judge Dayson said that, at this time, she would not reschedule the trial nor send it to another judge.
The prosecution offered a plea agreement to both Jordan and Powell. Harden said both defendants would have to accept the offer in order for the plea agreement to go through.
Counsel did not discuss the specifics of the plea agreement.
According to court documents, McCullough told multiple witnesses that people were trying to jump him. Shortly after speaking with McCullough, witnesses say they heard gunshots and found McCullough suffering from a gunshot wound.
James, a bus driver for Eyre Bus Company, is currently released on personal recognizance.
Per the defense’s request, D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said James, 45, could drive his personal vehicle, but that he’s not allowed to have any cellular device on while driving, given the allegations against him.
According to court documents, footage from the bus shows James talking on a cellphone while executing a turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The footage was taken moments before the bus struck Carlson and Adams who were walking in the crosswalk.
James is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 15.
On Feb. 15, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a downgrade from his original charge.
Wright Koonce, also known as Koonce Wright, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting his coworker, 45-year-old Brian Gibson, on the 6900 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2017. Apparently, the two men were shuttle bus drivers for G&M Limo Service. Koonce, 60, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed.
Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution would downgrade Koonce’s murder charge and dismiss his remaining charges, including possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Contingent on the judge’s approval, Koonce could be sentenced to five years in prison.
According to the prosecution, Koonce told his supervisor that he and Gibson got into an argument that turned physical. Koonce said Gibson hit him in the face and that some of his teeth fell out.
Koonce told his supervisor that he got his revolver and shot Gibson, who was running away. Apparently, Gibson fell after he was shot, and that’s when Koonce stood over him and fired an additional shot.
A cooperating witness told a jury Feb. 14 that he lied to law enforcement multiple times about his involvement in a string of robberies, which ultimately led to the death of a transgender woman.
Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Littleare charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged role 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 Shareem and Cyheme Hall are also charged with the murder.
“I’m telling the truth,” Shareem said. “I’ve changed my story to what happened. I knew lying wasn’t working.”
Shareem, 25, who is testifying per the terms of a plea agreement, told the jury that he previously lied to the police about his location, who was involved, and the role he had in the robberies because he didn’t want to serve time. He also admitted to lying to the grand jury while under oath.
During his testimony to the grand jury, Shareem said he “forgot” a lot of what happened, but, during the trial, he told the jury that his memory is better now.
Shareem told the jury that he, Cyheme, 23, Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, were planning to rob an unidentified individual. However, he said the plan fell through. He said the group drove around to search for new targets. Cyheme previously testified with a similar story.
Shareem said Johnson was primarily responsible for picking out the targets and robbing them. However, Shareem later admitted to assisting with one of the robberies and forcing one of the transgender women to strip.
Shareem said he didn’t participate in Dodds’ robbery, but he saw Johnson shoot Dodds.
According to the prosecution, the Hall brothers entered plea agreements in exchange for their testimonies against Little and Johnson. A plea offer has not been filed as of Feb. 14.
Both brothers claim that transgender women were not the intended targets, and that they did not hit or shoot anyone.
n apartment building on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW suffering from multiple stab wounds. Lugo, 36, was pronounced dead on the scene.
