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Judge Considers How to Continue Trial for Murder Defendant

On Feb. 14, a DC Superior Court judge said she would place sanctions on the prosecution in a murder trial because they neglected to hand over evidence about another case that was similar to the homicide.

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 stabbing death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Mehiel’s stab wounds were consistent with torture.

Judge Juliet McKenna said the prosecution failed to disclose evidence about another potential suspect who was involved in a rape case that happened a few weeks prior to Mehiel’s murder. Judge McKenna told the prosecution to hand over any DNA evidence connected to the rape case.

Judge McKenna also said she would either delay the trial to give the defense time to investigate the new information, or allow Toure to test additional evidence that might prove his innocence. Judge McKenna said she would make a decision on how the case would proceed by the next hearing, which is scheduled on Feb. 19.

Apparently, the rape case took place in Kalorama, a neighborhood in the District. Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the Kalorama case and Mehiel’s murder had a lot of “striking” similarities, such as both victims were raped and had their bodies washed.

The prosecution said the information was not disclosed earlier because it was part of an ongoing investigation.

Document: Arrest Made in January Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department announced Feb. 14 an arrest in a homicide that occurred in January.

According to a press release, police arrested and charged 19-year-old Elhadji Babacar Ndiaye with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Travis Deyvon Ruth on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE.



Document: Homicide on Hamlin Street, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred during the morning hours on Valentine’s Day.

According to a press release, officers responded to a call about a shooting  at Trojan Labor, a temporary staffing service, on the 1700 block of Hamlin Street, NE. Upon arrival, officers  found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to an area hospital for  life-threatening injuries. David Anthony Remen, 32, a resident of La Crosse, Wis. was pronounced dead.

The second victim, who police identified as the owner, survived. According to NBC Washington, he was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. The business was open at the time of the shooting, according to news reports.

Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters Feb. 14 that the gunman was wearing a mask and gloves.  He is described as being between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches and 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered to anyone that provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction for this homicide or any homicide in DC.  Anyone with information  is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may also be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.



Judge Accuses Murder Defendants of Delaying Trial

A D.C. Superior Court judge and the prosecution in a murder trial accused two defendants Feb. 13 of deliberately causing a delay in the trial. Apparently, the men refused a search by court marshals and had to be escorted back to jail.

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. The prosecution is trying the case as a hate crime.

According to Judge Milton Lee, Little, 28, and Johnson, 23, refused to be searched by court marshals when they entered the building. As a result, Judge Lee said both defendants were escorted back to jail and thoroughly searched for contraband.

Apparently, this is not Little’s first time refusing a search. On Feb. 4, after entering the courthouse, he was found with contraband and was sent back to DC Jail after refusing an additional search. Judge Lee said the searches are “reasonable and appropriate” to ensure the defendants don’t have contraband.

Judge Lee said he is concerned that Johnson and Little may be doing everything they can to keep the trial from moving forward.

The prosecution agreed with the judge and said they think these are delaying tactics.

However, Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, refuted the prosecution’s claim, saying the defendants refused an unauthorized cavity search.

Johnson and Little’s refusal to be searched delayed the cross-examination of Shareem Hall, 25, who is a cooperating witness in the case.

According to the prosecution, Johnson, Little and brothers Shareem and Cyheme Hall, 23, are responsible for a string of robberies targeting transgender women, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

Shareem is scheduled to continue his testimony on Feb. 14.

Judge Continues Murder Defendant’s Mental Observation Hearing

During a hearing Feb. 12, a D.C. Superior Court judge granted the defense’s request to continue a mental observation hearing for a murder defendant, who allegedly killed a senior citizen.

Malcolm Cunningham is charged with first-degree murder while armed of a senior citizen and first-degree burglary for allegedly stabbing 79-year-old David Norwood on the 600 block of C Street, NE. 

Defense attorney David Knight requested the continuance because the expert tasked with examining Cunningham was not available due to the recent government shutdown. Knight said he intends to secure an expert for the next hearing, which is scheduled on March 22.

According to court documents, Cunningham’s relative told police that in the weeks leading up to the stabbing, Cunningham threatened Norwood with a knife. The relative also said Cunningham previously threatened family members with a knife.

Reviewing the Trial: Murder Defendant Found Not Guilty in 16 Y/O’s Death

After being held for two years, a murder defendant was found not guilty of the murder of a 16-year-old girl.

On Feb. 8, a jury found Saeve Evans not guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and obstruction of justice in connection to the death of Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE in 2016.

However, Evans, 32, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Throughout a nearly three week trial, the jury heard from several witnesses, including an eyewitness who was standing near McMillian when she was fatally shot.

According to the eyewitness, she was smoking marijuana with McMillian and Evans near the Potomac Gardens parking lot while waiting for a ride. The witness said that she heard multiple gunshots as she was walked to her friend’s car. She said she didn’t see anyone shooting and doesn’t know what direction the bullets came from because she was ducking.

When the shooting ended, the witness said she confronted Evans, who had a micro uzi pistol, and asked if he’d shot McMillian. His response was, “No. They did,” referring to a group of people in a black Nissan that had entered the area.

According to the defense’s theory, Evans opened fire at the vehicle in self-defense after seeing movement in the car. The defense said a shooter in the vehicle shot McMillian.

According to the defense, the shooter in the vehicle was Sean Shuler, also known as “Black Sean.” Apparently, Evans and Shuler, 26, had a longstanding feud. Defense attorney James King said Shuler was convicted of shooting Evans at least sixteen times in 2012.

Shuler was killed on Jan. 26, the weekend before the prosecution wanted him to testify.  

However, the prosecution argued that Evans was the only shooter and that he opened fire out of paranoia. “He was shooting at ghosts,” the prosecutor told the jury.

Apparently, another witness told the jury that Shuler was with him during the time of the murder.

An expert witness also analyzed Shuler’s cellphone records, saying Shuler’s phone was not in the area at the time of the shooting. Even so, the expert noted that cell phone records only show the location of a phone, not a person.

Another expert witness said there was no evidence that a weapon was fired from the vehicle. The car was not tested for gunshot residue.

A ballistics expert noted that there were 16 shell casings found near the scene, which could have indicated that there was more than one shooter. Apparently, some of the shell casings were fired from the same gun, but it’s unclear whether the remaining casings were shot from another gun.

Evans is scheduled to be sentenced for the gun charge on May 3. He is still being held without bond.

Read more about Evans’ trial here.

 

Defense Attorney Says He Plans to Test Evidence in Homicide Case

During a status hearing Feb. 13, a defense attorney said he plans to independently test evidence in the case.

Tavon Davis is charged with first-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice, among other charges, for his alleged role in the death of 29-year-old Michael Vest on the 1300 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE in 2017.

Davis’ defense attorney, Matthew Davies, said he plans to submit an order detailing the items he wants to test. He didn’t specify the items in court.

Davies also said that Davis, 24, has not decided whether or not he will accept the prosecution’s plea offer. It’s unclear what the parameters of the plea agreement are.

According to court documents, a witness told police Davis confessed to beating Vest with a stick and shooting him five times. Apparently, a day after the murder, when Davis was arrested, police noticed Davis had what appeared to be dried blood on his jeans.

Davis is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on April 26.

Judge Sentences Teen to Nearly 10 Years for Shooting Girlfriend

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a teenager to nearly 10 years in prison for fatally shooting his 16-year-old girlfriend. According to the defense, the teen was playing with a gun when it “accidentally” went off.

In October, Dekale Bowman pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his role in the death of 16-year-old Taiyania Thompson on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE on Jan. 25, 2018. Per the terms of his plea agreement, Bowman also pleaded guilty to simple assault and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, charges Bowman picked up following Thompson’s death.

Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced Bowman to 9 years and 8 months in prison for the manslaughter charge. Judge Iscoe also sentenced Bowman,19, to one year in prison for the possession charge and six months for assault, which will run concurrently with the manslaughter charge.

While Judge Iscoe acknowledged the defendant’s remorse, he said Bowman’s actions say otherwise. Judge Iscoe noted that following the shooting Bowman fled the scene and failed to call 911. Apparently, Thompson was alive after the shooting but succumbed to her injuries three days later.

Judge Iscoe said that prior to his arrest Bowman was caught selling drugs. In addition, after he was arrested and housed at the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Bowman broke another juvenile’s jaw. Bowman was then transferred to DC Jail.

However, while in custody Bowman was “accidentally released” and failed to turn himself in when he knew he was supposed to be held without bond, Judge Iscoe said. Furthermore, when Bowman was placed back in jail he threw urine at a prison guard, who later pressed charges.

During the hearing, Thompson’s mother addressed the court and said that she watched her daughter die in the same hospital Thompson’s father died in. Apparently, Thompson’s father died before she was born.

The mother reminisced about cooking food for the homeless with her daughter. She said 2017 was the first year she allowed Thompson to hand the food out and how Thompson was excited to do it again the following year but never got the chance to.

“Bowman is a threat to himself and society,” the mother said. “ He needs to be held as long as possible.”

According to the defense, Bowman and Thompson “loved each other in their own young, teenage way.” 

“It was truly an accident,” Bowman said, apologizing to the family. “ I just want to let everyone know I’m sorry.”

Bowman is also required to serve five years additional years on supervised release.

Older Hall Brother Also Says Group Didn’t Target Transgender Women

After his brother testified to planning robberies, another murder defendant told the jury Feb. 11 that he, his brother and two other defendants only planned to commit a robbery. 

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson 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 Hall and Shareem Hall are also charged in connection to Dodd’s death.

Shareem, 25, said that on the night of the murder he, Cyheme, 23, Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, met near an apartment complex and made a plan to commit a robbery. He said they did not have specific plans to rob transgender women. His story mirrors the story his brother, Cyheme, told the jury on Feb. 6.   

Shareem said the group left the apartment complex that night in a white Pontiac.

Another transgender woman, who was also targeted that night, told the jury Feb. 11 that she was approached by a man who had gotten out of a white Pontiac. She said the man recognized her and made a “harsh comment” about her gender. She also said he lifted his shirt and flashed his gun.

The witness said she kept walking, but she later saw the group of men attacking and robbing her friend. The witness did not identify Johnson or Little as the men she saw that night.

According to the prosecution’s theory, the Hall brothers, Johnson and Little are responsible for a string of robberies that targeted transgender women, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

Prosecutors said the Hall brothers entered plea agreements in exchange for their testimony. A plea agreement has not been filed as of Feb. 11.

Shareem is scheduled to continue his testimony on Feb. 12.

Judge Orders Prosecution to Disclose Evidence of Police Misconduct

Nearly a week before a murder defendant is slated to go to trial, a DC Superior Court judge ordered the prosecution to hand over evidence pertaining to police officer misconduct.

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping, 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.

Judge Juliet McKenna told the prosecution Feb. 12 to give the defense any reports of bias or misconduct pertaining to officers in the case. Judge McKenna also said the evidence includes information about sustained findings, pending investigations and resolved lawsuits.

Apparently, the prosecution said materials related to “involved” law enforcement were handed over. The prosecutor said there were 25 other officers that were “just present” on the crime scene and that they “didn’t do anything of substance to affect the case.”

However, the defense argued that any evidence of police misconduct could impact the case.

According to court documents, surveillance footage showed Mehiel at her car, which was parked near her apartment. Two hours later, a black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans was seen driving away in Mehiel’s car. Over the course of the next five days, the same individual was caught on footage at multiple ATM machines making withdrawals from Mehiel’s account. He allegedly withdrew a total of $4,000.

Toure, 30, is scheduled for a motions hearing on Feb. 14. The trial is scheduled on Feb. 19.

 

Documents: Traffic Fatality on North Capitol Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW on Feb. 11.

According to a press release, 56-year-old Troy Sandy Austin was hit by a 2009 BMW X5 around 11:34 p.m. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver remained on the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the police at (202) 727-9099.



Jury Finds Murder Defendant Not Guilty for 16 Year Old’s Death

A man charged with the death of a 16-year-old girl was found not guilty Feb. 8.

A jury found Saeve Evans not guilty of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in the shooting death of Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE in 2016. Evans, 32, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Apparently, Evans, McMillian and a third person were smoking marijuana when a shootout occurred after a black car, which Evans believed Sean Shuler was in, pulled up. A bullet struck and killed McMillian.

According to the defense, Shuler, 26, and Evans had a long standing feud. James King, Evans’ defense attorney, said Shuler shot Evans at least sixteen times in 2012.

The prosecution claimed that Evans was the only shooter. The prosecution initially scheduled Shuler to testify, but he was killed on Jan. 26, the weekend before he was supposed to take the stand.

Evans is scheduled to be sentenced for the firearm charge on May 3.

Read the entire case on DCWitness.org.

Judge Sets Trial Date in March Homicide

During a hearing Feb. 11, a DC Superior Court judge set a trial date for a man charged with killing a woman nearly half his age.

Robert Wilson Dean, Jr., 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya White on the 1900 Block of 9th Street, NE on March 31, 2018. According to court documents, the murder weapon was a screwdriver.

Judge Ronna Beck scheduled Dean’s trial to begin on Oct. 23. Counsel agreed the trial would last approximately two weeks.

During the hearing, the prosecutor told the judge that she sent the defense discovery over the weekend. She also said she was in the process of conducting DNA testing and that she expects it to be finished by April 12.

The prosecutor didn’t specify what items are being tested.

Dean is scheduled for a status hearing on May 17.

Judge Denies Request for DNA Testing

A judge said prosecutors didn’t provide enough evidence to justify testing evidence for the defendant’s DNA.

Larry Dominique Brown, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a knife for his alleged role in the death of Derrick Wright on the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE on March 24. According to court documents, Wright, 33, was stabbed three times.

During the hearing on Feb. 8, prosecutors requested a DNA test. However, the defense said there was not enough reason for testing because the evidence could not prove that there was any contact between Wright and his assailant. 

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said the prosecution should continue investigating and work to retrieve DNA from the victim’s fingernails. 

According to court documents, surveillance video captured an altercation between two unknown individuals  near the scene of the crime. Witnesses said a man was seen carrying a thin black object and yelling “I love to kill, I love to kill.”

An unknown informant told police via the text-tip line that Brown was the assailant.

A status hearing is scheduled on April 29. A trial for Brown is set on Nov 18.

Judge Postpones Hearing to Give Defense More Time to Review Evidence

On Feb. 8, a judge rescheduled an Innocence Protection Act (IPA) hearing for a murder defendant because the prosecution had not given evidence to the defense.

Mario Alfaro is charged with first-degree murder while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged role in the death of of 22-year-old Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2017. Vilchez was found inside a convenience store with multiple gunshot wounds.

During the hearing, a prosecutor said he had not given discovery to the defense because he was preparing for an unrelated trial. To give the defense time to review the evidence, a judge postponed the IPA hearing until Feb. 14.

The prosecution said in a hearing last November that they do not plan on testing any evidence. Because of this, the defendant is given an option for an IPA hearing, which would allow the defendant to independently test evidence.

According to court documents, Alfaro was seen in the store mouthing something to Vilchez when both men pulled out firearms. Vilchez shot Alfaro, who ran away while shooting back at Vilchez.

Upon arrival to the scene, police found a blood trail that led to the murder weapon, which was hidden in a dumpster, and Alfaro, who was suffering from gunshot wounds.

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

A trial for Alfaro is scheduled on Aug. 19.