Surgeon Tells Jury About Victim’s Fatal Injuries

During a murder trial March 6, a trauma surgeon described the severity of a murder victim’s injuries when he reached the hospital.

Kimberly Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting death of 53-year-old Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE in 2015.

“We were able to stop the bleeding and get his heart pumping again,” the witness said. However, the surgeon said Mayo succumbed to his injuries one week after being placed on life support.

The surgeon said Mayo’s pulse stopped in the ambulance. She said he was put on life support shortly after arriving at the hospital.

According to court documents, Thompson, 61, drove a silver Mercedes Benz. His vehicle was captured on surveillance footage at the time of the incident. Apparently, police seized his vehicle and found multiple firearms.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.

Murder Defendant’s Fingerprints Not in Victim’s Apartment, Expert Says

During a murder trial March 6, a DNA expert said she didn’t find the defendant’s fingerprints in the victim’s apartment. However, several other witnesses’ testimonies supported the prosecution’s theory that the defendant robbed the victim.

El Hadji Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel in an apartment on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017.

According to the expert, she matched fingerprints found in the apartment to Mehiel and the apartment’s owner. The expert said she also found fingerprints in the tub and sink, but they were “inconclusive.”

During the hearing, a Motel 6 manager told the jury that Toure checked into the Laurel, Md. motel on March 21, the day the murder took place, and checked out on March 23.

The manager also said the motel was within walking distance of a Gulf Gas station where a suspect was caught on camera withdrawing money from an ATM machine. The president of the company that oversees the ATM testified that the transaction aligns with records detailing withdrawals from Mehiel’s accounts.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure is responsible for binding, sexually assaulting and repeatedly stabbing Mehiel to death. The prosecution says he tortured her, stole her credit cards and withdrew money from her account at multiple ATM machines in Maryland and Virginia.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.

Judge Declares Mistrial in Murder Case Following Partial Verdict

After nearly a week of deliberation, a jury returned a partial verdict March 6.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged in connection to the death 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 Dodds’ murder.

Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, were both found not guilty of several gun-related charges. However, Little was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license.

A DC Superior Court judge declared a mistrial for the defendants’ felony murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. A mistrial was also declared on Johnson’s remaining gun charges and Little’s obstruction of justice charge.

Both defendants are scheduled for a status hearing on April 5.

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.

Throughout the nearly five week trial, the prosecution called multiple witnesses including, one of the transgender women who was targeted during the groups’ robbing spree.

The victim said she was strip-searched and called derogatory slurs during the robbery. However, she said she did not see the identities of her assailants.

The prosecution later tried to prove Little had a bias against transgender women. They called a transgender woman to testify about an incident that occurred one week before Dodds’ murder.

The transgender woman said Little offered her money in exchange for sex when she was walking home from work. When she refused, Little pointed a gun at her and told her to strip.

However, her testimony was struck from the record after she and the prosecution violated Judge Milton Lee ’s ruling. The witness repeatedly referred to the incident as a “robbery,” which Judge Lee previously deemed “prejudicial.” Later in her testimony, a prosecutor also used the word “robbery.”

After striking her testimony, Judge Lee ruled the defense didn’t have sufficient evidence to support their claim that Dodds’ death was a hate crime.

Brothers Shareem, 25, and Cyheme, 23, also testified against Johnson and Little. According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into a plea agreement in exchange for their testimony.

According to Shareem, the four men planned to commit a robbery, but they didn’t plan to target transgender women. Apparently, they planned to rob an unidentified individual but when they couldn’t locate the person, Little said he knew people they could rob.

Shareem said he did not participate in Dodds’ robbery but saw Johnson shoot her.

Cyheme’s testimony mirrored his brother’s testimony, which the defense said wasn’t a coincidence. Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said the brothers talked about the case prior to testifying. Apparently, the brothers were previously housed in the same jail cell and currently reside in the same unit at the DC Jail.

The defense also sought to discredit Shareem’s testimony, saying he previously testified in three different cases in exchange for plea agreements. Irving said he cooperated with the prosecution in another case for a lighter sentence.

Shareem admitted to doing anything he could to get out of serving time, but he said he’s telling the truth now.

“I’ve changed my story to what happened,” Shareem said, “I knew lying wasn’t working.”

Meanwhile, Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden didn’t dispute that her client’s GPS monitor placed him at the crime scene. Instead, she argued that he didn’t know they planned to rob anyone. She said Little remained in the car, she also disputed the fact that he was carrying a gun.

A Metropolitan Police Department officer testified that when he arrested Little, hours after the murder, he found a gun. However, the officer admitted he didn’t find a gun when he initially searched Little. Instead, the officer said he found a gun in the vehicle he used to transport Little to the police station.

The officer said the gun wasn’t there before Little got in the car. However, Harden said it’s unlikely an officer would somehow “miss” a gun when conducting a pat down on an individual.

Little’s obstruction of justice charge came after he allegedly wrote “threatening letters.” A witness, who worked in the mailroom for the DC Department of Corrections, said she found letters that included threats against members of Cyheme and Shareem’s family along with their addresses and phone numbers. The letters were allegedly signed by “Block,” which is allegedly Little’s nickname.

However, Harden said the letters had no date, identification or proof of who actually wrote them.

Read more about the Dodds’ trial, here.

Murder Defendant Had ‘No Motive,’ Defense Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the defense told a jury that their client had “absolutely no motive” to shoot a 53-year-old man.

Kimberly Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting of Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE in 2015.

The prosecution told the jury March 5 that Thompson, 61, didn’t think very highly of Mayo and described him to police as “cruddy, a drug dealer and a bad person.” They said Thompson shot Mayo.

However, the defense said there is no evidence and no motive to back up the prosecution’s claim.

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

Surveillance footage captured Thompson’s silver Mercedes Benz driving on and near Bennett Place around the time of the offense. Apparently, police seized his vehicle a few days later and found that it contained multiple firearms.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 6.

Murder Suspect ‘Looks Like’ His Son, A Father Says

A murder defendant’s father testified March 5 that a suspect captured on surveillance footage from an ATM “looks like” his son.

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 death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Toure, 30, tortured, robbed and killed Mehiel.

While Toure’s father said the suspect in one video looked like his son, when he was shown additional footage from a gas station he said it was impossible to say who the person was.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective told the jury that Toure’s stepmother identified Toure from a photo.

During cross-examination, the defense raised questions about the validity of the identification, pointing out that the detective never wrote down which photograph he used.

In addition to the identification, the owner of a used car dealership in Maryland said Toure purchased a Ford Taurus and insurance to drive the car in March of 2017. Apparently, Toure paid for the car, which was more than $1,300, in cash. According to court documents, Toure was found by police in a Ford Taurus at the time of his arrest.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure stole Mehiel’s credit cards and repeatedly withdrew money from her account at multiple ATM machines. They said he used the money to buy the Ford Taurus.

D.C. Witness previously reported, a forensics expert, who examined the car, said she found a pocket knife with a broken off tip in the drivers side door.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 6.

Judge Rejects Motions to Suppress Expert Testimony

On March 5, a judge denied two motions that targeted expert witnesses in a murder case.

Dianna Lalchan, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the allegedly shooting 36-year-old Christopher Lalchan, her husband, in the Carrollsburg Condominiums located on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013.

The rejected motions tried to suppress testimonies from forensic psychologists that could be used in both the prosecution and defense’s arguments. The expert testimonies spoke about the defendant’s mental state during the time of the murder.

According to court documents, when considering the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Battered Wife Syndrome, the defense’s expert said Lachlan’s actions showed that she “had low-self esteem. . . was fearful of her husband. . . made considerable efforts to lessen the risk of her getting killed.”

On the other hand, the prosecution’s expert said Lachlan, 33, was mentally capable of fabricating her domestic abuse story.

In addition to rejecting the motions, Judge Beck told counsel that they have until March 11 to file any other expert notices they wish to present during trial.

Lalchan is currently released on personal recognizance. She is scheduled to begin trial on March 6.

Victim Died from Pre-Existing Heart Condition, Defense Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said the defendant is responsible for beating a 41-year-old man to death. However, according to the defense, the defendant was provoked and the victim had a pre-existing heart condition.

Nathaniel Bryant is charged with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter for his alleged role in the death of Victor Drummings inside the Quality Inn parking garage on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE in 2015.

Bryant “beat him until his heart gave out,” the prosecutor said. The prosecution acknowledged Drummings’ genetic heart condition, but said it wasn’t the cause of his death. Apparently, one of the arteries in Drummings’ heart had a 75 percent blockage.

The prosecution said Bryant “sucker punched” Drummings, causing him to fall flat on his face. The prosecutor said Drummings was “trapped, drunk and alone.” She said he tried to fight back but that he was “uncoordinated.” The prosecutor said Bryant repeatedly punched and kicked the victim even as he tried to crawl away.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Bryant and two other females were leaving from a Halloween party at the Quality Inn when Drummings drunkenly started “flirting” with the women. The prosecution said Bryant got “annoyed” but that the women appeared unbothered in surveillance footage, which captured the exchange.

“Drummings was never a threat,” the prosecutor said. “Maybe, except to Bryant’s fragile ego.”

However, the defense provided a different perspective. Defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, said Drummings, who was drunk and high at the time, threatened the defendant. “Bryant did what Drummings forced him to do,” Mensah said.

Mensah also said Drummings threw the first punch. He said that as soon as Drummings stopped fighting, the defendant stopped “defending himself.”

Mensah told the jury to pay attention to the medical examiner’s report, which allegedly shows Drummings didn’t have any broken bones or fractures. Instead, Mensah said the report shows the victim had minor injuries consistent with losings a fist fight. He also said the report details Drummings’ heart condition.

Drummings “could’ve died just sitting on the couch,” Mensah said.

According to Mensah, Drummings’ blood alcohol level was four times the legal driving limit. He also said Drummings was high on PCP and marijuana and that he took “some pill.”

Drummings’ wife testified that her husband was healthy, denying any knowledge of a pre-existing heart condition. But, she said he “struggled” with PCP, a hallucinatory drug. According to court documents, Drummings was on parole in connection to a drug related case and was reporting for drug tests and attending a court ordered support group.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 6.

February Homicides Down, Overall DC Homicides Up Nearly 88 Percent

Even though the shortest month of the year produced a decrease in homicides, February totals contributed to Washington, DC’s nearly 88 percent increase in homicides from this same time last year.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 10 homicides in February, which was double the number of homicides in February of 2018.

Eight of the 10 homicides were gun-related deaths, one homicide was a stabbing and one was a hit and run. Police have apprehended two suspects as of March 5.

According to a press release, 36-year-old Morris Kenya Harley was arrested on Feb. 19 for his alleged involvement in the hit-and-run death of 35-year-old Daniel Olaya on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW on Feb. 5.

Apparently, the two men were involved in an argument shortly before Olaya was hit. Harley is charged with first-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

Police also arrested 34-year-old Darius Murphy on Feb. 22, hours after he allegedly stabbed 39-year-old Jason Wood on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. Murphy is charged with second-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

“Homicide is a devastating crime,” DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told the Washington Post for an opinion piece about unsolved murders in the District. “Not only does it impact immediate families, but entire communities.” The piece was published on Feb. 1.

According to the Post, there are more than 2500 unsolved homicide cases from 1991-2018 in DC.

In addition to the 10 homicides, there were also two pedestrian fatalities in February.

On Feb. 11, 56-year-old Troy Sandy Austin was fatally struck by a 2009 BMW on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW. No charges were filed.

On Feb. 20, another pedestrian was fatally hit on the 5000 block of North Capitol Street, NE. No charges were filed and the victim’s identity has not been released.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 2015 Murder

During a status hearing March 1, a defendant accused of robbing and murdering a man in 2015 accepted a plea deal.

Ammaad Chase-El pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with the intent to commit robbery while armed for his role in the death of 34-year-old Antonio Ayala between 13th and Van Buren Street, NW. Brothers Javonte Odom and Herman Odom were also charged with Ayala’s murder.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution would downgrade Chase-El’s first-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter. In addition, the prosecution added the assault with the intent to commit robbery charge.

Chase- El, 26, currently resides at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.

According to Chase- El’s defense attorney Elliott Queen, Chase-El doesn’t remember the murder because of his mental disabilities. As a result, Queen said Chase-El entered an Alford plea, which means he does not admit to committing the murder but is choosing to plead guilty because he believes prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him.

Queen also said he plans to submit forms that could allow Chase-El to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act if he is found eligible.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said Chase-El will remain at St. Elizabeth’s until his sentencing, which is scheduled on May 17.

The prosecution says that Chase-El and the Odom brothers assaulted Ayala with the intention of robbing him and shot him in the process.

Javonte, 23, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with the intent to commit robbery and was sentenced to 18 years in March 2018. Herman, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and is scheduled for a status hearing on May 3.

Murder Victim’s Boyfriend Takes the Stand

A murder victim’s boyfriend took the stand March 4 and told a jury he and the victim were in an “exclusive” relationship. However, the defense sought to discredit his claim.

El Hadji Toure, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to the prosecution, Mehiel was a visiting artist from North Carolina.

“To me, it was the kind of relationship you make plans together,” the boyfriend said describing his relationship with Mehiel and his projections for the future.

The boyfriend said he was with Mehiel the weekend before her death. He said they had their first date in February of 2017, one month before her death.

According to the boyfriend, the two remained in frequent contact via text messages and phone calls. He said when she was home in North Carolina he would visit her three to four times a week.

During cross-examination, the defense noted Mehiel and the boyfriend’s relationship began on Tinder, a dating app. She also said Mehiel was away for work during the majority of their nearly six week relationship.

The boyfriend agreed their relationship was mostly long distance but said their plan was for North Carolina to be their “home base.” He said that even though they didn’t call each other “boyfriend” or “girlfriend,” it was “implied.”

The defense also asked about the knife he carries as a part of his job, working on a farm. He said that it is a Leatherman multi-tool that was equipped with a knife. Apparently, when he was interviewed by detectives, they did not take the tool or examine it.

During the trial, a forensic expert testified about examining Toure’s car, which he allegedly bought with the money he stole from Mehiel’s account.

According to the expert, she found a pocket knife in the driver’s side door. She said the knife’s tip appeared to be broken off. She also said she found Toure’s passport, among other things, in the trunk of the car.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure is responsible for binding, sexually assaulting and repeatedly stabbing Mehiel to death. The prosecution says he tortured her and stole her credit cards.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 5.

Thamar Bailey contributed to this article.

Judge Denies Motion to Separate Murder Defendants

During a hearing March 4, a judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to separate two murder defendants.

Co-defendants Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged involvement in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017. According to court documents, Everett, 33, and Hewitt, 38, allegedly planned to rob Heard, shooting him in the process.

With Feb. 24, 2020, being the earliest trial date for the case, Everett’s defense attorney, Laurence Socci motioned to separate the defendants because of the prolonged period before trial. He expressed concern that his client’s constitutional rights were not being considered.

“My client will be sitting in jail for an additional year,” Socci told the judge. “By my calculation, it’ll be well over 1000 days from the day of arrest to the day of trial in February 2020.”

Socci also said the expanded time would impact witness memories and may be of tactical advantage to the prosecution.

However, the prosecution refuted the complaint, saying a delay was acceptable in more serious cases, especially one involving first-degree murder.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said the delay was mainly due to the court calendar and prior counsel requesting more time. She said there was no tactical advantage for the prosecution, since the prosecution’s witnesses would have the same memory disadvantages as the defense’s witnesses.

Furthermore, Judge Dayson said a delay was not a proper basis to separate the defendants.

According to court documents, surveillance footage captured two individuals exiting a black vehicle in a parking lot, with a third remaining in the driver’s seat. Heard approached the individuals, one of which appeared to be holding a firearm. The view of the shooting was obstructed on footage, however, smoke and a flash of light can be seen. A witness told police that Heard’s death was likely drug-related.

A status hearing is scheduled on March 27.

Prosecution Offers Plea Deal to Murder Defendant

On March 1, the prosecution offered a plea deal to a murder defendant suspected of killing a woman while under the influence of a narcotic.

Timothy Johnson, 33, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged role in the murder of Kim Moore, 50, as a result of a traffic collision on the 900 Block of Eastern Avenue, NE, on Oct. 29, 2016.

If accepted, Johnson would plead guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and felony assault, requiring him to serve five to seven years in prison.The plea offer will remain open for two weeks.

According to a press release, Johnson was driving his Chrysler 300 on Eastern Avenue at a high rate of speed. He was allegedly high on PCP, a hallucinatory drug. Johnson struck Moore as she was driving her white Honda Civic. Moore was taken to an area hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.

Johnson’s trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 3.

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Southwest Shooting

After the formal reading of a grand jury indicment, a defendant pleaded not guilty in connection to a 2018 double homicide.

Alonzo Lewis, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor and two gun-related charges for his alleged role in the deaths of 40-year-old Jaquon Helm and 35-year-old Venius Badgett on the 50th block of Galveston Street, SW.

Following the pleading, Lewis’ defense attorney, John Fowler, requested that the prosecution hand over a list of all evidence that could be tested for DNA. Fowler also asked for a list of all witnesses in the case and their contact information.

A prosecutor said she would not provide witness information, but the rest of the evidence would be given to the defense in two weeks.

According to court documents, an 11-year-old witness said that Lewis’ romantic partner got into a physical altercation with Badgett before Helm pulled Badgett away. Another witness said Lewis shot both Badgett and Helm following the incident.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Helm and Badgett were married for six years and had five children, who were not harmed in the shooting.

A status hearing is scheduled on April 11.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in First March Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department announced March 1 that they arrested a man hours after a fatal shooting in Southeast Washington, DC.

According to a press release, 45-year-old Hilman Jordan was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

Following Jordan’s first appearance in court, the judge also added second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon charges. Jordan is being held without bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 12.

Both men appear to have been residents living in Southeast DC. According to the Washington Post, Bhutto was a professor.

According to D.C. Witness data, there have been 30 homicides in the District of Columbia as of March 1, nearly an 88 percent increase from this same time last year.

Judge Schedules Another Court Date in Northeast Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge set the next court date for a defendant accused of killing a 25-year-old man.

Mark Fletcher is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of Travis Barksdale on the 600 block of Evarts Street, NE in August of 2018.

During the March 1 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson set a felony status conference on May 2 after defense attorney Ieshaah Murphy requested additional time to prepare her case.

A prosecutor said that dates for a trial readiness hearing and a motions hearing would also be discussed.

Fletcher, 19, is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 10, 2020.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a detective said the murder was a result of a neighborhood rivalry. Witnesses said that Fletcher, who is from the Saratoga neighborhood, was shot at by Barksdale, who is from the Edgewood neighborhood, in the weeks prior to Barksdale’s murder.

According to court documents, surveillance footage captured a red Mercedes with four passengers near the scene of the crime. A detective who worked in the Saratoga neighborhood identified Fletcher as one of the four individuals in the car based on his hairstyle and walk.

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