Defense Withdraws Motion for Prelim

During a status hearing, defense counsel in a July homicide case withdrew a motion for a second preliminary hearing after the prosecution turned over camera footage.

Mark Price is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE in July of 2018.

During Price’s initial preliminary hearing in October 2018, Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck found substantial probability and ordered Price held without bond.

On Jan. 4, Price’s defense attorney, Pierce Suen, said he received a total of nearly seven minutes of footage. As a result, Suen withdrew his motion for a preliminary hearing.

Price, 24, is scheduled for a felony status conference May 3, when the prosecutor said he expects a grand jury indictment.

According to court documents, Price’s girlfriend received an eviction notice and called Price for assistance. Witnesses said Price was hostile and threatened multiple people. Apparently, Price flashed his firearm and said, “If I can’t live here nobody can. I am the reason the DC death rate is so high.”

After reporting Price’s behavior to the police, Young and two other individuals requested to be escorted back to their apartment. However, their request was denied.

Subsequently, Young, a victim who survived the shooting and a witness drove back to the apartment and that’s when Price and another male, who was not identified, allegedly approached the three individuals. Documents say Price and the other male reportedly opened fire while the victims were crossing the street.

It’s unclear if the unidentified male was arrested.

Young continues to be held without bond.

Document: Medical Examiner Rules Deaths in Residential Fire as Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the deaths of a man and a woman on the 3300 Block of Ely Place, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 60-year-old Joseph Burgess and 50-year-old Regina Bowman inside a house on Jan. 5. The victims died at the scene.

Although the deaths were declared homicides on Jan. 6, police did not release information on the cause of death.

According to NBC, both victim’s were found on the first floor of the residence.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide in DC. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

Document: Homicide on V Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a man in Northwest DC.

According to a press release, officers found 25-year-old Damon Dukes suffering from a gunshot wound on the 200 block of V Street, NW on Jan. 6. He was transported to a local hospital where he died on Jan. 7.

Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information about this case should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.

Judge Sentences 20 Year Old to 65 years in Prison

On Jan. 4, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to 65 years in prison for fatally shooting two individuals within one year of each other. According to the prosecution, the defendant has a history of violence dating back to preschool.

In March 2018, a jury convicted Maurice Bellamy of two counts of first-degree murder while armed, robbery, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Bellamy, 20, is responsible for the deaths of 30-year-old Arthur Baldwin on the 4700 block of 1st Street, SW in 2015 and 15-year-old Davonte Washington at the Deanwood Metro Station in 2016.

Judge Juliet McKenna sentenced Bellamy to 30 years in prison for Baldwin’s death and 35 years for Washington’s death. “I think that’s warranted given the nature of the crimes,” Judge McKenna said.

During the hearing, Baldwin’s father read a story about God seeking justice for a grieving family who lost their son. The father spoke about his son’s accomplishments noting that Baldwin graduated from Howard University and became a secret service agent.

“Your life will go on and you’ll live out your years,” Baldwin’s father said addressing the defendant. “My boy won’t.”

While holding her infant son, Washington’s mother addressed the court saying Washington never got the opportunity to meet his younger brother. She said her son was respectful and didn’t deserve to have his life cut short.

“He will never see past 15 and that’s not fair,” Washington’s mother said. “I’m here for justice.”

According to the prosecution, regardless of the verdict, Bellamy still refuses to take responsibility for his actions. Apparently, Bellamy said he wasn’t there when Baldwin was killed and that someone is “pinning” the murder on him. Bellamy also said Washington’s death was an accident, that he was high and thought Washington was someone else when he fired the gun.

The prosecution said Bellamy, who was 17 years old at the time of the murder, was violent his whole life. Apparently, the defendant has been involved in several physical confrontations since preschool. The prosecution noted that since he’s been incarcerated, Bellamy has four new pending cases stemming from assaulting inmates and jail personnel.

“He’s dangerous and he needs to be locked up for the rest of his life,” the prosecutor said adding that she doubts Bellamy can be rehabilitated. According to the prosecution, Bellamy’s mother has tried to get him help through counseling and intervention.

The defense refuted the prosecution’s notion that Bellamy could not be rehabilitated. Bellamy’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, told the judge that the defendant was not “irredeemable by any means” and that “he can be a functional, productive and hopefully a law-abiding citizen.”

Kiersh said Bellamy plans to appeal the sentence.

Case Acquitted: New ‘Development’ Delays Indictment, Prosecution Says

This case has been acquitted.

Even though a prosecutor in a 2017 murder case told a judge that he expected a grand jury indictment by Jan. 4, a new “development” has delayed it.

Cedric Alexander is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE in 2017.

The prosecution didn’t reveal the new “development,” however, he said he expects to receive an indictment before April 19, the indictment deadline.

Subsequently, the defense requested Alexander, who was 47 years old at the time of the murder, be released pending an indictment. D.C. Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck denied the request because there was no new evidence that supported a release.

According to court documents, surveillance footage, shows a black male getting out of Hook’s truck on the driver’s side and head in the direction of another car that contained three occupants. Apparently, the figure in the footage matches the same body shape and size as Alexander.

Alexander is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 19.

My Fall Internship at D.C. Witness

My time as a D.C. Witness intern has been extremely rewarding and educational. It is my goal to eventually become a prosecutor, and I think my time at D.C. Witness has furthered this goal.

By watching numerous court cases, I learned a lot about the legal system.

For one, I have been able to learn about the different types of proceedings that occur. Also, this internship has improved my critical thinking skills. After watching so many lawyers argue their cases, I have become better equipped at forming arguments. Overall, this internship has better prepared me for law school and for a future profession as a prosecutor.

Through this internship, I feel as though I have contributed to society. My articles help keep the public informed about the murders that have occurred in DC. I am able to keep the public up to date on what is happening in specific trials. Furthermore, my involvement in the fall Gun Retrieval Project has helped inform the public of murder trends and gun retrieval trends.

I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work at D.C. Witness and I will use the skills and knowledge I have gained from this experience for the rest of my life.

Emily Mariano interned at D.C. Witness during the Fall of 2018.

Judge Pushes Murderer’s Sentencing Back

Minutes before a man was scheduled to be sentenced for causing the death of a passenger in his car, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge granted a continuance.

In October, Lorenzo Davis pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in connection to the death of 28-year-old Jacqueline Barnes on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015.

Davis is now scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22.

On Jan. 3, D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the continuance saying, the defense needs time to seek clarification about information contained in Davis’ presentencing report.

According to a proffer of facts, on the night of the murder, it was raining when Davis, 50, sped down Alabama Avenue, lost control of the car, mounted a curb and crashed into a tree. Apparently, Barnes was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. Davis fled the scene. According to the prosecution, there was no evidence that Davis attempted to stop the car or avoid colliding with the tree.

Davis will continue to be held without bond pending sentencing.

Judge Deems Murder Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

During a status hearing, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge deemed a murder defendant competent to stand trial.

Malik Hewitt, along with his codefendant Nyekemia Everett, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the shooting death 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 but shot him during the process.

On Jan. 3, the defense said they were not challenging a report that said Hewitt, 38, was competent. D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Danya Dayson received a medical report that stated Hewitt is competent, understands his charges and is merely “malingering for secondary gain.” However, defense counsel requested an independent mental evaluation.

The prosecution also charged Hewitt with obstruction of justice during the hearing.

Hewitt and Everett also chose to waive their right to test evidence in the case. According to the prosecution, the government tested a revolver, water bottle, skull cap and a pair of pants and a jack, which apparently belonged to Everett.

Both men, who are being held without bond, are scheduled for a motions hearing on Feb. 8. The codefendants are slated to go to trial on March 4.

Victim’s Family Calls Murderer’s Sentence a ‘Cop Out’

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge sentenced Jan. 2 a murder defendant to 19.5 years in prison per the terms of a plea agreement. But, the victim’s family said the plea was a “cop out.”

In December, Antonio Brown pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license for his role in the death of 25-year-old Charles Antonio Welch on the 1800 block of Harvard Street, NW in 2015.

Welch’s family and friends expressed discontent for the plea agreement, saying they didn’t think the government should’ve extended an offer. Welch’s sister said the plea agreement was a “cop out” and a “walk in the park.”

“My brother has five kids,” the sister said. “He’ll never be able to teach them how to be men.”

Welch’s brother addressed the court saying he served a prison sentence for murder and knows that 19.5 years is not enough time. “That blood is stained on your hands forever,” he said.

“As you sit in that cage,” the brother continued. “You’ll realize you wish you could take it back.”

Brown’s co-defendant and former girlfriend Amanda Turner pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person. Turner, 41, is slated to be sentenced on March 8.

According to court documents, a witness told police they saw Brown, 30, park a black car in a parking lot on Harvard Street and Welch park a white car in the same parking lot shortly after.

Apparently, Brown got out of the car with a gun and fired a single shot into the white car. The prosecution said Welch’s pregnant girlfriend and 4-year-old son were both in the car during the shooting.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Turner threatened a witness, saying the person was “next.” According to the prosecution, Turner also sent threatening text messages to another witness and attempted to bribe witnesses with drugs.

Welch’s mother spoke directly to Brown and said she doesn’t hate him. Instead, the mother said she holds Turner responsible for her son’s death. According to the mother, Turner manipulated Brown into killing her son.

Subsequently, the prosecution acknowledged the family’s discontent with the plea agreement but said one of the eyewitnesses had mental difficulties that may have impacted the jury’s decision. The prosecutor said it takes one juror to cause a mistrial or acquittal.

Prior to sentencing Brown, Judge Ronna Beck gave her condolences to the family and said that a sentence is not the “valuation of a life.” She also echoed the prosecution’s explanation about trial outcomes, saying that a lot of cases that appear to be strong result in a hung jury or acquittal and can be dragged on for years. Judge Beck noted that the process can take a toll on witnesses and family members, among others.

Brown will serve five years on supervised release following his release from prison.

Document: Homicide on Barnaby Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 4200 block of Barnaby Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers arrived on the scene and found 19-year-old Shamar Marbury suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on Jan. 1. Marbury was brought to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide on 61st Street, NE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man Dec. 29 in connection to fatally shooting two men in Northeast DC.

According to a press release, 41-year-old Alphonso Walker was charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE in April.

Follow D.C. Witness for updates on the case.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide on 17th Street, NE

On Dec. 28, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 22-year-old man in connection to the death of another 22-year-old man in Northeast DC.

According to a press release, Barry Marable, a resident of Northeast DC, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Roger Marmet on Oct. 24.

Marable is being held without bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11, 2019.

Follow D.C. Witness for updates on the case.

Document: Homicide on East Capitol Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide that occurred on the 5700 block of East Capitol Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers found 20-year-old Darryl O’Brien inside a vehicle on Dec. 25 suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at a local hospital on Dec. 27.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in DC. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE– 50411.

Judge Denies Defense’s Motion for Acquittal

During a status hearing, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge denied the defense’s motion for an acquittal. Instead, the judge scheduled a convicted murderer to be sentenced next year.

In October, a jury convicted David Jones of second-degree murder and driving under the influence of alcohol or another drug for his role in the death of 65-year-old Carolyn Ellis, who was fatally struck on the intersection of 10th and U Street, NW in 2017.

Jones, 38, was also convicted of reckless driving and leaving after colliding in connection to Ellis’ death. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2019.

On Dec. 21, Judge Ronna Beck denied the defense’s request because a detective on the case testified that the defendant was speeding and driving recklessly, which led to Ellis’ death.

Read more about Jones’ trial on dcwitness.org.

Counsel Discuss Preparations for Appeal Hearing

During a post-disposition status hearing, a convicted murderer’s defense counsel motioned for a new trial.

In 2012, Darnell Leon Hawkins was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for shooting Dawan Anthony Felder on the 5000 block of D Street, SE two years prior.

Hawkins is currently carrying out a 47-year sentence at the Atwater United States Penitentiary in California.

In February, the defense motioned for a new trial, saying the defendant’s previous attorney, Dorsey Jones, gave ineffective assistance during the trial.

On Dec. 21, Hawkin’s defense attorney, Thomas Healy, notified the court that he planned to call Jones and potentially a few other unnamed individuals to testify during an evidentiary hearing. Healy said the hearing should take a maximum of four hours.

In turn, the prosecution said they only planned to call Jones as their witness. The prosecutor said she also plans to submit paperwork in order to facilitate the defendant’s travel from California to Washington, DC for the hearing.

The post conviction evidentiary hearing is scheduled on April 19, 2019.

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