Judge Sentences ‘Grown Man’ to 8 Years for Teenager’s Death

During a hearing Feb. 22, a D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a 43-year-old man to eight years in prison for fatally shooting a teenager, who was less than half his age. “A grown man shot a boy,” the prosecution said.

In September of 2018, Antwan Horactio Buchanan pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the death of 18-year-old Teshean Jermaine Ashe on the 700 block of 16th Street, NE in 2016.

Buchanan’s eight year sentence stems from an agreement between counsel in accordance to D.C.’s plea agreement procedure 11(c)1(c). The policy states that the prosecution and the defense can set a specific sentence or sentencing range that they deem fit for the circumstances of the case.

Prior to accepting the agreement, Judge Danya Dayson inquired about why Buchanan was offered such a plea given the defendant’s extensive criminal history, which includes assault and a gun charge.

Judge Dayson ultimately found the prosecution’s explanation satisfactory after she said the plea was based on the strength of the evidence in the case and the defendant’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions.

“Why did you murder my grandson?” Ashe’s grandmother said addressing the court. “I don’t know what an 18 year old could have done to you that you would kill him in broad daylight.”

“I apologize,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan told the court that he felt “pressured” into “defending” himself from Ashe.

“I really didn’t want to take your son’s life and that’s the truth,” Buchanan said noting that he’s a father of seven. Buchanan didn’t elaborate about how he ended up shooting the teen.

According to the prosecution, Ashe was riding a bike in a parking lot, when he got into a verbal altercation with Buchanan. Apparently, the argument escalated, Ashe ran away and Buchanan followed him. The prosecutor said Buchanan then pulled out a gun and shot Ashe four times.

Defense attorney Frederick Sullivan said Buchanan believed he was acting in self-defense. Sullivan also said that Buchanan was recently diagnosed with a mental disorder for the first time.

Buchanan is expected to serve five years on supervised release after he is released from prison.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty To Killing His Father

During a hearing Feb. 21, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to stabbing his father to death.

David Blakeney, Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the death of his 53-year-old father, David Blakeney, Sr. on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE in 2017. According to the prosecution, the father’s family found him in his bathtub.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, Blakeney’s first-degree murder charge will be downgraded to second-degree murder. The prosecution also agreed to drop a threat to do bodily injury charge from an unrelated 2017 case.

According to court documents, members of the defendant’s family said Blakeney, 27, and his father argued a lot with one another. The family also said Blakeney and his father had gotten into physical altercations in the past.

Police reported that during an interrogation, Blakeney appeared to drink his own urine. Officers also said Blakeney appeared to be having an “imaginary conversation with his mother.” Blakeney said his mother killed his father, documents state.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a report from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, D.C.’s psychiatric hospital, stated that Blakeney was mentally competent and could be held criminally responsible for his actions. Apparently, Blakeney chose to waive his right to an insanity defense, according to court documents.

Blakeney is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17.

Transgender Woman Was ‘Fighting for Her Life,’ Prosecution Says

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a transgender woman was “fighting for her life,” when she was shot and killed during a robbery.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little 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 and Shareem Hall are also charged in Dodds’ murder.

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 21 that four men are responsible for Dodds’ death. He said Johnson, 23, committed the murder, and Little, 28, helped. Apparently, brothers Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, also participated.

According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into plea agreements in exchange for their testimonies.

According to the brothers, Johnson was the shooter and Little was the getaway driver. The brothers admitted to participating in the robberies, but denied hitting or shooting anyone.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies, saying they previously admitted to lying and constantly changed their stories. Irving said the brothers are only cooperating for a lighter sentence and that the information they provided may not have been the truth.

Irving also said the prosecution lacked physical evidence such as fingerprints or video footage. He said Johnson cannot be placed at the scene and, aside from the brothers, none of the witnesses could identify him as being one of the assailants.

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 25.

Judge Sanctions Prosecution Before Murder Trial

On Feb. 19, a DC Superior Court judge placed sanctions on the prosecution to prevent them from challenging a piece of evidence in a murder trial.

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

Judge Juliet McKenna said she would allow the defense to admit homeless shelter records that place Toure away from the scene of the rape. The prosecution will not be allowed to challenge the shelter records during trial.

The prosecution is prohibited from challenging the shelter documents because counsel did not hand over evidence of a rape that occurred weeks before Mehiel’s murder in 2017.

Even though prosecutors said the evidence was not disclosed earlier because it was part of an ongoing investigation, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the rape and Mehiel’s murder had a lot of “striking” similarities. Both victims were raped and had their bodies washed. Judge McKenna said the records would prevent jurors from assuming Toure committed both crimes.

Judge McKenna also denied multiple motions by the defense to suppress evidence from the jury during trial.

Opening arguements are scheduled to begin on Feb. 25.

Judge Schedules Murder Defendant for 2nd Arraignment

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder defendant to be arraigned on May 29.

Ashton Briscoe is charged with first-degree murder while armed and kidnapping while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting death of 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE in 2017. Marcel Vines and Malique Lewis are also charged in connection to Lewis’ death.

On Feb. 21, counsel requested a second arraignment date be set for Briscoe’s case. According to DC Courts the first arraignment was held on Nov. 9, 2018. It is not clear why counsel requested a second arraignment.

A status hearing will also be held for Briscoe on the same day as the arraignment.

Vines, 22, and Lewis, 21, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 15.

According to court documents, Vines, Lewis and Briscoe’s cell phone data place them near the crime scene and in contact with each other before the murder.

A witness told police the murder was in retaliation for the death of Ronzay Green, who was an associate of Vines. According to the witness, Lewis set Green up to get robbed.

Murder Defendant Requests Testing Of All Evidence

On Feb. 21, a murder defendant requested to independently test evidence in his case in preparation for his trial.

Mario Alfaro is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun related charges for his alleged role in the shooting death of of 22-year-old Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2017.

Defense attorney James King said his client wishes to test all of the evidence in his case, including DNA from multiple blood trails and two guns. The prosecution does not intend to test any case evidence.

Alfaro, 24, is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 19.

According to court documents, officers found a blood trail leading to a dumpster, which contained a firearm. Apparently, Alfaro was found suffering from gunshot wounds near the dumpster.

Surveillance footage shows Alfaro in a convenience store mouthing something to Vilchez, documents state. Later, the video shows both men pull out firearms and Vilchez shooting Alfaro, who was shooting at Vilchez while running away.

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

Alfaro is scheduled for a status hearing on May 21.

Judge Continues Motions Hearing for 2016 Murder

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.

Judge Danya Dayson rescheduled the hearing to Feb. 28.

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.

Judge Says She Will Consider Arguments on Administering Medication at Next Hearing

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>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.

Document: Pedestrian Killed on North Capitol Street, NE

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.

Document: Police Announce Arrest in February Homicide

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.

Transgender Woman’s Death Wasn’t a Hate Crime, Judge Says

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.

During the trial Feb. 19, D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said the prosecution’s strongest evidence supporting the claim that Dodd’s death was a hate crime was a witness, who is also a transgender woman. The witness testified that Little assaulted her a week before the murder.

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.”

Judge Lee also said brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, who are also charged with Dodds’ death, testified that the group didn’t intentionally target transgender women.

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.

Murder Defendant Receives A New Defense Attorney

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.

Defense Requests Continuance in January Homicide

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.

Judge Denies Motion for Severance

After deeming a murder defendant competent to stand trial, a D.C. Superior Court judge denied defense’s motions for severance.

Cinquan Cartledge and Marquette Tibbs are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the death of Orlando Silver, III on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE in 2016.

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.

Monthly Recap: New Year Begins With 19 Homicides

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.

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.

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.

Later that same day, police located 28-year-old James Lamont Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds on the 800 block of Varnum Street, NW.

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.

On Jan. 8, 46-year-old Abdul Watts was located on the 5300 block of Dix Street, NE suffering from apparent stab wounds.

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 Taylor succumbed 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.

On Jan. 13, police found 20-year-old Zyair Bradley and 23-year-old

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

on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

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.

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.

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.

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