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Judge Finds Probable Cause in September Homicide

During a preliminary hearing Dec. 19, a D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause that a 22-year-old man was involved in a September homicide.

Rickie Collier is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25-year-old Marquiawn Williams on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE. Collier is being held without bond.

During the hearing, the lead detective on the case told the court that the defendant and victim didn’t know each other and that the altercation began because Williams was staring at Collier. Apparently, without using names Collier confessed to the shooting, saying he “took that person’s life.”

The prosecution played area surveillance footage of the crime scene, showing Collier and Williams engaging in a verbal altercation, which ultimately became physical. At one point, in the video, the victim is shown making an arm gesture toward his pants.

The prosecution said Williams was picking up his pants. 

The prosecution also pointed out that another individual on the scene separated the victim and defendant and that’s when the defendant chose to arm himself. Apparently, the two men began fighting again after they were separated, and that’s when Collier allegedly shot Williams.

However, the defense said her client believed Williams was reaching for a gun, but the detective said the victim did not have a weapon. 

Defense attorney, Judith Pipe, said her client was acting in self-defense and while the victim may not have been armed,  her client didn’t know, at the time, and therefore acted accordingly.

During a police interview, Collier said he was shot at seven times over the past couple of years and that he was on Benning Road, on the day of the murder, attempting to “clear his name.” Apparently, the night before the murder, there was a shooting in the area and four people were injured. Collier said he wasn’t involved, but that other people in the area thought he was.

Judge Ronna Beck found probable cause, referencing Collier’s actions to arm himself after the two men had been separated. She said the defendant tested positive for cocaine when he was arrested and also has a criminal history, including a 2013 conviction for an armed assault. Apparently, the defendant was on supervised release at the time of the murder.

Collier is scheduled for a felony status conference on March 22, 2019.

Monthly Recap: Gun-Related Deaths Remain the Majority

While the District of Columbia saw a decrease in the number of homicides throughout November, the common thread, among the past three months, remains that the majority of homicides in tWashington, DC are gun-related.

In September, the District tallied 22 homicides and of that number 15 were the result of gun violence. Of the 23 homicides that took place in October, 17 were gun-related. And of the 11 homicides that occurred in November, nine were the result of gun violence while the remaining two were a stabbing and a trauma-related case. As of Dec. 21, police have arrested suspects in five of the homicides. 

Nazir Ahmad

On Nov. 3, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 68-year-old Nazir Ahmad suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE. Police arrested and charged Demetrius Pierce with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in Ahmad’s death, which police say was a burglary gone wrong.  Pierce, 32, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11, 2019.

Dewayne Weaver

Two days later, Dewayne Weaver was found fatally shot on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE. Weaver, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case. 

Gibril Turner

On Nov. 6, police found 22-year-old Gibril Turner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3900 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Turner was pronounced dead on the scene. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case. 

A day later, officers responded to the Unit block of Ga lveston Place, SW

Eugene Johnson

 and found two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Eugene Johnson, 37, was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was brought to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case. 

Jelani Mohammed

On Nov. 8, Jelani Mohammed, 38,  was found on the 1500 block of Benning Rod, NE suffering from a fatal stab wound. Police arrested and charged Dale Thomas and Donnell Mills with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Mohammed’s death. Mills, 29, and Thomas, 28, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 17, 2019.

Javon Smith

On Nov. 15, police found 26-year-old Javon Smith suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 2100 block of 8th Street, NW. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case. 

Dwight Banks

Three days later, Dwight Banks was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the  800 block of Jefferson Street, NW. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case. 

Randall Francis

On Nov. 26, police responded to the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE and found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Randall Francis, 20, was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was brought to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police arrested and charged Malik Morris with premeditated first-degree murder while armed in connection to Francis’ death. Morris, 20, is awaiting presentment.

Later that same day, police found Noe Alberto Gallardo Ponce, 22, unconscious and unresponsive in a row house on the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW.  William Alexander Marrouquin Gallardo, his cousin, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to his cousin’s death. Gallardo, 24, is scheduled for a felony status conference  March 8, 2019.

Samuel Lee Smith

On Nov. 28, police responded to an area hospital and located 23-year-old Samuel Lee Smith suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police say the shooting took place on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW. Police have not arrested any suspects.

Nya Howard-Reynolds

The final homicide of the month occurred minutes before the start of December, when officers found 19-year-old Nya Howard-Reynolds suffering from a gunshot wound on the Unit Block of 57th Place, SE.

Police arrested and charged Robert Theodore Smith with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Howard- Reynolds death. Smith, 22, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 7, 2019.

McDuffie Not Guilty of Murder

After being held in jail for nearly three years and undergoing a mistrial, a man was found not guilty of murder on Dec. 20.

Eric McDuffie was charged with first-degree murder while armed and a related gun offense for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Antonio McCallister on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2015.

McDuffie, 27, was initially tried in April; however, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision. According to DC Courts, the second trial was nearly declared a mistrial. Apparently, the jury submitted a note indicating they were at a deadlock hours before delivering their not guilty verdict.

Throughout the nearly six-day trial, the prosecution sought to bolster the testimony of two eyewitnesses while the defense poked holes in their credibility.

McCallister’s mother told the jury that on the night of the murder she was within feet of her son when he was shot. Apparently, she saw McDuffie behind him. She also added that she caught her son and that he said he loved her.

However, a medical examiner from the Office of the Chief Medical of the District of Columbia said McCallister’s injuries were consistent with him falling “flat on his face.” She also said the victim couldn’t have spoken after he was shot because his spinal cord was injured.

During her testimony, the medical examiner walked the jury through the defendant’s injuries, including the single gunshot wound to the back of his head. The examiner’s testimony directly contradicted the testimony of another eyewitness, who said she heard two gunshots and saw two muzzle flashes.

The same eyewitness said she received threatening messages when it became public knowledge that she was going to testify.

But, both the victim’s mother and the eyewitness used PCP, a mind-altering drug, which was repeatedly mentioned throughout the trial. Apparently, both witnesses have a history of smoking dippers, cigarettes laced in PCP. 

The mother, who is diagnosed with manic depression, was apparently prescribed multiple medications. However, she wasn’t taking them on the night of the murder. A physician said that if the mother’s diagnosis went untreated she could experience confused thinking and hallucinations. Coupled with PCP and alcohol, the doctor said the mother’s symptoms could have been exacerbated.

The prosecution addressed the mother’s inconsistencies by saying she was in denial when her son died. The prosecution also argued that it was “wishful thinking” that the mother heard her son speak, but that it doesn’t discredit the rest of her testimony. The prosecution further added that the physician never treated the mother and was basing his testimony on outdated health records.

Prior to delivering closing arguments, the defense told the jury that the police failed to fully investigate another potential suspect. According to the defense, a 6-year-old boy gave a police officer the name of the alleged shooter. Multiple detectives on the case, including the lead detective, said they didn’t follow-up with the 6-year-old boy.

Read more about the McDuffie trial, here.

Document: Police Make Arrest in Capitol Hill Homicide

On Dec. 20, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to the shooting death of a 34-year-old man.

According to a press release, police arrested and charged MacArthur Venable with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting James Eric Ferrell on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE in October.

Follow D.C. Witness to get updates on the case.



12 20 18 Arrest Made in a Homicide Unit Block of Massachusetts Avenue, Northeast (Text)

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on the intersection of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW on Dec. 19.

According to a press release, a bus took a left-hand turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue and struck 61-year-old Monica Adams Carlson and 85-year-old Cora Louise Adams, who were walking in the crosswalk.

Carlson and Adams were brought to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.



12 20 18 Traffic Fatality Intersection of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest (Text)

Judge Grants Exception in Murder Defendant’s Conditions of Release

During a motions hearing, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge granted an exception in a murder defendant’s conditions of release so that he could attend work.

Carlos Galvez Pleitez is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 44-year-old Denard Orlando Hartwell on the 4400 block of Livingston Road, SE in August.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Hartwell’s death was the result of a robbery gone wrong. According to his attorney, Pleitez’s only involvement was driving the people who intended to rob Hartwell. Apparently, Pleitez didn’t know the people he was driving were armed.

Pleitez, who was 24 years old at the time of arrest,  was released Dec. 3 to home confinement. Per the terms of his release, Pleitez was also placed on GPS monitoring.

On Dec. 19, defense attorney Jeffrey Stein told the court that Pleitez has a job in landscaping, which requires he go to multiple locations throughout the day. Stein said that if the court grants the request, Pleitez would notify pretrial services prior to going to each work location.

The prosecution argued against the request based on the severity of the defendant’s charge. The prosecution also said that the court would be giving the defendant “full rein” by allowing him to self-report his whereabouts.

Judge Ronna Beck granted the defense’s request. However, she said the defendant would have to remain by his father, who works at the same landscaping company, while at work. She also said pretrial services could randomly contact Pleitez’s employer to verify his location.

According to Judge Beck, Pleitez has been “fully compliant” to his conditions of release. Furthermore, the judge noted that the defendant has a lot of community support, including the support of his employer.

Pleitez is pending a grand jury indictment.

Arrest Made in Knox Place, SE Homicide

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Dec. 18 a suspect in connection to a fatal shooting on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.

According to a press release, officers arrested 16-year-old Malik Holston and charged him with first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Gerald Watson on Dec. 13.

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

Traffic Fatality on Howard Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred on Dec. 3.

According to a press release, a Ford Crown Victoria and a utility work truck collided while turning at a traffic signal at bottom of the exit ramp of I-295 South at Howard Road, SE. The collision pushed the Crown Victoria onto the curb and into a utility pole.

The Crown Victoria’s backseat passenger, 67-year-old Sara Ralphine Campbell, succumbed to life threatening injuries on Dec. 17. The Crown Victoria’s driver and front seat passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver and front seat passenger of the utility truck also sustained non-life threatening injuries.

No one has been charged at this time.

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

Arrest Made in Benning Road Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Dec. 18 Malik Morris in connection to the shooting death of a Washington, DC resident from the Southeast section of the city.

According to a press release, Morris, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) for allegedly shooting 20-year-old Randall Francis on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE on Nov. 26.

Follow D.C. Witness to get updates on the case.

Police Failed to Fully Investigate A Suspect, Defense Says

On Dec. 17, the defense in a murder trial began their case by telling the jury that police failed to fully investigate another potential suspect.

Eric McDuffie is charged with first-degree murder and a related gun offense for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Antonio McCallister on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2015. McDuffie, 27, was initially tried in April; however, the jury was unable to make a unanimous decision.

According to the defense, a Metropolitan Police Department officer, who was in Woodland doing community service, was told the nickname of the shooter by a 6-year-old boy. Apparently, the person the boy identified was not McDuffie.

Multiple detectives on the case, including the lead detective, testified that they sought information on the potential suspect. However, none of them could say for sure whether or not they interviewed and/or followed up with the 6-year-old boy.

One of the detectives testified that they stopped investigating the potential suspect after McCallister’s mother identified McDuffie as the shooter. The mother said she was within feet of the shooting and caught her son when he fell. 

The 6-year-old boy’s mother said she is close with her son and that he didn’t tell her that he saw the shooting. The boy’s mother also said her son was asleep in her room at the time of the murder. However, the boy’s mother said that police didn’t approach her or her son about the murder until April. 

Closing arguments began on Dec. 18.

Judge Sentences Murderers, Continues Hearing to Review Youth Act

Even though two convicted murderers were sentenced Dec. 18, a DC Superior Court judge decided to continue the sentencing to determine if their sentences should fall under the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018.

Judge Judith Bartnoff sentenced Barry Giles and Marco Williams to 8.5 years and 15.5 years in prison, respectively for their involvement in the homicide of 37-year-old Timothy Lassiter on the 3100 block of Berry Rd., NE in 2016. The sentences were formed by an agreement between the prosecution and defense.

According to Judge Bartnoff, the only question is whether the sentences should be imposed under the act, which became effective in December.

The amended act changes the eligible age of youth offenders from 22 and younger to 24 and younger at the time of the offense. Giles, who was 20 years old at the time of the offense, and Williams, who was 23 yers old at the time of offense, are eligible to be considered under the amended law. However, if counsel and the judge decide that the sentences should fall under the statute, it will not change the defendants’ time in prison.

In October, Giles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or office. Williams pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed.

“There’s nothing I can say that would fix this,” Judge Bartnoff told the family, several of whom travelled from North Carolina to attend the sentencing and other hearings in the case. “I don’t believe in the term closure, [but] this is a chapter that’s over.”

Although members of Lassiter’s family were not entirely happy with the sentencing agreement, the family accepted it as a form of justice.

“I don’t think any mother should be standing in this position,” Lassiter’s mother, who is a chief financial officer for a community health center in North Carolina, told the judge. “It’s been an awful thing. I just don’t want nobody to shoot nobody else.”

Family members spoke of their lost loved on as a man who put others needs above his own. In Fort Lincoln, the neighborhood where Lassiter lived, he was not only the local barbecue chef, but also went out of his way to do nice things for residents, especially children.

His daughter told D.C. Witness that he would often hold parties for kids as well as buy them clothes and supplies for school. “He treated kids in the neighborhood like his own,” she said.

However, even though those memories seem like good ones, they also remind her of her father’s death. Giles was one of the kids in the neighborhood that Lassiter helped. The daughter said Lassiter treated Giles like a son. She said the whole situation was “nerve-wrecking.”

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, following Lassiter’s funeral, Giles posted a social media video where he bragged about his role in the shooting.

In addition to impact statements from Lassiter’s mother, daughter, sister and brother-in-law, the prosecutor also read a letter from a loved one who did not want to be identified. “The oldest child blames herself because she left her dad in DC…the middle child lost faith in the world…and the youngest wants to be a doctor to save people so they won’t die like her daddy,” the letter said.

Neither Giles nor Williams said anything at the sentencing. The men have been held without bond since March. In addition to their prison terms, Giles and Williams are required to serve five additional years on supervised release and pay a $100 fine to the crime victim’s fund.

 

 

 

Judge Places Murder Defendant on Personal Recognizance

On Dec. 17, a judge placed a murder defendant on personal recognizance.

Antwain Henderson

Anthony Campbell is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and tampering with evidence for allegedly shooting Antwain Henderson in 2011.

In January, Campbell was released to a halfway house after spending five years in jail because the prosecution failed to disclose critical information to the defense. The defense filed a motion to dismiss in October.

According to DC Courts, the case is scheduled for a hearing to rule on the defense’s motion on Feb. 1, 2019.

According to police documents, Henderson and Campbell got into an argument when Campbell shot Henderson in the head and got help from two others to bring him inside. Apparently, they cleaned up any traces of blood and placed Henderson inside the trunk of his own vehicle. The vehicle was set on fire on Aug. 31, 2011.

On March 22, 2019, a judge dismissed Campbell’s case with prejudice due to an evidence violation by the  prosecution. Campbell was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and tampering with evidence for allegedly shooting Antwain Henderson in 2011.

Document: Police Make Arrest in Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Dec. 16 a suspect they believed is involved with the shooting death of a man in Northeast DC.

According to a press release, police arrested 45-year-old Maurice White. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault with the intent to kill. White allegedly shot two men on Dec. 1, 2016, on the 1800 block of Capitol Avenue, NE. One of the men, 45-year-old Timothy Pretlow, was pronounced dead at a local hospital, while the other sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Follow D.C. Witness to receive updates on this case.



Document: Homicide on 1st Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 1100 block of 1st Street, NW.

According to a press release, police found Curtis Davis suffering from gunshot wounds during the evening hours on Dec. 15. Davis, 21, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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.