Murder Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A murder defendant accepted a plea deal from prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz during a June 27 hearing.

Eliexander Lopez-Burgos, 24, was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Carlos Blanco Fernandez, 38, on the 2200 block of New York Ave, NE, on Nov 16. 2023.

During the hearing, Lopez-Burgos accepted a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and carrying a pistol without a license in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of four-to-six years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, witness accounts and surveillance evidence would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he fatally shot Fernandez from his vehicle. His actions were in retaliation for an altercation two days earlier in which Lopez-Burgos was shot in the leg in a McDonald’s parking lot.

Lopez-Burgos will be held without bond pending sentencing on Sept. 12.

Defendant Testifies Why He Shot The Victim in Night Club Incident

The defendant in a non-fatal shooting case took the stand before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on July 3.

Vann Allen, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of less than one year for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on 1400 block of New York Ave NE on Nov. 11, 2023.

Michelle Lockard, one of Allen’s defense attorneys, questioned him about the night of incident and events leading up to the shooting.

Allen testified that he was at Throw Social club the evening of Nov. 11, 2023 to celebrate a friend’s birthday, but did not stay long. He stated that he arrived so late that he never met up with his intended group. Instead, he left with an old friend of his that he recognized.

While waiting outside for an Uber, he noticed an altercation between a woman he knew from childhood and a group he did not recognize. Allen approached the group once he saw a fight break out between a woman and man.

Although Allen said he only stood near the brawl, the man involved in the altercation charged at Allen, stating, “You know what I got on me” indicating to Allen that he had a weapon on him. The defendant stated that he felt threatened but, “In my mind I’m not doing anything to get attacked.”

It was at this point that he pulled out his gun and shot the man in his abdomen.

Allen stated that he had never shot anyone before, and was scared that someone in the victim’s group would retaliate against him. “I didn’t wanna be a victim,” he testified. According to Allen, as the group charged at him, all he thought was, “I got kids at home” and “I didn’t wanna get hurt.”

Allen testified to walking away from the scene and calling his mother. He said that he was scared and didn’t know what to do. Shortly after, he was arrested in an apartment complex parking garage near the scene of the shooting.

During the cross examination, the prosecution questioned Allen about his prior charges, including a second-degree assault charge in Maryland in 2013.

They also asked Allen about his relationships with others around him the night of the incident. He didn’t clarify his relationship with one of the women in the group who he said punched the victim.

A friend of Allen’s also testified for the defense. She told the court that she was with Allen at Throw Social near the end of the night, giving him a hug when she saw him. She also said that Allen stood with her on the street corner while she waited for her Uber.

According to her testimony, that was when the commotion started. She went home before the shooting and did not know what happened after leaving.

Parties are set to reconvene on July 7.

Victim and His Brother Testify in Shooting Case

The victim of a non-fatal shooting and his brother testified before DC Superior Court Judge Ryan on July 3.

The victim continued his testimony from July 1, describing the night of the incident. He stated that he was at Throw Social bar and entertainment venue with his brothers, cousins and other friends to celebrate a birthday.

He said, “I wouldn’t say I was drunk but I was feeling good.”

While in the club, the victim stated that he did not see the shooter or interact with him at all. He additionally stated that he did not know the shooter prior to the incident..

The prosecution also called the victim’s brother who testified that on the night of the incident he recognized the victim’s ex-girlfriend at the night club. However they did not interact. He stated that she looked familiar and he was certain he had seen her on prior occasions but was not sure of the extent of the relationship with the victim.

Leaving the club, the witness stated he noticed the victim’s ex-girlfriend outside with some friends. Shortly after, a fight broke out between the victim’s ex-girlfriend and then-girlfriend. The victim testified he attempted to intervene and break up the fight.

Shortly after, according to the witness, the victim got upset and the witness had to hold him back. They attempted to walk away but the victim and ex-girlfriend were still arguing. The victim’s brother noticed someone standing adjacent to the fight but did not recognize him.

The victim’s brother denied seeing the victim approach the shooter directly. He testified that his brother was upset after the fight, but was not yelling, and asked the shooter why he was there.

The witness allegedly saw the suspect shoot his brother and then walk away. He stated that he did not see a gun, but he was aware that his brother was shot.

In an attempt to ensure the suspect was caught, the victim’s brother followed him and recorded the pursuit on his phone. He followed the suspect to an apartment building on New York Avenue where the suspect entered a stairwell.

According to the witness, he flagged down a police cruiser nearby and reported that his brother had been shot. He also showed police the video footage he had taken.

The prosecution also called the responding MPD patrol officer who discovered a suspect firearm. The officer testified he was approached by an individual who informed him that his brother had been shot. The individual then pointed to the building where the shooter fled.

The officer downloaded a photo of the alleged shooter from the victim’s brother’s phone, and called for assistance before entering the building’s stairwell where he located a firearm sitting on top of a ledge. The defendant was arrested minutes later.

The prosecution showed the gun to the officer, who confirmed, “it looks like the gun I saw on the ledge.”

In cross examination, the officer testified that the individual who had initially approached him never claimed he was a target. The officer also indicated that the defendant did not appear to be under the influence of any substances.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 3.

Carjacking Defendant Held After Waiving Preliminary Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann ruled that a carjacking defendant will be held after she waived her preliminary hearing on the evidence in a July 3 hearing.

Traviyan Hardy, 23, is charged with unarmed carjacking for her alleged involvement in an incident that occurred at the 300 block of 40th Street, SE on June 13.

Hardy waived her right to a preliminary hearing and defense attorney, Everald Thompson, argued for her release stating that “[the prosecution’s] case is not strong.”

Thompson claimed that Hardy was already in the car with the victim prior to the alleged carjacking saying it was unclear the incident was a carjacking “so to speak.”

He argued for release on the basis that Hardy has a stable job and home life and that this is her first arrest in DC. According to Thompson, Hardy is a good candidate for home confinement if this were deemed necessary.

The prosecution argued that Hardy be held, stating the carjacking was caught on video with Hardy seen sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle and the victim in the driver’s seat. They noted that Hardy allegedly admitted to being in the video.

While the prosecution did admit that it was unclear whether the defendant participated in physically assaulting the victim, they suggested the video clearly showed that Hardy had stolen items from the victim as her co-defendant, Kevin Lester, forced the victim to the ground.

The prosecution also noted that Hardy was allegedly involved in a burglary case in Maryland and has admitted to involvement in another carjacking in the same jurisdiction. These statements added context to Thompson’s earlier suggestion that this carjacking was her first offense in DC.

Prior to her ruling, Judge Herrmann explained that there were allegations that Hardy was trapped in the car and that the complaining witness would not allow her to exit the vehicle. She argued these allegations were significant if true, and thus, relevant for her consideration.

Video evidence appears to show Hardy hovering over the victim who was on the ground after her co-defendant allegedly assaulted the victim, getting back into the car, and driving away with the co-defendant.

Judge Herrmann concluded from the evidence that even if the defense arguments were true, at the time of the carjacking, Hardy was no longer trapped.

Judge Herrmann ruled that Hardy is to remain held given the evidence and her criminal history.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 8.

Judge Detains Defendant in Stolen Rolex Murder

A homicide defendant’s release motion pre-trial was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, during a detention hearing on July 3.

Avery Taylor, 20, Rayon Davis, 19, and Quintin Reed, 18, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for their alleged involvement in the Dec. 20, 2023, fatal shooting of 39-year-old Dwayne Barbour on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.

Judge Brandt, who weighed evidence from the prosecution after a hearing earlier in the week, said the evidence showed Taylor is a serious threat to the community. The trio is alleged to have robbed Barbour, taking his Rolex watch and fatally shooting him in the process before fleeing.

“The weight of the government’s evidence is strong,” Brandt said.

Information provided by the prosecution outlined Taylor’s apparent callousness allegedly wearing the watch for months after the homicide, in what they described as a brazen act. The prosecution said that Taylor frequently brandished the watch on his Instagram account, even using a picture of him posing while wearing it for his profile.

Prosecutors say he also posted a number of images of unauthorized firearms on social media.

The prosecution also outlined several open cases including charges for possession of a controlled substance and a conspiracy involving Taylor and two other co-defendants attempting to obtain fentanyl.

“It is unjust that those involved should have the opportunity to enjoy any freedom,” Barbour’s daughter wrote in a letter to the court, highlighting the painful effect the loss of a father has had on her and her six siblings. Some had signed into the proceeding virtually.

Judge Brandt’s decision followed a hearing on July 1, where the prosecution presented more than 50 slides showing Taylor’s alleged connection to and involvement in the fatal shooting.

The prosecution said that of the three co-defendants he was the likely shooter.

“The facts are pretty damning,” the prosecutor said, adding “I think this is gonna be an overwhelmingly strong case against all three.”

They showed conversation threads between Taylor and the other co-defendants, as well as other associates. There were texts leading up to less than an hour before the crime, and finally a minute before. Subsequent texts pointed to an alleged pattern of behaviour, where weeks after Barbour’s death, Taylor was looking to continue to poach high-end watches and sell them.

“I don’t know what is more brazen than that,” the prosecutor said.

More than half a dozen members of Taylor’s family were sitting in the stands at the July 1 hearing and heatedly objected to the prosecution’s characterizartion of the defendant. Ultimately, Judge Brandt had them removed from the courtroom. Additional security was present for the hearing on July 3.

The judge said certain family members had been “treating the courtroom as interactive,” engaging disruptive conversations.

At the initial hearing, Taylor’s attorney, Andrew Ain, suggested that the prosecution mischaracterized Taylor. He told the judge they were reaching to trying to fill gaps in evidence with speculation.

“They have a lot of holes in the dam where they are trying to put their fingers,” Ain claimed.

He asked Judge Brandt for home-release for Taylor, at his mother’s home in Howard County, Maryland. He said he would accept, as terms of release, 24 hour GPS monitoring and attested Taylor would not leave the home. Ain told the judge that Taylor had been a help around the home, fixing broken hardware. He said he was also a strong presence for his younger brothers, who he had been spending time with.

“At this point Mr. Taylor is innocent,” Ain reiterated. He said Taylor should be treated as such until proven otherwise.

Judge Brandt ordered that Taylor be held without bond.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 12.

Armed Carjacking Victim Testifies

The victim of an armed carjacking incident testified before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on July 2.

Antoine Lee Johnson, 35, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on July 22, 2024 on the 3330 block of 6th St, SE.

The victim testified that he was awakened in his car around 3 a. m. by an individual pointing a gun at his head through the window and telling him to get out.

Prosecuting attorneys played CCTV footage from the parking lot where the incident occurred that showed a person circling the victim’s car, opening the trunk, and standing beside the driver’s side window. The video shows the victim eventually exiting the vehicle, and the suspect in the footage entering and driving off with the trunk still open.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Craig Ricard, questioned the victim about why the incident seemed to take place so slowly, noting that he didn’t appear to be exiting his car in a hurry.

“I was still a little shocked over the situation, then humiliated,” said the victim.

The victim’s daughter was able to track his phone which was left inside the vehicle aiding the prosecution in connecting the route of the stolen vehicle to the location where Johnson was eventually arrested.

Meanwhile, a detective from Seat Pleasant, Maryland testified about his initial encounter with the suspect vehicle and the car chase that lasted more than 30 minutes before the suspect eventually stopped, allegedly attempted to flee, and was tackled by police officers.

The detective testified that he never lost sight of the vehicle, but didn’t see any firearms being discarded. Ricard then argued there was ever a gun during the carjacking.

A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) did not conduct any interviews at the crime scene besides with the victim, and while DNA evidence was taken from the vehicle, none of it was used as evidence due to officers having made an arrest of a suspect matching the description provided by the victim.

Ricard pressed both officers about the clothing the suspect who was arrested was wearing, drawing attention to his blue jeans. The victim had previously testified that the suspect was wearing all black when his vehicle was stolen.

Ricard also highlighted that the surveillance footage was blurry, and looked to jurors as he reminded them that the footage cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the carjacker was holding a firearm, reminding them no firearm was ever recovered.

Prosecutors responded that in the surveillance footage from the parking lot, there is a shadow being reflected onto the vehicle from showing the suspect was holding the gun in his right hand. They added that the witness testimony remained consistent, and that he had no reason to lie about whether or not the carjacker was armed.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 3.

Judge Denies Release For Suspect in Brother’s Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied release for a defendant accused of stabbing his brother in a hearing on July 2.

Manuel Yeager, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on June 3 on the 2000 block of Q Street, SE. One person was injured.

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels requested Judge Pipe release Yeager based on his minimal criminal history.

The prosecution opposed Yeager’s release stating that he knowingly stabbed his brother who was close to dying. They added that the victim was suffering from extreme blood loss, had an oxygen mask, and was unconscious when emergency services arrived at the scene.

The prosecution also pointed to a prior simple assault case in 2018, in which Yeager had attacked his brother. They cited this as an example of Yeager’s being a significant threat to both the brother and the community.

In response, Daniels asked for home confinement and GPS monitoring. He claimed that Yeager accidentally stabbed his brother after a dispute due to the brother selling drugs at Yeager’s home. He also mentioned that if Yeager was released he would stay at another family member’s home.

Judge Pipe stated that even if this was an accident, the victim almost died. She referred to court documents allegedly showing that Yeager proceeded to punch his brother in the head, drag him down the stairs, and throw him out of the house. Judge Pipe stated “he could have done a lot of things before resorting to violence” and denied the defense’s request for release under home confinement.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 28.

‘This Is Not A Joke,’ Says Victim’s Mother at Murder Defendant’s Sentencing

A homicide defendant was sentenced to 11 years with five years of supervised release by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on July 2, with the the shooting victim’s mother present for the hearing.

On April 4, Antwain Ulmer, 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Charles Sullivan, 30, on July 9, 2023, on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of ten-to-16 years of imprisonment.

The prosecution believed that there was a motive and aggravating circumstances behind the attack and requested Ulmer receive 16 years in prison for the incident, while his defense attorney, Frances D’Antuono argued that Ulmer acted in fear and suggested 10 years as appropriate punishment.

Sullivan’s mother gave a victim impact statement demanding justice for her son, and to see Ulmer get the maximum time in prison. “He needs to be sent where the big boys are,” she stated.

She also wanted to raise awareness about the need to break the cycle of violence, which, according to her, starts early in life.

“This is not a joke. This is not a game,” Sullivan insisted.

Ulmer also spoke at the sentencing apologizing to the victim’s mother.

“I’m sorry, I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. I know you can’t get him back and I wish things could have gone differently,” he said.

Judge Kravitz explained that due to Ulmer’s age as well as his willingness to participate in court programs that he will be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which provides an opportunity for youth to have their conviction sealed after the defendant satisfies the conditions of the sentence.

“There’s real humanity there behind his shyness,” Judge Kravitz explained. “He shares the same dreams and hopes as people his age.”

Therefore, Judge Kravitz decided to sentence Ulmer to 132 months and five years of supervised release for voluntary manslaughter while armed, and 18 months and three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentences will run concurrently, and the two years Ulmer has already spent incarcerated also counts toward the sentence.

No further dates have been set.

Shooting Defendant Denied Release Pending Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied release for a shooting defendant on July 1.

Marcus Martin, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4200 block of East Capitol Street, NE, on Jan. 11, 2024, where one person was injured.

In the hearing, the prosecution’s motion to delay the trial was granted, and Judge Brandt vacated the original trial dates set for July.

Martin’s defense attorney, Quo Mieko Judkins, highlighted that it may be a while before Martin’s trial, which was rescheduled for December 8 and requested his release with strict conditions like home confinement.

Judge Brandt stated that it was premature to talk about potential release.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on September 18 at 9:30am.

Trial Begins for Shooting Outside of Night Club

Opening arguments and witness testimony opening arguments in a non-fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on July 1. The violence apparently arose from a domestic dispute.

The prosecution claimed after a night out with friends and family, the victim got into an argument between his girlfriend and ex-girlfriend, who he ran into at Throw Social night club. The victim was trying to intervene when Allen allegedly closed in on the victim, who was unarmed. Allen allegedly shot him once in the stomach and “calmly walked away”.

They concluded their opening statements by urging the jury to find the defendant guilty as DNA evidence, clothing and witness testimonies will ultimately prove Allen’s guilt.

“‘You can get any n*****’…these were the words that Vann Allen heard,” Sellano Simmons, Allen’s attorney, told the jury. Simmons argued that the victim was yelling to Allen in the moments leading up to the shooting. Allen did not know the victim, and was trying to leave, said Simmons.

Throughout his opening arguments, Simmons did not deny that Allen shot the victim. He did argue that the prosecution did not give a full account which included the victim’s fighting words with Allen.

Simmons stated that, “The incident happened very fast” and Allen was “scared for his own life, scared for his safety, he reacted.”

When Allen was located by police, he immediately identified himself and did not resist arrest.

Simmons urged the jury to presume Allen was acting in self defense. At the end of his argument, Simmons asked the jury to remember that Allen just “wanted to go home”.

The prosecution called the lead detective of the case, who revealed that he never personally interviewed the victim and was not present when Allen was located. Additionally, the crime scene was not fully secured for several minutes due to crowds and getting medical attention for the victim.

The witness identified the exact location of the crime on a map. He also positively identified Allen in court as the person said to be the suspect that was arrested the night of the incident.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 2.

Stabbing Defendant Pleads Guilty to Simple Assault, Robbery

A stabbing defendant pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel during a hearing on July 1.

Terrence Stanley, 38, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a carjacking and stabbing of one victim on March 11, 2025 on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to court documents, the victim was a case manager for a mental health facility from which Stanley sought help. Stanley entered the victim’s car to travel to the facility, then cut the victim’s neck with a knife, and he fled the car.

During the hearing, Stanley’s defense attorney, Lauren Morehouse, informed Judge Israel that Stanley accepted an offer extended by the prosecution and pleaded guilty to simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, and robbery. In return, the prosecution will dismiss any greater and remaining charges and request that Stanley serve concurrent sentences for the offenses.

Sentencing is delayed until Stanley completes a substance abuse program.

Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Nov. 21.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Jailhouse Stabbing Case

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause to send the charges against a stabbing defendant to a grand jury during a preliminary hearing on June 27.

Ovid Gabriel, 20, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in an inmate stabbing inside the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on March 28.

Rashid Shabazz, 35, is charged with tampering with physical evidence for allegedly hiding the shank used in the incident.

Shabazz was not present during the preliminary hearing.

According to court documents, Gabriel allegedly used a sharp piece of metal wrapped with gauze, commonly known as a shank, to stab the victim multiple times. The incident was captured on jail surveillance camera footage.

During the preliminary hearing, Gabriel appeared with his defense attorney, Anthony DiMillo, but informed the court he had submitted a handwritten motion to represent himself, asserting his attorney is ineffective.

Judge Raymond chose not to rule on Gabriel’s request, referring the decision to the judge who would be assigned to Gabriel following the preliminary hearing.

The court heard testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who reviewed surveillance cameral footage of the incident. According to the detective, the footaged showed Gabriel approaching the victim and initiating the stabbing with a sharp object, continuing the assault as the victim fled, and later passing the weapon to Shabazz.

The victim was hospitalized briefly for multiple stab and slash wounds, the detective said.

DiMillo challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing there was no direct witness to the stabbing, the severity of the injury remains unclear, and the weapon was not recovered from Gabriel.

The defense suggested the video might have shown another individual who resembled Gabriel.

The prosecution countered that correctional officers clearly identified Gabriel on video, the victim’s injuries were serious enough to require hospital treatment, and the weapon seen in the video matched one recovered from Shabazz’s cell.

Judge Raymond concluded that probable cause existed for both charges, citing the clarity of the surveillance footage, the severity of the injuries and the nature of the weapon used,

“Mr. Gabriel’s criminal history is rather stunning,” Judge Raymond remarked during her ruling. She said his alleged actions had “made the prison a more dangerous place.”

Judge Raymond also criticized the defense’s attempt to minimize the severity of the injury, stating that an injury that requires hospitalization is a significant bodily injury.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 8.

‘I Just Want to Talk to my Kids,’ Says Domestic Assault Defendant

A domestic assault defendant requested visitation with her 10 children during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on June 26.

Sunshine Bangura, 37, is charged with first-degree cruelty to children and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a domestic assault incident on June 21 on the unit block of Todd Place, NE.

According to court documents, Bangura allegedly assaulted her 15-year-old daughter in their home after the two got into an argument. The daughter reportedly told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers that Bangura punched her in the face, kicked her stomach, and cut her with a knife above her left eyebrow and on her wrist.

“I just want to talk to my kids,” said Bangura during the hearing.

Judge Brandt listened as Bangura listed her 10 children, the youngest of which is only 11-months-old.

“Goodness, woman, you are worn out,” said Judge Brandt.

Bangura’s defense attorney, Atiq Ahmed, asked for more time to review a plea offer extended by the prosecution, and also requested a competency evaluation for Bangura.

According to court documents, the father said in an interview with MPD detectives that he had noticed recent mental health shifts in Bangura, such as depressive behavior and yelling. The father said, after he tried to stop the altercation, he asked Bangura what happened, and she gave no response.

According to Judge Brandt, the only stay-away order in place for Bangura applies solely to her 15-year-old. Judge Brandt confirmed that Bangura is freely able to speak with her other children.

Judge Brandt suggested that Bangura coordinate a visit with the father, who is currently caring for the children.

Ahmed said Bangura was worried about her infant. Judge Brandt extended sympathy but said the issue was outside her jurisdiction and should be addressed with the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 1 .

‘This Is a Bizarre Situation,’ Judge Responds to Medical Dispute At Arraignment

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz heard conflicting claims about a homicide defendant’s medical condition during an arraignment on June 27.

Tommy Whack, 35, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed and robbery for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Fasil Teklemariam, 53. The incident occurred on April 5, 2024, on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.

During the hearing, Kevin O’Sullivan, Whack’s attorney, alerted Judge Kravitz that his client was pleading not guilty to his charges.

According to a representative from the Department of Corrections (DoC), Whack was hospitalized from April 24-to-29 for injuries.

According to O’Sullivan, these injuries have continued to cause persistent symptoms. O’Sullivan requested a follow-up neurology appointment, as well as accommodations in jail, including a wheel chair, a shower chair, and ongoing physical therapy.

Whack alleged in court that the DoC seized and shredded his discharge recommendations.

A DoC representative denied this, stating that all records are stored as external attachments in the medical records. The representative also argued a follow-up appointment was unnecessary, citing medical notes that Whack could bear weight and had been observed playing in a basketball game.

Whack countered that his neurologist recommended he see a specialist for nerve damage. He told the court his facility is not wheelchair accessible and that he cannot shower, attend appointments, or leave his cell.

After hearing the conflicting accounts, Judge Kravitz appeared baffled.

“This is a bizarre situation. I don’t really know what’s happening,” he said, and told Whack, “They say they saw you play basketball.”

Judge Kravitz instructed the DoC to arrange a neurology appointment. He denied requests from O’Sullivan to release Whack to home confinement or transfer him to another jail.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 8.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Fatal Stabbing

A defendant pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on June 27 for his alleged involvement in a fatal stabbing.

Kevin Johnson, 39, is charged with felony murder while armed, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, and robbery while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 44-year-old Antonio Woody. The incident transpired on the 1700 block of Lincoln Road, NE, on Oct. 6, 2024.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, alerted Judge Brandt to his intention to plead not guilty. She asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 2.

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