Defendant killed ‘not one young man, but two,’ Prosecution Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a defendant was responsible for “not one, but two murders.” However, the defense said the prosecution’s case relies on unreliable testimonies from unreliable witnesses.

Terik McLeod is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the deaths of 17-year-old Devaun Drayton and 23-year-old Carlton Fisher in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

The prosecution told the jury April 3 that McLeod shot and killed Drayton over a “missing gun.” According to the prosecutor, three days before he was killed, Drayton had just gotten out of a group home and was looking for a gun. Apparently, Drayton was concerned about an incident that occurred in the group home.

The prosecutor said Drayton and McLeod are linked because Drayton asked for the gun that was supposed to be sold to McLeod. Apparently, the individual who would’ve sold the gun to McLeod let Drayton borrow the gun, first. But, Drayton didn’t return the gun because he said he lost it.

The prosecution said the gun wasn’t lost.

Shortly after saying the gun was missing, a group of individuals including Drayton, McLeod and the gun seller were walking and smoking near a high school. The prosecution said that is when McLeod shot Drayton in the back of the head.

Apparently, in the following days McLeod asked Fisher for bullets and when Fisher asked him whether he had anything to do with Drayton’s death he said, “I had to get him before he got me.”

The prosecution said Fisher was arrested nearly a month later after being caught with marijuana and a gun. It was then that Fisher told police what he knew about McLeod. Fisher later went to jail and served two years. The prosecution said McLeod shot and killed Fisher two months after he was released from prison.

The prosecutor said a witness overheard McLeod say, “ I put his brains all over his mailbox,” referring to Fisher, who was shot in front of his apartment building.

The prosecutor also said they recovered a gun that was “compatible” with the bullets used in both murders. However, he said his ballistic expert couldn’t say definitively if the gun was a “match.”

Meanwhile, the defense sought to poke holes in the prosecution’s case.

While defense attorney Michael Madden didn’t provide an alibi for his client, he said the prosecution’s “star witness,” one of the people that claim they were a part of the group walking and smoking near the high school, is unreliable.

According to Madden, the witness is charged with an unrelated murder and is looking to reduce his sentence. Madden also said another witness says the “star” witness’ wasn’t in the group.

Madden said another witness, who was Fisher’s girlfriend, said she didn’t know who committed her boyfriend’s murder, but a decade later she told a grand jury that McLeod was responsible.

The trial is scheduled to resume April 4.

Victim Tested Positive For PCP, Medical Examiner Says

On April 2, the chief medical examiner of the District of Columbia testified that a murder victim tested positive for PCP, a mind-altering drug.

Andre Becton is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for allegedly shooting 35-year-old Darnell Peoples on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE in 2016.

While the prosecution didn’t deny that Peoples had PCP in his system, counsel said the presence of PCP doesn’t determine Peoples’ behavior before his death.

To provide more information on Peoples’ behavior at the time of the murder, defense counsel called an expert on pharmacology and drug effects to testify about the effects that PCP has on individuals.

The expert said PCP users often experience agitation, aggressive behavior, and a loss of pain and feeling. However, during cross examination, a prosecutor also pointed out that PCP can have other effects, such as tranquility and sedation, depending on the user and their environmental factors to which the expert agreed.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a witness who bought drugs from Peoples said she never saw Peoples angry while on drugs. The witness also said that Peoples was being “loving” towards people around him shortly before his death.

According to the defense’s theory, Becton shot Peoples in self-defense. However, the prosecution presented evidence on April 1 that refuted the claim. Surveillance footage from an interview Becton had with police showed him telling a detective that he did not shoot Peoples in self defense.

The trial is scheduled to continue with closing arguments on April 3.

Alex Friedrich contributed to this article

Grand Jury Indicts Murder Defendant on 11 Counts

On April 1, after a DC Superior Court clerk read a grand jury indictment, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty and requested a trial date.

Eric Maurice Smith was indicted on first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill against a minor and five gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 38-year-old Rondell Wills on the 200 block of 50th Street, NE in May of 2018.

Smith, 19, was also indicted on assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault and assault with significant bodily injury. He is being held without bond.

Judge Craig Iscoe scheduled Smith to go to trial on Nov. 23, 2020. The court also scheduled a bond review hearing on April 23, per the defense’s request.

According to court documents, Wills was an unintended target. Apparently, a car drove by the Benning Road Metro Station and started following a witness. The witness said one of the individuals in the car opened fire. The witness ran in the direction of where Wills was seated on 50th Street.

Police believe Wills was shot in the process, documents state.

The car used in the drive-by was later located, and Smith’s fingerprints were found on the car’s interior rearview mirror, the documents stated.

Prosecution Requests More Time for Testing

The prosecution in a murder case requested April 1 more time to conclude DNA testing.

Deon Crowell is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Joni Rockingham on the 300 block of 34th Street, NE in 2017.

Apparently, the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) already conducted two rounds of DNA testing. The prosecution is waiting on a third round of evidence to be tested, counsel said.

Crowell’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, requested detailed reports from the tests.

The prosecution said DFS sent the reports. The prosecution also said the program used to test for DNA does not give detailed reports. It can only show the probability of who the scene’s DNA may belong to, counsel said.

The prosecution will inquire about more thorough reports and push to have the testing completed by May 3.

According to court documents, Rockingham, 53, was found dead with 73 stab wounds across her upper body. Apparently, Rockingham and Crowell, 49, were involved in a sexual relationship.

A status hearing is scheduled on May 16.

Document: Homicide on Hillside Road, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers located 28 year-old Maurice Wheeler suffering from multiple gunshot wounds during the evening hours on April 1. Wheeler was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The police department is 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 informatio is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Homicide Count Drops by 1 in March

Even though Washington, DC’s homicide count dropped by one in March, fatal shootings still accounted for more than half of the deaths across the District.

According to D.C. Witness data, there have been nine homicides in March, a 10 percent decline from the 10 homicides in February.

Of the homicides, five resulted from shootings, located in Wards 1, 5, 7 and 8. There were also two trauma incidents, including the death of a 37-year-old man in Ward 8 and the death of a three-month-old infant in Ward 7. Two stabbings occurred in Wards 5 and 7.

Police have arrested suspects in two of the cases.

Hilman Ray Jordan, Jr. was arrested on March 1 for allegedly shooting 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto earlier that day on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jordan, 45, on April 19.

Police also apprehended Deontay Britton on March 28. Britton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25-year-old Dawud Debruhl on the 1300 block
of Columbia Road, NW. Britton, 25, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 8.

Defense Attorney Seeks New Trial Date

During a hearing April 1, a defense attorney in a murder case said she was seeking a new trial date due to a scheduling conflict. However, the other defense attorney said his client wants to proceed with trial this year.

Jeremiah Jordan and Jerrell Powell are charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged role in the death of 30-year-old Antoine McCullough on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.

Powell’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, said that she is unable to appear in court for a portion of the trial, which is scheduled to begin July 15. Harden requested that the court reschedule to their next available date.

However, Jordan’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, said he did not want to push the trial date back and that his client intends to proceed with trial in July.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said she would be willing to hold a new trial date. The earliest date Judge Dayson could hold was in June of 2020. She did not confirm that the trial would begin on that date.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Harden informed the court about a scheduling conflict with the trial date on Feb. 15. At that time, Judge Dayson denied Harden’s request to reschedule.

According to court documents, McCullough told witnesses that he was arguing with Jordan, 28. Witnesses told police that Jordan gave Powell, 23, a gun and advised him to kill McCullough.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on June 28.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in March Homicide

During his first appearance March 29, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge found probable cause and ordered a murder defendant held without bail in connection to a March homicide.

Deontay Britton is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 25-year-old Dawud Debruhl on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 14.

Judge Sean Staples found probable cause based on court documents and area surveillance footage that allegedly shows Britton, 25, walking behind Debruhl and firing without “provocation.”

When delivering his ruling on Britton’s hold status, Judge Staples said the defendant has a robbery conviction and had his probation revoked. As a result, Judge Staples denied the defense’s request to place the defendant in a halfway house because there was no combination of conditions of release that would ensure the safety of the community.

The prosecution supported the court’s ruling, saying the defendant confessed to the shooting and told police he did it in self-defense.

However, the defense said the police interview was under a false pretense.

Defense attorney Blase Kearney said the police told Britton they wanted to speak about an assault but instead interrogated him about the homicide. “This wouldn’t be the first time a statement was coerced by police,” Kearney said.

Britton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 8.

Judge Reschedules Murder Defendant’s Sentencing

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled March 29 a murder defendant’s sentecing from June 21 to June 28.

Brian Jackson pleaded guilty to felony assault with significant bodily injury for his role in the death of 23-year-old Joshua Steele on the 600 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015. Jackson was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed and is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

The judge didn’t disclose, in open court, why she rescheduled the sentencing.

According to a proffer of facts, Steele initially engaged Jackson with threatening remarks, punching him while doing so. After the two men were separated by others on the scene, Steele continued to physically assault Jackson. Fearing his own safety, Jackson said he pulled out a knife and stabbed Steele.

Judge Orders Murder Defendant to Undergo Mental Health Treatment

During a mental observation hearing April 1, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a full mental health assessment as well as treatment.

Mason Binion is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW in 2008. Binion, 32, is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Joshua Massaquoi and Victor Carvajal are also charged with Taylor’s death.

According to Judge Todd Edelman, a Department of Behavioral Health report concluded that Binion was incompetent to proceed to trial. As a result, Judge Edelman adjusted Binion’s conditions of release to include mental health treatment in addition to his current conditions, which includes drug testing, maintaining a curfew and wearing a GPS monitor.

The prosecution argued in favor of requiring the defendant to refrain from smoking marijuana in light of the report. Apparently, the report stated Binion smokes three to four “joints” a day.

Judge Edelman denied the request saying, he can only create restrictions if the issue pertains to the safety of the community or to ensure the defendant appears in court.

According to court documents, a witness told police that Taylor helped “broker a deal” between a drug dealer and a group of individuals, including Binion, Carvajal and Massaquoi, 31. Apparently, the group paid for marijuana but never received it.

Binion told police he supplied the gun and set up the murder. Massaquoi told police Binion shot Taylor and that Carvajal, 32, hit Taylor in the head with a rock.

Binion is scheduled for another mental observation hearing on May 7. Carvajal is scheduled for a status hearing on April 4. Massaquoi is scheduled for a status hearing on April 11.

Murder Defendant Returns to Jail After Temporary Release

On March 29, in congruence with DC law, a DC Superior Court judge officially detained a defendant on a murder charge.

Dewayne Chatman is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Evan Williams on the 4000 block of 3rd Street, SE on Sept. 8, 2016. Chatman, 32, was arrested on Nov. 22, 2016.

The decree for detention occurred after Judge Danya Dayson temporarily released Chatman to execute a parole warrant on March 15. Even though released, the defendant remained in custody.

The reason the warrant was issued was not clear. Chatman is being held without bail.

He is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on May 2.

Judge Places Murder Defendant in Halfway House

A DC Superior Court judge placed a murder defendant in a halfway house on March 29.

Dejuan George is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 46-year-old Abdul Watts on the 5600 block of Dix Street, NE on Jan. 8, 2019.

During a preliminary hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department detective told Judge Danya Dayson that a witness saw Watts get stabbed 16 to 17 times. However, the witness told police that a knife was not visible. The witness identified George, 25, as the attacker through a photograph presented by investigators.

Defense attorney Judith Pipe questioned the witness’s account. During cross examination, the detective testified that the witness wanted to share information with police hoping that prosecutors would drop a misdemeanor charge. The witness also said, in a later interview, that Watts was only stabbed three to four times.

Judge Dayson found probable cause for second-degree murder, and said she would place George in a halfway house. George will be allowed to leave the halfway house for work, but will be under GPS monitoring.

Watts was found inside Marvin Gaye Park, which, according to Washington Parks and People — a nonprofit website — is DC’s longest municipal park covering 1.6 miles through Deanwood, Burville, Hillbrook, Lincoln Heights, and Northeast Boundary areas. Court documents state that Watts sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest. Footage from a body-worn camera appears to show Watts identifying George as his assailant. However, the audio from the footage is not clear.

George is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 29.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 2 Years in Prison for ‘Facilitating’ Murder

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant March 29 to two years in prison for “facilitating” a fight that led to the death of a 29-year-old man.

In January, Roderick Terrell Gaither pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for his role in the stabbing death of Johnathan Grady on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in June of 2018.

Gaither’s co-defendant, James Manuel Johnson, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection to Grady’s death. Johnson, 44, is scheduled to be sentenced May 3.

“Every night I feel pain knowing a mother lost her child,” Gaither said, addressing Grady’s family. “I’m truly sorry for my acts and this situation. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

On behalf of his family, Grady’s uncle addressed the court and explained their family dynamic. He spoke of how Grady used to help with family cookouts and was trying to get back in the church. The uncle also said that Grady would sometimes help the elderly get to church, carrying them from their apartments when the elevators weren’t working.

“We’re a Christian family. We forgive him,” Grady’s uncle said referring to the defendant.

The prosecution said Gaither too was a family man. The prosecutor said Gaither, 24, has a son and that he tries to be a good dad. He said Gaither only got into this situation because he wanted to see a fight. Apparently, Gaither was on the same street when Johnson was chasing after Grady and followed them. The prosecutor said Grady recorded the chase.

“(Gaither) watched the decedent run for his life, being chased like an animal,” the prosecutor said. Apparently, it was during the chase that Gaither told Johnson where the victim was going.

The defense said Gaither’s charge stems from 12 seconds when Gaither told his codefendant where the victim was headed. Defense attorney Kevin Mosley said that as a society we hope people would intervene in a fight, but unfortunately as a society, we’re not there. Mosley noted that there are websites devoted to fights of videos and acknowledged that social media also plays a factor.

Mosley also said his client tried to help. Apparently, after the stabbing occurred, Gaither got a rag and gave it to someone near the victim to apply pressure to the wound.

Judge Ronna Beck said she believes Gaither didn’t know that his actions would lead to death, but she did acknowledge that Gaither’s actions were “consequential.”

Judge Beck told counsel that she recommends Gaither undergo grief counseling, acknowledging that he lost a son and his grandmother while in prison. She also gave Gaither credit for time served.

Gaither is also expected to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s motion to dismiss his indictment.

Hakeem Burroughs, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting of 22-year-old Jarell Walker on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE in 2016.

According to defense attorney Dominique Winters, the prosecution violated the defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Apparently, the prosecution failed to obtain a second indictment, assess a cooperating witness’s “viability” and give the defense evidence about the witness. As a result, Winters said the delay for trial was “sought in bad faith.” Burroughs was initially scheduled to begin trial on May 21, 2018.

During the March 29 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said she did not find “good cause” to approve the motion to dismiss the indictment.

Burroughs’ trial is scheduled to begin on April 15.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide in Columbia Heights

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested March 28 a man suspected of killing another man in Northwest DC.

According to a press release, officers apprehended 25 year-old Deontay Britton. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25 year-old Dawud Debruhl on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 14.

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

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