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Murder Defendant Says Transgender Women Weren’t A Target

During a murder trial, one of four defendants charged with killing a transgender woman said the group’s plans didn’t intentionally target transgender women. 

Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed and conspiracy, 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 Avenue, NE in 2016. Cyheme Hall and his brother Shareem Hall are also charged in Dodds’ murder. This case is being treated as a hate crime, according to the prosecution.

Cyheme, 23, told the jury that he, Shareem, 25, Johnson and Little agreed to commit robberies. Apparently, Johnson initially suggested that the group rob an unidentified individual who allegedly had $30,000. When they couldn’t locate the individual, Cyheme said Little drove the group to look for people to rob. Cyheme said the group never discussed targeting transgender women.

According to the prosecution, the Hall brothers entered plea agreements in exchange for their testimony against Johnson, 23, and Little, 28. According to DC Courts, a plea offer has not been filed as of Feb . 7.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Johnson, Little and the Hall brothers were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women. The prosecution said Little was the driver and that Johnson and the Hall brothers committed the robberies. Cyheme corroborated the theory. Cyheme also told jurors that Johnson shot Dodds.

During cross examination, the defense pointed out inconsistencies in Cyheme’s testimony. Cyheme testified that he tackled one of the victims during one of the robberies and that he was armed during Dodds’ robbery. Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said Cyheme never mentioned either detail during his grand jury testimony.

Irving also pointed out that the Hall brothers were housed in the same jail cell for nearly five months. He said the brothers are currently housed in the same unit and are able to communicate daily. According to Irving, Cyheme changed his testimony in order to align his story with his brother’s. 

Cyheme denied the accusation.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Feb. 7.

Thamar Bailey contributed to this article.

Defendant’s ‘Paranoid Reaction’ Caused Teen’s Death, Prosecution Says

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a defendant’s “paranoid reaction” caused the death a 16-year-old girl in 2016. 

Saeve Evans is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two gun related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 16-year-old Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE. Evans, 32, is also charged with obstruction of justice.

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 6 that Evans fired his weapon sixteen times at a black car in the area and ended up shooting McMillian.

“He was shooting at ghosts,” the prosecution said.

The defense said Evans was firing at a man named Sean Shuler, also known as ‘Black Sean,’ who had been in altercations with Evans in the past. The defense said Shuler, 26, was the one who shot McMillian. They told the jury Evans fired in self-defense after seeing movement in the vehicle. Shuler, who was scheduled to testify, was killed on Jan. 26, the weekend before he could give his testimony. 

However, the prosecution says this is not a self-defense case.

“The defendant shot at that black car with premeditation, deliberation and without justification,” the prosecution said. “The only thing on his mind was his reputation, his ego, and ‘Black Sean’ Shuler.”

D.C. Witness previously reported that an eyewitness said she asked Evans if he shot McMillian. Evans said “they” did it, referring to the people in the vehicle.

The prosecution said there was no “they.”

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 7.

Document: Police Investigating Vehicular Homicide in Northwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a vehicular homicide that occurred on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW.

According to a press release, during the early morning hours on Feb. 5, 35-year-old Daniel Olaya, a resident of Bowie, Md., was hit with a vehicle after having an argument with a unidentified suspect. The suspect fled the scene. Olaya succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital on Feb. 6.

Police are searching for a a 2016 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was caught by surveillance cameras in the area.

The vehicle police are looking for in connection to the homicide.

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 case in DC. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.



Judge Says He Will Not Declare Mistrial in Murder of Transgender Woman

During a murder trial Feb. 5, a judge said a witness’s testimony was prejudicial, but he would not declare a mistrial.

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson are charged with felony murder while armed and armed robbery, among other offenses, for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Prosecutors are treating the homicide as a hate crime.

As part of his response to the defense’s motion for a mistrial, D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee instructed the jury to disregard the witness’s comment about a robbery. 

Judge Lee also said he has not decided about what to do regarding the prosecution’s statements. He said he would likely strike the testimony altogether or include it with the condition that the prosecution not mention the testimony during closing arguments.

The judge said he would make an official ruling on Feb. 6.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a witness, who is a transgender woman, said Feb. 4 that she was targeted by Little while walking home from work. She said she refused to have sex with him and that is when Little pointed a gun at her and told her to strip.The witness inadvertently referred to the incident as a “robbery.”

Also, while reading grand jury testimony, a prosecutor used the word “robbery” to describe the same event. To prevent prejudice, the witness and counsel were instructed, before the woman’s testimony, to not use the word robbery. The prosecution theory says that Dodds’ was killed during a  series of robberies that Little, Johnson and  brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, committed. 

The Hall brothers are also charged with Dodds’ murder.

 

 

 

 

 

Judge Refuses to Revoke Murder Defendant’s Release Due to Hospitalization

During a show cause hearing Feb. 5, a DC Superior Court judge dismissed a recommendation to revoke a murder defendant’s conditions of release after the defense said their client was hospitalized.

Sean “Ki-Ki”  Baker is charged with first-degree murder while armed for her alleged role in stabbing  35-year-old Robert Leroi Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th Street, SE in 2016. According to court documents, Baker and Wiggins were romantically involved.

Baker is currently released on specialized supervision, which consists of drug rehabilitation services and drug testing.

According to the defense, Baker had a stroke and was discharged from the hospital on Feb. 3.

A representative from the court told Judge Todd E. Edelman that Baker was not in compliance with her terms of release. The representative said he recommended the court revoke Baker’s conditions of release and place her in jail.

It is unclear what the alleged violation was or when it took place.

Judge Edelman said that he was not “inclined” to put Baker in jail given her hospitalization, saying “I can’t hold it against her.” However, he did request that court services verify that Baker was hospitalized and the duration of her stay.

Baker is scheduled for a status hearing on Feb. 22.

According to court documents, Wiggins thought Baker stole his wallet and the duo got into a verbal altercation, which later escalated. Baker told police Wiggins started collecting all the knives and screwdrivers in the house and placed them in a bookbag. Apparently, the duo “wrestled” over a knife that fell out of the bag and that’s when Wiggins was “inadvertently” stabbed in the heart.

Judge Finds Probable Cause 38 Y/O Committed A Homicide in July

During a preliminary hearing, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a 38-year-old man was involved in a homicide that occurred over the summer.

Curtis Edwards is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 26-year-old James T. Eaton on the 300 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE on July 20, 2018. 

Judge Todd E. Edelman ordered Edwards be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program Feb. 5. Edwards is on 24-hour home confinement with GPS monitoring. He is also required to report for drug testing.

The prosecution presented surveillance footage, which showed a group of men talking on the sidewalk before an unidentified man suddenly drops. Although no faces can be seen in the video, the prosecution said the unidentified male is Eaton. The prosecution said Edwards shot Eaton in the back of the head.

The video also showed a short, bald man walking away from the scene. Prosecutors said that during the police investigation a witness identified the short man as Edwards. 

However, Edward’s defense attorney, Emily Stirba, said the witness is unreliable. Apparently, the witness had an open case at the time of the investigation and asked investigators for money and leniency before giving any information.

Stirba also said the video is “insufficient.” She said her client cannot be identified from a “blurry, pixelated video.” Stirba also noted that her client is not seen holding a gun in the video.

Ultimately, Judge Todd E. Edelman found probable cause that Edwards committed the murder. 

Edwards is scheduled for a felony status conference on May 3.

Thamar Bailey contributed to this article.

Missing Eyewitness Testifies in Murder Trial

An eyewitness in a murder trial, who failed to appear in court and deemed missing for several days, finally testified Feb. 4 after court marshals apprehended her on a bench warrant. 

Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two gun related offenses and obstruction of justice for allegedly shooting 16-year-old Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE in 2016. Apparently, the witness was within feet of McMillian when she was shot.

The witness, who was McMillian’s friend, said she was smoking marijuana with both McMillian and Evans, 32, in a parking lot while she was waiting for another friend to pick her up. She said she was walking to her friend’s car when she heard gunshots, a pause and then more shots.

“I put my hands on my ears, closed my eyes, and ducked,” she said. “I stood like that until it was completely over. (McMillian) was laying on the ground. I never saw her get hit.”

The witness said she confronted Evans after the shots ended. She said he looked scared. The witness said she asked Evans if he shot McMillian. She said Evans said, “No, they did that.”

The witness told jurors that she was scared to testify because she felt pressured for answers she didn’t have. The witness said she felt like law enforcement and prosecutors treated her like a suspect. 

“That lady thinks I saw something,” the witness said, referring to the prosecution. “I don’t know what she thinks I saw.”

The witness also told the jury that she was not afraid of Evans.

According to the defense, Evans shot at a black vehicle in self-defense. The defense says there was a shooter inside the vehicle and that the shooter struck McMillian.

But, the prosecution said there was no other shooter and that Evans shot McMillian.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Feb. 5.

January Homicides Up 46 Percent from December

As Washington, DC moved into a new year, so did violent crime. D.C. Witness data shows that homicides increased by nearly 46 percent from December.

There were 19 homicides in January, six more than the number of homicides recorded in December (13). Compared to January of 2018, homicides rose by more than 100 percent, according to D.C. Witness data.

There were nine homicides in Ward 8, the largest number of homicides for the month. Ward 7 took the second spot with four homicides, and Ward 6 rounded out the top three wards with three homicides in January, according to D.C. Witness data.

D.C. Witness data also shows that 15 homicides were a result of gun violence, two homicides resulted from stabbings and two homicides were fire related. Police have arrested three suspects in two of the 19 homicides.

Collin J. Potter was arrested in connection to a fatal stabbing that occurred on Jan. 6. According to a press release, Potter, 26, who is a resident of Quantico, Va. is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Vongell Lugo on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. According to a press release, Lugo resided in Northwest, DC.

Potter has a preliminary hearing scheduled on March 15.

Two other suspects, Stephon Evans and Alonzo Brown, were arrested for shooting 22-year-old Michael Taylor on Jan. 12 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. All three men resided in Northeast, DC.

Both suspects are charged with first-degree murder while armed. Evans, 18, and Brown, 21, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15.

Louis Shearon contributed to this article. 

 

 

 

A Defendant Targeted Another Transgender Woman Before Murder, Prosecution Says

During a murder trial, the prosecution sought to prove that a murder defendant previously targeted a transgender woman. The woman in question took the stand Feb. 4.

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson are charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed and conspiracy, among other felonies, 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. According to the prosecution, Dodds’ death is being treated as a hate crime.

The woman, who works as a prostitute, told the jury that nearly a week prior to Dodds’ murder, she was walking home after work when Little assaulted her. Apparently, Little, 28, got out of the car and told her he would give her money in exchange for sex, but she declined.

The witness said Little went to his car, pulled out a gun, pointed it at her and told her to strip.

The witness said she was able to identify Little because she previously saw him in his white car. She also said Little gave her a ride home a few weeks prior to the incident.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Johnson, Little along with brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women. The prosecution said Little was the driver and that Johnson and the Hall brothers committed the robberies. Apparently, during Dodds’ robbery, there was a struggle and Johnson shot Dodds in the neck while the brothers stole her purse.

During cross-examination, Defense attorney Brandi Harden said her client, Little, was not charged in the assault of the witness. Harden pointed out that the witness gave inconsistent accounts of the night Little pointed a gun at her. Apparently, the witness told a grand jury that her assaulter let her put her shirt back on and that he never got out of the car. Harden also said the witness gave varying accounts of the car ride home.

Following the witness’s testimony, the defense requested a mistrial, saying the witness and prosecution failed to exclude the word “robbery” from their testimony and line of questioning after the judge directed them to do so. According to Harden, referring to the event as a robbery creates prejudice against her client due to the nature of Dodds’ death.

However, the prosecution said the jury is unlikely to remember the instances where the assault was called a “robbery” because of the extensive amount of evidence in the case as well as the length of the case.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he plans to address the motion when the trial resumes on Jan. 5.

In addition to Johnson and Little, the Hall brothers are also charged with Dodds’ death. The prosecution said the brothers were offered a plea deal and plan to testify against Little and Johnson, 23. As of Feb. 4, a plea had not been filed. 

 

Man Pleads Guilty to Murder

On Feb. 1, a defendant accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder.

Ja’Vonte Brown is charged with second degree murder for his alleged role in the shooting death of 26-year-old Carl Gray on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE in Jan 2017.

Prosecutors said that Brown was in a verbal argument with Gray and another man, who was shot and survived. Surveillance footage corroborated that Brown left the location of the incident after the argument, only to return and shoot both individuals.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped Brown’s attempted murder charge.  Brown’s initial charge of first-degree murder was also reduced to second-degree murder.

A status hearing is scheduled on Oct. 18.

Defense Requests Additional DNA Testing in Homicide

During a status hearing Feb. 1, a defense attorney requested additional DNA testing for evidence collected in a 2017 homicide investigation.

Ronald Randolph, Jr. is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, Shameka Delephine Jones, on July 25, 2017, on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. Apparently, Randolph thought Jones was cheating on him.

Madalyn Harvey, Randolph’s defense attorney, told the judge that she wanted to have all of the evidence that was collected during the homicide investigation sent to a lab for additional testing, including articles of clothing, ammunition, and a SmarTrip card. She said that shipping all the evidence to the lab could avoid any delays in the trial if she required additional evidence.

However, the prosecution argued that sending all evidence for DNA testing would be time consuming and unnecessary, given the fact that Randolph, 41, lived with Jones,32, at the residence where she was shot.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman told counsel to decide what evidence is necessary for testing by Feb. 5.

According to court documents, Randolph was released from prison nearly a month before the shooting after serving almost 11 years in prison for a second-degree murder conviction. Court documents state that Randolph had been held in custody since 1999.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on March 1.

Document: Homicide on 60th Street, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide that took place on the 500 block of 60th Street, NE on Feb. 3.

According to a press release, officers located 59-year-old Michael Bernard Wells suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

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



Mansion Murders: Wint Receives Life Without Parole


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Feb. 1, a judge sentenced Daron Wint to life without the possibility of release for his role in the deaths of three family members and a housekeeper.

Wint was found guilty in October of 2018 of felony murder while armed, kidnapping, extortion, and arson and other charges, for the murder of Amy,  Savvas, and Philip Savopoulos, as well as their housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa, on the 3200 block of Woodland Drive, NW in 2015.

According to court documents, the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department responded to a house fire on May 15, 2015, where they found 47-year-old Amy, 46-year-old Savvas, Figueroa and Philip, the Savopoulos’ 10-year-old son, unconscious. All three members of the Savopoulos family were pronounced dead on the scene, while Figueroa, 57, was transferred to Georgetown University Hospital. She was pronounced dead shortly after.

Prosecutors said Wint, 36, kidnapped the victims and demanded a $40,000 ransom. Even though Savvas, who owned an ironworks company, complied, he, his wife, son and their housekeeper were brutally tortured for almost 24 hours. To destroy evidence, prosecutors said Wint tried to burn the house down with the individuals still inside.

During a trial lasting nearly six weeks, jurors heard from more than 60 witnesses, including expert witnesses that linked DNA evidence found on pizza crust; a construction vest; a knife used to prop open a first floor window; a hair strand found inside a construction hat in the garage and another strand found on the bedding inside the room where Amy, Savvas and Figueroa were found to Wint. Prosecutors also presented Wint’s internet search history as evidence, which included searches for “how to beat a lie detector test.” 

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna heard from multiple family members and friends of the victims before deciding to sentence Wint to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

“They taught me what true love looked like,” said one of Amy and Savvas’s daughters. At the time of the murders, she was in boarding school along with her other younger sister, who was unable to attend the hearing.

Prosecutors said the Savapoulos family were pillars of their community and were completely undeserving of their horrific deaths. “We want the court to take away his hope,” said a prosecutor while arguing for the maximum sentence.

Wint’s defense attorney, Judith Pipe, reiterated that Wint was not the  murderer. During the trial, Pipe said that there must have been more than one person carrying out the murders because hostages were held in separate rooms. Wint and his attorneys are seeking to appeal the verdict, according to the Washington Post.


Transgender Woman’s Testimony Backs Up Prosecution’s Theory

A transgender woman told a DC Superior Court judge and lawyers Jan. 31 that one of the murder defendants robbed her in 2016. Her testimony backs up the prosecution’s theory about the murder of another transgender woman.

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson are charged with felony murder while armed and armed robbery, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the shooting of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Along with the defendants, brothers, Shareem Hall and Cyheme Hall are also being charged with Dodd’s death. The prosecution is treating the homicide as a hate crime.

The transgender woman, who spoke outside the presence of a jury, said she was allegedly robbed by Little on June 28, 2016. Prosecutors were able to retrieve two 911 calls made by the witness, who, on July 4, 2016, identified Little as her assailant.

According to to the prosecution’s theory, Little, Johnson and the Hall brothers were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women, which resulted in Dodds’ death. D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution offered a plea deal to the Hall brothers in exchange for their testimonies against Little and Johnson. As of Jan. 31, a plea agreement has not yet been filed.

On the seventh day of trial, two other witnesses, who are affiliated with Johnson, received immunity deals in exchange for their testimonies.

Johnson’s ex-girlfriend told the jury Jan. 31 that she was not given a lawyer or read her rights during an interview with police that lasted nearly four hours. However, she said she agreed to testify to the grand jury without a lawyer and understood her rights. The ex-girlfriend was granted immunity after saying Jan. 30 that she was “pressured” into giving a false testimony against Johnson during the grand jury hearing.

A friend of Johnson was also given immunity in exchange for his testimony. When asked by prosecutors if a gun he owned was given to anyone in connection with a murder, the friend said he could not remember.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Feb. 4.

Judge Issues Continuance in Murder Trial

On Jan. 31, a judge issued a continuance in a murder trial because of a missing witness.

Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun related offenses for his alleged involvement in the death of Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE in 2016. Evans, 32, is also charged with obstruction of justice. 

The missing witness was allegedly standing near McMillian, 16, at the time of her death. If the witness is not located by Feb. 4, the prosecution would have to ask for a mistrial.

“We need that witness,” the prosecutor said. Apparently, the witness has been missing for at least a week. 

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said the unfortunate death of Sean Shuler on Jan. 26 may play a role in keeping the witness away.

On the day of the incident, the defense said that Evans began firing at a black car in self-defense. He saw movement and believed that Shuler, 26, was in the vehicle. Apparently, Shuler shot Evans in a previous encounter.

Even though the defense said a shooter in the black car shot McMillian, the prosecution said Evans was the only shooter, and he was ultimately responsible for McMillian’s death.

However, the prosecution cannot prove that there was only one shooter. According to a ballistics expert, there could have been two weapons involved.

The expert witness said he tested bullet cartridges from the scene. He said some of those cartridges have similar characteristics and were fired from the same gun. However, he could not say for certain whether all the cartridges were fired from the same weapon.

“It’s inconclusive,” the witness said.

He said the gun Evans was allegedly holding in surveillance footage was characteristic of a micro uzi pistol. He said this pistol would be consistent with the cartridges found at the scene.

Follow the trial on dcwitness.org.