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Judge Finds Probable Cause in November Homicide

A D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause Jan. 17 that a 46-year-old man was involved in a November homicide.

Antonio Booze is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 37-year-old Eugene Johnson in his apartment on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW. Apparently, an unidentified individual in the apartment sustained non-life threatening injuries during the shooting.

During the hearing, a detective on the case said Johnson was trying to “diffuse” an argument between Booze and the wounded witness. He was shot in the process. The detective said Booze and the unidentified victim were arguing about money.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows an individual walking towards Johnson’s apartment wearing a dark-colored beanie, which police found at the scene of the homicide. DNA evidence later connected the beanie to Booze.

The wounded witness initially told police that he was sleeping in the apartment when Booze entered with a gun. The witness allegedly fought with the defendant and eventually took the gun from him and attempted to fire, but the gun jammed. Booze was able to take the gun from the witness and opened fire, the detective said.

Subsequently, the wounded witness said that Booze shot at Johnson first. 

Defense attorney Judith Pipe argued that there was no evidence that her client shot Johnson. Based on the injured witness’s initial account, Pipe said her client wasn’t the first person to brandish the gun. Pipe said it was likely that the witness shot the victim and noted that the wounded witness’s refusal to identify Booze as the shooter. Furthermore, she added that her client may have been acting in self-defense because the witness took the gun and tried to shoot.

The prosecution argued that a neighbor heard individuals in the apartment arguing and, at one point, heard Johnson say, “hold on.” Apparently, the injured witness owed Booze money, which gave him motive.The prosecution said it was likely Johnson was shot in the process.

Judge Juliet McKenna found probable cause because of the detective’s testimony,  surveillance footage and DNA evidence linking Booze to the scene of the crime.

Judge McKenna ordered Booze be held without bond, citing a prior Bail Reform Act violation and because the defendant tested positive for cocaine when he was arrested. The judge said Johnson presented a threat to the community and added that there was a child in the house at the time of the shooting.

Booze is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 17.

Iesha Byrd contributed to this article.

Monthly Recap: DC Sees Uptick in Homicides, a Repeated Trend in 2018

During the final month of 2018, the District of Columbia saw an uptick in homicides compared to the last month, a repeated trend throughout the year.

In December, the district tallied 13 homicides: 10 gun-related deaths, two vehicular homicides and one stabbing.

After being hospitalized for five days, on Dec. 1 Malik Muhammad succumbed to his injuries stemming from a November shooting. According to a press release, police found Muhammad, 37, Nov. 26 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 800 Block of Taylor Street, NE.

Leonard Ray

On Dec. 6, police found 20-year-old Leonard Ray suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3400 block of Croffut Place, SE.

Jacob Jones

Two days later, Jacob Jones was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 5100 block of H Street, SE. Jones, 32, was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Dec. 10, police located Richard Lee Dudley on the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Gerald Watson

Three days later, 15-year-old Gerald Watson was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. On Dec. 18, police arrested and charged 16-year-old Malik Holston with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Watson’s death.

Holston is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 26.

On Dec. 15, police found 21-year-old Curtis Davis suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1100 block of 1st  Street, NW.

Donald Lewis

On Dec. 18, police located 25-year-old Donald Lewis in a residence on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The next day, 61-year-old Monica Adams Carlson and her 85-year-old mother, Cora Louise Adams, were struck by a bus at the intersection of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, the bus driver, Gerard Derrick James, was on his cell phone when he allegedly struck the two woman. James, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15.

On Dec. 20, police found 25-year-old Calvin Weaver suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 2600 block of Naylor Road, SE. Police are still investigating the case for possible suspects. 

Two days later police found Derek Anthony Walcott suffering from multiple sharp force wounds on the 5100 block of B Street, SE. Walcott, 46, was pronounced dead on the scene. Police arrested and charged Stephen Maye with second-degree murder while armed. Maye, 49, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25.

Darryl O’Brien

On Christmas, police found Darryl O’Brien suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 5700 block of East Capitol Street, SE. O’Brien, 20, succumbed to his injuries Dec. 27.

Curtis Wills-Bey

The final homicide of 2018 occurred on Dec. 29, when police found 53-year-old Curtis Wills-Bey suffering from multiple gunshots wounds on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE.

Defense Says They’ll ‘Reach Out for Plea Negotiations

After receiving a medical report regarding a murder defendant’s competency Jan. 16, the defense said they plan to reach out to the prosecution about a potential plea offer.

David Blakeney Jr. is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of his 53-year-old father, David Blakeney Sr., on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE in 2017.

According to court documents, police located Blakeney, who was 26 years old when he was arrested, at the DC Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), where he was arrested for two outstanding bench warrants. Before his interrogation could begin Blakeney told police he wanted to “plead the fifth.”

While in the interrogation room, police reported that Blakeney “appeared to drink his own urine” and talk to himself as if he were having an “imaginary conversation with his mother” during which he said his mother killed his father, documents state.

During the hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said she received a report from St. Elizabeth’s, D.C.’s psychiatric hospital, stating that Blakeney could be held criminally responsible.

In turn, the defense said they plan to have Blakeney independently tested before deciding whether they were going to challenge the report. Defense counsel later added they were open to potential plea negotiations.

Blakeney is scheduled for a status hearing Feb. 20.

Man Murdered In Northwest Washington

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred on Jan. 15 on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to a press release, officers found 22-year-old Davane Williams suffering with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The police department is offering  up to a $25,000 reward 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.



Prosecutor Says He Expects Grand Jury Indictment by March

The prosecution in a murder case told the judge Jan. 15 that he expects a grand jury indictment by March.

Torey Stockton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 23-year-old Jasmine Light on the 2000 block of 16th Street, SE in 2018. According to court documents, Light was an unintended target of a drive-by shooting. Stockton’s co-defendant, Kayla Thompson, was indicted on an obstruction of justice charge.

During the hearing, the prosecutor also said he plans to hand over additional discovery evidence, including information about shell casings recovered from the crime scene.

Stockton is also charged with gun possession in another case stemming from the day of the murder as well as a 2017 incident, according to DC Courts.

In May of 2018, a grand jury indicted Stockton on three gun-related charges and obstruction of justice.

Stockton, 21, and Thompson are scheduled for a felony status conference on March 8.

17-Year-Old Murder Defendant Rejects Plea

A 17-year-old murder defendant rejected a plea agreement Jan. 15, declining the prosecution’s offer on behalf of himself and his codefendant.

Titus Iracks and Dearren Robert Dawkins are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the death of 43-year-old Larry Harrell on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE in June 2018. Iracks is being charged as an adult. 

Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution would have downgraded both defendants first-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed. According to the 2018 Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, voluntary manslaughter while armed carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

According to court documents, a suspect, who was with Iracks at the time of the murder, said Harrell pulled out a gun and opened fire. The suspect said he pulled out a gun and fired back, fearing for his safety. During their investigation, police learned Iracks was wearing a GPS tracking device and placed him near the crime scene at the time of the murder.

It is unclear if the suspect is Dawkins, 22.

Iracks and Dawkins are scheduled for a felony status conference on March 14, when the prosecution said she expects a grand jury indictment for both defendants.

Judge Continues Status Hearing Amid Plea Negotiations

During a status hearing Jan. 15, a D.C. Superior Court judge continued a status hearing after counsel for both defendants agreed that they needed more time to negotiate a potential plea agreement. 

Jeremiah Jordan and Jerrell Powell, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the death of 30-year-old Antoine McCullough on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.

According to Jordan’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits, the prosecution offered Jordan, 28, a plea for a non-homicide charge. As a result, Resetarits requested that his client be released.

The prosecutor agreed that they entered plea negotiations. However, he said Jordan should remain held without bond because counsel had not reached an agreement, yet. The status hearing was continued to Feb. 15.

Judge Danya Dayson said she would not make a ruling until the defense filed a written motion for release.

The details of Powell’s plea offer were not mentioned.

D.C. Police Investigate Shooting Death of 22-year-old Man

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the homicide of 22-year-old Michael Taylor following a shooting on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12.

According to a press release, the police responded to reports of a shooting around 2:05 p.m where they located three victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Taylor was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The two other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

MPD is currently offering an award of up to $25,000 for any person with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide. Anyone with information is urged to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.



Two Victims Murdered in Southwest Washington

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a double homicide the occurred on Jan. 13 on the Unit Block of Forrester Street, SW.

According to a press release, police found 20-year-old Zyair Bradley and 23-year-old Alexis Washington in a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victims were pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The police department is offering  up to a $25,000 reward 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.



Prosecution Offers Plea for 2016 Murder

The prosecution offered a murder defendant a plea agreement Jan. 11 and said the defendant has a month before the offer expires.

Saeed Woodall is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE in 2016. Apparently, Woodall’s sister had a child with Farrar.

During the hearing, the defense attorney said she is on track for trial, which is scheduled for July 15. The prosecution and defense say the trial should go on for at least a week and a half.

Woodall is scheduled for a status hearing on March 8.

According to court documents, Woodall’s girlfriend told police that on the day of the murder, Woodall learned that Farrar hit his sister. The girlfriend said Woodall allegedly armed himself and drove to where Farrar lived. Apparently, Woodall found the decedent on Quarles Street, got out of the car and allegedly opened fire.

Prosecution Says She Expects an Indictment by April

A prosecutor told a judge Jan. 11  that she expects a grand jury to indict a murder defendant in April.

Bernard McKinney is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 24-year-old Daymond Chicas on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE in June 2018.

During the hearing, the defense also requested to set a trial date. However, the prosecutor, who is new on the case, requested to set the date at the next hearing.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe granted the prosecution’s request and set a status hearing on Feb. 15.

According to court documents, a witness, who was allegedly with Chicas on the day of the murder, told police they were at a public pool when two juveniles stole Chicas’ phone. The two juveniles ran away and Chicas and the witness followed them. Apparently, the juveniles led them to McKinney, 17, and an unidentified male, who allegedly tried to rob them. The witness said the unidentified male ended up shooting Chicas in the process.

It’s unclear whether or not the unidentified male is being charged in connection to Chicas’ death.

McKinney is being charged as an adult.

Judge Sentences Man to 8 Years for Murder

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced Jan. 11 a man to eight years in prison for murdering another man in 2015.

Rodney Baggott pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed on Oct. 17, 2018, for shooting Donald Franklin Bush on the 2300 block of 15th St., NE. He was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed and other gun possession offenses.

As part of the plea, Baggott’s charge for the murder case of 23-year-old DeAngelo Barr, on Nov. 20, 1995, on the 1600 block of Montana Ave, NE, was dismissed along with the firearm charges.

Baggott’s eight year sentence spanned from an agreement between the prosecution and the defense. According to the District’s plea agreement procedure (11 c1c), both the prosecution and the defense can agree on a specific sentence or sentencing range that is an appropriate disposition of the case.

I “deeply regret being responsible for causing [the family] enormous amounts of pain and grief,” Baggott, 51, told the Bush,44, family.

Judge Judith Judith Bartnoff said there was no sentence that could have made things right again, but the sentence closed a chapter. She said she believed Baggott was genuinely remorseful during his apology to Bush’s family.

According to court documents, Bush, 44, was stabbed in the neck after he and Baggott had gotten into an argument. Baggott said Bush disrespected him. Apparently, the two had known each other for a long time.

In addition to serving eight years, the defendant would also be required to serve five additional years on supervised release. In addition to his time, Baggott is required to get mental health and substance abuse treatment and attend anger management classes.

Even though both sides agreed on the sentence, the Bush family was not satisfied. According to a victim impact statement from Bush’s sister, Baggott did not seem remorseful and deserved the maximum penalty possible for the crime.

Even though Baggott has been sentenced, the judge continued execution of the sentence to give Baggott time to finish a class he is currently taking at DC Jail. Apparently, Bush has excelled in programs at the jail, including a reading and writing program for inmates called the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop. The sentencing is expected to be enacted on April 30.

 

Case Dismissed: Judge Denies Defense Request to Move Murder Defendant

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

On Jan. 11, a D.C. Superior Court judge denied the defense’s request to move a murder defendant to a facility closer to the District. The defendant is being held six hours away at a facility in Virginia.

Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 24-year-old Keon Delonte Wallace in an apartment on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE in June 2018. Apparently, the two men were roommates.

During the hearing, Cole’s defense attorney, James King, said that Cole’s current distance from the District presents a sixth amendment issue not only because of the travel but because during the last visit he was unable to see his client. According to King, the facility personnel said he was not allowed to see Cole anymore.

King didn’t explain the rationale behind the facility’s decision.

Judge Craig Iscoe denied the request, saying he would issue an order to the facility that would permit individuals from the Public Defender Service to visit Cole.

According to court documents, on the night of the murder, Cole and Wallace argued about Wallace leaving their apartment. Cole, who was 24 years old at the time of the murder, told police Wallace pulled out a semi-automatic .40mm pistol during the argument. Apparently, Cole tried to get the gun away from Wallace and ultimately shot him 12 times. During his arraignment, Cole claimed he acted in self-defense.

Cole is scheduled for a felony status conference on March 29, when the prosecution says they expect a grand jury indictment.

Judge Sentences Man to 11.5 Years for Nightclub Stabbing

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge sentenced a man Jan. 11 to 11.5 years in prison for stabbing a man to death in a downtown DC nightclub.

In October, Antoine Byrd pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his role in the death of 29-year-old Robinson Pal at BarCode, a club located on the 1100 block of 17th Street, NW in 2016. According to the prosecution, Byrd, 38, and Pal had a history of run-ins.

Byrd received a 10 year sentence for his voluntary manslaughter charge and 1.5 years for the assault charge.

“I’ve been praying for him and your family and I will continue to,” Byrd told Pal’s family. 

Byrd said that on the night of the murder he didn’t leave his house with the intention to hurt anyone. He also told the family that they would not have a problem from him in the future.

Prior to delivering his sentence, D.C. Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he believed the defendant was remorseful for his actions. Judge Iscoe noted that if Byrd’s criminal history score was lower he may have lowered Byrd’s sentence for assault.

“No person is defined by the worst thing they do,” Judge Iscoe said.

Following Byrd’s release from prison, he will serve five years on supervised release.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability 3 Defendants were Involved in Girl’s Murder

Three of the seven defendants charged with the death of a 10-year-old girl were found to have substantial probability for committing the crime, according to a DC Superior Court judge.

Darrise Jeffers, Marquell Cobbs and Mark Tee Price are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018. Cobbs, who was 16 at the time of arrest, is the only juvenile defendant in the case. He is being charged as an adult.

Judge Crag Iscoe said, after reviewing each defendants’ cases, there was substantial probability that they were involved in planning, conducting and covering up the crime.

According to court documents, during the evening hours, four masked males dressed in black hoodies wearing white gloves, exited a black Infinity and began shooting. Wilson was getting ice cream in the area at the time.

Judge Iscoe said, regardless of whether the defendants were actually one of the shooters, it is apparent that each defendant knew about the shooting before it happened.

During a preliminary hearing on Jan. 8, the prosecution showed surveillance video of the defendants outside of an apartment building on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE. Through the video, the prosecution was able to establish a theory that the defendants planned and spoke with one another shortly before the shooting. Direct messages and photos from an iCould account corroborated the theory.

The prosecution’s evidence included text messages of purchasing and storing guns and a photo of guns. The police, along with the prosecution, were able to establish that Cobbs and Jeffers, who were not at the scene of the shooting, aided the shooters by collecting guns days before the crime and storing them after. As of Jan. 10, police have not recovered any of the weapons used in the shooting.

According to the police, the shooting seemed to stem from a neighborhood beef between Wellington Park, the area where Pomeroy Road is located and Clay Terrace, the area of the shooting.

However, the defense claimed that the prosecution’s evidence was speculative in nature. According to the evidence, Price, 24, got into a silver BMW, with individuals wearing black hoodies and white gloves. The prosecution’s theory is that Price assisted the shooters by driving them to an area to get into the Black Infinity to carryout the shooting. However, a switch was not captured on video.

According to a sergeant from the Metropolitan Police Department, Jeffers, 19, and Cobbs, who were seen on footage outside of the Pomeroy Road location, became suspects because they seemed to be involved in the planning process. According to police, Jeffers was suspected after he was seen handing the suspected shooters white tennis shoes when they were in the silver BMW.

The prosecution argued that Jeffers knew the shooting was going to take place when he spoke with the suspects, who were dressed in black hoodies and white gloves — on a hot summer day —  as they left the apartment building on Pomeroy Road. According to the prosecution’s Jeffers’ reaction-less interaction indicated that he knew about and helped plan the shooting.

Cobbs became a suspect because of messages that stated he was looking to purchase a gun days before the shooting. Judge Iscoe said that even though Cobbs inquired about purchasing a Smith and Wesson handgun, which was not one of the weapons used in the crime, his inquiry seemed to be part of the initial planning process.

The judge said that he could not determine if Price was a shooter or just helped. Price, who is also charged with another murder in an unrelated case, apparently became a suspect when an inmate told authorities that Price told him that he was involved in the shooting.

Price, Cobbs and Jeffers are scheduled, along with Quentin Michals, 21; Gregory Taylor, 23; and Qujuan Thomas, 20, for a felony status conference on Feb. 1. All defendants are pending a hearing before a grand jury and are being held without bond. Quanisha L. Ramsuer is charged with obstruction of justice in the case. She is also scheduled for a felony status conference on Feb. 1. Ramsuer, 25, has been released on personal recognizance under the High Intensity Supervision Program.