A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant Nov. 29 for a man who was allegedly involved in a 2015 homicide that the prosecution says was gang-related.
Joshua Artis is wanted for first-degree murder while armed and related gun charges for his alleged involvement in the death of 28-year-old Ryan Addison on the 200 block of Elmira Street, SW.
Artis is also charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
According to a grand jury indictment, Artis is a member of the Imperial Gangsta Bloods also known as IGB, “a criminal organization operating in the United States, including in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.”
The indictment states that a regional IGB leader “authorized” Artis to travel from Virginia to Washington, DC to kill Addison, who they believed killed Rodney Davis, a friend of theirs. Davis was fatally shot on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW in 2015.
On Nov. 30, a defendant pleaded not guilty after he was formally indicted for his alleged role in a shooting that occurred in January.
A grand jury indicted Charles Young on first-degree murder while armed and a related gun charge for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Kenneth Poindexter on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE.
Following the reading of the indictment, the prosecutor said he is in the process of testing DNA. The prosecution was granted the ability to conduct DNA testing in August. The order was reinstated in September.
Young’s co-defendant, Steven Robin, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Poindexter’s death.
The prosecution said that Robin, 22, is expected to be indicted by February of 2019.
According to court documents, one witness told police that four men exited a vehicle on St. Louis Street, SE, three of them holding firearms, and approached the victim.
Another witness reported seeing a man coming down a hill on St. Louis Street shooting at a group of eight or nine people, according to the documents. The witness said the man eventually focused his aim on Poindexter, who sought cover behind a white Chevy Tahoe. Police found Poindexter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on Benning Road.
Young and Robin are scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Feb. 8, 2019.
On Nov. 27, a murder defendant waived his right to a hearing that would determine whether he is still mentally ill.
In October, Stefon Kirkpatrick pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for allegedly stabbing 22- year-old Julisa Washington on the 400 block of Chesapeake Street, SE in 2013.
According to court records, on the night of the murder, Kirkpatrick, 28, who was Washington’s boyfriend of five years, confessed to the murder. “I want to turn myself in. I did it. No more suffering, no more pain. All I want is one to the head,” he told an officer on the scene.
Kirkpatrick is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, D.C.’s psychiatric hospital.
During the hearing, the defense waived Kirkpatrick’s right to a hearing that would determine whether or not he has regained competency. By waiving the hearing, the defendant also waived his right to petition the court for his immediate release from St. Elizabeth’s.
According to the defense and prosecution, a recent report from St. Elizabeth’s said Kirkpatrick is still a danger to himself and to others.
As a result, D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Morin ruled that Kirkpatrick will remain at St. Elizabeth’s until he is no longer deemed a risk.
On Nov. 30, a murder defendant rejected a plea agreement, which the prosecution said may be their only offer.
Malcolm Cunningham, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and burglary for allegedly stabbing 79-year-old David Norwood on the 600 block of C Street, NE in 2017.
Cunningham’s lawyer rejected the plea on his client’s behalf and said they want to review a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency before entering plea negotiations.
The plea would have downgraded Cunningham’s first-degree murder charge to second-degree murder while armed and dropped the remaining burglary charge. Per the terms of the plea agreement, Cunningham could have received a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison.
Cunningham is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on Feb. 12, 2019.
During a preliminary hearing Nov. 28, a D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause that a 19-year-old was involved in a homicide, which police say stemmed from a neighborhood rivalry between two neighborhoods in Northeast DC.
Mark Fletcher, who is from the Saratoga neighborhood, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the murder of 25-year-old Travis Barksdale, who is from the Edgewood neighborhood, on the 600 block of Evarts Street, NE in August.
According to the detective, multiple witnesses said the homicide spurred from a shooting in June. The shooting was allegedly a form of defense in response to members of the Saratoga neighborhood threatening Barksdale the day before. Apparently, Barksdale shot Fletcher.
Weeks later, on the night of the murder, surveillance footage shows a red Mercedes driving around the Edgewood neighborhood with four occupants who seemed to be searching for something, the detective said. Another officer, who had been working in the Saratoga neighborhood for four years, identified Fletcher as one of the occupants in the car.
Defense attorney Ieshaah Murphy questioned the identification of her client. She said it was “telling” that the officer spent four years in the Saratoga neighborhood but couldn’t identify any of the other occupants in the car. Murphy also said there was no DNA evidence connecting her client to the shooting and that the only description of the shooter was that the person was wearing “dark clothing,” which is vague in nature.
Even so, Judge Craig Iscoe found probable cause under an aiding and abetting theory based on the cars driving pattern, the MPD officer’s identification of Fletcher and witness testimony.
Judge Iscoe ordered Fletcher held without bond because the defendant has a pending case concerning multiple gun related charges.
Fletcher is scheduled for a felony status conference on Jan. 8, 2019.
On Nov. 30, a D.C. Superior Court judge set a trial date for a murder defendant who was formally indicted for allegedly stabbing a senior citizen in February.
A grand jury indicted Edward Hampton Brown on first-degree murder while armed and robbery while armed in connection to the death of 71-year-old Michael Mahoney on the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW.
During the hearing, Brown pleaded not guilty. Judge Milton Lee scheduled Brown’s trial on Sept. 23, 2019.
According to court documents, police found Mahoney in his apartment on 11th Street suffering from two stab wounds to his neck. Multiple witnesses told police that Mahoney allowed Brown, 56, to sleep on his couch.
One of Mahoney’s neighbors told police that on the same day police found Mahoney, Brown came to the neighbor’s apartment to shower and the clothes he was wearing contained blood. Apparently, the neighbor found multiple articles of clothing and a towel stained with blood, the documents said.
Brown is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 4, 2019.
A defendant pleaded not guilty after he was formally indicted Nov. 30 for allegedly stabbing a man to death in April.
A grand jury indicted Marquette Jordan on first-degree murder while armed and robbery while armed in connection to the death of 48-year-old Ivan Lynch in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.
Jordan, 27, was also indicted on assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault and a threat to kidnap or injure a person.
According to court documents, a witness told police that Lynch and Jordan were arguing in the kitchen about something “insignificant” and eventually got into a physical altercation. The witness said Jordan grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Lynch three to four times.
After the formal reading of charges, defense attorney Jeffrey Stein requested to withdraw from the case. D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted the request.
Jordan is slated to receive a new attorney on Dec. 4.
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the shooting death of a 20-year-old man in Northeast DC.
According to a press release, Randall Francis was found with another man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE on Nov. 26. Francis succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital. The other victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Malik Morris
Police have identified 20-year-old Malik Morris as a suspect. Authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Morris. He is described as a black male with a medium complexion.
Anyone who knows Morris’ whereabouts, or has knowledge of this incident, should take no action but call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may also be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a 23-year-old man who was fatally shot in Bellevue on Nov. 28.
According to a press release, police arrived at a nearby hospital and found Samuel Lee Smith being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Smith ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
After further investigation, police said the shooting occurred on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.
Police have not identified a suspect at this time.
Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for this case or any other homicide in DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may also be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.
As a reason to motion for a murder case to be dismissed, an attorney said the prosecution did not disclose information that was needed to prepare an adequate argument for defense.
Keith Sweptson, 29, allegedly beat Yusef Turner, 33, to death at a laundromat located on the 3500 block of Georgia Ave., NW.
On Nov. 28, the defense said the prosecution failed to disclose witnesses’ identities and surveillance footage of the crime.
“Analyzing these witnesses is a part of the job, and without the information, that only the government can provide for me, I am unable to do that,” the defense attorney, John Fowler, told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe.
The prosecution said disclosing witnesses’ personal information was against the law, and the government could not allow their safety to be jeopardized.
Judge Iscoe denied the defense’s motion for dismissal and ordered the prosecution to release the footage as soon as possible.
Terms for a protective order regarding witnesses’ identities were discussed. The prosecution is required to file an order immediately.
The defendant was also offered a plea agreement for voluntary manslaughter. If accepted, Sweptson could serve a sentence between 8.5-16 years in prison.
The plea agreement is slated to be discussed when the hearing continues on Jan. 25.
A D.C. magistrate judge found probable cause Nov. 27 that a 32-year-old man allegedly killed a man nearly twice his age while robbing a gas station in Northeast DC.
Demetrius Pierce is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 68-year-old Nazir Ahmad on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE on Nov. 3.
Pierce is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 12.
According to court documents, surveillance footage shows a male suspect enter the Valero Gas Station’s 24-hour Food Mart on Brentwood Road and steal a cash register. Police later found Ahmad locked in the mart’s employee room suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
During the hearing, the prosecution argued in favor of probable cause, saying there was a trail of coins from the mart to a nearby McDonald’s, where police found a baseball cap with Pierce’s DNA.
However, Pierce’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Stein, said the DNA on the baseball cap is only consistent with the fact that his client hangs out in the area. Stein said there were no “distinct connections” that linked his client to the crime.
Subsequently, Judge Errol Arthur found probable cause based on details outlined in court documents and the footage. He also ordered Pierce held without bond because he violated the terms of his supervised release.
Pierce was previously convicted of burglary in 2016. He was released from prison eighteen months ago.
A D.C. Superior Court judge granted an exception to the conditions of release for a woman who allegedly beat her baby to death.
Faneshia Scott is charged with first-degree murder and child cruelty for her alleged involvement in the death of her 1-year-old daughter, Rhythm Fields, on the 5400 block of C Street, SE in 2017.
According to her indictment, Scott, 32, “intentionally, knowingly and recklessly” tortured and beat her daughter.
Scott is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Per the conditions of her release, Scott is not allowed to be alone with children.
The defense previously submitted a request seeking permission to allow Scott to attend church on Sundays. However, during the hearing on Nov. 27, the prosecution argued against the request, saying it is common for small children to attend church.
Despite the rebuttal, Judge Milton Lee granted the request. He said Scott must be supervised while she is at church.
Scott is scheduled for a status hearing on Feb. 8, 2019. Her trial is slated to begin on May 6, 2019.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Nov. 26 a man who allegedly beat a man to death in Shaw.
Police charged 24-year-old William Alexander Marrouquin Gallardo with second-degree murder for allegedly assaulting Noe Alberto Gallardo Ponce on the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW earlier that same day.
Ponce, 22, was found inside a residence unconscious and unresponsive, according to a press release. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital. According to the Washington Post, the police have not established a motive for the attack.
Gallardo is being held without bond and scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 4.
Throughout the last three months, the District has seen an uptick in teenage homicide victims. According to D.C. Witness data, during the month of August there were no teenage homicides, in September there was one in Southeast DC and in October there were three: two in Southeast DC and one in Northeast DC.
During the month of October, there was a total of 23 homicides: two stabbings, four vehicular homicides and 17 fatal shootings. The Metropolitan Police Department made arrests in three shootings, both stabbings and one vehicular homicide.
Ramona Williamson
On Oct. 2, Ramona Williamson was fatally struck on the 5500 block of Central Avenue, SE. Williamson, 49, was pronounced dead on the scene.
On Oct. 5, Walter Leon Baylor, 32, was found suffering from a gunshot wound on the 300 block of 15th Street, NE. Later that day, Rodney Kinardwas arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to Baylor’s death.
On March 20, 2019, Kinard, 25, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter while armed. He has to serve at least five years in prison before he can be considered for parole. Also, after his sentence, Kinard is required to serve five years on supervised release.
Marquis Jones
Minutes into Oct. 6, police found 26-year-old Marquis Jones on the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. On Nov. 14, police arrested and charged Tondrick Murphy with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Jones’ death. Murphy, 26, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 29.
Avery Anderson
Avery Andersonwas also found Oct. 6 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE. Anderson, 21, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Jean-Claude Jackson
On Oct. 7, police found 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson suffering from multiple stab wounds on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE.Dazmine Anderson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Jackson’s death. Anderson, 16, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 30.
Robert Merritt
On Oct. 9, police located a man and a woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds 1600 block of Montana Avenue, NE. Both individuals were brought to a nearby hospital, where the male, 26-year-old Robert Merritt, succumbed to his injuries. The woman was admitted in critical but stable condition.
Curtis Barnum
Later that day, police found 53-year-old Curtis Barnumsuffering from a fatal stab wound on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. The following day, Antione Little was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to Barnum’s death. Little, 42, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 20.
Roderick Thomas
On Oct. 11, 27-year-old Roderick Thomas was found inside a vehicle, on the 3200 block of 12th Street, SE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police arrested and charged 18-year-oldDeAndre Houstonwith first-degree murder while armed in connection to Thomas’s death. Houston is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11, 2019.
Thomas is the first of four people who were found fatally shot inside a vehicle in October.
Carol Joan Tomason
On Oct. 12, 70-year-oldCarol Joan Tomason was crossing the street at the intersection of 15th and H Streets, NW when she was fatally struck by a 2016 Chevrolet Pick-Up Truck.
Ferdinand Fotachwi
Three days later, police found Ferdinand Fotachwi, 28, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a vehicle on the 5300 block of D Street, SE. Fotachwi was pronounced dead on the scene.
Ezequiel Fernando Jimenez Pinto
On Oct. 16, Ezequiel Fernando Jimenez Pinto was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1300 block of D Street, NE.
Nearly six hours later, a motorcycle and a Toyota 4Runner collided in the intersection of 16th Street and Good Hope Road, SE. Both drivers were brought to a nearby hospital, where Marcellus Delmar Rooths, the operator of the motorcycle, would ultimately succumb to his injuries. Police did not arrest the driver of the Toyota.
Rubelio Gomez Cervantes
Later that same day, police found 40-year-old Rubelio Gomez Cervantes on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE suffering from a gunshot wound.
On Oct. 19, a Mercury Grand Marquis sped down South Capitol Street, SW and struck multiple cars stopped at a red light before striking a traffic pole and catching on fire. DC Fire and EMS arrived and pronounced the passenger, 32-year-old Kevin Thomas, dead. The driver,Rodney Bell, was brought to an area hospital; however, he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and possession of PCP.
Malik McCloud
Bell is being held at the DC Jail without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Nov. 30.
On Oct. 20, police found 19-year-oldMalik McCloud suffering from a gunshot wound on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE. McCloud is the first of three 19-year-old males to be fatally shot in the District during the month of October.
Antonio Dixon
Nearly two hours later, police found 19-year-old Antonio Dixonsuffering from a gunshot wound on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. Dixon was pronounced dead on the scene.
On Oct. 21, police locatedMarc Anthony Bolden, 28, inside a vehicle, on the unit block of New York Avenue, NW, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Roger Marmet
Three days later, Roger Marmet, 22, was found inside a vehicle, on the 1200 block of 17th Street, NE, suffering from a gunshot wound.
On Oct. 27, police found 19-year-old Trayvon Woodsuffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4400 block of Douglas Street, NE.
Terrance Johnson
On Oct. 30,Terrance Johnsonwas found suffering from a gunshot wound on the 5000 block of Fitch Place, NE. Johnson, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Taquan Smith
Later that day, 25-year-old Taquan Smithwas found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.
Kevin Jackson
On Oct. 31, Kevin Jackson, 29, was found on the 100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Later that same day, police found 34-year-old James Eric Ferrellsuffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside of Union Station on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE. In early November, police released the image of a person of interest in the case.
James Eric Ferrell
As of Nov. 27, police have not made any arrests for the homicides of Williamson, Anderson, Merritt, Tomason, Fotachwi, Pinto, Rooths, Cervantes, McCloud, Dixon, Bolden, Marmet, Wood, Johnson, Smith, Jackson and Ferrell.
Follow D.C. Witness for updates on all of these cases.
A murder defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Nov. 26.
Brian Wooden is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son, Carter Sanders, on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on May 16.
The prosecution also offered Wooden, 28, a plea deal for second-degree murder. Under the agreement, all other charges would be dropped. Attorneys are currently negotiating parts of the agreement. As of Nov. 26, the terms that are being negotiated were not specified.
According to court documents, Sanders sustained a fractured skull, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver. Wooden, who was allegedly caring for the boy at the time of the murder, tried to blame other children for the infant’s death.
A felony status conference is scheduled on Nov. 29.
