Williams was arrested multiple times for assaulting Oliver’s mother.
During a hearing on July 8, Oliver’s defense attorney, David Benowitz, requested medical documentation, or another form of evidence, to support the claim that a witness in the case would pass away soon. On July 3, Judge Craig Iscoe granted the prosecution’s motion to allow a witness to have their deposition videotaped, rather than appearing in court.
The prosecution said the account of the witness’ “imminent death” comes from the wife of the witness. Judge Iscoe said the witness’ condition created urgency for attaining the videotaped deposition quickly.
When asked, the prosecutor said that he wouldn’t be able to move forward if the key witness died, but he would work to get the witness’s medical records. According to court documents, the witness is currently hospitalized in the state of Georgia for congestive heart failure.
Counselors told the court that they are in plea negotiations.
A status hearing is scheduled on July 15 to assess the status of the medical records.
After three competency evaluations since being charged in 2016, a murder defendant’s mental health is still being contested.
Daryl Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in the deaths of Edward Roberts Jr. and Tyler McEachern.
Roberts, 29, was found shot on the 3500 block of 14th street NW on July 30, 2016. McEachern, 23, was also found shot on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace SE on Aug. 29, 2016.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe granted the defense’s request for Thompson’s third mental health exam on July 2, however, the exam was rescheduled to July 8. Defense attorney, Dana Page, said that due to reasons not stated in open court, she was obligated to make the request pursuant to a precedent that states that issues regarding a defendant’s competency for trial must be raised before the trial begins.
Thompson’s next mental observation hearing is scheduled on July 9.
In March of 2018, Thompson, 27, missed a hearing due to behavioral issues that resulted in making him ineligible for transfer to the courthouse. Thompson’s first forensic mental exam was ordered after the missed hearing. After analyzing the results, Judge Iscoe ordered a full competency examination even though the defense argued against the report’s conclusion.
The full competency exam took place in May of 2018. Thompson was found competent to stand trial.
Two months later, the defense filed a motion for another forensics mental health examination. According to DC Courts, the examination resulted in Thompson being released to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for another full competency evaluation.
Thompson was found incompetent for trial.
Even though the defense opposed the second exam’s results, Judge Iscoe ordered that Thompson be sent to St. Elizabeth’s for mental competency treatment.
In November of 2018, after the treatment, according to DC Courts, Judge Iscoe found Thompson competent for trial. A date was set on Oct. 7 2019.
During a motion hearing on July 8, a DC Superior Court judge denied the defense’s motion to dismiss a case after the prosecution allegedly did not hand over evidence in a timely manner.
Marquette Tibbs is charged with first-degree-murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unalwful possesion of a firearm for his alleged involvment in the death of Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Rd., SE in 2016.
Defense counsel accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence which included information on the victim’s criminal history and pieces of a pre-trial investigation report. Defense counsel claimed, “with simple due-diligence the documents could have been found in a matter of minutes or hours.”
However, the prosecution said the evidence was not disclosed because it was not exculpatory. “This was not an intentional suppression of any information,” the prosecutor told the judge.
Judge Todd E. Edelman decided that a dismissal wasn’t justified because the evidence was too vague to be exculpatory. Judge Edelman said the prosecution’s violations were more of an oversight.
Tibbs, 27, is set to go to trial on Nov. 18.
In addition to being charged with murder, Tibbs is also charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed in a separate case that is scheduled for trial in 2020.
Tibbs had a co-defendant, Cinquan Cartledge, in the homicide, however their cases were separated in March. Cartledge, 25, is scheduled for trial in 2020.
Nick Slater and Julia Guercio contributed to this article
The second trial for a man who allegedly murdered two men began July 8.
Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton and with first-degree murder while armed with aggrivating circumstances for allegedly shooting Cartlton Fisher. The shooting of Drayton, 17, occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on October 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.
Carlton Fisher
During the prosecution’s opening argument, counsel said the murder of Drayton is what led to the murder of Fisher. Apparently, Fisher told police that McLeod was responsible for Drayton’s death, breaking the “no snitching” rule. As a consequence, the prosecution said McLeod killed Fisher.
Even though the prosecutor told the jury that there was no scientific evidence in the case, but he said it wouldn’t be necessary because there was ample witness testimony.
According to the prosecution, Drayton was murdered because he stole a gun, lied about it, and didn’t give it back.
Devaun Drayton
Apparently, Drayton asked David Warren, a good friend of his, if he could have a gun. Warren wanted to sell the firearm to McLeod, so he allowed Drayton to borrow the gun under the condition that he’d give it back. However, the prosecution said, Drayton did not give the gun back and lied about it, saying he no longer had it.
The prosecution called a former police officer for the Metropolitan Police Department, who had been one of the first responders to the scene.
The officer said none of the witnesses provided her with any information about who shot Drayton.
The prosecution also called a woman who lived near the scene of the crime. She said she was home when she heard a “pow,” which she said sounded like “the backfire of a truck.” She said she saw a body lying at the bottom of the steps behind the playground. She said she did not see anyone else near the body at that time.
The witness said she had seen Drayton earlier that morning, hanging out by the top of the steps with three other men. She said she saw him every day. She also mentioned that the men who were at the scene when she arrived were not the same men she saw Drayton hanging out with earlier.
A former forensics officer, who had been the lead technician processing the crime scene, said DNA testing was not conducted on any items of evidence, including a red car that was on the scene and two sandwiches.
The witness also said he did not test anyone who was present at the scene of the crime for gunpowder residue or DNA since he did not have a search warrant and because no suspect had been identified on the scene who would need to be tested.
Defense counsel said there are plans to independently test evidence in murder case.
Robert Dean, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a screwdriver for allegedly stabbing 38-year-old Tamiya Whiteon the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE on March 31, 2018.
Dean’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said he planned to test two items of evidence, a screwdriver and a knife, for DNA. Matthews didn’t give a definitive answer about testing the items, saying he wanted to reserve the right to re-test the items once he receives more information from the prosecution.
The prosecutor said she would have results from a DNA test applied to the victim’s fingernails to him within two weeks.
The prosecutor also said multiple biological materials were collected from existing evidence, including items of clothing, a screwdriver, a knife found inside White’s purse and a paternity test.
The prosecutor said the test results indicated the presence of White on a screwdriver. Apparently, White and Dean’s DNA was also on a jacket. According to the prosecutor, the paternity test indicated that Dean was the biological father of the fetus.
Matthews said the defense would not be re-testing the other items of evidence, including the paternity test.
According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found White conscious and breathing, bleeding uncontrollably from the left side of her neck in a McDonald’s restaurant. White was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
Surveillance Footage at the McDonald’s restaurant shows White drive to the fast food store, holding her neck as she entered.
Apparently, a witness called the crime tip line and reported that Dean and White had gotten into a verbal altercation, during which Dean stabbed White several times with a screwdriver.
A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Sept.17.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting shooting that occurred during the early morning hours on July 8.
According to a press release, police found 22-year-old Anfernee Vernon Walker suffering from gun shot wounds on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW. The victim died at a local hospital. Three other victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
No arrests were made as of the time of publication on July 8.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
A second arrest was made July 8, 2019 in relation to the murder of Christopher Payne on June 30, in the 1400 block of W Street NW. Malik Coles, 22, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. A warrant had been issued for his arrest on July 3.
Previously, Duan Garmany had been arrested on June 30, the same day as the murder, and was also charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. Duan Garmany is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 12.
An additional gunshot victim was treated for non-life threatening wounds that he suffered as a result of the same shooting on June 30.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 400 block of Burns Street, SE.
According to a press release, police officers located 25-year-old Demarco Jones suffering from multiple gunshot wounds during the early morning hours on July 6. He died on the scene.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
A man charged with the murder of two men is scheduled to appear in trial for a second time.
Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting
Devaun Drayton
Devaun Drayton, and with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for allegedly shooting Cartlton Fisher. The shooting of Drayton, 17, occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on October 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE.
Carlton Fisher
The first trial for McLeod began on November 5, 2018, and lasted for nearly three weeks. On May 7, after almost two weeks of deliberation, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision about whether McLeod was guilty of the two homicides. Because the jury was hung, a mistrial was declared.
On May 17, the prosecution indicated that they would retry the case, and a jury was selected on July 1 and 2. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 8, 2019. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck predicted that the trial would be over by July 18. She also estimated that jury deliberations would begin on July 22.
According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Drayton suffering from a gunshot wound to the head during the evening hours on March 10, 2004. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Fisher was interviewed as a witness within a few weeks of Drayton’s murder. Apparently, he had had a conversation with McLeod a few days after the murder. During their conversation, McLeod asked him if he had any bullets, saying “I had to get him before he get me.” Apparently, McLeod told Fisher that when Drayton turned his back, he shot him in the head. Fisher also positively identified a photo of McLeod.
On October 1, 2006, police officers found Fisher suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Multiple witnesses said they saw McLeod, Fisher, and another individual together right before Fisher’s death.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Independence Day.
According to a press release, police found 23-year-old Keonte Haynesworth, a resident of Upper Marlboro, Md. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4200 block of 7th Street, SE.
He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
During a motions hearing on July 3, a DC Superior Court Judge granted the prosecution’s motion to reduce a defendant’s sentenced.
Dexter Motley
In 2017, a jury found Johnathan Taylor guilty of first-degree murder while armed for the death of 25- year-old Dexter Motleyon the unit block of 46th Place, NE in 2014. Taylor, 28, was also found guilty of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm and obstruction of violence. Taylor was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2017.
The prosecution filed a motion to reduce Taylor’s sentence because of his cooperation. The prosecutor did not provide any other specifics about Tabor’s cooperation.
The prosecution told Judge José M. López that the defendant has come a long way. The prosecutor said Taylor “earned” a reduced sentence.
Judge Lopez granted the motion to reduce the sentence for the defendant on one charge, but his other charges will stay the same. D.C. Witness couldn’t verify the charge that Judge Lopez will reduce.
Taylor is also serving six years in prison for voluntary manslaughter in connection to the death of 23-year-old Dwayne Dilliard on the 2600 block of Douglas Place, SE on July 4, 2015.
Dwayne Dillard
In 2017 two defendants, Harry Herbert and Shakim Lyons, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm for their roles in Dillard’s death. Herbert, 31, was sentenced to 11 years in prison Lyons, 30, was sentenced to two years in prison.
Last year, a fourth defendant, 28-year-old James Coffield, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his role in Dillard’s death. Corrfield was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
During a status hearing on July 3, a murder defendent expressed his desire to obtain a passport for travel and inquired about whether he could do so.
Demetrius Brandon is charged with accessory after-the-fact to assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Marcus Manor, 38, on the 2900 block of Sherman Avenue, NW on Oct. 20, 2015. Brandon, 31, was found not guilty of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a jury on March 8, 2018, but a unanimous decision on his accessory charge was not reached. Consequently, a mistrial was declared on March 12.
Brandon said he is planning to go on vacation out of the country in late July, but was concerned about whether he would be able to apply for a passport given his charges.
Brandon’s defense attorney, James Williams, was sick and not present at trial. Another attorney stood in for Williams.
The defense said that a pending plea agreement would reduce Brandon’s charges to a misdemeanor.
DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck called Williams over the phone to ask about the plea offer. Williams was not able to give specifics about the agreement.
As a result, Judge Beck scheduled another status hearing on July 19 to ensure that Williams could be present to sort out the details of the pending plea offer. She said she wanted to give Brandon a solid answer about his ability to obtain a passport, even though she did not think there would be an issue.
Kevin Chase, 30, was sentenced to a total of six and a half years incarceration and 5 years of supervised release for his charges of voluntary manslaughter while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license.
During a motion hearing July 1, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a motion to disclose the identity of a witness. The defense requested the witness’ identity so he could reach out for a second interview.
Keonte Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 25 year-old Deandre Hawkins on the 5300 block of E St., SE. on April 22.
Judge Edelman said he saw no reason why the defense wants to meet with the witness privately. Apparently, the witness refused to speak with Johnson’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, during a previous meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Matthews, an investigator and the witness were the only people present at the meeting.
Matthews argued that if the meeting wasn’t at the prosecution’s office, the witness would have been more open to talk.
Despite meeting face-to-face, defense counsel wasn’t given the identity of the witness. The prosecution said the witness’ identity is confidential because the witness is in a witness protection program as part of a separate investigation.
Rather than issuing another order for the witness’ identity, Judge Edelman ordered the prosecution to ask if the witness spoke to anybody after the crime occurred.
A felony status conference is scheduled on Sept. 6.
During a status hearing July 3, a DC Superior Court judge continued a murder trial for a 25-year-old case until April of 2020.
Therion Bryant is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 25-year-old Charlene Johnson on the 3600 block of New Hampshire Avenue., NW on Oct. 16, 1993.
The trial was continued because the defense needs more time to review a massive amount of documents pertaining to the case, according to defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman. Bryant, 51, was not required to be at the hearing. He is currently released on personal recognizance.
D.C. Witness previously reported that Bryant became a person of interest in the case in 2014 when DNA from the crime scene was entered into an FBI database and his came up as a match.
According to WUSA 9, the police questioned Bryant about the murder in 2014. At that time he said he knew Johnson but hadn’t seen her that day. However, in 2016, DNA from a sexual assault kit performed on the victim’s body matched Bryant, prompting his arrest.
There were three other suspects in the case, including Johnson’s boyfriend; Daryl Turner and a third suspect, who confessed to the stabbing while he was at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, but later took back his confession. Both victims were ruled out because their DNA was not found on the scene.
The prosecution told Judge Craig Iscoe that a plea offer for voluntary manslaughter was offered, but no decision has been made. The prosecution didn’t discuss any further details of the plea deal.
The prosecution requested that Bryant be present at the next status hearing scheduled on Oct. 25.
A prosecutor told a DC Superior Court judge July 2 that the prosecution would probably need the full nine months to secure an indictment for two murder defendants.
Stephon Evans and Alonzo Brown are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12. Evans,19, and Brown, 22, were arrested on Jan. 23.
The prosecutor said more time was needed because a fourth suspect, Tavist Alston, was arrested on June 26 in connection to the case.
According to court documents, security footage shows four armed men approach the Pentacle Apartments on Benning Road. Apparently, the suspects were canvassing the area and then fired their guns at multiple people running for cover. Taylor was the only person to succumb to his injuries.
Even though D.C. Witness reported that 21-year-old Carlos Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in May, the plea deal has not been filed on DC Courts. Another hearing has been set for Turner on Oct. 11.
Brown is scheduled for a grand jury hearing. The date of the hearing wasn’t disclosed. Evans is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 3.
