Judge Orders 3rd Suspect in 2017 Murder Held Without Bond

During an arraignment Aug. 29, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge found probable cause that a third suspect was involved in a 2017 murder case.

Malique Lewis is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Kerrice Lewis, 23, on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE. It is unclear if the two were related.

Marcel Vines, 22, and Ashton Briscoe, 24, were also charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the murder.

According to court documents, cell data places Vines, Briscoe and Lewis, 20, at the crime scene at the time the decedent was killed. Furthermore, the data shows the trio were in contact with each other. Court documents also note that the young woman’s death was allegedly in retaliation for the 2017 death of Ronzay Green.

Witnesses told police that Vines believed the decedent was responsible for Green’s death. According to court documents, the decedent apparently set Green, 23, up to get robbed.

On Aug. 29, Lewis pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Gregg Baron, argued against a probable cause finding, claiming there was no forensic evidence that placed his client at the scene of the crime. However, Baron acknowledged that Lewis’ cellphone was “near” the area.

Judge Sean Staples found probable cause based on information contained in court documents. He also ordered Lewis held without bond since, at the time of the murder, Lewis was on probation for an unrelated drug and gun possession conviction.

Lewis is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 21.

Case Acquitted: Man Ordered Held Without Bond in 2017 Murder Case

This case has been acquitted.

During an arraignment Aug. 28, a DC Superior Court judge made a probable cause finding and ordered a man held without bond for his alleged involvement in a 2017 murder.

Cedric Alexander, 47, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE in 2017.

According to court documents, area surveillance footage, taken shortly after Hooks’ death, shows a black male exit Hook’s truck on the driver’s side and head in the direction of another car that contained three occupants. Apparently, the male’s body shape and size match that of Alexander.

On Aug. 28, Alexander pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Jacqueline Cadman, argued against a probable cause finding, saying there were no eyewitnesses, video of the shooting nor any other physical evidence that linked her client to the murder.

According to Cadman, a witness told police that Alexander confessed to them. However, Cadman said the witness came forward only after they were shown a reward flier. Apparently, a second witness told police Alexander confessed to them as well. Cadman said the witness has “bad blood” with the defendant, which stems from a previous physical altercation.

Magistrate Judge Sean Staples found probable cause based on the information found in court documents. He is also being held because of a 2004 conviction for aggravated assault.

Alexander is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 6.

Weekly Editor’s Note

As D.C. Witness increases its content, a new section will display a note from the editor on the week’s homicides. This note will not only serve as an analytical point for the editor, but also put some of the site’s news content into perspective. The first editor’s note is below. Thank you.

— D.C. Witness Editorial team

News Site Steps Up to Battle Homicides in the District

Despite the District’s legalization of marijuana, an illegal weed is growing in Washington, DC. And instead of leaving users in a daze, it leaves fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives sitting on wooden seats in courtrooms waiting for a verdict they never — before now — dreamed they’d have to endure.

However, not all of these cases will live past the mass circulated blurb released in the daily newspaper and most won’t even make it to the nightly news. But one website, D.C. Witness, a nonprofit organization, was founded to keep that news cycle going, while also delivering data-driven statistics to help community and government officials create better solutions to solve the city’s homicide problem, not just affixing a temporary band-aid to the persistent social ill.

Without D.C. Witness, public officials can tout inaccurate statistics or misleading closure rates for homicides. Without D.C. Witness, parents who do not understand the legal system or know how to find out about a family member’s court case would not have a way to have their questions answered. Without D.C. Witness, the perception of our city’s homicides would remain defined by innuendo and alternative facts.

D.C. Witness tracks the causes of homicides and follows each case by spending hours and days inside courtrooms at the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse. Reporters, who are student interns studying journalism, sociology or legal studies, track judicial proceedings for homicide cases involving defendants such as 16-year-old Titus Iracks or 35-year-old Elliott Starks. We track each defendant, follow-up with families on both sides and consult with judicial staff to keep the conversation going and provide crucial information to residents so they can foster a safe place for all to live.

D.C. Witness also tracks information from various city agencies. In tracking homicides in the city, D.C. Witness is not interested in capturing the “gotcha” stories of the evening. Rather it is a non-partisan, non-activist organization that only wishes to use statistics to improve the city by working with residents, the police and local government officials.

And the data is sobering.

According to D.C. Witness data, homicides in July increased by 46 percent from the year before. Although the percentage has decreased in August, homicide numbers for 2018 have already reached triple digits. As of Aug. 27, there have been 104 homicides in the District with 30 homicides occurring since the summer began on June 21.

The data shows that homicides affect minority residents since a majority of the crimes occur in Southeast DC, where more minority, low income residents live. According to homicide studies conducted more than 30 years ago, not much, other than motive has changed. Today, according to D.C. Witness data, more murders result from disputes than from drugs, which was the main reason for homicides in the 1980s.

The irony is that all of the data DC Witness gathers is public and the mayor even has an office that gathers similar data. It just refuses to share it with the citizens of DC.

Even though a majority of homicides are occurring in the Southeast section of the city, the problem is still significant to every resident as homicides are occurring in more affluent, gentrifying areas of the District that attract tourists and new residents. One such example is the shooting death of 22 year-old Phillip Dumbuya on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW, which is in the U Street corridor.

As D.C. Witness moves forward, it plans to incorporate new aspects of reporting on and tracking homicide data, such as monthly recaps, homicide synopses by ward, videos, infographics, feature stories and our daily news coverage from inside courtrooms. D.C. Witness will also publish cross-collaboration pieces with The DC Line, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to covering local news in the District of Columbia.

Homicides in the District

As of Aug. 27, most homicides in the District of Columbia are gun related, according to D.C. Witness data.

Map of the 103 homicides that occurred in Washington, DC, in 2018, as of Aug. 27

The data shows there were 104 homicides so far this year, including two police-involved shootings and two self-defense deaths. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the two police-involved shootings and one death that involved a self defense claim.

The majority of the homicides occurred East of the Anacostia River.

Data shows that 58 homicides took place in Southeast DC and 29 homicides took place in Northeast. Twelve homicides occurred in Northwest and five occurred in Southwest.

Broken down by murder type, D.C. Witness data notes that two people were killed by vehicles, 18 were stabbed, 78 were shot and six deaths were trauma-related. A weapon was not specified for the trauma-related deaths.

Arrests were made for 39 of the homicides. Police are still investigating 64 cases from 2018, alone. The police are not investigating Ibria Anderson’s shooting death as a homicide because, according to news reports, the shooting is being considered self defense. Anderson apparently died in a shootout in Southeast DC.

According to the Office of the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, there have been 103 homicides.

Map of homicides in which no firearm was involved that occurred in Washington, D.C., between Jan. 1 and Aug. 27, 2018.

The map, on the left, shows the 26 non-firearm-related deaths that occurred in Washington, DC, from Jan. 1 through Aug. 27. This map includes the location of Jeremy Bond‘s death. Bond, 28, was stabbed by a Metro employee at the Friendship Heights metro station on July 24. Police are still investigating the case’s self defense claim.

Map of all homicides that resulted from gun violence in Washington, DC, between Jan. 1 and Aug. 27.

The map, on the right, shows all gun-related deaths that occurred in Washington, DC, from Jan. 1 through Aug. 27.

Between June 25 and Aug. 20, MPD recovered 122 illegal firearms located in Washington, DC, according to press releases.

Map of all illegal firearms recovered by MPD between June 25 and Aug. 20.

The individual location of each recovered firearm is shown on the map to the left.

During the same period of time, 19 people were killed as a result of gun-related violence in the city.

A map of all gun-violence fatalities (blue) as of Aug. 27, and illegal firearms recovered by MPD (red) between June 25 and Aug. 20.

Editor’s Note: Content will be updated to account for the full month of August.

Counsel Reaches Agreement on Plea Offer in Murder Case

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge vacated a murder trial date after counsel said they reached an agreement on a plea offer.

John James is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr. on the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE in 2015.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived on Eaton Road and found Massenberg-Bey, 21, and an unidentified male suffering from gunshot wounds. The unidentified male, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, ultimately identified James, 26, as the shooter.

Initially, a witness told police that James approached Massenberg-Bey on Eaten Road and asked him for five dollars. Apparently, Massenberg-Bey said no and that’s when James allegedly shot him and the unidentified male.

The next day the same witness called the police and said James and the unidentified male were arguing and Massenberg-Bey intervened. Apparently, James walked away only to return and shoot both Massenberg-Bey and the unidentified male.

The definitive facts of the shooting remain unclear.

On Aug. 28, counsel notified the court that they had come to an agreement on a plea offer.

Frances D’Antuono, James’ defense attorney, assured the court that James “desires” to accept the plea; however, she requested additional time to go through the plea offer paperwork with her client.

Subsequently, Judge Milton Lee vacated the trial date, originally scheduled for Nov. 13.

James is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 18, when he is expected to formally respond to the plea offer.

Document: Police Investigate 2 Shootings

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating two fatal shootings that occurred less than an hour apart on Aug. 27.

According to a press release, just after midnight, police found Tony Lamont Payne, Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a residence on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Payne, 36, was taken to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Thirty minutes later, police responded to the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW on reports of gunfire. After arriving on the scene, police found 22-year-old Phillip Dumbuya and an unidentified male suffering from gunshot wounds. Dumbuya succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital. The unidentified male sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in these homicides or any other homicide in DC.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in 2017 Homicide on 13th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks.

Pursuant to a DC Superior Court warrant, 47-year-old Cedric Alexander was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The shooting occurred on the 1900 block of 13^th Street, SE in 2017, according to a news release.

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

Document: Homicide on 46th Place, SE

On Aug. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department found 28-year-old Piera Sterling Barbour fatally shot on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE.

According to a press release, Barbour was pronounced dead on the scene, which is near the Benning Road Metro station.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC.

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

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Second Suspect in 2017 Homicide

On Aug. 23, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge found probable cause against another suspect who was allegedly involved in a 2017 fatal shooting that occurred three days after Christmas.

Marcel Vines is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE.

Ashton Briscoe was also charged with Lewis’ murder. Briscoe, 24, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to court documents, Lewis’ death was allegedly in retaliation for the 2017 death of Ronzay Green.

Following Green’s death, a witness told police they overheard Vines, 22, saying “this isn’t fair” and “someone needs to pay.” Witnesses told police that Vines believed Lewis was responsible for Green’s death, according to court documents. Lewis apparently set Green, 23, up to get robbed.

Judge Sean Staples found probable cause based on documents of the murder. He also ordered Vines held without bond because of the severity of the charge and his criminal history. Vines was convicted in 2015 on a drug charge and again in 2016 for gun and drug charges.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 7. Briscoe is scheduled for a felony status conference on Sept. 25.

Judge Finds Murder Defendant Competent for Sentencing

During a mental observation hearing Aug. 27, a DC Superior Court judge found a murder defendant competent to proceed with sentencing.

In February, a jury found Christian Romero guilty of second-degree murder while armed for the stabbing death of Dimas Fuentes-Lazo on the 800 block of Kennedy Street, NW in 2016.

According to court documents, Romero, 26, and Fuentes-Lazo, 38, got into an altercation after Romero smacked Fuentes-Lazo’s car side mirror. Ultimtely, Fuentes-Lazo was stabbed mutliple times in the upper body, inlcuding his face.

Romero was originally scheduled to be sentenced in May. However, the hearing was delayed twice for undisclosed reasons. During the third attempted sentencing, Romero repeatedly insisted he didn’t understand what was going on until court marshalls forcibly removed him from the courtroom.

On Aug. 27, Judge Juliet Mckenna found Romero competent based on information in a medical report.

Counsel did not challenge her finding.

Romero is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Two Murders

During a status hearing Aug. 24, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to shooting two people.

Matthew “Moju” Moore pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed after confessing to shooting Ronnell Tye Reaves and Kevin Kennedy on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE in 2017.

According to court documents, police arrived on 14th Place and found 22-year-old Reaves deceased in the driver’s seat of a car. Kennedy, 23, was in critical condition in the passenger seat.

According to a proffer of facts, surveillance footage shows Reaves walking toward the car, where his remains were later located, and sit on the driver’s seat. Moore, 34, is seen approaching the vehicle, leans in the direction of the car and shoots both Reaves and Kennedy.

Moore previously pleaded not guilty for the fatal shooting of Reaves. He claimed he acted in self-defense.

Kennedy succumbed to his injuries on July 8.

According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Moore could face a prison sentence ranging from 24 to 36 years. He is also required to serve an additional five years on supervised release.

Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 26.

Police Arrest 2 of 4 Suspects in 10 Year Old’s Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department apprehended two of four suspects wanted for the shooting death of a 10-year-old girl in July.

According to a press release, officers arrested 21-year-old Quentin Rayfield “Q” Michals on Aug. 27 and Qujuan Thomas, 20, on Aug. 25. Both are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE as she went to purchase ice cream from an ice cream truck. According to news reports, a five dollar bill her mother gave her was in her hands.

Michals turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 27.

Michals and Thomas are scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 27.

According to court documents, at the time, Thomas was on probation for armed robbery. The Washington Post reports that he had also been arrested in Prince George’s County, Md. on drug charges.

In July, Prince George’s County police arrested Kevin Eugene Jones and charged him with carjacking and assaulting a woman in Lanham, Md., on July 1. Jones apparently stole the vehicle, a black Infiniti, that was used in the shooting. The vehicle was found in Temple Hills, Md. Jones, 20, has not been charged for Wilson’s death.

Police have not released a motive, but news reports state that the shooting may have resulted from a neighborhood dispute. The case is still under investigation.

An award of up to $45,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.

“Makiyah Wilson should still be with us. She should have gone to school this week,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference Aug. 25. “We won’t be satisfied until we find justice in her murder.”

Police released a video of the shooting on July 17.

The shooting death of Wilson has been one of a slew of homicides in the District during a violent summer. As of Aug. 27, there have been 103 homicides in DC. There have been 30 homicides, including a fatal stabbing that was classified as self defense since the summer began on June 21, according to D.C. Witness data.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Second Suspect in April Homicide

During an arraignment Aug. 22, a magistrate judge found probable cause that a second man was involved in an April homicide.

Kevin Carter, 30, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder for his connection in the death of 33-year-old Yusef Turner on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Keith Sweptson is also charged with Turner’s death. Sweptson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder.

During his arraignment, Carter pleaded not guilty.

Subsequently, Steven Ogilvie, Carter’s defense attorney, argued that the judge couldn’t find probable cause because the police relied on unreliable witnesses to identify the defendant.

According to Ogilvie, one witness relied on “street rumors” to implicate Carter and couldn’t name the direct source who started the rumor. Ogilvie said another witness was “financially motivated” to implicate Carter. Apparently, the witness did not identify Carter until after hearing about the financial reward.

Judge Sean Staples ordered that Carter be held without bond due to the severity of the charges and his criminal history. According to the DC Courts, Carter has two prior felony convictions for drug charges in 2006 and 2008.

Carter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31. Sweptson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 17.

Defense Attorneys Withdraw from Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge granted a motion for defense attorneys in a murder case to withdraw after their client requested a change of counsel.

On July 17, a jury found Willie Glover, Joseph Barbour and Charles McRae guilty of felony murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for their involvement in the death of Lenard Wills, 50, on the 700 block of 24 Street, NE in 2015.

The trio was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, burglary one while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, assault with the intent to commit robbery while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During a status hearing on Aug. 23, Glover told Judge Craig Iscoe why he no longer wanted to be represented by his attorneys. The motion was formally submitted on Aug. 6.

Judge Iscoe found Glover’s rationale satisfactory and granted the motion.

To address Glover’s concern over new counsel, Judge Iscoe chose to withhold from formally appointing a new attorney. Instead, Judge Iscoe said he wanted a public defender to speak with Glover first.

Judge Iscoe scheduled a status hearing on Aug. 28, at which point Glover is expected to notify the court of his new counsel.

Glover, 40; McRae,66; and Barbour, 38, are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Murder Defendants Ask Judge to Lift Separation Order

Three co-defendants in a murder case told a D.C. Superior Court judge Aug. 23 that they would like their separation order lifted.

William Cunningham, 31, Marcus Martin and Marc Butler are charged with first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Derryk Johnson on the 600 block of N Street, NW in 2016.

During a status hearing, Dana Page, Martin’s defense attorney, requested the separation order be lifted. She said, as a result of the separation order, Martin, 21, had been in solitary confinement for the duration of his time at D.C. jail.

Dorsey Jones, Butler’s defense attorney, also supported the motion. According to Jones, Butler, 22, has been prevented from entering a GED program because of the separation order.

Subsequently, the prosecution approached Judge Craig Iscoe and explained their rationale to maintain the separation order. Judge Iscoe said he considers the reasons valid and denied the request to lift the order. Even so, he did show concern about the restrictions the defendants faced.

Judge Iscoe said he would inquire about the situation with D.C. jail authorities.

A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9.

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