Transgender Woman’s Death Was a Hate Crime, Prosecution says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution sought to prove two defendants were involved in a string of robberies that targeted transgender women, ultimately killing one of them. But, the defense said, “things aren’t always as they seem.”

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.

Brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, are also charged with Dodds’ death. The prosecution said the brothers entered into a plea agreement and plan to testify against Little and Johnson.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Little, 28, acted as the driver while Johnson, 23, and the Hall brothers assaulted and robbed transgender women and other individuals who were near them. Apparently, Dodds was on her way home when the trio approached her. The prosecution said Johnson held Dodds at gunpoint and ultimately shot her in the neck while the brothers stole her purse.

The prosecution also said Little tried to obstruct justice because they intercepted a letter from DC Jail that directed an unknown individual to “silence” government witnesses that “said too much.” They also say that Johnson confessed to his girlfriend the day after the murder.

On the other hand, Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said his client was not present at the murder and that the brothers were making him a “scapegoat.” According to Irving, the brothers told the police multiple stories of the murder.

“This case is exactly about Shareem and Cyheme Hall,” Irving said. “Two brothers with an incentive to take the blame off themselves.”

Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, conceded that her client was wearing a GPS tracking monitor that placed him near the crime scene. However, she noted that the GPS device doesn’t inform anyone what her client agreed to or what he knew.

Harden also sought to discredit Shareem, saying that he was previously arrested and charged in an unrelated armed home invasion case. Harden also said Cyheme couldn’t be trusted and noted that, at the time of the murder, he was a fugitive in Maryland and Virginia.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Jan. 29.

Judge Sentences Man to Nearly 14 years for 2015 Homicide

A judge sentenced Jan. 25 a man to 167 months, or about 14 years, for the death of another man in 2015.

John James, 27, pleaded guilty in October of 2018 to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault for shooting Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr. on the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE, which is located in the Barry Farm neighborhood.

During the sentencing, a prosecutor said that James shot the two men after an argument over a dice game. According to court documents, Massenberg-Bey intervened in an argument between James and a surviving victim. James left the scene of the argument but returned and shot the two men. The surviving victim later identified James as the shooter.

“I walked around for two years, numb and in disbelief that I’d never see my son again,” Massenberg-Bey’s mother told DC Superior Court Judge Milton C Lee. She said that her son was shot and killed a day after his birthday, which he shared with her and his grandmother.

Judge Lee sentenced James to 125 months for voluntary manslaughter and 42 months for aggravated assault. The sentences will be served consecutively. James’ conviction carried a voluntary sentencing guideline range of 12-15 years.

When released from prison, James is required to register on a gun-offender. He is also required to serve five additional years on supervised release.

Document: DC Homicide Count Doubles from Last Year

Four homicides occurred on Saturday, boosting the District of Columbia’s homicide count by approximately 100 percent from this time a year ago.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, four people died on Jan. 26. Three men, 26 year-old Sean Shuler, 26 year-old Javon Abney, and 24 year-old Tyrik Hagood, were shot during the evening hours on the 1500 Block of Fort Davis Place, Southeast. All three victims died on the scene

Earlier that day, at 3:36p.m., 59 year-old Kevin Jerome Harrison was shot on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, Northeast. He died on the scene as well.

The fatal shootings increased DC’s homicide total to 18 from nine homicides a year ago, according to D.C. Witness data.

According to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, several non-deadly shootings also occurred on Saturday, acknowledging that some shootings were in retaliation.

“We have has too many gun crimes, at the start of 2019, and already too many lives lost,” Bowser said during a press conference Jan. 27.

As part of their investigation, the police is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in these cases 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 Sentences Man for Fatally Striking Cyclist Near National Mall

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a man Jan. 25 to 18 months in prison for running a red light and fatally striking a 64-year-old man who was riding his bicycle to work. According to the defense, the defendant was rushing to get to work on time.

In November, Phillip Peoples pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and leaving after colliding for his role in the death of 64-year-old Thomas Hendricks Hollowell on the 1200 block of Constitution Avenue, NW in September 2018. According to Judge Ronna Beck, it was raining on the day of the murder.

Judge Beck sentenced Peoples, 21, to 1.5 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and one year in prison for leaving after colliding. The sentences will run concurrently.

“Accidents happen but you expect a driver to have remorse in the moment,” one of Hollowell ’s daughters said, noting that the defendant fled the scene. Apparently, Peoples also lied about his involvement in Hollowell’s death in the days following the homicide.

During the sentencing several members of Hollowell’s family shared their emotional states to the judge. Hollowell’s son recounted the day he learned his father had been struck by a car. He explained that his brain was “numb” when he walked into George Washington University Hospital and saw his father hooked up to multiple tubes and one of his eyes swollen shut.

The son said that his father biked to work every day, that Hollowell had a PhD in environmental science and was employed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

One of Hollowell’s two daughters said that her father was proud to do his part to decrease global warming.

“I give my deepest apologies to the family,” Peoples told the family. “Your forgiveness means the world to me.”

Defense attorney Roger Hale said his client cries daily about Hollowell’s death. Hale said that regardless of the prison sentence, Peoples will have a life sentence. According to Hale, Peoples worked two jobs and was in school, on his way to becoming a nursing assistant. Hale also added that Peoples has a young child and another baby on the way.

Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge Beck said that while Peoples has no criminal history, he did have 17 traffic citations. None of the citations were for speeding or reckless driving.

Judge Beck also said that she plans to sentence Peoples under the Youth Act and after the successful completion of his supervised release, Peoples criminal record will be hidden from public record as stated in Title 24 of the Code of the District of Columbia.

Peoples is required to serve five years on supervised release following his sentence. Judge Beck recommended Peoples be required to complete community service related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, per the families request.

Murder Defendant Motions to Withdraw Guilty Plea

During a status hearing Jan. 24, a murder defendant said he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea.

Matthew Moore, 34, pleaded guilty on Aug. 24, 2018, to two counts of first-degree murder while armed for shooting Ronnell Tye Reaves and Kevin Kennedy on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE in January of 2017.

Reaves, 22, died at the scene after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Kennedy, 23, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries more than a year later in July of 2018.

“He has been dragging this case out for the last two years,” Reaves’ mother told DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson during the hearing. “My family cannot move on with this being prolonged.”

Moore, who is being held without bond, initially pleaded not guilty, saying he acted out of self-defense.

A motions hearing is scheduled on March 8.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for 2017 Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Jan. 24 a man who is suspected of killing a 24 year old in 2017.

According to a press release, Christopher Green is charged with first-degree felony murderfor allegedly shooting 24-year-old Zaan Scott on the 1300 block of Southern Avenue, SE in April of 2017. Scott succumbed to his injuries a almost a month later.

According to the Washington Post, Scott, who was a swim instructor at the William H Rumsey Aquatic Center on Capitol Hill, was shot during a robbery attempt. The bullet allegedly paralyzed Scott from the waist down and caused a blood clot, which the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled as the reason of death.

Green, 32, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 8.

Prosecution Anticipates Early Indictment for Murder Defendant

The prosecution notified the court Jan. 25 that she expects a grand jury to indict a murder defendant earlier than the nine month indictment deadline in April.

Manuel E. Bermudez is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged role in the death of 64-year-old Miguel Pineda-Hernandez on the 1300 block of Irving Street, NW in April 2018.

During the hearing, the prosecution also said she planned to “explore other resolutions” to the case. It is unclear whether or not a plea agreement has been extended.

Surveillance footage shows Bermudez, 38, walking down the street, pushing a bicyclist against a fence and then continuing down the street and pushing Pineda-Hernandez into a metal fence near a tree.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Pineda- Hernandez had end-stage renal failure and multiple heart conditions. However, during the preliminary hearing the prosecution said Bermudez’s actions led to the victim’s death.

Bermudez is scheduled for a status hearing on March 15.

Murder Defendant’s ‘Pride and Ego’ Killed A 16-Year-Old Girl, Prosecution Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said the defendant’s “pride and ego” killed a 16-year-old girl.

Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related charges for his alleged role 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 prosecution told a 16-member jury Jan. 24 that Evans was shot previously in connection to an unrelated feud. The prosecutor said that on the day of the murder, Evans was in a parking lot on I Street when a black car entered. Apparently, Evans believed the person driving the car was the person he had a feud with, but it wasn’t.

According to the prosecution, when the black car entered the lot Evans thought “not this time” and fired 16 shots at the car and ultimately struck McMillian, who was in the parking lot with a friend.

“Because of his actions Breyona McMillian is dead,” the prosecutor said.

However, the defense argued an individual in the black car opened fire and struck McMillian in the process. Defense attorney Stephany Reaves told the jury that her client was acting in self-defense when he pulled out a gun and opened fire.

“It’s reasonable to believe Evans thought if he didn’t defend his life he would lose it,” Reaves said.

While the prosecution refutes the notion that the black car held a shooter. Reaves said the black car had stolen license plates and was abandoned after the shooting.

Reaves also said the owner of the vehicle not only lied about the car’s whereabouts on the day of the murder, but also lied about phone calls she made following the shooting.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Jan. 28.

Document: Shooting in Southeast DC

After going ten days without a homicide in Washington, DC, an unidentified person was fatally shot Jan. 24 in Southeast DC.

According to a press release, a man was shot during the evening hours on the 3700 block of O Street, SE in Ward 8. He died on the scene.

The 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.

Prosecutor Gives Murder Defendant One Week to Take Plea Deal

A prosecutor offered a murder defendant accused of killing a two-year-old boy a plea deal to reduce his charges on Jan. 24.

James Embre is charged with first-degree felony murder for his alleged role in the death of Aceyson Aizim Ahmad on the 3400 block of A Street, SE last April. D.C. Witness previously reported that the victim was the son of Embre’s girlfriend and that Embre was taking care of the boy and his six-year-old sister on the night of the murder.

If Embre accepts the plea deal, his current charges would be reduced to second-degree murder. The offer is available for one week and, if it is not accepted, counsel would prepare for trial.

Along with first-degree murder, Embre is also facing two counts of first-degree cruelty to children.

According to the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the boy suffered multiple injuries, including a lacerated liver and broken ribs.

According to court documents, a detective said an inmate allegedly had a conversation with the defendant where Embre admitted to hitting the six-year-old sister. The sister and the inmate told detectives that Embre hit the baby because he would not go back to sleep.

Embre is scheduled for a felony status hearing on Jan. 31.

Document: Police Arrest 2 Suspects in Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Jan. 23 two suspects who are allegedly connected to a murder that occurred earlier this month.

The police arrested 21-year-old Alonzo Brown and 18-year-old Stephon Evans and charged them 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. Two other individuals, who have not been named, were also shot. They received treatment for non life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.

The suspects are also residents of Northeast DC, according to a press release.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24. The defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15.

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

Prosecution Expects More Arrests for Murder

A prosecutor notified the court Jan. 23 that she expects at least three more arrests to be made in a murder case.

Antonio Upshaw, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 24-year-old Tyrone Johnson on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

During the hearing, the prosecution said additional arrests may delay Upshaw’s trial, which is scheduled on April 8. The prosecutor also said that she’s conducting DNA testing on a hat that was found near the crime scene. She said the testing could also lead to a delay.

In 2017, police arrested and charged Jordan Woods with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Johnson’s death. However, the case was dismissed.

According to court documents, Johnson was shot while he was allegedly selling marijuana to an unidentified individual.

Surveillance footage showed three cars leaving the crime scene after the murder. Based on the footage, court documents said that police believed multiple people were involved.

Upshaw is scheduled for a status hearing on March 1.

Murder Indictment Will Be Secured by March, Prosecution Says

On Jan. 22, a prosecutor agreed to an indictment deadline in a murder case.

Eric Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Rondell Wills on the 200 block of 50th Street, NE in 2018. According to court documents, Wills, who was shot in the neck, was not the intended target.

The prosecutor said that an indictment could be secured by March 22.

According to Title 23 of the Code of the District of Columbia, the prosecution has nine months from the date the defendant was arrested to obtain a grand jury indictment. If they fail to obtain an indictment, the case could be dismissed.

During the hearing, defense attorney Blase Kearney requested an Instagram photo of a key witness in the case. The witness, who identified Smith, 19, as the shooter, was allegedly the original target but managed to escape unharmed. The witness, whose identity has not been revealed, is currently charged with an unrelated gun offense.

The prosecutor said the defense could have the photo as long as the witness was given a protective order.

The prosecutor also agreed to hand over any results on DNA testing. However, the prosecutor said the materials, which were not disclosed, had not been tested.

Smith is scheduled for a felony status conference on March 29.

Government Shutdown Delays DNA Testing, Defense Says

A public defender told a judge Jan. 22 that the government shutdown has delayed the defense’s order for DNA testing in a murder case.

Leonard Martino Smith is charged with second-degree murder while armed and a related weapons offense for allegedly stabbing 26-year-old Leonte Butler on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017.

Defense attorney Anthony Matthews said the order was delayed because of ramifications from the government shutdown on the Public Defender’s Service. He did not go into detail about what ramifications. Matthews said the defense planned to test DNA from a witness and Butler’s fingernail clippings.

In December, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson continued Smith’s trial date, which was set for Jan. 22, to November because the defense said they wanted to independently test DNA evidence.

According to court documents, an eyewitness told police Smith was continuously teasing Butler about his speech impediment. Apparently, the witness saw Butler and Smith “playfully pushing” each other on South Capital Street. However, the interaction escalated and Smith pulled out a knife and stabbed Butler multiple times, the witness said.

Smith is scheduled for a status hearing on April 18.

Judge Sentences Man to Time Served for Traffic Fatality

A judge sentenced a murder defendant Jan. 22 to time served. According to the defense, their client was imprisoned for nearly three years, which is the maximum sentence that can be imposed.

In October, Lorenzo Davis pleaded guilty to negligent homicide for his role in the death of 28-year-old Jacqueline Barnes on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015.

According to a proffer of facts, during a rainstorm, Davis, 50, sped down Alabama Avenue, lost control of his car, mounted a curb, crashing into a tree. Apparently, Barnes was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. Davis fled the scene. According to the prosecution, there was no evidence that Davis attempted to stop the car or avoid colliding with the tree.

During the hearing, the prosecution spoke on behalf of Barnes’ family, who was not present during the hearing. According to the prosecution, Barnes has three kids, who struggle emotionally in her absence.

“A human life was taken because of the defendant’s negligence,” the prosecution said.

“She never really had a chance,” Barnes’ aunt told the prosecution. Apparently, Barnes was abandoned by her parents and was ultimately raised by family members. The aunt said Barnes struggled with issues her whole life.

Davis expressed remorse, taking responsibility for his role in Barnes’ death.

Defense attorney Pierce Suen notified the court that his client had been held in prison for 993 days. Suen also said that upon his client’s release, he will be extradited to Maryland for charges stemming from a probation violation.

Prior to delivering her sentence, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson acknowledged Davis’ pending case and noted his criminal history. According to Judge Dayson, Davis has multiple convictions, including a 1996 hit and run and a 1997 attempted murder case.

Davis will serve three years on supervised release.

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