My Summer Internship at D.C. Witness

Stephen Seizilles de Mazancourt interned at D.C. Witness during the Summer of 2018.

When I started my internship at D.C. Witness, I knew it would be an excellent learning opportunity.

The internship provided me with first-hand experience in the DC Superior Court, where I learned about the U.S. judicial system.

Not only did I research the cases I was reporting on, but, to understand court documents, I also spent time researching the previous cases that set important precedents in the U.S. common law system.

While in court, I saw various steps that homicide cases may go through and witnessed various emotional burdens that may fill the courtroom, ranging from family members’ heartrending impact statements to a judge fiercely condemning a defendant who showed pride in obstructing justice.

My internship at D.C. Witness was an invaluable experience that helped me improve my reporting and writing skills.

I found it incredibly rewarding to make progress on these fronts while on a mission to fight against misinformation, and trying to help a community disrupted by crime.

Check out Stephen’s articles, here.

Document: Homicide on Evarts Street, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department found Aug. 23 Travis Barksdale suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 block of Evarts Street, NE.

According to a press release, Barksdale died at a local hospital.

Police are currently 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.

Counsel Questions Witness’s Mental Health

Counsel and a Superior Court judge addressed Aug. 22 the competency of a witness in a murder case. The witness’s mental health issues could be a reason to cancel the defendants’ upcoming trial.

Turell Campbell, 24, and 25-year-old twin brothers Marquete and Marquese Murray are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Isiah Agyekum on the 100 block of Darrington Street, SW in 2015.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.

During a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 22, the prosecution informed Judge Craig Iscoe that an “essential” witness was hospitalized on Aug. 2 because of mental health problems.

Counsel said the witness shouldn’t be allowed to testify if incompetent.

However, if the witness is deemed incompetent, the prosecution said they would likely not be ready to proceed to trial.

Matthew Davies, Kevin Mosley and Brandi Harden, the defendants’ defense attorneys, said the witness’s statements from the night of the murder should also be reconsidered if that witness is found incompetent. The witness apparently provided police with information about 25-year-old Agyekum’s murder.

Judge Iscoe ruled that a competency hearing should be held before a jury is selected. As of Aug. 22, a date for the competency hearing has not been scheduled.

A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Lack of Indictment Forces Judge to Release Murder Defendant

After two failed attempts, a murder defendant was finally released after the prosecution failed to get an indictment before the agreed upon deadline.

Stephon Williams was charged with second-degree murder while armed in 2017 for allegedly shooting Jamar Morris, 28, on the unit block of M Street, NW in 2016.

Williams, 25, requested to be released and placed in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) twice before — on Feb. 1 and again on May 17. DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe initially denied both requests.

On July 27, Judge Iscoe extended the prosecution’s deadline to seek an indictment to Aug. 22.

At that time, Prosecutors said they still needed to find two individuals and could not give a specific date of when they would speak with the witnesses. The prosecution’s status has not changed.

“I have no choice but to release you,” Judge Iscoe told the defendant.

Williams is set to be released on personal recognizance. He will be subject to random drug tests and must report to court sporadically.

He is also scheduled for a status control hearing on Oct. 17.

Document: Police Arrest Another Suspect in 2017 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Aug. 22 a second individual in connection with a homicide that happened days after Christmas in 2017.

Police arrested 22-year-old Marcel Vines and charged him with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Kerrice ” Kay Kay” Lewis, who was a resident of Hyattsville, Md. Police found Lewis in the trunk of a car on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE. According to news reports, the car was on fire.

Police also arrested Ashton Briscoe on Feb. 10. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed as well. Briscoe is being held without bail. His case is awaiting a grand jury. He is scheduled for a felony status conference on Sept. 25.

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

Document: Police Arrest 2nd Suspect in April Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Aug. 21 a second suspect, Kevin Carter, in connection with a homicide that occurred in April.

Carter, 30, is charged with first-degree murder (premeditated) for allegedly assaulting 33-year-old Yusef Turner on April 5 in a laundromat on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Police also arrested Keith Sweptson in April. However, since Sweptson’s arrest, authorities have been vocal about a second suspect.

Sweptson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled on Sept. 17.

According to police documents, a witness said there was a physical altercation between Sweptson and Turner a few days before the homicide. Sweptson tried to pull a gun on the decedent, but it dropped during a scuffle, the witness said.

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

Judge Sentences Man to 15 years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced Aug. 17 a man to 15 years in prison for his involvement in what she called a “senseless” murder.

In May, Demarius Jackson accepted a plea offer and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for the death of 19-year-old Kennedy Amaya-Olivares.

According to a proffer of facts, in July of 2017, Jackson, 25, and his girlfriend and friends went to the DC Waterfront, 3500 block of Water Street, NW, where they encountered Amaya-Olivares and his friends. According to the prosecution, the groups engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated into a “juvenile fight over heated words fueled by summer heat and intoxication.”

The prosecutor said that outside of a broken glass bottle there were no other weapons present at the fight, until Jackson pulled out a gun and shot Amaya-Olivares three times. Jackson also shot an unnamed male twice, he sustained non-life threatening injuries. Police pronounced Amaya-Olivares dead on the scene.

The prosecution asked that Jackson be given the maximum sentence, 16 years.

On Aug. 21, during the sentencing, both Jackson and Amaya-Olivares’ families were present. Amaya-Olivares’ sister spoke on behalf of her family.

“Sixteen years is not enough for us,” she said. “ Life wouldn’t even be enough for us.”

Jackson addressed the court and apologized for his actions. He explained that he initially thought his girlfriend was in danger, but acknowledged that his actions were excessive.

“I made a terrible and rash decision and I’m man enough to admit it,” he said.

Jackson’s defense attorney, Lee Goebes, told the court that his client had an undiagnosed mental illness associated with the grief of losing multiple family members.

Jackson told the court that his little sister died of cancer in 2015 and later that year his cousin was killed from senseless violence. Jackson also said he learned that his uncle had died before going to the Waterfront the night he fatally shot Amaya-Olivares.

Subsequently, Judge Danya Dayson said that the word “senseless” sums up the actions that took place the night of Amaya-Olivares’ murder. Prior to sentencing Jackson, she noted that Jackson was on probation at the time of the shooting, and therefore not permitted to carry a gun.

Following his release, Jackson will serve five years on probation.

Was a 2015 Murder an Act of Self-Defense?

During a status hearing, defense attorneys in a 2015 murder case told a judge that their client acted in self-defense and requested evidence to support their theory.

Brian Jackson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Joshua ” Pooty” Steele on the 600 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Jackson, 29, told police that Steele approached him and started to pick a fight. At first the two engaged in a verbal dispute, but then the fight escalated when Steele punched Jackson in the face and they had to be separated. While apart Steele told Jackson he was going to kill him. Ultimately, the duo fought again and that’s when Jackson allegedly pulled out a pocket knife, stabbed Steele and fled.

On Aug. 16, the defense requested that the prosecution hand over Metropolitan Police Department reports and files as well as any other documents that would support their theory that Jackson acted in self-defense when he allegedly stabbed Steele.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said the prosecution had until Aug. 24 to set a date for when they would have the materials ready to give to the defense.

Jackson is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). John Fowler and Dominique Winters, Jackson’s attorneys, requested that he not be required to have a Global Positioning System (GPS), a device used to track his location.

Fowler argued that Jackson has a job and has been in “perfect compliance” for three years.

Judge Dayson noted the severity of Jackson’s charge and that he does not have a curfew nor is he required to report for drug testing. Judge Dayson said Jackson’s release is under the “least restrictive means” and denied the defense’s request.

Jackson is scheduled for another status hearing on Nov. 30.

Murder Defendant Requests Jury Trial

On Aug. 20, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty and asserted his sixth amendment right to a speedy trial.

Jordan Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Yashika Green on the 200 block of Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

Smith, 32, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and illegal possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

According to court documents, Green, 42, had been smoking cigarettes laced with PCP, a hallucinogenic drug, with Smith’s girlfriend in his apartment when he got into a verbal altercation with her.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Green unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Green was transported to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries four months later.

During an initial interview conducted by MPD detectives, Smith’s girlfriend said she neither knew nor remembered all of the facts leading up to the decedent being injured because she was under the influence of PCP.

During a second interview conducted by MPD detectives, Smith’s girlfriend said she pretended to be high in her initial interview to avoid answering the detectives’ questions because she was concerned for her safety. She said Smith has anger management issues and had been physically abusive to her in the past.

Two weeks after the altercation, MPD detectives interrogated Smith. According to court documents, Smith told police he smoked a significant amount of marijuana and had no recollection of the night of the shooting.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe set the trial date for Nov. 12, 2019.

Former Marine Gets Shorter Sentence After Appeal

Lance Corporal Philip Bushong was fatally stabbed by a fellow Marine in 2012.

After appealing his case, a former Marine received a shorter sentence.

In 2013, a jury found former Marine Michael Poth guilty of voluntary manslaughter for fatally stabbing Philip Bushong, 23, who was also a marine, on the 700 block of 8th Street, SE in 2012.

Poth, 26, was originally sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. However, he was granted a new trial after appealing his case because of a juror’s misconduct. According to the Washington Post, the juror failed to notify the court that he was a registered sex-offender.

Poth pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on July 20, three days before his new trial was scheduled to begin.

On Aug. 17, DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepted the plea deal and sentenced Poth to 7.5 years in prison. After his prison term, Poth will be on supervised release for five years.

“I am sorry that they (the victim’s parents) lost their son,” Poth said during the hearing. “I take full responsibility for my actions.”

In her impact statement, Bushong’s fiancée noted the defendant “only recently accepted his accountability.” She also said she was concerned for Poth’s release.

“Can he be a thoughtful member of our society? Can he live outside, in our society?” she said.

Judge Iscoe also ordered Poth to undergo alcohol evaluations and treatment and attend anger management classes while in prison.

Poth will receive credit for the time he served since his sentencing in 2013.

Both the prison term and supervised release will be carried out in North Carolina, where the defendant’s family lives.

New Counsel Appointed in Murder Case

After appointing new counsel in a 2016 murder case, a DC Superior Court Judge pushed the trial date back a year in order to give the new attroney time to prepare.

William Cunningham, 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.

According to court documents, Cunningham, 31; Butler, 22; and Martin, 21, were allegedly trying to rob a group of individuals when one of the individuals pulled out a gun. A shootout ensued, resulting in the death of Johnson, 19. Another individual from the group sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Cunningham’s attorney, Archie Nichols, filed a motion to withdraw on July 31.

During a status hearing on Aug. 16, Judge Craig Iscoe granted Nichols’ motion and and appointed Kevin Mosley to represent Cunningham.

Subsequently, Judge Iscoe granted Mosley time to get acquainted with the case and advise Cunningham on the plea deals that were extended. Ultimately, the trial, originally scheduled for Sept. 11, was postponed for all three co-defendants.

Although a new trial date has not been scheduled, it is expected to be a year after the original date, according to Judge Iscoe.

Butler and Martin were not present during the hearing, but according to Judge Iscoe they were informed of the hearing. Martin’s defense attorney, Dana Page, was in attendance. Butler’s defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, was not.

A status hearing is scheduled on Aug. 23.

Is Defendant Sane Enough to Waive Insanity?

During a trial readiness hearing, a murder defendant, who a DC Superior Court judge said was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, refused to plead insanity.

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure is charged with felony murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Corrina Mehiel, 34, in an apartment on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Toure, 30, also stole thousands of dollars from Mehiel after her death.

Toure is also charged with first-degree murder, first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, burglary one while armed, robbery while armed, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle and credit card fraud.

Toure was deemed incompetent to stand trial in April of 2017. However, after undergoing court ordered treatment, Toure was ruled competent in September of 2017.

During a previous hearing, the prosecution motioned for a Frendak inquiry, which doesn’t allow the judge to order a defendant to use an insanity defense if the defendant voluntarily chooses not to do so.

On Aug. 15, Judge Juliet McKenna noted that Toure was taking medicine for schizoaffective disorder, but stopped taking the medicine after he was hospitalized in October of 2017. She then questioned Toure about his decision to forgo an insanity defense.

Judge McKenna said her intention in questioning Toure was to make sure the defendant’s choice to assert or forego an insanity defense was an “intelligent, sane decision.”

The judge then granted Toure’s request to forego an insanity defense based on previous reports, case facts and Toure’s behavior in court.

Toure is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Oct. 12. A trial date is set for Feb. 19, 2019.

Murder Trial Pushed Back More Than a Year

Nearly a week before a trial was scheduled to begin, a murder defendant requested to change counsel. As a result, his trial date will be pushed back more than a year.

Sean Hurd is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Antonio Bryant on the 3300 block of D Street, SE in 2015. Bryant, 28, was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to court documents, Hurd, 22, was wearing a Global Positioning System (GPS), which tracked his movement on the night of Bryant’s murder. Apparently, Hurd’s GPS placed him six feet from where police found Bryant suffering from gunshot wounds.

On Aug. 15, Hurd requested one of his lawyers, Carol Blume, to step down. Both Blume and Hurd spoke to DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson under seal about Hurd’s rationale for dismissing counsel.

Before granting his request, Judge Dayson informed Hurd that by changing counsel there’s a possibility that his trial, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 23, would be pushed back in order to give his new attorney time to prepare. Judge Dayson also told Hurd her next trial vacancy wouldn’t be until 2019.

Per Hurd’s request, the lawyer that was second-chair to Blume, Stephen Brennwald, will now serve as his sole lawyer. Judge Dayson set Hurd’s new trial date for Dec. 9, 2019.

Hurd is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 26, when counsel is expected to notify the court of how they would like to proceed with the case.

MPD Announces Names of Skeletal Remains

The Metropolitan Police Department announced the names of the three women whose skeletal remains were found on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE in April.

During a press conference Aug. 15, Police Chief Peter Newsham identified the three women as 48-year-old Jewel King, 41-year-old Verdell Jefferson and 43-year-old Dorothy Butts.

According to Newsham, the cause of death for King and Butts were gunshot wounds, and Jefferson’s death was deemed the result of blunt force trauma. Furthermore, Newsham said two of the women were killed by “at least one suspect or circumstance” based on how they were found.

When asked if the suspect was a serial killer, Newsham said the MPD was not ruling that out. Newsham noted that all three victims were women, found in the same area and killed in the same year, 2006. Newsham said there were no other links between the three deaths.

While the police have no persons of interest at this time, MPD is asking the community for help as their investigation continues.

“If you knew any one of these women, if you frequented the area or lived in the area,” Newsham said.” If you were a delivery person or a mail carrier or any of the like, and you were in the area during the year of 2006 you may have a bit of information that could be of help.”

MPD is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved in this case.

https://youtu.be/FH6XgXeLRoQ

Murder Defendant Accepts Plea Deal for 2016 Homicide

A murder defendant accepted a plea deal that downgraded his charges from first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence to second-degree murder while armed.

Bikila “Ethy” Kejella allegedly shot Eric Garrett in the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW in 2016.

On Aug. 15, Kejella pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed.

According to a proffer of facts, Kejella, 19, approached a group of individuals who were in a courtyard near a parking lot on 11th Street in search of a cigarette. As Garrett, 23, walked from the courtyard to the parking lot, Kejella approached him. Kejella shot Garrett multiple times in the head and neck.

A motive has not been established at this time.

Per the terms of the plea, the prosecution dropped Kejella’s first-degree murder and gun possession charges. According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Kejella could face between 14 and 19 years in prison.

Kejella’s sentencing hearing is scheduled on Jan. 11, 2019.

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