My time as a D.C. Witness intern has been extremely rewarding and educational. It is my goal to eventually become a prosecutor, and I think my time at D.C. Witness has furthered this goal.
By watching numerous court cases, I learned a lot about the legal system.
For one, I have been able to learn about the different types of proceedings that occur. Also, this internship has improved my critical thinking skills. After watching so many lawyers argue their cases, I have become better equipped at forming arguments. Overall, this internship has better prepared me for law school and for a future profession as a prosecutor.
Through this internship, I feel as though I have contributed to society. My articles help keep the public informed about the murders that have occurred in DC. I am able to keep the public up to date on what is happening in specific trials. Furthermore, my involvement in the fall Gun Retrieval Project has helped inform the public of murder trends and gun retrieval trends.
I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work at D.C. Witness and I will use the skills and knowledge I have gained from this experience for the rest of my life.
Emily Mariano interned at D.C. Witness during the Fall of 2018.
Minutes before a man was scheduled to be sentenced for causing the death of a passenger in his car, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge granted a continuance.
In October, Lorenzo Davis pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in connection to the death of 28-year-old Jacqueline Barnes on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015.
Davis is now scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22.
On Jan. 3, D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the continuance saying, the defense needs time to seek clarification about information contained in Davis’ presentencing report.
According to a proffer of facts, on the night of the murder, it was raining when Davis, 50, sped down Alabama Avenue, lost control of the car, mounted a curb and crashed 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.
Davis will continue to be held without bond pending sentencing.
During a status hearing, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge deemed a murder defendant competent to stand trial.
Malik Hewitt, along with his codefendant Nyekemia Everett, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017. According to court documents, Everett, 33, and Hewitt, 38, allegedly planned to rob Heard but shot him during the process.
On Jan. 3, the defense said they were not challenging a report that said Hewitt, 38, was competent. D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Danya Dayson received a medical report that stated Hewitt is competent, understands his charges and is merely “malingering for secondary gain.” However, defense counsel requested an independent mental evaluation.
The prosecution also charged Hewitt with obstruction of justice during the hearing.
Hewitt and Everett also chose to waive their right to test evidence in the case. According to the prosecution, the government tested a revolver, water bottle, skull cap and a pair of pants and a jack, which apparently belonged to Everett.
Both men, who are being held without bond, are scheduled for a motions hearing on Feb. 8. The codefendants are slated to go to trial on March 4.
A District of Columbia Superior Court judge sentenced Jan. 2 a murder defendant to 19.5 years in prison per the terms of a plea agreement. But, the victim’s family said the plea was a “cop out.”
Welch’s family and friends expressed discontent for the plea agreement, saying they didn’t think the government should’ve extended an offer. Welch’s sister said the plea agreement was a “cop out” and a “walk in the park.”
“My brother has five kids,” the sister said. “He’ll never be able to teach them how to be men.”
Welch’s brother addressed the court saying he served a prison sentence for murder and knows that 19.5 years is not enough time. “That blood is stained on your hands forever,” he said.
“As you sit in that cage,” the brother continued. “You’ll realize you wish you could take it back.”
Brown’s co-defendant and former girlfriend Amanda Turner pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and threat to kidnap or injure a person. Turner, 41, is slated to be sentenced on March 8.
According to court documents, a witness told police they saw Brown, 30, park a black car in a parking lot on Harvard Street and Welch park a white car in the same parking lot shortly after.
Apparently, Brown got out of the car with a gun and fired a single shot into the white car. The prosecution said Welch’s pregnant girlfriend and 4-year-old son were both in the car during the shooting.
D.C. Witness previously reported that Turner threatened a witness, saying the person was “next.” According to the prosecution, Turner also sent threatening text messages to another witness and attempted to bribe witnesses with drugs.
Welch’s mother spoke directly to Brown and said she doesn’t hate him. Instead, the mother said she holds Turner responsible for her son’s death. According to the mother, Turner manipulated Brown into killing her son.
Subsequently, the prosecution acknowledged the family’s discontent with the plea agreement but said one of the eyewitnesses had mental difficulties that may have impacted the jury’s decision. The prosecutor said it takes one juror to cause a mistrial or acquittal.
Prior to sentencing Brown, Judge Ronna Beck gave her condolences to the family and said that a sentence is not the “valuation of a life.” She also echoed the prosecution’s explanation about trial outcomes, saying that a lot of cases that appear to be strong result in a hung jury or acquittal and can be dragged on for years. Judge Beck noted that the process can take a toll on witnesses and family members, among others.
Brown will serve five years on supervised release following his release from prison.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on the 4200 block of Barnaby Road, SE.
According to a press release, officers arrived on the scene and found 19-year-old Shamar Marbury suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on Jan. 1. Marbury was brought to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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 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.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man Dec. 29 in connection to fatally shooting two men in Northeast DC.
According to a press release, 41-year-old Alphonso Walker was charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Dalonte Wilson and 44-year-old Antone Brown on the 400 block of 61st Street, NE in April.
On Dec. 28, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 22-year-old man in connection to the death of another 22-year-old man in Northeast DC.
According to a press release, Barry Marable, a resident of Northeast DC, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Roger Marmet on Oct. 24.
Marable is being held without bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11, 2019.
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide that occurred on the 5700 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
According to a press release, officers found 20-year-old Darryl O’Brien inside a vehicle on Dec. 25 suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at a local hospital on Dec. 27.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in DC. Anyone with information about the 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 status hearing, a District of Columbia Superior Court judge denied the defense’s motion for an acquittal. Instead, the judge scheduled a convicted murderer to be sentenced next year.
Jones, 38, was also convicted of reckless driving and leaving after colliding in connection to Ellis’ death. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2019.
On Dec. 21, Judge Ronna Beck denied the defense’s request because a detective on the case testified that the defendant was speeding and driving recklessly, which led to Ellis’ death.
During a post-disposition status hearing, a convicted murderer’s defense counsel motioned for a new trial.
Dawan Felder
In 2012, Darnell Leon Hawkins was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for shooting Dawan Anthony Felder on the 5000 block of D Street, SE two years prior.
Hawkins is currently carrying out a 47-year sentence at the Atwater United States Penitentiary in California.
In February, the defense motioned for a new trial, saying the defendant’s previous attorney, Dorsey Jones, gave ineffective assistance during the trial.
On Dec. 21, Hawkin’s defense attorney, Thomas Healy, notified the court that he planned to call Jones and potentially a few other unnamed individuals to testify during an evidentiary hearing. Healy said the hearing should take a maximum of four hours.
In turn, the prosecution said they only planned to call Jones as their witness. The prosecutor said she also plans to submit paperwork in order to facilitate the defendant’s travel from California to Washington, DC for the hearing.
The post conviction evidentiary hearing is scheduled on April 19, 2019.
During a preliminary hearing Dec. 19, a D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause that a 22-year-old man was involved in a September homicide.
Rickie Collier is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 25-year-old Marquiawn Williams on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE. Collier is being held without bond.
During the hearing, the lead detective on the case told the court that the defendant and victim didn’t know each other and that the altercation began because Williams was staring at Collier. Apparently, without using names Collier confessed to the shooting, saying he “took that person’s life.”
The prosecution played area surveillance footage of the crime scene, showing Collier and Williams engaging in a verbal altercation, which ultimately became physical. At one point, in the video, the victim is shown making an arm gesture toward his pants.
The prosecution said Williams was picking up his pants.
The prosecution also pointed out that another individual on the scene separated the victim and defendant and that’s when the defendant chose to arm himself. Apparently, the two men began fighting again after they were separated, and that’s when Collier allegedly shot Williams.
However, the defense said her client believed Williams was reaching for a gun, but the detective said the victim did not have a weapon.
Defense attorney, Judith Pipe, said her client was acting in self-defense and while the victim may not have been armed, her client didn’t know, at the time, and therefore acted accordingly.
During a police interview, Collier said he was shot at seven times over the past couple of years and that he was on Benning Road, on the day of the murder, attempting to “clear his name.” Apparently, the night before the murder, there was a shooting in the area and four people were injured. Collier said he wasn’t involved, but that other people in the area thought he was.
Judge Ronna Beck found probable cause, referencing Collier’s actions to arm himself after the two men had been separated. She said the defendant tested positive for cocaine when he was arrested and also has a criminal history, including a 2013 conviction for an armed assault. Apparently, the defendant was on supervised release at the time of the murder.
Collier is scheduled for a felony status conference on March 22, 2019.
In September, the District tallied 22 homicides and of that number 15 were the result of gun violence. Of the 23 homicides that took place in October, 17 were gun-related. And of the 11 homicides that occurred in November, nine were the result of gun violence while the remaining two were a stabbing and a trauma-related case. As of Dec. 21, police have arrested suspects in five of the homicides.
Nazir Ahmad
On Nov. 3, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 68-year-old Nazir Ahmad suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE. Police arrested and charged Demetrius Pierce with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in Ahmad’s death, which police say was a burglary gone wrong. Pierce, 32, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11, 2019.
Dewayne Weaver
Two days later, Dewayne Weaver was found fatally shot on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE. Weaver, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case.
Gibril Turner
On Nov. 6, police found 22-year-old Gibril Turner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3900 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Turner was pronounced dead on the scene. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case.
A day later, officers responded to the Unit block of Ga lveston Place, SW
Eugene Johnson
and found two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Eugene Johnson, 37, was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was brought to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case.
Jelani Mohammed
On Nov. 8, Jelani Mohammed, 38, was found on the 1500 block of Benning Rod, NE suffering from a fatal stab wound. Police arrested and charged Dale Thomas and Donnell Mills with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Mohammed’s death. Mills, 29, and Thomas, 28, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 17, 2019.
Javon Smith
On Nov. 15, police found 26-year-old Javon Smith suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 2100 block of 8th Street, NW. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case.
Dwight Banks
Three days later, Dwight Banks was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 800 block of Jefferson Street, NW. Police have not arrested any suspects in the case.
Randall Francis
On Nov. 26, police responded to the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE and found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Randall Francis, 20, was pronounced dead on the scene. The other victim was brought to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police arrested and charged Malik Morris with premeditated first-degree murder while armed in connection to Francis’ death. Morris, 20, is awaiting presentment.
Later that same day, police found Noe Alberto Gallardo Ponce, 22, unconscious and unresponsive in a row house on the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW. William Alexander Marrouquin Gallardo, his cousin, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to his cousin’s death. Gallardo, 24, is scheduled for a felony status conference March 8, 2019.
Samuel Lee Smith
On Nov. 28, police responded to an area hospital and located 23-year-old Samuel Lee Smith suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police say the shooting took place on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW. Police have not arrested any suspects.
Nya Howard-Reynolds
The final homicide of the month occurred minutes before the start of December, when officers found 19-year-old Nya Howard-Reynolds suffering from a gunshot wound on the Unit Block of 57th Place, SE.
Police arrested and charged Robert Theodore Smith with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Howard- Reynolds death. Smith, 22, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 7, 2019.
After being held in jail for nearly three years and undergoing a mistrial, a man was found not guilty of murder on Dec. 20.
Eric McDuffie was charged with first-degree murder while armed and a related gun offense for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Antonio McCallister on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2015.
McDuffie, 27, was initially tried in April; however, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision. According to DC Courts, the second trial was nearly declared a mistrial. Apparently, the jury submitted a note indicating they were at a deadlock hours before delivering their not guilty verdict.
McCallister’s mother told the jury that on the night of the murder she was within feet of her son when he was shot. Apparently, she saw McDuffie behind him. She also added that she caught her son and that he said he loved her.
However, a medical examiner from the Office of the Chief Medical of the District of Columbia said McCallister’s injuries were consistent with him falling “flat on his face.” She also said the victim couldn’t have spoken after he was shot because his spinal cord was injured.
During her testimony, the medical examiner walked the jury through the defendant’s injuries, including the single gunshot wound to the back of his head. The examiner’s testimony directly contradicted the testimony of another eyewitness, who said she heard two gunshots and saw two muzzle flashes.
The same eyewitness said she received threatening messages when it became public knowledge that she was going to testify.
But, both the victim’s mother and the eyewitness used PCP, a mind-altering drug, which was repeatedly mentioned throughout the trial. Apparently, both witnesses have a history of smoking dippers, cigarettes laced in PCP.
The mother, who is diagnosed with manic depression, was apparently prescribed multiple medications. However, she wasn’t taking them on the night of the murder. A physician said that if the mother’s diagnosis went untreated she could experience confused thinking and hallucinations. Coupled with PCP and alcohol, the doctor said the mother’s symptoms could have been exacerbated.
The prosecution addressed the mother’s inconsistencies by saying she was in denial when her son died. The prosecution also argued that it was “wishful thinking” that the mother heard her son speak, but that it doesn’t discredit the rest of her testimony. The prosecution further added that the physician never treated the mother and was basing his testimony on outdated health records.
Prior to delivering closing arguments, the defense told the jury that the police failed to fully investigate another potential suspect. According to the defense, a 6-year-old boy gave a police officer the name of the alleged shooter. Multiple detectives on the case, including the lead detective, said they didn’t follow-up with the 6-year-old boy.
On Dec. 20, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to the shooting death of a 34-year-old man.
According to a press release, police arrested and charged MacArthur Venable with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting James Eric Ferrell on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE in October.
