Teen Charged as Adult in July Shooting

A judge found probable cause and ordered a teenager held without bond Oct.4 for his alleged involvement in a summer homicide.

Dajuan Jones, 17, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Cheyenne Washington on the 4400 block of E Street, SE on July 18.

Part of the evidence collected in the case is of surveillance footage from a Metropolitan Bus and from a camera at the Benning Heights Cooperative apartment complex. A detective with the Metropolitan Police Department said the videos were consistent with the time of the murder. The videos show all of the parties involved.

Videos from the bus captured Jones boarding with friends. Washington, 26, is seen boarding minutes later. Minutes before the shooting, Washington is seen exiting the bus. Jones and a friend also exit. All of the men seem to walk in the same direction.

According to the detective, a weapon was not located, but the camera footage depicts that Jones had a bulge in his pants when exiting the bus.

No one can identify Jones as the shooter, the detective told DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff.

Jones is scheduled for a felony status conference on Oct. 10.

Jury Convicts Murder Defendant for 2016 Homicide

After a nearly two week trial, a jury found a murder defendant guilty Oct. 3, hours after counsel delivered closing arguments.

Babajide Pittman was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and related firearm charges for shooting 27-year-old Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016.

According to court documents, the men met near 7th and L Street, SE. After an argument, Pittman, 31, opened fire, hitting the decedent eight times. Young’s girlfriend was also struck in the leg.

During closing statements, the defense reiterated that Pittman acted in self-defense. Pittman’s attorney, Anthony Matthews, noted that both Young and Pittman were carrying guns on the day of the murder. According to Matthews, Young was carrying a gun because he wanted to confront Pittman.

Matthews said Pittman saw the decedent pulling out a gun when his back was turned, noting that Young could not have been entering the car based on the position of his body. However, according to court documents, a witness said the decedent was entering the car.

Apparently, Pittman fled the scene. According to Matthews, it was “human nature” for Pittman to run because he did not want to get caught.

Following the defense’s closing arguments, the prosecution addressed the jury and said, “Talk about a fairytale.”

The prosecution argued that Young was not trying to confront the defendant and instead wanted to leave. “Don’t call me again; I don’t want anything to do with what y’all got going on,” the prosecutor said recounting the decedent’s last words.

The prosecution emphasized Pittman’s lack of remorse because he fled the crime scene right away and changed his appearance following the shooting.

“Guilty people run away; innocent people stay,” the prosecution said.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Barcode Stabbing

During a status hearing Oct. 3, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing one man and injuring another at a nightclub in downtown Washington, DC.

Antoine Byrd pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for the stabbing death of 29-year-old Robinson Pal at Barcode, a club located on the 1100 block of 17th Street, NW, in 2016.

The prosecution said Byrd, 38, threatened Pal before the stabbing. “I’m going to kill you,” the prosecution said Byrd told Pal. The prosecution also noted that, during the fight, Byrd stabbed another man in his thumb.

According to the prosecution, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Pal lying on the floor suffering from an apparent stab wound to the chest. They also found a bloody knife lying on the floor near the decedent’s body.

Byrd was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed. Per the agreement, the prosecution agreed to drop Byrd’s first-degree murder charge and the additional assault charge. Byrd could serve 10-13 years in prison if DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepts the plea.

Byrd is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2019.

Murder Trial: Witness Confirms Decedent’s Involvement in 2015 Shooting

During a murder trial Oct. 2, a witness for the defense testified about an earlier shooting that involved him and the decedent.

The witness told the jury that Anthony Young was allegedly involved in an unrelated shootout between two warring neighborhoods on the 2600 block of Douglass Place, SE in 2015.

Babajide Pittman, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Young, 27, on the 600 block of L Street, SE nearly a year later. Pittman’s defense team said their client thought Young was going to kill him.

Apparently, Pittman’s ex-wife told him that Young was involved in the unrelated shooting.

The witness, who is currently incarcerated, said the shootout occurred between members of the Washington View and Oxford Manor neighborhoods at an Independence Day barbeque. He said there was “bad blood” between members of the neighborhoods. The “bad blood” apparently came from a conflict in a dice game.

“We knew there was a great possibility something would go down,” the witness said.

The witness said members of the Washington View neighborhood beat up one of the Oxford Manor neighborhood members and took his money.

Counsel expects to proceed with closing statements on Oct. 3.

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

Prosecution Argues Decedent Was A “Marked Man”

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said that neighborhood rhetoric toward “snitches” made the decedent a “marked man.”

The defendant, Anthony Waters is charged with first-degree murder while armed and related gun charges for the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Derrick Harris on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE in 2010.

On Oct. 2, the prosecution informed a 16-member jury that Waters and Harris, 51, were both from the Parkchester neighborhood in Southeast DC. She also noted that Harris testified against Waters’ best friend in a 1988 murder trial. According to the prosecution, people in the neighborhood do not favor people who are “hot” or a “snitch.”

Apparently, Harris stayed away from the neighborhood until the day he was murdered. According to Harris’ wife, who testified after opening arguments, Harris was in the neighborhood helping a friend move a table.

When Harris was in the neighborhood Waters confronted him, punched him in the face and told him “I bet not see you when I get back or I’m going to kill you,” according to the prosecution. A short while later a man in a white tank top and tan shorts wearing a black ski mask confronted Harris and shot him once in the head and five times in the back.

The prosecution said three witnesses saw the murder from their apartment. Apparently, one witness said the shooter walked around the corner and took off his mask. The witness identified the shooter as Waters.

The defense argued that the three eye-witnesses are “seriously flawed persons,” citing that all three were avid drug users. Also, the defense said one of the witnesses was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and was not taking medicine for either diagnosis at the time of the murder.

The defense said Waters couldn’t have committed the murder because he could account for his whereabouts. According to the defense, at the time of the murder Waters was on Wade Road, a short distance from where the murder occurred.

The trial is scheduled to resume Oct. 3.

Homicides Up 100+ Percent in September

August reflected a low number of homicides in the District of Columbia, suggesting that maybe the Metropolitan Police Department finally initiated a homicide prevention solution that worked. But, the sense of security was short-lived as September more than doubled the number of murders in August.

According to D.C. Witness data, there was a 125 percent increase in homicides from eight in August to 18 in September.

September’s deadly trend also included a deadly transition to fall with six people murdered during the weekend summer ended.

The most profiled homicide cases of the month, included Wendy Karina Martinez, a 35-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed Sept. 18 when she went for a jog around her Logan Circle neighborhood in Northwest DC. Police arrested 23-year-old Anthony Crawford the next day and charged him with second-degree murder while armed. Crawford, who is currently in custody at DC Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 11.

Another highly profiled case was of Taquan Pinkney, an 18-year-old who was shot to death on Sept. 9 in the Buena Vista neighborhood in Southeast DC. Police arrested Oct. 1 Elijah Jarmon, 17. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 19.

Other cases included the deaths of 42-year-old William Hayworth; Wilbert Brooks, 27; Kaquan Young, 27; and 13 other individuals.

Altogether, D.C. Witness data shows that police arrested suspects in connection with four homicide cases in September.

Follow D.C. Witness for updates on these cases.

Co-defendants Plead Guilty to 2016 Homicide

During a status hearing Oct. 1, co-defendants in a murder case entered a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Justin Robinson and Kevin Grover were charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for their involvement in the shooting of 22-year-old Demetrius Medlay on the 3100 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE in 2016.

According to a proffer of facts, Medlay was leaving Smiley Mart, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, when he and Robinson, 19, bumped shoulders on the street. The two argued and Robinson ultimately got in his car and left. Apparently, Robinson came back with a gun, saw Medlay and told him “ya’ll better not be here when I get back.”

Shortly after, Grover, 26, arrived on Martin Luther King Avenue, approached a crowd of people, including Medlay, and asked “Who just got into it with my man?” Medlay responded that he didn’t know. Grover then followed Medlay and shot him twice in the chest.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, Robinson pleaded guilty to assault with the intent to kill and in return, the prosecution agreed to waive Robinson’s other charges. Robinson could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff accepts the plea.

Grover pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the prosecution agreed to drop his remaining charges as well. Grover could face between 16 and 20 years in prison if Judge Bartnoff decides to accept his plea.

Grover and Robinson are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant After Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge released Oct. 1 a murder defendant on personal recognizance after she was formally indicted for her alleged role in the fatal shooting of a man police found in a wooded area in 2017.

Shaniah Davis is charged with being an accessory after the fact. According to the grand jury, Davis allegedly hid evidence and knowingly assisted John McRae with concealing the shooting of Marty McMillan on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

McRae is charged with first-degree murder.

Court documents state that McMillan, 22, was reported missing in April of 2017. Nearly six months later, police found McMillan’s body wrapped in a floral comforter in Forestville, Md. During the investigation, McMillan’s family members told Metropolitan Police Department detectives that the decedent used a dating website to talk and meet with a woman who was supposedly in a relationship with McRae, 41, and another individual. It is unclear if the woman is Davis.

Initially, the woman said she didn’t know McMillan. However, in a later interview, the woman said she had sex with McMillan and admitted to being untruthful because she was scared for her safety.

The woman also told detectives that McRae came home early from work and found McMillan in her room, according to the documents. The woman said she heard gunshots from the room after McRae entered. Following the gunshots, the woman said McRae physically assaulted her and told her to clean up the area where the shooting occurred.

Davis is scheduled for a status hearing, along with McRae, on Nov. 2.

Continue following D.C. Witness for further updates regarding the case.

Murder Defendant Maintains Self Defense Claim

A murder defendant maintained his self defense claim as he told Sept. 29 a jury about the events that led up to a fatal shooting that occurred nearly two years ago.

Babajide Pittman is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016.

According to the defendant, the confrontation between the men began when Pittman’s ex-wife accused him of statements he allegedly told a doctor about a medical procedure for her. Apparently, Young assisted Pittman and his ex-wife when she needed medical attention after blacking out from drinking.

Pittman said Young told the ex-wife about statements he overheard Pittman telling the doctor. It seems that Pittman disagreed with Young sharing details in that conversation with his ex-wife.

Pittman said Young approached him while he was on his way to the train after filling a prescription at a CVS drugstore in the area. An argument ensued and he told the decedent, “matter of fact, get up off my side of town.”

Pittman said when Young opened the passenger door of a vehicle, he thought the decedent was reaching for a gun. Pittman said he got scared and shot Young. Court documents state that Pittman shot Young 12 times and his girlfriend once.

Police recovered a .40 caliber Glock from Young, according to court documents. Police also recovered ten .45 caliber shell casing from the corner of 7th and L Streets, SE.

“I just shot until he stopped moving,” Pittman said.

According to the bullet holes in the car, all shots came from outside the vehicle, a firearms expert told the jury.

Document: Homicide on U Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide that occurred on the 1600 block of U Street, SE on Sept. 29.

According to a press release, 28 year-old Henry Isaacs was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Police are currently 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.

Phone Activity Between Defendant, Victim Precede Shooting

Phone activity between the defendant and the man he allegedly shot was the focus in a District of Columbia courtroom Sept 27.

Babajide Pittman is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016.

The prosecution presented phone records which showed Pittman, 31, and Young, 27, exchanging several calls hours before Young was killed.

Court documents and witness testimony also show that Pittman and Young were engaged in an ongoing dispute from an incident a few weeks before the homicide.

“Like I thought nigga, you can’t be lookin for me,” Young texted, after he could not reach Pittman, on the morning of Nov. 27, 2016. “Stop bluffing. Keep my name out your MF mouth.”

Multiple witnesses told the jury they saw two men arguing on the corner of 7th and L streets shortly before hearing shots. However, the witnesses couldn’t identify Pittman as the shooter.

According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department officer recovered a gun from Young’s waistband when he arrived on the scene.

A forensic analyst said the weapon only matched Young’s DNA.

The defense is claiming self-defense on the grounds that Young was the aggressor by seeking out the defendant while in possession of a firearm.

Trial is scheduled to resume on Sept. 28.

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

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Summer Homicide

A District of Columbia magistrate judge found probable cause and ordered a teenager held without bond Sept. 28 for his alleged involvement in a summer homicide.

Kewon Hunter is charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Dion Boyd on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE in July.

A lawyer on behalf of Hunter, 19, argued against the probable cause finding noting that officers on the case relied on “street gossip” and a general identification that noted the suspect had an afro, a black sweatshirt and pants.

The prosecutor agreed that the identification was “circumstantial”; however, she argued other evidence solidified the government’s position. According to the prosecution, the defendant’s phone has a picture of him wearing a black sweatshirt and pants and holding a gun.

Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause based on the “number of corroborated factors” cited in documents detailing the police’s investigation. Furthermore, she ordered Hunter held without bond and noted that the defendant is currently charged with burglary while armed in an unrelated case that was opened on Sept. 7.

Hunter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 19.

D.C. Witness Releases First Newsletter

In an effort to help District of Columbia residents become more aware of the homicides occurring in their city, D.C. Witness will begin delivering a monthly newsletter to readers that will include all of the most striking statistics and stories of that time period.

D.C. Witness hopes the newsletter will provide more information and perspective.

The first newsletter will look at the District of Columbia’s deadly summer, where 39 homicides took place between June 21 and Sept. 22. It also previews an editor’s note on the Daron Wint trial and articles on current cases.

Anyone interested in receiving the newsletter can put their information in the fields under the newsletter tab, which is linked here.

D.C. Witness respects the privacy of each reader. We will not share, sell or give your email address to any parties. We will only use your email address to distribute D.C. Witness content.

Sign up for the newsletter, today!

Judge Finds Substantial Probability Against Murder Defendant

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge found substantial probability Sept. 27 that a defendant fatally stabbed a man shortly after an altercation.

Policarpo Casarrubias-Rodriguez, who is a Mexican native, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Israel Gomez over a dispute about a dining room chair on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW on Sept. 9.

According to court documents, police responded to 16th Street and found Gomez, 37, unconscious and lying on the floor in a pool of blood. They also found Casarrubias, 44, sitting in a chair next to the victim’s body. He allegedly drank more than 18 beers before the homicide.

A detective on the case told Judge Judith Bartnoff that a witness saw the defendant remove a knife from the decedent’s back.

Casarrubias’ defense attorney, Lee Goebes, argued for self-defense, saying the evidence is more in alignment with voluntary manslaughter and not first-degree murder. According to Goebes, Casarrubias was trying to defend himself during a second altercation. However, the detective said there was no evidence available to indicate that another altercation took place.

Judge Bartnoff, did not accept Casarrubias’ self defense claim. According to the judge, the stabbing occurred after the fight when the defendant went to his backpack to retrieve a knife, displaying premeditation and deliberate conduct. The judge also said the defendant confessed to the crime during his post-arrest interview with MPD detectives.

Even though Casarrubias has no prior felony charges, the judge ordered him held without bond because, due to the nature of the offense, he poses a danger to the community. Judge Bartnoff also said she is concerned Casarrubias could be a flight risk.

Casarrubias is scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 9.

Defendant Waives Right to DNA Testing

During a status hearing Sept. 27, a murder defendant waived his right for additional DNA testing.

Deangelo Thorne is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Waliyatou Amadou on the 1400 block of W Street, NW in 2017.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Thorne, 27, “hitting” Amadou multiple times in the torso area.

In addition to the footage, a GPS monitoring device placed Thorne at the scene of the crime at the time of the homicide.

A status hearing is scheduled on March 15, 2019. Thorne’s trial is scheduled on Aug. 5, 2019.

Continue following D.C. Witness for further updates.

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