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DC’s Not Guilty Verdicts

Although the number of not guilty verdicts has been slim over the years, there have been seven people found innocent of murder in Washington, DC since 2016.

As of July 31, four cases resulted in not guilty findings in 2018, two not guilty verdicts were rendered in 2017 and one in 2016. Ninety-seven homicide cases have reached a verdict in DC Superior Court since 2016, according to D.C. Witness data.

An overview of each case, presented below, details the charge and when the defendant was deemed not guilty.

On June 28, Andre Joyner was found not guilty of second-degree murder while armed for the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Jamie Washington. However, Joyner, 27, was found guilty of tampering with evidence for getting rid of his clothes from the night of the murder.

During his trial, Joyner’s defense attempted to shift the blame to Joyner’s ex-girlfriend, who was a cooperating witness. Joyner’s attorney claimed the girlfriend killed Washington because she was angry, under the influence of alcohol and motivated by the belief that Washington stole her laptop.

On April 12, about a week and a half after Vernon Hedrick‘s murder trial began, a jury found him not guilty for the 2014 shooting death of 26-year-old Titus Jackson.

According to Hedrick’s defense, the prosecution charged the wrong man with first-degree murder while armed. Hedrick’s attorney said one of the prosecution’s witnesses told detectives multiple stories over the course of three interviews, which showed he was actually the killer. It’s unclear if the witness was ever charged with Jackson’s murder.

Hedrick is still being held, serving an accumulated four year sentence for two unrelated cases.

On March 22, a jury found Harold Marshall not guilty for the fatal stabbing of Tyrone Moore.

Marshall’s defense argued that he was defending his sister, who was in an abusive relationship with Moore.

Jurors found reasonable doubt that Marshall maliciously killed Moore.

On March 8, a jury found Demetrius Brandon, 30, not guilty of murder or possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Marcus Manor.

Brandon was charged with first-degree murder while armed for assisting Kevin Chase in killing his sister’s abusive ex-boyfriend.  On March 12, Chase’s case resulted in a mistrial. He is scheduled for a retrial on Jan. 29, 2019.

On March 30, 2017, a jury found 21-year-old Dujuan Garris not guilty of shooting and killing 27-year-old James Anderson in 2015.

Garris’ defense suggested a drug gang was at fault for Anderson’s murder and claimed negligence on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department for not wearing gloves while handling evidence.

During Garris’ trial, the defense revealed that police failed to disclose information about other potential suspects.

In 2017, Rashad Lamont Allen was found not guilty for the shooting death of 32-year-old David Troy Simmons in 2015.

Allen’s defense argued, during a two-week trial, that Allen could not be the shooter because police did not recover a gun or DNA evidence. Allen admitted to being at the scene, but defense counsel said the shooter had to have been someone else. In addition, no witnesses ever testified to seeing Allen with a gun.

Herbert Hines was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed for the 2015 stabbing death of 24-year-old Stephon Clark. After a nine-day trial, a jury found Hines not guilty of any murder charges on September 30, 2016.

Hines was the only homicide defendant found not guilty in 2016.

Thamar Bailey and Owen Meech contributed to this report.

Document: 2 Fatal Shootings in DC on Monday

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating two homicides that occurred on July 30.

The first homicide was the fatal shooting of DC-resident Dion DeMarco Boyd on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. Officers found Boyd, 21, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at 5:25 p.m. He was transferred to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The second homicide, another shooting, occurred on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE.

According to the police, officers found 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young, a resident of District Heights, Md., suffering from an apparent gunshot wound at 5:49 p.m. He was taken to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injury.

After investigating the scene further, officers also found another male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The second victim was treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Police did not indicate any relation between the homicides.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in either case or any other homicide case in DC.

Follow D.C. Witness for updates on both shootings.





Document: Police Search for Suspect in 4th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for 28-year-old Marcus Whitaker in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old David Hart.

Whitaker is described as a black male, approximately 5’11″ in height, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He is currently wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for second-degree murder while armed. Authorities say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

According to a press release, Hart was found July 27 suffering from gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE.

Up to a $25,000 is being offered for information that can lead to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC.



Is Doc’s Report on Murder Defendant’s Mental State Correct?

Defense attorneys said their client was not capable of responding to a plea bargain despite being deemed competent by a doctor in June.

Deangelo Thorne pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Waliyatou Amadou on Jan. 8, 2017. Coordinates from a GPS monitor placed Thorne, 28, at the scene of the murder on the 1400 block of W Street, NW in 2017. Thorne was wearing the device as part of an unrelated conviction for drug charges.

In April, psychiatrists who examined Thorne asked that he be sent to a hospital in order to receive treatment and an additional evaluations. Several weeks later, according to a report from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, Thorne had improved and became competent with the help of treatment.

Still, defense attorneys said they were not confident that Thorne was mentally equipped to proceed. DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff said the doctor who evaluated Thorne knew him well, which gave her additional confidence in the report.

After a bench conference, Judge Bartnoff ordered that Thorne should return to the mental health unit at DC Jail. Judge Bartnoff also ordered that another mental observation hearing be conducted on Sept.13.

“I’m going to give the defense a chance to study this further,” Judge Bartnoff said. “We’ll see if we have a dispute.”

Is There Another Suspect in Quadruple Mansion Killings?

The Washington Post reports that defense attorneys say they plan to introduce evidence that points to another suspect responsible for the homicides of Savvas Savopoulos, 46;  his wife, Amy, 47; their son Philip, 10; and one of their housekeepers, Veralicia Figueroa, 57 on the 3200 block of Woodland Drive NW in 2015.

 

 

Document: Homicide on 4th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE.

On July 27, officers found 22 year-old David Hart suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC.



Document: Police Arrest Suspect in 14th Street, NW Homicide

On July 27, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Alton Rivers for the fatal stabbing of Anthony Anderson on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW.

According to a press release, an off-duty officer witnessed the assault and intervened in the altercation.  However, Anderson, 68, who sustained multiple stab wounds, succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital.

Rivers, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed.



Judge Pushes Back Murder Defendant’s Court Proceedings

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge ruled July 27 to push back all further court proceedings for a murder defendant charged for a 2016 homicide.

On June 14, per the terms of a plea agreement, Traveous Brown pled guilty to first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his role in the shooting death of Adam Barker on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

As a part of his plea deal, Brown, 28, testified against his previous co-defendant Paul Swann, who is also charged with Barker’s death.

On July 26, the presiding judge declared a mistrial after jury deliberations resulted in a two-day deadlock. 

On July 27, Judge Ronna Beck ruled to push back Brown’s hearings contingent on the status of Swann’s case. Judge Beck said that if Swann’s case is tried again the case would continue to be pushed.

Judge Beck also granted defense attorney Dorsey Jones’ request to send his client back to a facility in Virginia, where he was previously being held. Jones said there were safety issues associated with Brown being held in DC Jail.

Brown was not present during the hearing. Jones said Brown had a medical issue that prevented him from appearing.

Brown is scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 14.

Judge Rejects Juvenile Transfer to Youth Facility

On July 27, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a juvenile murder defendant to be placed in jail instead of a youth development facility.

Titus Iracks is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Larry Harrell on June 13 on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE. According to court documents, Iracks, 16, and two other people were attempting to rob Harrell, 43, at gunpoint shortly before he was shot.

Iracks is being charged as an adult.

The prosecution opposed the defense’s request for him to be sent to New Beginnings, a Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services facility. The prosecution said the facility was less secure than DC Jail.

The prosecution also expressed concern that Iracks would be “co-mingling with other juveniles detained for less serious charges.” The prosecution said the problem would not exist at DC Jail because Iracks would be locked up with inmates that had more comparable charges.

Iracks’ defense attorney Ronald Resetarits argued that his client would be better off at New Beginnings. “There is no evidence there is an escape risk with regards to New Beginnings or Mr. Iracks,” he said.

Judge Danya Dayson denied Resetarits’ request.

“It’s not as if Mr. Iracks was the unarmed getaway driver,” Judge Dayson said. “It is alleged that… Mr. Iracks (was) running away, shooting over (his) shoulder.”

A felony status conference for Iracks is scheduled on Sept. 28.

DC Judge Rejects Murder Defendant’s Release

After postponing the deadline for a murder defendant’s indictment, a DC Superior Court judge rejected the defense’s request for release.

Giovanti Young is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Andre Jahmal Johnson, 42, on the 5000 block of H Street, SE in 2017.

Judge Judith Bartnoff rejected the request for release because Young is wanted in Maryland for assault and gun charges. “Why take the risk for three weeks,” Bartnoff said.

During a felony status conference on July 27, Young’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested that her client be released under personal recognizance because the prosecution could not get an indictment within nine months. On July 26, the judge gave the prosecution 21 extra days to secure enough evidence for an indictment.

Harvey emphasized that being incarcerated for the extended period of time had been detrimental to Young’s mental health.

The defense argued that a conditional release would allow Young, 24, to participate in Vesta, a Maryland-based program designed to help adults diagnosed with mental illness. In addition, the defense argued to have the defendant released pending trial under court supervision. Young was not eligible for the High Intensity Supervision Program because of the Maryland warrant.

However, the warrant in Maryland would cause Young to be incarcerated again if he were released in DC. “I don’t know if a release changes much else,” Judge Bartnoff said.

The prosecution said releasing Young would prove to be more burdensome. The prosecution must indict Young by Aug. 17, or file to dismiss the case.

2020 Trial Date Set for Co-Defendants Accused of Slaying 17 Year Old

A DC Superior Court judge set a tentative trial date for two murder defendants who are charged with more than 24 infractions.

Robert Moses and James Mayfield are charged with first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE in 2017. According to court documents, stray bullets allegedly fired by Moses,19, and Mayfield, 17, killed Sydnor and injured three others.

Mayfield’s defense attorney asked Judge Craig Iscoe to set a date because of the high volume of trials scheduled through the end of 2019. The court agreed to schedule a trial to begin on Jan. 7, 2020.

In addition, Moses and Mayfield are charged with assault with the intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed, conspiracy while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Moses is also being charged with obstruction of justice. Both defendants could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

When Sydnor was driving with her 12-year-old cousin, a bullet struck Sydnor and incapacitated her, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. Her passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries. Two other victims sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Apparently, Sydnor was the daughter of a DC police officer and recent a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest DC. She was set to attend Florida A&M University.

Moses and Mayfield are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 9.

DC Judge Declares A Mistrial

On July 26, after four days of jury deliberations, a DC Superior Court judge declared a mistrial for a 2016 murder after a two-day deadlock.

Paul Swann and Traveous Brown are charged with the murder of Adam Barker on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.  According to court documents, Brown, 28; Swann, 24; and another individual engaged in a verbal argument with Barker, 21, before the shooting. Barker initially implicated the men in his uncle’s murder trial. 

On June 14, Brown pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed for Barker’s death. Swann is charged with first-degree murder while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction. 

Despite pleading guilty, Brown denied killing Barker. He also incriminated Swann during his testimony.

During Brown’s testimony, defense counsel, Mani Golzari, accused Brown of being an unreliable witness because Brown did not tell the truth about using drugs or hitting his daughter.

Brown was not the only supposedly unreliable witness. The defense accused another eyewitness of being “untruthful” during his testimony because the witness said he saw Swann commit the murder but did not mention Swann’s face tattoos.

The witness also denied using a criminal justice database called JUSTIS, which keeps records of offenders, to research Swann. However, the defense provided login information for the database that indicated that the witness used it to find the victim before making a formal identification of the suspect to detectives.

The defense maintained their position, saying that Brown was the shooter based on his blue shoes, which were seen in a surveillance video.  

However, despite witness testimonies and the surveillance video of the suspect with blue shoes, the prosecution said they believed there was enough evidence to convict Swann “beyond a shadow of doubt.” 

Evidence included cell phone data which placed Brown and Swann near the scene of the crime and text messages between Brown, Swann and the third individual that specifically told the individual “not to snitch.”

Swann is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 10.

Is this Evidence Admissible?

Less than two weeks before a murder trial was scheduled to begin, counsel debated the admissibility of evidence in a 2016 case.

Nathaniel Taylor, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Nuru Frenche on the 4900 block of Just Street, NE in 2016. According to court documents, Taylor and Anthony Blackmone, who was Taylor’s previous co-defendant, allegedly planned to rob Frenche, 23, but the incident escalated and Frenche was fatally shot.

Taylor is also charged with conspiracy, attempt to commit a robbery while armed, felony murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Per the terms of a plea agreement, Blackmone, 23, pled guilty and was sentenced to six years for voluntary manslaughter and attempted robbery on April 20.

According to the prosecution, they plan to call Blackmone as a witness. Even though Blackmone is being held in a facility in New Hampshire, the prosecution said they don’t anticipate any problems with his transfer.

On July 26, the prosecution requested to enter statements from Blackmone into evidence.

They asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna to defer making a ruling on the matter until Blackmone’s availability for the trial was known.

Taylor’s attorney, Antoini Jones, argued against the request and said that portions of the statements had “nothing to do with his client” and were “heresy.”

Judge McKenna said that in January, the prosecution had given enough evidence of a conspiracy between Blackmone and Taylor to deem Blackmone’s statements relevant. According to McKenna, portions of the statements were helpful in understanding who, between the co-defendants, controlled the situation. The statements also let the judge understand how the defendants planned the robbery.

Judge McKenna gave the defense time to file an opposition and said she would make a ruling on the statements’ admissibility after jury selection.

Taylor’s trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 6.

Judge Pushes Indictment Deadline Back to Search for Witnesses

A DC Superior Court judge pushed a murder defendant’s grand jury hearing back three weeks, so the prosecution could locate two witnesses.

Giovanti Young is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Andre Jahmal Johnson on the 5000 block of H Street, SE in 2017.

According to the prosecution, surveillance footage shows two unidentified witnesses at the scene of the crime during the shooting. The prosecutor requested time to locate the witnesses before a grand jury hearing that was originally scheduled on July 27. 

Judge Judith Bartnoff postponed the indictment deadline by 21 days.

During a motions hearing on July 26, Young’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested that the case be dismissed since there is no evidence the prosecution could elicit probable cause. Young was arraigned on the charge in 2017.

If the case would not be dismissed, Harvey requested that Judge Bartnoff release her client. “[Young] has been sitting in jail to the detriment of his health” for more than nine months, Harvey told Judge Bartnoff. 

Judge Bartnoff said a potential release for Young would be considered during a felony status conference scheduled on July 27.

Grand Jury Indicts Defendants for Murder

Two murder defendants were indicted July 25 by a grand jury for allegedly murdering a teenage girl and wounding several others, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.

Robert Moses and James Mayfield are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed for allegedly shooting 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor and wounding three other bystanders on Aug. 10, 2017. Moses, 19, was also charged with obstructing justice and committing offenses while on release for an unrelated gun charge.

According to a press release, Moses and Mayfield, 18, fired more than ten rounds at individuals at the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE.

At the time, Sydnor, who was the daughter of a DC police officer, was driving through the intersection with her 12 year-old cousin when she was struck in the head by a bullet. According to news reports, she died at a local hospital two days later.  Sydnor was a recent graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest DC, and was on her way to beginning classes at Florida A&M University. Her passenger sustained non life threatening injuries. 

The shooting is believed to have occurred from an on going feud between young men from the Langston and Saratoga neighborhoods, according to the reports.

Moses and Mayfield are scheduled for an arraignment on July 27 before DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe. According to the District Attorneys office, the defendants could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison if they are convicted of the charges.