Document: Homicide on Penn Ave., SE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the fatal stabbing of 29 year-old Johnathan Grady on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on Jan. 28.

According to a press release,Grady was taken to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, he was pronounced dead. Police said the death apparently resulted from a dispute with an unidentified man. Police have not arrested a suspect in the case.

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

Judge Issues Warrant for Manslaughter Convict

After violating probation and failing to appear in court, a judge issued June 22 a warrant for the arrest of a man who was previously convicted of murder.

Per the parameters of his 2007 plea bargain, James “Doo Doo” Yarborough pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his role in the fatal shooting of Edward Crockett Jr. on the 2000 block of Langston Place, SE in 2000.

According to court documents, witnesses told police “Doo Doo” and another unnamed person were selling drugs near the scene of the crime. Apparently, while Crockett, 50, was trying to buy cocaine, Yarborough attempted to rob him and ultimately shot him in the head.

Crockett was brought to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner noted the bullet pierced Crockett’s brain.

Yarborough, 38, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and subsequently five years on probation. The terms of his probation included anger management and drug testing.

Court services told D.C. Superior Court Judge Erik Christian that Yarborough recently tested positive for heroin and cocaine. Furthermore, Yarborough was placed in rehabilitation and was unsuccessfully discharged three times.

Yarborough was not present in court. The defense told the judge he had not seen or heard from his client.

Judge Rules Defendant Incompetent One Month Before Trial

One month before his scheduled jury trial, a judge ruled June 27 that a murder defendant was not competent.

Jerrell Powell and Jeremiah Jordan are charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Antoine McCullough on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016. According to court documents, McCullough, 30, told witnesses he was jumped. Nearby surveillance videos captured three people getting into a verbal altercation with McCullough and following him after he tried to leave.

Powell’s attorney, Brandi Harden, presented DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson with a report from a doctor at St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital. The report contradicted a previous diagnosis made by another doctor in 2017 that said Powell was competent.

Harden said she had suspicions of Powell’s original doctor being biased against Powell. Along with the apparent misdiagnosis, Harden said the previous doctor also prescribed the wrong medication to her client.

Defense counsel previously requested a motion of severance for the defendants. Judge Dayson told Harden June 25 that if Powell were found incompetent, “Jordan would likely move on by himself.” Judge Dayson said she would decide on the motion by the trial readiness hearing scheduled on July 20.

The prosecution objected to Powell returning to St. Elizabeths. Judge Dayson overruled the objection and order Powell to return to St. Elizabeths for treatment.

Jordan was not present at the hearing.

Judge Allows Prosecution to Retest Condom

During a felony status hearing on June 26, defense counsel submitted a motion to halt further testing on DNA samples previously tested by the prosecution.

Jackie Berry, 29, is accused of stabbing 38-year-old Michael Geoffrey McKoy, a known gay man from the Anacostia neighborhood, on the 1600 block of V Street, SE in 2010. According to the Washington Blade, McKoy was the fourth gay man to be murdered in the area in 2010.

Police located Berry in 2017 through a criminal database after matching his DNA to a condom found on the crime scene. At the time, Berry was incarcerated in New York for an unrelated crime.

Emily Stirba, Berry’s defense attorney, said there were three reasons why the prosecution shouldn’t be granted permission to retest a condom found at the crime scene.

Stirba said the prosecution already tested the sample in 2011. She also said the lab wasted DNA by testing 16 microliters of the original 23, leaving only nine for the defense to possibly test, independently. Finally, Stirba said the nine remaining microliters would not be sufficient to find a DNA profile.

However, the prosecution said there was more than enough DNA for both parties to test. “We have new technology that wasn’t available back in 2011,” the prosecution said, claiming that only a few drops were needed.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna sided with the prosecution and ruled in favor of additional testing of the contraception.

“I see no ill faith nor negligence in the prosecution’s want for testing,” Judge McKenna said. “There’s plenty of extract left for both sides to test.”

Judge McKenna has allocated three months in order for both parties to conduct their DNA tests. A status hearing is scheduled on Oct. 12.

Defense Needs to Return Evidence, Prosecution Says

On June 26, the prosecution in a 2015 murder case reminded a judge that they have not received any testing results or evidence back from the defense.

Gary Proctor allegedly shot his cousin Jerome Diggs on the 1300 block of First Street, SW. Proctor is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Even though the prosecution decided that it would not test DNA from a blanket, pillow and the victim’s clothing, a judge ordered all items, including five cell phones, be turned over to the defense for testing in 2016.

According to court documents, Diggs, 47, told two witnesses that Proctor, 40, shot him. Diggs died shortly after. One witness said the shooting occurred because Diggs refused to allow Proctor to sell drugs outside of his house.

Apparently, there was an incident a few weeks before the shooting where Proctor and his father assaulted Diggs and his nephew.

A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15, where the judge expects to set a trial readiness date for the case.

Trial Date Set for 2014 Murder

During a status hearing, a judge set a trial date for a man charged with first-degree murder while armed among other charges.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Simwone Milstead was found unconscious suffering from gunshot wounds on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2014. Milstead, 36, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the following day.

Four years later, Denzel Grandson was arrested and charged with Milstead’s death. Grandson also faces one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm.

On June 27, Grandson’s defense attorney, Andrea Antonelli, told DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna that the prosecution needed to provide the defense with additional evidence.

Judge McKenna scheduled the trial for April 29, 2019. A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26 .

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Request for Release

A judge denied the release of a murder defendant while the prosecution tests his DNA with blood from the crime scene.

Leonard Smith is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Leonte Butler, 26, on the 4000 Block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Smith, 32, and two other individuals were seen on surveillance footage, covered in blood and changing clothing after the incident.

The prosecution acquired June 13 a mouth swab from Smith to test his DNA with blood from a jacket retrieved from his residence. The blood on the jacket did not match the victim’s blood.

“Due to Mr. Smith’s prior charges of assaultive behavior, I will not entertain the request of release”, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said. “Once the DNA results are in, maybe I will consider this request.”

A status hearing for the DNA results is scheduled for July 19.

Murder Weapon Includes Witness’s DNA

During a status hearing for a man awaiting trial, the defense accused the prosecution of hiding vital information concerning a witness’s DNA that was found on the alleged murder weapon.

Eunise Melton, 62, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the allegedly beat Jerimi Meade to death on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE in 2016.

According to court documents Meade, 29, sustained more than ten blows to the head and face consistent with a claw hammer found on the scene.

On June 22, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson recommended that defense counsel file a motion for the prosecution to hand over its findings regarding the DNA evidence.

The prosecution said that even though the witnesses’ DNA is on the murder weapon, they will not release the witness’s information because the defendant knows the person.

A felony status hearing is scheduled for Aug.10.

Prosecution Needs to Provide More Evidence, Judge Says

A D.C. Superior Court judge is requiring that the prosecution provide more evidence and DNA test results from Dominic Brooks’ murder to the defense.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, William Edward Smith is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Brooks, 29, on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. On June 9, 2017, Brooks was found unconscious and suffering from a fatal stab wound to the chest, which punctured his heart and lung.

The government is in the process of doing DNA testing on several undisclosed items.

On June 27, Judge Juliet McKenna required the government to provide the court with a complete list of all the items being tested and a DNA report of the test results. Smith’s defense is allowed to test the items as well if they choose to do so.

A status hearing is scheduled on Oct. 12.

Case Dismissed: College Grad Pleads Not Guilty to Roommate’s Murder

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

After turning himself in as a suspect in his roommate’s murder, a man, who claimed self-defense, was charged with second-degree murder.

During an arraignment June 26, defense counsel for Kenneil Cole said there was not enough evidence to charge his client with premeditated murder following the death of Keon Wallace.

According to Cole, 24, after an altercation to evict the decedent, Wallace, who was also 24, became violent. He apparently threatened Cole with a semi-automatic .40mm pistol. Cole said he wrestled the gun away from Wallace and began to shoot.

The incident occurred on June 25 on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE in a townhome shared by both the decedent and defendant.

James King, Cole’s attorney, requested Cole be released on his own accord due to this being an “open-shut” case concerning self-defense. King also told the judge his client was a Delaware State University graduate and “gainfully employed” for five-years at a law firm.

“This man was shot behind the ear, and in the back,” he said. “This is not self-defense, this is murder, ” DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Erroll Arthur said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled with DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe on July 6.

Man Charged with 2nd Degree Murder Rejects Plea Offer

During a status hearing June 26, the defense counsel for a man facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, rejected the prosecution’s plea offer.

Lavonne Beckett is charged also with driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug and reckless driving for his role in Tanisha Ray’s death on the 600 block of Florida Avenue, NE in 2017.

According to court documents, after Beckett and Ray smoked a cigarette laced in PCP, a mind altering drug, the two sped down Florida Avenue. Ray was in the passenger’s seat.

Witnesses told police Beckett’s car struck a “Hess” gas station pole and ultimately caught on fire. Police found Ray unresponsive and trapped in the car. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

The prosecution offered a plea that would have reduced Becketts charges to involuntary manslaughter.

Beckett’s defense attorney, notified the court that Beckett’s case is in the process of being transferred to another lawyer at the Public Defender’s Office.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck scheduled a status hearing on July 17 in light of the new counsel transition.

Does Murder Defendant’s Social Media Posts Suggest Guilt?

The prosecution revealed incriminating evidence June 26 from various social media accounts during a preliminary hearing for a murder case.

Torey Stockton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Jasmine Light on Jan. 17. The Metropolitan Police Department found Light’s body on the 2000 block of 16th Street, SE. According to court documents, the drive-by shooting began near King Convenience Store, located on the 1500 block of U Street, SE and ended on the 2000 block of U Street, SE. Stockton also injured three other people during the shooting.

During his testimony, Detective Manuel Isaac Duval verified pictures and videos taken from Stockton’s social media account. One of the videos showed Stockton waving a semi-automatic uzi, which is identical to the one reported in the shooting.

According to Duval, Stockton found articles on the shooting and posted them on his Instagram account with the caption “my va ass be smokin yall.”

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson found probable cause for the crime. She said there was “clear and convincing evidence” that shows Stockton would be a threat to the community. Stockton is being held without bond.

To assist with Stockton’s defense, Gemma Stevens is slated to join James Williams on his defense counsel. Williams told Judge Dayson that he believes Stockton’s case is very complex and having an additional defense attorney would help.

Williams said the one witness who identified Stockton as the shooter has a history of mental health and drug issues. Williams said the witness could only identify Stockton after being shown a picture, and that the witness might have some benefit from implicating Stockton.

The prosecution questioned the defense’s theory that the witness could benefit from implicating Stockton because the witness did not have a deal with the government.

Stockton is scheduled for a felony status conference on Aug. 21.

Defense Tells Judge Prosecution is Withholding Murder Evidence

During a hearing June 25, defense counsel told a judge that the prosecution failed to hand over crucial evidence and witness statements relating to a murder case.

Jeremiah Jordan, 26, and Jerrell Powell, 21, are co-defendants charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Antoine McCullough on the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE in 2016.

According to court documents, surveillance videos captured three individuals and McCullough, 30, involved in a verbal altercation. The group followed McCullough after he left, and one suspect was recorded shooting the victim. Witnesses told the police that McCullough said he was jumped. McCullough died shortly after.

Jordan’s defense counsel, Ronald Resetarits, told D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson that the prosecution’s evidence implicated Powell, but not his client.

Resetarits said he did not receive surveillance or forensic data against his client. Apparently, the only evidence against Resetarits’ client is witness testimony. According to court documents, a witness told police that McCullough’s final words incriminated Jordan. However, the witness’s motives were questioned by the judge.

The identity of the witness is being held by the prosecution for safety reasons. The prosecution said it is aware that withholding information is unconstitutional, but the information will be disclosed before the July trial date.

Brandi Harden, Powell’s defense attorney, requested a motion of severance because she requested a competency evaluation for Powell. According to Harden, she has not been able to get Powell to cooperate with her.

Powell was found incompetent in May.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said she will rule on the motion after she receives Powell’s results.

Both defendants are scheduled for a hearing to discuss the severance motion on July 13.

Judge Rescheduled Hearing for Suspected Toddler Killer

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a murder defendant’s preliminary hearing from June 25 to July 13 because counsel needed more time to further investigate the case and resolve another issue that was not disclosed.

Brian Wooden is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s one-year-old son, Carter Sanders, on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on May 16.

Wooden’s preliminary hearing has been rescheduled twice.

Sanders was found unconscious at Wooden’s residence, suffering from multiple abrasions and contusions as well a fractured skull. According to court documents, Wooden, 28, tried to shift the blame onto other children that were present at the time of Sander’s death.

Murder Trial Witness Admits to Lying

During a murder trial, a witness admitted to lying to the police and prosecutors about a stabbing in Northeast DC.

An eyewitness supposedly told officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecutors that she saw three men attack Lenard Wills on the 700 block of 24th Street, NE in 2015. Joseph Barbour,38; Willie Glover, 40; and Charles McRae, 66, are charged with first-degree murder for their alleged involvement in Wills’ death.

“I didn’t see anything. I was in the bedroom,” the witness told Barbour’s attorney. The witness said she lied to police when she said she could see a man hitting Wills, 50. During earlier testimony, the witness said she saw the robbery unfold through a slightly-ajar bedroom door.

The witness said that smoking crack and snorting heroin damaged her memory. She said she smoked crack on the night of the incident.

The trial is scheduled to resume on June 26.

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