Arrests Made in Nearly Half of September Homicides

The District of Columbia saw an uptick in homicides throughout the month of September. As of Oct. 16, the Metropolitan Police Department has made arrests in nearly half of the cases.

September had 20 homicides, which was more than a 100 percent increase from the eight homicides recorded in August, according to D.C. Witness data. MPD made arrests in eight of the 20 cases.

Homicides in September

Nearly an hour into the start of September, 28-year-old Carl Day-Baker was fatally shot on the 1500 block of T Street, SE. Four days later, Timothy Gibson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Day-Baker’s death. Gibson, 27, is scheduled for a felony status conference on Oct. 25.

Day-Baker was the first of 15 people to have a gun-related death in the month of September.

On Sept. 9, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney suffering from a gunshot wound on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE.

Elijah Jarmon was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed for Pinkney’s death. Jarmon, 17, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 19. A 15-year-old unidentified male was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed for Pinkney’s death. As of Oct. 16, the unidentified individual has not been charged as an adult.

Hours after the police found Pinkney, officers found Israel Gomez, 37, suffering from a stab wound on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW. Police arrested and charged 44-year-old Policarpo Casarrubias-Rodriguez with first-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 9.

On Sept. 10, 27-year-old Abdual Giles was fatally shot on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Two days later, officers responded to the 1500 block of 18th Street, SE on reports of a car crash and found a car on fire and people trapped inside. Keisha Whitaker, 37, was in the passenger’s seat.

Police arrested and charged 56-year-old Andre Gray with second-degree murder in connection to Whitaker’s death. Gray is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec.14.

On Sept. 14, 6-month-old Brooklynn Zakiyaa Hill-Davis succumbed to burn complications stemming from an incident on the 1900 block of Valley Terrace, SE on Sept. 5. Police arrested and charged Hill-Davis’ father, Bobby Reginald Davis, Jr., with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Hill-Davis’ death. Davis, 21, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 25.

On Sept. 18, Wendy Karina Martinez, 35, was fatally stabbed on the 1400 block of 11th Street, NW. Two days later, Anthony Crawford was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Martinez’s death. Crawford, 23, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 8.

During the morning of Sept. 21, Kajuan Deris Young, 27, was fatally shot on the 900 block of 3rd Street, SW.

Hours later, officers responded to the 5100 block of F Street, SE and found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Both individuals were brought to a nearby hospital, where Terrell Butler, 41, succumbed to his injuries. The second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The following day, police arrived on the 1600 block of Euclid Street, NW and found 37-year-old James Thomas Dunn suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers also found another individual suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

Nearly 20 minutes into the start of Sept. 23, police found 45-year-old Juan Dwayne Jackson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

An hour later, Ervin Eugene Watkins, 28, was fatally shot on the 400 block of Howard Road, SE. Terrell Anthony Stephenson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Watkins’ death. Stephenson, 26, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 24.

Approximately three hours after Watkins was killed, police found 42-year-old William Hayworth suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on 3400 block of 22nd Street, SE. Hayworth was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Sept. 24, 64-year-old Thomas Hendricks Hollowell was riding a bicycle on the 1200 block of Constitution Avenue, NW when he was fatally struck by a dark-colored car that ran a red light. The driver did not stop.

Police arrested and charged Phillip Peoples with second-degree murder in connection to Hollowell’s death. During his presentment in DC Superior Courts Oct. 13, a prosecutor said that Peoples, 20, has five prior traffic violations in Maryland. Peoples was held without bond for various reasons, including his prior violations, the fact that he fled the scene and lying to police during the investigation. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 23.

Later that same day, Damon Dickens, 23, was fatally shot on the 2500 block of Bowen Road, SE. Jamal Blocker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. Blocker, 17, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 23.

Nearly four hours later, police found 25-year-old Marquiawn Williams suffering from

multiple gunshot wounds on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE. Police are asking for the community’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect in connection to Williams’ case.

Two hours later, 47-year-old Ervin Aull was fatally shot on the 2300 block of 14th Street, NE.

On Sept. 25, police found Anthony Daniel Lawson, 24, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

On Sept. 29, police found 28-year-old Henry Isaacs suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1600 block of U Street, SE.

Nearly ten minutes into the last day of September, Wilbert Brooks, 27, was found fatally shot on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE on Sept. 30.

Editor’s note: The story was updated to reflect the addition of a vehicular homicide that occurred on Sept. 12.

Officer and Witness Fail to Identify Reckless Driver

During a 2017 murder trial, an eyewitness and a police officer said they couldn’t identify the driver of a car that fatally struck a woman in the U Street Corridor.

David Jones is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence and leaving after colliding for killing 65-year-old Carolyn Ellis on the corner of 10th and U Streets, NW on Feb. 6, 2017.

According to court documents, Ellis and another pedestrian were crossing the street when a black car sped around the corner and struck her. A witness said Ellis’ body was thrown 8-to-10 feet in the air before hitting a parked car and landing on the street. Officers later located Jones, 38, visibly intoxicated, stumbling on 14th Street, NW.

The person who was with Ellis said he saw a black car with four doors hit the decedent, but he did not see who was driving.

An officer, who was patrolling the area at the time, said that a black car sped past him and crossed the yellow line separating oncoming traffic. However, the officer said he couldn’t identify the driver.

“I saw a black male or female with a light complexion and a dread-like hairstyle,” the officer told the jury. The officer added that he couldn’t confirm that Jones was the individual driving the car.

Judge Dismisses Case Against Murder Defendant

After granting two indictment deadline extensions, a DC Superior Court judge dismissed the case against a murder defendant after the prosecution failed to get a grand jury indictment.

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

In July, Judge Iscoe extended an indictment deadline until Aug. 22. In August, prosecutors requested a second extension saying they needed more time to find two witnesses.

Judge Iscoe granted the second extension; however, he released Williams, 25, on personal recognizance due to the prolonged period of the indictment.

During a hearing Oct. 17, a prosecutor said that even though he located a witness, he was not confident he could obtain an indictment.

As a result, Judge Iscoe dismissed the case.

Document: Another Shooting in NE DC

A second man was fatally shot in the Northeastern quadrant of the District of Columbia on Oct. 16.

According to a press release, the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the shooting of Rubelio Gomez Cervantes. He was found suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1100 block of 51st Street, NE. Cervantes was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

As of Oct. 17, police told D.C. Witness that there has been no indication that the homicide is connected to another homicide that also occurred in Northeast DC earlier that day.

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 case in DC.

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

Document: Fatal Shooting in Northeast DC

On Oct. 16 a fatal shooting occurred on the 1300 block of D. St, NE.

According to a press release, the Metropolitan Police Department discovered 59-year-old Ezequiel Fernando Jimenez Pinto suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at a local hospital.

The police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be submitted by text to the TIP LINE at 50411.

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

Murder Defendant Receives 2 Additional Counts to Charge

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>During a hearing Oct. 16, a prosecutor added additional counts to a murder charge against a woman, who police say assisted in a 2017 shooting.

Nearly two weeks after being indicted, Shaniah Davis was arraigned on two additional counts of accessory after the fact for first-degree murder. She is charged with a total of three counts for allegedly playing a role in carrying out and covering up the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Marty McMillan on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

Davis’ co-defendant, John McRae, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and related gun charges.

According to court documents, police found McMillan’s body wrapped in a comforter in Forestville, Md. During an investigation, police learned that McMillan used a dating website and had plans to meet with a woman, who was supposedly in a relationship with McRae, 41, and another woman. It is unclear if Davis was one of the women involved with McRae.

While being interviewed by police, one of the women, initially said she didn’t know McMillan. However, in a subsequent interview, the woman said she had lied to the police because she was scared for her safety.

The woman ultimately told police she had sex with McMillan. Apparently, McRae came home early from work and found McMillan in her room. According to court documents, the woman said she heard gunshots from the room after McRae entered. After the gunfire, the woman said McRae assaulted her and told her to clean up the area where the shooting allegedly occurred.

Davis’ defense attorney, Dominique Winters, pleaded not guilty on her behalf and asserted Davis’ constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Davis is currently released from jail on personal recognizance. McRae is being held without bond.

The two are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 9.

Document: Arrest Made for Homicide on Good Hope Road, SE

On Oct. 15, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Dazmine Anderson for the murder of a man in Southeast DC.

According to a press release, Anderson, 16, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Oct. 7.

Anderson is being charged as an adult.

Judge Grants Request for DNA Testing, Despite Delays

A DC Superior Court judge granted the prosecution’s request to test the DNA of a murder defendant who allegedly stabbed a man in 2017.

William Edward Smith is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder while armed for stabbing Dominic Brooks, 29, on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

According to court documents, the night of the murder, a witness who was dating Brooks said they were attending a birthday party. The witness and Brooks left the party and walked down the street, where they crossed paths with Smith and someone named Lou. According to the witness, Smith, 34, and Brooks engaged in a conversation, which eventually became a physical altercation.

During Smith’s status hearing on Oct. 12, the defense opposed the prosecution’s motion to conduct DNA testing. Smith’s attorney, Jason Tulley, said that he was “baffled” that DNA testing hasn’t started even though the defense has been asking for it since June 2017.

“I will not tolerate any more delay from the United States,” said Judge Juliet McKenna.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Dec. 14.

Continue following D.C. Witness for further details.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in September Shooting

During an arraignment Oct. 10, a DC Magistrate judge found substantial probability for the fatal shooting of a man in September.

Terrell Anthony Stephenson is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for shooting 28-year-old Ervin Eugene Watkins on the 1400 Block of Howard Road, SE.

Judge Joseph Beshouri said the defendant shot at Watkins eight times, which showed “the intent to kill.”

Stephenson’s defense attorney, John Fowler, argued against the substantial probability finding, saying that the shooter’s identity was unclear. He also said there was evidence of self-defense and “adequate provocation.” In addition, Fowler said Stephenson should be treated differently because he turned himself in.

According to court documents, minutes prior to the shooting, Stephenson, 28, had an argument with a friend of the decedent. Subsequently, Watkins intervened and confronted Stephenson. Following the confrontation, a witness said Stephenson pulled out a gun from his car and began shooting at the decedent.

Judge Beshouri ordered Stephenson held without bond and said the defendant poses a risk to the community.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Oct. 24.

Defense Requests Continuance for Stabbing in NW DC

A defense attorney requested a continuance in a murder case because he said essential material still needs to be reviewed.

Anthony Crawford is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Wendy Karina Martinez as she jogged near her home in Logan Circle, which is located in Northwest DC. The stabbing occurred on the 1400 block of 11th Street, NW on Sept. 18.

During a preliminary hearing on Oct. 11, defense counsel said the prosecution withheld information that was collected on the case.

However, the prosecution opposed the continuance, saying that Martinez’s family members, who were present, lived out of town. According to the prosecution, it would be difficult for the family to come back for a continuance. The prosecutor also told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that a witness was ready to be questioned.

The prosecutor said that she believes the defense had all the materials they needed for a preliminary hearing.

Judge Iscoe said he was not convinced more time is necessary, but that he does believe the defense’s request for a continuance is appropriate.

Crawford’s defense attorney, Eugene Ohm, also presented a motion for his client to be released during the continuance. He said that Crawford, 23, is a young man with no prior felony charges, a proud resident of Northwest DC, and has attempted to obtain a college education.

Judge Iscoe denied the motion. He said Crawford is a danger to society.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Nov. 8.

Mansion Murder: Wint Gives Alibi for Quadruple Murder

Daron Wint, a man charged with committing a quadruple murder, took the stand Oct. 10 to share his side of the story. According to Wint, his brothers were the true culprits and set him up.

Wint is charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed, kidnapping and arson for his alleged involvement in the deaths of Amy Savopoulos, 47; Philip Savopoulos,10; Savvas Savopoulos, 46; and their housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57, in the Savopoulos’ mansion on the 3200 block Woodland Drive, NW in 2015.

According to a previous D.C. Witness report, police say Wint, 36, held the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper hostage and tortured them while awaiting a $40,000 ransom. Apparently, Wint also allegedly set their house on fire before fleeing the scene.

No other arrests have been made in connection to the murders; however, during opening arguments the defense implied that there was more than one man involved in restraining, torturing and murdering the four decedents.

Throughout the Metropolitan Police Department investigation, according to court documents, officers located pizza crust, a construction hat, a reflective vest and knife that contained Wint’s DNA.

According to a Fox 5 news report, the defendant testified that, on the day of the murder, his brother asked to use his minivan in exchange for a fee. After giving his brother the van, Wint testified that his brother dropped him off at a friend’s house, where he spent the night drinking.

Apparently, the following day the brother picked Wint up in the Savopoulos’ blue Porsche and brought him to the Savopoulos’ mansion to work on a paint and drywall job.

According to the Washington Post, when they arrived the brother had a key to the house and the duo entered. Wint testified that his brother offered him pizza and that he took a bite and threw the crust in the box.

Subsequently, the duo went into the garage, where, according to Wint, his brother told him that he planned to steal from the house and instructed Wint to put on a reflective vest and hard hat so he wouldn’t stick out. Wint said he didn’t know his brother planned to rob the house and argued with him, though he ultimately left the hard hat and vest with the brother, according to NBC coverage.

With regard to Wint’s DNA being on a knife used to wedge a window open, Wint testified that he didn’t know why his DNA was on the knife, according to the Washington Post.

During cross-examination, on Oct. 11, Wint told the prosecution that his friend, whose house he was dropped off at the day of the murder and who is the only person that can corroborate his whereabouts, is dead, according to ABC.

According to tweets from news outlets, as of Oct. 15, two witnesses have provided descriptions of a person, who was not Wint, in the neighborhood before the kidnappings. Also, Wint waived his attorney/client privilege to allow former counsel to testify about his intentions to turn himself and the money over to authorities.

Attacking Mental Health Won’t Make A Strong Appeal

On the first day of an appeal of a 2010 murder trial, defense counsel addressed the jury and teased portions of their case strategy, including divulging the mental health status of an eyewitness.

In 2012, Anthony Waters was convicted of first-degree murder while armed and two related gun charges for the shooting death of 51-year-old Derrick Harris in Southeast DC. Waters was sentenced to life in prison.

During opening arguments, Waters defense attorney acknowledged that an eyewitness, who alleges she saw the murder from her apartment, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a brain disorder that affects mood shifts and energy levels, and schizophrenia, a severe mental health disorder that affects the way someone thinks, feels and behaves.

Apparently, at the time of the murder, the witness wasn’t taking medication for either diagnosis, according to the defense. It is unclear why the witness was not taking medication at the time.

While it’s not uncommon for a defense attorney to taint the reputation or “believability” of witnesses presented by the prosecution, there may be a cause of concern as to how the defense pursued this line of attack.

First, mental health is a serious issue throughout the District of Columbia and, to be frank, the nation. There are people that struggle with mental illness and don’t seek help for various reasons, including fear and being stigmatized as “less than,” according to Bipolar Burble, a blog about mental illness.

And the defense followed suit, calling the witness a “seriously flawed” person — equating her to her diagnosis, which feeds into the stereotype. It’s unclear, at this point, whether or not her diagnosis impacted her perspective on the day of the murder.

Mental health carries enough discrimination in society and legal counsel should not exploit it.

If the defense has any intention of clearing Water’s name, especially on the appeal, they should find something substantial to back their assertion of innocence and shy away from throwing cheap shots at a witness’s mental health.

Click here for articles related to Waters’ case

Judge Denies Motion to Remove Teen from Juvenile Detention Facility

During a status hearing, prosecutors argued in favor of placing a 17-year-old murder defendant in the DC jail, regardless of legislation that mandates otherwise.

Dajuan Jones is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Cheyenne Washington on the 4400 block of E Street, SE in July.

According to court documents, prior to the shooting, surveillance video from a Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority bus shows Jones exiting a bus at the same stop as the decedent. Both Jones and Washington are seen walking in the same direction.

An eyewitness told police the shooter was a black male wearing a white t-shirt and something dark on or around his head. According to court documents, the witness’s description matches Jones’ appearance in the footage.

Jones is being charged as an adult.

In court Oct. 10, Jones’ defense attorney, Emily Stirba, argued in favor of her client remaining at New Beginnings, a Maryland-based juvenile youth detention facility. The attorney’s argument was based on the enactment of the Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016 that mandates that all juveniles, regardless of crime, be held in youth detention facilities instead of adult jails. The amendment went into effect on Oct. 1.

But, the prosecution argued that the amendment does not include youth charged as adults.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff denied the prosecution’s request to have Jones placed at the DC Jail, noting that the language of the law defines a juvenile as any person under the age of 18 with no mention of their charge.

Jones will remain at New Beginnings for the foreseeable future; however, the prosecution said they plan to motion for his transfer to DC Jail again. Jones will turn 18 on Oct. 31.

Jones is scheduled for a felony status conference on Jan. 18, 2019.

Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of Murder

Hours after counsel delivered closing arguments, a jury found a murder defendant guilty of first-degree murder while armed.

Babajide Pittman killed Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016. He was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Pittman, 31, was also found guilty of assault with the intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

During closing statements, Pittman’s attorney, Anthony Matthews, emphasized that Pittman acted in self-defense. He noted that both Young and Pittman were carrying guns on the day of the murder and said Young wanted to confront Pittman.

But, the prosecution mocked the defense’s theory, saying Young did not want to confront the defendant, referencing the decedent’s last words, “Don’t call me again; I don’t want anything to do with what y’all got going on,” which indicated that he did not want to be involved in anything the couple had going on.

Closing statements concluded on Oct. 3, a week and a half after the trial began on Sept. 24.

During the trial, the defense made multiple unsuccessful requests for a mistrial.

According to the defense, the defendant’s ex-wife tainted the jury because she disclosed Pittman’s previous incarceration. The judge specifically told her that she could not mention any previous jail time the defendant served. The defense said the jury’s objectivity was compromised because of emotional outbursts from Young’s family.

“Late in the afternoon, I noticed two different times the jury did react to what was going on in the audience … Almost every juror turned around and witnessed that,” DC Superior Court judge Danya Dayson said. However, Judge Dayson said she could not justify having a mistrial solely for those reasons.

The defense also motioned for a mistrial because none of the witnesses could identify Pittman as the shooter.

Case Details

On the day of the murder, Pittman and Young were talking at the intersection of 7th and L Street, SE. Moments later, as Young was entering his girlfriend’s car, she said she heard gunshots. She said she began to move the car forward but then realized that she had been shot in the leg.

According to the defendant, the confrontation between the men began when Pittman’s ex-wife accused him of statements he allegedly told a doctor regarding a medical procedure. Young apparently overheard Pittman’s conversation with the doctor and told the ex-wife.

Surveillance footage captured Pittman pacing and allegedly waiting for Young minutes before the homicide. Footage also captured Pittman shooting at Young eight times, pausing briefly, and then shooting at him four more times.

“I just shot until he stopped moving,” Pittman told the jury.

Pittman said when Young opened the passenger door of the vehicle, he thought Young was reaching for a gun. A witness for the defense told the jury that Young was involved in an unrelated shooting between warring neighborhoods in 2015.

Pittman fled the scene after the shooting.

Pittman is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 13.

Murder Defendants Plead Not Guilty

Approximately one year after a 27-year-old man was murdered in the northeast quadrant of the District of Columbia, the defendants pleaded not guilty Oct. 10 after a judge read charges for their alleged roles in the homicide.

Markale Moore and Tyrone Harris are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Arthur Thompkins on the 5400 block of Hunt Place, NE. Moore, 29, and Harris, 30, are also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Harris also faces an assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

According to court documents, Thompkins, whose manner of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, sustained 10 shots to the head, back and abdomen.

Police found Thompkins in the driver’s seat of a black Ford F-150 pickup truck, according to the documents.

Apparently, Moore and Thompkins had an argument earlier that same day, which, according to the documents, was about money and a woman. Witnesses reported that Moore shot Thompkins and Harris drove the getaway car. A witness also reported that Thompkins was armed because he was concerned for his safety.

Moore and Harris are currently being held without bond.

The co-defendants are scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 3.

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

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