Document: Police Still Search for Suspect in Baby’s Death

The Metropolitan Police Department is still looking for a man they believe played a role in the traumatic death of a 3-month-old child.

According to a press release, police are searching for 25-year-old Cornell Delvonte Holton. He is is wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for first-degree murder – felony murder for his alleged role in the death of Skylar Newman on the 4300 block of G Street, SE. Newman died at the hospital on March 19, three days after police found her unconscious in a residence.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Holton or who has knowledge of the incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the Department’s Text Tip Line — 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide in DC.

Document: Homicide in Simple City

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred during the afternoon hours on April 30 in Southeast DC.

According to a press release, a little after 1 p.m. officers found 22-year-old Devante Moody suffering from a gunshot wound on the 4400 block of G Street, SE. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Police are 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. 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.

Judge Transfers Four-Defendant Murder Trial to Another Judge

A DC Superior Court judge transferred April 30 a murder trial to another judge’s calendar after the defense said they would not be ready for trial in 2019.

Derek Turner is charged with first-degree murder while armed, and his co-defendant, Ronnika Jennings, is charged with conspiracy, among other charges, for their alleged roles in the death of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Upsal Street, SE in 2017.

After hearing from the defense, Judge Craig Iscoe scheduled the trial to begin on March 23, 2020, and moved it to Judge Juliet McKenna’s calendar. According to DC Courts, the trial was moved to Judge McKenna’s calendar because the only available trial date on Judge Iscoe’s calendar was in 2021.

The trial was initially scheduled to begin on June 3, 2019.

Judge Iscoe said the new trial judge would rule on outstanding issues, including a motion to sever the four defendants.

According to DC Courts, as of April 30, neither the prosecution nor the defense filed any motions to sever the defendants.

Defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, also argued for Jennings, 40, to be released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP). Jones said the prosecution’s theory alleges that Jennings abused her job as a clerk with the Metropolitan Police Department to find relevant legal documents. Jones said Jennings is not a danger to the community because she no longer works with MPD.

However, the prosecution argued that, because of Jennings’ knowledge with MPD and the legal system, she could continue to aid violent criminals in covering up their crimes.

Judge Iscoe said he would decide whether to release Jennings by May 2.

Marshay Hazelwood and Duan Hill, are also charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy in connection to McPhatter’s murder. Both defendants are released on personal recognizance.

According to court documents, Turner, 27, was a member of the Wahler Place neighborhood gang, which had an ongoing feud with the Trenton Park neighborhood, which McPhatter was a member of.

A status hearing is scheduled on July 12.

Document: Police Search for Suspect in E Street, SE Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for a man who is wanted in connection to a homicide that occurred on April 22.

According to a press release, there is an arrest warrant out for 20-year-old Keonte Johnson for first-degree murder while armed. Johnson is wanted for allegedly shooting 24-year-old Deandre Hawkins on the 5300 block of E Street, SE.

Johnson is described as being 6-feet tall and 150-160 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 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.

Document: Arrest Made in Southern Ave, SE Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested April 30 a man in connection to a homicide that occurred about two weeks ago.

According to a press release, 29-year-old Terrance Barnes, a resident of Southeast DC, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 57-year-old Barry Holmes on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Holmes was a resident of Temple Hills, Md.

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

Teenager Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

During a hearing April 26, an 18-year-old murder defendant pleaded not guilty after prosecutors secured an indictment.

Bernard McKinney is charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged role in the death of 24-year-old Daymond Chicas on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE in 2018. McKinney is also charged with attempt to committ robbery while armed and assault with intent to committ robbery while armed.

During the arraignment, defense attorney, Eugene Ohm, requested an earlier trial date. He told the judge that McKinney’s trial date is currently set in 2020.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said there was a waitlist, but if an earlier date became available he would contact counsel.

The prosecution did not object to the request.

According to court documents, a witness told police that he was at a public pool with Chicas when two juveniles stole Chicas’ cell phone and ran away. The witness said he and Chicas chased the juveniles when they came in contact with the defendant and an unidentified man. Apparently, the unidentified man shot Chicas.

Police have not arrested anyone other than McKinney in connection to the homicide.

McKinney is scheduled for a status hearing on August 23.

Judge Enacts Murder Defendant’s 8-Year Sentence

A DC Superior Court judge enacted April 30 a murder defendant’s sentence after the defense said he finished an educational program at DC Jail.

In October of 2018, Rodney Baggott pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting 44-year-old Donald Franklin Bush on the 2300 block of 15th Street, NE in 2015. He was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed and other gun possession offenses.

Judge Judith Bartnoff sentenced Baggott, who is now 51 years old, to eight years in prison on Jan. 11. However, she delayed the actual implementation of the sentence in order to give Baggott time to finish a class in fiber optics at DC Jail.

During the hearing, the prosecution reminded the judge that, as part of the plea agreement, an unrelated murder charge for the death of 23-year-old DeAngelo Barr in 1995 would be dismissed.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Baggott excelled in programs at the jail, including a reading and writing program for inmates called the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop.

Upon his release, Baggott will also be required to serve five years on supervised release.

Read more on Baggott’s sentencing, here.

Document: Fatal Stabbing on Capitol Hill

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a stabbing that occurred on the 700 block of 14th Street, SE.

According to a press release, officers discovered an unconscious adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The victim’s identity is being withheld until a family member is notified.

The police department is 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. 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.

Check in with D.C. Witness for updates on the case.

‘I Didn’t Want to Kill Him,’ Defendant Says

On the ninth day of a murder trial, the defendant told a jury that he didn’t want to shoot and kill a teenage boy.

Derryck Decuir is charged with first-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 15-year-old Malek Dayvon Mercer on the 2800 block of 28th Street, SE. There have been two mistrials in the case after the juries could not come to a unanimous decision.

Decuir, 26, told the jury April 29 that he was with two of his “cousins,” at a family gathering before the shooting. He said the gathering was a remembrance ceremony for his father, who passed away unexpectedly the day before.

After the gathering, Decuir said he was waiting at a bus stop with his cousins to go home. He said the group was planning to stop at a local 7/11, first. Decuir said Mercer, along with another young man, were also waiting at the bus stop.

“I remember me making a comment about Malek’s belt. I told him, ‘I’ve got a belt just like that,’” Decuir said. He said he didn’t know the boys’ names at the time.

Decuir said one of his cousins said, “Why you looking at that man’s butt?” Decuir told the jury it was a joke and he laughed it off.

The defendant said he got on the bus and sat in a “sideways seat in the back” behind Mercer. He said he didn’t sit there for any particular reason.

When the boys got off the bus, Decuir said he followed one of his cousins who stood up to get off. He said he was not following the teenage boys and didn’t know there was a bus stop closer to the 7/11.

Decuir told the jury that after he got off the bus, he went to relieve himself.

“I was walking. Malek and [his friend] were in front of me. As I’m walking, they looked back. The second time when they looked back again, Malek had a shotgun in his hand,” the defendant said.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a shotgun shell was found on the crime scene.

“I panicked. I pulled out my gun and shot him before he could shoot me. It happened very fast,” Decuir said. “I didn’t want to kill him, I just wanted to stop him from shooting me.”

Decuir said he lied in his initial interview with police because he didn’t understand the law and didn’t know he could claim self-defense.

“I feel bad. It’s not easy to live with. I feel sorry for his family. I am very sorry he’s not here anymore and there’s nothing I can do to bring him back,” Decuir said.

The prosecution, however, said Decuir was enraged because Mercer “snickered” at his comment about the belt. The prosecution said the joke his cousin made also contributed to the defendant’s anger.

In addition to the comment about the belt, the prosecution also played a video recording from Decuir’s phone where he talked about homosexual posts that were coming up on his social media. Decuir said the posts didn’t make him uncomfortable, but they “irritated” him.

The prosecution also said Decuir’s self-defense story didn’t make sense because Mercer was shot in the back of the neck.

The trial is scheduled to continue on April 30.

Prosecution Plans to Conduct DNA Testing in Homicide

A prosecutor in a murder case gave the defense a list of items that she plans to submit for DNA testing.

Jessie Taylor is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two gun offenses for his alleged role in the shooting death of 49-year-old Bernadette King on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE in 2018.

In response, Taylor’s defense attorney, Eugene Ohm, challenged the prosecution’s plans , requesting April 26 that the judge prevent the prosecution from submitting items for DNA testing. Ohm’s reasons for why he was challenging the testing were not discussed.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe denied the motion and gave the defense until the next hearing on July 19 to decide whether Taylor, 43, will submit items to be independently tested.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution intended to test multiple items, including a box cutter, a taser, a cartridge casing, two cell phones and two keys.

According to court documents, Taylor and King were in a romantic relationship when police found her with a bullet wound in her apartment, which Taylor said only he and King had access to.

There was also record of domestic abuse in the relationship.

Judge Reschedules Murder Trial at Prosecution’s Request

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>During a status hearing April 29, a DC Superior Court judge granted the prosecution’s request for a continuance. Now the trial is scheduled to occur nearly two years after the date of the homicide.

Larry Brown is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 33-year-old Derrick Wright on the 1300 Block of Florida Avenue, NE in March of 2018.

Brown, 32, is now slated to go to trial on March 16, 2020. He was originally scheduled to go to trial on Nov. 18.

Against the defense’s objection, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the prosecution’s request, saying she believes the prosecution is acting in “good faith” and is not attempting to strategically delay the trial.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution notified the court on April 9 that he had a scheduling conflict with the previous trial date.

According to court documents, surveillance video captured an altercation between two unknown individuals near the scene of the crime. Witnesses said a man was seen carrying a thin black object and yelling, “I love to kill, I love to kill.”

An unidentified informant told police via the text-tip line that Brown was the assailant.

Brown is scheduled for a status hearing on May 31.

Defense Requests Witness’s Statement to Police

During a hearing April 29, a murder defendant’s attorney reminded the court that she requested a witness’s videotaped statement to police.

Dejuan George is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 46-year-old Abdul Watts on the 5600 block of Dix Street, NE on Jan. 8.

In response to the defense’s request, DC Superior Court Judge Dayson informed counsel that she received the video from the prosecution and that she plans on making a ruling on what portions the prosecution is obligated to give to the defense.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Dayson ordered March 29 that George, 25, be released to a halfway house.

However, George is currently being detained at DC Jail. Counsel did not address why he has not been placed at a halfway house.

According to court documents, Watts sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest. Footage from a body-worn camera appears to show Watts identifying George as his assailant. However, the audio from the footage is not clear.

George is scheduled for a felony status conference on May 31.

Document: Homicide on Canal Road, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 5200 block of Canal Road, NW.

According to a press release, officers located a man suffering from multiple sharp force injuries. The man died on the scene. Police have not released the man’s identity at this time.

Up to a $25,000 reward 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.

D.C. Witness will provide updates to the case as they are released.

Judge Takes Time To Decide on Protective Order

A D.C. Superior Court Judge said he would wait three weeks to rule on a prosecutor’s protective order, which would conceal the identities of key witnesses to the defense.

Kurt and Demonte Hewitt are charged with second-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the stabbing death of 16-year-old Tyshon Perry on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE. According to the prosecution, Kurt and Demonte are cousins.

During the hearing on April 26, a prosecutor said she filed a protective order, which would conceal the identities of key witnesses to defense. She said that many of the witnesses were juveniles, and she feared that if Kurt and Demonte knew the names, it may put the witnesses in danger.

However, defense attorney, Lauren Johnson, said she would be unable to complete an investigation without the names of the witnesses.

Johnson said the prosecution’s case is set on the testimony of witnesses. She said several of the witnesses gave police conflicting statements, and, if she was unable to ask her client about the witnesses, there would be no way to properly refute the government’s claims. Johnson also said she would not ask for contact information of the witnesses.

Judge Craig Iscoe said he would not make a decision on the protective order until he had time to review case law about the subject. He said that he would let counsel know his ruling before the next status hearing that is scheduled on May 28.

According to court documents, Perry had gotten into an argument with a female student from KIPP DC College Preparatory, a school in Northeast DC. The female student allegedly threatened Perry, who was later attacked by a group of men by the NOMA Gallaudet University Metro stop.

Judge Continues Sentencing, Per Defense’s Request

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s sentencing after his attorney notified the court April 26, the original sentencing date, that he was “not prepared.”

In February, Policarpo Casarrubias-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for fatally stabbing his roommate, 37-year-old Israel Gomez, on the 3100 Block of 16th Street, NW on Sept. 9, 2018.

Casarrubias-Rodriguez, 45, is now scheduled to be sentenced on May 31.

During the hearing, defense attorney Matthew Davies supplemented his assertion saying, he’s been in trial as a result needs more time in order to be prepared to go forward with sentencing.

The prosecution had no objection but noted that some of Gomez’s relatives traveled a long distance to be present for the sentencing.

According to court documents, prior to the stabbing, Casarrubias-Rodriguez and Gomez got into a physical altercation stemming from a dispute over a chair. After the fight was over, Casarrubias-Rodriguez got a knife and stabbed Gomez once in the back.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a judge said the defendant confessed to the crime after he was arrested.