Counsel Reaches Agreement on Plea Offer in Murder Case

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge vacated a murder trial date after counsel said they reached an agreement on a plea offer.

John James is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr. on the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE in 2015.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived on Eaton Road and found Massenberg-Bey, 21, and an unidentified male suffering from gunshot wounds. The unidentified male, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, ultimately identified James, 26, as the shooter.

Initially, a witness told police that James approached Massenberg-Bey on Eaten Road and asked him for five dollars. Apparently, Massenberg-Bey said no and that’s when James allegedly shot him and the unidentified male.

The next day the same witness called the police and said James and the unidentified male were arguing and Massenberg-Bey intervened. Apparently, James walked away only to return and shoot both Massenberg-Bey and the unidentified male.

The definitive facts of the shooting remain unclear.

On Aug. 28, counsel notified the court that they had come to an agreement on a plea offer.

Frances D’Antuono, James’ defense attorney, assured the court that James “desires” to accept the plea; however, she requested additional time to go through the plea offer paperwork with her client.

Subsequently, Judge Milton Lee vacated the trial date, originally scheduled for Nov. 13.

James is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 18, when he is expected to formally respond to the plea offer.

Document: Police Investigate 2 Shootings

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating two fatal shootings that occurred less than an hour apart on Aug. 27.

According to a press release, just after midnight, police found Tony Lamont Payne, Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a residence on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Payne, 36, was taken to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Thirty minutes later, police responded to the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW on reports of gunfire. After arriving on the scene, police found 22-year-old Phillip Dumbuya and an unidentified male suffering from gunshot wounds. Dumbuya succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital. The unidentified male sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in these homicides or any other homicide in DC.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in 2017 Homicide on 13th Street, SE

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks.

Pursuant to a DC Superior Court warrant, 47-year-old Cedric Alexander was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The shooting occurred on the 1900 block of 13^th Street, SE in 2017, according to a news release.

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

Document: Homicide on 46th Place, SE

On Aug. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department found 28-year-old Piera Sterling Barbour fatally shot on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE.

According to a press release, Barbour was pronounced dead on the scene, which is near the Benning Road Metro station.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC.

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

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Second Suspect in 2017 Homicide

On Aug. 23, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge found probable cause against another suspect who was allegedly involved in a 2017 fatal shooting that occurred three days after Christmas.

Marcel Vines is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis on the 800 block of Adrian Street, SE.

Ashton Briscoe was also charged with Lewis’ murder. Briscoe, 24, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to court documents, Lewis’ death was allegedly in retaliation for the 2017 death of Ronzay Green.

Following Green’s death, a witness told police they overheard Vines, 22, saying “this isn’t fair” and “someone needs to pay.” Witnesses told police that Vines believed Lewis was responsible for Green’s death, according to court documents. Lewis apparently set Green, 23, up to get robbed.

Judge Sean Staples found probable cause based on documents of the murder. He also ordered Vines held without bond because of the severity of the charge and his criminal history. Vines was convicted in 2015 on a drug charge and again in 2016 for gun and drug charges.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 7. Briscoe is scheduled for a felony status conference on Sept. 25.

Judge Finds Murder Defendant Competent for Sentencing

During a mental observation hearing Aug. 27, a DC Superior Court judge found a murder defendant competent to proceed with sentencing.

In February, a jury found Christian Romero guilty of second-degree murder while armed for the stabbing death of Dimas Fuentes-Lazo on the 800 block of Kennedy Street, NW in 2016.

According to court documents, Romero, 26, and Fuentes-Lazo, 38, got into an altercation after Romero smacked Fuentes-Lazo’s car side mirror. Ultimtely, Fuentes-Lazo was stabbed mutliple times in the upper body, inlcuding his face.

Romero was originally scheduled to be sentenced in May. However, the hearing was delayed twice for undisclosed reasons. During the third attempted sentencing, Romero repeatedly insisted he didn’t understand what was going on until court marshalls forcibly removed him from the courtroom.

On Aug. 27, Judge Juliet Mckenna found Romero competent based on information in a medical report.

Counsel did not challenge her finding.

Romero is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Two Murders

During a status hearing Aug. 24, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to shooting two people.

Matthew “Moju” Moore pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed after confessing to shooting Ronnell Tye Reaves and Kevin Kennedy on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE in 2017.

According to court documents, police arrived on 14th Place and found 22-year-old Reaves deceased in the driver’s seat of a car. Kennedy, 23, was in critical condition in the passenger seat.

According to a proffer of facts, surveillance footage shows Reaves walking toward the car, where his remains were later located, and sit on the driver’s seat. Moore, 34, is seen approaching the vehicle, leans in the direction of the car and shoots both Reaves and Kennedy.

Moore previously pleaded not guilty for the fatal shooting of Reaves. He claimed he acted in self-defense.

Kennedy succumbed to his injuries on July 8.

According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Moore could face a prison sentence ranging from 24 to 36 years. He is also required to serve an additional five years on supervised release.

Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 26.

Police Arrest 2 of 4 Suspects in 10 Year Old’s Murder

The Metropolitan Police Department apprehended two of four suspects wanted for the shooting death of a 10-year-old girl in July.

According to a press release, officers arrested 21-year-old Quentin Rayfield “Q” Michals on Aug. 27 and Qujuan Thomas, 20, on Aug. 25. Both are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE as she went to purchase ice cream from an ice cream truck. According to news reports, a five dollar bill her mother gave her was in her hands.

Michals turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 27.

Michals and Thomas are scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 27.

According to court documents, at the time, Thomas was on probation for armed robbery. The Washington Post reports that he had also been arrested in Prince George’s County, Md. on drug charges.

In July, Prince George’s County police arrested Kevin Eugene Jones and charged him with carjacking and assaulting a woman in Lanham, Md., on July 1. Jones apparently stole the vehicle, a black Infiniti, that was used in the shooting. The vehicle was found in Temple Hills, Md. Jones, 20, has not been charged for Wilson’s death.

Police have not released a motive, but news reports state that the shooting may have resulted from a neighborhood dispute. The case is still under investigation.

An award of up to $45,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.

“Makiyah Wilson should still be with us. She should have gone to school this week,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference Aug. 25. “We won’t be satisfied until we find justice in her murder.”

Police released a video of the shooting on July 17.

The shooting death of Wilson has been one of a slew of homicides in the District during a violent summer. As of Aug. 27, there have been 103 homicides in DC. There have been 30 homicides, including a fatal stabbing that was classified as self defense since the summer began on June 21, according to D.C. Witness data.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Second Suspect in April Homicide

During an arraignment Aug. 22, a magistrate judge found probable cause that a second man was involved in an April homicide.

Kevin Carter, 30, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder for his connection in the death of 33-year-old Yusef Turner on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

Keith Sweptson is also charged with Turner’s death. Sweptson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder.

During his arraignment, Carter pleaded not guilty.

Subsequently, Steven Ogilvie, Carter’s defense attorney, argued that the judge couldn’t find probable cause because the police relied on unreliable witnesses to identify the defendant.

According to Ogilvie, one witness relied on “street rumors” to implicate Carter and couldn’t name the direct source who started the rumor. Ogilvie said another witness was “financially motivated” to implicate Carter. Apparently, the witness did not identify Carter until after hearing about the financial reward.

Judge Sean Staples ordered that Carter be held without bond due to the severity of the charges and his criminal history. According to the DC Courts, Carter has two prior felony convictions for drug charges in 2006 and 2008.

Carter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31. Sweptson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 17.

Defense Attorneys Withdraw from Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge granted a motion for defense attorneys in a murder case to withdraw after their client requested a change of counsel.

On July 17, a jury found Willie Glover, Joseph Barbour and Charles McRae guilty of felony murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for their involvement in the death of Lenard Wills, 50, on the 700 block of 24 Street, NE in 2015.

The trio was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, burglary one while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, assault with the intent to commit robbery while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon.

During a status hearing on Aug. 23, Glover told Judge Craig Iscoe why he no longer wanted to be represented by his attorneys. The motion was formally submitted on Aug. 6.

Judge Iscoe found Glover’s rationale satisfactory and granted the motion.

To address Glover’s concern over new counsel, Judge Iscoe chose to withhold from formally appointing a new attorney. Instead, Judge Iscoe said he wanted a public defender to speak with Glover first.

Judge Iscoe scheduled a status hearing on Aug. 28, at which point Glover is expected to notify the court of his new counsel.

Glover, 40; McRae,66; and Barbour, 38, are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Murder Defendants Ask Judge to Lift Separation Order

Three co-defendants in a murder case told a D.C. Superior Court judge Aug. 23 that they would like their separation order lifted.

William Cunningham, 31, Marcus Martin and Marc Butler are charged with first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Derryk Johnson on the 600 block of N Street, NW in 2016.

During a status hearing, Dana Page, Martin’s defense attorney, requested the separation order be lifted. She said, as a result of the separation order, Martin, 21, had been in solitary confinement for the duration of his time at D.C. jail.

Dorsey Jones, Butler’s defense attorney, also supported the motion. According to Jones, Butler, 22, has been prevented from entering a GED program because of the separation order.

Subsequently, the prosecution approached Judge Craig Iscoe and explained their rationale to maintain the separation order. Judge Iscoe said he considers the reasons valid and denied the request to lift the order. Even so, he did show concern about the restrictions the defendants faced.

Judge Iscoe said he would inquire about the situation with D.C. jail authorities.

A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9.

My Summer Internship at D.C. Witness

Stephen Seizilles de Mazancourt interned at D.C. Witness during the Summer of 2018.

When I started my internship at D.C. Witness, I knew it would be an excellent learning opportunity.

The internship provided me with first-hand experience in the DC Superior Court, where I learned about the U.S. judicial system.

Not only did I research the cases I was reporting on, but, to understand court documents, I also spent time researching the previous cases that set important precedents in the U.S. common law system.

While in court, I saw various steps that homicide cases may go through and witnessed various emotional burdens that may fill the courtroom, ranging from family members’ heartrending impact statements to a judge fiercely condemning a defendant who showed pride in obstructing justice.

My internship at D.C. Witness was an invaluable experience that helped me improve my reporting and writing skills.

I found it incredibly rewarding to make progress on these fronts while on a mission to fight against misinformation, and trying to help a community disrupted by crime.

Check out Stephen’s articles, here.

Document: Homicide on Evarts Street, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department found Aug. 23 Travis Barksdale suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 block of Evarts Street, NE.

According to a press release, Barksdale died at a local hospital.

Police are currently offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in DC.

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

Counsel Questions Witness’s Mental Health

Counsel and a Superior Court judge addressed Aug. 22 the competency of a witness in a murder case. The witness’s mental health issues could be a reason to cancel the defendants’ upcoming trial.

Turell Campbell, 24, and 25-year-old twin brothers Marquete and Marquese Murray are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Isiah Agyekum on the 100 block of Darrington Street, SW in 2015.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.

During a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 22, the prosecution informed Judge Craig Iscoe that an “essential” witness was hospitalized on Aug. 2 because of mental health problems.

Counsel said the witness shouldn’t be allowed to testify if incompetent.

However, if the witness is deemed incompetent, the prosecution said they would likely not be ready to proceed to trial.

Matthew Davies, Kevin Mosley and Brandi Harden, the defendants’ defense attorneys, said the witness’s statements from the night of the murder should also be reconsidered if that witness is found incompetent. The witness apparently provided police with information about 25-year-old Agyekum’s murder.

Judge Iscoe ruled that a competency hearing should be held before a jury is selected. As of Aug. 22, a date for the competency hearing has not been scheduled.

A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Lack of Indictment Forces Judge to Release Murder Defendant

After two failed attempts, a murder defendant was finally released after the prosecution failed to get an indictment before the agreed upon deadline.

Stephon Williams was charged with second-degree murder while armed in 2017 for allegedly shooting Jamar Morris, 28, on the unit block of M Street, NW in 2016.

Williams, 25, requested to be released and placed in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) twice before — on Feb. 1 and again on May 17. DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe initially denied both requests.

On July 27, Judge Iscoe extended the prosecution’s deadline to seek an indictment to Aug. 22.

At that time, Prosecutors said they still needed to find two individuals and could not give a specific date of when they would speak with the witnesses. The prosecution’s status has not changed.

“I have no choice but to release you,” Judge Iscoe told the defendant.

Williams is set to be released on personal recognizance. He will be subject to random drug tests and must report to court sporadically.

He is also scheduled for a status control hearing on Oct. 17.

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