Did A Murder Defendant Shoot Her Husband in Self-Defense?

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the defense said their client shot her husband in self-defense after a violent argument.

Dianna Lalchan is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting her 36-year-old husband, Christopher Lalchan, in the Carrollsburg Condominiums located on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013.

“She’d seen it before,” the defense said. “It was like he was the Hulk. He couldn’t control himself and he couldn’t stop himself.”

The defense told the jury March 7 that after enduring years of his abusive behavior, Dianna, 33, had no choice but to open fire on her husband. They said Dianna didn’t intend to kill him and that she immediately called 911.

The defense said when the couple argued Christopher would become agitated, break things and get physically abusive.

“He would apologize every time,” the defense said, explaining that Dianna never called the police because she didn’t want to jeopardize Christopher’s career goals. Apparently, Christopher wanted to be involved in law enforcement and politics.

The defense said the couple was planning to separate, however, the abuse got worse toward the end of their relationship. On one occasion, one of Dianna’s lawyers said, Christopher put his hands on Dianna’s neck, pushed her to the ground and strangled her until she was unconscious.

According to the defense, after that incident Christopher gave her one of his guns and told her to keep it in case he lost control again.

However, the prosecution offered a different perspective. The prosecution told the jury that Christopher was unarmed and face-down on the ground when Dianna shot him. They said forensic evidence showed that Dianna fired a warning shot, followed by another shot before she finally shot him in the back of the head.

The prosecution said there were no signs of a struggle and that police didn’t see any injuries or bruises on Dianna. During the investigation, Dianna told police that Christopher did not abuse or threaten her on the night she shot him.

An officer who responded to the call testified and said they found guns, gun memorabilia, ammunition and a tactical vest in the home. The officer said he recalled asking Dianna if her husband was a police officer. She told the officer that he wanted to be.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 11.

Judge Orders Forensic Services to Comply with Testing

A DC Superior Court judge made a ruling March 5 in relation to forensic testing in a murder case.

Orlando Little, also known as Demetrius Pierce, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 68-year-old Nazir Ahmad in a gas station on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE, on Nov. 3, 2018.

After speaking with counsel under seal, Judge Todd Edelman said the Department of Forensic Services has a week to comply with his order. Judge Edelman did not clarify what order he was referring to.

At a previous hearing on Feb. 25, Judge Edelman denied the defense’s motion to prevent the prosecution from “consuming” DNA evidence. In other words, the defense wanted to stop the prosecution from conducting DNA testing that could potentially destroy the DNA on the item being tested.

Ultimately, Judge Edelman ruled that the “extract” would be split between the prosecution and defense. He also said the defense’s expert could be present when the testing was being done.

According to court documents, video surveillance shows a man, wearing a hat with a red brim, disconnecting a gas station’s cash register and shooting Ahmad. Furthermore, after investigating the crime scene, police were able to uncover a trail of loose coins going from the gas station to a nearby McDonald’s. Apparently, police found the hat, which contained Little’s DNA.

Little is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 5.

Police Are Searching for Four Persons of Interest in February Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department released a video March 7 of four individuals and a vehicle in connection to a February homicide.

According to a press release, police located 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon and another unidentified individual suffering from gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW on Feb. 24. Apparently, Brandon and the unidentified individual were brought to a nearby hospital, where Brandon later succumbed to his injuries.

The police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Document: Police Locate Shooting Victim in Congress Heights

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a shooting victim who was found in Congress Heights.

According to a press release, police found 27-year-old Brian Kennedy, Jr. on the Unit block of Halley Place, SE on March 7. Kennedy was pronounced dead on the scene.

Kennedy’s death is still under investigation. However, the press release states Kennedy may have been shot at a different location.

The police are offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide 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: Homicide in Southeast DC

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a 40-year-old woman.

According to a press release, police found Natina Kiah suffering from a stab wound inside a residence on the 5000 block of D Street, Southeast. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: Traffic Fatality on Rhode Island Avenue, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on the 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE on March 5.

According to a press release, a gray minivan with a black bike rack on the roof struck 65-year-old Willie Ulysees Williams, who was crossing the street. Apparently, the driver fled the scene.

Williams was brought to a nearby hopsital, where he later succumbed to his injuries on March 6.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the police at (202) 727-9099.

Victim’s Cause of Death is Unclear, Medical Examiner Says

A medical examiner told a jury March 6 that a murder victim’s cause of death was multifaceted. Apparently, the victim was high, drunk, had a genetic heart condition and suffered from trauma-related injuries.

Nathaniel Bryant is charged with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter for his alleged role in the death of Victor Drummings inside a Quality Inn parking garage on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE in 2015.

The examiner said Drummings suffered from severely narrow arteries, which compromised his heart’s function. The examiner said Drummings had a heart attack but that the drugs and trauma were also factors. The examiner said he couldn’t determine the direct cause of Drummings’ death.

During the hearing, Bryant’s girlfriend said she and her sister were leaving the Inn when they bumped into Drummings. The girlfriends’ sister, who also testified, described Drummings as the “perfect gentleman.” The sister said she ended up exchanging numbers with Drummings, but said she wasn’t interested in him.

Apparently, Drummings and Bryant began to argue after Bryant met the ladies at their car. The sisters said they left to get help and when they returned they found Drummings lying on the ground gasping for air. The women said that’s when they got in the car with Bryant and drove away.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Drummings was innocently flirting with Bryant’s girlfriend and her sister. They say Bryant got annoyed and “beat (Drummings) until his heart gave out.” The prosecution says Drummings’ trauma-related injuries caused his death.

The defense claims that Drummings died from his pre-existing heart condition. D.C. Witness previously reported that one of the arteries in Drummings’ heart had a 75 percent blockage.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 7.

Surgeon Tells Jury About Victim’s Fatal Injuries

During a murder trial March 6, a trauma surgeon described the severity of a murder victim’s injuries when he reached the hospital.

Kimberly Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting death of 53-year-old Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE in 2015.

“We were able to stop the bleeding and get his heart pumping again,” the witness said. However, the surgeon said Mayo succumbed to his injuries one week after being placed on life support.

The surgeon said Mayo’s pulse stopped in the ambulance. She said he was put on life support shortly after arriving at the hospital.

According to court documents, Thompson, 61, drove a silver Mercedes Benz. His vehicle was captured on surveillance footage at the time of the incident. Apparently, police seized his vehicle and found multiple firearms.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.

Murder Defendant’s Fingerprints Not in Victim’s Apartment, Expert Says

During a murder trial March 6, a DNA expert said she didn’t find the defendant’s fingerprints in the victim’s apartment. However, several other witnesses’ testimonies supported the prosecution’s theory that the defendant robbed the victim.

El Hadji Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel in an apartment on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017.

According to the expert, she matched fingerprints found in the apartment to Mehiel and the apartment’s owner. The expert said she also found fingerprints in the tub and sink, but they were “inconclusive.”

During the hearing, a Motel 6 manager told the jury that Toure checked into the Laurel, Md. motel on March 21, the day the murder took place, and checked out on March 23.

The manager also said the motel was within walking distance of a Gulf Gas station where a suspect was caught on camera withdrawing money from an ATM machine. The president of the company that oversees the ATM testified that the transaction aligns with records detailing withdrawals from Mehiel’s accounts.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure is responsible for binding, sexually assaulting and repeatedly stabbing Mehiel to death. The prosecution says he tortured her, stole her credit cards and withdrew money from her account at multiple ATM machines in Maryland and Virginia.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.

Judge Declares Mistrial in Murder Case Following Partial Verdict

After nearly a week of deliberation, a jury returned a partial verdict March 6.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged in connection to the death 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Brothers Cyheme Hall and Shareem Hall are also charged in Dodds’ murder.

Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, were both found not guilty of several gun-related charges. However, Little was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license.

A DC Superior Court judge declared a mistrial for the defendants’ felony murder, conspiracy, robbery and assault charges because the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. A mistrial was also declared on Johnson’s remaining gun charges and Little’s obstruction of justice charge.

Both defendants are scheduled for a status hearing on April 5.

According to the prosecution’s theory, the Hall brothers, Johnson and Little are responsible for a string of robberies that targeted transgender women, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

Throughout the nearly five week trial, the prosecution called multiple witnesses including, one of the transgender women who was targeted during the groups’ robbing spree.

The victim said she was strip-searched and called derogatory slurs during the robbery. However, she said she did not see the identities of her assailants.

The prosecution later tried to prove Little had a bias against transgender women. They called a transgender woman to testify about an incident that occurred one week before Dodds’ murder.

The transgender woman said Little offered her money in exchange for sex when she was walking home from work. When she refused, Little pointed a gun at her and told her to strip.

However, her testimony was struck from the record after she and the prosecution violated Judge Milton Lee ’s ruling. The witness repeatedly referred to the incident as a “robbery,” which Judge Lee previously deemed “prejudicial.” Later in her testimony, a prosecutor also used the word “robbery.”

After striking her testimony, Judge Lee ruled the defense didn’t have sufficient evidence to support their claim that Dodds’ death was a hate crime.

Brothers Shareem, 25, and Cyheme, 23, also testified against Johnson and Little. According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into a plea agreement in exchange for their testimony.

According to Shareem, the four men planned to commit a robbery, but they didn’t plan to target transgender women. Apparently, they planned to rob an unidentified individual but when they couldn’t locate the person, Little said he knew people they could rob.

Shareem said he did not participate in Dodds’ robbery but saw Johnson shoot her.

Cyheme’s testimony mirrored his brother’s testimony, which the defense said wasn’t a coincidence. Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said the brothers talked about the case prior to testifying. Apparently, the brothers were previously housed in the same jail cell and currently reside in the same unit at the DC Jail.

The defense also sought to discredit Shareem’s testimony, saying he previously testified in three different cases in exchange for plea agreements. Irving said he cooperated with the prosecution in another case for a lighter sentence.

Shareem admitted to doing anything he could to get out of serving time, but he said he’s telling the truth now.

“I’ve changed my story to what happened,” Shareem said, “I knew lying wasn’t working.”

Meanwhile, Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden didn’t dispute that her client’s GPS monitor placed him at the crime scene. Instead, she argued that he didn’t know they planned to rob anyone. She said Little remained in the car, she also disputed the fact that he was carrying a gun.

A Metropolitan Police Department officer testified that when he arrested Little, hours after the murder, he found a gun. However, the officer admitted he didn’t find a gun when he initially searched Little. Instead, the officer said he found a gun in the vehicle he used to transport Little to the police station.

The officer said the gun wasn’t there before Little got in the car. However, Harden said it’s unlikely an officer would somehow “miss” a gun when conducting a pat down on an individual.

Little’s obstruction of justice charge came after he allegedly wrote “threatening letters.” A witness, who worked in the mailroom for the DC Department of Corrections, said she found letters that included threats against members of Cyheme and Shareem’s family along with their addresses and phone numbers. The letters were allegedly signed by “Block,” which is allegedly Little’s nickname.

However, Harden said the letters had no date, identification or proof of who actually wrote them.

Read more about the Dodds’ trial, here.

Murder Defendant Had ‘No Motive,’ Defense Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the defense told a jury that their client had “absolutely no motive” to shoot a 53-year-old man.

Kimberly Thompson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the shooting of Charles Mayo on the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE in 2015.

The prosecution told the jury March 5 that Thompson, 61, didn’t think very highly of Mayo and described him to police as “cruddy, a drug dealer and a bad person.” They said Thompson shot Mayo.

However, the defense said there is no evidence and no motive to back up the prosecution’s claim.

Subsequently, a witness told the jury she saw Thompson regularly in the area of the shooting. She said that a week or so prior to the shooting, Thompson asked her for a place to stay, but she turned him down because of his “irritable attitude.” She also said she saw him sleeping in his car in the area.

Surveillance footage captured Thompson’s silver Mercedes Benz driving on and near Bennett Place around the time of the offense. Apparently, police seized his vehicle a few days later and found that it contained multiple firearms.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 6.

Murder Suspect ‘Looks Like’ His Son, A Father Says

A murder defendant’s father testified March 5 that a suspect captured on surveillance footage from an ATM “looks like” his son.

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed and first-degree sexual abuse, among other charges, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Toure, 30, tortured, robbed and killed Mehiel.

While Toure’s father said the suspect in one video looked like his son, when he was shown additional footage from a gas station he said it was impossible to say who the person was.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective told the jury that Toure’s stepmother identified Toure from a photo.

During cross-examination, the defense raised questions about the validity of the identification, pointing out that the detective never wrote down which photograph he used.

In addition to the identification, the owner of a used car dealership in Maryland said Toure purchased a Ford Taurus and insurance to drive the car in March of 2017. Apparently, Toure paid for the car, which was more than $1,300, in cash. According to court documents, Toure was found by police in a Ford Taurus at the time of his arrest.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Toure stole Mehiel’s credit cards and repeatedly withdrew money from her account at multiple ATM machines. They said he used the money to buy the Ford Taurus.

D.C. Witness previously reported, a forensics expert, who examined the car, said she found a pocket knife with a broken off tip in the drivers side door.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 6.

Judge Rejects Motions to Suppress Expert Testimony

On March 5, a judge denied two motions that targeted expert witnesses in a murder case.

Dianna Lalchan, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the allegedly shooting 36-year-old Christopher Lalchan, her husband, in the Carrollsburg Condominiums located on the 1200 block of 4th Street, SW in 2013.

The rejected motions tried to suppress testimonies from forensic psychologists that could be used in both the prosecution and defense’s arguments. The expert testimonies spoke about the defendant’s mental state during the time of the murder.

According to court documents, when considering the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Battered Wife Syndrome, the defense’s expert said Lachlan’s actions showed that she “had low-self esteem. . . was fearful of her husband. . . made considerable efforts to lessen the risk of her getting killed.”

On the other hand, the prosecution’s expert said Lachlan, 33, was mentally capable of fabricating her domestic abuse story.

In addition to rejecting the motions, Judge Beck told counsel that they have until March 11 to file any other expert notices they wish to present during trial.

Lalchan is currently released on personal recognizance. She is scheduled to begin trial on March 6.

Victim Died from Pre-Existing Heart Condition, Defense Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said the defendant is responsible for beating a 41-year-old man to death. However, according to the defense, the defendant was provoked and the victim had a pre-existing heart condition.

Nathaniel Bryant is charged with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter for his alleged role in the death of Victor Drummings inside the Quality Inn parking garage on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE in 2015.

Bryant “beat him until his heart gave out,” the prosecutor said. The prosecution acknowledged Drummings’ genetic heart condition, but said it wasn’t the cause of his death. Apparently, one of the arteries in Drummings’ heart had a 75 percent blockage.

The prosecution said Bryant “sucker punched” Drummings, causing him to fall flat on his face. The prosecutor said Drummings was “trapped, drunk and alone.” She said he tried to fight back but that he was “uncoordinated.” The prosecutor said Bryant repeatedly punched and kicked the victim even as he tried to crawl away.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Bryant and two other females were leaving from a Halloween party at the Quality Inn when Drummings drunkenly started “flirting” with the women. The prosecution said Bryant got “annoyed” but that the women appeared unbothered in surveillance footage, which captured the exchange.

“Drummings was never a threat,” the prosecutor said. “Maybe, except to Bryant’s fragile ego.”

However, the defense provided a different perspective. Defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, said Drummings, who was drunk and high at the time, threatened the defendant. “Bryant did what Drummings forced him to do,” Mensah said.

Mensah also said Drummings threw the first punch. He said that as soon as Drummings stopped fighting, the defendant stopped “defending himself.”

Mensah told the jury to pay attention to the medical examiner’s report, which allegedly shows Drummings didn’t have any broken bones or fractures. Instead, Mensah said the report shows the victim had minor injuries consistent with losings a fist fight. He also said the report details Drummings’ heart condition.

Drummings “could’ve died just sitting on the couch,” Mensah said.

According to Mensah, Drummings’ blood alcohol level was four times the legal driving limit. He also said Drummings was high on PCP and marijuana and that he took “some pill.”

Drummings’ wife testified that her husband was healthy, denying any knowledge of a pre-existing heart condition. But, she said he “struggled” with PCP, a hallucinatory drug. According to court documents, Drummings was on parole in connection to a drug related case and was reporting for drug tests and attending a court ordered support group.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 6.

February Homicides Down, Overall DC Homicides Up Nearly 88 Percent

Even though the shortest month of the year produced a decrease in homicides, February totals contributed to Washington, DC’s nearly 88 percent increase in homicides from this same time last year.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 10 homicides in February, which was double the number of homicides in February of 2018.

Eight of the 10 homicides were gun-related deaths, one homicide was a stabbing and one was a hit and run. Police have apprehended two suspects as of March 5.

According to a press release, 36-year-old Morris Kenya Harley was arrested on Feb. 19 for his alleged involvement in the hit-and-run death of 35-year-old Daniel Olaya on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW on Feb. 5.

Apparently, the two men were involved in an argument shortly before Olaya was hit. Harley is charged with first-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

Police also arrested 34-year-old Darius Murphy on Feb. 22, hours after he allegedly stabbed 39-year-old Jason Wood on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. Murphy is charged with second-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.

“Homicide is a devastating crime,” DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told the Washington Post for an opinion piece about unsolved murders in the District. “Not only does it impact immediate families, but entire communities.” The piece was published on Feb. 1.

According to the Post, there are more than 2500 unsolved homicide cases from 1991-2018 in DC.

In addition to the 10 homicides, there were also two pedestrian fatalities in February.

On Feb. 11, 56-year-old Troy Sandy Austin was fatally struck by a 2009 BMW on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW. No charges were filed.

On Feb. 20, another pedestrian was fatally hit on the 5000 block of North Capitol Street, NE. No charges were filed and the victim’s identity has not been released.