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Defendant ‘Confessed’ to Murder, Prosecution Says

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said Feb. 26 that a defendant “confessed” to the murder of a transgender woman.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged involvement in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Brothers Cyheme and Shareem Hall are also charged with the murder.

The prosecution told the jury that Johnson, 23, confessed to his girlfriend that he is responsible for Dodds’ death.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said there is no evidence that his client was involved.

Both Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, testified that Johnson shot Dodds and that Little, 28, was the getaway driver. According to the prosecution, the brothers entered plea agreements in exchange for their testimony. A plea has not been filed as of Feb. 26.

Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, told the jury that her client knew nothing about the robberies or Dodds’ murder. Harden said that even though Little’s GPS monitor placed him at the scene, it doesn’t mean he was involved.

But, the prosecution said Little knew what was going on and wanted to be a part of it.

During the hearing, the defense also sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies by saying they both previously admitted to lying to law enforcement. The defense said the brothers are only cooperating in exchange for a lighter sentence. A sentencing date has not been scheduled for the brothers. 

The prosecution refuted the defense’s claim and said the Hall brothers came forward, accepted responsibility and admitted to being involved in the robberies.

The jury began deliberating on Feb. 26.

Murder Defendant Sexually Assaulted and Robbed Victim, Prosecution Says

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution described the murder of a visiting artist and how she was “brutally” raped, robbed and killed. But, the defense told the jury not to let sympathy get in the way of the truth.

El Hadji Toure is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery, among other offenses, 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 the prosecution, Mehiel’s death is being tried as an “especially heinous” crime.

The prosecution told the 16-member jury that Mehiel, a visiting artist from North Carolina, was getting ready to head home when Toure, 30, “snatched” her life away. A prosecutor said Mehiel was found face down in her bedroom, her body bound with clothes and bed sheets. He said that she was stabbed at least 39 times in the neck and multiple times in her side.

The prosecutor said that Toure’s DNA was found on some of the items that were used to bind Mehiel. He also said the defendant’s semen was found in her body.

During the hearing, the prosecution spoke about surveillance footage that showed Mehiel loading up her car just as another individual could be seen walking toward her apartment.

The prosecutor said three hours later Mehiel’s car is seen leaving the area. According to the prosecution, the defendant’s robbing spree began shortly after. Apparently, Mehiel’s bank cards were used at seven different ATMs in Maryland and Virginia. Footage from many of the ATMs show Toure withdrawing money from her account and using the correct pin number each time, the prosecution said.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Toure after he ditched Mehiel’s car and started using the Metro. Ultimately, they found a SmarTrip card on Toure when he was arrested.

However, defense attorney Emily Stirba said the police were “pressured” to make an arrest because it’s a high profile case. She said the detectives on the case had “tunnel vision” and failed to investigate other leads.

Stirba said the police incorrectly assumed that the same person depicted in the ATM videos was the same person responsible for Mehiel’s murder. She said the police’s theory was “nothing more than a guess, pieced together by assumptions and speculation.”

Stirba told the jury that a week prior to Mehiel’s death, there was a “strikingly similiar” assault on a woman. Apparently, the victim was bound, had something placed over her head and her assailant had a knife.

Stirba said police looked into Toure as a possible suspect in the case but later stopped when they learned he was at a shelter during the time of the offense.

“She’s a real person who deserves real justice,” Stirba said, referring to Mehiel. “ And there is no real justice in this courtroom.”

The trial is scheduled to continue on Feb. 26.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in 2015 Murder

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Feb. 25 a man suspected of committing a murder in 2015.

According to a press release, police arrested Joshua Artis and charged him with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Ryan Matthew Addison on the 200 block of Elmira Street, SW. There has been a bench warrant out for Artis’ arrest since November 15, 2018, when he failed to attend a felony arraignment hearing connected to the case.

Artis is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, according to DC Courts.

In December of 2018, D.C. Witness reported that Artis, 29, is a member of the Imperial Gangsta Bloods also known as IGB, which is a criminal organization that operates in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia, amongst other states in the United States.

A grand jury indictment states that a regional IGB leader “authorized” Artis to travel from Virginia to Washington, DC to kill Addison, who they believed killed 25-year-old Rodney Davis, who was a friend of theirs. Davis was fatally shot on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW on Aug. 11, 2015.



Jury Tampering Allegations Delay Murder Trial

A D.C. Superior Court judge delayed closing arguments in a murder trial Feb. 25 because of allegations of jury tampering.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE is 2016. Brothers Cyheme Hall, 23, and Shareem Hall, 25, are also charged in Dodds’ murder.

Judge Milton Lee said he was concerned that a juror was exposed to information about the case that could impact their decision. He is continuing closing arguments so he could investigate the allegation.

The defense said they also have concerns about the prosecution coercing a witness and tampering with the jury. However, the government said there is no evidence of misconduct.

Johnson, 23, and Little, 28, are allegedly connected to a string of armed robberies that targeted transgender women in the summer of 2016, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Little acted as a getaway driver and Johnson shot Dodds.

Closing arguments are scheduled to continue on Feb. 26.

Murder Defendant Will Not Receive Extension for Plea Deal, Prosecution Says

On Feb. 22, prosecutors said they would not extend a plea offer for a murder defendant they believe stabbed a man in 2017.

William Edward Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 29-year-old Dominic Brooks on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Brooks suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest.

Defense attorney, Jason Tulley, requested that a plea deal for Smith remain open until the results of an independent DNA test were released. Tulley said testing should be completed by March 11. 

Prosecutors said that unless defense told them what evidence was being tested and why, the plea offer would close. The plea deal expired on Feb. 22. 

Judge Juliet McKenna ordered the prosecution to hand over evidence, including cell phone information and jail calls to defense by March 8. She also said she had to push back Smith’s trial date because of scheduling issues with an unrelated trial.

According to court documents, a witness, who was in a relationship with Brooks, said Smith and another individual named Lou ran into Brooks and the witness when they were walking away from a birthday party. The witness said a conversation started but turned violent.  

Smith’s new trial date is scheduled on April 8, which is seven days later than the previous trial date. 

Prosecutors Inquire About Permissible Actions Under Sanctions

When prosecutors discovered the true extent of their sanctions in a murder trial they requested advice from the judge about how to proceed forward. 

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 stabbing death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Mehiel’s wounds were consistent with torture.

During a hearing on Feb. 22, prosecutors asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna about what they were permitted to say during opening arguments under their current sanctions. Judge McKenna set the sanctions after prosecutors neglected to hand over evidence regarding a rape that occurred weeks before Mehiel’s murder.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the crime, which took place in Kalorama on March 3, had a lot of “striking” similarities to Mehiel’s murder.

According to Judge McKenna, prosecutors are not allowed to make any reference to Toure being the assailant in the March 3 rape. This includes the introduction of any evidence that may tie Toure to the other crime.

A prosecutor said that witch hazel was used to clean the victim of the March 3 rape, but the assailant asked the victim for rubbing alcohol. Toure was found with a bottle of rubbing alcohol on his person when he was arrested by police.

Judge McKenna said she would allow evidence that referred to the rubbing alcohol evidence or the witch hazel but not both.

Cadman says she intends to argue that the same person who commited the earlier rape murdered Mehiel, and that the assailant was not Toure.

Prosecutors were also asked to remove some of the photos that will be submitted into evidence, including depictions of Mehiel’s wounds, which Cadman called “excessive”.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Feb. 25.

Document: 2 Fatal Shootings Sunday, Suspected Murderer Still Loose

Two deadly shootings on Feb. 24 added to Washington, DC’s dismal homicide count in 2019. The count now stands at 26, nearly an 86 percent increase since the same time last year.

According to press releases, during the evening hours Sunday, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found 33-year-old Mark Mosley suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 block of 46th Place, SE. He died on the scene.

Earlier that day, officers found 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Police have not apprehended any suspects in connection to the two murders.

Juvon Julian Searles

In addition to the shootings, there is an arrest warrant out for 37 year-old Juvon Julian Searles for allegedly fatally shooting 46 year-old Paul Williams, Jr. on the 800 block of R Street, NW on July 24, 2018. He is wanted for second-degree murder while armed.

Searles is described as a 37 year-old black male, 6’1” tall, 249 pounds, medium complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

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. Up to a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.







Judge Refuses to Modify A Murder Defendant’s Release Conditions

A  D.C. Superior Court judge ruled Feb. 22 to keep a murder defendant’s release conditions in place.

Maurice Allen is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury for his alleged role in the death of 27-year-old Arthur Thompkins on the 5400 block of Hunt Place, NE  in 2017.

Allen is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision program (HISP).

Judge Danya Dayson told Allen’s defense attorney that she would not release Allen on his own personal recognizance. Instead, Judge Dayson ruled Allen would continue wearing a GPS monitoring device and undergo random drug tests.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued in favor of the court’s ruling, saying Allen has a lengthy criminal history and tried to avoid detectives when they attempted to serve him a subpoena to testify in a grand jury.

However, Allen’s defense attorney, Randy McDonald, argued against the ruling, saying his client has been compliant under HISP and that he was not a flight risk or danger to the community. McDonald also said Allen testified in favor of the prosecution’s case during the grand jury.

It’s unclear whether Allen testified against his codefendants, Markale Moore and Tyrone Harris, at the grand jury hearing. Moore, 29, and Harris, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in Thompkins’ death.

According to court documents, Moore and Thompkins had an argument about money and a woman. Witnesses told police that Moore shot Thompkins and Harris drove the getaway car.

Moore, Harris and Allen are scheduled for a status hearing on May 5.

Prosecutor Says He’s Making ‘Substantial Progress’ in Securing Murder Indictment

On Feb. 22, a prosecutor in a murder case said he is making “substantial progress” in securing a grand jury indictment.

Dazmine Anderson is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 30-year-old Jean-Claude Jackson on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Oct. 7, 2018. Anderson, 16, is being charged as an adult.

The prosecutor didn’t clarify the details of the “progress” he made.

According to court documents, a witness said a group of “young guys” robbed an unidentified individual and that a group of bystanders, including Jackson, were trying to stop them. The witness said the group of bystanders caught one of the robbers and there was a struggle. Apparently, shortly after the struggle, the witness noticed that Jackson was suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Anderson is scheduled for a felony status conference on June 7.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Stabbing

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Feb. 21 a man who is suspected of fatally stabbing another man earlier that day.

According to a press release, officers arrested and charged 24 year-old Darius Murphy for allegedly stabbing Jason Wood on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. Wood, 39, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Murphy is charged with second-degree murder while armed.



Defendant Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide

A murder defendant pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to charges stemming from her role in a car crash that resulted in the death of a 43-year-old woman.

Terica Younger pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault for her involvement in the death of Talata Williams on the 2400 block of Good Hope Road, SE in 2017.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to downgrade Younger’s second-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss two unrelated cases, including an assault on a police officer charge and a violation of release conditions.

During the hearing Younger, 42, told the court that she doesn’t remember all of the details from the night of the murder. She told D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee that she remembers drinking at a bar, but that she doesn’t remember getting behind the wheel or doing fentanyl. That being said, Younger still agreed to the plea agreement and said she doesn’t dispute that she’s responsible.

According to court documents, multiple witnesses saw a Dodge pickup, the vehicle Younger was operating, crash into a Honda Accord, the vehicle Williams was a passenger in. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene. At the time of the crash, Younger’s blood alcohol level was .10, which was above the .08 legal limit. She also tested positive for using fentanyl, a narcotic.

Younger is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3.

Judge Modifies Stay Away Order for Alleged Child Abuser

Following a ruling Feb. 22, a defendant, who is charged with the death of her 1-year-old child, is allowed to be around children.

Faneshia Scott is charged with first-degree murder and child cruelty for her alleged role in the death of her daughter, Rhythm Fields, on the 5400 Block of C Street, SE in 2017. Scott, 32, is currently released on home detention and maintains a curfew.

During the hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee amended Scott’s stay away order, which stated she couldn’t be around children. Judge Lee said Scott could be around children as long as there are other adults around to supervise. The judge said he based his ruling on the fact that Scott has been in full compliance with her conditions of release.

Scott’s defense attorney Steven Kiersh requested the change saying, Scott lives with her parents, who have multiple grandchildren, and that the stay away is a “difficult” restriction on the family.

The prosecution was against the ruling and said, “Given Scott’s track record with her own kids, it’s unfair to put other children at risk.”  Before the death of her daughter, Scott had three children. According to a grand jury indictment, Scott abused all of her children. 

The indictment said she “intentionally, knowingly and recklessly” tortured and beat her daughter.

Scott is scheduled for a status hearing on May 6.

Judge Sentences ‘Grown Man’ to 8 Years for Teenager’s Death

During a hearing Feb. 22, a D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a 43-year-old man to eight years in prison for fatally shooting a teenager, who was less than half his age. “A grown man shot a boy,” the prosecution said.

In September of 2018, Antwan Horactio Buchanan pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the death of 18-year-old Teshean Jermaine Ashe on the 700 block of 16th Street, NE in 2016.

Buchanan’s eight year sentence stems from an agreement between counsel in accordance to D.C.’s plea agreement procedure 11(c)1(c). The policy states that the prosecution and the defense can set a specific sentence or sentencing range that they deem fit for the circumstances of the case.

Prior to accepting the agreement, Judge Danya Dayson inquired about why Buchanan was offered such a plea given the defendant’s extensive criminal history, which includes assault and a gun charge.

Judge Dayson ultimately found the prosecution’s explanation satisfactory after she said the plea was based on the strength of the evidence in the case and the defendant’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions.

“Why did you murder my grandson?” Ashe’s grandmother said addressing the court. “I don’t know what an 18 year old could have done to you that you would kill him in broad daylight.”

“I apologize,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan told the court that he felt “pressured” into “defending” himself from Ashe.

“I really didn’t want to take your son’s life and that’s the truth,” Buchanan said noting that he’s a father of seven. Buchanan didn’t elaborate about how he ended up shooting the teen.

According to the prosecution, Ashe was riding a bike in a parking lot, when he got into a verbal altercation with Buchanan. Apparently, the argument escalated, Ashe ran away and Buchanan followed him. The prosecutor said Buchanan then pulled out a gun and shot Ashe four times.

Defense attorney Frederick Sullivan said Buchanan believed he was acting in self-defense. Sullivan also said that Buchanan was recently diagnosed with a mental disorder for the first time.

Buchanan is expected to serve five years on supervised release after he is released from prison.

Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty To Killing His Father

During a hearing Feb. 21, a murder defendant pleaded guilty to stabbing his father to death.

David Blakeney, Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the death of his 53-year-old father, David Blakeney, Sr. on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE in 2017. According to the prosecution, the father’s family found him in his bathtub.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, Blakeney’s first-degree murder charge will be downgraded to second-degree murder. The prosecution also agreed to drop a threat to do bodily injury charge from an unrelated 2017 case. 

According to court documents, members of the defendant’s family said Blakeney, 27, and his father argued a lot with one another. The family also said Blakeney and his father had gotten into physical altercations in the past.

Police reported that during an interrogation, Blakeney appeared to drink his own urine. Officers also said Blakeney appeared to be having an “imaginary conversation with his mother.” Blakeney said his mother killed his father, documents state.

D.C. Witness previously reported that a report from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, D.C.’s psychiatric hospital, stated that Blakeney was mentally competent and could be held criminally responsible for his actions. Apparently, Blakeney chose to waive his right to an insanity defense, according to court documents. 

Blakeney is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17.

Transgender Woman Was ‘Fighting for Her Life,’ Prosecution Says

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a transgender woman was “fighting for her life,” when she was shot and killed during a robbery.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged roles in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Brothers Cyheme and Shareem Hall are also charged in Dodds’ murder. 

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 21 that four men are responsible for Dodds’ death. He said Johnson, 23, committed the murder, and Little, 28, helped. Apparently, brothers Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, also participated.

According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into plea agreements in exchange for their testimonies.

According to the brothers, Johnson was the shooter and Little was the getaway driver. The brothers admitted to participating in the robberies, but denied hitting or shooting anyone. 

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies, saying they previously admitted to lying and constantly changed their stories. Irving said the brothers are only cooperating for a lighter sentence and that the information they provided may not have been the truth.

Irving also said the prosecution lacked physical evidence such as fingerprints or video footage. He said Johnson cannot be placed at the scene and, aside from the brothers, none of the witnesses could identify him as being one of the assailants.

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 25.