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Demetrius Brandon found not guilty of murder charges

After two days, a jury found March 8 Demetrius Brandon, 30, not guilty of murder or possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the alleged shooting of 38-year-old Marcus Manor.

Manor was shot and killed on the 2900 block of Sherman Ave, NW on Oct. 20, 2015. Kevin Chase said he allegedly shot Manor in self defense after his life was threatened, but Manor was not armed. Witnesses testified that Manor was a violent individual. Counsel also said Manor was involved in an abusive relationship with Chase’s sister.

Additionally, the jury found Chase, 30, guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license. Chase was found not guilty of assault with significant bodily injury from an altercation that happened at his sister’s apartment complex four days before the homicide.

Jurors could not reach a decision on Chase’s first-degree murder charge. The jury could also not decide if Brandon should be charged with accessory after the fact in an assault with the intent to kill. According to counsel, Brandon picked Chase up at a nearby gas station after the shooting and drove him away from the scene.

The jury is scheduled to return on March 12 to continue deliberations.

Son says his father intended to kill Moore

The 17-year-old son of Harold Marshall testified March 8 that his father intended to kill 32-year-old Tyrone Moore to protect his aunt and sister.

Marshall’s son, who was 14-years-old at the time, said that on March 22, 2015, the day of the stabbing, he lived with his mother but was spending time with his father at his aunt’s apartment on the 1600 block of F Street, NE.

Marshall’s son said Moore, who was in a relationship with his aunt, went to the apartment angry. Moore accused the aunt and her female friend of stealing money and drugs, the son said.

According to the son, Moore cornered his aunt in the kitchen with a knife, which prompted Marshall to get involved and break up the altercation. From there, Moore and Marshall, 40, got into a physical confrontation.

Marshall’s son said the women tried to break up the fight by the aunt taking Moore into the bedroom, and her friend taking Marshall to the living room. However, the friend could not keep Marshall in the living room, and he went after Moore again.

“I’m going to kill this n*****,” Marshall said before kicking down the bedroom door. According to the son, Marshall had a knife in his pocket. The son said he had never seen Marshall that upset before, and refused to look in the bedroom because he “knew someone one was getting killed.”

However, the defense impeached the son’s testimony by reading statements he previously made to a grand jury.

Marshall’s son told the grand jury that he didn’t hear Marshall say he was going to kill Moore until he was actually in the bedroom. He also told the grand jury he saw Moore push his aunt, but, he did not recall the statement during trial.

Additionally, the defense pointed out that Marshall’s son was not in the bedroom during the stabbing, so he couldn’t know if Marshall acted in self-defense.

The son said his statements to the grand jury may have been inaccurate because he was “14 years old and scared.”

Marshall’s sister confirmed that she and Moore had a violent relationship that would sometimes get physical. But, she said Moore did not actually hit her on the night of his death. The sister told the jury that she witnessed Marshall stab Moore.

According to the sister, Moore and Marshall had a “love hate” relationship and had previously gotten into two physical altercations.

Marshall’s sister confirmed that Moore swung first, but, she said, Moore never pulled out a weapon.

The sister is expected to continue her testimony on March 12.

Christian Romero Found Guilty of 2nd Degree Murder

The man arrested in 2016 for the fatal stabbing of Dimas Fuentes Lazo was found guilty Feb. 23 of second-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 27, 2018.

Christian Romero was arrested in June of 2016, for the murder of Lazo, 38, on the 800 Block of Kennedy Street, NW. DNA recovered from the scene, including a Coca-Cola bottle, a knife and a broken watch connect 23-year-old Romero to the scene of the crime, along with witness testimonies and video surveillance footage, according to the charging documents.

The Metropolitan Police Department first arrested Francisco Daniel Ayala, who, at the time was 23 years old. Ayala presented an alibi and charges were later dropped.

On the night of the homicide, Romero, 25, who is a resident of Hyattsville, Md., was apparently looking for a lounge in the area. According to testimony from Romero and other witnesses, Romero smacked the rearview mirror of a witness’ car so hard that he broke it.

The jury was presented with different scenarios of the timing of events minutes before the homicide. According to surveillance videos, Romero, Lazo and a witness were seen talking after the witness told or yelled out to Romero after he broke his rearview mirror. Romero is seen crossing the street and conversing with Lazo and another witness, throwing his hands up several times during the conversation.

According to Romero, he was saying he didn’t want any trouble. But, the prosecution says he was being volatile and cursing. The prosecution also pointed out that the witness and Lazo both stepped back from Romero throughout their interactions leading up to the fight.

According to surveillance video, Romero is seen thrusting at both Lazo and another man, who was Lazo’s friend. After the friend runs behind a car, Romero is seen stabbing Lazo multiple times.

Romero claims self defense. He said Lazo was standing when he ran. Surveillance videos confirm that Lazo was standing at the time Romero ran, but within minutes Lazo collapsed to the ground.

The prosecution said that if Romero thought he was in real danger, he would have stopped someone or an officer, but he never did.

Counsel delivers opening statements for 2015 homicide

Counsel delivered their opening statements March 7 for the 2015 homicide of 32-year-old Tyrone Moore.

According to the prosecution, Harold Marshall, 40, fatally stabbed Moore on the 1600 block of F Street, NE, on March 22, 2015, in a deliberate attempt to kill.

Moore was allegedly in a relationship with Marshall’s sister, and counsel agreed that the two had a controversial relationship.

The prosecution said Marshall and his 14-year-old son were at his sister’s home with Marshall’s sister, her two young children and a female friend for a family gathering on March 21, 2015. Moore allegedly came home angry and thought someone in the house stole his marijuana.

According to the prosecution, Marshall was awoken by Moore’s outburst and initiated a physical altercation with Moore. From there, the two women separated the fight, with Moore retreating to the back bedroom and Marshall in the kitchen.

“I’m going to kill that n*****,” Marshall said before kicking in the bedroom door, according to the prosecution. The prosecution said Marshall proceeded to stab Moore.

When Marshall was spotted about an hour after the homicide, the prosecution noted that Marshall never told police that he acted in self-defense or to protect his sister.

However, the defense told a drastically different story. The defense said Marshall is completely innocent and acted within the law.

According to the defense, Moore had a history of abuse and beat Marshall’s sister while she was pregnant.

The defense said that Moore came home drunk on March 22, 2015, and cornered Marshall’s sister in the kitchen with a knife, accusing her friend of stealing his drugs. When Marshall tried to break up the fight, the defense said Moore stabbed Marshall twice. The ladies separated the men.

According to the defense, Marshall went into the room unarmed and tussled with Moore over the knife he supposedly brought with him into the bedroom. The defense said Moore’s aggression led Marshall to have no choice but to protect himself and his sister.

A Metropolitan Police Department sergeant, who arrested Marshall, said he was cooperative during his arrest. The sergeant said Marshall didn’t mention he was stabbed or acted in self-defense during questioning.

The trial is expected to continue on March 8.

Defense in traffic homicide mull over plea offers

The defense in a 2017 homicide trial indicated that it needed more time to contemplate possible plea offers and review discovery files at a felony status conference March 7.

Lavonne Beckett, 39, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for crashing a vehicle and killing a female passenger on the 600 block of Florida Avenue NE on Aug. 5, 2017. Beckett allegedly told police he smoked PCP before driving.

Judge Ronna Beck set no further status dates because the case is pending grand jury action.

Defendant’s friend testifies about events leading up to 15-year-old’s murder

During the prosecution’s last day of arguments in 15-year-old Malek Mercer’s murder trial, one of the defendant’s closest friends was called to testify about events leading up to the homicide.

Anthony Ryans, who is currently incarcerated in Prince William County for robbery, testified to what he, Derryck Decuir and another friend did before and after the alleged shooting on the night of June 15, 2015. Mercer died in the hospital four days later. Decuir is being charged with second-degree murder while armed. The friend and Ryans are not being charged with the homicide.

According to Ryans, the three were leaving a ceremony for Decuir’s father who passed a few days before the homicide. He said the mood was somber and he tried to lighten it up with a few jokes. While at the bus stop, Ryans said he joked about Decuir, 25, admiring a red Versace belt that Mercer was wearing. “Why you lookin’ at that man’s a**,” Ryans said. He said Decuir may have giggled at the comment, but it wasn’t serious. According to the prosecution, the comment’s homosexual implication is a possible motive.

The three men exited the bus on the corner of 28th Street SE and Naylor Road SE to go to a 7-Eleven. Ryans said he suffered from Hypoglycemia or cotton mouth, which was exacerbated by the alcohol he drank at the ceremony, and needed a sugary drink. The stop was apparently 20 minutes away from Ryans, Decuir and the friend’s residences.

“How the f*** did he get on the ground,” Ryans said he was thinking when he heard the shot and saw Mercer on the ground. He said the boy with Mercer took off running, so he knew that kid didn’t pull the trigger.

As he was looking around, Ryans said he saw Decuir zipping up his backpack and walk towards him. Ryans said Decuir was silent after the shooting and their friend walked with his head down shaking it from side to side. According to Ryans, Decuir usually carried a backpack filled with clothes and other personal items. Ryans said he did not see Decuir or their friend with a gun before or after the shooting.

Ryans said he proceeded home after the shooting, leaving Mercer on the ground. “I couldn’t save him and I was scared,” he said while crying on the stand. Ryans, Decuir and their friend did not call 911.

On June 16, 2015, Ryans called the police to turn himself in because he was on parole and wearing a GPS tracking device. He said he knew the police would eventually connect him to the homicide. Decuir was arrested on June 19, 2015.

The defense questioned Ryans recollection of the events, since he admitted he was drunk. Ryans said he had been drinking since he was 14 and was coherent.

During redirect, the prosecution played the full audio version of a rapping session between Decuir, Ryans and the friend, which was recorded hours before the shooting. The video shows Decuir rapping about the murder weapon, a pistol with an extended clip. Ryans said the session wasn’t referencing anything specific, the men were just saying things.

The defense is expected to present their evidence on March 8.

Defense requests more time to review discovery files in 2017 homicide

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts. 

The defense in a 2017 homicide case requested more time to review discovery files and contemplate plea offers at a felony status conference March 6.

DeWayne Shorter Jr.‘s attorney, Jon Norris, asked to postpone scheduling a trial date until the defense is able to fully develop their case.

Shorter, 28, allegedly shot 38-year-old Daniel Shelton Parker on July 26, 2017, on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The prosecution said they were planning to turn over new discovery files in addition to witness information they gave to the defense March 5.

Judge Ronna Beck scheduled a felony status conference for May 18.

Jury deliberations for 2015 homicide trial begins

On March 6, prosecution and defense teams delivered closing arguments for the murder trial for Dominique Williams.

Williams, 24, is charged with first-degree murder in the alleged drive-by shooting of Marcellus Green on the 3200 block of 28th Street, SE on Sept. 19, 2015. Green, 39, was not the intended target. Maricco Knight, 22, another suspect in the shooting, is charged with accessory after the fact to an assault with the intent to kill, soliciting murder, obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact to murder. Steven Pugh, 22, a third party involved in the shooting, took a plea deal. He has not been sentenced.

“Murder is more than a legal concept,” prosecuting attorney Michael Liebman said. “It lives, breathes and is sitting right here in this room.”

Leibman said Williams was guilty due to the fact that he ran from the car after it crashed. Williams’ DNA was found on a styrofoam cup in the back of a 2008 Honda, which was Pugh’s girlfriend’s car. Williams also told Pugh’s girlfriend about the shooting in a voicemail message.

The prosecution said Williams could still be convicted due to testimony from an IHOPmanager, who overheard him bragging about the shooting.

During the defense’s closing argument, the credibility of Pugh was questioned because he testified to lying during an interview with the Metropolitan Police Department and during the grand jury trial.

Counsel delivers closing arguments in 2015 murder trial

The jury for a three-week homicide trial began deliberations March 5 after counsel delivered their closing arguments on the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Marcus Manor.

The prosecution argued that Kevin Chase and his friend, Demetrius Brandon, both 30, premeditated the murder of Manor on Oct. 20, 2015. Manor was Chase’s sister’s boyfriend.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou, video footage obtained by the Metropolitan Police Department suggests Brandon not only picked Chase up after the shooting, but also gave him a gun. The prosecution said Brandon and Chase spoke six times on the morning of the murder, which gave them enough time to plan the shooting.

Additionally, the prosecution referenced a text message where Chase asked his mother, about a month before the homicide, if she wanted him to shoot Manor. Apparently, Manor and Chase’s sister had a violent relationship.

The prosecution also said eyewitnesses saw Chase running down the street and getting into Brandon’s car by a nearby gas station before the two ran a red light and sped off. Dedjinou said Chase disposed of the gun in a sewer and stayed with a friend for a few days, which shows consciousness of guilt.

The defense told a vastly different story. According to the defense, Chase acted solely in self-defense and Brandon did not know anything about the shooting.

The defense said Chase’s fears about Manor were validated from witnesses who testified about Manor’s violent past. According to the defense, Manor threatened to kill Chase, which prompted him to shoot when he saw Manor reach for an object, which, at the time, Chase believed was a gun. Manor was not armed.

The defense said that short phone calls between Brandon and Chase did not give them enough time to plan a murder. The defense also said that it wouldn’t make sense to premeditate a murder in public during the day.

Chase is charged with first-degree murder, assault with significant bodily injury, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license. Brandon is charged first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and accessory after the fact in an assault with the intent to kill while armed.

The jury began their deliberations on March 6.

Defense argues against introduction of DNA testing in 2015 murder trial

The defense for a man who allegedly fatally stabbed 32-year-old Tyrone Moore argued March 6 against the introduction of DNA testing because the results were inconclusive.

The prosecution announced March 5 that they tested DNA on a piece of metal from a clip that Harold Marshall, 40, allegedly kept his knife attached to. The prosecution said it wanted to present a gene chart as evidence to show the jury that they conducted their investigation properly.

Moore was pronounced dead at a local hospital on March 22, 2015, after being stabbed on the 1600 block of F Street, NE.

Judge Ronna Beck ruled that the prosecution couldn’t introduce the chart, but counsel could write a stipulation, which is an undisputed fact that both parties agree on, saying the DNA testing was inconclusive.

The defense said Marshall, who has been charged with first-degree murder while armed, is eager to move forward with the trial.

A jury is expected to be selected on March 6.

Eyewitness IDs Knight as shooter in 2015 homicide

A lead detective, in a 2015 homicide case, testified March 5 on behalf of an eyewitness who identified Maricco Knight as the shooter.

The detective said the eyewitness, who was Marcellus Green‘s neighbor, said “that’s him, that’s him,” when he saw Knight, 22. Green, 39 was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on the 3200 block of 28th Street, SE on Sept. 19, 2015. He was not the intended target.

However, the detective said Knight was released since his long dreadlocks did not match up with descriptions other witnesses gave of the shooter. According to other witnesses, the shooter had short hair.

Williams is charged with first-degree murder while armed among other charges, including possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license. Knight is charged with accessory after the fact to an assault with the intent to kill, soliciting murder, obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact to murder. The third man involved in the homicide, Steven Pugh, 22, took a plea deal. He has not been sentenced.