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A year after being charged with murder, Brandon Byrd’s competency remains in question

Brandon Byrd, 20, charged with killing his father, continues to undergo mental examination hearings. Byrd has been held for mental examinations since Nov. 4, 2016, and has been declared incompetent to stand trial since July 2017.

During a hearing, Byrd told of Byrd’s history of violence, and said his mother, “feared for the safety of [his] younger siblings for his psychotic symptoms.”

The government stressed that the trial needs to be moved along, to make efficient use of everyone’s time. Judge Jose Lopez decided that the defense and government will present their closing summations in writing, and the judge will make his decision with that and the pleadings in mind.

Byrd faces second-degree murder charges for allegedly stabbing his father Otis Byrd, 44. The next court date will be on Jan. 12, 2018.

30 year-old-man discovered in vehicle after fatal shooting

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Norman James Sunday, October 8.

At around 2:34 a.m., James, 30, was discovered in the 5100 block of H street, SE, inside a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. James was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to the medical examiner’s office.

Police are investigating the shooting and have not yet made any arrests.

Seth Holmes asks for forgiveness during sentencing


Seth Sinquan Holmes was sentenced to 13 years for the murder of Damonta Thompson in May of 2017.

When asked to give a statement at his sentencing, Holmes addressed Thompson’s family by asking for their forgiveness and saying that he hoped his punishment would help the family “find some relief.”
Damonta Thompson was found dead in early May. According to the prosecutor’s narrative, Thompson had gotten into a fight with Holmes while he was at the grocery store. After the fight was over the two returned to their cars where Holmes shot at Thompson four times.Thompson was found conscious, but died shortly after he was found. There were two others in Thompson’s car at the time. After shooting, Holmes fled to Florida. He was extradited in June.

During the sentencing, a statement from one of Thompson’s family members revealed that Holmes and Thompson were actually friends before the incident.

Holmes pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in August and was expecting a sentence between 10-14 years. His defense argued for him to be given the lowest sentence possible because he took responsibility for his actions by accepting the plea deal. Holmes’ attorney said he will use the time to “improve himself.”

After hearing from both sides, Judge Leibovitz emphasized the fact that Holmes had a “high” criminal history score before the incident occurred. She also stated that she found the case to be a “senseless, horrible crime.”

Holmes was sentenced Friday to 13 years, with five years of supervision.

Wade Wilson sentenced for the murder of Cortez Clark


Wade Wilson, 21, was sentenced on Friday for taking part, along with three others, in the murder of Cortez Clark in October of 2015.

On Oct. 16, 2017, the family and close friends of Clark attended the sentencing for three of the suspects charged with murdering the 32-year old. Cortez was found naked and lifeless in the hallway beside a vacant apartment in Congress Heights almost two years ago. According to the prosecutor, Clark was lured by Ameesha Gray, through a dating app, to the vacant apartment. When he entered the apartment, he was robbed, stabbed, and beaten to death by Wilson and two other men. He was then dragged downstairs to another vacant apartment, stripped, and left for dead.

Ameesha Gray and Tayvon Felton have also been sentenced for his murder, but John Allen’s case is being tried separately. Wilson pleaded guilty in January for the murder, after his fingerprints were found at the scene. During his trial on Friday, defense proposed he receive a Youth Act Sentence because he had graduated high school while in jail and was trying to improve his life.

The question for Wilson that was being debated in court was whether he would return to prison after being released. Judge Lee said in response to defense, “we will always make space in the prison system for you, if you do not get better”.

Wilson was sentenced to 9 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release.

Donnell Lewis Byrd fatally shot Thursday morning


Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Donnell Lewis Byrd.

Officers discovered Byrd, 30, in the 200 block of 54th Street, NE in the early hours of Thursday morning, October 12. The victim was found dead at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound. Byrd was transported to the Office of the chief Medical Examiner.

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death but has given no other information.