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David Jones pleads not guilty to Carolyn Ellis killing

David Jones pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in the killing of Carolyn Ellis, while allegedly driving under the influence.

Jones, 36, has been undergoing drug and alcohol treatment while the case against him continues. Jones has three prior felony convictions, and if convicted for the second-degree murder and reckless driving charges, he will be eligible for up to 30 years in prison.

On Feb. 6, Ellis, 65, and another pedestrian were crossing the street when a black car sped around the corner and struck Ellis.

Ellis was found unconscious, and transported to a nearby hospital where she died due to major head trauma. Officers later located a visibly intoxicated Jones stumbling around 14th street.

A status hearing was scheduled for Dec. 12 at 9:30 am.

Man pleads guilty to killing Herbert Dowtin in broad daylight

Malik Hough pled guilty on Friday to second-degree murder while armed for the murder of 22-year-old Herbert Dowtin.

He will be sentenced in January 2018.

Police found Dowtin in the 800 block of Xenia St. SE, with multiple gunshot wounds in December 2016. He was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. Malik Hough was arrested and charged for his murder in early January.

According to the prosecution’s evidence, Hough had been arrested in November 2016 for a drug charge and a possession of firearm charge. After Hough admitted his possession and distribution of cocaine and his possession of a 9mm firearm, he was released by the court on Nov. 23, 2016, with a GPS tracking ankle bracelet. He was also released on the conditions that he not possess any firearms.

Roughly one month later, Dowtin had been walking at approximately 1:20 p.m. when Hough walked up behind him and fired 10 shots at him, hitting him eight times. His firearm was later recovered and was matched to the casing found at the scene. DNA testing on the firearm revealed that Hough was one of the people whose DNA was on the firearm.

Hough pled guilty in the Superior Court on Friday as part of a plea agreement. During his plea, Hough acknowledged that he was not acting in self defense when he shot Dowtin. According to the agreement, he will have an agreed-upon sentence between 17-29 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Judge Judith Bartnoff scheduled his sentencing for Jan. 3, 2018.

Judge finds probable cause to hold Robert Moses for the murder of Jamahri Sydnor

In a hearing Monday, Judge Puig-Lugo ruled enough probable cause exists to hold Robert Moses for allegedly taking part in the unintended killing of Jamahri Sydnor.

According to news reports, 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor was driving through the Brentwood neighborhood on Aug. 10, when she was shot. Another adult male, who survived, was also found unconscious in the area with gunshot wounds. Sydnor was originally taken to the hospital in critical condition and died in the hospital two days later. Police arrested Phillip Carlos McDaniel for the murder, but had reasons to believe that others were involved.

On Oct. 27, 18-year-old Robert Moses was arrested and charged with first-degree-murder while armed. In Monday’s hearing prosecution asked that Judge Puig-Lugo find probable cause in his case due to evidence given by one of the witnesses and a picture of him with a gun. According to a witness, Moses had been involved in the shooting with two others and had shot nine rounds to the point where his gun was jammed. He then hid his gun under his seat and drove away with others that were involved.

Homicide detective Phillip McHugh testified in court that the same bullets found at the scene belonged to the type of gun found under the seat. The detective also said that the evidence found at the scene matched the story that the same witness had told the police. Other evidence included a picture of Moses holding a gun that was found in a Youtube video of him a few weeks after Moses was released from a misdemeanor case in July. Police believe that the shooting occurred because a member from a rival neighborhood had shot at Moses and the others earlier in August after a fight.

Moses’ attorney argued not enough probable cause existed, and asked he be released under supervision. Moses’ lawyer said that only one witness had substantial proof that Moses was directly involved, and the gun found under his seat was not the one responsible for the bullet that killed Sydnor.

After taking a brief intermission, Judge Puig-Lugo decided that he found probable cause that Moses should be held for the charges. According to the judge, the picture of Moses with the gun and the statements given by the witnesses were substantial evidence for his being held.

Robert Moses is currently being held without bail and is expected back in court for a felony status conference on Dec. 12.

Suspect identified in killing of Mawuli Kocuvie

Police charged Samuel Davis, 59, with first-degree murder for the death of a Mawuli Kocuvie, 53.

At 10:04 p.m. on Oct. 28, police arrived at the 1700 block of Benning Rd., NE, where they found Kocuvie’s body inside of a residence.

An autopsy conducted on Oct. 29 determined the cause of death was asphyxiation.

A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Co-Defendants in Lenard Wills killing appear in court

The alleged suspects in the homicide of Lenard Wills, 50, appeared in court in preparation for their upcoming trial on June 11, 2018.

Joeseph Barbour, 35, and Willie Glover, 37, were dismissed from the hearing, while Charles McRae, 64, his attorney, and the government stayed to discuss motions filed on behalf of McRae to suppress statements made to police while in the hospital. The government expressed that they only intend to use his statements during cross-examination, and that they intend to file a motion soon regarding the decision to suppress Glover’s cell phone from evidence.

On Dec. 21, 2015, Barbour, Glover, and Charles McRae allegedly stabbed Wills. According to the arrest warrant, police arrived at the apartment located on the 700 block of 24th St, NE, and found a large amount of blood in the living room, and a trail of blood leading out of the apartment. While following the blood trail, police found a knife covered in blood inside of a trash can, along with a cell phone in a blue case. Police were eventually led to Joseph Barbour, after speaking with a witness who said that Barbour had left the apartment minutes before police arrived.

Barbour told police that he had been assaulted, and that he had been with Glover at the time.

Wills was found with deep cuts in his head and face, fractured bones, four stab wounds to his chest, and one stab wound to his arm. He was later pronounced dead once transported to the Washington Hospital Center.

All three suspects are charged with first-degree murder while armed, and are being held without bail. A court date has been scheduled for Feb. 2, 2018.

Juan Nelson Roberts found fatally shot on Shepherd Street

Police are investigating after the killing of Juan Nelson Roberts.

Roberts, 35, was found fatally shot in the 900 block of Shepherd St, NW., on Nov. 5.

Police arrived at the scene at approximately 6:10 p.m. and found Roberts suffering from gunshot wounds.

No suspects have been identified.

Second suspect arrested in Carl Hardy case

A second man has been charged with Carl Hardy’s death.

Quincy Garvin, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed on Nov. 2. Saquan Williams, 16, was previously arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed on Oct. 26.

Officers found Hardy shot on Oct. 1 in the 1200 block of I Street, SE. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

Williams is being held without bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 29.

Man sentenced 60 years in prison after 2014 double homicide

Jeffrey Neal, 25, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the double-murder of his roommates in 2014.

Neal was arrested on June 13, 2014, and charged with first-degree murder while armed for the murder of Leon Young, 22. Young was found dead on June 12, 2014 in the attic of a house located in the 1800 block of Eighth Street NW, with a black plastic bag tied around his head.

Four days later, officers returned to the house and found Delano Wingfield, 23, buried in a shallow grave in the backyard. He was discovered only wearing socks.

Officers learned that Young and Wingfield were childhood friends of Neal. Neal said he killed Young in an act of self-defense, after Young allegedly said he killed Wingfield.

An autopsy later revealed Young had been hammered in the head over 26 times, with some of those strikes happening after the black plastic bag had been tied around his head. Wingfield’s blood was also found in various locations in Neal’s bedroom.

Neal first said he left a pair of socks on Young’s body, however it was Wingfield’s body that had on a pair of socks.

Neal was found guilty in July 2017 for two counts of first-degree murder while armed. He will be placed on five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

22-year-old man fatally shot Friday night

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch is investigating the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old.

On Friday, Oct. 27, officers found Ernest Edwin Baylor, Jr. in the 2200 block of Hunter Place, SE. Baylor was taken to a local hospital for treatment and pronounced dead after all life-saving efforts failed.

Police have not yet released any suspect information.

Suspect in Corrina Mehiel murder awaits indictment

 

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure, charged with first-degree murder and theft, is being held without bail as the case against him continues.

Toure, 28, allegedly tortured and stole thousands of dollars from Corrina Mehiel, 34, who was found dead in her apartment.

Prosecutor Jeff Nesler said that they, “continue to investigate [and he] intends to wrap up shortly.” The government plans to bring an indictment in December.

On March 21, officers arrived at Mehiel’s apartment on the 600 block of 14th St., NE. They found Mehiel’s lifeless body inside the apartment, with apparent stab wounds. Surveillance footage from her neighborhood showed a black male wearing a black shirt, black backpack, and ripped light colored jeans heading in the direction of Mehiel’s apartment building. Footage showed the black male attempting to withdraw money from an ATM using Mehiel’s bankcard, and a male wearing light colored jeans driving Mehiel’s car.

According to a detective who testified in earlier hearings, Toure had been consistently employed, and stayed at a Catholic shelter, until the day of the alleged murder on March 20.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 14.

Suspects in Nuru Frenche murder continue to await trial

Anthony Blackmone and Nathaniel Taylor attended another hearing in anticipation of their trial scheduled for next January for the murder of Nuru Frenche.

Blackmone, 21, and Taylor, 23, are charged with first-degree murder while armed. On April 23, 2016, Blackmone and Taylor allegedly planned to rob Frenche, 23, but the incident escalated and Frenche was fatally shot.

The government extended a plea offer, which was rejected by both defendants. However, Judge Lynn Leibovitz summarized that if the government, “made a [plea] offer [the defendants] liked better, it could [be accepted.]” The government said they plan to file several motions prior to the upcoming trial readiness hearing regarding witness testimonies. Details of the plea offer were not made public.

A trial readiness hearing has been set for Dec. 14.

Three men charged with Derryk Johnson murder await trial in September 2018

Three men charged with the murder of Derryk Johnson, 19, are scheduled for trial in September of next year.

Marcus Martin, Marc Butler, and William Cunningham Jr. appeared in court for a status hearing where defense attorneys discussed a potential deal in the works.

Defense Attorney Dana Page on behalf of Marcus Martin stated that the defense team and the government attorney were, “in the process of negotiating something,” and that they are, “going to keep working on that process.”

Johnson, 19, and another male were found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds on Aug. 3 2016 in the 600 block of N St., NW. Both victims were taken to the hospital, where Johnson died from his injuries.

A jury trial is set to take place on Sept. 10, 2018.