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Defendants in 2014 homicide case reject plea offer

Defendants in the 2014 homicide case of 38-year-old Willard Carlos Shelton rejected a plea deal today presented by the government approximately a week ago.

Tyrone Height and James Young, who have been charged with five counts of first-degree murder while armed and three counts of felony murder while armed, will return to court on Feb. 14 for a motions hearing.

Shelton was shot and killed on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE. Young, 24, and Height, 25, were both apprehended on Sept. 3, 2014.

A trial is set for March 13.

Man accused of killing Marcus Manor awaits jury selection

The man accused in the 2015 fatal shooting of 38-year-old Marcus Manor rejected a plea offer today and now awaits jury selection.

Demetrius Brandon, 29, a resident of Temple Hills, Md., was arrested on May 8, 2017, and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Manor was shot on the 2900 block of Sherman Ave, NW on Oct. 20, 2015. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Brandon decided in court today to reject a government plea offer that would’ve guaranteed a sentence of anywhere from 18 to 42 months. Brandon would’ve needed to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while unarmed. He decided to proceed with the trial.

Judge Danya Dayson hopes to begin jury selection on Jan. 31. The prosecution team, led by Attorney Edward O’Connell, foresees a four to five day trial, and continues to finalize its line of witnesses.

In addition to Brandon, Kevin Chase, 29, a resident of Northwest D.C., was the first suspect arrested in relation to Manor’s murder. Chase was taken into custody on Oct. 26, 2015 and also charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Chase will also appear in court on Jan. 31 for a status hearing, but his trial will take place after Brandon’s trial.

Fatally shot woman marks eighth homicide in D.C. in 2018

On Jan. 26 a woman was shot to death in Southeast D.C. The homicide registers as the eighth homicide in the city in 2018.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, at approximately 8:28 p.m. officers found Bernadette King, a resident of Southeast D.C., suffering from apparent gunshot wounds on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE. The Office of the Medical Examiner declared King, 49, dead at the scene.

Police are offering a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and a conviction on this homicide and any other homicide in D.C.

Williams’ defense team needs more time for discovery, plea offers

During a Felony Status Conference Jan. 26 defense attorneys Anthony Matthews and Amanda Rogers said they needed more time to review discovery and contemplate possible plea offers in a 2017 homicide case.

The defense team is representing Gregory Williams, who is charged with first-degree murder from allegedly stabbing Andrew Alphonso Cook III on Sept 23, 2017. Cook, 46, died on Sept. 25, 2017, from his injuries.

A new status hearing has been set for March 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Williams, 42, was arrested on Dec. 4, 2017, and is being held without bond.

Defense seeks to test items with own lab in 2016 homicide case

During a status hearing Jan. 26 in the case of a suspect charged with allegedly killing an 18-year-old in 2016, presiding Judge Milton Lee inquired about updates in the case.

Defense lawyers for Antwan Buchanan requested Innocence Protections Act (IPA) rights to test items with their own lab. IPA rights seek to ensure the fair administration of the death penalty and minimize the risk of executing innocent people. The defense has not chosen a lab to test items.

To the request, the prosecution asked that the defense list the items they would like to test by item number and description. Defense said they will send the proposal to the prosecution within two weeks.

In addition, the prosecution resent Jan. 26 transcripts and materials from witness 28 in the case for Judge Lee to review for exculpatory purposes.

Buchanan, who was 41 years old at the time of the shooting, was charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting death of Teshean Jermaine Ashe on Sept. 13, 2016, on the 700 Block of 16th St., NE.

Another status hearing has been set for March 9 at 10:30 a.m.

Witness cites social media video in connection with 2017 homicide

A law enforcement detective was called to the stand Jan. 26, during a preliminary hearing, to share information about his work in a 2017 homicide case. He revealed that a witness told him the suspects bragged about allegedly killing a 16-year-old juvenile male on social media.

Kevin Sorto, 20, and Victor Hernandez, 17, were charged with first-degree murder while armed of the shooting death of Yoselis Regino Barrios.

Marvin Washington, the case’s lead detective, said witness 1, who was interviewed by law enforcement, said they found out about the shooting from an “Instagram live” video. In the video, Sorto was seen inside of a moving vehicle and said they had “scored.” The witness also said they had seen Sorto holding guns on Instagram live many times before.

In addition, video taken from surveillance footage from the 1300 block of Fort Stevens Drive, NW showed a red four-door vehicle and a silver four-door vehicle driving near the scene of the crime. The witness said the two vehicles shown in the video are driving away from the crime scene located on the 1300 block of Rittenhouse St., NW immediately after the shooting.

Washington said he believes the vehicle in the video matches the car associated with Kevin Sorto.

The defense counsel requested a copy of the video from the government in order to identify whether or not the vehicles matched. However, the government said they would only give screenshots of the red vehicle in order to protect the identities of other bystanders.

Sorto and Hernandez are being held without bond.

Defense prepares to conduct DNA testing for 2016 murder

A woman who was arrested in connection with the murder of Levi Kinte Davis is scheduled to stand trial later this year.

Carmelita Henderson was arrested on Dec. 14 2016, and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The defense counsel said it is still in the process of selecting a lab to conduct DNA testing. Independent testing is being conducted by the defense after the government said Henderson’s DNA was found on one of the gun shells in her car.

The defense also made a motion for Henderson to be released, with the argument that the defendant had not previously had any offenses nor were any weapons found on her. Defense Attorney Michael Rosier said that DNA found on the shell casing did not prove she had committed the murder since the DNA could have gotten on the evidence when it was found in her car.

However, Judge Judith Bartnoff denied the motion to modify the defendant’s release status and set a trial date for Sept. 24.

Officers found Davis on the 4200 block of East Capitol St. NE on Sept. 16, 2015. He had apparent gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Henderson is being held without bond and is due back in court on April 6 for a status hearing.

Homicide suspects waive right to have DNA testing done

Two suspects who are charged with allegedly killing Demetrius Medlay have waived their right to have DNA testing done.

Kevin Grover and Justin Robinson are both charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Medlay’s 2016 homicide.

Judge Judith Bartnoff asked the defendants if they understood their rights to have DNA testing conducted. In addition, the government extended a plea offer that was rejected by the defense counsel.

A trial has been set for both defendants on May 7.

Medlay was found with apparent gunshot wounds on the 3100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. on Feb. 24, 2016. Officers took him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Grover was arrested on Aug. 23, 2016, and Robinson was arrested on July 21, 2017.

Both Grover and Robinson are being held without bond and are due back in court on April 20 for a trial readiness hearing.

Defendants in 2014 Homicide Case Mull Over Plea Deal

The 2014 homicide case of Willard Carlos Shelton is still in limbo as of Jan. 26 because both defendants are currently considering a plea deal presented by the government less than a week ago.

James Young and Tyrone Height have been charged with five counts of first-degree murder while armed and three counts of felony murder while armed, amongst other charges, in the shooting death of Shelton, 38, a resident of Alexandria, Va., on Aug. 31, 2014. The Metropolitan Police Department found Shelton, suffering from gunshot wounds, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE. Young, 24, and Height, 25, were apprehended on Sept. 3, 2014.

At a recent status hearing the defendants expressed interest in a government plea deal, but according to their lawyers, they needed more time to review the paperwork and make a decision.

We “definitely need to go over the paperwork,” Joseph Caleb, the attorney for Height said. Caleb said he wanted to get a clearer direction, but his client is prepared to accept a plea deal.

Judge Milton Lee emphasized that he did not want to add extra pressure to the defendants or anyone else in the case, but he did make it clear, especially to the defendants, that a decision had to be made. Judge Lee asked the prosecution on Jan. 22, when the plea deal was offered, to give the defendants a week to make a decision.

Height told Judge Lee that he was feeling pressured because he has been in the courtroom twice within one week about making a decision in regard to the plea deal. Height said he would feel more comfortable with making a decision on Jan. 29.

“It’s a decision of my life,” he said. “I mean why wouldn’t I?”

Ferris Bond, the attorney for Young, said that even though his client was familiar with his rights, they would like to have time to go over the paperwork.

The court addressed the plea deal after the defendants were granted time, by Judge Lee, to discuss their case together in a private setting.

Both parties are scheduled to address the plea deal with a definitive decision before Judge Lee at 9 a.m. on Jan. 29. Caleb assured the judge that he would be in communication with the prosecution throughout the weekend about the defendants’ final decision.

If a plea deal is not reached, a trial is set for March 13.

Sentencing scheduled for 2007 homicide

A man who was charged with first-degree murder while armed in a 2007 homicide is due to be sentenced in February.

Don Hancock was found guilty by a jury trial on July 26, 2017. The jury reached a verdict for second-degree murder while armed.

Hancock was arrested on Aug. 23, 2013, in connection with the homicide of Nacarto Gladden. Gladden, 32. was fatally shot on July 17, 2007, and taken to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hancock, 29, is still being held without bond and is due back in court on Feb. 16 for sentencing.

Motions hearing held for Christian Romero

A motions hearing was held Jan. 25 for a man accused of fatally stabbing 38-year-old Dimas Fuentes-Lazo in April of 2016.

Christian Romero is currently charged with second-degree murder while armed.

A motion was presented as a concern by the government that addressed the statement, “I saw what happened.” The defendant allegedly made the statement at some point during the investigation. The statement is being suppressed because it cannot prove that Romero was actually at the scene of the crime.

Another concern expressed by both parties and sitting Judge Juliet McKenna was over scheduling. According to Judge McKenna, judicial shortages posed some complication to scheduling matters. Because of a trial complication, Judge McKenna will not be available to oversee jury selection, which is scheduled for Feb. 12. Prosecution requested the date for testimony from a medical examiner who would not be available on Feb. 14. And an expert witness for the defense would not be available on Feb. 13. Both the prosecution and defense will allow another judge to oversee jury selection.

A trial is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Officers testify on third day of triple homicide trial

During the third day of a trial on a 1991 triple homicide, the prosecution — in an effort to make its case before the jury — called two Metropolitan Police Department officers to the witness stand.

Lt. Zenobia McBride, who is now nearing the end of her career, was a new recruit to the MPD with just six months of experience when she arrived on the scene, located on the 1800 block of Franklin Street, NE, where Benito Valdez allegedly shot and killed Curtis Pixley, 29; Keith Simmons, 24; and Samantha Gillard, 23. The three were found by officers on the morning of April 23, 1991. All three were pronounced dead on the scene.

McBride said she remembers walking in to Langdon park, located in Northeast D.C., and seeing the bodies of Pixley, Simmons and Gillard laying on the grass. She said she recalls one of their faces was turned toward her and a fly flew around and landed on their nose. She said she also remembers a lot of dried blood.

Officer Patrick J. Curtis testified to reporting the recovery of a hair from Pixley’s right hand, as well as hairs and fibers in Gillard’s left hand to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Merikas previously told the jury, in court, that Valdez, 45, allegedly shot Pixley, Simmons and Gillard “execution-style” after they were ordered to lay face down with their hands on their heads.

Valdez was arrested on Feb. 16, 2016, and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The trial is expected to continue on Jan. 29.