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Rodney Baggott pleads not guilty


Rodney Baggott pleaded not guilty to the murder charge against him, and the motinos were set in place for a trial.

Baggott is beind held for two seperate murder cases.

Baggott allegedly killed 44-year-old Donald Bush, on June 13, 2015, in the 2300 block of 15th Street, NE. He was charged with second-degree murder in June 2016.

He also allegedly killed 23-year-old DeAngelo Barr, on Nov. 20, 1995, in the 1600 block of Montana Ave, NE.

Baggott’s defense argued that he should be transferred to the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF), because of the heat at the jail exacerbates his medical issues. The judge said she could not order this transfer, but she could request it.

The defense also said that he had been transferred to CTF last summer, under similar conditions, because the heat had affected his health.

In court, Baggott pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder while armed charge and his defense requested evidence from the government. The judge asked if a plea offer had been extended, and the government said that he had rejected their first plea deal for both charges.

The trial for his 2015 murder will begin on Dec. 11, with motions due by Sept. 29, and a trial readiness hearing on Nov. 17.

A status hearing is set for Aug. 29, to discuss whether or not the defense wants DNA evidence, collected by the government, to be tested independently in the 2015 case.

 

Keith Archie ordered held without bail

The man charged with stabbing a 32-year-old was ordered held without bail..

Keith Archie allegedly fatally stabbed 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush, on July 29, in the 3600 block of 22nd St., SE. He is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

His attorney requested that he be released on his promise that he would return for his next court appearance. His attorney also said that the affidavit doesn’t indicate he was connected to the offense, and there were no witnesses.

The government said that Archie had an argument with Rush prior to police arriving at the scene and he was covered in blood that night.

The judge found probable cause that he did commit the murder of Rush while armed.

The attorneys went back and forth arguing over whether or not he should be held or released. Archie’s attorney said that he has a residence in D.C. and he does not have a long criminal record. They also argued he may have been acting in self-defense as indicated by a wound to his lip.

The government said that a criminal record with multiple felony convictions, is considered a long record everywhere except here in D.C. Also, the injuries sustained by Archie were minimal compared to the stab wounds suffered by Rush.

He was ordered held without bail and will reappear for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29.

Lavonne Beckett ordered held without bail

The man charged with killing his female passenger after he crashed his car was ordered held without bail.

Lavonne Beckett allegedly killed a woman, who has yet to be identified, when he drove his car into a pole causing her to die on impact. He is charged with second-degree murder.

He appeared in court for an arraignment, with a walker to help him with injuries sustained during the crash. His attorney requested that he be released on his promise that he would appear for his next court appearance.

The government requested that he be detained.

His attorney replied, saying that the evidence presented, at this point, does not link Beckett with the car accident. The evidence also doesn’t prove his actions are a direct cause of the victim’s death.

The government said that he had been driving far above the speed limit when he travelled into oncoming traffic and struck a pole head-on.

The judge found probable cause that he murdered the victim and ordered him held. He will reappear in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29.

Police Chief Newsham announces arrests in two murder cases

Police Chief Newsham announced the arrest of two suspects, wanted in connection with two separate murders.

At a press conference, Newsham spoke about the importance of bringing closure to the families that have lost loved ones, and holding those accountable who committed these crimes.

Newsham announced the arrest of 36-year-old Keith Archie who allegedly fatally stabbed 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush. Rush was discovered by police around 1:15 a.m., on July 29, in the 3600 block of 22nd St., SE, suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was then transported to a hospital, where he died from his wounds the next day. Archie is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The arrest of 23-year-old Tyrell Moody, who allegedly fatally shot 17-year-old Jermaine Richards Jr, was also announced. Richards was discovered by police around 2:55 p.m., on July 30, in the 4400 block of Quarles St., NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He displayed no signs of life and was pronounced dead on the scene. Moody is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The Police Chief asked for the public’s help in providing any information they knew about these homicides or any other homicides. He said that this kind of violence has no place in the community and visitors and residents should be able to have a safe summer.

During a period of questions, he said that he does not believe that these murders are connected. Newsham said he believes the number one contributor to crime is a lack of opportunity for residents.

 

Suspect indicted for murder of Chijioke Agbakahi


Master Matthew Thomas was charged with felony murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Chijioke Agbakahi.

Agbakahi was discovered by police around 6:40 p.m, on Aug. 5, 2016, in the 5100 block of Georgia Ave., NW. He was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. On Aug. 10, 2016 he succumbed to his injuries and died.

Thomas was charged with felony murder while armed, on July 19. He appeared in court for arraignment on July 21, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer requested evidence from the government. A trial date was set for April 30.

He is set to reappear in court for a status hearing on Oct. 6.

 

Man fatally shot early Wednesday morning


Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Kenneth Ronald Davis Jr.

Davis was discovered by police around 1:00 a.m., on Aug. 9, in the 1200 block of W St., SE. He was discovered by police, suffering from life threatening gunshot wounds. Davis was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police have yet to release any suspect information.

Hit-and-run murder suspect ordered to undergo treatment

The man charged with driving drunk and killing a 65-year-old woman will undergo treatment while his case continues.

David Jones allegedly killed Carolyn Ellis, when he struck her with his car and she suffered major head trauma. He appeared to have been drinking that night. Open beer bottles were found in his car.

In  court, Jones’ attorney said that he wants to engage in drug and alcohol treatment.

After taking some time to conduct an assessment, a representative from Pre-trial Services said Jones is eligible for 60 days of residential treatment.

The government argued that the treatment facility isn’t locked and that Jones is a potential flight risk.

Judge Lopez allowed the treatment, and said this is a matter of someone who was heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol and not someone trying to cause harm to somebody. He said the first step before the legal proceedings continue is to get treatment for Jones.

As the judge made the ruling, granting sixty days of treatment for Jones, the government again expressed concerns of him leaving treatment.

They are set to reappear on Sept. 15

Trial date pushed back for Kassahun Abebe Edo murder suspect


Milkiyas Bayisa’s murder trial was pushed back from August to January 2018 after prosecutors had scheduling conflicts.

Bayisa allegedly fatally assaulted Kassahun Abebe Edo, a resident of Irving, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2015, in the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW. During an altercation, Edo fell and struck his head on the curb or sidewalk. He was taken to a hospital, but died from injuries sustained in the assault the next day.

This is the second time Bayisa’s trial date has been moved. The original trial date was set for Feb. 6 but this was moved to the Aug. 7 date because the government filed a motion for a continuance.

In February, his release conditions were modified so that he would be removed from the High Intensity Supervision Program. His ankle monitor was removed so his job functions would not be impeded, but he was still placed under Pretrial Services’ supervision.

Another trial readiness hearing was set for Dec. 15 with the jury trial set to take place on Jan. 8, 2018.

 

 

Man sentenced to five years for fatally beating a man who made fun of his haircut


Perez Green, the man who pleaded guilty to the fatal beating of James Harling in April, was sentenced to five years in prison as a part of a plea deal.

It took nearly three months for sentencing to take place after he pleaded guilty. From the day he pleaded guilty to the day he was sentenced, a status hearing was vacated, and delays in sentencing took place three times.

Charging documents indicate that Harling had made fun of Green saying he had a little boy’s haircut. Witnesses then said Green picked up a metal chair and beat him over the head multiple times. Harling was found unconscious with trauma to his head. He was then taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

 

 

Murder suspect claims self defense

Details of the crime scene where 29-year-old Dominic Brooks was killed were relayed to a judge in court Friday.

William Edward Smith appeared in court for a preliminary hearing, for charges he allegedly fatally stabbed Brooks, on June 9, in the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. He was charged with second-degree murder while armed on June 15.

The government questioned a detective investigating the murder about a pocket knife and box cutter that were recovered from the scene. According to the detective, a witness said they had not seen Brooks with a knife or box cutter. The detective, who was there when Smith was arrested, said the suspect was found with pocket knife and he had used a fake name when first interviewed.

Smith’s attorney went on to cross examine the detective, beginning with questioning the injuries reported by the Chief Medical Examiner. The detective mentioned how the victim was found with a singular stab to the chest, deep enough to pierce the heart and lung. It was also reported that he had minor abrasions on the tops of his hands, indicating that he was involved in an altercation where he had used his fists.

One of the witness’ interviewed had been dating Brooks for about a month. On the night of June 8 leading to June 9, the two were attending a birthday party together. The witness had been drinking that night, according to what someone told the detective.

The witness and Brooks left the party and proceeded down the street, where they ended up crossing paths with Smith and someone named Lou. Smith and Brooks engaged in a conversation, after crossing paths, which led to a verbal altercation. The witness said they were unable to hear what the verbal altercation was about. The confrontation turned physical.

The witness told the detective that Brooks had been involved in a prior altercation, in which he had suffered injuries. In the early morning of June 9, he seemed to want to fight again. Prior to the fight, Brooks never reached in his pocket for any object, the witness told the detective.

The detective also summarized testimonies from other witnesses. An anonymous caller said they learned Smith said Brooks reached for a gun, so he stabbed him. Smith had also said that Brooks apparently had a hammer, so he decided to stab him. Another person interviewed said Smith was afraid because he believed Brooks carried a gun and a knife.

According to the defense, Smith felt threatened by Brooks who had a prior arrest for a weapons charge. They argued the court should not find probably cause, because Smith was acting in self-defense.

Smith felt threatened by Brooks, who had a prior arrest for a weapons charge, along with being scared by him. This led Smith to act first so he wouldn’t be shot or attacked by Brooks.He said at the very least, the charge should be mitigated to voluntary manslaughter and that Smith should be released.

 

Judge Lynn Lebovitz there is probable cause that Smith stabbed Brooks. She said she made the ruling because Smith had already admitted to the stabbing and there was no evidence that Brooks was armed.

Smith has already gone through a murder trial in Judge Leibovitz’s courtroom, in which he was acquitted by a jury. She said that this, along with him being a drug user and a potential danger to the community are reasons for him to be held. The defense requested that he be released to the High Intensity Supervision Program and monitored with GPS.

The judge denied the request and he was ordered to be held with no bond.

They are set to reappear on Nov. 9 for a felony status conference.

 

Daryl Thompson ordered held on murder charges


Daryl Thompson pleaded not guilty to the murder charges against him.

Thompson allegedly fatally shot 29-year-old Edward Roberts Jr., on July 30, 2016. Roberts was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW.

Nearly a month later, on Aug. 29, 2016, 23-year-old Tyler McEachern, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

Thompson was arrested on Oct. 18, 2016 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for the alleged fatal shooting of McEachern and Roberts.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to these charges and his attorney requested evidence from the government.

They are set to reappear for a felony status conference on Sept. 8.

 

Jarvis Belle fatally shot


Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Jarvis Belle.

Belle, along with three others, were discovered by police around 7:40 p.m., on Aug 3, in the 3400 block of 18th Street, NE. Belle was found suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The other three sought treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have yet to release any suspect information.