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Co-Defendants appointed new attorney in Robinson Pal murder case

The two defendants in the 2016 stabbing death of Robinson Pal have a new public defender, who is asking for more time to prepare for their previously scheduled July 2018 trial.

Co-defendants Devonte Johnson, 27, and Antonio Byrd, 35, face second degree murder charges for a stabbing at the Barcode nightclub on January 31, 2016.

The attorney requested additional time to review the case material, and said that she “hope[ed] in the next few months can make it through files.”

According to documents, a security guard at Barcode allegedly saw Pal and Byrd fighting, and allegedly heard Byrd tell Pal that he was “going to kill [him].” Pal was stabbed in the chest and fell to the floor.

A second victim was found just outside the nightclub suffering from a stab wound to the back.

Johnson and Byrd are both charged with second-degree murder while armed, and are being held without bond.

A status hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Second arrest made in Omar Earl Rogers killing

The police have made a second arrest in the October killing of Omar Earl Rogers.

Khalil Davis, 22, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed on Oct. 25. Police had previously arrested and charged Michael Leonard Jones, 21, with first-degree murder while armed.

Rogers, 25, was found fatally shot in a car in the 1300 block of Good Hope Rd., SE and died later at hospital.

Jones, who is being held without bail, is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31.

2018 trial date in murder of Breyona McMillian


Saeve Evans’ trial for the murder of Breyona McMillian is set to begin in a year, on Aug. 20, 2018.

The date was set Wednesday at a status hearing before Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo during which he also signed an order limiting the evidence the defense gets to see at this point.

16 year-old Breyona McMillian was found shot outside the Potomac Gardens housing complex after someone fired multiple shots into a crowd the day after Thanksgiving 2016. She was pronounced dead after being taken to a nearby hospital.

A few weeks later, Saeve Evans surrendered himself at and was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Evans’ charge was upgraded to second-degree murder while armed in December after he was seen on surveillance video at the scene.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Puig-Lugo issued an order allowing the defense counsel but not the defendant to review some of the media that will be used in the trial. Previously, the defense had been denied access to any of the media. Another status hearing to revisit the issue was set for Nov. 20.

Month in Review: September

September 2017 saw the number of homicides in DC reduced by half from the year before – from 20 in 2016 to 10 this year. There have been arrests in four of the September 2017 cases.

Here is our monthly wrap-up of cases covered in September.

Homicides

Of the ten homicides , eight were the result of r shootings, and two were stabbings.
Three of the murders in Southeast , three in Northeast, two in Northwest, and two in Southwest.

Police found Unique Davis, 19, dead from gunshot wounds on the evening of Sept. 2, on the 1500 block of Tubman Rd., SE. No arrests have been made.

A little over a week later, Antwaun Smith, 41, died from gunshot wounds on the 600 block of Newtown Pl., NW on Sept. 10. Antonio Williams, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly murdering Smith.

The next day David Thomas Neal, 31, was found suffering from stab wounds at 9:30 p.m. on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King. Jr. Ave., SW. Neal died of his injuries hospital. Martell Antonio Hall, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal stabbing of Neal.

On Sept. 14 Danielle Williams, 29, was found suffering from gunshot wounds. Two men were also wounded in the shooting. Williams and the two victims were transported to the hospital, where williams died from her injuries the following day. No suspects have been identified.
On Sept. 17, MyAngelo Starnes, 16, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The teenager was transported to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police have yet to identify any suspects.
A few days later, another student was shot and killed. Zaire Kelly, 16, was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound on the 2200 block of 13 St. NE. Kelly had been walking home from a convenience store when he was approached by the Sequan Gillis, 19. Gillis allegedly attempted to rob Kelly, who defended himself with a knife before he was shot. Gillis was found dead at the seen. Police found Gillis, the alleged attacker, down the alley. He was transported to the hospital, where he died.

Another teen was murdered later in the week. Robert Lee Arthur Jr., 18, was found by police suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Arthur was found on the 2800 block of 14th St., NE. and taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. Police are still investigating the killing.

The next day Andrew Alphonzo Cook, III., 46, was found suffering from a stab wound. Cook was found on the 1700 block of North Capitol St., NE. and transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Police continue to investigate the murder.

On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 27, MPD officers found Paula Renee Coles, 31, lying inside of the entrance to her apartment building, o the 3000 block of 30th St., SE., suffering from stab wounds. Her 11-month-old baby was found in the hallway, with a cut to the hand. The mother had suffered multiple stab wounds to her face and upper body.

Larry Fearn, 35, has been charged second-degree murder and is being held without bail. Before her death, Coles had repeatedly called 911 regarding domestic disputes involving Fearn, including the night before her murder. murder. Fearn had been arrested for assaulting Coles, their infant child, and Fearn’s mother in July. and had been arrested the next day for violating a court order to stay away from Coles.

On the final day of September, police found Marcus Anthony Shepherd, 22, dead inside of a car on the 100 block of Atlantic St, SW. He died from an apparent dead from a gunshot wound. Police are investigating.

Anniversary of September homicides from 2015-2017

In September 2015, there were 15 homicides. Of these cases, three suspects have been arrested in connection with these homicides. There were two vehicular homicides, two dismissed cases, and one conviction. Seven homicides have yet to have a suspect identified.

In 2016, there was an increase in the number of homicides, from 15 in 2015 to 20. Of these 20 homicides, 11 are still unsolved with no suspects identified. Four cases have identified suspects and are in the trial process. There were four vehicular homicides, one of which is a police involved shooting.

In 2017, there have been ten homicides, a significant decrease compared to the prior two years. Four of the cases have charged suspects, while six have yet to arrest any suspects.

Of these cases, ranging from 2015 to 2017, three of them have been resolved. The 2015 homicide of Uyer Hooper, 55, went to jury trial this past year, where the case and alleged murderer Dejuan Renardo Etheredge, 27, was dismissed without prejudice.

Deontray Ingram, 22, died in 2015. The suspect Nathaniel Beasley, 24, was charged with second-degree murder while armed. The case went to trial and the charges were dismissed on May 17.

The only case that has ended with a conviction is the murder of Delany Christopher Epps, 29. The convicted murderer Raphael Antonio Roy, 29, who was convicted on Feb 12 2016 to 20 years in prison plus 5 years of supervised release.

Police investigating fatal shooting

The man found fatally shot Sunday night has been identified by police as Andre Ricardo Harris.

Harris was found fatally shot in the 1900 block of Savanah Terrace, SE.

At the scene. a second victim was located nearby and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police have not yet released any suspect information.

Woman found fatally shot on U Street

Police are investigating after Shawntese Murphy, 20, was found fatally shot.

Police arrived at the scene at approximately 10:53 p.m. on Oct. 20 and found Murphy, of Suitland, MD, in the 1600 block of U Street, SE., dead upon arrival. A second victim, an adult male, was located and received treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

No suspects have been identified.

Jasper Spires accepts plea offer; sentencing scheduled for early 2018

A man who randomly stabbed another man aboard a red-line metro train on July 4 pleaded guilty to murder, and could face at least 30 years in prison if his plea is accepted.

Jasper Spires pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed as part of a plea deal. Spires killed 24-year-old Kevin Sutherland on July 4, 2015.

If Judge Judith Bartnoff accepts the terms of the plea deal, Spires faces a minimum sentence of 30 years, and a maximum sentence of life without parole.

Spires has been held at St. Elizabeth’s hospital as the case against him continued. According to police, Spires killed Sutherland a day after he was released from jail for an unrelated incident. Spires was accused of threatening and trying to rob a man on Wisconsin Avenue NW in Friendship Heights, according to an article by The Washington Post. Shortly after Spires was released, he boarded the metro-train where he killed Sutherland.

 

As part of the deal, other charges against Spires from the July 2 and July 4 incident will be dropped, including attempt to commit robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery while armed of a senior citizen, robbery while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon.

While he was held, Spires was ordered to undergo mental evaluations, where he was found competent twice. 

Judge Bartnoff will make her ruling and sentencing on Jan. 12, 2018. Spires will be held at St. Elizabeth’s hospital until then.

Suspect charged with Omar Earl Rogers’ murder

Police announced the arrest of a suspect for the murder of Omar Earl Rogers, 25, who was found fatally shot.

Michael Leonard Jones, 21, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Police arrived dat the scene at approximately 3:50 a.m. on Oct. 8 and found Rogers, of Southeast, in a vehicle in the 1300 block of Good Hope Rd., SE. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead once lifesaving efforts failed.

A hearing has been set for Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m.

Thomasine Bennett cries while apologizing to Walter Clark’s family at sentencing

Thomasine Bennett was sentenced to 10 years for beating Walter Clark to death with a bat earlier this year.

During her sentencing on Friday, Bennett turned to Clark’s family and close friends in tears and said, “I’m very sorry that this happened, Walter meant a lot to me”.

Three days after Valentine’s day, 63-year-old Clark was found by police in a closet. According to police, Clark was found alive and unconscious when he was taken to the nearest hospital where he died an hour later.

Bennett was originally charged with first-degree-murder, but she accepted a plea deal earlier this year for voluntary manslaughter. According to the deal, Bennett would be sentenced between 10-14 years. Both her defense and the prosecution argued that she be given 10 years because of her age and her acceptance of responsibility early on in the case. Though prosecution argued that she be given the minimum sentence in the deal, the two prosecutors emphasized the harsh nature of her crime.

After taking a brief recess, Judge Jose Lopez returned to the courtroom and mentioned the “brutality” of her crime. However, he said that “Ms. Bennett has taken responsibility with convincing remorse.”

Judge Lopez sentenced Bennett to 10 years with 5 years of supervised release.

Case remains ready for trial after Antwon Green status hearing

Antwon Green’s November trial date remains unchanged after a status hearing on Oct. 16.

Green is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and killing Breond Keys on Oct. 10, 2014.

Keys was found with multiple gunshot wounds October 10,2014 in the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Scheduling around the Thanksgiving Holiday was discussed, and Judge Judith Bartnoff decided not to ask jurors to sit for a half day before the holiday.

Green’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.

Woman charged with killing boyfriend released from halfway house

Sean Maichael Baker, 35, charged with the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, has been released as she awaits trial.

The judge decided that a halfway house was no longer necessary, and Baker was released. Baker will continue to undergo weekly blood tests and have to report to pre-trial services.

Baker is charged with allegedly stabbing her boyfriend, Robert Wiggins, 35, during an argument in their apartment in 2016. The charges were changed from assault with intent to kill to second-degree murder while armed after Wiggins died from his injuries on Jan. 31, 2016. Baker’s defense has suggested she Baker acted out of self-defense.

Baker’s attorney requested that Baker be released from the halfway house on work release with placement in supervision. When the government suggested that instead Baker remain in the halfway house, to continue her positive developments, the judge made it clear that, “two months in a halfway house feels like a pretty long time,” to which Baker agreed.

Baker’s character was also positively attested to by a counselor, who said that she always, “sends pictures or calls. [She] is very consistent with contact and very responsible.”

Baker has been released from jail and has been staying at a halfway house. She has been commended for her good behavior while residing in the house, as well as for attending a psychiatrist for LGBTQ related issues.

The next court date is set for Feb. 1, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.

Mark Beasley sentenced for nightclub murder of Darryn Conte

The family and friends of 39-year-old Darryn Conte sat in court on Friday, as Mark Beasley was sentenced to 40 years for murdering Conte after an argument at a nightclub.

On April 26, 2015, police responded to reports of gunshots when they found Darryn Conte and his brother, Dennis Conte, with apparent bullet wounds. Though his brother was transported and treated for his wounds, Darryn Conte had died by the time the police arrived.

In July of this year, Mark Beasley was found guilty at his trial for shooting Conte after they got into an argument at Takoma Station Club. According to the prosecutor’s narrative, Beasley argued with Conte at the nightclub after Conte almost hit Beasley’s friend with his elbow while doing a dance. When Conte had left the club and was waiting with his brother in the car, Beasley approached from the passenger side and shot Conte nine times and his brother one time. Several witnesses heard the gunshots, and when one of Beasley’s friends asked him why he had a gun, he responded with “this is what I do.”

After having the court listen to the statements of the victim’s family, the prosecutor asked for “no leniency” in Judge Jose Lopez’s sentencing decision. Beasley already had an extensive criminal history before this case, including two armed-robbery charges and a rape charge. Because of this, the prosecutor asked for at least 30 years in order to have consolidation for his crimes and in order for him to take responsibility for his actions.

The defense attorney asked that Beasley be sentenced a maximum of 30 years, due to his age. Beasley’s attorney also mentioned that though Beasley did not directly say it to anyone involved, he “sends his condolences.”

After a brief recess, Judge Lopez agreed that Beasley’s age would be taken into consideration. However, Judge Lopez deemed Beasley as a “dangerous person” due to his criminal history. Since Beasley continued to conduct criminal behavior after his other charges, Judge Lopez said that his penalty should present “a measure of justice.”

Beasley was sentenced to 40 years with 5 years of probation.