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Detectives discuss suspect identification process before trial


Before the trial against Mark Beasley began, the prosecution brought in two homicide detectives to cement Beasley’s role in the murder of Darryn Conte.

Beasley, 42, allegedly shot and killed Conte, 39, on April 26, 2015 in the 400 block of Butternut St., NW.

Beasley’s defense claimed witnesses identification of him as a suspect was not reliable, and was instead the result of investigators suggesting who the witness was.

A lead detective spoke of the process for putting together a photo array. He arranged multiple pictures of suspects, which the witnesses used to chose who they thought was the suspect.

He said that two witnesses both identified Beasley as the suspect from the nine photos in the array.

The next testimony came from the detective that assisted with the interview of both witnesses.

After the testimony, Judge Jose Lopez ruled that the detectives did not suggest to the witnesses who to choose, and that reliability of witnesses is a question for the Jury.

Delonte Wynn found guilty


The man charged with the murder of Darlene Bryant in 2015 was found guilty.

Delonte Wynn was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder while armed.

Throughout the trial, the defense argued Wynn’s innocence based on the belief that two key witnesses, Donnell Howard and Charles King, testified falsely to convict Wynn and receive benefits from the prosecution. A thread of texts and phone calls that was meant to corroborate the prosecution’s argument ultimately showed no evidence and no motive, the defense argued. Similarly, the defense claimed the DNA evidence collected excluded Wynn and his presence at the scene of the crime.

The jury ultimately decided in favor of the prosecution, who brought in over 15 witnesses. The prosecution focused on the stories of Donnell Howard and Charles King. However, unlike the defense, they emphasized the legitimacy of these two testimonies, as well as the corroboration of other testimonies. Using these testimonies and the text thread between Wynn, his child’s mother, and Bryant, the prosecution was able to convince the jury of motive. The video footage from the apartment complex was constantly brought to the screen for the jury to show the suspect running from the scene of the crime. While the DNA samples collected excluded Wynn, the prosecution also constantly reminded the jury that Wynn did not have to touch the victim in order to stab her.

Wynn is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 11.

Troy Souder arrested months after the murder of Marcus Barnes


A man was arrested for the murder of Marcus Barnes who was found dead in November 2016.

Barnes was found in the 100 Block of Irvington St., SW., suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Troy Souder, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for his death.

Judge finds probable cause to hold suspect in death of Antonio Bassett


Judge Lynn Leibovitz has found probable cause that Chad Hawthorne, arrested last month for the murder of Antonio Bassett, committed second-degree murder while armed.

Leibovitz also declared Hawthorne a danger to society, and ordered him imprisoned without bail.

At a preliminary hearing, Hawthorne’s attorney called upon the detective in charge of the case to testify in front of the defense, the prosecution, and the judge.

According to the detective, at least four people were in a room in an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Ave., SE. when the victim, Bassett, was shot and killed. One witness claims to have been in the bathroom when the sound of the shot rang out, and the other claims to have seen Hawthorne run out of the room following the shot. While testimonies suggest Bassett had recently stolen from Hawthorne, neither of the witnesses have confirmed seeing the suspect pull the trigger, seeing the suspect with a pistol, or hearing an argument.

Some controversy arose when the detective was questioned about the cameras corroborating the witnesses’ testimonies. One camera was able to catch the witnesses and their actions following the shooting, including a 911 call to the police, while another camera was able catch some activity outside of the apartment where Bassett was found. This activity did not include Hawthorne running out of the room.

Overall, the detective gave vague answers to the defense, telling the attorney to look back at the written statement for details.

The hearing ended with the prosecution questioning the detective about probable cause for murder. While it could be argued the cameras did not catch Hawthorne running out of the room, there were nearby exits that may have allowed Hawthorne to leave without triggering the motion detectors on the cameras, according to the prosecution. This, along with self-incriminating statements made by the suspect and previous convictions, led Leibovitz to find probable cause and “a clear case of dangerousness.”

Hawthorne’s next court appearance will be on Sept. 12.

Seth Holmes ordered held on murder charge


Seth Sinquan Holmes was ordered held without bail, despite allegations of contradicting witnesses in his arraignment hearing.

Holmes was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 25-year-old Damonta Thompson in the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW, on May 9.

The defense motioned to have Holmes released to a halfway house, but their motion was denied.

Holmes is next scheduled to appear in court on July 20.

Two men shot in Georgetown

Police are investigating the shooting of two men, one of whom was pronounced dead by the time emergency workers arrived.

Kennedy Javier Amaya-Olivares was found early Saturday morning in the 3500 block of Water St., NW. Both Amaya-Olivares and another unidentified victim suffered from apparent gunshot wounds.

The other victim, who has remained unidentified, was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Amaya-Olivares was dead by the time police arrived.

Police have yet to release any suspect information.

Guilty verdict delivered in Jonathan Taylor trial

After days of trial followed by more days of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict on five out of six charges in Jonathan Taylor’s trial.

Taylor was found guilty of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime, assault with intent to kill while armed and obstruction of justice for the murder of Dexter Motley and attempted murder of Motley’s friend in August 2014.

The jury found Taylor not guilty on the count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Taylor was affiliated with a group of men who had an issue with Motley, witnesses testified. Taylor confessed to a witness that he shot Motley in the head.

Taylor will be sentenced August 25.

 

Man charged in domestic homicide remains hospitalized


Charles Sykes will continue to stay hospitalized at St. Elizabeth’s, for the time being.

Sykes is charged with second-degree murder while armed after he allegedly killed Cheryl Schafer on April 22, 2016.

Judge Puig-Lugo decided Sykes would remain in the hospital until September 1 unless it is determined he no longer needs to stay there beforehand. Sykes’ attorney has previously raised a not guilty by reason of insanity defense. The case is set to continue Sept. 1.

Saeed Woodall ordered held on murder charge

Saeed Woodall, 23, was ordered held without bail on an allegation that he murdered Deonta Farrar last month.

Farrar, 32, was found on the 4500 Block of Quarles St., NE, on Aug. 9.

Police responding to reports of gunshots in the area, found Farrar suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Woodall was charged with first-degree murder while armed. 

The defense and prosecution went back and forth during Woodall’s first appearance, arguing that there is not enough evidence identifying Woodall as a suspect. The defense also motioned to have Woodall released to a halfway house. 

The judge ruled that there is enough evidence from surveillance footage and witnesses to justify holding Woodall.

He is next set to appear in court on July 14. 

Brandon Byrd mental examination finds him incompetent

A man charged with the death of his father was ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Brandon Byrd currently faces second-degree murder charges for the fatal stabbing of his father, Otis Byrd.

Judge Jose Lopez ruled in favor of a doctor’s findings that the 20-year-old is “incompetent” and cannot stand trial on the charges.

In rebuttal of the judge’s ruling, the defense asked that Byrd be able to stand trial regardless of the mental examination’s results.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled to proceed on the morning of July 27.

Government and Defense prepare for jury selection in Eugene Burns trial


Whether two cell phones could be used as evidence in the trial against Eugene Burns was the topic of much debate days before Burns heads to trial.

Burns is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, obstructing justice and threatening to kidnap or injure, when he allegedly killed Onyekachi Osuchukwu III on November 15, 2015.

In Burns’ pre-trial hearing, the government and defense also went back and forth over whether it should be mentioned that the defendant was on pre-trial release when he was arrested.

The defense argued that both of the Burns’ phones were obtained illegally, because Burns spoke with detectives while not formally being under arrest, but was told he couldn’t leave until he turned over his phone. The judge decided that both phones could be used as evidence.

Evidence for trial debated in Kimberly Thompson’ trial readiness hearing


Whether certain evidence is admissible in the trial of Kimberly Thompson was discussed by the defense and prosecution in court.

Thompson allegedly shot Charles Mayo, on Dec. 10, 2016 in the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE.

The prosecution began by laying out their witnesses they will call to testify followed by the defense mentioning the witnesses they want to call to testify.

The defense mentioned they were worried about the testimony of a firearms expert and that they needed to be modified.

The prosecution agreed to talk to their firearms expert and then discussed whether or not two guns found in the car of the defendant would be used as evidence. That decision is still yet to be made.

The trial is set for July 10.

Murder suspect allegedly Googled ‘Does God forgive murderers?’ before shooting best friend


The man charged with killing his best friend, allegedly performed online searches on his phone in weeks prior to the murder such as “How to kill your best friend” and “Does God forgive murderers,” a cell phone expert testified Thursday.

Suspect Eugene Burns’ cell phone was the focus of much of Thursday’s testimony. Burns is on trial for allegedly killing Onyekachi Osuchukwu III in November 2015.

The expert had examined Burns’ phone, and said some some of the searches recovered off his phone, dated a few weeks before the shooting took included searches about cocaine, weed and what it feels like to kill someone.

Burns’ cousin also testified that he, Burns and Osuchukwu were involved in selling drugs. Before Osuchukwu was shot, Burns told his cousin he wasn’t happy with their “arrangement.” Text messages introduced in court relayed messages from Burns to his cousin revealing a plan to kill Osuchukwu, sent just days before the 24-year-old was found killed. The witness said Burns called him and said he had killed Osuchukwu, alleging aht he tried to take Burns’ gun away before he was shot.

 

Murder suspect’s father arrested during trial


A murder suspect’s father was arrested within the first five minutes of Thursday’s trial.

Eugene Burns’ father, Eugene Burns Sr. was brought to the holding cells in the back of the courtroom after police executed an arrest warrant due to an allegation of witness intimidation.

Burns Sr. has been in attendance for nearly every part of his son’s case, who is on trial for the alleged murder of Onyekachi Osuchukwu III.

Eugene Burns Sr. conduct in the courtroom has been the subject of many disruptions, and he has been reprimanded several times by court marshals for falling asleep and snoring inside the courtroom. During an earlier proceeding, Eugene Burns Sr. engaged in a shouting match with the judge, after the judge refused to speak with him.

After being escorted to holding cells behind the courtroom, Burns Sr.’s shouts could still be heard in the courtroom, and he was brought to a different room.

Eugene Burns’ attorneys motioned for a mistrial, arguing that the jury could no longer remain impartial after the father’s behavior. The government argued that the jury barely saw Burns Sr. The request for a mistrial was denied, and the proceedings continued.