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Man charged with Pamela Butler’s murder was her boyfriend, documents say

The man charged with the murder of 47-year-old Pamela Butler was her boyfriend and had an extensive history of violence, according to charging documents.

Reports compiled in the documents noted Jose Rodriguez- Cruz, a former soldier, was recommended to be discharged from the military in 1988 because of multiple violations in a short period of time.

While in the army Cruz, 51, was enrolled in a Domestic Violence Containment Program due to a mental status evaluation that revealed Cruz had a “Personality Disorder of the Mixed Type with histrionic, impulsive and borderline features, with unpredictable behavior, inappropriate and intense anger which lead to antisocial acts,” documents said.

Cruz referenced his time in spent in the army during his interrogation, Cruz told police he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but stressed he didn’t get “pissed” the night he and Butler had an argument, which was the last time he saw her.

According to police, Butler was publically last seen at her office on February 12, 2009. The following day she worked from home and spoke to a co-worker by phone. In the following days, Butler was not heard from. Butler, Cruz and family had Valentine’s Day plans, but Butler never appeared or was heard from again, which according to family members is out of character of Butler.

The state her family found her house in was also out of character. Butler’s relatives told police they arrived to Butler’s house and noted her alarm system wasn’t activated, her car was uncovered, her bedding was missing, and a window shade was raised on the side of the house not monitored by surveillance cameras.

However, surveillance footage from around the house showed Cruz walking in and out of the house multiple times throughout Valentine’s Day weekend across various times of day and that’s when they notified police.

Upon police investigation, they found a pair of latex gloves, black plastic consistent with a trash bag on the lower part of the window sill not monitored by cameras, car washing material and more trash bags.

Dogs were brought to the scene, 5800 block of 4th St., NW, and alerted police to the presence of human decay around Butler’s car, a red sheet that was found in the garage and the washer and dryer within the house.

Neighbors told police they witnessed a male driving the decedent’s car. In addition, another witnessed noted to a neighbor they thought it was odd that someone would be washing a car so late in the night and in such cold weather.

After noting Cruz in the surveillance footage, corroborated by family, police went to Cruz’s home.

Without being asked, Cruz immediately said he would provide blood, DNA and allow officers to check his home and car.

Cruz told police he arrived at Butler’s house on February 12 and while cleaning her house found a used condom under her bed, and suggested Butler was seeing someone else. The following day Cruz said he went to Butler’s house and was confronted about an email he sent to his ex-girlfriend. Cruz went on to say that Butler was “abusive, cruel and angry.”

Cruz noted that the argument that ensued was the worst argument he ever got into. He said it felt “like he was on the Titanic and it was sinking.” During the argument Cruz said all he could do was “sit there while tears came into his eyes,” he said, “she cut into me like a chain saw massacre.”

While speaking to police, Cruz also said he had a dream he and Butler were in Seneca Park walking. He then told police that he believes that’s where Butler is.

When police talked with Cruz’s ex girlfriend, they noted in the report her testimony was “an attempt to give the defendant an alibi.”

The police report also noted Cruz had domestic violence issues with his first wife. Cruz’s wife reported to police that while driving, Cruz slammed her head into the window two times. After said incident Cruz attempted to kidnap at gunpoint and eventually succeeded. While being held captive Cruz unsuccessfully attempted to force her to have sex with him. When Cruz was eventually caught he told police, “ If I can’t have her no one will. She’s mine.” he also went on to say “I would see herself and me dead, before she was with anyone else.”

His wife is currently missing.

Based on all of the evidence presented police arrested and charged Cruz with Butler’s premeditated first-degree murder.

Cruz is being held without bond and is expected in court April 25 for a preliminary hearing.

Documents: Malcolm Cunningham arrest warrant

Malcolm Cunningham was charged with the murder of David Norwood.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3675394-Malcolm-Cunningham-arrest-warrant.html” responsive=true]

 

Court selects jury for Clifton Johnson Trial

The court moved forward Monday with a jury selection as they prepared to head to trial for Clifton Johnson, in his connection with  24-year-old Dwayne Grandson’s murder.

The judge told potential jurors that they “took an oath” and it is hers as well as the lawyers’ jobs to make sure they (jurors) are as unbiased as possible in this case. They were each given a note card to answer series of questions relating to whether they had a criminal history, felony charges and if they had “any relations” to Johnson, Grandson, or the lawyers.

Potential jurors who answered yes to knowing the lawyers in this trial were disqualified. Those who had family members that worked in law enforcement, including parole officers were also disqualified. At the end of the day, jurors were narrowed down from 20 to 12.

The government read to  jurors names of witnesses who would testify during trial beginning with Officer Jonathan Fleming, who was assigned to the scene the night of the shooting. Grandson’s mother Lorraine Grandson, Tjuana Price and Tanya Harris who were also at the scene when Grandson was murdered are also expected to testify.

Defense told the jury it would bring forth Detective Manuel Isaac Duvall, who investigated the case.

Johnson was arrested in November of 2015  in the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

When police arrived at the scene, they found Grandson and Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. They were immediately taken to a local hospital where Grandson died from his injuries.

Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license. He is being held without bond as he awaits his trial to begin Tuesday.

Police announce arrest in David Norwood murder

Monday, a day after police say he stabbed a 79-year-old man to death, police arrested 21-year-old Malcolm Amir Cunningham.

David Norwood was found on Capitol Hill Sunday afternoon. Police arrived to the scene, 600 block of C St. NE, and found Norwood unresponsive, unconscious and suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene and later transported to the medical examiner’s office.

A day later, police arrested and charged Cunningham with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder.

Cunningham is being held without bond and is expected in court May 2 for a preliminary hearing.

Anacostia shooting leaves 37-year-old man dead

Police are investigating a fatal Anacostia shooting that took the life of 37-year-old Darryl Knight.

According to police, officers responded to the 2200 block of Mount View Pl., SE Monday evening and found Knight unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Knight was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police have not released any suspect information at this time.

53-year-old man stabbed to death in Barry Farm

Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of 53-year-old David Blakeney.

According to police, on Monday morning officers found Blakeney’s lifeless body with apparent stab wounds in a residence on the 1200 block of Stevens Rd., SE.

Blakeney was pronounced dead on the scene and later transported to the medical examiner’s office.

There is no suspect information at this time.

Man allegedly murdered after ‘teasing’ turned into a fatal stabbing, documents say

Leonte Butler was found fatally stabbed on a South Capitol street after teasing over his speech impairment escalated into his murder, according to charging documents.

According to witness testimony included in those documents, on the night of March 11, 30-year-old Leonard Smith and Butler were “playfully” pushing each other and wrestling near the intersection of Atlantic and South Capitol Streets when Butler accidentally hit a man known as “Neechie” in the mouth. Neechie, later identified as Leonard Smith, allegedly “got angry” and pulled out a kitchen knife and stabbed Butler multiple times.

Police later found Butler unresponsive with apparent stab wounds on the 4000 block of South Capitol St., SE. Butler was pronounced dead on the scene and later brought to the medical examiner’s office, where his cause of death was ruled multiple stab wounds to the head and torso.

Upon further investigation, police found surveillance footage in the area showing three men, one man matching Butler’s description, entering the rear stairwell of 21 Atlantic St., SW.

Footage from the Trinity Plaza Apartment Building showed the trio going back and forth between apartment 220 and the rear stairwell. Eventually, they left the apartment building altogether and started heading down South Capitol Street, SW on foot and out of view of the camera.

A short while after the same two males mentioned previously are seen walking back without Butler. Officers noted in the report that one of the men, who was wearing a black and green/yellow Helly Hansen jacket, dark jeans, and black tennis shoes appeared to be “favoring his right hand, as if he had injured his hand.”

According to witness interviews, a witness corroborated the surveillance footage and told police the trio were in apartment 220 the night the video shows and were said to be “drinking, smoking and having a good time.”

The witness also identified the man in the Helly Hansen jacket as “Neechie.”

The third man shown in the video was later interviewed by police. The witness noted that earlier in the night, while in apartment 220 Neechie was “continuously teasing” Butler about his speech impairment.

The witness went on to recount Butler’s murder in the intersection of Atlantic and South Capitol Streets after Neechie pulled out a kitchen knife.

The witness told police that during the stabbing, he began walking away, and Neechie eventually caught up.They returned to the apartment building. The witness told police Neechie was against them leaving the apartment, but eventually changed his mind. Before leaving Neechie changed his clothes and told the witness to do the same.

The witness later identified “Neechie” as Smith.

Smith is being held without bond as he faces a second-degree murder while armed charge.

He is expected in court April 21 for a preliminary hearing.

Police rule Edward Moore’s death a homicide three years after initial incident

Police have ruled an incident dating back to 2014 a 2017 homicide.

According to a police report, Edward Moore who was hospitalized since May 2014 was found in his hospital room unconscious and unresponsive in November 2016. Moore was pronounced dead by hospital staff and later brought to the medical examiner’s office pending an autopsy.

According to a police spokesperson, Moore’s death was ruled a 2017 homicide because that’s when his death was “officially” ruled a homicide.

After multiple attempts at contacting police, there has been no response concerning the circumstances surrounding Moore’s death or if there is a suspect in the matter.

Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally stabbing man over basketball game

Almost two years after his death, Bobby Ellis’ murder case came to a close Friday when a judge sentenced Lamar Young to 15 years in prison.

According to court documents, in August 2015 Young and Ellis were playing basketball behind Ronald H. Brown Middle School, at 4800 Meade St. NE. The duo were playing on the same team, when Ellis made a play that Young was unhappy with. The two then got in argument that quickly escalated–Young grabbed Ellis by the neck and stabbed him once in the stomach.

Ellis then stumbled into the school parking lot, where he later died.

Young pleaded guilty in February 2016, to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal, a downgrade from his initial second-degree murder charge. On Friday Judge Judith Bartnoff accepted the terms of the agreement and delivered her sentencing.

Young is expected to serve five years probation following the end of his 15-year sentence.

Documents: Jose Angel Rodriguez-Cruz arrest warrant

Jose Angel Rodriguez-Cruz was charged with the murder of Pamela Butler.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3671666-Jose-Angel-Rodriguez-Cruz-arrest-warrant.html” responsive=true]

Documents: Duane Johnson warrant

Duane Johnson was charged with the murder of Tricia McCauley.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3661976-OBC0A.html” responsive=true]

Eugene Sherman sentenced to 20 years for murder stemming from marijuana robbery

The man who arranged a robbery that led to the murder of 37-year-old Matthew Shevlin was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday.

As part of a plea agreement, Eugene Sherman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Sherman conspired with Joseph Jennings Jr., 36, and 18-year-old David Harvey to break into a condominium on 400 block of M St., NW to steal marijuana.

With Jennings and Harvey both armed, the trio broke into the condominium. Jennings broke into the front door of the building and while Sherman waited nearby Jennings and Herman went into the building.

When they attempted to break into Shevlin’s unit, Shevlin fled out of the front door and began screaming for help. Jennings chased Shevlin and there was a struggle, in which Shevlin was shot multiple times.

Sherman is now the second man sentenced in Shevlin’s murder. As part of his plea agreement, Jennings pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in December 2016 and is now serving a 24 year sentence.

Harvey’s case is still pending.

Sherman is expected to serve five years on probation after his sentence is completed.

79-year-old man found fatally stabbed on Capitol Hill

Police are investigating the death of 79-year-old David Norwood, who was found stabbed to death on Capitol Hill, Sunday afternoon.

According to police, officers arrived to the 600 block of C St. NE, around 1:40 p.m. Sunday and found Norwood with multiple stab wounds. Norwood was pronounced dead on the scene and later brought to the medical examiner’s office.

Police have not released any suspect information at this time.