Representation of Jury Pool Questioned in Multiple Cases

By Alayna Stein [former] , Alesar Harfoush [former], Jenna Ferrick [former], Mariam Kamate [former] - February 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo presided over a Feb. 10 motion hearing which discussed a pervasive issue in 23 different felony cases. 

All cases involved in the motion hearing selected their juries during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading defense counsel to question the representation of the jury pools. 

The defendants in these cases invoked their right to a trial by jury in which the jurors represent a fair cross-section of the community. In order to determine if their fair cross-section rights were violated, the defendants’ requested necessary materials relevant to the jury selection process. 

The court expects to depose Avenu, the third party company that assisted in the jury selection process, said Judge Demeo.

Judge Demeo said that she assumes the parties will be able to agree on a proposed protective order for Avenu that won’t disclose any of their proprietary information. 

She acknowledged that this process has been ongoing and unclear, and she expressed her hopes that the deposition will occur in a “timely fashion.”

Since the hearing was centered around a litigation issue, all defendants’ appearances were waived, including the 11 defendants involved in homicide cases. 

Isaac Moye, 54,  is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 24-year-old Unique Harris. Harris appeared to be missing when she was not found in her home on the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE. Harris has been missing since Oct. 9, 2010, and was presumed dead in 2018, although her body has still not been found. 

Carson Posey, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 28-year-old Shantal Hill on April 15, 2020, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. 

Tony McClam, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed against a minor, three counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime, two counts of assault with intent to kill, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. McClam, allegedly killed 11-year-old Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.  

Ch’Juan Robinson, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of  unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly killing 32-year-old Louis Kingsbury on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW on April 29, 2020. 

Toney Aiken, 52, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 23-year-old Kendra Smith on Sept. 6, 2004 on the 4300 block of D Street, SE.

Nathaniel Bates, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm after being convicted of a prior crime of violence, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. All charges were offenses committed during release for allegedly killing Eddie Crist, 28, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW on May 8, 2020. 

Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder regarding the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, on April 25, 2018  near the 400 block of 61 street, NE.  

Kaevon Sutton,22, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license regarding the alleged shooting of Aujee Tyler, 22, on March 19, 2018 on the 3500 block of Station Road, SE. 

Thomas Field Jr, 39, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, four counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, kidnapping while armed, three counts of tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree murder while armed for the alleged stabbing of Marquita Lucas, 24, on Aug. 17, 2019 in the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE. 

Kenneth Stewart, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting Courtney Jones, 54, on July 23, 2020 on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  

Stephon Darnell Williams, 32, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of his 49-year-old father, Stephen Magruder, on Sept. 11, 2020 on the 700 block of 51 Street, NE . Before the shooting, the two reportedly got into an argument over $5 and a physical altercation took place, D.C. Witness previously reported.

The next motion hearing for all the defendants is scheduled for April 14.