On April 3, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard from a key witness who said he was forced to testify “against my will” in a homicide case. Read more »

On April 2, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, an ex-coworker and acquaintance of a homicide defendant failed to comply during his deposition testimony.   Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado Melendez. Read more »

On April 1, a homicide suspect's ex-coworker testified about the defendant’s alleged gang involvement before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.  Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado Melendez. Read more »

On March 29, homicide co-defendants filed a motion for severance before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.  Rafael Stevens, 39, and Jermall Johnson, 40, are charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, attempted robbery - felony murder, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh on Dec. Read more »

On March 28, a homicide defendant's ex-coworker testified about the suspect's alleged gang involvement before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.  Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado Melendez. Read more »

On March 27, opening statements in a murder case suggested a possible "catfishing" ploy to track and trap a murder victim. Read more »

On March 22, a non-fatal shooting defendant was sentenced to 132 months of incarceration before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.  Dominic Copeland, 33, was convicted of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the unit block of N Street NW, on April 26, 2019. Read more »

On March 22, 18-year-old Eugene Williams, was sentenced by DC Superior Court  Judge Maribeth Raffinan to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a homicide. Read more »

On March 20, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard arguments regarding phone conversations being used as evidence.  Steven Metts, 18, Jovontae Wallace, 19, and Keondre Carroll, 21, are all charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, and kidnapping while armed, for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of 59-year old Raymond Ballard on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Read more »

On March 18, parties gave additional arguments on pending witness and expert motions before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan  Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado on May 28, 2015, on Interstate 295 North at exit one, SW. Read more »

On March 11, a jury acquitted a shooting suspect on the charge of assault with intent to kill but found him guilty on lesser counts in a case before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Read more »

On March 8, two homicide co-defendants waived their right to independently test DNA evidence while the third asserted his option before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.  Mark Fletcher III, 23, 22-year-old Malik Bynum, and 22-year-old Larry White are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Rosendo Miller, 21. Read more »

On March 7, closing arguments were delivered in a non-fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Read more »

On March 6, the trial of a non-fatal shooting case resumed before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, as parties rested their cases.  Kamara Hoffler, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and multiple unlawful possession of a firearm charges, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. Read more »

On March 5, the victim’s testimony was presented in a non-fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Read more »