A teen murder defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges, and was denied release on June 2 by DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan.  Jaylen Suggs, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit robbery, attempted robbery while armed, unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence, and four charges of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Ricky Canty. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released a fatal stabbing defendant to home confinement, despite the victim’s family opposing it, during a hearing on May 2.  Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, threat to kidnap or injure a person, destruction of property, and tampering with physical evidence, for her alleged involvement in the death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd on June 22, 2024, on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Read more »

Jurors began deliberations after prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in a four-year-old homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 22 and 23. Read more »

The prosecution’s rebuttal in a homicide case was delayed due to a co-defendant's reported illness in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 9.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of 34-year-old Delonte King on Nov. Read more »

A homicide defendant claimed he acted in self-defense during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 8.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. Read more »

The defense in a murder trial called witnesses on April 7 who say they were stabbed by Delonte King, 34, the ultimate victim. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied two homicide co-defendants’ requests for acquittal of a conspiracy charge following the prosecution’s presentation of evidence in a hearing on April 3.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. Read more »

A forensic pathologist described how a homicide victim died before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on April 2. Read more »

Defense attorneys attempted to undermine the testimony of two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives in a murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 1.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. Read more »

A murder trial was delayed March 27, as the parties spent time litigating a statement made by the recently severed defendant, Tre’Quan Nelson, 25, before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 26, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King on Nov. Read more »

During opening statements in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 24, the prosecution referred to two co-defendants as cowards for their alleged involvement in the homicide of a 34-year-old man.  Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 26, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King on Nov. Read more »

The prosecution in a homicide case said more time was needed to test DNA evidence. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the defense's so-called motion in limine to preclude the victim's mother from testifying at an early phase of the proceeding. Read more »

A non-fatal shooting defendant was sentenced to 72 months as a repeat offender before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 7. Read more »

Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the remaining charge in a homicide case against a woman who claimed she acted in self-defense in a hearing on Feb. Read more »