On July 17, as witness testimony continued in a 2021 double-homicide trial, the defendant's family said they have been threatened by family members of the victims. Read more »

On July 14, Nikia Cunningham pled not-guilty to fifteen charges resulting from a shooting.  Cunningham, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, second degree cruelty towards children, possession of a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 300 Block of Franklin Street, NE on March 28.  The incident left one victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.  According to court documents, Cunningham went with another individual and her baby to the victim's residence in search of drugs. Read more »

In a July 12 hearing, a defendant charged in connection to a non-fatal shooting waived his right to DNA testing.  Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. Read more »

In a July 7 hearing, a DC judge modified a stay away order for a defendant in a nonfatal shooting case.  Tejan Bah, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Nov. Read more »

The Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public's assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on June 30 on the 1000 block of Quebec Place, NW. Read more »

Defense lawyers filed a motion to suppress the photo identification of a murder suspect during  a June 30 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. Read more »

On June 23, sentencing for a defendant was rescheduled to allow the defense more time to review the case and prepare for sentencing, that despite an existing guilty plea. Read more »

On June 16, the defendant in a 2021 murder case waived his right to have evidence independently tested for DNA.  Mussye Rezene, 30, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the 2021 death of Brayan Villataro. Read more »

On June 13, following a four-month long emotional trial, a 12-person jury delivered verdicts for six murder and conspiracy defendants.  Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 23, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, were six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson’s death and injuries to four individuals. Read more »

On June 6, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty in the shooting of a small child. Read more »

On June 2, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause a defendant committed murder. Read more »

Defense lawyer Christen Philips pleaded before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun in a May 25 hearing that a suspect in a murder caught on surveillance video should be released while awaiting trial. Read more »

A teenager,who confessed to taking part in the shooting of a Washington Commanders’ football player, was sentenced to the maximum commitment for his crimes in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on May 15.  According to prosecutors, the youth had already pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly  weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in an attempted carjacking.  The carjacking resulted in the shooting of Washington Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson on Aug. Read more »

On May 15, prosecutors in a six defendant homicide trial were unable to begin closing arguments due to technical difficulties.  Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson’s death. Read more »

As a high-profile murder trial entered its third month, prosecutors Introduced dozens of Instagram posts and social media messages to convince jurors that the suspects tried to hide their identities using so-called “vanity names,” while communicating their violent intent in code.   Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isiah Murchison, 23 and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective leading the investigation walked the jury through the online information in the form of message records, pictures and videos. Read more »