During a trial on April 26, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled on objections the defense and prosecution would have when the jury returned. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe declined to release a defendant in connection to a non-fatal shooting in a hearing on April 21. Read more »

On April 21, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found substantial probability that Raheem Gafari committed murder.  Gafari, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 24-year-old Davon Sullivan on May 4, 2022, on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE.  Following a continuance of the preliminary hearing from October, Judge Okun alerted the parties that he had found substantial probability that Gafari committed the murder based on the evidence that was presented by prosecutors.  According to court documents, there is a video of the incident that depicts Sullivan and Gafari in an argument. Read more »

On April 18, the prosecution requested the defense waive their claim, so the trial for Ernest Cleveland would not be postponed, again.  Cleveland, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting 39-year-old Edward Pearson and another person. Read more »

During a sentencing hearing on April 7, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to six years in prison. Read more »

On April 7, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard testimony from two witnesses regarding a defendants’ relationship with a juror who found them guilty of all charges.  Robert Moses, 24, and James Mayfield, 23, were found guilty by a jury in December of 2022 of conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill, and one count of assault with intent to kill while armed when the victim was especially vulnerable due to age, among other charges. Read more »

On April 4, a murder defendant alerted the court that he was waiving his right to independently test DNA evidence produced by prosecutors.  Juan Peterson, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of four individuals on May 15, 2021, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Read more »

On March 24, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a guilty plea in a case of attempted rape and robbery. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued a hearing after a  defendant in a murder trial refused to come to the courthouse on March 22.  Juan Peterson, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of four individuals on May 15, 2021, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Read more »

On March 23, a defendant pleaded guilty to two charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. Read more »

On March 22, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted a motion for a trial date to be continued in a murder case involving two brothers.  Joseph Smith, 60, is charged with voluntary manslaughter while armed for allegedly stabbing his 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, in their family home located on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9, 2019.  Joseph’s defense attorney filed a motion to have the trial continued due to some personal matters.  However, the prosecution opposed the motion, arguing that it has been a long time since the incident occurred, and the trial should not be pushed back any longer.  The sister joined in on the hearing, saying that “the justice system has failed my brother [decedent].” She told Judge Okun that he should not have to wait any longer for justice to be served for his murder.  Due to several issues involving rescheduling of the trial, Judge Okun granted the motion, for now, saying the issue would be revisited in the coming months to see if there are any earlier dates available for the trial.  Parties are expected back in court on Jan. Read more »

During a felony status conference on March 15, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun agreed to continue a case to allow the defense more time to review a plea offer. Read more »

During a March 9 jury trial, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun informed the court that his office received a note from a juror that would prohibit witness testimony. Read more »

This case has been acquitted. Read more »

During a Feb. Read more »