DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ruled that prosecutors could introduce evidence of a defendant’s past crimes in a domestic violence related stabbing case during a motions hearing on Aug. Read more »

“Don’t mistake my kindness for being foolish,” stated DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt after she released a murder defendant following an acquittal on Aug. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt encouraged a fatal-shooting defendant to make an effort in a drug treatment program on Aug. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave a murder defendant the maximum sentence, 15 years of incarceration, during a hearing on Aug. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard and ruled on pivotal motions of a murder defendant during a hearing on July 29.  George Sutton, 45, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of John Coleman, 34, on May 1, 2023, on the 2000 block of M Street, NE.  The defense previously filed a motion to suppress oral statements made by the defendant. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied a fatal shooting defendant’s request for release on July 11.  Darvin Banks, 43, is charged with first degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of William Spriggs, 35. Read more »

In an unusual case, a young, non-fatal shooting defendant was sentenced to two years of probation in lieu of extended jail time by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on July 11. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause on July 11, a day after hearing about the investigation of a murder case on July 10. Read more »

A homicide defendant’s release motion pre-trial was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, during a detention hearing on July 3. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a remorsefuldefendant to 12 years in prison on June 27 for a homicide. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a stabbing defendant to four years of incarceration after she considered his lengthy mental health history during a sentencing on June 25.  James Petticolas, 41, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree burglary while armed, and destruction of property less than $1,000 for his involvement in non-fatal stabbing on the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW on May 10, 2024. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt extended a deadline for prosecutors to review motions in a homicide case during a status hearing on June 24.  George Sutton, 45, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of John Coleman, 34, on May 1, 2023, on the 2000 block of M Street, NE.   According to court documents, Sutton allegedly shot Coleman three times from his car after the two got into a verbal altercation in an apparent road rage incident. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause and denied release for a defendant accused of aiding and abetting in a fatal nightclub shooting during a hearing punctuated by grief and anger on June 13. Read more »

A potential conflict regarding a homicide defendant’s lawyers was resolved in a status hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on June 12.  Demonte Gibson, 27, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and destruction of property for his alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set a new trial date for Karlos Bibb after the previous trial date of June 9 was cancelled to allow continuing investigation for undisclosed reasons. Read more »