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 shooting defendant’s lawyer said the Department of Behavior and Health (DBH) requested an additional 15 days to complete his client's mental competency evaluation in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  Ky’lee Palmer, 25, was convicted of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, malicious destruction of property, and tampering with physical evidence. Read more »

A stabbing defendant accepted the prosecution’s plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  James Petticolas, 40, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in stabbing a male victim in the back on the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW on May 10, 2024.  At the hearing, Petticolas’ lawyer, Marnitta King, announced his decision to accept the prosecution’s plea deal. Read more »

The defense in a shooting of a paralyzed victim raised the victim’s history of substance use as an issue before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  Damon Bradford, 27, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that paralyzed an individual on Oct. Read more »

A shooting defendant entered a not-guilty plea in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  Christopher Wise, 34, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 10, 2024, on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE. Read more »

A shooting defendant facing five charges pleaded not guilty to all counts in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  Marcus Martin, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Read more »

A stabbing defendant pleaded not guilty in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 28.  Maurice Felder, 53, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault with a grave risk while armed, assault with significant bodily injury, possession of a prohibited weapon, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on the 1900 block of 7th Street, NW on Nov. Read more »

A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom heard testimony from a detective and a DNA expert in a four year old ago homicide during a hearing on March 27. 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 »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard a homicide defendant reject a plea offer for the second time on March 21. 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 »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard a homicide defendant officially reject a plea offer during a hearing on March 21.  Thomas Fields Jr., 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, kidnapping while armed, and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. Read more »

A victim of a stray bullet recanted the traumatic ordeal before jurors and DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 24.  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 34-year-old Delonte King on Nov. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a stabbing defendant to 10 years in prison on March 6.  On Jan. Read more »

A homicide defendant accepted prosecutors’ plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on Feb. Read more »