A defendant found guilty of first-degree murder in 2014 pled guilty to the same incident during an emotional July 17 hearing in the courtroom of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Christopher Wise transferred to St. Read more »

On July 11, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted a second chance for a defendant who violated his release conditions.  Dennis James Bowler, 56, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on May 24 at his apartment on the 3000 block of Rodman Street, NW. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt terminated a shooting defendant’s probation following his “progression with some bumps on the road,” during a July 9 hearing.  Markeis Crandall, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in 2022 for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left two individuals injured. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a homicide defendant’s request for compassionate release due to steadily deteriorating health, during a July 3 hearing.  Joseph Ballard, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Monte Daniels, 33, on July 28, 2023, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE.  According to court documents, Ballard allegedly stabbed Daniels once in the chest killing him over an argument about drugs. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan announced a delay in ruling on a motion to sever mother and son homicide co-defendants, to further review the evidence and case law, during a July 2 hearing. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a stabbing defendant to 48 months on June 27. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt advised attorneys to "wordsmith" the language contained in the charges which would assist the jury in deliberations.   Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24,Koran Jackson, 23, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, conspiracy, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denies a defendant’s request to fire his lawyer during a June 25 hearing.  Christopher Wise aka “Woo”, 35, is accused of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 12, 2024. Read more »

After parties deliberated over a “prior bad acts” motion in a domestic violence case, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt allowed the defendant's prior crimes to be submitted as evidence during a June 20 hearing.  Devan Green, 30, is accused of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on Sept. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a defendant to nine years of incarceration as part of a plea agreement wiring two separate cases.  Jermaine Harris, 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, unauthorized use of a vehicle-crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with prior conviction, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting with other suspects. Read more »

A homicide defendant’s lawyer informed DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt he will file a motion for a speedy trial, as both parties struggle to agree on a date for the proceeding.  Admonishing both parties in a June 13 hearing, the judge said "This is not a slam dunk case." Emerita Garcia, 45, is charged with second-degree murder for her alleged involvement in assisting her son in the fatal shooting of Larry Thomas, 27, on Aug. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt put off a trial date for Willie Byrd on June 7 based on how it might be affected by an ongoing case regarding alleged racial bias in DC jury selection. Read more »

Prosecution presented closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on June 4, which led to a mistrial motion in a murder conspiracy case.  Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 Block of S Street, NW. Read more »

A defendant, who was on probation for a non-fatal shooting, was re-sentenced on June 3 by DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt following his arrest for violating his probation conditions.  Stephan Harper, 24, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left one individual with a wound to his foot. Read more »