On July 14, a defendant in a 2021 homicide case was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Read more »

On June 27, a defense attorney argued that the prosecution's mishandling of DNA evidence recovered from a murder weapon should result in charges being dismissed in a 2018 homicide case.  Daquan Gray, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jaylyn Wheeler that occurred on May 11, 2018 near the 600 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Read more »

On June 26, a defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.  Khamari Perkins, 22, was charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Naseem Simpson on the 3000 block of 14th Street, N.W., on March 15, 2020. Read more »

On June 13, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard arguments from defense attorneys to dismiss a defendant’s charges. Read more »

On June 12, a defendant in a homicide case waived his right to independent DNA testing, reversing his prior decision.  Khamari Perkins, 22, is charged with first degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Read more »

On June 9, a homicide victim's father appeared remotely in a court proceeding saying, "I don't know how to deal with this. Read more »

On June 9, a jury hearing a 2020 homicide trial rendered its verdict.  Lewkus Turner, 29, was charged with second-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting his cousin, 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi. Read more »

On June 7, parties in a homicide trial delivered closing arguments following a three-week emotional proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Read more »

During a status hearing for a homicide case on May 31, scheduling conflicts arose with both the defense and prosecution delaying proceedings.  Nelfy Hernandez, 19, DeAndre Levy, 21, and Trey Prillerman, 19, are charged with first-degree murder in relation to a homicide on the 5500 block of 9th S. Read more »

During a felony arraignment on May 26, the prosecution argued the defense made "bold allegations" claiming the wrongful use of the defendant's medical records and not providing him adequate healthcare. Read more »

On May 26, a defendant waived his right to appear at a felony status conference hearing regarding a second-degree murder charge. Read more »

On May 25, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan alerted parties in the case that doctors found Kavell Miller mentally competent for sentencing.  Miller, 22, was accused of shooting 33-year-old Lester Mangum on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SW on Oct. Read more »

On May 25, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard testimony from a witness and a juror regarding their personal relationships and ties to two murder defendants. Read more »

Prosecutors brought the victim’s sister to the witness stand to testify against her cousin, Lewkus Turner, who is charged with killing Vincent Gyamfi in a family dispute. Read more »

In her opening argument, defense attorney Gemma Stevens told jurors that Vincent Gyamfi “just kept coming” after Lewkus Turner in a family squabble that ultimately proved deadly. Read more »