Joseph Melton Archives - D.C. Witness

At Sentencing, Homicide Defendant Can’t Explain his crime

Details A homicide defendant was sentenced to 30 years in prison by DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe, on June 14. It was an emotional proceeding as the victim’s brother cried... Read More

Homicide and Non-Fatal Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Agreement

Details On March 25, a homicide defendant accepted a plea agreement in a homicide extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe. Joseph Melton, 54, was originally... Read More

Judge Finds Homicide Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

Details On March 22, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found a homicide defendant competent to stand trial during a status hearing. Joseph Melton, 54, is charged with first-degree murder while... Read More

Defendant Asserts His Right to Independent DNA Testing

Details On May 1, a homicide defendant asserted his right to test DNA evidence. Joseph Melton, 54, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that claimed... Read More

Homicide Defendant Continues to Refuse Mental Competency Exam

Details A homicide defendant continued to refuse to take a mental competency exam on Jan. 24, leaving the prosecution to question his intentions. Joseph Melton, 54, is being accused of allegedly... Read More

Following Defendant’s Refusal to Participate, Judge Schedules Final Competency Screening

Details During a Sept. 12 mental observation hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ordered a preliminary screening for the defendant, a “third and final” attempt to assess his competency. Joseph... Read More

Judge Orders Competency Eval for Murder Defendant

Details DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ordered an inpatient mental competency evaluation for a homicide defendant. Joseph Melton, 53, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous... Read More

Judge Denies Request for 2nd Competency Evaluation

Details DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denies the defense’s request for a second competency evaluation for Joseph Melton. Melton, 53, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with... Read More

Defense Seeks Independent DNA Testing Ahead of Murder Trial

Details A murder defendant’s lawyer informed a DC Superior Court judge that they plan to conduct independent DNA testing. Joseph Melton is accused of stabbing two people on Jan. 14, 2020.... Read More

Prosecutor Anticipates Extending Plea Offer to Murder Defendant Within Next Few Weeks

Details The prosecution in a murder case said they anticipate extending a plea offer to the defense within the next few weeks. Joseph Melton is charged with first-degree murder while armed... Read More

Multiple Homicides Occur Across 7 DC Neighborhoods

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 13, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Details As of March 11, 2020, there have been 31 homicides in the District. The homicides have taken place in 23 neighborhoods throughout the District with Mount Vernon Square/Triangle, Shaw, Southwest... Read More

Monthly Recap: January Homicides Decrease from Month Before

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 5, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Details There was a 36 percent increase in homicides from December of 2019 to January. In January of 2020 there were 15 homicides in the District. In January of 2019 there... Read More