Kevann Gardner Archives

Judge Denies Homicide Co-Defendants Acquittal Motion For Conspiracy

By Brigette Bagley - April 4, 2025
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied two homicide co-defendants’ requests for acquittal of a conspiracy charge following the prosecution’s presentation of evidence in a hearing on April 3. Demonte... Read More

Analyst Says Either Shot Could Have Killed Victim

Details A forensic pathologist described how a homicide victim died before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on April 2. Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 26,... Read More

Prosecutors Call Co-Defendants ‘Two Armed Cowards’ in Homicide Trial

Details 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... Read More

Prosecution Requests More Time in Murder Case

By Michelle Roldan - March 25, 2025
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

Details The prosecution in a homicide case said more time was needed to test DNA evidence. Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, threat to kidnap or... Read More

Victim Hit by Stray Bullet Tells Jury of ‘Traumatic’ Experience in Murder Trial

Details 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... Read More

After Appeal, Prosecutors Dismiss Firearm Charge in Domestic Homicide

Details Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the remaining charge in a homicide case against a woman who claimed she acted in self-defense in a hearing on Feb. 21 before DC... Read More

Defense Calls Homicide Investigation ‘Sloppy’ in Closing Argument

Details Defense counsel criticized the prosecution’s investigation as “sloppy” during closing arguments in a homicide trial on Feb. 10 before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson. Aaron Murchison, 28, is charged... Read More

Defense Tries to Discredit Police Witness in A Homicide, Prosecution Challenges Suspect’s Investigation as Hearsay

Details The lawyer for a homicide defendant attacked the credibility of an investigating police officer based on past misconduct issues in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on... Read More

Case Acquitted: Number of Guns Involved in Fatal Shooting Questioned

Details Editor’s note: Aaron Murchison was acquitted of all charges by a jury on Feb. 11, 2025. A homicide trial continued on Feb. 4, with three expert witnesses testifying in front... Read More

Homicide Co-Defendants Consider Plea Deal

Details Two homicide defendants told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun they are considering a plea deal extended by prosecutors during a Dec. 16 hearing. Ashton Inabinet, 17, and Na’eem Butler,... Read More

Homicide Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Details Four homicide co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Nov. 22. Derricko Johnson, 20, Ronald Henderson, 19, and Daveon... Read More

Shooting Suspect Says He was Trying to Help His Friend

By Phoebe McConnell [former] - November 19, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

Details During a continuing trial on Nov. 18, it was confirmed no firearms or bullets were found on the spot where a non-fatal shooting victim suffered a gunshot wound to the... Read More