Kevann Gardner Archives

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

‘Just A Matter of Time Before They Killed Me,’ Says Defendant Sentenced to Sixteen Years

Details DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced a homicide defendant to 16 years in prison on Nov. 8. John Dickens, 47, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for... Read More

Judge Disallows Some ID Evidence From the Victim’s Mother in a Shooting Case

Details Parties sparred over what Identifying evidence could be admitted in an upcoming shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park. In a Nov. 6 hearing the defense was particularly... Read More

Judge Says Murder Suspect Must Complete Jail Treatment Before Drug Rehab

By Elizabeth Bernstein [former] - November 6, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Details During a hearing on Nov. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that a murder defendant will remain detained because she can’t take an addictive drug while in treatment... Read More

Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Rejects Second Plea Deal

Details Editor’s note: Aaron Murchison was acquitted of all charges by a jury on Feb. 11, 2025. Aaron Murchison rejected a plea deal offered by the prosecution in front of DC... Read More

Homicide Defendant Asserts Right to DNA Testing, Co-Defendants Demur

By Elizabeth Bernstein [former] - November 1, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard from a homicide co-defendant asserti his right to conduct independent DNA testing and accepted his two co-defendants decision to waive their similar right... Read More

Murder Defendant Waives DNA Testing In Grill Dispute Shooting

By Elizabeth Bernstein [former] - November 1, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Details A homicide defendant waived his right to conduct independent DNA testing of the prosecution’s evidence during a hearing on Nov. 1 before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. Irv Duff,... Read More