Kevin Irving Archives - D.C. Witness

Search Reveals a Discarded Knife Thought to be a Murder Weapon

By John Battistelli - April 7, 2025
Court | Daily Stories | stabbing | Victims |

Details An evidence specialist found a knife prosectors say links a defendant to a fatal stabbing. The testimony was presented to a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan’s courtroom... Read More

Judge Denies Severance for Three of Five Murder Co-Defendants in Mass Shooting, Robbery of Rapper

By Allyson Nelles - April 3, 2025
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

Details DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied multiple motions for severance requested by three homicide co-defendants in a high profile case on April 2. Johnny Wilkins, 34, Marcel Gavin, 37,... Read More

Judge Denies Bond for Defendant in Wood Plank Homicide

By Leah Meyer - February 3, 2025
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

Details DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a homicide defendant’s motion for bond review on Jan. 31. Oliver Gomes, 55, is charged with second degree murder while armed for his... Read More

Murder Co-Defendants Plan to Test DNA Evidence

Details Defense attorneys representing Deandre Sams and Raymond Mathis told DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Dec. 13 they intend to conduct independent testing of DNA evidence, some of which... Read More

Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release, Delays Ruling for Co-Defendants

Details DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a murder defendant’s request for release on Oct. 25, and delayed the ruling for two of his co-defendants. Steven Metts, 19, Keondre Carroll,... Read More

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Murder Case

Details DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found substantial probability of guilt in a homicide case during an April 3 preliminary hearing. Jajuan Gripper, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while... Read More

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

Details During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15, evidence and testimony were presented to find if there is substantial evidence to bring about a homicide trial. Thirty-one-year-old Julian Ruffin is charged... Read More

Judge Reschedules Sentencing in Homicide Case After Defendant Decides to Continue with Guilty Plea

Details A new defense attorney for a murder defendant told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun the defendant decided against seeking to withdraw his guilty plea in a hearing on Nov.... Read More

3 Victims and a Total of 38 Gunshot Wounds in Triple-Homicide Trial

Details During the Oct. 31 hearing, the prosecution requested testimony from the medical examiner who conducted the autopsies on each of the three victims regarding the wounds they received during the... Read More

Prosecution Displays Evidence Recovered from Crime Scene

Details During an Oct. 27 proceeding, multiple items recovered from the crime scene were presented to a jury in a co-defendant homicide trial. Jonathan Winston, 33, and Rakeem Willis, 31, are... Read More

Parties Question Victims’ Mothers During Triple Homicide Trial

Details A triple homicide trial resumed with seven witnesses, including four officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and three of the victims’ mothers, were summoned to testify before DC Superior... Read More

Judge Discusses Final Matters with Parties as Trial Approaches

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan addressed final matters with parties presiding over a murder case as the trial approaches. Rakeem Willis, 31, and Jonathan Winston, 33, are both charged... Read More