Sean Shuler Archives - D.C. Witness

Defendant Convicted of Triple Homicide Gets Sentenced to 125 Years in Prison

Details In the sentencing of convicted triple homicide defendant Rakeem Willis, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced him to 125 years in prison. Willis, 38, was convicted of killing 26-year-old... Read More

Jurors Continue to Deliberate in Triple Homicide Trial

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan resumed jury deliberations on Nov. 15 following a delay due to a juror reporting that he was ill. Rakeem Willis, 31, is charged with... Read More

Juror Sickness Delays Deliberations in Murder Trial

Details After a juror reported he had fallen ill with the flu, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan decided that the jury would not continue deliberations in a murder trial on... Read More

Judge Acquits Co-defendant During Triple Homicide Trial

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan granted a motion for a co-defendant’s acquittal during a triple homicide trial. Rakeem Willis, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection... Read More

Detective Details High-Speed Chase Leading Up to Defendant’s Arrest

Details During a Nov. 3 proceeding, a witness testified to the first-hand experience of capturing a defendant in a co-defendant homicide trial. Jonathan Winston, 33, and Rakeem Willis, 31, are both... 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

Witness Testifies About Seeing Aftermath of Crime During Homicide Trial

Details During an Oct. 26 proceeding, witnesses testified about their account of a murder and physical evidence involved 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

Judge Addresses Motion in Trial Readiness Hearing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan listened to motion arguments in a triple-homicide case. Rakeem Willis, 31, has been charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of first-degree murder... Read More

Judge Addresses More Motions in Triple-Homicide Case

Details DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee ruled on multiple defense motions in a 2019 triple-homicide case. Johnathan Winston, 32, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder while armed for... Read More