Ladonte Hawkins was presented at D.C. Superior Court Thursday where Judge Karen Howze ruled there is enough evidence to hold him in connection with the 2010 stabbing death of 19-year-old Kelvin Jamal Willis. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 28.
Willis was found stabbed in the Unit block of N Street Northwest around 3:30 a.m. Nov. 6, 2010. Detectives later determined that the stabbing took place in the Unit block of Hanover Place NW.
Arrest documents say that while in the hospital, Willis told detectives that he was punched and attacked by three people, who then robbed him of his wallet containing $15, before stabbing him with a knife. Willis later told members of his family that he was also robbed of his coat, according to charging documents.
Willis died from his injuries on Nov. 22, 2010. A medical examiner determined the cause of death to be complications due to multiple stab wounds.
According to charging documents, a witness told police that three people were involved in the attack on Willis: Hawkins, Robert Crowder and Rico Carr. The witness said that Hawkins and Carr were talking about robbing Willis of his coat. Hawkins punched Willis in his chin, and Carr pointed a gun at Willis and demanded his coat. Hawkins then reached into Willis’ pocket and took his wallet, the witness said.
As Willis was removing his coat, the witness heard Crowder yell, “You’re taking too long.”
The witness said Crowder then puled out a knife and stabbed Willis several times, charging documents state.
Another witness told police that he saw Crowder leaving an alley near Hanover Street Northwest carrying a black coat. Shortly after, the witness saw Crowder washing blood off his hands, documents say. The witness asked Crowder where he got the coat, and according to the witness, Crowder said he had joined in on a beating that occurred in the alley and that he had stabbed someone.
Detectives later interviewed Crowder, documents say, and he said he had not been at the scene of the crime.
Court records do not indicate that Crowder or Carr have ever been arrested in connection with Willis’ death.
Charging documents have been added to the post below.
