Judge Herbert Dixon sentenced Ellsworth Colbert Wednesday to 17 years in prison for the March 2012 stabbing death of 38-year-old Robert Leroy Wright. In January, a jury found Colbert, 56, guilty of voluntary manslaughter while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business in connection with … Read more →
Jurors found Ellsworth Colbert guilty of manslaughter today in connection with the stabbing death of Robert Leroy Wright. Colbert was charged with first-degree murder; manslaughter is a lesser charge. The jury also found Colbert guilty of two weapons charges. Jurors deliberated for a day and a half before announcing their verdict at about 11 a.m. … Read more →
After six days of testimony, jurors were sent to deliberate Wednesday in the case against Ellsworth Colbert, who is charged with fatally stabbing his neighbor, Robert Leroy Wright, on March 4, 2012. Colbert’s defense attorney has argued that Colbert acted in self-defense, but prosecutors have argued that Colbert was the aggressor in the attack. Colbert … Read more →
In a 911 call played Monday at court, jurors in Ellsworth Colbert’s murder trial heard a firsthand account of the altercation that led to Robert Wright’s death last year. Colbert, 57, is suspected of stabbing and killing Wright on March 4, 2012, after a dispute involving a pit bull named Macho. A witness who placed … Read more →
Jurors charged with determining guilt in a neighborhood argument that left one man dead heard opening arguments in the case today. The defendant, Ellsworth Colbert, 57, is charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and three weapons charges in connection with the stabbing death of 38-year-old Robert Wright. Prosecutors told jurors the crime … Read more →
Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial against Ellsworth Colbert. Because there were not enough jurors to complete the process Tuesday, jury selection is scheduled to continue Wednesday morning in Judge Herbert Dixon’s courtroom. Colbert, 56, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and several weapons charges in … Read more →
Judge Herbert Dixon moved forward with Ellsworth Colbert’s trial Wednesday morning, denying a motion to continue the trial and insisting that it go forward as scheduled next week. Colbert is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and three weapons charges in connection with the stabbing death of Robert … Read more →
A DC attorney whose father is suspected of murder may be allowed to try the case in front of a jury early next year. Ellsworth Colbert’s son, Damon Colbert, has signed on to his father’s case as co-counsel. Prosecutors oppose Damon Colbert’s representation. On Friday Judge Thomas Motley appeared skeptical of the effort as well. … Read more →
Judge Frederick Sullivan found probable cause today in the case against Ellsworth Colbert, a 56-year-old Southeast DC man suspected of fatally stabbing his 37-year-old neighbor earlier this month. Sullivan also ruled that Colbert should be held while the grand jury investigates the case. “We’re talking about murder here,” he said. “We’re talking about someone dead.” … Read more →
Washington Post Columnist Courtland Milloy argues that the stabbing that left Robert Wright dead on Sunday could have been avoided if Wright had been allowed to, and choose to, carry a gun. He writes: To better understand the benefits of a “concealed carry” firearm, consider how the encounter between Wright and Colbert might have unfolded … Read more →
Ellsworth Colbert was ordered held yesterday on suspicion of second degree murder in the stabbing death of Robert Wright. Some news reports, including this one from CBSDC/AP say that the crime occurred when the two men fought over a dog defecating on a lawn. But WUSA reports that Colbert’s attorney says Wright threatened his client … Read more →
Ellsworth Colbert was ordered held today on a charge of second-degree murder while armed in the death of Robert Wright, a man prosecutors say died in a fight about a dog. According to the charging documents, Wright, 37, was walking a dog in the 3500 block of Pope Street SE when he encountered Colbert, 56. … Read more →
The charging documents in the case against Ellsworth Colbert are below. We’ll have more details from his appearance today at DC Superior Court later this afternoon. Read more →
WJLA, Fox5 and WTOP have reports this morning adding to yesterday’s news that Ellsworth Colbert, a local campaign volunteer, had been arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his neighbor, Robert Wright. Watch news reports after the jump. DC City Council Campaign Worker Faces Murder Charges after Fatal Stabbing: MyFoxDC.com Read more →
UPDATED with press release from MPD at bottom of story. A fight over dog “mess” left one man dead in a Southeast DC neighborhood Sunday morning. The Washington Post reported earlier today that a man was unconscious and not breathing following a stabbing assault in the 3600 block of Highwood Drive SE. According to a … Read more →
