Judge Russell Canan sentenced Herbert Hayes to 40 years in prison for the May 2012 stabbing death of John Wesley Griffin. The sentencing was a significant and substantial departure from guidelines which recommended 15 to 26 years in prison. “You’ve just been committing violent crimes for 25 years,” Canan told Hayes Friday. “I have no … Read more →
Herbert Hayes was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder while armed for the May 2012 stabbing death of 41-year-old John Wesley Griffin. Jurors in the case deliberated for approximately one day before delivering their verdict at around 1:20 p.m. Hayes, 40, was charged with first-degree murder while armed; second-degree murder while armed is a lesser … Read more →
Prosecutors in the murder trial against Herbert Hayes say that John Wesley Griffin’s fatal stabbing was premeditated and deliberate, and that the evidence against Hayes as the murderer is “virtually undisputed.” Hayes’ defense attorney argues, though, that the government’s key witness is “tainted” and can’t be trusted. Jurors heard these closing arguments Thursday morning before … Read more →
Herbert Hayes, the man on trial for stabbing and killing 41-year-old John Wesley Griffin, told jurors Wednesday that he was not responsible for Griffin’s death, and that witnesses in the trial “were tricked and coerced against me.” “I don’t know that John dude like that,” Hayes said. “I don’t know that dude to do anything … Read more →
During opening statements in the murder trial against Herbert Hayes, prosecutors alleged Hayes stabbed John Wesley Griffin four times “with precision,” ran away, then “boasted” about it on his cellphone to a friend and to his ex-wife. Russell Hairston, Hayes’ defense attorney, called the government’s evidence “lacking” and told jurors that no witness will testify … Read more →
Based on a mental health evaluation, Judge Russell Canan ruled Friday that Herbert Hayes is competent to stand trial for the murder of 41-year-old John Wesley Griffin. Canan rescheduled the trial to begin June 24. Judge Canan ordered the evaluation last week after Hayes’ previous attorney, Betty Ballester, disclosed that Hayes had threatened her. At … Read more →
Judge Russell Canan ordered a mental health screening Wednesday to determine whether Herbert Hayes, who Canan suspects has threatened a series of attorneys, is competent to proceed to trial. Hayes, 40, is suspected of fatally stabbing 41-year-old John Wesley Griffen in May of last year. Hayes was arrested three days after Griffen’s death and has … Read more →
Herbert Hayes, through his attorney, pleaded innocent Friday after Judge Russell Canan formally presented him with a first-degree murder charge. A grand jury indicted Hayes, 40, on the charge Wednesday. Hayes is suspected in the May 18, 2012, stabbing death of John Wesley Griffin at the 1200 block of North Capitol Street N.W. and has … Read more →
Herbert Hayes was ordered held today at his preliminary hearing for the stabbing death of John Wesley Griffin after Judge Ann O’Regan Keary found substantial probability that Hayes committed the crime of second-degree murder while armed. Keary’s finding came as a result of a phone call Hayes made to a friend while in custody and … Read more →
Herbert Hayes was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on suspicion of second-degree murder. Prosecutors say he fatally stabbed John Wesley Griffin in Northwest DC on Friday night. Charging documents rely on the testimony of one witness, who told police they say Hayes chase Griffin in the street, then punch Griffin, who fell to … Read more →
A 40-year-old Northwest DC man has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the stabbing death of John Wesley Griffin. Griffen, 42, was fatally stabbed Friday. Herbert Hancock Hayes, also known as Herbert Grayson Hayes, was arrested Monday. He’s likely due in court Tuesday afternoon to be presented with the … Read more →
