In brief:
Javar Robert Allen was shot and killed in the 1500 block of 23rd Street Southeast Saturday morning.
Closing arguments began in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial. Stanley Moghalu, one of two men on trial for the shooting death of 36-year-old Steven Curtis Moore, testified that he was with his fiance during the time of the shooting and nowhere near Moore. “I was with [Alycia Worsley],” Moghalu said. “That night we drove past a road block and I didn’t think nothing of it. A friend told me the next day Moore was shot.”
Melvin Quick was released from D.C. jail after a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to hold him in connection with the shooting death of Mikey Ledbetter. Though Quick is free to return home, prosecutors plan to continue investigating the case.
Donald Dubose was held on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Michael Oshea Smith. Prosecutors believe Dubose participated in a drive-by shooting that ended Smith’s life in May 2012.
Eugene Antoine Kelly was sentenced Friday to 67 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of Isaiah Daniel Harris.
In brief:
Four-year-old Kamari Zavon Taylor was killed after being hit in the abdomen; police say Taylor’s mother’s boyfriend is responsible. That man, Peter Hendy, was arrested and was ordered held pending a preliminary hearing on a charge of first-degree murder.
Torrence Joseph Allen, 25, was fatally shot in Southeast DC.
Melvin Quick was ordered held on a charge of first-degree murder while armed pending a preliminary hearing in connection with the shooting death of 36-year-old Mikey Ledbetter.
Derrell Bennett pleaded guilty for a second time Wednesday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the 2010 shooting death of 29-year-old Keith Banks.
Judge Ronna Beck found probable cause that Don Demichie Page Jr. and Wesley Monroe both participated in the shooting death of Quentin Lavar White. Page and Monroe remain held while a grand jury investigates the case.
In brief:
Three homicides were recorded this week:
- Twenty-two year old Julisa Brittney Washington was fatally stabbed in Southeast DC mid-morning Monday. Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Stefon Kirkpatrick, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the case.
- Thirty-six-year-old Mikey Ledbetter was fatally shot Friday morning. Melvin Quick, 27, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the case.
- The death of a Maryland man which occurred more than two years ago was been ruled a homicide and a suspect was arrested. Marc Emilio Dancy, 37, was found Jan. 23, 2011, unconscious in the 3000 block of 7th Street Northeast. He had suffered blunt force trauma to his head and chest. Dancy’s manner of death was initially ruled as undetermined, but further investigation revealed that he suffered injuries during an altercation with another person. On Wednesday, Dancy’s manner of death was determined to be a homicide, and police arrested 39-year-old Melvin Lamond Linkins on a charge of second-degree murder.
Jermaine Brown, 34, was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Randolph Scott Harris Jr. Harris was found last week inside an apartment in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest suffering from burns and gunshot wounds.
The only suspect in the Latisha Frazier murder case to stand trial was sentenced this week for his role in the attack. Johnnie Sweet was sentenced to 52 years in prison. Later in the week, Antoine McCullough was sentenced to two years probation in connection with a charge of tampering with evidence. Frazier, 18, was kidnapped and killed in August 2010.
A mistrial was declared in the case against James Sandidge, after the jury notified the court for the second time that they were deadlocked. Sandidge is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee in October 2011. During deliberations, jurors expressed concerns about their contact with other observers in the case believed to be family members of either Sandidge or Lee. On Wednesday, the jury foreperson told the court that the jury had again reached an impasse, though eleven jurors were prepared to find Sandidge guilty of manslaughter.
Mark Anthony Coates, one of two suspects arrested in connection with the 2011 strangulation death of 56-year-old Leroy Studevant, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder while armed.
Shawn Lewis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Wednesday in connection with the death of 38-year-old Douglas Farley.
Deon Jefferson pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter and armed robbery in connection with the 2012 stabbing death of 18-year-old Olijawon Griffin.
Rashid Caviness-Bey was sentenced to 27 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Osman Al-Akbar.
Mental health experts have found Leon Allen Smith competent to stand trial for the stabbing death of Stephan Manuel Pool, despite Smith’s insistence that he suffers hallucinations, nightmares and paranoia.
In brief:
One person was killed in D.C. this week. Randolph Scott Harris Jr., 31, was found shot Friday inside of a burning apartment located in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest.
Amber Middleton, a 22-year-old woman who was subpoenaed to testify in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial, was arrested on a charge of obstructing justice after allegedly refusing to answer questions in connection with the shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore.
James Sandidge was tried for the shooting death of Keenan Lee. Prosecutors argued that Sandidge “brought a gun to a fist fight.” But Sandidge’s defense attorney argued that Sandidge is innocent and that the person responsible for Lee’s death was acting in self-defense. Jury deliberations are expected to resume Monday.
Marlon Williams was found guilty Friday of first-degree felony murder while armed in connection with the 2010 shooting death of Min Soo Kang.
Five people were killed in D.C. this week, bringing this year’s total homicide count to 51. June and July have been the deadliest months thus far with 12 and 11 homicides, respectively.
- Anthony Chase and Eric Leeper were shot and killed in Southeast D.C. Both men were found shot on Ridge Road SE around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
- Siblings Jamie and Jamal Jenkins were gunned down around 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the 5300 block of East Capitol Street Northeast.
- The identity of a male victim who was shot early Saturday morning remains withheld pending family notification. The victim was found dead in the 1100 block of First Place Northwest.
Judge John Ramsey Johnson found probable cause Monday that Asia Moore stabbed and killed 23-year-old Marvin Harvey. Moore, though, has been released from jail on a personal promise to attend all scheduled court hearings.
A judge found probable cause to believe that Don Demichie Page Jr. participated in the shooting death of 28-year-old Quentin Lavar White. Page remains held pending a preliminary hearing.
Judge Ronna Beck found substantial probability that Kevin Brown participated in the shooting death of 19-year-old James Edward Dean.
A medical examiner determined the death of Rayshawn Hailstock to be a homicide. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said detectives are still “investigating the circumstances of the case and will present the facts to the [United States Attorney’s Office].”
Eric Jerome Payne was sentenced Friday to four years in prison in connection with the death of Charles Hicks. Payne apologized for his actions.
Two homicides were reported in D.C. this week.
Delrico Shuford concluded his testimony in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial. Over the course of three days, Shuford told jurors details about his affiliation with a crew called 21st and Vietnam, which is alleged to have taken the lives of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.
Lamonte Hill was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder while armed and a related weapons offense in connection with the death of Brian Bloomfield. Co-defendant Taquia Allen was arraigned on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in the case. They both pleaded innocent.
Lloyd Bright was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 61-year-old Darryl Sweet Sr. Bright pleaded innocent to the charge and a trial date is scheduled for April 2014.
Arik Sims was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting death of Lamar Michael Fonville. Sims pleaded innocent and a trial is scheduled for November 18.
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. At trial, Hayes testified that he never stabbed Griffin and that the prosecution’s witnesses were “tricked and coerced against” him. But prosecutors argued that Hayes deliberately stabbed Griffin, then “boasted” to his friends and his girlfriend about what he did.
Joseph Chandler, the man accused of shooting and killing 63-year-old Shirley Tucker, was released from D.C. jail Friday due to medical conditions. Chandler was released into the supervisory custody of a friend who volunteered to let him stay with her. Chandler’s daughters also agreed to share the responsibility of seeing that his medical needs are met.
Judge Robert Morin found substantial probability that Mauda’Rico Proctor participated in the shooting death of 27-year-old Dominic Davis. Proctor remains held pending a grand jury indictment.
David Robinson was sentenced to 10 months in prison Friday in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Howard Ricardo Sampler. Robinson pleaded guilty to three weapons charges in connection with Sampler’s death in April.
In brief:
Four homicides were recorded in DC this week:
- Douglas Farley, a man who was set on fire in Southeast Washington last week, died as a result of his injuries. Shawn Lewis has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Farley’s death.
- Marvin Harvey, 23, was fatally stabbed in Northeast DC Wednesday afternoon; 22-year-old Asia Dontrese Moore has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case.
- Howard University student Omar Sykes, 22, was fatally shot Thursday in what is believed to have been a robbery attempt on Sykes and another man. That man was beaten. No arrests have been announced in connection with the case.
- Christopher Ballard, 38, of Southeast D.C, was fatally shot early Saturday morning at the intersection of 53rd and E Streets Southeast at 2:14 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wesley Monroe, 21, of Northeast D.C, was arrested in connection with the June 22 shooting death of 28-year-old Quentin White. White was found in the 3500 block of East Capitol Street Southeast suffering from a gunshot wound; he later died at a local hospital.
Davon Holmes was found guilty of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of 24-year-old Marcellus Bailey. Bailey was stabbed near the corner of 8th Street and Jefferson Street Northwest on August 3, 2011. He was discovered by police around 2:45 a.m., injured and bleeding profusely from his neck; he later died at Washington Hospital Center.
Three days before the verdict was reached, while the trial was still underway, a testifying witness died following a fight. Metropolitan police are conducting a death investigation in the case and have not declared the death a homicide. MPD Chief Cathy Lanier said the cases were “unrelated.”
Herbert Hayes‘ murder trial began this week with prosecutors arguing that 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 in the course of the trial no witness will testify that Hayes harmed Griffin.
In brief:
Tywayne Thompson was found shot Monday morning in the 700 block of 12th Street Southeast; he later died at the hospital. No arrests have been made in connection with his death.
A jury convicted Marvin Palencia of first-degree murder and related charges in connection with the shooting death of Jacobo Vazquez. Prosecutors argued at trial that the murder was planned after Palencia learned of an affair between his wife and Vazquez.
Alex Cater, one of the two suspects held in connection with the 2011 strangulation death of Leroy Studevant, pleaded guilty Wednesday. Court documents, though, are not clear as to what charge Cater pled guilty to, saying only that Cater and the government “enter into the following plea agreement pursuant to attached paperwork.”
Ricardo Mitchell was sentenced Friday to 26 years in prison in connection with the August 2011 shooting death of Wyatt Earp Robinson.
Daren Vaughn was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, armed robbery and related weapons offenses in connection with the stabbing death of Tyrell Swann. Vaughn pleaded innocent to all charges and a trial date is scheduled for March 2014.
Witness testimony began in the murder case against Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu. The men are believed by prosecutors to be part of a group called “21st and Vietnam,” and are alleged to have killed Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.
A judge found substantial probability Thursday that co-defendants Floyd Neal, Lafeyette Robinson and DeAndre Shaheed each participated in the shooting death of 31-year-old Akinwole Olu Williams.
Witness testimony began in the murder trial against Davon Holmes, who is charged with the stabbing death of 24-year-old Marcellus Bailey.
Michael Marshall was arraigned Friday on charges of first-degree murder, obstructing justice and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Antonio Mervin Headspeth. Marshall pleaded innocent to all charges.
Four homicides were reported in D.C. this week: Ernest Hart, Dawon Markham, Quentin Lavar White and Malika Stover. The number of deaths reported in DC this year is now 38, with June being the deadliest month thus far; there have been ten homicides reported in DC this month.
- Ernest Hart, 17, died Wednesday after being stabbed in the neck in the 4600 block of Hillside Road Southeast. Antonio Shaw, 25, was arrested the next day in connection with Hart’s death and held on a charge of second-degree murder pending a preliminary hearing scheduled July 2.
- Dawon Markham, 42, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 200 block of 62nd Street NE around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday; he later died at the hospital.
- Quentin Lavar White, 28, was found shot in the 3500 block of East Capitol Street Southeast Saturday morning. He later died at the hospital.
- Malika Stover, 35, was found in the 1300 block of Stevens Road Southeast Saturday suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
The murder trial against Andrew Williams was postponed until November because prosecutors have not been able to subpoena a witness who they believe is very important to the government’s case. Williams has been released from jail and placed in a high intensity supervision program.
Floyd Neal and Lafeyette Robinson were arrested and held on charges of felony murder in connection with the March shooting death of Akinwole Olu Williams. The men are scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Judge Herbert Dixon June 27.
Further mental health observation has been ordered to determine whether Leon Allen Smith is mentally ill or intentionally trying to avoid criminal proceedings. A hearing to discuss the findings of that report is scheduled for August 2.
Steven Vondell Williams was sentenced to 27 years in prison Friday in connection with the shooting death of 65-year-old Grace Deli owner Hae Soon Lim.
In brief:
Lawrence David Phillips was shot Tuesday in the 400 block of 18th Street Northeast; he later died at the hospital.
Mauda’Rico Proctor was arrested and held on suspicion of felony murder in connection with the January shooting death of Dominic Davis.
A jury found Ronald Page guilty of second-degree murder while armed and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of his step-son, Nicholas Ray Satcher.
Mark Anthony Coates was arrested and held on a charge of first-degree murder while armed in connection with the 2011 murder of Leroy Studevant.
Prosecutors in the murder trial against Marvin Palencia argued that he shot and killed Jacobo Vazquez after learning that his wife and Vazquez were having an affair. Defense attorneys argued that Palencia acted in self-defense. Trial is scheduled to resume Monday in Judge John Ramsey Johnson’s courtroom.
William Faison pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of Jeffrey Covington.
Decordre Franklin pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with the shooting death of Irving Jones Jr.
In a preliminary hearing Friday, prosecutors in the case against Jermaine Livingston argued that he assisted in the August 2011 shooting death of Antwain Henderson. Livingston’s defense attorney argued that Henderson was already dead when his client helped Anthony Campbell dispose of the body, and that Livingston merely acted as an accessory after the murder.
Allen Culver was arrested Friday on a charge of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of Robert Plight.
