Judge Russell Canan on Friday sentenced 32-year-old Ercell Overton to 28 years in prison for the shooting death Solomon James Okoroh, 57.
“As I am imposing the maximum sentence of 28 years under this agreement, I do so reluctantly,” said Canan, adding that he believed the crimes were more serious than the sentence implied.
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Tisheena Brown, 31, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday where prosecutors would have argued there was probable cause that her actions lead the death of her son in September of last year.
Judge Lynn Liebovitz listened intently to private arguments from both attorneys for several minutes before ruling not to release Brown.
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Donald Dubose pleaded innocent Friday to four criminal charges, including first-degree premeditated murder while armed, in connection with the May 2012 drive-by shooting that killed Michael Oshea Smith.
Dubose, 24, rejected a plea offer for a charge of second-degree murder while armed during his arraignment hearing before Judge Jennifer Anderson.
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A stabbing in the 900 block of Barnaby Street, Southeast, left 44-year-old Ernest Harkum dead Thursday evening, according to MPD.
Police found Harkum, of Southeast D.C., around 10:38 p.m. lying on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds. Harkum was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A press release from MPD is after the jump.
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Ladonte Hawkins, 20, and Rico Carr, 23, were released from jail on April 11 when Judge Rhonda Winston granted prosecutors’ request to dismiss their case without prejudice.
Hawkins had been held for nearly 9 months, since August 2013, on suspicion of felony murder in connection with the stabbing death of 19-year-old Kelvin Jamal Willis. Carr was arrested nearly six weeks later on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with Willis’s November 2010 death.
Spokesperson Bill Miller explained via email that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing with its prosecution of co-defendant Robert Crowder and investigation in the case is ongoing.
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abu Samirah writes about Virgil Wood, 22, who died of multiple gunshot wounds in Southeast D.C., on April 8.
From Allaah do we come, to Allaah do we return(This is what the Muslim utters upon hearing death).I knew this brother, I know his grand mother,his father, family and the mother of his child. I received the news via text around 3 a.m. and have been up since then. Life is entirely too short, you never know when death will appear. Hence the reason it is imperative to be good to others, to do righteous good deeds and to rectify your affairs with your Lord. I pray that Allaah forgive my brother in Islaam of his sins, and grant him paradise. May he (Allaah) tranquil the hearts of his family during this most difficult period Aameen…
Jermaine Brown, 34, was released from jail Wednesday after Judge Ronna Beck granted the prosecution’s request to dismiss the case without prejudice.
“The government dismissed the case but will continue to investigate,” explained spokesperson William Miller via email on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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TANIKA writes about India Chapple, 26, who died from a stab wound last Saturday in Southeast D.C.
Ms. India Chapple you were an amazing person. I had the pleasure of meeting you at my daughter’s school. We would talk whenever I would see you. I thought back on the day our cars got booted and how we were trying to figure out the next step. It’s funny how the small things in life become a big part of our lives. Our small talks touched me and I will hold them dear to my heart. India you were very helpful, always smiling and just a vibrant young woman. To say my heart is heavy is an understatement. My daughter came home today saying how she was not going to see you anymore; confused and unclear as to what happened it was that moment I realized how much she will miss you. I can only imagine how your own babies must feel; one thing I know is that you loved them very much.
India please know that you are in a place without harm or hurt, no pain, pure happiness and peace. I trust that God will keep your babies safe. I will keep them and your loved ones in my prayers. You will forever be missed.
Tanika
Judge John Ramsey Johnson ruled Tuesday that there is probable cause to continue holding Gregory Allen Green, 25, in connection with the shooting death of Derrick Eugene Williams.
Williams, 35, was found lying on the sidewalk shortly after midnight on March 29 in the 1200 block of Eaton Place Southeast with a gunshot wound to his head. Four days later, Green was held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder while armed, felony murder, and attempted robbery.
Johnson cited the seriousness of the charges and Green’s prior convictions as reasons for holding Green. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou said Tuesday that Green was on supervised release for a drug charge and a robbery charge when Williams was killed.
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Tracy Mathis, 30, was held without bond Monday on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 26-year-old India Chapple, a woman that he had two children with.
Charging documents say Chapple was found on April 19 at approximately 2:19 a.m. lying on the ground outside of Mathis’s apartment building, conscious with an apparent stab wound to the chest. Less than an hour later, she was pronounced dead. Charging documents say that a medical examiner determined that the stab wound pierced her lung and heart.
Later that morning, Mathis was arrested. According to charging documents, Mathis told police that he and Chapple were romantically involved in the past, but have been apart for about eight years.
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