Daren Vaughn, 22, was released Thursday on a personal promise to return to court, pending a second trial in connection to the stabbing death of his best friend and neighbor Tyrell Swann.
During Thursday’s status hearing, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman argued that Vaughn has no prior convictions and has been compliant and cooperative since his arrest on Sept. 27, 2012.
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A man found dead from gunshot wounds inside a home on the 5600 block of Chillum Place Northeast may have committed suicide, according to MPD.
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Almost a year after the shooting deaths Anthony Chase, 19, and Eric Leeper, 27, a 22-year-old Northeast D.C. man has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
The man, identified by police as Carlton Maurice Johnson, is suspected of two counts of first-degree murder while armed. He was ordered held by Judge Dianne Brenneman until a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 28 before Judge Jennifer Anderson.
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A man died last Thursday after being shot in Northeast D.C. near Marvin Gaye Park, reports the Washington Post.
He was identified by police as 21-year-old Hubert Hunter of Northeast, DC.
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Antonio Williams pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the March 1 death of Andre McIntyre. But Judge Jennifer Anderson decided not to accept William’s plea until McIntyre’s family can speak in court for William’s sentencing on June 13.
Williams was charged with second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors have agreed to drop the charge and will recommend a prison sentence between three and five years in exchange for William’s plea.
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Michael Marshall pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of Antonio Headspeth. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and five related gun charges.
The maximum sentence for second-degree murder is 40 years in prison, but Marshall’s plea recommends a sentence between 12 and 16 years in prison.
Assistant US Attorney Lara Worm told the court that Marshall approached Headspeth at the 1100 block of Stevens Road Southeast on October 17, 2011 at about 1:30 a.m. and shot at least 13 times at Headspeth. Then, Marshall fled the scene.
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Judge Lynn Leibovitz dismissed all charges against James Sandidge Tuesday after prosecutors decided not to take the case to trial for a third time.
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In brief:
Two homicides were reported in D.C. this week:
Jurors in the trial of Daren Vaughn were unable to decide whether or not he committed voluntary manslaughter while armed, a lesser included charge for first-degree murder, in connection with death of Tyrell Swann. On Wednesday, he was acquitted of first-degree premeditated murder, burglary and assault charges by jurors in the case. Vaughn’s defense attorney argued that the stabbing was committed in self-defense.
Antoine Little was found innocent of all charges in connection with the stabbing death of 52-year-old James Cain. After closing arguments, jurors deliberated for less than five hours before they announced their verdict.
The murder trial of Donte Graves ended when jurors announced they were unable to reach a verdict. Ten jurors reported that they were prepared to acquit Graves of second-degree murder while armed, assault with a deadly weapon and armed robbery in connection with the shooting death of Tyrone Joyner. Graves’ defense attorney argued that police and prosecutors overlooked the possibility of another shooter.
The trial of Calvin Shaw began Wednesday with opening arguments. Prosecutors say James Crevontai Key was “just hanging out” on the Fourth of July when three men wearing white t-shirts walked out of a nearby alley and opened fire. Shaw faces 40 criminal charges in connection with the case.
Jurors began deliberating in the case of Joshua Andrews, charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intention to kill, and three related weapons charges in connection with the shooting death of Darond Alonte Lucas. Prosecutors argued that Andrews laid in ambush and killed Lucas execution style; his defense attorneys say that evidence never shows the gun in Andrews’ hands.
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying three persons of interest in the investigation of shooting death ofDaniel Calvin Short.
Joseph Chandler will pursue an insanity defense in connection to the shooting death of his girlfriend, 63-year-old Shirley Tucker. Chandler is charged with second-degree murder while armed and has been on release from jail for medical reasons since July of last year.
The death of a woman found unconscious and unresponsive in Northeast DC last October has been ruled a homicide.
On Saturday MPD said the woman, identified as 53-year-old Carmen Payne, died of asphyxiation due to strangulation.
A press release from MPD is after the jump.
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Each week, Homicide Watch brings you a list of upcoming hearings in the cases we follow. All hearings are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted. To add an item to the listing, email homicidewatchdc [at] gmail.com. To see scheduled court hearings beyond next week, see our calendar.
