Marcellus Jackson was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and related charges in connection with the 2010 shooting death of Jamal Coates.
Coates, 21, was killed in September 2010 while he and friends were leaving the funeral of Ashley McRae, a friend who had also been shot and killed.
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Crystal Skipwith writes in about Donald Ray Brown who died in a double shooting last September:
I had a reality check yesterday. I wanted to pop up on you me and chris down sw but i couldnt so i came to where you body lay in a grave. The sad thing is I couldnt find you there. Well christian i suppose he knew where u were cause he said he right here mommy but me i couldnt even grab the concept of bringing christian to see you in a grave. I couldnt grab the concept of not being able to tell you off then smile then say you hungry let’s eat. I couldnt grab the concept of looking down at freakn dirt knowing your bones are turning to ashes and your spirit is certainly not in the grave. So as i try to find you i find myself not finding you at all… I really wish you had more time on earth to live. More time on earth to grow. More time on earth to laugh. Just simply more time on earth. Im not sure of the point of coming to a grave where u dont reside I dont get it so for now I’m just gonna pray for comfort of losing one of the greatest friends i’ve ever had. I miss you Donald I miss laughing with you so much. I miss telling you every single thing about my love life and you guiding me in the right direction and me telling you if you know so much why you not married…. Boy i miss lauging smiling fussing fighting.. I simply miss you on earth….xoxoxoxo
Judge Lynn Leibovitz declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case against James Sandidge after the jury repeatedly sent notes explaining that they were deadlocked.
This is the second jury that has been unable to render a verdict for Sandidge in connection with the October 2011 shooting death of Kennan Jerel Lee. An earlier trial was deadlocked in July, 2013.
Sandidge remains held without bond and charged with second-degree murder. He was initially charged with first-degree murder.
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James Woods was given extra time Tuesday to consider a plea deal in connection with the bar fight death of Rockwell John Flint. Woods will make his decision by April 1, when the offer expires.
The plea deal would acknowledge guilt for a charge of involuntary manslaughter death for Flint’s death and a simple assault charge related to another person from the bar. In exchange, prosecutors would drop his second-degree murder and felony assault charges.
Prosecutors believe Flint died trying to break up a fight between Woods and another man.
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Mauda’Rico Proctor pleaded innocent Monday to nine criminal charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in connection with the January 2013 shooting death of Dominic Anthony Davis.
Davis was found in the 500 Block of 57th Street Northeast with multiple gunshot wounds by police. He was transported to Prince George’s County Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
Charging documents allege that Proctor took a witness’s rental car to 57th Street Northeast in search of Davis to retaliate for another murder.
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One homicide was reported in D.C. this week:
Daquan Hendrix, 19, was killed in a police-involved shooting Tuesday morning when officers arrived to execute his arrest warrant. Hendrix was sought in connection with the shooting death of Tykia Dickerson. News reports indicate that Hendrix exited a home in the unit block of K street Northwest with people inside when he began shooting.
A new report indicates that Navy personnel and a government contractor missed key warning signs that might have prevented Aaron Alexis from killing 12 people in mass shooting at Washington Navy Yard last September.
Jurors began their deliberations in the case against James Sandidge. He is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee during Howard University’s 2011 homecoming weekend.
David Warren was found guilty on 12 charges Wednesday, including charges of first- and second-degree murder. On Thursday, his brother Montez Warren was acquitted Thursday of all 14 counts he faced. The men were charged in connection with the shooting death of Ervin Lamont Griffin.
Justin Wilson, 20, pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and three other weapon related charges in connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old Freddy Bernard Hawkins.
Leon Allen Smith pleaded innocent Friday to 12 criminal charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 45-year-old Stephan Manuel Pool. Smith had been undergoing mental health treatments, but was found competent for trial after a final report delivered in July 2013 found that Smith to be “malingering.”
Judge Rhonda Winston found probable cause that Kevin Johnson participated in the February strangulation death of his girlfriend, 48-year-old Detra Martin. In his preliminary hearing, detectives said Johnson strangled and killed his former girlfriend in Prince George’s County.
Jurors found Keir Johnson and Lester Williams guilty of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and other weapons, conspiracy, and criminal street gang offenses Friday in connection to the shooting death of Jamal Coates. The trial, which began in November of last year, dealt with three separate murders, 80 criminal counts, and four co-defendants.
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.
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Keir Johnson and Lester Williams were found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and other weapons, conspiracy, and criminal street gang offenses Friday in connection to the shooting death of Jamal Coates.
Coates, 21, was shot and killed in September 2010 while leaving a friend’s funeral in the U Street corridor. The incident happened during broad daylight on a busy intersection with several eye witnesses to the shooting.
The trial, which began in November of last year, dealt with three separate murders, 80 criminal counts, and four co-defendants. After 38 days in trial and eight days of deliberations, the jury delivered a partial verdict late Friday afternoon.
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Fifteen years ago, on November 23, 1998, Kevin McDarin Johnson strangled and killed his former girlfriend in Prince George’s County, detectives say. And on June 4, 1999, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Maryland court.
Now, months after he finished serving his five-year parole in late 2013, he faces another murder charge. He’s suspected in the February strangulation death of his girlfriend, 48-year-old Detra Martin.
On Friday, Judge Rhonda Winston found probable cause in Johnson’s case and ordered him held in connection with the case.
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From ANC rep Janis Hazel, photos from a vigil for Kevin Leonard.
Sadly, participated in Candle Light Vigil for Kevin Leonard shot 3/15 at Shrimp Boat @homicidewatch @DCPoliceDept pic.twitter.com/4zkce0Qy1P
— JanisHazel-ANC 7D05 (@JanisHazel7D05) March 21, 2014
If you saw something, say something - report anonymously to @DCPoliceDept (202) 727-9099. TEXT TIP LINE 50411 http://t.co/MojLk4ooi8
— JanisHazel-ANC 7D05 (@JanisHazel7D05) March 21, 2014
