Homicide Watch D.C.

Washington City Paper reports that a new restaurant called Heaven & H has opened at the same address where June Grace Lim was murdered outside her deli in June 2012. But rather than hide Lim’s shooting death, the restaurant pays tribute to Lim’s impact on the surrounding community with its name, menu items named for Lim, and a mural with her face.
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Judge Karen Howze ordered Tshinik Cavallero held Wednesday pending a preliminary hearing in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Marcus Minor. Cavallero was arrested Monday on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed.

On January 24, police found Minor in the middle of the afternoon on the sidewalk of the 1300 block of Stevens Road Southeast with six gunshot wounds, including one to the back of the head. He was declared dead at the scene.

Charging documents state that both Minor and Cavallero sold marijuana and hung out on Stevens Road Southeast. Multiple witnesses reported seeing Cavallero and Minor arguing moments before the shooting.
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Ercell Overton pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder and two counts of assault to a police officer while armed in connection with the shooting death of 57-year-old taxi driver Solomon James Okoroh.

Overton, 32, signed an Alford plea agreement, which means that he accepts punishment without asserting guilt. In entering the plea, Overton said he is unable to remember the shooting because he was under the influence of PCP at the time. As a result, Overton can not admit to criminal acts, but agrees that prosecutor’s evidence would be likely prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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A fire and subsequent water damage prompted the Moultrie Courthouse building to close Tuesday, spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz announced Tuesday morning. All criminal and juvenile cases previously scheduled for Feb. 11 will be postponed until Feb. 12.

Matters scheduled in other buildings, like the crime victims compensation program, are not affected, Gurowitz said.
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A witness in the murder trial of brothers David and Montez Warren who was killed in 2011 has been identified as Ronald Smith.

“The government believes that the witness was killed in respect to this case,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jackson.

On Monday, as jury selection began, Jackson sought to introduce the testimony of Smith posthumously at trial. Jackson argued that the brothers’ defense attorneys would benefit unfairly if Smith’s testimony was excluded.
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Alvin Bethea speaks at his daughter’s memorial on Saturday Feb. 8, 2014 (Photo by Danya P. Hernandez)

It’s been two years since Deoni Jones, a 23-year-old transgender woman, was stabbed in the head and killed at a Southeast DC bus stop. And though her family and friends are seeking justice through the courts, they are also taking steps to prevent other transgender residents in DC from being victims of violence.

On Saturday, about 100 family members, friends, and supporters gathered for a memorial and rally to launch the Deoni Jones Foundation. The event was held at the St. Luke’s Center across the street from where Jones was murdered and where a memorial was held last year.
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A 28-year-old Southeast DC man was arrested Monday in connection with the shooting death of Marcus Minor last month. The man, identified by police as Tsihnik Cavallero, is suspected of second-degree murder while armed.

On January 24, Minor was found shot in the 1300 block of Stevens Road Southeast at approximately 2:42 p.m. in the afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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In brief:

Elvin Jessie Johnson, a 32-year-old Northeast DC man, died after being shot late Tuesday night in Northeast DC.

David Washington, a 24-year-old Southeast DC man was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Deangelo Gatling last month. He is suspected of first-degree murder while armed.

Peter Hendy was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend’s son, four-year-old Kamari Zavon Taylor.

Probable cause was found in the case against Dion Redwood, suspected of participating in the 2013 shooting death of 16-year-old Darius Cannon.

William Hunt was ordered held in connection with the May 2011 stabbing death of 48-year-old George White. Police say White was stabbed 59 times during an argument over a lawnmower.

The trial of alleged gang members Keir Johnson, Lester Williams, Robert Givens and Marcellus Jackson continued this week. Over the past two weeks a former gang member has detailed the relationships — and beefs — that brought two neighborhood groups together and broke them apart.

Gary Montgomery was found mentally competent Friday to stand trial for the death of transgender woman Deoni Jones. Montgomery is charged with first-degree murder.

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 us. To see scheduled court hearings beyond next week, see our calendar.
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Gary Montgomery was found mentally competent Friday to stand trial for the death of transgender woman Deoni Jones. Montgomery is charged with first-degree murder.

It’s been more than two years since 23-year-old Jones, also known as JaParker, was stabbed in the side of the head while sitting at a metro stop in Northeast DC.

She died at a hospital the next day and family members are convinced that she was killed for being transgender.
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