Demitrich Jones | Homicide Watch DC

Suspects Indicted For Murder in Robbery that Killed Rashard Raigns

Amelia Rufer — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:48:55 -0500

Demitrich Jones and William Smallwood pleaded innocent Thursday to five criminal charges including felony murder while armed for the shooting death of 33-year-old Rashard Raigns in June.

Jones, who is 16 years old, has been charged as an adult. In addition to the murder charge, Jones faces one count of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and two weapon offenses.

Smallwood, 22, is charged with a third weapons-related offense in place of the robbery charge.

A 13-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with Raign's murder. His case is being heard by the court's juvenile division.

On June 4, police found Raigns lying facedown on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Fenwick Street, Northeast at approximately 2:42 a.m., charging documents say. Raigns died from a gunshot wound before police arrived.

In an interview after his arrest, Jones told police he and Smallwood tried to steal Raigns’ laptop but killed Raigns in the process.

According to the charging documents, Jones and Smallwood approached Raigns and told him to give up his laptop. Jones told police that Smallwood fired two shots from a silver revolver when Raigns tried to escape with the computer.

Meanwhile, a third subject stood lookout at the intersection of Fenwick and Gallaudet Street.

Jones, Smallwood and the third subject fled to a residence in the 1800 block of Providence Avenue, Northeast. According to his statement to police, Jones ran back several minutes later and took the laptop.

Jones and Smallwood are scheduled to appear before Judge Jennifer Anderson for a status hearing on February 27 at 9:30 a.m. A trial date has been set for September 8.

William Smallwood and Rashard Jones Remain Held in Rashard Raigns Murder

Imari Williams — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:10:10 -0400

A judge found substantial probability Thursday in the case against William Smallwood and Demitrich Jones in connection with the shooting death of Rashard Raigns.

Raigns was found lying face down on a sidewalk in the 1900 block of Fenwick Street Northeast, with a gunshot wound to the torso, on June 4. Ten feet away from Raign's body, police found a green blanket with an empty laptop case, power cord and other personal belongings scattered nearby.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Sanchez argued Thursday that Smallwood, 22, and Jones, 16, planned to rob Raigns and video showed the two men covering their faces with shirts before they robbed Raigns.

A 13-year-old boy also arrested in connection with the case is being processed through the juvenile division of the court.

MPD Detective Michael Callahan testified Thursday that Jones told police the men were going to rob Raigns for his laptop and Jones admitted that it was his plan.

In his interview, Jones told police that he was going to “take the rap” for it because it was his idea, according to Callahan.

Documents say that Jones had a BB gun and a man he was with had a silver handgun. When Raigns resisted the robbery attempt, the man shot him with the gun.

The 13-year-old arrested in the case told police that Jones had the BB gun and Smallwood had the "real gun," Callahan said.

"He said once he saw the real gun, he took off running and heard two pows," Callahan said.

According to Callahan, Jones said he walked away after the shots were fired, then came back to see what happened, saw the laptop and took it, Callahan testified.

Jones' defense attorney, Patricia Cresta-Savage, argued Jones was not responsible for the murder because no evidence showed that Jones knew Smallwood had a weapon.

"Mr Jones had a fake gun," Cresta-Savage said. "There is no evidence at all he knew Mr. Smallwood had a gun."

Smallwoods' attorney Dana Page argued there wasn't proof that Smallwood knew about the robbery Jones allegedly planned.

"It is unclear," Page said. "There is no information that Mr. Smallwood knew of any plan."

Assistant United States Attorney Sanchez argued that Jones was the leader, and that he took the laptop after Raigns was shot.

"It was Jones idea," Sanchez said. "He gets the other two and after Raigns is shot, Jones goes back to get the laptop."

Judge Jennifer Anderson called Jones' actions "cold-blooded" before delivering her ruling.

Both men will remain held in the case. A felony status conference is scheduled for September 12 before Judge Anderson.

Second juvenile held in connection to the death of Rashard Raigns

Imari Williams — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 17:53:26 -0400

The second juvenile arrested in connection with the shooting death of Rashard Raigns was presented in court on Wednesday.

The 13-year-old youth was ordered held until his next court date.

He is the third person arrested in the Raigns case.

Demitrich Jones, 16, was arrested last Wednesday and charged as an adult. William Smallwood was arrested last Tuesday.

The juvenile suspect is expect to appear before Judge Florence J. Pan on June 25, 2014.

Third Arrest in Shooting Death of Rashard Raigns

Laura Amico — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:58:24 -0400

A second juvenile male has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Rashard Raigns, MPD said Wednesday evening.

The boy was not identified by police. He is the third person arrested in conenction with the case.
William Smallwood was arrested last Tuesday. Teenager Demitrich Jones was arrested last Wednesday and charged as an adult.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

June 18, 2014

Third Arrest Made in Homicide:
1900 Block of Fenwick Street, NE

(Washington, DC) -The Metropolitan Police Department announced today that a third arrest has been made in connection with the homicide of Rashard Raigns, which occurred in the 1900 block of Fenwick Street, Northeast.

On Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at approximately 2:42 am, police officers from the Fifth Patrol District responded to a call for service to assist DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services in the 1900 block of Fenwick Street, Northeast. Upon arrival, they located an adult male lying on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel did not find any signs consistent with life. The decedent was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, where an autopsy was performed. The cause of death was established to be a gunshot wound. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. The investigation is continuing.

The decedent is identified as 33-year-old Rashard Raigns of no fixed address.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2014, an adult male of Northeast, Washington, DC, was arrested by homicide detectives and charged with Felony Murder While Armed in the homicide of Rashard Reigns.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at approximately 8:50 am, a juvenile male of Northeast, Washington, DC, was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, pursuant to a District of Columbia Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Felony Murder While Armed in the homicide of Rashard Reigns.

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at approximately 7:06 am, a juvenile male of Northeast, Washington, DC, was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, pursuant to a District of Columbia Superior Court custody order charging him with Felony Murder While Armed in the homicide of Rashard Reigns.

Teen Arrested in Rashard Raigns Shooting Death Charged as Adult

Laura Amico — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 10:59:55 -0400

A teenager arrested earlier this week in connection with the shooting death of Rashard Raigns has been charged as an adult in the case.

The teen, identified in court documents as Demitrich Jones, is 16 years old. He was presented Thursday with the charge of first-degree murder while armed and ordered held pending a preliminary hearing.

According to charging documents, Jones told police that he saw Raigns and intended to take his laptop from him. He had a bb gun and a man he was with had a silver handgun. When Raigns fought the robbery attempt, the man shot him with the revolver.

Jones identified the man with the revolver as William Smallwood.

Smallwood was presented with a charge of first-degree murder while armed earlier this week and ordered held pending a preliminary hearing.

Both Jones and Smallwood are expected for preliminary hearings June 26.

Charging documents in the case are below.

Jones, Demitrich (PDF)Jones, Demitrich (Text)