Jekwan Dante Smith | Homicide Watch DC

A Look Back on the 21st and Vietnam Cases in 2014

Imari Williams — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:50:37 -0500

It's been more than three years since Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore were killed in separate crew-related shootings in Northeast DC. This year their alleged killers were convicted and sentenced, ending a complex multi-defendant case.

Six men were charged in 2011 and 2012: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Stanley Moghalu, Delrico Shuford, and Jewkan Smith. They were bound by their allegiance to "21st and Vietnam," a crew allegedly responsible for taking part in a number of violent acts that injured one person and killed Fogle, 17; Sheffield, 24; and Moore, 36. The men were all charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges for the 2011 murders.

On August 29, 2011, Tyrell Fogle was chased through Langston Terrace and gunned down by a masked man. Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in September 2011 when he rode his bike down 21st Street Northeast. Steven Moore was simply found shot, early in the evening of Dec. 3, 2011, in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast.

Shuford and Charles pleaded guilty in April and June 2013 for their involvement in the deaths of Moore and Fogle.

Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy in connection with Fogle's death. He testified later in the case that Hatton was the shooter and claimed that he himself played a limited role in Fogle's death.

Shuford told jurors that he didn't fire one gunshot at Fogle the night he was murdered, but that Hatton did, and that he tried to stop Hatton. Shuford told jurors that he used to belong to 21st and Vietnam, which is named after an area near 21st and I Street Northeast, where the group sold drugs. According to Shuford, his crew and another group called "E Street" had been "beefing" for a reason he could not remember dating back to at least 2010, and that beef is what ended Fogle's life. Shuford was sentenced to five years in prison.

Days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Harris, Smith, Hatton and Moghalu went to trial. During five weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued Fogle and Sheffield were murdered almost within a month of each other due to their affiliation with the rival gang "E Street."

Hatton shot Fogle, who was unarmed, over a woman, prosecutors said. He was shot three times -- in the back and the back of the legs -- as he tried to flee his own apartment because he was dating the same person as Delrico Shuford, according to prosecutors. The murder weapon was found at Hatton's feet when he was arrested.

About a month later, on Sept. 24, Fogle's friend Sheffield was riding his bike when he was shot multiple times by Jekwan Smith, prosecutors argued at trial. Sheffield attempted to hide behind a car and return fire, but it was too late.

Prosecutors added that two months later, the group murdered Steven Moore, a witness in Sheffield's death, who was believed to be a police informant, leading Jewkan Smith, Johnnie Harris and others to plot his death. The men had an unspoken agreement to protect each other, prosecutors said.

After three weeks of deliberations, Smith and Harris were cleared of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. Harris and Moghalu were acquitted of killing Moore. Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but a judge declared a mistrial after jurors couldn't reach a verdict on two counts of carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm. Moghalu was retried in 2014 on the gun charges, convicted, and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

But jurors could not reach decisions on the other men's charges in the cases, including charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with Fogle and Sheffield's death. Smith, Harris, and Hatton's cases were declared a mistrial.

On Sept. 8, 2014, Smith, Harris and Hatton pleaded guilty to lesser charges for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Hatton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for killing Fogle and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.

Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for Sheffield's death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed -- one count for Sheffield and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. He was sentenced to 17 and a half years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and MPD declined to comment on whether the 21st and Vietnam crew remains active.

5 Year Sentence in Tyrell Fogle's Fatal Shooting; Judge: "This is a gift"

Imari Williams — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:58:18 -0500

A judge sentenced Delrico Shuford to five years in prison Friday for his participation in the shooting death of Tyrell Fogle, 17, on August 29, 2011.

Addressing the court, Shuford said: "I apologize to the family and I'm glad I had a chance to cooperate fully." He added, "I had no intentions of harming Fogle. I wish I could take it back."

In April 2013, Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy. Shuford testified later at trial that Anthony Hatton shot Fogle. Shuford said he had tried to stop him.

Shuford said that he spoke with Fogle months before his death and settled a dispute that began over a woman both men had dated. "We shook hands and left it then and there," Shuford testified.

Almost two months later, though, on August 29, Fogle was riding his bike along 21st Street when someone else affiliated with 21st and Vietnam told him that he better not come back to the area. Fogle relayed the message to a friend, and a little later, Fogle's friend and Shuford got into an argument, Shuford said.

Hatton heard about the argument, tracked Fogle down and shot him, according to Shuford.

Shuford is the last man to be sentenced in connection to the 21st and Vietnam killings.

Hatton, Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, and Jekwan Smith were sentenced last month for the murders of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, 24, and Steven Moore, 36, in 2011.

Police witnessed Hatton chase and fire shots at Fogle. They found Fogle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Bach argued that Shuford had a small role in Fogle's death. "Shuford was making the right decision until he ran away," Bach said "He supported an associate, but he has shown a ton of remorse." She added: "He feels like it's his fault."

Shuford's defense attorney Elliott Queen agreed. "It's already been said, Shuford wished that the whole situation had not happened," Queen told the court.

"You did cause his death because of the lifestyle you lead," Judge Lynn Leibovitz said before sentencing. Leibovitz told Shuford, "This is a gift," and said she hopes that he takes it seriously.

5 Years For Steven Moore's Death In 21st and Vietnam Case

Imari Williams — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:12:26 -0500

Kevin Charles was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday for the death of Steven Curtis Moore on December 3, 2011.

In June 2013, just days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence.

Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith were sentenced last week for the murders of Tyrell Fogle, 17, and Isaiah Sheffield, 24, in 2011.

Charles, Harris, Hatton, and Smith, are linked by their allegiance to 21st and Vietnam, a neighborhood gang whose members were indicted on 21 criminal charges. As members of the group, they committed a series of attacks that resulted in the deaths of Moore, Fogle, and Sheffield. Jurors acquitted Harris and his co-defendant Stanley Moghalu of Moore's murder in September 2013.

Moore, 36, was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. He died at local hospital.

Defense attorney James Maloney argued that there was no evidence tying Charles directly to the killing of Moore and asked for him to be sentenced outside of guidelines.

"Although he pleaded guilty, he was never in possession of a weapon," James Maloney said. "The sentence should reflect his reduced role in Moore's death."

Judge Henry Greene agreed based on Charles limited involvement in Moore's fatal shooting and the acquittal of two other men in the case.

"I've considered his level of participation and that the two other individuals were in fact found not guilty, but evidence showed there were two shooters," Judge Greene said before delivering his sentencing. "But, a jury didn't find that."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Bach argued that it was Charles' refusal to assist the government that led to Moghalu and Harris' verdict.

"We may have been able to convict the others if Charles just told us what he knew," Bach said. She added that she offered him a number of choices where he didn't have to be in his position.

Charles asked for leniency as he addressed the court. "I'm very remorseful to the victim's family and my family," Charles said. "Please have mercy. I just want to put this behind me."

Sentencing of Harris, Smith and Hatton Concludes 21st and Vietnam Murder Trial

Amelia Rufer — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 09:54:55 -0500

On Friday, Judge Lynn Leibovitz sentenced Johnnie Harris, Jekwan Smith and Anthony Hatton for the 2011 shooting deaths of Isaiah Sheffield and Tyrell Fogle, bringing to a close a series of interlocking cases that have lingered in the court for more than two years.

The three codefendants are linked by their allegiance to 21st and Vietnam, a neighborhood gang whose members were indicted on 21 criminal charges. On Sept. 8, they pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with the murders.

Harris was sentenced to 10 years in prison for one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with Sheffield's death.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed; one for the murder of Sheffield and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. The judge sentenced Smith to 17 and half years for each count, to run concurrently.

Hatton received a sentence of 15 years imprisonment for second-degree murder while armed in connection with Fogle's murder.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Bach expressed her concern regarding the lack of remorse from the defendants.

She told the court that when prosecutors had asked Hatton why he killed Fogle, he said,"I didn't want to kill him, I just wanted to shoot him. I shot his leg and he died, so what the f--?"

On Aug. 29, 2011, Hatton was trying to shoot an individual who started an argument with his friend when he "ran down firing at whoever he could get," said Bach.

Fogle, 17, was shot and killed while riding his bike.

"He lived a life filled with innocence and happiness, and his actions showed this," Fogle's mother, Sadie Kirkland, said in a victim impact statement.

Less than a month later, Smith and Harris shot at Sheffield while he was riding his bike down 21st Street Northeast.

In the days leading up to his own murder, Sheffield was "distraught about the murder of a good friend, Tyrell Fogle," AUSA Bach said. The 24-year-old had also lost his mother around the same time.

Kirkland said that unlike her son Tyrell, Hatton was given a second chance at life.

"So with this chance that God has given him again, I would hope that he can redeem himself and come out and be a more productive person," Kirkland said as she wept, "not just for himself, but for his family and his community."

Remaining Defendants in 21st and Vietnam Murder Trial Plead Guilty to Lesser Charges

Amelia Rufer — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 22:31:24 -0400

Instead of beginning their scheduled trial Monday, Anthony Hatton, Johnnie Harris and Jekwan Smith each pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with the 2011 shooting deaths of Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Hatton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the murder of Fogle, for a 15-year prison sentence.
Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with the murder of Sheffield, carrying a sentence of 10 years.
Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed; one count for Sheffield's murder and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. He'll likely be sentenced to 17 and a half years.

In exchange for their pleas, prosecutors agreed to drop the men's remaining charges.

Prosecutors alleged that the three men, along with Kevin Charles and Stanley Moghalu, were linked by their allegiance to 21st and Vietnam, a group charged with 21 criminal counts, including murder charges related to the deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Fogle, 17, was killed Aug. 29, 2011. Two MPD officers witnessed the shooting and chased Hatton through the neighborhood, according to charging documents. Hatton eventually dropped a gun and police arrested him, documents say.

Sheffield, 24, was killed Sept. 24, 2011. Charging documents state that a witness saw a group of young men shooting Sheffield as he rode his bike past them on the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. Smith and Harris were both arrested and charged in Sheffield’s death.

Prosecutors alleged that 36-year-old Moore, who died on Dec. 3, 2011, was killed because he was suspected of being an informant to police.

In September 2013, jurors cleared Harris and Moghalu of charges in Moore's death.

Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in June 2013, a plea that is being reviewed by Judge Greene.

Sentencing for Hatton, Harris and Smith is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on November 14.

A press release from the United States Attorney's Office is below.

WASHINGTON – Anthony Hatton, James L. Harris, and Jekwan Smith, all members of a crew that operated in and near 21st Street and Maryland Avenue in Northeast Washington, pled guilty today to charges stemming from a series of murders that took place in the area, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Hatton, 21, Harris, 22, and Smith, 23, all of Washington, D.C., pled guilty on the day their trial was to begin in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. According to the government’s evidence, the defendants and other crew members sold drugs and carried guns in the area of 21st and Maryland NE and committed violent crimes, including killing those whose interests were contrary to those of the crew.

Hatton pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder while armed for the murder of Tyrell Fogle, which took place at about 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2011. Mr. Fogle, 17, was shot multiple times and collapsed in front of a building in the 1900 block of Bennett Place NE.

Harris and Smith pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for the shooting death of Isaiah Sheffield, which took place at about 1:45 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2011. Mr. Sheffield, 24, was shot in the 1100 block of 21st Street NE.

Smith also pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for the shooting death of Michael Pearson, which took place at about 8:20 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2007. Mr. Pearson, 27, was shot in the 2100 block of I Street NE.

The plea agreements, which are contingent upon the Court’s approval, call for Hatton to be sentenced to 15 years of incarceration, Harris to 10 years, and Smith to 17 ½ years in prison. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for Nov. 14, 2014.

In announcing the pleas, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the investigative work of the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police, and the U.S. Marshal Service. He also expressed appreciation for the work of Dr. Lois Goslinoski and Dr. Marie Pierre-Louis of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia. He acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Alesha Matthews and Meridith McGarrity; Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Criminal Investigator Durand Odom; Witness Security Specialists Debra Cannon, David Foster, Michael Hailey, and Tanya Via; Litigation Services Specialists Ron Royal, William Henderson and Paul Howell; and Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker.

Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura R. Bach and Erin O. Lyons, who investigated and prosecuted the cases.

Judge Declares Mistrial on Remaining Charges Against Jekwan Smith and Johnnie Harris

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 20:35:46 -0500

Judge Henry Greene declared a mistrial Monday on the remaining charges against Jekwan Smith and Johnnie Harris in connection with the 2011 shooting death of 24-year-old Isaiah Sheffield.

It is the third time Greene has declared a mistrial on charges faced by Smith and Harris in the case. Monday's decision ends all deliberations in the trial.

Jurors had been deliberating in the four co-defendant trial since August 20. Prosecutors argued that Smith, Harris, Stanley Moghalu and Anthony Hatton were members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam.” The co-defendants were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the deaths of Sheffield, Steven Moore and Tyrell Fogle.

Sheffield was found on September 24, 2011 around 1:45 a.m. by police on the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Smith and Harris were both arrested and charged in Sheffield's death.

In September, Smith and Harris were found innocent of first-degree murder while armed in the case, but still faced a lesser included count of second-degree murder, along with conspiracy, obstruction and related weapons offenses in connection with Sheffield's murder.

It was those charges that jurors could not agree on and which were included in Monday's mistrial.

Last week the remaining charges against Hatton in connection with the 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Fogle, were declared mistrials after jurors conceded that they could not come to any verdicts in his case.

In October, Harris and Moghalu were found innocent in the shooting death of Moore. Later, a mistrial was declared in connection to Moghalu's two remaining weapons charges.

Moghalu is scheduled to be retried Dec. 17. Smith's, Harris' and Hatton's cases have been transferred to Judge Lynn Leibovitz. They are held pending a status hearing on January 17, 2014.

Judge Declares Mistrial on Remaining Charges Against Anthony Hatton

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:30:50 -0500

Judge Henry Greene declared a mistrial Monday on the remaining counts against Anthony Hatton, after the jury notified the court that they were deadlocked on the charges.

Jurors sent a note to the clerk Monday morning stating that after more than a week of deliberations solely on Hatton's case they were unable to reach a verdict. Jurors have been deliberating in the complex multi-co-defendant, multi-charge case since August 20.

"The jury has had a sufficient amount of time to come to a decision on these charges," Greene said. "But they haven't."

Hatton, 20, can still be retried on charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Tyrell Fogle.

During a two month trial, prosecutors argued that Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu were members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and responsible for the deaths of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, and Steven Moore.

But in October, Moghalu was found innocent in the shooting death of Moore. His two remaining weapons offenses were declared mistrials, after jurors were confused over the charges.

In August, jurors found Hatton innocent of three offenses that were unrelated to Fogle's death. Those verdicts will stand.

Jurors will continue deliberating on the remaining charges against Smith and Harris Tuesday morning.

Judge Declares Mistrial on Remaining Charges Against Stanley Moghalu

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:27:27 -0400

After finding Stanley Moghalu innocent of murder last month, jurors in the case have failed to come to any conclusions on lesser weapons charges in the case, prompting Judge Henry Greene to declare a mistrial Monday.

Moghalu, 25, was accused of killing 36-year-old Steven Curtis Moore. The earlier verdicts, which found Moghalu innocent, will stand. But he could face a retrial on the weapons charges. He remains held pending a status hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Jurors in the case have deliberated for more than two months and have not yet announced verdicts on remaining charges against three of Moghalu's co-defendants. They are expected to continue deliberating Tuesday.

During a trial that lasted nearly two months, prosecutors argued that Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Anthony Hatton were members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam.” As such, they were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the deaths of Moore, Isaiah Sheffield, and Tyrell Fogle.

Police found Moore December 3, 2011 around 6:33 p.m. on the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Five months later Moghalu was arrested, along with Harris and Kevin Charles, and charged with Moore's death.

In June, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Four months later, after two months of witness testimony and about a month of deliberations, jurors found Moghalu and Harris innocent of the most serious charges-- murder, obstruction, and weapons violations-- in connection with Moore’s death.

Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but still faced two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

On Monday, as deliberations entered their ninth week, jurors seemed to be confused about the remaining charges against Moghalu. After the fourth jury note was sent to the court, Judge Greene declared a mistrial on the two firearms charges.

Deliberations in the case began August 20 and have been plagued with delays and apparent disagreements. Three jurors have been dismissed from service. Earlier this month jurors reported that they were unable to continue deliberating after one juror had to be restrained after attempting to physically attack another juror.

Five partial verdicts have been delivered since the beginning of deliberations. All previous verdicts delivered in the case against Moghalu will stand.

Jurors will continue deliberating on the remaining charges against Hatton, Smith and Harris Tuesday morning.

Stanley Moghalu Found Innocent of Conspiracy Charge in Steven Moore Death

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 17:59:37 -0400

Jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial reached another partial verdict Thursday, finding Stanley Moghalu innocent of one count of conspiracy in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 36-year-old Steven Moore.

The verdict is the fifth in the case; jurors have been deliberating since Aug. 20.

Prosecutors claim Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Anthony Hatton are alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam." The codefendants were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to deaths of Moore, Isaiah Sheffield, and Tyrell Fogle.

Last month jurors found Moghalu and Harris innocent of murder, obstruction, and weapons charges in connection with Moore's death. Moghalu, 25, was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release.

While Moghalu has been found innocent of the most serious charges in the indictment, he still faces two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The verdict Thursday comes two days after jurors told Judge Lynn Leibovitz that deliberations have been stymied due to one juror's "disruptive outbursts."

A note sent from the jury foreperson to Judge Leibovitz Monday described an altercation they had with a juror.

According to the note, on September 25 the juror began crying and screaming during deliberations after accusing the foreperson of "picking on her" because of her opinions about the case. The note said that the juror then attempted to move toward the foreperson and had to be physically restrained by other jurors.

"These outbursts and accusations has delayed the deliberations because [Juror #11]shuts down and refuses to participate," the note said.

Since the start of deliberations the jury has faced major setbacks. A partial verdict on September 11 was rejected after jurors appeared to be confused about the charges. Since August 20, three jurors have been dismissed from deliberations, forcing the jury to start the decision-making process over each time.

Jurors are scheduled to continue deliberations Friday.

Smith, Harris Innocent of Most Serious Murder Charge

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:47:02 -0400

Jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial reached yet another partial verdict on Friday, announcing decisions on a total of five charges against Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu.

The verdict is the fourth in the case; jurors have been deliberating since Aug. 20.

On Friday the jury found Smith and Harris, charged with the death of Isaiah Sheffield, innocent of first-degree premeditated murder while armed. The two men could still be convicted of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. The jury will continue to deliberate on those charges.

Smith, Harris, Moghalu, and Anthony Hatton are alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam," and are charged with counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the deaths of Sheffield, Tyrell Fogle and Steven Moore.

Earlier this week, Moghalu and Harris were found innocent of murder and firearms charges in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 36-year-old Moore. On Friday, jurors also found Moghalu and Harris innocent on a charge of obstruction of justice in connection with Moore's death.

Moghalu, 25, was found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, in Moore's death.

No verdicts were delivered for Hatton Friday, who was found innocent in August on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in the August 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Fogle.

The indictment in the case included a total of 21 charges.

Jurors in the case are expected to continue deliberations Monday.

Stanley Moghalu and Johnnie Harris Found Innocent in Steven Moore Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:09:51 -0400

After four weeks of deliberations, jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial on Tuesday found Stanley Moghalu and Johnnie Harris innocent of murder and firearms charges in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore.

The verdict was a partial one; Anthony Hatton still faces murder charges in connection with the August 2011 shooting death of Tyrell Fogle and Jekwan Smith still faces murder charges for the September 2011 shooting of Isaiah Sheffield.

All four men in the case still face conspiracy charges.

Prosecutors alleged that Moghalu, Harris, Smith and Hatton were linked by their loyalty to a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” a crew that prosecutors believed was responsible for the deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Moore. The co-defendants were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the three murders from fall 2011.

All four men remain held while jury deliberations continue.

Since the start of deliberations on August 20, the jury has faced significant impediments. A partial verdict on September 11 was rejected after jurors appeared to be confused by their own decision. Three jurors have been dismissed from service during deliberations, forcing the jury to restart the decision-making process each time.

Jurors in the case are expected to continue deliberating Wednesday on the remaining charges.

Partial Verdict in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Case Rejected

Ivan Natividad — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:31:17 -0400

After three weeks of deliberating, jurors in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial announced partial verdicts Wednesday morning on two of the four defendants, but the judge assigned to the case refused to accept their ruling when jurors on one of the verdicts did not appear to be unanimous and the other verdict was read in a confusing manner.

The verdicts related to Johnnie Harris and Jekwan Smith. It is not clear what the intended verdicts-- or charges they corresponded to-- were.

Harris and Smith, along with Anthony Hatton and Stanley Moghalu, are alleged to be members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and are charged with the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Deliberations in the case have been plagued with problems. Three jurors have been dismissed from service during deliberations and alternates appointed in their places.

On Tuesday evening jurors announced they had reached a partial verdict on charges against Harris and Smith; Judge Henry Greene elected to hear the verdicts the following morning due to the late hour and time necessary to assemble the attorneys in the case.

Wednesday morning, when Judge Greene polled the jury on their verdict on Harris, one juror said she did not agree with the verdict read by the foreperson. Polling ended and the jury was instructed to continue deliberating on that charge.

When a verdict was read for Smith, the foreperson read the verdict one way, then reversed it. Because of the confusion, jurors were instructed to continue deliberating on that charge as well.

Defense motions for mistrial were denied.

Jurors in the case are expected back to continue deliberating on Thursday.

Judge in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial Denies Motion for Mistrial, After Releasing Another Juror

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:53:32 -0400

A jury that has been deliberating for more than two weeks in a DC murder case was excused Thursday morning after the judge in the case decided to remove one juror from the group.

It is the third time a juror has been dismissed from service in the case, which began June 25.

The case alleges that Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu are members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam," which is alleged to be responsible for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Jurors began deliberating Aug. 20 and have met for a total of 10 days.

According to court dockets, on four of those days jurors have been delayed due to issues with a juror being dismissed. Jurors have also never deliberated for more than three and a half days before having to restart deliberations in the case.

On August 26 a juror was released due to medical issues, and three days later a second juror was asked to leave after other jurors complained he was sleeping during deliberations.

On Thursday, another juror was released after not reporting to court earlier this week. Before releasing him, Judge Henry Greene questioned the juror on his attendance.

Greene said that in that conversation the juror said he had used illegal drugs over the weekend to ease the pain from health issues and because of the drug use, did not come to court.

"The seriousness of his misconduct bespeaks that he is not able to fairly serve on this jury," Greene said.

Greene denied a defense motion for mistrial while handling this matter Thursday.

With each dismissal of a juror an alternate has been appointed. Three alternate jurors remain in the pool, should any other issues come up during deliberations.

Jurors in the case are expected back Monday to restart deliberations.

Jury Delivers Partial Verdict in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial, One Juror Released

Megan Arellano — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:14:48 -0400

Jurors in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial announced Monday that they had reached a verdict on three of the seven charges against Anthony Hatton. Meanwhile, one of the jurors had to be released because of medical issues.

Since August 20, jurors have been deliberating in a case charging Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu as members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam” that is alleged to be responsible for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore. But on Monday, Judge Henry Greene learned that one of the jurors had a serious medical condition that required immediate attention. For that reason, he called in the twelve jurors and asked whether they had made a decision with regard to any of the charges in the case.

Their answer was "yes."

Jurors announced Monday that they had found Hatton innocent on three counts: assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. The jury, however, was unable to reach a verdict with regard to the charges of conspiracy and first-degree murder.

No verdicts have yet been reached in regard to defendants Smith, Harris and Moghalu.

Judge Green dismissed the sick juror "with deep personal regret" and the first and second alternate jurors have been contacted.

The jury is expected to restart deliberations Tuesday morning in regards to the remaining charges against the four defendants.

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referenced the total number of charges Hatton faces. The correct number is seven.

Jury Deliberations Begin in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial

Megan Arellano — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:41:32 -0400

Prosecutors and defense counsel in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial have concluded closing arguments and the case now rests in the hands of the jury, who began deliberations around noon Tuesday.

During the trial, which lasted nearly two months, prosecutors argued that Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu were members of a crew called "21st and Vietnam" that "turned [their] neighborhood into a battleground." Prosecutors allege that the four men are linked by loyalty and are responsible for the shooting deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, and Steven Moore.

Defense counsel for the men argued, though, that the defendants are not members of "21st and Vietnam," and that the government's case is filled with insufficient evidence and false identifications.

Hatton, Harris, Smith and Moghalu are charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges related to the 2011 shooting deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Moore.

Tyrell Fogle, 17, was shot and killed Aug. 29, 2011, in the 1900 block of Bennett Place Northeast. Prosecutors believe Hatton killed Fogle because of his affiliation with a rival crew called "E Street."

Delrico Shuford, a self-professed member of "21st and Vietnam," testified that Hatton shot Fogle after hearing about an argument between Shuford and Fogle's friend. According to Shuford, Hatton wanted to find the guy and ran toward Bennett Place NE carrying a 9mm Beretta and a ski mask. At the intersection of 21st and Bennett Place, Hatton found Fogle riding his bike and fired 10 or 11 shots before Fogle could jump off, Shuford told the court.

Less than one month later, 24-year-old Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. Prosecutors believe he was also killed because of his affiliation with "E Street."

Daphne Featherstone testified that she was helping her daughter move to the 1100 block of 21st Street on Sept. 23, 2011, when she heard gunshots. As she watched her daughter's belongings in a parked U-Haul, Featherstone saw a young man ride his bike up 21st Street from Maryland Avenue. Suddenly, a group of five to seven males started shooting at the young man hitting him with "20-30 bullets," Featherstone testified. Featherstone said she could not identify any of the shooters, but she described one as having "shoulder length dreadlocks with his hat turned to the side."

Steven Moore, 36, was shot and killed Dec. 3, 2011, also in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. Prosecutors allege he was shot by Harris and Moghalu because they believed he was a "snitch."

"He wasn't just shot and killed, he was executed," Lyons told the court during closings. "His shooters were sending a message: snitches are not tolerated."

Moghalu, meanwhile, denied having any involvement with Moore's death. In fact, Moghalu said he didn't even know Moore.

“I knew of him, but we never conversed,” Moghalu testified at trial. “We never had an argument; we never had any kind of physical altercation. Never.”

Moghalu further testified that he was purchasing his girlfriend an engagement ring at the time of Moore's death.

Metropolitan Police Detective Bryan Kasul testified that in March 2012 Worsley told him that people in the 21st Street neighborhood were upset with Moore because they thought he was "hot" and "snitching."

Prosecutors said at trial, though, that Moore had never spoken with the government as a potential witness in any case.

Jury deliberations will resume Wednesday morning.