Jonathan T. Fullard | Homicide Watch DC

Jonathan Fullard Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Death of 20-month-old Keyontae Moore

Penny Ray — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:06:55 -0400

Judge William Jackson sentenced Jonathan Fullard Friday to 25 years in prison for his involvement in the death of 20-month-old Keyontae Osbia Moore.

Fullard pled guilty to second-degree murder in the case September of last year, but sentencing was delayed pending a competency evaluation because Fullard claimed that he hears voices. Fullard was found competent to proceed with criminal proceedings in February.

According to the plea agreement, on March 4, 2012, Fullard was babysitting Moore, who was his girlfriend’s son, while she was at work. Fullard said that over the course of the evening he was “play boxing” with Moore and punched him five to six times in his upper torso. Around 3 a.m. Fullard called his then-girlfriend and told her that Moore had stopped breathing.

Moore died on March 5 from multiple blunt force trauma; bruising was found around his penis and anus.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office is below.

District Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison In Killing of His Then-Girlfriend’s 20-Month-Old Child - Defendant Was Asked to Babysit for the Child -

WASHINGTON - Jonathan Fullard, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 25 years in prison after earlier pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of his former girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Fullard, who pled guilty in October 2012 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today by the Honorable William M. Jackson. Upon completion of his prison term, Fullard will be placed on five years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

According to a proffer of facts, signed by the defendant as well as the government, on March 4, 2012, Fullard was babysitting his then-girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, Keyontae Osbia Moore, at a residence in the 3000 block of 30th Street SE while she went to work. At about 3 a.m. on March 5, 2012, Fullard called his then-girlfriend and stated that the toddler had stopped breathing. Keyontae was initially taken to United Medical Center, and later transferred to Children’s National Medical Center, where physicians found trauma to his head, and body. The child died on March 5, 2012 from multiple blunt force trauma.

The District of Columbia medical examiner’s office ruled the case a homicide. The evidence indicates that Fullard was the only person caring for the child at the time of his injuries. There also was evidence that the child had been sexually assaulted.

Initially, when questioned by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the defendant provided a false name of “Jonathan Mason” and was released. After the child’s death, Fullard’s true name was discovered and he was subsequently arrested on March 12, 2012.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the MPD detectives and officers who investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kelly Blakeney and Victim Advocates Tamara Ince and Marcey Rinker. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia G. Wright, who prosecuted the case.

Mental Health Review Finds Jonathan Fullard Competent in Murder of Keyontae Moore; Defendant Mulls Withdrawing Plea

Penny Ray — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:34:23 -0500

Judge William Jackson pushed back sentencing for Jonathan Fullard on Wednesday to give him more time to decide if he wants to withdraw his guilty plea in the case.

Fullard, 29, pled guilty to second-degree murder in October in connection with the death of 20-month-old Keyontae Osbia Moore.

According to the plea, Fullard was babysitting Moore, who was his girlfriend’s son, on March 4, 2012, while she was at work. Fullard said that over the course of the evening he was “play boxing” with Moore and punched him five to six times in his upper torso. Around 3 a.m. Fullard called his then-girlfriend and told her that Moore had stopped breathing.

Moore died on March 5 from multiple blunt force trauma; bruising was found around his penis and anus.

According to documents in the case, Fullard has claimed that he hears voices. And in December Judge Jackson ordered an examination to determine if Fullard was competent enough to waive an insanity defense and participate in sentencing.

During the examinations, which took place over the course of a month, Fullard said that he has auditory hallucinations telling him to “kill himself and cause harm to others.” He also reported having dreams about cutting his wrist, the documents say.

Fullard also told the evaluator that his history of substance abuse included smoking marijuana on a “daily basis, all day.” He also said that he smoked PCP approximately two to three times a week, and that he was an alcoholic, according to documents in the case.

The evaluator wrote in her report, though, that Fullard demonstrated a firm understanding of the nature and gravity of the charges against him, and he also accurately described how the trial process works.

When the evaluator asked if he was aware that he had signed a plea offer in October, Fullard informed her that he was, but he wanted to withdraw his plea and proceed to trial.

On the basis of the final evaluation, which took place Feb. 14, the psychologist determined that Fullard was competent to proceed with criminal matters and that his “mental health factors did not compromise his ability to demonstrate a factual and rational understanding of legal proceedings.”

If Fullard withdraws his plea, he faces a first-degree murder charge, which carries a mandatory sentence of 30 years in prison; he also faces a charge of first-degree cruelty to children, which carries additional penalties.

Fullard is expected back in court on March 15 to present his decision to Judge Jackson.

The competency evaluation has been added to this post.

Jonathan Fullard Mental Evaluation Documents (PDF)Jonathan Fullard Mental Evaluation Documents (Text)

Jonathan Fullard Sentencing Delayed for Mental Competency Evaluation

Jonah Newman — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:20:36 -0500

Judge William Jackson ordered a competency evaluation Monday for Jonathan Fullard, who has pled guilty to the murder of 20-month-old Keyontae Osbia Moore, delaying sentencing in the case for at least one month.

According to a pre-sentencing report referenced in court, Fullard has claimed that he hears voices, and Judge Jackson ordered a "24-hour" screening to determine that Fullard is competent to waive an insanity defense and to participate in sentencing. The exam was agreed upon by Fullard’s defense attorney and prosecutors.

Fullard pled guilty to second-degree murder on Oct. 5. He said he was babysitting Moore, who was his girlfriend’s son, on March 4, while she was at work.

According to the plea, Fullard admitted he was "play boxing" with Moore and punched him five or six times in his upper torso. Moore also was found with bruising around his penis and anus.

The U.S. Attorney has asked for the maximum guideline sentence for Fullard. According to the government's memorandum in aid of sentencing, this is Fullard's fourteenth arrest and his eight conviction, including three prior convictions for domestic violence.

Fullard is scheduled to appear again for sentencing on Jan. 11.

The government's memo is below:

Jonathan Fullard Pleads Guilty in Infant's Death

Penny Ray — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:23:36 -0400

A man accused of killing his girlfriend's infant son has pleaded guilty to a charge of felony murder; in exchange prosecutors have agreed not to pursue related child cruelty charges.

According to court records, Jonathan Fullard entered the guilty plea last month. He's due to be sentenced in the case Nov. 30.

Prosecutors say Fullard babysat 20-month old Keyontae Osbia Moore — his girlfriend's son — the morning of March 4, 2012, while the child's mother was at work.

Fullard called his girlfriend at 3 a.m. and told her that the toddler had stopped breathing, according to court records.

After initially pleading innocent, Fullard later admitted to detectives that he had been “play boxing” with Moore and had struck him in the upper-body five to six times.

Moore died from multiple blunt force trauma on March 5th. An autopsy found several injuries including bleeding within his skull, bruising on his head and face, three broken ribs, bruising on his chest, bruising on his leg, and additional injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

In exchange for the plea, a separate case in which Fullard was charged with second-degree cruelty to children will be dismissed. Charges of first-degree cruelty to children and obstruction of justice will also be dropped.

Note: Due to staffing, Homicide Watch DC did not publish between mid-August and mid-October. This is among the cases we are going back to cover and we apologize for the delay in publishing.

Jonathan Fullard Pleads Innocent in Death of 20-Month-Old Child

Laura Amico — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:31:08 -0400

Jonathan Fullard pleaded innocent today to a charge of felony murder; he is suspected of killing his girlfriend's 20-month-old son.

According to charging documents in the case, the child, Keyontae Osbia Moore, was in Fullard’s custody the night of March 4 and into the morning of March 5 while the child’s mother was at work. Moore was taken to Children’s Medical Center just before 6 a.m. on Monday March 5. Detectives said the boy was in grave condition and he died less than two hours after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy found several injuries including bleeding within his skull, bruising on his head and face, three broken ribs, bruising on his chest, bruising on his leg, and additional injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

A Grand Jury indicted Fullard on felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children and obstruction of justice in June. Fullard has pleaded innocent to all of those charges.

Prosecutors said Friday that a plea offer of second-degree murder had been extended.

Jonathan Fullard Indicted on Murder Charge in Death of Girlfriend's Toddler

Laura Amico — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:30:44 -0400

A man suspected of killing his girlfriend's 20-month-old son has been indicted on a charge of felony murder.

Jonathan Fullard, 28, is charged with felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children and obstruction of justice, the US Attorney's Office said Friday.

According to charging documents in the case, the child, Keyontae Osbia Moore, was in Fullard’s custody the night of March 4 and into the morning of March 5 while the child’s mother was at work. Moore was taken to Children’s Medical Center just before 6 a.m. on Monday March 5. Detectives said the boy was in grave condition and he died less than two hours after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy found several injuries including bleeding within his skull, bruising on his head and face, three broken ribs, bruising on his chest, bruising on his leg, and additional injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

The indictment comes less than four months after Moore was killed and before a preliminary hearing could be held in the case.

Fullard is expected to be arraigned on the charges July 13.

A related child cruelty case, in which Fullard is suspected of abusing a separate child, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing that same day.

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

District Man Indicted for Felony Murder, Other Charges In Killing of His Then-Girlfriend’s 20-Month-Old Child - Defendant Was Asked to Babysit for the Child -

WASHINGTON - Jonathan Fullard, 29, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on murder and other charges in the killing of his former girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.

A grand jury returned the indictment on June 28, 2012 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, charging Fullard with felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children and obstruction of justice. He is to be arraigned on July 13, 2012 before the Honorable William M. Jackson. If convicted, the defendant faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

According to the government’s evidence, on March 4, 2012, Fullard was babysitting his then-girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, Keyontae Osbia Moore, at a residence in the 3000 block of 30th Street SE while she went to work. At about 3 a.m., Fullard called his girlfriend and stated that the toddler had stopped breathing. Keyontae was initially taken to United Medical Center, and later transferred to Children’s National Medical Center, where physicians found trauma to his head, and body. The child died on March 5, 2012 from multiple blunt force trauma.

The District of Columbia medical examiner’s office has ruled the case a homicide. The evidence indicates that Fullard was the only person caring for the child at the time of his injuries.

Initially, when questioned by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the defendant provided a false name of “Jonathan Mason” and was released. After the child’s death, Fullard’s true name was discovered and he was subsequently arrested on March 12, 2012.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the MPD and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia G. Wright.

Read the indictment below.

Jonathan Fullard Held on Child Cruelty, Murder Charges Connected to Death of Toddler Keyontae Moore

Laura Amico — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:15:48 -0400

The 28-year-old Southeast DC man suspected of fatally beating his girlfriend's 20-month-old son was ordered held today after his attorney declined to rebut claims that the man was a danger to the community.

The suspect, Jonathan Fullard, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon shackled and wearing a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. A source close to the case said Fullard was already in custody on other charges when MPD charged him with the death of toddler Keyontae Moore.

According to charging documents in the case, Moore was in Fullard's custody the night of March 4 and into the morning of March 5 while the child's mother was at work. Moore was taken to Children's Medical Center just before 6 a.m. on Monday March 5. Detectives said the boy was in grave condition and he died less than two hours after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy found several injuries including bleeding within his skull, bruising on his head and face, three broken ribs, bruising on his chest, bruising on his leg, and additional injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

The documents state that Fullard told detectives that the child had fallen off the bed onto a computer, that he had "play boxed" with the child, and that, a week earlier, while changing the boy's diaper, his finger had slid into the child's anus.

According to the charging documents, one of Moore's older sisters told investigators that in the past Fullard had struck her and that he had choked her once.

Fullard was presented with two charges Tuesday: one of first-degree felony murder, and another of second-degree child cruelty.

Fullard pled "not guilty" to the charges but his attorney, Anthony Matthews, did not make any arguments against the charges.

According to court records, Fullard has been arrested in connection to domestic violence incidents eight times. Records show that he was ordered, at various times, to stay away from seven different people, including three minors.

He was arrested the day after Moore was killed because he had failed to appear for a court date in one of those cases. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for this month.

A source close to the case did not know if any of the stay-away orders were related to Moore's family. Charging documents state that the child's mother and Fullard were living together and that the mother said she had known Fullard for two months. Moore's older siblings did not live with him.

Fullard is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on both the murder and the cruelty to children charges on April 27.

Charging documents are below.

"Cruelty to Children" Charge Listed in Death of SE DC Toddler

Laura Amico — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:55:54 -0400

According to court records, Jonathan Fullard will be presented with a charge of "cruelty to children" today alongside the first-degree felony murder charge MPD announced he had been arrested on yesterday.

Fullard is suspected of killing 20-month-old Keyontae Moore last week.

Jonathan Fullard Arrested in Death of DC Toddler Keyontae Moore

Laura Amico — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:06:29 -0400

A 28-year-old Southeast DC man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree felony murder in the death of a DC toddler last week, MPD announced Monday evening.

Jonathan T. Fullard was arrested late Monday morning, the press release said.

The toddler, Keyontae Osbia Moore, died last Monday of blunt force trauma. The death was ruled a homicide Wednesday.

Read MPD's press release below.

March 12, 2012

Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 3000 Block of 30th Street, S.E.

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Victims Unit have announced an arrest has been made in the homicide of a 20-month-old male child in the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.

On Monday, March 5, 2012, units from the Seventh District were dispatched to United Medical Center. Upon arrival it was discovered that a 20 month old child had been transported to the Medical Center from the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE. The child was in extremely critical condition and was immediately transported to Children’s Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 20-month-old Keyontae Osbia Moore of Southeast, Washington, DC.

On Wednesday, March 7, 2012, an autopsy was completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide and the cause of death has been ruled blunt impact trauma.

On Monday, March 12, 2012, at approximately 11:15 am, members from the Special Victim’s Unit arrested 28 year-old Jonathan T. Fullard, of Southeast, DC, pursuant to an arrest warrant and charged him with First Degree Felony Murder in the homicide of Keyontae Osbia Moore.