Derrick Ragland | Homicide Watch DC

Prosecutor: Jarod Yorkshire is "knee deep in murder"

Imari Williams — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 18:18:25 -0500

A judge found probable cause that Jarod Yorkshire committed first-degree murder and obstruction of justice for his alleged role in the death of Derrick Ragland.

Yorkshire, 21, is the second suspect linked to Ragland's murder. In September, a judge declared a mistrial in the case against Raymond Faunteroy after jurors couldn't reach a verdict on any charges against him.

"The evidence is pretty compelling," Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner said. "He is knee deep in murder."

Kirschner argued that Yorkshire directly participated in Ragland's murder. "He called to tell Faunteroy Ragland's location and he also directed the driver where to pick up Faunteroy after he killed Ragland," Kirschner said.

According to charging documents, Faunteroy and Yorkshire killed Ragland, 19, in retaliation for Ragland using a fake gun sale to rob them at gunpoint just three days earlier.

Police discovered Ragland suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 1000 block of Taylor Street Northeast. He died at a local hospital.

MPD Detective Michael Fulton testified that Yorkshire admitted to police that he told Faunteroy where to find Ragland, and that he was in the car that picked up Faunteroy.

Yorkshire said he thought Faunteroy was going to "talk to" or "beat him up," Fulton said.

Kirschner mentioned that Yorkshire was "smirking and smiling" while Kirschner argued that Yorkshire threatened witnesses to "Don't say anything."

During Faunteroy's trial in July, documents say Yorkshire and another individual conspired to kill a witness who had agreed to testify against Faunteroy.

According to court documents, a witness known as "White Boy" was riding in the back seat of a car heading down Taussig Street with Yorkshire and another individual when they picked Faunteroy up. The witness told police that Faunteroy admitted to shooting Ragland.

In a recorded phone conversation from August 5, the associate asked Yorkshire if he planned to help kill White Boy. Yorkshire answered, "Well, yeah."

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh waived his right to argue on Yorkshire's behalf and "submitted on probable cause."

Yorkshire and Faunteroy will appear as co-defendants in Faunteroy's retrial on May 12, 2015.

Yorkshire is scheduled for a felony status conference at 9:30 a.m. on March 2, 2015, before Judge Jennifer Anderson.

Jarod Yorkshire Charged in the Murder of Derrick Ragland

Amelia Rufer — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:29:53 -0500

A judge ordered Jarod Yorkshire held Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 19-year-old Derrick Ragland.

Yorkshire, 21, is the second suspect charged for Ragland's murder. Raymond Faunteroy's trial ended with a hung jury in September.

Charging documents state that Faunteroy shot and killed Ragland at approximately 5:50 p.m. Dec. 19, 2011. Yorkshire, who aided in Faunteroy's escape from the crime scene that night, is also believed to have intimidated witnesses in Faunteroy's murder trial.

Ragland was found with multiple gunshot wounds at approximately 5:54 p.m. in the 1000 block of Taylor Street Northeast. He died at a local hospital.

Police believe Faunteroy and Yorkshire decided to kill Ragland in retaliation for using a sham gun sale to rob them at gunpoint just three days earlier, documents say.

A witness known as "White Boy" was riding in the back seat of a car heading down Taussig Street with Yorkshire and another individual. The witness told police it saw Faunteroy alone in an alley, pulling what appeared to be a black mask from his pocket.

Within minutes, documents say the driver of the vehicle heard gunshots. Yorkshire called Faunteroy on his cellphone and directed the driver to pick up Faunteroy several blocks from the crime scene. Faunteroy got in the backseat of the car and admited to killing Ragland, White Boy told police.

Faunteroy was arrested in March 2012. His trial began in July. While the trial was going on, documents say that the driver of the vehicle sought the help of his associate to kill White Boy for agreeing to testify against Faunteroy.

In a recorded phone conversation from August 5, the associate asked Yorkshire if he planned to help kill White Boy. Yorkshire answered, "Well, yeah."

Yorkshire is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Judge Rhonda Reid Winston on November 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Second Suspect Arrested for Derrick Ragland's Murder

Amelia Rufer — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:53:58 -0500

A 21-year-old D.C. man has been arrested for the 2011 murder of Derrick Ragland, according to MPD.

Jarod Yorkshire is suspected of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection with Ragland's death.

Police found 19-year-old Ragland suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, Northeast just before 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2011. He was transported to a local hospital and died shortly after.

A judge declared a mistrial in Raymond Faunteroy's trial in September for Ragland's death.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Additional Arrest Made in Homicide: 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced an arrest has been made in the homicide of 19-year-old Derrick Ragland of Northwest, Washington, DC, which occurred on Monday, December 19, 2011 in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE.

On Tuesday, March 13, 2012, an adult male was arrested charged with First Degree Murder while Armed for the shooting death of Derrick Ragland. On Monday, November 17, 2014, members from the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 21 year-old Jarod Yorkshire of Northeast charging him with First Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice in the shooting death of Derrick Ragland.

Raymond Faunteroy Murder Case Ends in Mistrial

Amelia Rufer — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:38:00 -0400

Judge Jennifer Anderson declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case against Raymond Faunteroy after jurors were unable to agree on a verdict for any of his charges.

Faunteroy is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed and two weapons charge in connection with the 2011 murder of 19-year-old Derrick Ragland.

"We have taken a vote and we are not unanimous," said the jury note submitted to Judge Anderson on Monday afternoon. "We are also at the point where further deliberations are not going to change that."

Jurors began deliberating on Aug. 8, took a nearly four-week break beginning on Aug. 15, and returned to deliberations on Sept. 8.

Despite Monday's deadlock, Judge Anderson ordered jurors to continue deliberations. But by Tuesday morning, the jury returned a final note declaring themselves a hung jury.

At trial, prosecutors argued that eyewitness testimony proved that Faunteroy shot Ragland seven times as revenge for a robbery three days earlier.

But Faunteroy's defense attorney, Billy Ponds, told jurors many of those witnesses lacked credibility. Ponds noted that one witness who claimed to identify Faunteroy as the shooter was not wearing his glasses and had smoked marijuana on the night of the shooting.

A status hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Jury Begins Deliberations in Raymond Faunteroy Murder Trial

Timothy Ryan — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 07:06:56 -0400

As the trial of Raymond Faunteroy came to a close Friday, prosecutors argued that the testimony of multiple eyewitnesses proves that Faunteroy shot and killed Derrick Ragland in an alley on Dec. 19, 2011. Even if some of those witnesses' statements seem questionable.

"I didn't choose the witnesses," Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirshner said during closing arguments, "but Faunteroy did when he shot Ragland."

Faunteroy is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two weapons charges in connection with Ragland’s death. Prosecutors say that Faunteroy wanted revenge for being robbed by Ragland, so he waited with a pistol for Ragland and his friends, then shot Ragland seven times.

But Billy Ponds, Faunteroy's defense attorney, said many of the witnesses who implicate his client lack credibility, and jurors should disregard each of their testimonies.

Sean Johnson, a friend of Ragland's, testified that he and his friends were on their way to a basketball game from his house when the shooter opened fire. As he ran from the gunfire that night, he turned and saw the shooter wearing a black puffy coat and a ski mask, Johnson said.

Johnson told jurors there was no animosity between any of the friends as far as he could tell. He said Gregory Holland, also Ragland's friend, texted him twice and called him once trying to find out when Johnson and his friends were leaving.

Ponds suggested in his closing arguments that Holland's texts could be an indication Holland was involved in the shooting, not Faunteroy.

Johnson testified that the texts from Holland were not unusual but that Holland appeared "sad" and "different" after the shooting.

Holland told jurors that he left Johnson's house early with a friend he called Ant, and Gerard, the other victim of the robbery Derrick planned. Later that night, Holland said he saw a man in a blue hoodie standing in the alley where the shooting took place who he believes was Faunteroy based on the man's complexion.

Ragland's cousin Aaron Ragland testified that he was in the alley the night of the shooting as well, and could tell the shooter was Faunteroy based on his light-colored eyes.

During cross examination, Ponds pointed out Aaron Ragland has a detached retina and wears glasses. However, on the night of the shooting, Aaron said he was not wearing his glasses and had smoked marijuana.

Reynardo Taylor, a friend of Faunteroy, said Faunteroy told him and his girlfriend that he killed a boy in the area and left the gun he used at the scene shortly after Derrick's death.

He said Faunteroy tried to give him money if Taylor recanted his statment about Faunteroy's confession.

However, Taylor also said he drank more than 24 ounces of Corona and smoked synthetic marijuana that night. Ponds said a plea deal, which motivated Taylor to testify, should make the jury question he accuracy of his testimony.

"He had about 40 years of motive to lie," Ponds said during his closing arguments, explaining the difference between the maximum sentence Taylor faced and the one he received as a result of the deal.

In addition to testimony, the prosecution presented on DNA evidence from a pair of gloves found near the scene, cell phone tower information that placed Faunteroy near the alley at the time of the murder and ballistics evidence to argue Faunteroy's involvement in the shooting.

The DNA evidence found on the gloves showed a mixture of at least two people, and an examiner was unable to rule out Faunteroy as a contributor.

Ponds told jurors it wouldn't have been possible for Faunteroy to wear gloves at the time of the murder because of a bandage he wrapped around his hand after being shot during the robbery, which multiple witnesses said he was wearing at the time. He added that DNA found on the gloves was not conclusively matched to Faunteroy.

The jury will resume deliberations on Monday.

Opening Statements Heard in Raymond Faunteroy Murder Trial

Timothy Ryan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 08:22:48 -0400

Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the murder trial of Raymond Faunteroy agree that Derrick Ragland helped rob Faunteroy days before Ragland was shot to death.

But that's where the agreement ends.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael Spence said Tuesday that the robbery motivated Faunteroy to wait in an alley wearing a black ski mask for Ragland and his friends to leave the house on Dec. 19, 2011.

When the teenagers walked through the alley near the 1000 block of Taylor Street Northeast to get to a nearby basketball game, Faunteroy fired his .45 caliber pistol at Ragland, Spence said.

Ragland ran in fear, Spence said, even crashing through a wooden fence in an effort to escape the gunshots. He eventually collapsed in a neighbor's yard, where Faunteroy stood above him and fired two more shots, Spence said.

Faunteroy is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two weapons charges in connection with Ragland's death. Prosecutors said that Ragland was shot seven times on the night he was killed.

Defense Attorney Billy Ponds argued that the government's version of events is incorrect and inconsistent.

Faunteroy did not wait in the alley for Ragland, Ponds said, because he could not have known when Ragland and his friends were leaving the house. Gregory Holland, a friend of Ragland's did know, Ponds said.

"He was very interested in when everyone was going to leave the house," Ponds said, referring to texts Holland sent before the shooting.

According to Ponds, two witnesses said the shooter that night had on a puffy black coat and a ski mask. But one witness, who identified Faunteroy as the shooter because of his distinctive eyes and light complexion, said the shooter was wearing a black shirt and a knit hat, Ponds said.

Ponds also noted Faunteroy could not have been the shooter because examiners did not find Faunteroy's DNA on the gun and only a small amount of his DNA in the one of the gloves the shooter wore.

The trial will resume tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. before Judge Jennifer Anderson.

Raymond Faunteroy Pleads Innocent in Death of Derrick Ragland

Penny Ray — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 09:25:39 -0500

Raymond Faunteroy pled innocent Friday to first-degree murder while armed and two weapons charges in connection with the shooting death of Derrick Ragland.

Ragland was gunned down in the 1000 block of Taylor Street Northeast on Dec. 19, 2011.

Charging documents in the case allege that Faunteroy attempted to purchase a gun from Ragland just days before Ragland was killed; however, Ragland instead robbed Faunteroy. Police did in fact respond to a robbery on Dec. 16 and found Faunteroy, who said his name was Raymond Powers, suffering from a bullet graze wound to his hand.

Prosecutors believe that Faunteroy shot Ragland out of revenge.

A witness told police that after Ragland was killed, someone they knew as “Ray” had said that he had shot and killed someone in the area of Turkey Thicket. The witness said “Ray” said the person he killed had set him up to get robbed in a drug deal two weeks earlier.

Trial is scheduled for April 1, 2013.

A copy of the indictment is below:

"Substantial Probability" Finding in Gun Ruse Revenge Killing

Laura Amico — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:19:37 -0400

Judge Thomas Motley on Wednesday found substantial probability for the first-degree murder charge against Raymond Faunteroy.

Faunteroy, 26, is accused in the shooting death of nineteen-year-old Derrick Ragland.

Prosecutors believe that Faunteroy shot Ragland out of revenge; just days before Ragland was killed, Faunteroy is believed to have tried to buy a gun from him. That attempt failed when Ragland instead robbed Faunteroy, charging documents in the homicide case allege.

A police officer who responded to the robbery said Faunteroy had suffered a graze wound to the hand.

On Wednesday defense attorney Renee Raymond had Faunteroy approach Judge Motley at the bench with his hands held high and fingers splayed.

"There is no injury, no graze wound, no scar to his hands," Raymond argued, adding that a graze wound would leave a visible mark, especially on a light-skinned person as Faunteroy is.

Raymond said the absence of any scaring on Faunteroy's hands called into question the government's theory of motive in the case and shed doubt on Faunteroy being the person responsible for shooting Ragland.

Motley, while acknowledging that there did not appear to be a graze wound on Faunteroy's hand, disagreed. "Because I don't know the particulars of wound care," he said.

A status hearing is set for the case July 13.

Raymond Faunteroy to Seek Private Attorney for Murder Charge Defense

Rebecca Zisser — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:33:28 -0400

The preliminary hearing for Raymond Faunteroy was postponed today at the request of his attorney.

Faunteroy, 26, is suspected in the murder of 19-year-old Derrick Ragland in Northeast D.C. last December. Faunteroy was presented with the charge of first-degree murder on March 21.

According to charging documents, before the shooting, Faunteroy was robbed by Ragland when he tried to buy a gun from him. Faunteroy allegedly shot Ragland multiple times three days later.

Faunteroy’s family wishes to seek private counsel, Raymond told Judge Thomas Motley. Prosecutor Reagan Taylor did not object to the request.

The preliminary hearing is now scheduled April 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Suspect in Derrick Ragland Murder Tried to Buy Gun From Ragland Days Before, Detectives Say

Laura Amico — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:54:24 -0400

Detectives say the man they believe shot and killed Derrick Ragland in Northeast DC last December had tried to buy a gun from Ragland just days before.

Raymond Faunteroy, also known as Raymond Powers and Ray, was presented with a charge of premeditated first-degree murder while armed at DC Superior Court today. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for the case April 4.

According to charging documents, detectives believe that Faunteroy tried to buy a gun from Ragland on Dec. 16, 2011, but that Ragland and two other people instead robbed Faunteroy. The charging documents state that police did in fact respond to a robbery on Dec. 16 and found Faunteroy, who said his name was Raymond Powers, suffering from a bullet graze wound to his hand.

Three days later, Ragland was chased down a street in Northeast DC and shot at multiple times. He died of his injuries.

A witness in the case told police that after Ragland was killed, someone they knew as "Ray" had said that he had shot and killed someone in the area of Turkey Thicket. That person said "Ray" said the person he killed had set him up to get robbed in a drug deal two weeks earlier.

Raymond Faunteroy, 26, Arrested in Death of Derrick Ragland

Laura Amico — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:46 -0400

A 26-year-old DC man arrested in Arlington County, VA last week has been brought to DC to be charged in the Dec. 2011 shooting death of 19-year-old Derrick Ragland.

The suspect, Raymond Faunteroy, could be presented with the charge of first-degree murder while armed today.

Ragaland was shot several times just before 6 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011 in the 1000 Block of Taylor Street, Northeast.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

March 21, 2012

Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Departments Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE.

On Monday, December 19, 2011, at approximately 5:54 pm units from the Fourth District responded to a call for a shooting in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE. Upon arrival, they located the victim, an adult male, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local area hospital. The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 19-year-old Derrick Ragland of Northwest, Washington DC.

On Tuesday, March 13, 2012 26-year-old Raymond Faunteroy, of Northeast, Washington DC, was arrested in Arlington County, VA pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant.

On Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Mr. Faunteroy was returned to the District of Columbia and formally charged with First Degree Murder while Armed for the shooting death of Derrick Ragland.

Monday Night Shooting Victim IDed as 19-year-old Derrick Ragland

Laura Amico — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:36:27 -0500

MPD has identified a man shot and killed near Catholic University Monday night as 19-year-old Derrick Ragland of Northwest DC.

Read MPD's press release after the jump.

December 20, 2011

Homicide: 1000 Block of Taylor Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the fatal shooting which occurred in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE.

On Monday, December 19, 2011, at approximately 5:54 pm units from the Fourth District responded to a call for a shooting in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, NE. Upon arrival, they located the victim, an adult male, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to local area hospital. The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 19-year-old Derrick Ragland of Northwest, Washington DC.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746). Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

Man Killed in Shooting Near Catholic University

Laura Amico — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:06:56 -0500

A man died after being shot in the 1000 block of Taylor St Northeast Monday evening, the Washington Post and WJLA report.

A message to the Fourth District listserv stated:

Around 6:20 pm, Units were dispatched to a call for a shooting in the 1000 blk of Taylor St NE. Upon arrival, a male victim was located suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and has been transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

There is no suspect lookout. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-919-CRIM(E).

Reports from the Post and WJLA indicated that the man died at a hospital and that the death was declared a homicide.

Reported the Washington Times:

A man was shot in an alley between Taylor Street and Taussig Place Northeast. He was trying to run away when he collapsed outside a home in the 1000 block of Taylor Street, said neighbors gathered at the scene.

At 11 p.m. Monday MPD sent the following message:

UPDATE-
Despite life saving efforts of hospital staff, the victim from the shooting has been pronounced.
We continue to ask that anyone with information call 1-888-919-CRIM(E).