Howard Venable Jr | Homicide Watch DC

Nine Year Sentence in Stabbing Death of Howard Venable Jr.

Imari Williams — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:00:13 -0400

David Jamal Wilson was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison for the 2013 stabbing death of Howard Venable Jr.

Wilson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in May.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Schick said that Wilson had planned the robbery and sent an earlier text to Venable discussing his financial troubles.

"This robbery was premeditated," Schick said. "Mr. Wilson knew when Mr. Venable received his check. There were text messages of Wilson stating he needed money."

Venable, 68, was found unconscious laying in a pool of his own blood, inside his apartment in the 1600 block of Fuller Street in Northwest D.C. Wilson, 21, and two other individuals robbed Venable at his apartment. During the robbery one or both of the unidentified accomplices stabbed Venable, according to prosecutors.

According to an autopsy report, Venable suffered from a horizontal stab wound across his neck, a stab wound to his right torso and a fatal stab wound to his chest that perforated his aorta.

Defense Attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the robbery was sad and that Wilson feels guilty for what happened.

"There is no doubt that this is a sad situation," Cadman said. "Mr. Wilson feels incredibly bad and remorseful."

Cadman argued Wilson was a part of the robbery, but didn't stab Venable.

"Mr. Wilson didn't stab Mr. Venable, but played a role. That's why he pleaded guilty." Cadman said. "He isn't beyond rehabilitation."

Schick, the prosecutor, argued that Wilson may feel sorry now, but at the time of the crime he was not and continued to rob Mr. Venable.

"I know he is remorseful now," Schick said, "but at the time he withdrew 600 dollars cash at the ATM from Mr. Venable's account after the murder."

In an emotional victim impact statement, Venable's daughter Monica Kay said that her father missed out on a lot of things in her life and she is angry.

"He didn't see me graduate with my doctoral degree, which he gave plenty of support for," Kay said. "He didn't get to see my children graduate. I'm angry he would do that to my father."

Addressing Venable's family, Wilson said that he was sorry and pleaded for forgiveness.

"I want to apologize to the victim's family," Wilson said. "I beg you to forgive me."

David Wilson Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge of Voluntary Manslaughter

Kristian Hernandez — Sat, 10 May 2014 04:02:10 -0400

David Jamal Wilson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed Friday in connection to the 2013 stabbing death of 68-year-old Howard Venable Jr.

Shortly after midnight on Feb. 1, 2013, Wilson, 21, and two other individuals robbed Venable at his apartment in the 1600 block of Fuller Street. During the robbery one or both of the unidentified accomplices stabbed Venable, according to prosecutors.

An autopsy report revealed that Venable suffered from a horizontal stab wound across his neck, a stab wound to his right torso and a fatal stab wound to his chest that perforated his aorta. Venable's body was found the following day laying in a pool of his own blood, inside his apartment on the 1600 Block of Fuller Street NW.

According to charging documents, investigators found surveillance video showing Wilson making three ATM withdraws totaling $613.50, using Venable's Bank of America card that same night.

Wilson was arrested on Feb. 3 and charged with first degree murder while armed.

The proffer of facts states that on January 31, Wilson had sent a text message to Venable saying he needed money.

According to charging documents, a witness told police that Wilson and Venable were roommates.

Wilson is facing six to nine years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, at 11:30 a.m., with Judge Jennifer Anderson.

***Correction: Due to a reporting error, this story originally misidentified the location of Venable's apartment. Venable lived in the 1600 block of Fuller Street Northwest.

A copy of the plea documents is attached below.

David Jamal Wilson Plea Docs (PDF)David Jamal Wilson Plea Docs (Text)

David Wilson Pleads Innocent to Second-Degree Murder

Megan Arellano — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 11:39:43 -0400

David Jamal Wilson pleaded innocent Monday to charges of second-degree murder while armed and second-degree theft in connection with stabbing death of his roommate, 68-year-old Howard Venable Jr.

Wilson, 21, was arrested on February 3, one day after Venable’s body was found face down in a pool of blood on the floor of their shared apartment.

Arrest documents state that Wilson told detectives that he and Venable had a verbal argument inside the apartment. When Venable went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife, Wilson said he and Venable wrestled for control of the knife and that Venable fell to the floor stabbing himself, according to the documents.

The Washington Post reported that during a preliminary hearing, a homicide detective testified that the two men were in a relationship in which Venable would pay Wilson for sex. During the hearing Wilson’s defense attorney argued that the long-term relationship was abusive, and the abuse lead Wilson to stab Venable.

On Monday, Wilson's defense attorney James Beane said Wilson rejected a plea agreement that would have reduced his charges to voluntary manslaughter while armed.

A status hearing is scheduled for October 16 in Judge Herbert Dixon's courtroom.

A copy of the indictment will be added to this post.

Probable Cause Found Against David Wilson in Murder of Howard Venable Jr.

Penny Ray — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:06:09 -0500

Judge Stuart Nash found probable cause Wednesday that David Jamal Wilson participated in the stabbing death of 68-year-old Howard Venable Jr.

Wilson, 21, was arrested in connection with the case on February 3, one day after Venable's body was found face down in a pool of blood on the floor of his apartment.

The Washington Post reports that during a preliminary hearing Wednesday a homicide detective testified that the two men were in a relationship in which Venable would pay Wilson for sex.

During that hearing Wilson's defense attorney argued that the two men were involved in a long-term abusive sexual relationship and that the abuse prompted Wilson to stab Venable. As the Post reported:

Hours before Venable was killed, one witness told authorities, the two men were exchanging text messages about Wilson bringing over “ice cream.” That, Watts said, was code for sex.

A medical examiner determined that Venable suffered multiple slashing wounds to the neck, minor cuts to both hands consistent with defensive wounds, and two stab wounds to the upper torso. There were no signs of struggle inside his apartment, according to charging documents in the case.

Arrest documents say that over the course of Wilson's interrogation by police officers he changed his account of what occurred on that Saturday evening. Eventually, Wilson told detectives that he and Venable had a verbal argument inside the apartment, but then Venable went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife. Wilson said that he and Venable wrestled for control of the knife and that Venable fell to the floor stabbing himself, according to the documents.

A felony status conference has been scheduled for May 10.

Judge Orders David Jamal Wilson Held in Fatal Stabbing in Columbia Heights

Sam Pearson — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:09:42 -0500

David Jamal Wilson appeared in court Monday, where Judge Karen Howze ordered him held without bond in connection with the fatal stabbing of Howard Venable Jr.

Officers responded to reports of an unconscious person at about 6:48 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived at the Fuller Street Northwest apartment, they found Venable lying face down in the doorway to a bedroom, in a pool of blood.

According to charging documents in the case, a witness told police that Wilson, 21, and Venable, 68, were roommates, and there were no signs of forced entry or a struggle when officers searched the apartment, according to charging documents.

Investigators also found that $613.50 was withdrawn from Venable's bank accounts at a BP gas station in Capitol Heights, Md. early Sunday morning. Officers identified Wilson as a suspect after viewing surveillance footage from the gas station, the documents state.

Officers found Wilson at a home in District Heights, Md., where he agreed to travel with them to Washington for questioning.

Officers arrested Wilson after he "provided numerous inconsistent accounts" of the murder, including mentioning that Venable had been stabbed, when the detail had not been publicly released. Wilson later said the men had been arguing inside the apartment.

The case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 20 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Herbert Dixon.

David Wilson Charging Documents (PDF)David Wilson Charging Documents (Text)

David Jamal Wilson Arrested on Suspicion of Fatal Stabbing

Sam Pearson — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:33:22 -0500

A 21-year-old DC man was arrested Sunday evening in connection with a weekend stabbing that killed 68-year-old Howard Venable, Jr.

Police took David Jamal Wilson into custody at 8:08 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release from MPD.

Venable was found unconscious inside a home in the 1600 block of Fuller Street.

A press release from the Metropolitan Police Department is below:

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing which occurred in the 1600 block of Fuller Street, NW.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, at approximately 6:48 pm, units from the Third District responded to the 1600 block of Fuller Street, NW for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they located an adult male lying on the floor inside a residence suffering from apparent stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and did not find any signs consistent with life. The decedent remained on the scene and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 68-year-old Howard Venable, Jr. of Northwest, Washington, DC

On Sunday, February 3, 2013, at approximately 8:08 pm, detectives from the Homicide Branch arrested 21-year-old David Jamal Wilson of Northwest, DC, charging him with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed in the stabbing death of Howard Venable, Jr.

Howard Venable Jr. Identified as Victim in NW DC Fatal Stabbing

Laura Amico — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 16:20:47 -0500

A stabbing in Northwest DC Saturday evening has killed a 68-year-old man who was found unconscious inside a home in the 1600 block of Fuller Street.

MPD identified the man Sunday afternoon as Howard Venable Jr.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

February 3, 2013

Homicide: 1600 Block of Fuller Street, NW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal stabbing which occurred in the 1600 block of Fuller Street, NW.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, at approximately 6:48 pm, units from the Third District responded to the 1600 block of Fuller Street, NW for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they located an adult male lying on the floor inside a residence suffering from apparent stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and did not find any signs consistent with life. The decedent remained on the scene and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 68-year-old Howard Venable, Jr. 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. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.