John Thomas Tillman | Homicide Watch DC

Murder Charge Against Deon Thomas Dismissed

Kristian Hernandez — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 19:00:35 -0400

Deon Thomas was released from jail Monday after prosecutors dismissed a charge of second-degree murder while armed in connection to the Dec. 8, 2013 stabbing death of John Thomas Tillman.

"The case was dismissed without prejudice because there was insufficient evidence to go forward at this time. The investigation is continuing," explained spokesperson William Miller via email on behalf of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

On Dec. 8, 2013, police found 63-year-old Tillman with a stab wound to his right neck at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue Northwest. Tillman was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Thomas, 37, was arrested less than 24 hours after Tillman's death and held without bond. He is believed to be homeless and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Charging documents in the case state that on the same day, Thomas was sent to a local hospital after emergency personnel responded to a report from a local homeless shelter that someone was “acting irrationally and bleeding from the hands.”

During an interview Thomas told police that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and that he had several alcoholic beverages that day.

“I hope I didn’t do nothing stupid tonight, but I don’t know,” Thomas told police according to documents.

Thomas told police he was “fighting a guy that keeps attacking him in his dreams”, according to the documents. When police questioned him about the cuts on his hands, Thomas told officers, “I think I got him. … the guy I fight in my dreams. He got me and I got him.”

During the interview, Thomas told officers he thought that he was dreaming when a man walked up to him at the CVS store on U Street and said, “I got you.”

Thomas said that he tried to run, but the man prevented him from running.

According to the documents, Thomas said that the man tried to grab his shoulder, but Thomas was able to hit the man in the side. Thomas started running and hitting the man in the side, while the other man laughed, Thomas told police.

An eye witness was also interviewed by police who described someone striking Tillman in the head after an unknown person yelled, “Hey.” The witness states that Tillman fell to the ground and the person who hit him ran east-bound on Q Street NW.

At the hospital, a three inch folding knife with fresh blood on it fell out of Thomas’s pocket, documents say.

When police asked him if he had taken out his knife “to get the man off him”, Thomas said, “I probably did, I don’t remember.”

Deon Thomas Ordered Held in Stabbing Death of John Thomas Tillman

Megan Arellano — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 15:47:36 -0500

Judge Karen Howze ordered Deon Thomas held Tuesday in connection with the stabbing death of 63-year-old John Thomas Tillman. Thomas, 37, remains held pending a preliminary hearing December 20.

On December 8, police found Tillman with a stab wound to his right neck at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue Northwest. Tillman was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:35 p.m., 23 minutes later. An autopsy later concluded that Tillman suffered a severe laceration to his cartoid artery, causing significant blood loss.

Charging documents say on Dec. 8, Thomas was sent to a local hospital after emergency personnel responded to a report from a local homeless shelter that someone was "acting irrationally and bleeding from the hands".

En route to the hospital Thomas told police officer that he was "fighting a guy that keeps attacking him in his dreams", according to the documents. When questioned about the cuts on his hands, Thomas told officers, "I think I got him. ... the guy I fight in my dreams. He got me and I got him."

At the hospital, a three inch blade with fresh blood on it fell out of Thomas's pocket, documents say. In a later interview with police, Thomas said that he has a work knife that matched the description of the knife that fell out of his pocket.

During the interview, Thomas told officers he thought that he was dreaming when a man walked up to him at the CVS store on U Street and said, "I got you."

Thomas said that he tried to run, but the man prevented him from running.

One witness told police that someone struck Tillman in the head after an unknown person yelled, "Hey." Tillman fell to the ground, the witness said, and the person who hit him ran east-bound on Q Street NW.

Thomas told police that after he ran to Lincoln Road, he thought, "Was that real?", documents say.

Thomas also told police that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and that he had several alcoholic beverages that day, documents say. According to documents, Thomas told police, "I hope I didn't do nothing stupid tonight, but I don't know."

Asked if he had taken out his knife "to get the man off him", Thomas said, "I probably did, I don't remember."

Charging documents have been added below.

Thomas, Deon Charging Papers (PDF)Thomas, Deon Charging Papers (Text)

John Thomas Tillman, 63, Fatally Stabbed Near Truxton Circle; Suspect in Custody

Laura Amico — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 16:57:03 -0500

A man found stabbed near Truxton Circle Sunday night has died of his injuries and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim, identified by police as 63-year-old John Thomas Tillman of Southeast DC, was found by police who were responding to a call for a man down near North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, Northwest. Tillman was discovered to have been stabbed and was taken to a hospital where he died.

Less than 24 hours later, police arrested 37-year-old Deon Anthony Thomas of Northeast DC on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in connection with Tillman's death. Thomas has not yet been presented with the charge at DC Superior Court.

A press release from MPD is below.

December 9, 2013

Arrest Made in Homicide:
North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW

(Washington, DC)- Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced an arrest has been made in a homicide which occurred in the area of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW.

On Sunday, December 8, 2013 at approximately 10:12 pm, police officers responded to the area of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW for the report of a man down. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent stab wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 63 year-old John Thomas Tillman of Southeast, Washington, DC.

On Monday, December 9, 2013, members of the 5th District located and arrested a 37 year-old Deon Anthony Thomas of Northeast, Washington, D.C. He was charged with Murder II While Armed in the death of John Thomas Tillman.