Two of the six co-defendants in the murder of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier were sentenced by Judge William Jackson Friday: Laurence Hassan received an 18-year prison sentence; Cinthya Proctor received a 21-year sentence. Brian Gaither was sentenced to 32 years in prison in April. The remaining co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced later this year. At … Read more →
Johnnie Sweet turned down a government plea offer he found less than favorable because he said he didn’t play the lead role in Latisha Frazier’s brutal 2010 death. A jury, however, disagreed. After deliberating for about five hours, the jury found Sweet guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with physical evidence … Read more →
By the prosecutor’s estimation, the death of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier is not a “who done it.” “By the defendant’s own words, he is guilty, guilty, guilty,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda Williams said in closing arguments Monday. That defendant, Johnnie Sweet, is accused of taking part in a brutal “peer pressure” fueled beating. A beating in … Read more →
As the second day of testimony began Wednesday, Johnnie Sweet rejected yet another plea overture from the government, saying that he would not agree to any deal that would require him to spend more time in prison than the man he says is most culpable for Latisha Frazier’s death- Brian Gaither. Before the jury was … Read more →
What can be described as the final chapter in the story of Latisha Frazier’s death began Tuesday morning with the start of defendant Johnnie Sweet’s murder trial. Sweet, 19, is charged with taking part in Frazier’s death- a killing that, as one teen described at trial Tuesday, was fueled by peer pressure. Six young people … Read more →
Judge William Jackson sentenced Brian Gaither to 32 years in prison Tuesday for his role in the brutal 2011 murder of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier. Gaither pleaded guilty last year, but later tried to withdraw the guilty plea. Jackson rejected that motion March 22. Gaither and five others were suspected of beating Frazier to death in … Read more →
Brian Arcenio Gaither’s attempt to withdraw his plea of “guilty” in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier was denied Friday by Judge William Jackson, who said the court believed that Gaither, 25, was adequately represented when he made the plea. Gaither was one of six young people suspected in the August 2010 beating … Read more →
Brian Gaither, a suspect in the August 2010 murder of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier who admitted in court to disposing of her body in a plastic bin and placing it in a dumpster, took the stand today to explain why he wants to withdraw his guilty plea. “I didn’t know how serious this plea really was,” … Read more →
One of the suspects accused in the brutal murder of teen Latisha Frazier is seeking withdraw his guilty plea, saying that he was confused when he agreed to it and did not realize that the plea would not significantly lessen his potential sentence. An attorney for Brian Gaither filed the motion Tuesday. Gaither entered the … Read more →
Brian Gaither pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier. Gaither’s trial began Monday; jury selection was due to begin next week. In May, Gaither rejected a plea offer that would have capped his sentence at 38 years. In entering the plea today he faces a maximum sentence of life … Read more →
Two men accused in the murder of Latisha Frazier will be tried separately, after Judge William Jackson agreed to sever their cases yesterday. Johnnie Sweets and Brian Gaither are charged with first-degree murder in connection with Frazier’s death. They are also charged with felony murder and “aggravating circumstances.” Those circumstances are that Frazier’s death was … Read more →
Brian Gaither and Johnnie Sweets have rejected plea offers from the government that would cap their potential sentences at 38 years for the murder of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier. The two, now 24 and 18 years old respectively, are charged with first-degree murder in the case. If convicted, Judge William Jackson said, they could be sentenced … Read more →
The cases against Brian Gaither and Johnnie Sweets, man accused of murdering missing woman Latisha Frazier, have been continued. D.C. Superior Court Judge W. Jackson ordered the case against Brian Gaither continued until May 11. Gaither and Sweets are charged with second-degree murder in the August 2010 beating death of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier. Frazier’s mother … Read more →
One of the six young people suspected in the death of missing DC teen Latisha Frazier has filed a motion to sever his case from his codefendants’ case. In the motion, filed Jan. 13, Brian Gaither claims that if his case remains joined with Johnnie Sweet, Sweet’s statement to police will prejudice the case against … Read more →
Sentencings for two young people who pleaded guilty last summer to killing 18-year-old Latisha Frazier have been postponed. Cinthya Proctor and Laurence Hassan were scheduled to appear in court Friday for sentencing on one charge of second-degree murder each. According to court records those appointments have been postponed to May 25. Status hearings for two … Read more →
Brian Gaither and Johnnie Sweet each pleaded innocent today to first degree and felony murder and kidnapping in the death of Latisha Frazier in Aug. 2010. If convicted, they face life sentences without the possibility of parole. Prosecutor Chris Kavanaugh said there are no plea discussions in the cases. Judge William Jackson set a trial …
