Rayshawn Hailstock | Homicide Watch DC

Howard Randolph Sentenced to Two years for "One Punch Knockout" in the Death of Rayshawn Hailstock

Imari Williams — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 22:12:13 -0400

Howard Randolph was sentenced to two years Friday for a fist fight that led to Rayshawn Hailstock’s death, after a single punch on June 30, 2013.

Randolph pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter in May.

According to the government's memorandum, Randolph knew Hailstock was at the bus stop and he willingly and intentionally approached Hailstock to start a fight.

But Randolph's defense has argued it was Hailstock who made it clear that he intended to fight Randolph after he took offense to Randolph talking to his girlfriend about a neighborhood fight.

Hailstock was found laying unconscious on the sidewalk in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue Southeast. He was suffering from blunt impact injuries to the head and neck. He later died at a local hospital from those injuries.

Thirty-three year-old Randolph admitted to confronting Hailstock and punching him once, breaking his jaw in two places and fracturing the hyoid bone in his neck. Hailstock, 21, fell forward and hit his head, but medical examiners said the punch is what caused his death.

In an oral proffer from the government, Hailstock was involved in a “big neighborhood brawl” one week earlier because of Hailstock punching his girlfriend.

Afterwards, Randolph saw Hailstock at a nearby bus stop and walked up to him, Assistant US Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou said. According to Dedjinou, the men squared up, and Randolph threw one punch, knocking Hailstock out, and walked away.

According to defense's memorandum, Hailstock swung on Mr Randolph -swinging first starting the physical altercation- and Randolph returned a connecting punch.

In a statement by the defense, Randolph said he never meant to kill Hailstock.

"I am heartbroken to know that he died due to the altercation," Randolph said.

Howard Randolph Pleads Guilty to Killing Rayshawn Hailstock with a Single Punch

Kristian Hernandez — Thu, 08 May 2014 16:04:20 -0400

Howard Randolph pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the June 30, 2013 fist fight that led to Rayshawn Hailstock's death.

Randolph, 33, admitted to confronting Hailstock and punching him once, breaking his jaw in two places and fracturing the hyoid bone in his neck. Hailsotck, 21, fell forward and hit his head but medical examiners said the punch is what caused his death, according to prosecutors.

During a court hearing in March, defense attorney Katerina Semynova argued Randolph's charges should be reduced to simple assault, because Hailstock threw the first punch. At today's hearing, Seminova added that Hailstock had instigated three verbal altercations with Randolph prior to this incident.

According to prosecutors Hailstock's girlfriend at the time of the incident had been in a relationship with Randolph in 2010, and Randolph was upset that Hailstock had mistreated her.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou argued both men willingly entered into "mutual combat" on June 30, 2013 and that Randolph first approached Hailstock causing the altercation that night.

Hailstock was found laying unconscious on the sidewalk in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue Southeast around 8:30 p.m. He was suffering from blunt impact injuries to the head and neck. He later died at the hospital from those injuries.

During Thursday's hearing Randolph waived his right to a trial and agreed to the factual proffer read by Dedjinou.

According to prosecutors, a person driving on Alabama Avenue Southeast saw Randolph approach Hailstock who was waiting at a bus stop.

Prosecutors said the witness saw the men arguing as they approached each other and put up their fists to fight.

As part of his plea agreement Randolph was offered a six to 24 month sentence, but Judge Russell Canan can reduce the time to be served as probation or split the sentence between probation and jail time. The maximum sentence for a charge of voluntary manslaughter is 30 years in prison.

Randolph's father, Howard Anderson, said he supports his son's decision to take the plea, but feels Randolph would have had a good chance in trial claiming self defense.

"He did everything possible to avoid the situation, but when someone swings at you, you have to defend yourself," Anderson said.

Randolph remains in custody without bond awaiting his sentence scheduled for July 18, at 11:00 a.m., in front of Judge Canan.

Plea documents have been added to this post.

Howard Randolph Plea Docs (PDF)Howard Randolph Plea Docs (Text)

Howard Randolph Returned to Jail After Being Found With Drugs

Kristian Hernandez — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:33:07 -0400

Judge Russell Canan ordered that Howard Randolph be removed from a halfway house Wednesday after Randolph was found with two packs of K2, a synthetic cannabis, while he awaited trial.

Howard, 25, was indicted in December on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of 21-year-old Rayshawn Hailstock in June 2013.

Prosecutors believe that Hailstock died after a single punch from Randolph knocked him unconscious and he fell to the sidewalk.

Hailstock was found unconscious in the 2300 block of Alabama Southeast on June 30. He later died at the hospital and the cause of death was reported to be from blunt impact injuries to the head and neck.

In January, Canan did not find substantial probability that Randolph was responsible for the death of Hailstock and released him to a halfway house.

During Wednesday’s bond review hearing, defense attorney Katerina Semyonova reminded the court that Howard “did not intend to kill another person,” and asked he be placed back at the halfway house. She said Howard had received the K2 from someone who had brought him a pack of sodas and he did not know the package contained any drugs.

“He’s been detained for two to three weeks on the matter; this should be a serious message of how he is supposed to behave in a halfway house your honor,” said Semyonova.

Plea negotiations between the two parties are ongoing, though there is disagreement. Defense attorneys will consider pleading to a simple assault charge, but prosecutors don't believe that is sufficient.

A trial readiness hearing is set for May 30 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Canan.

Howard Randolph Released to Halfway House

Megan Arellano — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 16:10:24 -0500

Howard Randolph was released to a halfway house Friday after Judge Russell Canan did not find substantial probability that Randolph was the person responsible for the death of Rayshawn Hailstock.

Prosecutors believe that Hailstock died from "blunt force impact to the jaw and neck" after a single punch from Randolph knocked him unconscious and he fell to the sidewalk. Randolph, 25, is suspected of involuntary manslaughter.

Hailstock was found unconscious on June 30 in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue Southeast around 8:30 p.m.; he later died at the hospital. A statement issued by police the next day said they believe Hailstock had been in a fight.

Dr. Lois Goslinosky conducted Hailstock’s autopsy on July 1 and ruled that the death was a homicide. The cause of death was reported as blunt impact injuries of the head and neck.

Defense attorney Katerina Semyonova noted that the report did not clarify whether the "blunt force" that caused Hailstock death came from Randolph's fist or the ground.

"The medical examiner took a considerable amount of time to determine that the punch caused Hailstock's death, not [his fall]," Assistant US Attorney Adrienne Dedjinou explained.

In an oral proffer from the government, Dedjinou further told the court that Hailstock was part of a "big neighborhood brawl" one week earlier that arose because Hailstock punched his girlfriend. Randolph also dated the same woman during 2010 and was upset that Hailstock was in his neighborhood, Dedjinou said. On June 30, Randolph approached his ex-girlfriend in her apartment to tell her that Hailstock was not welcome in the area.

Afterwards, Randolph saw Hailstock at a nearby bus stop and walked up to him, Dedjinou told the court. The men squared up, and Randolph threw one punch--which knocked out Hailstock--and walked away, Dedjinou said.

In court on Friday, Semyonova said that Randolph believes that Hailstock "swung on him first and missed".

Dedjinou argued that Randolph had to cross the street towards the bus stop to even be in the same area as Hailstock. Semyonova countered that Randolph crossed the street to get back to his family's house.

In making his ruling, Judge Canan said that he couldn't "find that there are no conditions that would ensure the safety of the community."

A status hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on February 17.

Grand Jury Charges Howard Bruce Randolph with Involuntary Manslaughter in Death of Rayshawn Hailstock

Laura Amico — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 09:38:20 -0500

This post has been updated with a copy of the indictment and warrant, added below.

An arrest was made Monday in connection with the June death of 21-year-old Rayshawn Hailstock, MPD said.

The defendant, identified by police as Howard Bruce Randolph, 25, is suspected of involuntary manslaughter.

According to court records, a warrant was issued for him on the charge based on an original indictment from the Grand Jury. He is expected to be arraigned January 7.

Hailstock was found unconscious in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue Southeast around 8:30 p.m. June 30; he later died at the hospital. A statement issued by police the next day said they believe Hailstock had been in a fight.

Dr. Lois Goslinosky conducted Hailstock’s autopsy the day after his death and determined that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries of the head and neck. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Hailstock had testified in the Davon Holmes murder trial three days prior to his death; MPD Chief Cathy Lanier said in June that his testimony and death were unrelated.

A press release from MPD is below

December 31, 2013

Arrest Made in Homicide: 2300 Block of Alabama Avenue, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

On Sunday, June 30, 2013, at approximately 8:25 pm, members of the Seventh District were flagged down and advised of a fight in progress and an unconscious male in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Upon arrival, they located an adult male lying on the ground in an unconscious state. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 21 year-old Rayshawn Hailstock of Northeast, Washington, DC.

On Monday, December 30, 2013, at approximately 11:20 am, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 25-year-old Howard Bruce Randolph of Southeast, Washington, DC pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Involuntary Manslaughter in connection to the death of Rayshawn Hailstock.

Randolph, Howard B (PDF)Randolph, Howard B (Text)

Rayshawn Hailstock Death Ruled a Homicide

Penny Ray — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:37:11 -0400

The D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death of 21-year-old Rayshawn Hailstock a homicide.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said in an email Wednesday that detectives are still "investigating the circumstances of the case and will present the facts to the [United States Attorney's Office]."

Hailstock was found unconscious in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue Southeast around 8:30 p.m. June 30; he later died at the hospital. A statement issued by police the next day said they believe Hailstock had been in a fight.

Dr. Lois Goslinosky conducted Hailstock's autopsy the day after his death and determined that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries of the head and neck. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

If Hailstock's death is determined to be a crime, police will classify it as a murder and it could be prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office. There are occasionally instances when a case is ruled a homicide but not a murder, such as in cases of self-defense or police-involved shootings.

Witness in Holmes Trial Dead, Lanier Says Cases "Unrelated"

Penny Ray — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:52:27 -0400

Rayshawn Hailstock, the 21-year-old who died after a fight in Southeast D.C. Sunday, testified in the Davon Holmes murder trial three days prior to his death. Metropolitan police are conducting a death investigation in the case and have not declared Hailstock's death a homicide.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said in an email Wednesday afternoon that the Holmes trial and Hailstock's death are not related.

Holmes was convicted around noon Wednesday of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of 24-year-old Marcellus Bailey.

Hailstock testified last week that he was one of the last people to see Bailey alive.

Hailstock said that on the morning of August 3, 2011, Bailey and Holmes were arguing on the corner of 8th and Jefferson Street Northwest and at some point Holmes made a “slapping motion” at Bailey. Hailstock testified that he didn't see a weapon in Holmes' hand, but Holmes immediately ran off and jumped in the rear passenger seat of a nearby vehicle. The car then “screeched out of the neighborhood,” Hailstock said.

After the vehicle sped off, Bailey paced up and down the sidewalk a few times, while holding the side of his neck and bleeding profusely. Hailstock said that Bailey pulled his cell phone out his pocket and placed it near his ear, then placed it back in his pocket and asked Hailstock for a cigarette. Hailstock didn't have one, so the two walked to Bailey's truck.

Bailey found a cigarette and then sat in his truck for about five minutes holding his neck, which was “squirting and oozing blood.” And Hailstock lit Bailey's cigarette because he couldn't do it himself. Bailey took “three pulls,” Hailstock said.

Bailey later died at Washington Hospital Center. Holmes was convicted Wednesday of second-degree murder while armed; he is scheduled to be sentenced August 30.

Hailstock was found dead in the 2300 Block of Alabama Avenue SE around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. An MPD press release says that Hailstock died following a fight that evening, but it does not make clear the manner and cause of Hailstock's death. Beverly Fields, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in DC, said Wednesday that Hailstock's case is “pending.”

This story has been updated to reflect the comments from Chief Cathy Lanier.

A press release from the US Attorney's Office has been added to this post below.

District Man Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder While Armed
In 2011 Slaying in Northwest Washington
-Defendant Stabbed Victim in the Neck-

WASHINGTON –Devon Holmes, 30, also known as “Jamaica,” of Washington D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of second-degree murder while armed for the August 2011 slaying of a man in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck scheduled sentencing for Aug. 30, 2013. Holmes faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison

According to the evidence at trial, at about 2:45 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2011, in the area of 8th and Jefferson Streets NW, Holmes slashed the victim, Marcellus T. Bailey, 24, in the neck with a sharp object, causing a gaping wound and loss of blood. Holmes fled the scene. Mr. Bailey died a short while later. The motive for the attack is unknown. Holmes was arrested on Sept. 9, 2011, and has been in custody ever since.

In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), including detectives, mobile crime technicians, and others. He also expressed appreciation for the work of Special Agent Kevin R. Horan of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST). In addition, he acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Fern Rhedrick and Mia Beamon; Litigation Support Services Specialists Jeanie Latimore-Brown, Kimberly Smith, Claudia Gutierrez, Joshua Ellen, and Joseph Calvarese; Victim/Witness Advocates Marcia Rinker and Tamara Ince; Victim/Witness Services Supervisor David Foster; Witness Security Specialists M. Laverne Forrest and Michael Hailey; Criminal Investigators Mark Crawford and Christopher Brophy, and Intelligence Research Specialists Zachary McMenamin, Sharon Johnson, and Shannon Alexis.

Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Feitel and Kathryn L. Rakoczy, who prosecuted the case at trial.

Investigation into Death of 21-Year-Old Continues

Laura Amico — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:24:24 -0400

Detectives are investigating the death of a 21-year-old Northeast DC man who was found unconscious after a report of a fight.

The death has not been ruled a homicide and the investigation is ongoing.

MPD reports that at about 8:25 Sunday evening, police officers responded to a report of a "fight in progress and an unconscious male in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE."

Rayshawn Hailstock, 21, was unconscious in the street when officers arrived. He was transported to a hospital where he died.

A press release from MPD is below.

July 1, 2013

Death Investigation: 2300 Block of Alabama Avenue, SE

(Washington, DC) – Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a death which occurred in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

On Sunday, June 30, 2013, at approximately 8:25 pm, members of the Seventh District were flagged down and advised of a fight in progress and an unconscious male in the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Upon their arrival, the officers located an adult male lying on the ground in an unconscious state. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 21 year-old Rayshawn Hailstock of Northeast, Washington, DC.

The investigation is ongoing.