William Robert Mitchell | Homicide Watch DC

Anthony Speight Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Murder of Billy Mitchell

Penny Ray — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:40:47 -0500

Anthony Tyrone Speight Jr. was sentenced to 21 years in prison Friday for the 2011 slaying of 33-year-old William Robert Mitchell.

Speight, 23, pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the case in October 2012.

Judge Russell Canan delivered the sentence in front of an emotional courtroom Friday afternoon.

“This was a gratuitous crime,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Schick said at sentencing. “[The killing] was unnecessary, and it was over a mere $20.”

According to the government's proffer of facts, around 11 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2011, Speight approached a woman near a small park in Truxton Circle and propositioned her for sex. The woman refused, so Speight rode his bicycle over to Mitchell, who was waiting at a bus stop near Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street Northwest.

Speight asked Mitchell for $20, but when he refused, the two men began arguing. The woman walked over to Speight and told him to leave Mitchell alone, and then tried to call police from her cell phone. Speight slapped the phone from the woman's hands, and Mitchell jumped on Speight's back.

Speight and Mitchell fell to the ground, and during the struggle Speight pulled a handgun. He then fired several shots into Mitchell's torso. Mitchell later died at the hospital.

Several of Mitchell's family and friends were in the courtroom for sentencing, many of whom had written victim impact statements to aid in the sentencing of Speight.

Canan called the letters “wonderful and very moving.”

Reading from one he quoted, “Please let Mr. Speight know that I do wish him well, and I hope that he too will one day know the true value of a life."

Brian Walton, a friend of Mitchell's, said Mitchell was fun-loving.

"[Mitchell's name] still comes up in conversations because that's the mark he left on those around him," Walton said.

Mitchell was awarded a Medal of Valor for his actions in the park after his grandfather, a World War II veteran, appealed to the American Legion, Mitchell's brother Brian said.

The American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City, NJ, issued the Medal of Valor to Mitchell for exhibiting “exceptional courage, attended by extraordinary decisiveness, presence of mind, an unusual swiftness of action, without regard for his own personal safety, intervened in an effort to save the individual from harm and did so at the expense of his own life.”

The Knights of Columbus Father Blake Council #2560 in Ocean City, NJ, also issued an award to Mitchell “to commemorate his exceptional courage and presence of mind, without regard for his own personal safety.”

Mitchell was not a military veteran.

Before sentencing, Speight's father--Anthony Sr.--pleaded the court to show leniency.

“There's no excuse for what happened that night,” Speight Sr. told the judge. “But he's not a career criminal. He had a bad night, and it's a sad, unfortunate incident.”

Speight Sr. told the court that Speight had been abused by his grandfather and neglected by his mother. Speight had trouble in school and turned to drugs, but joined the military and cleaned himself up, his father said, adding that he had been medically discharged.

After his discharge, he returned to dealing and using drugs; he admitted to the court that he was under the influence at the time of Mitchell's murder.

“I want to apologize to the Mitchell family; I was wrong,” Speight said. “I didn't think straight. I just acted.”

Judge Canan acknowledged Speight's military service, dysfunctional upbringing and history of mental issues. But Canan also showed disappointment in the allegation that a few hours before Speight fatally shot Mitchell he had terrorized two college students during a drug purchase. Speight is scheduled to be tried for his actions in that case later this year.

A press release from the US Attorney's Office is below. Sentencing documents have been added to this post.

District Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison For 2011 Murder in Northwest Washington
- Shooting Followed Attempted Robbery -

WASHINGTON - Anthony Speight, Jr., 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 21-year prison term for the January 2011 slaying of a man following a robbery attempt in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Speight pled guilty in September 2012 to a charge of second-degree murder while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Russell F. Canan in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Upon completion of his prison term, Speight will be placed on five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 19, 2011, shortly after 11 p.m., Speight was riding a bicycle at Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street NW. As Speight crossed the intersection, he approached a young woman and unsuccessfully propositioned her for sex. Turned away, Speight then continued across the intersection and approached William R. Mitchell, 33, who was walking home from a nearby Metro station.

While still on his bicycle, Speight demanded money from Mr. Mitchell. At some point during their exchange, the defendant lifted up his shirt, revealing a silver .357 revolver. The young woman, who was still nearby, intervened and told Speight that she would call the police if he did not leave Mr. Mitchell alone. She then pulled out her phone to call the police. Speight knocked the phone out of her hand and repeatedly ran over the phone with his bicycle.

Then, as the woman bent over to pick up her phone, Mr. Mitchell jumped on Speight’s back. Speight and Mr. Mitchell fell to the ground and struggled. During the struggle, Speight pulled out his revolver and shot Mr. Mitchell four times.

Speight is to stand trial in July 2013 in an unrelated case involving an armed carjacking that took place on the afternoon of Jan. 19, 2011 in Northeast Washington. He has pled not guilty to charges.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the efforts of the detectives and other personnel who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He acknowledged the hard work and dedication of those who assisted with the investigation and prosecution at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker and Paralegal Specialist Debra Joyner. Finally, he thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Snyder and Holly Shick, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Anthony Speight Sentencing Documents (PDF)Anthony Speight Sentencing Documents (Text)

Anthony Speight Pleads Guilty in Bill Mitchell Jr. Murder

Jonah Newman — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:33:02 -0400

On Sept. 20, Anthony Speight pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder while armed in the January 2011 shooting of Billy Mitchell, bringing to end a case that garnered widespread attention and led District and community leaders to say that they would address crime in the gentrifying neighborhoods of Truxton Circle and Bloomingdale.

According to a proffer of facts signed by Speight and his attorneys, Speight shot Mitchell after an altercation involving an unnamed woman and an attempted robbery.

According to those documents, Speight approached the young woman on a bicycle at about 11:00 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2011, and propositioned her for sex. When she refused, he approached Mitchell, who was waiting at a bus stop at Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street Northwest, and demanded money from him, leading to a confrontation during which Speight revealed a silver .357 revolver.

When the woman came to Mitchell’s defense and threatened to call the police, Speight knocked her cell phone out of her hand and ran over it repeatedly with a bicycle. Mitchell then jumped on Speight’s back and the two of them fell to the ground.

According to the proffer, during the struggle, Speight said, “This is what I’ve been waiting for,” or something to that effect, and he shot Mitchell four times before fleeing on his bike.

Speight was arrested more than 11 months after the shooting, and admitted to detectives during a post-arrest interview that he had shot Mitchell. In June he was indicted on eight charges including first-degree murder, felony murder, assault, and threats in addition to four weapons charges.

Speight is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.

Plea documents will be added to this post shortly.

Anthony Speight Pleads Innocent in Bill Mitchell Murder

Rebecca Zisser — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:51:41 -0400

Anthony Speight pled innocent to eight charges included first-degree murder while armed on Thursday for the shooting death of Bill Mitchell.

A Grand Jury indicted Speight on the charges, including first-degree and felony murder, assault, threats, and weapons violations, in June.

Speight was also scheduled for a status hearing today in an armed carjacking that took place same day Mitchell was killed.

Holly Schick, the prosecuting attorney in the murder case, said she believes the gun used in the carjacking may have been the same weapon used to commit the murder.

According to charging documents in the homicide case, Mitchell was walking home from the theater on Jan. 19 when he was shot and killed. Mitchell’s family and friends, and D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., said Mitchell was killed while coming to the aid of a woman. Homicide detectives now say it may be the opposite.

According to charging documents in the case, a man on a bicycle approached a woman near a small park in Truxton Circle and propositioned her for sex. She refused. The man then rode over to Mitchell, who was at a nearby bus stop, and asked for $20. When Mitchell refused, the man argued with him. The woman then came over to assist Mitchell, told the man man to leave Mitchell alone, and tried to call 911. The man knocked her cell phone out of her hand, Mitchell jumped on the man’s back, and he and the man fell to the ground.

During the struggle the man produced a handgun, said “This is what I have been waiting for,” shot Mitchell, and biked away.

Speight is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 24 at 11:00 a.m at which point the government said they will have a post-indictment plea offer ready.

A trial date has been set for Dec. 3.

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

Anthony Speight Waives Preliminary Hearing in Bill Mitchell Jr. Shooting Death

Laura Amico — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:55:20 -0500

The man suspected of killing Bloomingdale man Bill Mitchell Jr. waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday.

Anthony Speight, the defendant, is due back in court Feb. 10. Charging documents state that Mitchell may have been killed in the course of a robbery for $20.

Robbery Attempt at Center of Bill Mitchell's Truxton Circle Shooting Death

Laura Amico — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:45:00 -0500

A $20 robbery may have been the cause of Bill Mitchell's shooting death in Truxton Circle last January.

That's according to charging documents made public today just before Anthony Speight, the man prosecutors say killed Mitchell, was presented with a charge of first degree murder while armed.

Speight's attorney submitted to the government's facts and did not oppose Speight's detention while he is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Mitchell was walking home from the theater on Jan. 19 when he was shot and killed. Mitchell's family and friends, and D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., said Mitchell was killed while coming to the aid of a woman. Homicide detectives now say it may be the opposite.

During the struggle the man produced a handgun, said "This is what I have been waiting for," shot Mitchell, and biked away.

No arrest was made until yesterday, when MPD announced that Speight would face a murder charge in connection with the case. A person who knows Speight said Speight biked past just after the shooting. When the witness asked Speight to give him his bike, Speight declined, saying police were likely searching for it.

The witness told police Speight had said "a white man had played with him and was taking him for a joke."

Speight was ordered held on the murder charge and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2012.

Speight is awaiting trial in an armed carjacking case. That offense is alleged to have occurred just six hours before Mitchell was killed.

Charging documents are below.

Anthony Speight Arrested in January Death of Bill Mitchell in Truxton Circle

Chris Amico — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:44:10 -0500

Police today announced the arrest of 23-year-old Anthony Speight in the January shooting death of Bill Mitchell near North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue NW.

Speight, who has no fixed address, is being held on suspicion of first degree murder while armed.

A statement from MPD is below:

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW.

On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at approximately 11:00 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW, for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Prior to their arrival a First District Unit was flagged down by a citizen and advised of a shooting victim on the corner of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 33-year-old William Mitchell of Northwest, DC.

On Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at approximately 1:25 pm, DC Metropolitan Police Department homicide detectives arrested 23-year-old Anthony Speight, with no fixed address, pursuant to a DC Superior Court warrant charging him with First Degree Murder while Armed.

No Easy Answers at Florida and North Capitol

Chris Amico — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:51:31 -0500

The story of Bill Mitchell's death on Jan. 19 has been as much about the Truxton Cirle neighborhood as the crime itself. Mitchell was shot while intervening in a dispute between a man and woman on the street, according to reports. Residents have said they were shocked, but not entirely surprised.

Mari, of In Shaw, left this comment here last week:

The corner of Fl and N. Cap have been a problem as long as I’ve lived here (10 years) if not longer. There are several bus stops and a liquor store on that corner and there have been several failed attempts by BACA (Bates Area Civic Assoc) and other organizations to close up the liquor store and address that corner.

Part of the problem is the concentration of social services in the area.

Last night, city leaders toured the area:

The troubled intersection is on the edge of the District's ongoing gentrification, and that complicates the task cleaning up the neighborhood, as Sommer Mathis of TBD reports:

Whatever attempts at quick fixes might be put in place, it's a situation Bates Area Civic Association president Geovani Bonilla believes won't really go away unless the city addresses what he sees as a confluence of forces all converging at this single geographic point. "We've got 13 social programs and service providers, and five liquor stores. And that's just in this small area," Bonilla says. Those populations are now regularly running into the gentrification wave, he adds, the younger couples and families who are buying up the area's bountiful rowhouses at an ever more rapid pace. "The new people to the neighborhood end up creating more targets" for crime, he says.

If you live in this neighborhood, does this match what you’ve seen? We invite you to share your experiences in comments.

A Shrine for Bill Mitchell

Chris Amico — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:31 -0500

Washington's Other Monuments has new photos of a small memorial set up for Bill Mitchell, killed on January 19 near Truxton Circle.

Homicide is an "Escalation" in a Neighborhood Trying to Fight Back

Laura Amico — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:33:09 -0500

For residents of Truxton Circle and Bloomingdale, on the edge of Northwest and Northeast D.C., the problems start small: litter, loitering, street lights. They quickly get bigger: theft, robbery, homicide.

Last week’s killing of 33-year-old Bill Mitchell at the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street has shaken a community that feels as if they are doing everything they can to stem that trajectory of decline.

"The entire community has been rocked by this," said Lorna Hooks, executive director of North Capitol Main Street, a redevelopment group for the area. "We have a lot of robberies and a lot of theft. That the crime is becoming more aggressive and more violent, we do not want to see that escalate unchecked."

At a community meeting Tuesday night, residents gathered to discuss public safety with the Metro Police Chief Cathy Lanier and District Commander Lamar Greene. Though many came to the meeting directly from a candlelight vigil at the corner where Mitchell was killed, their concerns had more to do with how police were handling public drunkeness, loitering, litter, street lights, police cameras.

"We've been fighting for a long time on some of these issues," Hooks said. "We are vigilant and we are concerned. We see a lot of this becoming very aggresive and we are very concerned and we want to see all of these issues addressed now. [Mitchell's killing] is such a sad sad occurrence for our community, but it has been a galvanizing force."

For more about the social issues Truxton Circle and Bloomingdale residents want addressed, see Tom Usselman's post "The problems at Florida & North Cap NW" on Bloomingdale.

If you live in this neighborhood, does this match what you've seen? We invite you to share your experiences in comments.

Video from Vigil for Bill Mitchell

Chris Amico — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:16:43 -0500

Friends and family remembered Bill Mitchell last night. The 33-year-old was killed near Truxton Circle last week. According to reports, he was trying to help a woman in distress.

MyFoxDC has video from last night's vigil:

Community Remembers Slain Resident: MyFoxDC.com

ABC7 looks at what's happening in the neighborhood where Mitchell was shot:

Police released details on a "person of interest" in the case last night.

Description Given for Person of Interest in the Shooting Death of Bill Mitchell Jr.

Laura Amico — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:46:47 -0500

Metro Police are looking for a black male in his early 20's in connection with the fatal shooting of Bill Mitchell, Jr. at North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue Northwest on January 19.

At a community meeting Tuesday night, officials said according to video surveillance, the man is in his early 20's, black and about 5'6 tall. In the video he was wearing "a very distinct looking jacket" with palm trees on the back and "scarface" written in script. Authorities said they believe he is "anchored" to the area and lives, or has connections, nearby.

"We want to talk to this person," Commander Daniel Hickerson said.

Metro Police are working with the FBI to develop a still image from the video of the man.

Tuesday's meeting with Councilman Harry Thomas, Police Chief Cathy Lanier, and others from Bloomingdale and nearby communities allowed community members to express frustration with the quality of life in the area where Mitchell was shot-- a small park of bricks, benches and a few trees sandwiched in between North Capitol Street, Florida Avenue and Q Street.

Residents said loitering and drugs have plagued that corner, making it a neighborhood menace.

At a vigil in memory of Mitchell held before the meeting, Randolph Street NW resident Nathan Zook called the area a "hostile environment."

There's a park up the street that we can't take our children to because there's condoms and beer bottles all over. There are so many people even in broad daylight, groups of people blocking the sidewalk, that trying to push a stroller is difficult.

Mitchell's family, and about 30 friends and neighbors, attended the candlelight vigil, huddling around police and elected officials who spoke of their desire to close the case.

Mitchell's family has asked that in liu of flowers, donations be made to Horton's Kids Inc, where Mitchell was a volunteer, or Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Bill Mitchell

Laura Amico — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:05:18 -0500

A vigil in memory of Bill Mitchell Jr. is planned for 6 p.m. tonight at Florida Avenue and North Capitol St NW. The vigil will be followed by a community safety meeting at 1703 North Capitol Street, NE.

If you are at the vigil and would like to contribute a comment or photo email it to HomicideWatchDC [at] gmail.com or use the Twitter hashtag #HWDCremembers

Mitchell's funeral was held yesterday. His obituary and a guest book are here.

Letter from the Bloomingdale Civic Association and 5DCAC

Laura Amico — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:17:35 -0500

This letter was sent today to the Fifth District Listserve on behalf of the Bloomingdale Civic Association and 5DCAC:

Dear Bloomingdale Neighbors and Friends of Bloomingdale,

This has been a spirit challenging week for our Bloomingdale community. The recent deaths of Mrs. Deloris Gibson-McCarter, Mr. William (Billy) Mitchell, Jr. along with the house fire at 1923 Second Street, NW, should help to remind us of the value of community and the importance of caring for each other.

Mrs. McCarter and Mr. Mitchell contributed greatly and selflessly to the improving the quality of life in the Bloomingdale community. They are a loss not only to their family and friends, but also to the human family.
On behalf of the officers and members of the Bloomingdale Civic Association and the 5th District Citizens’ Advisory Council, I join others in express sorrow and condolences. Despite the pain we feel and the tragedy of the moment, we can take comfort in the Grace of The Prince of Peace and The Wonderful Counselor.

At the Monday, 24 January 2011 meeting of the Bloomingdale Civic Association, the Association will pause to honor their memory and reflect on their contributions to this community. I would also encourage the Bloomingdale community to join Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas at a community vigil at the Park at North Capital Street and Florida Avenue, NW, 6:00pm – 6:50pm, Tuesday, 25 January 2011.

Following the vigil, Councilman Thomas will lead an emergency community meeting at the offices of the North Capital Main Street, 1703 North Capital Street, NE.

Let us keep all of them and their families in our prayers.

Robert Vinson Brannum

PRESIDENT, Bloomingdale Civic Association

CHAIRMAN, 5th District Citizens’ Advisory Council

Vigil Tuesday for Bill Mitchell

Laura Amico — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:31:58 -0500

A vigil in memory of Bill Mitchell, Jr., who was shot to death late Wednesday night on North Capitol Street NW, is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. announced the vigil in a message on the Fifth District listserve Saturday.

A community meeting to discuss the homicide will follow the vigil. It is hosted by Thomas, the Fifth Police District and North Capitol Main Street, Inc..

Vigil: Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at the park at the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street NW.

Community Meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the North Capitol Main Street Office, 1703 North Capitol Street, NE

More Details in Truxton Circle Shooting of Billy Mitchell

Laura Amico — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:56:52 -0500

MyFoxDC has more details on the Truxton Circle shooting that killed 33-year-old Billy Mitchell late Wednesday night/ early Thursday morning.

33-Year-Old DC Man Killed Walking Home in Northwest

MyFoxDC | Jan 20, 2011

The killing of a 33-year-old D.C. man has stunned his Northwest neighborhood. D.C. Police say Billy Mitchell was shot and killed as he walked home after working late and attending the theatre.

Here's the press release from Metro PD:

January 20, 2011

Homicide at North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW.

On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at approximately 11:00 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW, for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Prior to their arrival a First District Unit was flagged down by a citizen and advised of a shooting victim on the corner of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, NW. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 33-year-old William Mitchell of Northwest, DC.

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).

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.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.