During opening statements in the murder trial against Herbert Hayes, prosecutors alleged Hayes stabbed John Wesley Griffin four times “with precision,” ran away, then “boasted” about it on his cellphone to a friend and to his ex-wife.
Russell Hairston, Hayes’ defense attorney, called the government’s evidence “lacking” and told jurors that no witness will testify that Hayes harmed Griffin. “The government is asking you to take a leap of faith,” he said.
Read more
WJLA reports that Douglas Farley, a man who was set on fire in Southeast Washington last week, has died as a result of his injuries.
Read more
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. Read more
Prosecutors in the murder trial against Davon Holmes say that it’s not a case of “who done it. It’s a case of he did it.” But James Beane, Holmes’ defense attorney, argued that the government’s key witnesses had lied, and that the government’s theory is a “case of maybes and what ifs.”
Holmes is charged with the stabbing death of 24-year-old Marcellus Bailey. After closing arguments Tuesday, jurors in the case began weighing the evidence presented in four days of testimony.
Read more
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.
Read more
Roxy left this Comment of the Day in memory of 25-year-old Tywayne Thompson, who died last week after being shot in the 700 block of 12th Street Southeast.
I miss you so much brotha. You have no idea. Those music sessions when you would cut up on everyone and everything. Your personality was like no other. Unique in so many ways and a joy to be around Meeting someone like you is a blessing. You have def touched many lives. Rest in Paradise Big bro. Love u
In brief:
Tywayne Thompson was found shot Monday morning in the 700 block of 12th Street Southeast; he later died at the hospital. No arrests have been made in connection with his death.
A jury convicted Marvin Palencia of first-degree murder and related charges in connection with the shooting death of Jacobo Vazquez. Prosecutors argued at trial that the murder was planned after Palencia learned of an affair between his wife and Vazquez.
Alex Cater, one of the two suspects held in connection with the 2011 strangulation death of Leroy Studevant, pleaded guilty Wednesday. Court documents, though, are not clear as to what charge Cater pled guilty to, saying only that Cater and the government “enter into the following plea agreement pursuant to attached paperwork.”
Ricardo Mitchell was sentenced Friday to 26 years in prison in connection with the August 2011 shooting death of Wyatt Earp Robinson.
Daren Vaughn was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, armed robbery and related weapons offenses in connection with the stabbing death of Tyrell Swann. Vaughn pleaded innocent to all charges and a trial date is scheduled for March 2014.
Witness testimony began in the murder case against Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu. The men are believed by prosecutors to be part of a group called “21st and Vietnam,” and are alleged to have killed Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.
A judge found substantial probability Thursday that co-defendants Floyd Neal, Lafeyette Robinson and DeAndre Shaheed each participated in the shooting death of 31-year-old Akinwole Olu Williams.
Witness testimony began in the murder trial against Davon Holmes, who is charged with the stabbing death of 24-year-old Marcellus Bailey.
Michael Marshall was arraigned Friday on charges of first-degree murder, obstructing justice and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Antonio Mervin Headspeth. Marshall pleaded innocent to all charges.
Washington’s Other Monuments has published more photographs of street shrines dedicated to some of this year’s homicide victims.
Lloyd Wolf, the photographer who took these pictures, said that this memorial for 33-year-old Rodney Ellis Gardner was built during a candlelight vigil. It rained gently that day, he said. Gardner was gunned down in the 1600 block of 21st Place Southeast June 5.
Each week, Homicide Watch brings you a list of upcoming hearings in the cases we follow. All hearings are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted. To add an item to the listing, email homicidewatchdc [at] gmail.com. To see scheduled court hearings beyond next week, see our calendar.
Read more
Michael Marshall was arraigned Friday on charges of first-degree murder, obstructing justice and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Antonio Mervin Headspeth. Marshall pleaded innocent to all charges.
Read more
