Thirty-year-old Ramona Gray pleaded guilty today in D.C. Superior Court to killing a woman whom she believed was in a relationship with the father of her children.
“I think about what I did every day,” Gray said after entering her plea. “I think about her and her son.”
Shemese Grant, 31, was killed Aug. 31 in a parking lot in the 1700 block of Good Hope Road in Southeast D.C. An autopsy on Grant revealed 18 stab wounds to her neck, torso and extremities, according to the government’s proffer of evidence Friday. Witnesses described the murder weapon as a long knife, with a blade of at least 7 inches.
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MyFoxDC has more details on the Truxton Circle shooting that killed 33-year-old Billy Mitchell late Wednesday night/ early Thursday morning.
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:
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Bill Mitchell wrote in to Bloomingdale today saying that the victim of last night’s homicide in Truxton Circle is his son, Billy.
My son Billy was shot and killed last night at about 11:00 to 11:30 PM at North Capitol and Florida. I don`t have many details. Please put out a notice on the Bloomingdale list serve and ask for information from any witnesses — who can contact MPD Homicide Detective Milton Norris at 202 - 497 - 4734 (cell).
Homicide Watch D.C. tried to contact Mr. Mitchell but could not find a listed phone number.
Update 5 p.m.: Homicide Watch has a call in to Mr. Mitchell.
This just in from Metro PD:
On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 2311 hours, units from the Fifth District were dispatched to the intersection of North Capitol St and Florida Ave to investigate a report of the sound of gunshots. Prior to their arrival, a unit from the First District was flagged down by a citizen and advised of a shooting victim on the Northwest corner of the intersection of North Capitol St. and Florida Ave. NW . DCFEMS responded to the scene and transported the victim (an adult male) to an area hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. The victim later died as a result of the injuries. Violent Crime Branch detectives are investigating the case and ask if anyone has information please contact MPD immediately 202-727-9099.
A man who was shot late Wednesday night in D.C.’s Truxton Circle neighborhood has died of his injuries, TBD reports.
According to the Washington Post, the man was shot in the chest at a park at Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street.
The man was found by D.C. police responding to reports of gunshots at about 11:10 p.m.
Metro Police confirmed this morning that the man died at 12:21 a.m.
A suspect lookout was issued for “a black male, about 5’6” tall, wearing dark clothing… riding a bike.”
We’ll update as we learn more.
Two murder cases were postponed last week.
Ramona Gray, whose felony status conference for a first degree murder case on Jan. 14 was postponed, is now scheduled to appear Friday in courtroom 320 (Judge Gerald Fisher) for a felony status conference. The case is pending grand jury indictment. The victim, Shemese Grant, was stabbed to death on Aug 31, 2010 in the 1700 block of Good Hope Road in Southeast D.C. Gray is represented by attorney Premal Dharia. The conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
The preliminary hearing in the first degree murder case against Brandon Miller, suspected in the shooting death of Jamal Coates on Sep. 28, 2010 in the 1900 block of 13th Street in Nothwest D.C., was also postponed. That preliminary hearing is now scheduled for March 11, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 319 (Judge Thomas Motley). Miller is represented by attorney Anthony Matthews.
My Fox D.C. reports today that the U.S. Attorney’s office has launched a new effort to examine “cold” homicide cases, assigning three veteran prosecutors to the effort.
U.S. Attorney Ron Machen says he’s formed the unit in part to send a message to the community these cases have not been forgotten. With new resources and a low homicide rate, Machen says it’s a perfect time to re-examine the hundreds of unsolved murders in the city.
Prosecutors Deborah Sines and Amanda Haines will work with DC Police Detectives. Prosecutor Michael Ambrosino will work on ballistics, fingerprints and DNA evidence in the cases.
Metro PD maintains a listing of unsolved homicides on its website.
Washington Post reporter Annys Shin spent some time with me last week, trying to understand what Homicide Watch is trying to do. Her report (and one from Who Murdered Robert Wone) follows. Thanks Annys for being interested in our efforts!
Washington Post | Jan 18, 2011
Amico, 29, a former police reporter from Santa Rosa, Calif., has quietly carved out a role for herself as the District’s most comprehensive chronicler of the unlawful taking of human life. Since October, she has documented her efforts on a blog called Homicide Watch D.C. Her mission sounds simple: “Mark every death. Remember every victim. Follow every case.”
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Shawn Davis, the man arrested last week in connection with the stabbing death of 41-year-old Georgeotown University Hospital employee Tawana Barnes Copeland, is believed to be victim’s ex-boyfriend and may have arranged the crime scene in Copeland’s home to look like a burglary, charging documents in the case allege.
Davis, also known as Shawn Jones, was presented with first-degree murder charges Thursday, Jan. 13. The 36-year-old is currently in custody at D.C. Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case for Jan. 24, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 320 (Judge Gerald Fisher).
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Following are scheduled court appearances for murder cases. This information is current as of Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and will be re-verified throughout the week. Please remember that court dates can change, even at the last minute. To view the docket of a case please go to the D.C. Courts website and search by the defendant’s name. To add an item to the calendar, email homicidewatchdc [at] gmail.com.
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