Michael Gayle | Homicide Watch DC

Prosecutor: 9-year-old Saw Mother Choked, Stabbed

Imari Williams — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 17:25:52 -0400

A judge found probable cause Friday in the case against Michael Gayle for the stabbing death of Eboni Domally on June 29.

Police found Domally, 31, with multiple stab wounds to her back and stomach in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place Southeast.

Domally's nine-year-old son watched Gayle as he choked his mother and stabbed her over and over again, Assistant U.S. Attorney Magdalena Acevedo told the court.

According to both police and the son, this wasn't the first physical encounter between Domally and Gayle.

"There was a history of domestic violence between Domally and Gayle," MPD officer Paris White testified. "Domally sent text to her family that if anything happened to her, Gayle would be responsible."

Defense attorney Sean Hanover argued that there was no weapon and no evidence found that could be tied to Gayle.

Charging documents say after Gayle's arrest in August, he told police he stabbed Domally in self-defense that night after she attacked him with a knife from the pocket of her nightgown.

Before her ruling, Judge Lynn Leibovitz said she believed the evidence in the case to be "extraordinarily high" and "convincing."

"Gayle violated a stay-away order that was issued previously, involving the victim in this case, when he entered Domally's home," Leibovitz said. "He also admitted that he disarmed Domally and stabbed her, which would eliminate self-defense." The judge added: "I find you extremely dangerous and a risk of flight."

Gayle is scheduled for a felony status conference Dec. 10 at 9:30 before Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Witness: Michael Gayle "Stabbed My Mom" and Choked Her

Megan Arellano — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:06:28 -0400

The night that 31-year-old Eboni Domally was stabbed to death, her screams woke up the house. In the basement, Michael Gayle was on top of Domally, choking her with both hands, charging documents say.

It wasn't the first time Gayle choked Domally, a witness told police. Later that night, the witness also saw Gayle stabbing Domally in the back and stomach with a knife.

That's according to court documents charging Gayle with second-degree murder. Judge Karen Howze ruled Friday that there was enough evidence to hold him on the charge; he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 9.

Charging documents say that the witness told police that Gayle "stabbed my mom" and choked her. WJLA has reported that Domally had two sons, aged 3 and 9.

After seeing Gayle choking Domally, the witness said he went back upstairs to the mother's bedroom, documents say. Shortly after, the witness heard Domally screaming again.

Documents say when the witness went back down stairs, he saw Gayle stabbing Domally. According to the witness, Domally told him to go to a neighbor's house and call 911 and for an ambulance.

The witness told police he could "see and hear" his mother gasping for air.

After his arrest in August, Gayle told police that he argued with Domally that night and that she attacked him with a knife from the pocket of her nightgown. After he disarmed Domally, Gayle said he "snapped," and stabbed Domally, but denied strangling her.

The witness told police that Gayle is his stepfather and that he has known Gayle since he was very young. Prosecutors asked for a "no contact" order for a 9-year-old child on Friday.

Gayle said he ran from the scene after the stabbing, threw away his bloody shirt, and bought a hat. Over the next month, Gayle said he lived in the woods of Langley Park, Maryland, where he "had a gun and planned to have a shootout with the police if they were to approach him," documents say.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies argued there was not probable cause to hold Gayle, because Gayle told police he was acting in self-defense to disarm Domally.

Charging documents are below.

Michael Gayle Brought to DC on Murder Charge

Chris Amico — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:10:26 -0400

Michael Gayle, who was arrested in North Carolina in July, has been brought to D.C. where he will face a murder charge for the death of Eboni Domally.

Domally was found stabbed to death in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place Southeast on June 29. Police named Gayle as a suspect on July 2.

Local police arrested Gayle at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 22. He had been held there until Thursday. He is suspected of second-degree murder while armed.

MPD's full statement is below:

(Washington, DC) - Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place, SE.

On Sunday, June 29, 2014, at approximately 4:15 am, police officers from the Sixth District responded to a call for a report of a stabbing in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place, SE. Upon arrival, they located an adult female suffering from multiple stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on the scene and found no signs consistent with life. The decedent was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia where an autopsy was performed to ascertain the cause and manner of death.

The decedent was identified as 31 year-old Eboni Domally.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, members of the United States Marshall Service in North Carolina, in conjunction with the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested 33 year-old Michael Gayle. Mr. Gayle was charged with Murder II while Armed, pursuant to a DC Superior Court Arrest Warrant, in connection with the stabbing death of 31 year-old Eboni Domally.

On Thursday, August 14, 2014, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force transported and delivered Mr. Gayle to Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch.

Michael Gayle Arrested in NC for Eboni Donally Murder

Chris Amico — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 22:45:14 -0400

A man suspected of killing 31-year-old Eboni Domally was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to WCNC, a local NBC station.

Michael Gayle was arrested by U.S. marshals and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police at his home in Charlotte. He was booked into Mecklenburg County Jail, the station reported.

Domally was found stabbed to death in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place Southeast on June 29. Police announced they were looking for Gayle and named him as a suspect on July 2.

Police Name Suspect, Seek Public's Help in Eboni Domally Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 15:03:53 -0400

Police are seeking the public's help in finding a man suspected in the stabbing death of Eboni Domally.

MPD identified the suspect as Michael Gayle, a 5-foot, 9-inch tall black man with a medium complexion, weighing approximately 160 pounds. According to a press release, Gayle should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police have released a photo of Gayle, which can be seen above.

A press release is after the jump.

Suspect Wanted for Homicide: 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place, SE

(Washington, DC) – )- Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Michael Gayle who is currently wanted for the murder of Eboni Domally which occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2014, in the 5200 block of Queens Stroll Place, SE, at approximately 4:15 am.

Michael Gayle is described as a black male, medium complexion, 5’9” in height, and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

Members of the public should take no action, but contact police immediately if located. 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. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

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