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Special Report
Murder under the microscope
Despite a stunning drop in homicides in D.C., murder remains a stubborn crime to solve and prosecute.
Homicides in the nation’s capital Despite record drops in the number of murders and record closures in recent years, homicide in the District remains a tough crime to solve and prosecute. A Post review of nearly 2,300 slayings in the city between 2000 and 2011 found that less than a third have led to a conviction for murder or manslaughter.
The Meadowbrook Run apartment complex at 3520 Sixth St. SE in the District. Early on June 3, 2004, Donta Baylor, 29, was shot and killed on the steps of the building in the center of the picture. A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the slaying before prosecutors dismissed the charges because of insufficient evidence.
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
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The 2800 block of Good Hope Road SE. On March 27, 2009, Elwood Wallace, 52, was killed while working at his vending stand outside 2808 Good Hope Rd. A 54-year-old man was arrested the next day and charged with killing him. Prosecutors later dismissed the case and declined to comment.
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
Apartment buildings in the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue NE. On Jan. 28, 1992, 66-year-old Ellis Payne was stabbed to death at 1721 Trinidad Ave. NE, Apt. 2. The case remains unsolved.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
The Giant Food Store parking lot at 1050 Brentwood Road NE where on Dec. 31, 2004, Jade Hodge, 41, was found dead with gunshot wounds to the head. The case remains unsolved.
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
An apartment complex at 221 51st St. NE in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. On Nov. 13, 1997, Taffy Blackwell, 23, was fatally shot in the head and killed inside Apartment 31. The case remains unsolved.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
The 1200 block of Shepherd Street NW. On Sept. 18, 1999, Clara Carter, 84, was found dead inside her home, at 1209 Shepherd St. NW, with a white sheet tied around her neck and a plastic bag over her face. Her killing remains unsolved.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
The intersection at 50th and C streets SE. Queen Washington of Southeast lost her son, who was transgender, to a homicide on Aug. 12, 2002. Wilbur "Stephanie" Thomas was shot and killed along with his friend Deon "Ukea" Davis in a car at the stop sign. The slayings remain unsolved 10 years later.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
On June 3, 2004, Donta Baylor, 29, was shot and killed on the steps of the Meadowbrook Run apartment complex at 3520 Sixth St. SE in the District. A 23-year-old male was arrested in connection with the slaying. Prosecutors later dismissed the charges, citing insufficient evidence.
Family Photo
Nine-year-old Kayla sits at her brother’s grave with her mother, Constance Smith, at National Harmony Memorial Park in Hyattsville. Smith’s son Donta Baylor, 29, was shot and killed on the steps of the Meadowbrook Run apartment complex at 3520 Sixth St. SE in 2004.
Michel du Cille
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The Washington Post
Constance Smith touches the grave of her son, Donta Baylor, at National Harmony Memorial Park in Hyattsville.
Michel du Cille
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The Washington Post
Ellis Payne, the 66-year-old father of Anthony and John Payne, was killed inside his apartment, at 1721 Trinidad Ave. NE, on Jan. 28, 1992. The case remains unsolved.
Family photo
Brothers John, left, and Anthony Payne. Their 66-year-old father, Ellis Payne, was slain in 1992. The case remains unsolved. Anthony Payne said the investigation into his father’s death has gone nowhere. “I was trying to get them to follow up on leads that I had, but they wouldn’t do it,” he said. “They didn’t stay in touch. They didn’t follow up with me or any members of my family.”
Michel du Cille
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The Washington Post
Jade Hodge, 41, was killed on Dec. 31, 2004, in at a Giant Food Store shopping-center parking lot at 1050 Brentwood Rd. NE. His case remains unsolved.
From victim reward poster
Jade Foster stands in the Northeast D.C. shopping-center parking lot where her father, Jade Hodge, 41, was gunned down on New Year's Eve in 2004. His case remains unsolved. Foster said she does not understand why police have not found her father’s killer. At least two people witnessed it, Foster said. “I think they just don’t care,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
Clara Carter with her cousin Julian Slaughter. On Sept. 18, 1999, Clara Carter, 84, was found dead inside her home at 1209 Shepherd St. NW with a white sheet tied around her neck and a plastic bag over her face. Her slaying remains unsolved.
Family photo
In 1997, Taffy Blackwell, 23, was shot in the head and killed inside her apartment at a D.C. public-housing complex at 221 51st St. NE in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. The case remains unsolved.
Family photo
Queen Washington stands near 50th and C streets SE, where her son, Wilbur "Stephanie" Thomas, who was transgender, was killed. On Aug. 12, 2002, Thomas, 19, was shot and killed in Southeast, along with his friend Deon "Ukea" Davis, 18, in a car stopped at a stop sign. The killings are unsolved nearly 10 years later.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
Queen Washington at her home in the District.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
Michelle Davis, mother of Deon "Ukea" Davis, at her home in Alexandria. Her 18-year-old son, a transgender male, was shot to death on 2002 along with his 19-year-old transgender friend Wilbur "Stephanie" Thomas near 50th and C streets.
Michel du Cille
/
The Washington Post
A reward sign posted by Queen Washington at 50th and C streets SE.
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
Deon "Ukea" Davis, 18, left, and Wilbur "Stephanie" Thomas, 19, were best friends. On Aug. 12, 2002, they were shot to death while seated in a car near 50th and C streets SE. The case remains unsolved.
Family photo
Deon "Ukea" Davis, 18, on a beach outing.
Family photo
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Section:/investigations
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