CRIME & JUSTICE

MARYLAND

Fatal Shootings A man was found fatally shot in the Capitol Heights area of Prince George's County early yesterday, police said.

Police said they arrived in the 6900 block of Walker Mill Road about 2 a.m. and found Nathan Baxter Benson, 18, of the 7100 block of Silverton Court in District Heights. They said they have no suspects or motive for the shooting.

Additionally, police have identified a man fatally shot Monday in the Hillcrest Heights area as Rayshaard Demond Dicks of the 10600 block of Thrift Road in Clinton. He was found in the 3200 block of Branch Avenue.

THE DISTRICT

Tavern Slayings Trial The trial of the lone remaining defendant charged in the 2003 triple homicide at Colonel Brooks' Tavern began yesterday in D.C. Superior Court.

Rodman J. Durham, 30, is charged with murder in the April 6, 2003, deaths of three employees of the restaurant near Catholic University in the Brookland neighborhood.

Rodney Barnes, 47; Joshua Greenberg, 34; and Neomi Payne, 48, were killed after Payne recognized one of the robbers during an early-morning break-in. That suspect, former employee David A. Wright, the apparent ringleader, killed himself in January 2004 as police closed in on him near Richmond. Three other suspects, including Durham, were arrested in the days before Wright killed himself.

Joel A. Smith, 22, and Tyree S. Bunn, 28, pleaded guilty last year guilty to second-degree murder and are to be sentenced next month by Judge Robert I. Richter.

NW Shooting A Northwest Washington man was shot yesterday in the basement of his home in American University Park, police said.

The man, 36, was hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot several times during an argument, said Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham. The victim's name was not released because he is considered a witness. The gunman, who police believe is the victim's cousin, escaped. Late yesterday, police charged Lewis O. Waters, 24, with assault with intent to kill. His address was not known.

Janine Prader, a neighbor of the man who was shot, said she heard a loud pounding on her door in the 4600 block of Van Ness Street about 9:30 a.m. When she looked out her window, she said, she saw a white pillar of her home covered in blood and heard the victim asking her to call 911. Prader said the man's face was so badly swollen from a gunshot that she didn't recognize him.

VIRGINIA

Suspect Charged A Woodbridge man was arrested late Tuesday and charged with breaking into a house and beating and abducting a 23-year-old woman, Prince William County police said yesterday.

Kelvin J. Mason, 27, of the 15100 block of Wentwood Lane, was charged with burglary with felony intent, abduction, assault and battery and destruction of property, police said.

Police said Mason went to a residence in the 14900 block of Enterprise Lane on May 3 where a female acquaintance was staying and broke in after she refused to let him inside.

Police said he attacked the woman and forced her outside and into her car. The woman, who fought back and escaped, suffered minor injuries.

Compiled from reports by staff writers.