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A Landover man has been charged with first-degree murder in the October death of a man who had been scheduled to testify in the murder trial of a well-known Mitchellville music producer.
Rashadd Alexis, 20, was arrested and charged Tuesday in the death of Bobby Ennels, 22, of Capitol Heights. Ennels was a witness in the death of Raymond Brown, who was shot and killed in October 2006 during an attempted car theft.
According to charging documents filed in Prince George's District Court, investigators used a DNA sample to link Alexis — who is the brother of the man charged with killing Brown — to Ennels' death. Alexis was arrested without incident at his home Tuesday afternoon and was also charged with two counts of first-degree assault, the use of a handgun in a violent crime and obstruction of justice.
Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton said in a statement, "I am extremely proud of my detectives for their relentless investigative efforts in this case … Those who commit horrific acts of witness intimidation in Prince George's County will be pursued, captured and brought to justice."
On Oct. 7, Ennels and another man, Anthony Cash III, 22, of Capitol Heights, were found shot in a car on a residential street near FedEx Field in Landover suffering from gunshot wounds, and both died shortly after, according to charging documents. A 16-year-old girl was also shot but survived.
Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D) said a hearing will be held Monday morning to determine whether or not a witness intimidation law will be used in Alexis' trial. The Maryland Rule of Evidence 5-804(b)(5) allows prosecutors to use the sworn testimony of witnesses that were made unavailable through intimidation, threatening or homicide.
Ivey said that the judge could find it appropriate to have Ennels' sworn testimony presented to the jury.
According to charging documents, the Prince George's County Police Department's Forensics Unit recovered several items from the crime scene, including a black nylon skull cap that on Monday was matched to Rashadd Alexis' DNA.
Less than two miles from where Ennels and Cash were found, and only 20 minutes after the shootings, Alexis was pulled over by police for speeding in Landover.
Police said they saw a small amount of blood on Alexis' shirt and torn jeans, according to charging documents. He told officers he had been involved in a fight on a basketball court and was allowed to go.
Prosecutors believe the deaths of Ennels and Cash are linked to their alleged role in the death of Brown, 36, who was killed around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 13, 2006, two blocks from his home in Lake Arbor, after he called 911 to report his car being stolen and followed the tow truck taking his car away. When Brown approached the tow truck driver, he was shot.
On Jan. 29, 2008, Rashadd Alexis' brother, Jamaal Alexis, 22, of Landover was charged with first-degree murder, the use of a handgun in commission of a felony, carjacking, armed carjacking, robbery, two counts of theft over $500, conspiracy to commit theft over $500 and first-degree assault.
Ennels was a suspected accomplice in Brown's death and was arrested and charged May 1, 2007, with first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to a theft charge of more than $500 and agreed to testify in Jamaal Alexis' trial in exchange for leniency.
Ross Hecht, Jamaal Alexis' attorney, did not return calls by press time. An attorney for Rashadd Alexis could not be located by press time.
E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.