Local
Sexual assault may be dropped in Wone murder case
The lead prosecutor in the Robert Wone murder case startled courtroom spectators last
The lead prosecutor in the Robert Wone murder case startled courtroom spectators last week when he said the government would likely drop its theory that Wone was immobilized by a paralytic drug and sexually assaulted before being stabbed to death in the Dupont Circle home of three gay men.
The disclosure by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner at a D.C. Superior Court hearing March 12 drew visible sighs of relief from defendants Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward. Price gave a thumbs-up signal to his attorney, Bernard Grimm.
“This appears to be a major victory for the defense,” said D.C. attorney Dale Sanders, who practices criminal law in the District.
Sanders said that by withdrawing its earlier contention that Wone was sexually assaulted and drugged, prosecutors would make it easier for the defense to promote their own contention that an unidentified intruder killed Wone after entering the home of the three gay men through a rear door.
The men have been indicted on charges of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and evidence tampering in connection with the August 2006 murder. Authorities have yet to charge anyone with the murder itself. The trial is scheduled to begin May 10.
Kirschner told D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz that prosecutors were still considering introducing other evidence at trial considered highly controversial: a collection of S&M sex toys seized by police from Ward’s bedroom, which prosecutors have said was located across the hall from where Wone was found stabbed in a second-floor guest bedroom.
Wone, a prominent Washington attorney, was friends with the three men and spending the night at their home after working late in his downtown office, the men and members of Wone’s family have said. Wone was married to a woman, and his family members said he was straight.
Leibovitz said she had yet to see sufficient evidence presented by prosecutors to justify the introduction of the “devices” at trial. She noted that defense attorneys presented arguments as to why such evidence was not relevant to the case and how it would be prejudicial to the jury.
She directed prosecutors to file a motion before April 2 explaining their rationale for introducing such evidence and said she would rule on its admissibility at that time.
Leibovitz denied a motion by the defense asking the court to order prosecutors to release more details surrounding their evidence and theories in the case, saying the government has complied with all “discovery” requirements for informing the defense of its evidence.
Last week’s hearing followed a court motion filed by prosecutors in February seeking permission to introduce evidence at trial that Price, Zaborsky and Ward engaged in possible criminal conduct not identified in the charges pending against them. Some of the alleged conduct cited in the court filing pertained to the use of S&M-related restraining devices as well as devices used to administer electrical shocks to a person’s genitals.
“Are you planning to tell the jury that he was sexually assaulted, restrained,” that sex toys were used on him and he was injected with something? Leibovitz asked Kirschner.
“We’re moving away from the sexual assault proof,” Kirschner replied. But he said prosecutors still planned to offer some evidence that “restraints” were found in Ward’s bedroom.
In response to another assertion made by prosecutors in their February court filing — that “the killer is someone known to and being protected” by Price, Zaborsky and Ward — Leibovitz asked Kirschner, ” Do you plan to say one or all of these men killed Wone?”
“Not directly,” Kirschner replied.
He said prosecutors also plan to present evidence from the autopsy of needle marks on Wone’s body, including marks he noted the government’s medical experts would show were not made by emergency medical technicians who arrived at the scene and tried to revive Wone.
Kirschner disclosed at the hearing that he had submitted a letter to the defense earlier in the day, which he also filed with the court, saying that the government obtained new information from medical experts that appeared to raise doubts over whether Wone had been sexually assaulted or immobilized by a paralytic drug.
Authorities first raised that theory in a lengthy criminal complaint filed at the time police brought criminal charges against the three men for obstruction of justice and evidence tampering.
The complaint cited an autopsy finding showing that Wone suffered three surgical-like, clean stab wounds in the chest and abdomen that could only have occurred if he were lying completely still. The complaint, and subsequent arguments by prosecutors, claimed that a person being stabbed would be expected to recoil in pain or move in a defensive way, causing the wounds to be jagged or distorted.
Prosecutors said a paralytic drug must have been administered to Wone to render him immobile, but they acknowledged that the autopsy and subsequent chemical tests could not find traces of such a drug in Wone’s body. They argued that the type of anesthesia-like drug in question usually dissipates quickly and cannot be detected in tests.
But defense attorneys say in their own court filings that they would present expert witnesses to show that such drugs are detectable in tests, and the government’s inability to detect such a drug shows it was never administered.
According to prosecutors, the sexual assault theory was based on another finding in the autopsy that traces of Wone’s semen were found inside his rectum. The defense later argued that its own experts would show that the semen had no sperm cells, indicating it was secreted naturally by the body after Wone died, as muscles relax during the post mortem processes.
Sanders said that although the apparent decision by prosecutors to put aside their earlier sexual assault and paralytic drug theory is a blow to the prosecutors’ case, other evidence obtained against the three men remains significant and strong.
He noted, among other things, that investigators found traces of blood in the lint trap of the men’s clothes dryer and in a drain outside the house; findings by evidence technicians that someone cleaned the crime scene by attempting to wipe blood spattered near the body; and that the bloody kitchen knife that the men said they found near Wone’s body bore fibers from a towel, indicating to evidence experts that Wone’s blood was wiped onto knife blade by someone, with another knife likely used to kill Wone.
Authorities also have said Wone appeared to have been dead a significant period of time before Zaborsky called 911 to report a stabbing; and rescue workers reported finding very little blood on Wone’s chest and body, indicating that someone cleaned the body before police and rescue workers were called, according to the police affidavit.
“They won this battle, but the war doesn’t look good for them,” Sanders said. “You can’t lose track of the big picture, which doesn’t look good for these guys.”
District of Columbia
JR.’s hosts meet & greet for mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George
Event organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, Queers for Janeese
D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George spoke to a crowd of LGBTQ supporters on June 1 at a meet & greet event held at JR.’s on 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
The event, organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed Lewis George for mayor, with support from a group called Queers for Janeese, was followed by a “get out the vote” canvassing endeavor in which several of those attending the meet & greet visited the homes of nearby residents known to be Lewis George supporters.
The purpose of the canvassing was to remind Lewis George supporters to return their mail-in ballots or go to the polls on June 16 to elect Lewis George as the city’s next mayor, according to Matthew Kavanagh, one of the leaders of Queers for Janeese who attended the meet & greet event at JR.’s.
Local political observers consider Lewis George, a Ward 4 D.C. Council member, and former At-Large D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie, to be the two leading candidates in this year’s race for mayor. The two are among seven mayoral candidates competing in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary.
Lewis George told those attending the meet & greet, which was held on the JR.’s outdoor patio, that she has a long record of advocating for and initiating city polices and laws in support of the LGBTQ community. She said large corporate donors were backing her opponents and urged her LGBTQ supporters to help raise funds for her in the remaining days of the campaign.
Among those attending the meet & greet was gay longtime Dupont Circle civic activist Randy Downs who last November opened a nearby eatery called Protest Pizza. “I am queer and I am a Janeese supporter,” Downs told the Blade.
Stevie McCarty, president of Capital Stonewall Democrats, who also spoke at the meet & greet event, said his group would organize events in support of Lewis George in the remaining days of the campaign. Among them, he said, was an LGBTQ bar crawl in which supporters of Lewis George, including the candidate herself, would visit LGBTQ bars to promote her candidacy.
Virginians for Marriage Equality on Monday launched a campaign in support of repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman, former state Sen. Adam Ebbin, former state Del. Mark Sickles, and American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer are among those who spoke at the launch that took place in Richmond. State Del. Kirk McPike (D-Alexandria), who co-chairs the campaign, also participated.
“This amendment is about making clear that the government has no business deciding which marriages or which families are worthy of recognition,” said Bauer. “The ACLU of Virginia has been fighting for Virginians’ right to marry who they love since the landmark case, Loving v. Virginia, which struck down the ban on interracial marriage. Now we are proud to carry that legacy forward by standing with our coalition partners in the fight to pass this amendment and finally enshrine the right to marriage equality in the commonwealth’s constitution.”
Voters in 2006 approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is a Republican, in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
Two successive legislatures must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it can go to the ballot.
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger in February signed a bill that finalized the referendum’s language.
The referendum will take place on Nov. 3.
Rehoboth Beach
CAMP Rehoboth’s new director shares plans for busy summer
Dr. Robin Brennan on joyful approach to leadership role
Dr. Robin Brennan, CAMP Rehoboth’s new executive director, has been getting adjusted to her role and connecting with the Rehoboth community.
In March of this year, Brennan took on the role of executive director of CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center in Delaware working to Create A More Positive (CAMP) environment, following the retirement of Kim Leisey.
When asked about her first few months with CAMP, Brennan said that she’s “in the listening and learning phase.”
“The first few months have been overwhelmingly beautiful, with such warm wishes from so many really diverse groups,” said Brennan.
“The more time that I’ve been at CAMP, it’s almost like I have more questions and more admiration for the solid foundation that it has,” said Brennan. She explained that she is taking her time to listen and connect with the Rehoboth community during these crucial first months.
She spoke to the stressful nature of this work, saying, “This work takes a lot of resiliency, especially being in a front-facing position as executive director of an organization. There’s so much pressure on this to be successful.”
Brennan is no stranger to high-pressure work environments, having worked in the public health field during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brennan earned a doctorate in public health from Drexel University and has spent nearly two decades working in higher education, which she says greatly influences her approach to her work.
“I am always giving back to and mentoring students, that’s always been a part of who I am,” said Brennan. She said that the adaptability and flexibility she practiced during her time as a professor influences her work, noting, “I think that to be flexible is a key to success.”
Aside from her tenure in academia, Brennan has worked for nonprofits, including with organizations such as Redeemer Health and Nemours Children’s Health.
Leslie Ledogar, president of CAMP’s board of directors, said that Brennan’s joyful approach to this work made her stand out in the search for a new executive director.
“I think that I’ve always naturally been positive and joyful because if I don’t, I will burn out,” said Brennan.
For Brennan, honoring CAMP’s legacy remains a top priority in her role at CAMP. “For me, legacy is so critical, so I want to honor the legacy that this foundation was built on.”
When asked about DEI funding cuts by the Trump administration, Brennan shared how she is navigating an administration that is targeting organizations like CAMP.
“This administration doesn’t open doors for opportunities. As a nimble nonprofit organization, we have always had to be creative,” said Brennan.
She said that she “would never want CAMP Rehoboth to rely on federal dollars, regardless of what type of political administration we’re in. I think relying on any kind of dollars or funding is problematic.”
“We need to stay creative and innovative, not chase money, and also our ears need to be listening to what our community needs,” said Brennan.
As younger members of the LGBTQ+ community grow disheartened by the growing attacks on queer rights, Brennan shared her thought process behind helping younger members of the community.
“I think my number one thing is to listen to them, to ensure that they know their voice is valuable. That’s the most important thing before giving advice is to listen to their concerns, their needs, their fears, their struggles,” said Brennan.
“They may not be your struggles, but ultimately, as a human being, they’re all of our struggles.”
Brennan brought up PRISM, CAMP’s social group for young LGBTQ+ adults to gather in community and experience new activities with likeminded young adults. This group offers a safe space where members can form connections with one another to build a sense of belonging.
Throughout the interview, Brennan reiterated her admiration for CAMP and the community it has brought to Rehoboth for decades.
“There is no place like CAMP Rehoboth, and what it has done for Rehoboth or what it has done for countless individuals who see it as an escape and a place of freedom, visibility, belonging, and hope,” said Brennan.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brennan said that she first visited Rehoboth in 1996 as a young gay person. “I felt at home. I could breathe,” said Brennan. She said that she has been a frequent visitor ever since and bought a house in town three years ago.
Brennan shared how happy she is to have her teenage daughter growing up with Rehoboth in her life. She said that her ideal day in Rehoboth involves going to the beach, trying new food, and enjoying time with her friends and family that live in the area.
As the summer season commences, Brennan shared that there is a plethora of upcoming events for members of the community to attend and enjoy.
Brennan highlighted the CAMP Women’s Golfing League, which is getting started on June 4 with tickets on sale now for CAMP Rehoboth members.
The CAMP Rehoboth Chorus is singing to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. on June 19 with tickets on sale now.
This year also marks the 35th anniversary of CAMP, which will be celebrated with Pride in the Courtyard on June 26.
Brennan was excited to promote CAMP’s new partnership with Beebe Healthcare starting this summer. The partnership is designed to expand access to patient-centered health services in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
“Relying on this partnership will be critical to the success of the health of our community,” said Brennan.
Brennan also talked about SUNFESTIVAL, which will be held during Labor Day weekend and will feature David Archuleta as the headliner.
Lastly, Brennan highlighted CAMP’s annual Block Party, which is held each October. “We shut down several streets, we have 100 vendors, and it’s a beautiful way for the whole community to come together to wrap up the summer,” said Brennan.
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