In the early morning hours of October 16, 2015, a dispute in the 200 block of K Street NW in Washington, D.C., turned fatal, claiming the life of 24-year-old Joel David Midgett. The altercation, which also resulted in the stabbing of another individual who survived, escalated into a brawl involving several people. Midgett was found fatally stabbed at approximately 1:10 a.m.
His death marked another tragic chapter for a family that had previously lost Joel's father and uncle to violence in the city.
For four years, the case remained without a resolution, a source of ongoing pain for Midgett's grandparents who had raised him and were actively seeking answers from law enforcement. Then, in November 2019, a significant breakthrough occurred. The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of 28-year-old Olivia Cartwright-Cole in connection with Midgett's death. Also known as Tristian Melvin Cole, she was charged with second-degree murder while armed.
An arrest affidavit revealed that Cartwright-Cole and Midgett were acquainted. The conflict reportedly began over items she believed had been stolen from her apartment. According to the affidavit, the suspect informed police that she did not intend to stab Midgett. Following her arrest, the legal proceedings against Cartwright-Cole began. During a court hearing, a judge found probable cause that she was responsible for Midgett's death, based on the testimony of a witness who was able to identify her.
