Counsel in a murder case determined that DNA evidence may be useless.
Terrance Barnes, 33, was arrested on April 30, 2019, in connection to the murder of Barry Holmes, 57, on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE on April 17, 2019. Barnes is being charged with first-degree murder while armed and also possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The defense stated that there was a problem with DNA evidence used in the case.
According to Pierce Suen, Barnes’ defense attorney, samples obtained from the defendant were contaminated with DNA samples from a separate case.
The prosecutor said he plans to obtain experts in order to determine if the original samples are completely tainted, or usable.
Barnes was released from jail on Feb. 14, 2020, into inpatient treatment with GPS monitoring and home confinement. Barnes was taken off home confinement on Nov. 17, 2020, and is under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the defense’s request to remove Barnes from HISP, saying the defense needs to file a motion for the request.
Judge Raffinan set a trial date for Jan. 30, 2024.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 5.
