Murder Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Evidence

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In a June 28 hearing, murder defendant Marvin Lopez waived his right to have DNA evidence in his case independently tested.

Lopez, 43, is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the death of Evelyn Arroyo. Arroyo, 27, was shot and killed on Dec. 24, 2014 on the 3900 block of 14th Street, NW.

According to court documents, shortly after the incident, Lopez fled the country, leaving his passport and belongings behind. He was indicted by a grand jury in 2016 in order to begin the years-long extradition process.

Lopez was finally extradited from El Salvador and brought back to the United States in March, where he is being held in the DC jail.

Prosecutors presented physical evidence collected by investigators from three separate locations, including the crime scene, a hospital and the defendant’s home. They also tested blood swabs from the crime scene for DNA evidence. The blood was confirmed to be Arroyo’s, and therefore did not implicate Lopez.

Only physical items were collected as evidence from the hospital and the Lopez’s home, such as the victim’s clothes and the defendant’s passport.

Lopez, upon questioning from DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe, waived his right to have all evidence independently tested for DNA. This is a permanent decision, regardless of the outcome of his case.

Parties are expected to return on July 19.