Homicide Defendant Asserts Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on June 6, a homicide defendant asserted his right to independently test DNA evidence recovered from a crime scene.

Kevin Singletary, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Delonte Hazel on Sept. 10, 2021 on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of gunshots. Hazel was found by officers on the ground of a parking lot near a vehicle, wearing a ballistic vest and bearing a handgun in his waistband. He sustained ten gunshot wounds, including nine to his head and neck.

At the hearing, the prosecution stated that out of the ten cartridge casings recovered from the crime scene, they tested four of the casings for DNA results and provided the results to the defense. However, the results were not disclosed in court.

The prosecution also added that they do not intend to test other evidence.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern stated his client would like test one cartridge casing that the prosecution tested and a surgical mask.

Parties are scheduled to return on Oct. 4.