Prosecution Calls Defendant’s Testimony, ‘Just Unbelievable,’ in Sex Worker Shooting

By Tyler Davis - September 24, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

The defense and prosecution gave closing statements in the shooting of a transgender sex worker before a jury in DC Superior Judge Errol Arthur’s court on Sept. 23. 

Jerry Tyree, 46, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of liquid PCP and attempted unlawful possession of liquid PCP for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on the 5900 block of Foote Street, NE on Nov. 29, 2023. A transgender woman sustained injuries to her groin and genitals as a result of the incident resulting from a sex transaction that turned into a shooting.

During the prosecution’s closing statement, the prosecutor brought up multiple reasons why the defendant’s testimony was “just unbelievable,” including that it only came after he had seen all the evidence against him, that it didn’t match testimony from the victim, as well as a witness and video surveillance footage. 

The prosecution also mentioned that tool marks found on a bullet, which was recovered from the victim, were very likely like the patterns found on test shots made from the gun the defendant was allegedly carrying at the time of his arrest. 

During the defense’s closing statements, Sara Kopecki, Tyree’s attorney, countered that there is “no doubt about it” when it comes to inconsistencies in the defendant’s testimony, saying the fact that his testimony diverges from surveillance video footage speaks to his credibility as a witness. 

Kopecki said the gun more likely to belonged to the victim, due to the dangers of her being a sex worker. Kopecki also said that the victim’s story about where the gun came from did not add up. She questioned why the victim would say the gun came from the defendant’s back pocket even though he had a backpack and jacket with him at the time of the incident. 

There are multiple reasons why the gun didn’t belonged to the victim, the prosecutor rebutted.

“Forgive her for not knowing which pocket the gun that shot her came out of,” the prosecution said regarding the victim’s inconsistent statements about the location of the gun.

The trial is slated to reconvene Sept. 24.