Officer Misidentifies Defendant During Trial

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A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer confused one defendant with another during a murder trial Sept. 26 as two more witnesses took the stand before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and for carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the death of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on Nov. 14, 2025, on the 2900 block of Second Street SE.

Burns was originally convicted of these charges in 2017, but the decision was later overturned in 2020 by the DC Court of Appeals after ruling evidence in the case was obtained through an overly broad search warrant.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are now being charged with obstruction of justice for their alleged attempt to persuade and intimidate a witness to recant testimony against Burns in the original murder trial.

On Thursday, the officer, who was the first to arrive at the scene, who was asked who in the courtroom she recognized from the scene, incorrectly identified Allen as Burns, who was also present at the proceeding.

Allen appeared shocked and confused. He quickly beginning to whisper with his attorney. The prosecution noted the court record would have to reflect the misidentification.

During the hearing, a firearms expert also testified, stating that the evidence on the ballistics evidence collected were inconclusive. The witness said he was able to determine the manufacturer of the firearm used but, whether or not the exact same gun was used was still uncertain.

Trial is set to resume on Sept. 30.