Two Murder and Obstruction Defendants Found Guilty

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Both a murder defendant and an obstruction defendant were convicted of all charges by a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Marissa Demeo’s courtroom on Oct. 28.

Eugene Burns, 32, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the Nov. 14, 2015, fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020 on a technicality.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, were also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of justice for their alleged attempts to persuade a witness—Allen’s brother who is also Burns’ cousin—to redact testimony of an alleged confession to the murder made by Burns to the witness.

During closing arguments, the prosecution stated that Burns planned the murder of Osuchukwu, his best friend, because he felt he wasn’t getting his fair share of the money from their joint drug business.

They added that after his conviction in 2017, Burns conspired with Allen to coerce the primary witness, identified as Burns’ cousin and Allen’s brother, to change his testimony.

On Oct. 28 a jury found Burns and Allen guilty of all charges.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 31.