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By
Ivanna Ceballos
- October 31, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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stabbing
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a murder defendant’s request to suppress specific parts of an interrogation on constitutional grounds during a hearing on Oct. 29.
Warren Tyson, 53, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon, and enticing a child for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Michael Johnson, 21, on Oct. 22, 2021, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
According to court documents, the stabbing followed an altercation about Tyson’s allegedly sending inappropriate material to a minor.
According to case records, Johnson sustained two stab wounds to the abdomen and cuts to his left arm, ultimately succumbing to his injuries.
During the hearing, a homicide detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified regarding his interview with Tyson. He testified that the interrogation was consensual, and the defendant was forthcoming.
Defense attorney Julie Swaney argued that the interrogation violated the defendant’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In the interrogation footage, the defendant said he did not want to discuss text messages, in spite of the detective’s repeated inquiries.
Judge Demeo noted that Tyson selectively invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during questioning, often refusing to discuss the text messages. She affirmed that Tyson appeared mentally capable of understanding his rights, was responsive throughout the interview, and ruled to suppress parts of the interrogation transcript.
Information on a phone SIM card containing potential evidence has reportedly been missing since Oct. 25–another issue for the defense.
Judge Demeo granted the defense’s request for a jury instruction defining “beyond a reasonable doubt” and set additional instructions on provocation for further consideration pending review of the suppressed texts. Both parties agreed to comb through interview transcripts to clarify the extent of suppressed text messages.
The next hearing is set for Nov. 8.