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By
Laura Berol
- December 16, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Defense attorneys representing Deandre Sams and Raymond Mathis told DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Dec. 13 they intend to conduct independent testing of DNA evidence, some of which has already been screened by the prosecution.
Sams, 28, and Mathis, 38, along with their 23-year-old co-defendant Keshawn Lavender, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with attempt to kill while armed, attempted robbery while armed, conspiracy while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Matthew Miller during an attempted robbery on Sept. 6, 2023, on the 200 block of M Street, SW. Two other individuals were injured during the incident.
The prosecutor told the court they possess extensive DNA evidence collected from the scene of the incident and from the defendants’ and victim’s clothing. The prosecution tested DNA recovered from four pistols and their magazines and found it had a high probability of matching the defendants’ DNA. They tested DNA from blood stains at the scene of the incident and found it had a high probability of matching the defendants’ and the victim’s DNA.
Jessica Willis, the attorney for Sams, and Carrie Weletz, the attorney for Mathis, said they’re still looking for a lab to do the testing they want to perform.
Kevin Irving, the attorney for Lavender, said his client isn’t planning to conduct DNA testing at this time.
Judge Epstein set a deadline of Jan. 10, 2025, for the defense to submit a proposed lab order for DNA testing.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2025.