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By
Allyson Nelles
- February 7, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Based on a scientific evaluation an expert testified that the fingerprints on evidence he analyzed “provided extremely strong support for identification” of both co-defendants in a shooting trial. The Feb. 5 proceeding is ongoing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.
Chantel Stewart, 33, and Daniel Cary, 30, are charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 22, 2020 on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE.
The victim suffered a collapsed lung. The victim previously testified she and Stewart “had an okay relationship.” The victim’s sister’s ex-boyfriend had previously dated Stewart.
The fingerprint analyst testified he was given nine pictures of latent, unknown, prints from the rearview mirror and a Gatorade bottle, eight of which were compared with Stewart’s and Cary’s known prints. Using his in-depth procedure of fingerprint analysis, he was able to likely match six prints to Stewart, one print to Cary, and one print was excluded to both individuals.
During cross examination, the specialist admitted that he was not present when the prints were collected, he cannot tell when the prints were deposited, and he can’t determine what a person was doing when they left the print.
The victim’s sister was also called to testify, and shared her perspective. She recalled an earlier fight between the victim and Stewart, in which she tried to intervene. The altercation only ended when the police arrived.
Later, the victim’s sister testified she overheard a heated phone conversation between the victim and Stewart, in which they agreed to meet up for another fight. She also emphasized that she had never seen her sister with a weapon.
A detective, who was a police officer in 2020, provided testimony regarding her role following the shooting. Bodyworn camera footage depicted the victim being pulled out of the car shortly after the officer’s arrival, placed on a stretcher, and transported into the hospital. She also noted that another one of the victim’s sisters, who was with her during the shooting, stated, “somebody shot her.”
An MPD officer explained that the shell casings found at the scene were identified as rifle shell casings, which likely matched the type of firearm used by the perpetrator.
Trial is set to resume Feb. 6.