DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman presided over a May 30 hearing during which the prosecution tried to introduce a weapon as evidence that may connect a suspect to another killing hours later.
Randolph Thomas, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, and first-degree burglary while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Emmanuel Durant Jr. on Dec. 31, 2009 on the 200 block of Webster Street, NW. Thomas was arrested and charged in connection to the murder in October 2023.
According to the prosecution, DNA and ballistics evidence from the murder of Chardale Bowe on Dec. 31, 2009, to which Thomas pleaded guilty, could be used to tied to Durant’s shooting. Bowe was killed some 20 hours before Durant.
DNA test results, are said to show defendant’s right fingernail clipping had a likely blood match for the victim.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 19 to determine how expert testimony can properly be applied to this unusual case.
The trial is set May 26, 2026.
