DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause and denied release for a defendant accused of aiding and abetting in a fatal nightclub shooting during a hearing punctuated by grief and anger on June 13.
Cotey Wynn, 44, is charged with aiding and abetting in relation to first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on Sept. 23, 2023, at the former CRU Lounge on the 1300 block of H Street, NE. The incident resulted in the death of 33-year-old former Morgan State University basketball star Blake Bozeman and the injury of three other victims.
Judge Brandt began the hearing by walking through minute-by-minute breakdown of video footage captured by the club the night of the shooting. Based on the footage, the judge said it can be inferred that Wynn and the shooter had some sort of relationship.
Although the shooter and Wynn arrived in separate vehicles, the prosecutor said the pair could be seen interacting multiple times throughout the night, whispering to each other and even returning to the black SUV that Wynn drove to the lounge about halfway through the evening. It is alleged that this is when the two armed themselves before re-entering the club.
The second time the men entered CRU Lounge, they appeared to bypass security more quickly than they had earlier in the night, according to Judge Brandt. The judge said this suggested they may have skipped the security check upon reentry.
Although Wynn is never seen firing a weapon, he is said to observe sitting calmly at the bar as chaos unfolds around him. After the shooting, the gunman allegedly gestured toward Wynn, who remained seated, Judge Brandt stated. The shooter then fled the scene in the black SUV that Wynn had arrived in, according to court documents.
After reviewing the video footage, Judge Brandt ruled there was sufficient evidence to find probable cause connecting Wynn to the shooting.
Defense attorney Brian McDaniel requested Wynn be released under limited conditions. A co-worker and acquaintance of the defendant testified to his character, stating that Wynn had been working in violence intervention and prevention up until the time of his arrest.
During cross-examination, the prosecution asked the witness if he was aware of Wynn’s criminal record. The co-worker admitted he knew Wynn had a criminal history but wasn’t sure what the specific charges were.
The prosecution pointed to Wynn’s extensive criminal record dating back to the 1990s, noting that Wynn had been acquitted in connection to three other murders. His probation had also been revoked on two separate occasions.
The prosecution argued strongly against his release, and Bozeman’s parents delivered emotional impact statements.
Blake’s father spoke first, calling his son a high-achieving and law-abiding citizen. “Only four percent of Black men in this country have a master’s degree, and my son was one of them… This will affect generations,” he said.
Bozeman leaves behind three young children, the oldest of whom is just 10 years old, his parents stated. His father said they will now have to grow up without their dad.
Next, Bozeman’s mother testified about the devastating toll the family’s loss. She described Blake as a good son, a good father, and someone who always made time for his kids. She noted that he had been a single dad at one point. She stated “More important than being accomplished, he was loved.”
Citing Wynn’s violent criminal history and the fact that the alleged shooter remains at large, which raises the possibility that Wynn may know his whereabouts, Judge Brandt ultimately denied his release.
As parties discussed the next court date, several of Wynn’s supporters appeared via Webex video and began shouting slurs and obscenities at the judge in reaction to her decision. The hearing ended abruptly.
The court is expected to reconvene on Aug. 15.
