A detective testified that a murder weapon was delivered to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in a wine box before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Aug. 7.
Jajuan Gripper, 22, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for his alleged involvement in the death of 34-year-old Rynell Bradford. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE on Dec. 20, 2022.
A MPD detective testified and prosecutors showed CCTV video footage the detective collected from the apartment complex where the incident occurred.
The footage showed a dark figure running and suddenly collapsing as well as a dark object skidding across the street that the detective assumed to be a firearm. Then, a group of people are seen exiting the apartment building and crowd around the victim.
The video showed someone pick up what the detective identified as the murder weapon, and hand it to another person who re-entered the building.
The detective said he later located the apartment where the gun was taken and asked the leasee to return the weapon to the police station. The witness said they transported the gun to MPD several hours later in a wine box.
The detective confirmed that he identified and swabbed the two individuals who brought the gun to the police station.
Faldoun asked the detective about the footage of events prior to the shooting. The detective replied that although he has knowledge of other CCTV footage clips collected he is not the lead detective on the case and is not responsible for reviewing all surveillance footage.
During the trial, the prosecution called a toxicologist from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiners(OCME) to describe Bradford’s results.
The OCME typically tests bile, urine, blood, liver and brain tissue. The toxicologist said alcohol, was detected in Bradford’s bloodstream; the witness concluded he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .29.
The witness testified that alcohol could cause lethargy, slowed speech, less focus and lowered inhibitions. He added that determining the level of intoxication for an individual is difficult because tolerance ranges based on gender and bodyweight.
During cross examination, defense attorney, Wole Faldoun, pointed out that a BAC of .29 is almost four times the legal limit in DC. The toxicologist confirmed he would not advise someone to drive or operate a firearm with that BAC level.
The witness also clarified that alcohol does not directly correlate to aggressiveness, however he said lowered inhibitions can make someone act in an unusual manner or give someone the confidence to do something they normally would not.
Prosecutors also called two MPD officers to testify who both executed a search warrant at Gripper’s apartment.
Inside, the officers said they found Gripper and two women. Officers seized a cellphone, a pair of jeans, Gripper’s ID’s including his Social Security card, driver’s license, and a T-Mobile statement.
Prosecutors also called an eyewitness, Bradford’s neighbor, who testified that the night of the shooting he was playing video games with a few friends on the first floor of the apartment complex.
The eyewitness said he then heard someone yell something along the lines of “what he took” followed by gunshots. The witness said he was unsurprised by the gunshots because they are a common sound in the area.
Fauldon clarified that the witness never heard any threats or arguments, only the three words “what he took.”
A firearms expert also testified that 18 total cartridge casings were found at the scene and three types of casings. The expert said he was unable to match any casings to a specific gun because of they sustained damage.
Parties are expected to reconvene the trial on Aug. 11.
