Witnesses, including the mother of a convicted defendant, testified in a jury trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 23.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, ten counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in four shootings, including the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, at the 600 block of S Street, NW, on March 1, 2020. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident.
Steele was also allegedly involved in a non-fatal shooting on March 1, 2020 at the unit block of Channing Street, NE, and a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 22, 2020 at the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW. No individuals sustained injuries.
Additionally, Steele faces charges for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 24, 2020 at the 1700 block of Ninth Street, NW. Three individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
A witness from the DC Department of Forensic Science (DFS), was called to the stand to discuss his involvement in a search warrant search for a home on the 2600 block of Douglas Street, SE, which according to court documents is Steele’s listed home address.
The search occurred on May 29, 2020, and the witness described his role as photographing and bagging evidence that police previously identified as noteworthy to the investigation.
When asked by the prosecution why forensic scientists need to document a warrant search scene, the witness said they need to show evidence that’s present at the scene.
“Obviously it’s pretty incriminating if you show a gun,” stated the witness, to which the defense immediately objected. Judge Brandt told the jury to ignore the statement, and strike the prosecution’s previous question, from the record.
Other photos were shown of Steele’s residence, including key pieces of alleged evidence–a loaded Glock 19 with a magazine, a cell phone, and Balenciaga size nine shoes.
The witness stated that in addition to being loaded, the gun also didn’t have a safety attached. “If you pull the trigger, it went bang,” stated the witness. There were also ten cartridges still in the magazine.
The prosecution then brought the gun out for the witness to identify in front of the jury, and he confirmed it had the same serial number as the gun said to be found in Steele’s home.
Also brought out for the witness to identify was a pair of Balenciaga shoes, which were found in another room of Steele’s home. Court documents show these shoes were used to identify Steele through gas station’s CCTV footage. The witness confirmed these were the same shoes said to be in Steele’s home.
Cross examination by defense attorney Megan Allburn focused on the witness’ role in the warrant search, including that the witness had no knowledge of how the items arrived in the home, just that they were present. The witness agreed, and Allburn closed cross examination by boiling the witness’ job down to just “photos and baggies”.
Four other witnesses testified about search warrants executed on May 29, 2020 in reference to Steele’s codefendant, Koran Jackson, 25.
One search warrant was executed in Jackson’s listed home address, at the 3600 block of 11th Street, NW. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified to being a member of the team that executed the search warrant.
The witness stated that the most important piece of evidence found was a pair of Nike Foamposite sneakers size 10.5 shoes that belonged to Jackson. Prosecutors brought the pair of shoes out for the witness to identify and show the jury.
Allburn emphasized in cross examination that the detective did not bag the shoes himself– according to Allburn, this means the shoes seen in court could technically be a different pair than the ones documented to be in Jackson’s home.
The last three witnesses testified to a search warrant executed at a house on the 1900 block of Trenton Place, SE, identified as Jackson’s mother’s home. A cellphone, pair of shoes, and a sweatshirt were all found inside the home.
Prosecutors called on Jackson’s mother to testify. She confirmed the home address, and uncovered the moments when her home was searched. According to Jackson’s mother, the search lasted three hours.
However, as questions about clothing that Jackson owned, specifically a NASA sweatshirt, as well as his connection to Steele, co-defendant Tiiyon Freeman, 26, and 19-year-old Tahlil Byrd who was killed on Sept. 29, 2019, Jackson’s mother could not remember details like how the individuals met, where they attended school, and how close they were.
Jackson’s mother was impeached–her credibility attacked– twice by not remembering the details she provided in her grand jury testimony. Judge Brandt stated, “She does not want to be here. When questions get too close to who grew up with who, she gets memory lapses and does not cooperate.” Judge Brandt also observed changes in Jackson’s mother’s demeanor, noting that she smirked, turned, and mumbled under her breath when asked questions about the photographs of Jackson’s NASA sweatshirt.
Defense Attorney Meghan Allburn questioned, “what does her demeanor have to do with her credibility?” with the prosecution arguing that she was very forgetful as it pertained to the relationship between Jackson, Freeman, and Bird.
Additionally, a jail phone call between Jackson and his mother was played in court. In the call, she allegedly advised Jackson to tell Freeman, who was referred to as Ty, “not to be running his mouth.” Jackson’s mother explained that, “they don’t know who these people are, so don’t talk to anybody” as her reason behind that statement.
An MPD officer confirmed that a grey cellphone, pair of Nike shoes, and a NASA sweatshirt were all found inside the home. Additionally, the witness testified to Jackson’s mother identifying her son wearing these clothes in pictures provided by detectives.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 24.
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Ryan Hawkins, Lizzie Twardock
