The lead detective in a fatal shooting explained his investigation into the incident before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Nov. 20.
Ramon Richardson, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Lawrence Meekins, 50, on the 1800 block of E Street, SE on July 1.
The detective said that Richardson was arrested later that day for a separate firearm incident, just hours after the early morning shooting. The firearm was allegedly discovered, at the Richardson family home.
The prosecutor played footage that police obtained from the Congressional Cemetery, down the block from where the incident occurred. In the clips, a physical altercation between two people can be seen, followed by two visible muzzle flashes.
During cross-examination by defense attorney Madalyn Harvey, the detective said that he did not personally respond to the incident and knew what had happened through the body-worn camera and reports of the responding officers, and interviews with the two witnesses to the incident. He did, however, respond to the shooting on E street.
By the time he arrived, the paramedics had left. Five cartridge casings were found, four of which were near the body, the other in the street. Only one of the casings likely matched the firearm that was recovered from Richardson’s home, according to the detective.
When asked by Harvey, the detective was unsure if that was due to only one casing being tested or all five being tested and only one matching the gun.
Both the defendant and the victim had prior criminal history before the incident, which both parties pointed out. Harvey referenced several 911 calls that were made that night by nearby residents. One of the callers reported a gun twice, first claiming that they had heard someone say they were going to get a gun out of a vehicle, then also saying that someone had a gun during the fight.
Harvey theorized that Meekins may have had a gun, due to his criminal history. The detective said no firearm was found on the body, but could neither confirm or deny that anyone had approached the body due to tree leaves partially blocking the camera’s view.
Police had responded twice to the 911 calls. Both times, none of the officers were sure if either Richardson or Meekins were on the scene at the time.
Harvey also noted that only one of the witnesses was able to identify Richardson from the video, and that another witness had said it could be him but he was not sure without clearly seeing the suspect’s face. Both witnesses were involved in a home incident that had occurred later that day and were asked to identify Richardson from video taken of the first incident.
Police had interviewed several witnesses. Two had been on the phone with the victim hours before the shooting. One witness claimed that Meekins may have been selling drugs that he had gotten from someone else. Two other witnesses were labeled as possible suspects due a tip.
Throughout the hearing, the detective’s investigation notes, referred to as the “running resume,” were used to refresh and then challenge his testimony. Frequently, the witness said “I’d have to refresh my memory” or “I don’t recall” to the defense’s questions. The notes and affidavit were referenced at least 15 times.
After the witness was dismissed, Harvey asked the judge to deny probable cause. She claimed that the witness who had identified Richardson, a family member, may have been a misidentification. She also said that, due to Meekins’ criminal history, Richardson could have been acting in self-defense and that it could be inferred that someone had approached Meekins’ body and removed a weapon.
Judge Edelman said that would need to be proven. He also said that room in the evidence for self-defense does not defeat probable cause. He found probable cause and held the defendant due to the prosecution’s claim that Richardson, who has a criminal history of his own and allegedly threatened to shoot someone in the incident at his house on the same day, is a threat to the community.
The judge also believed that Richardson would prove a flight risk due to a record of executed bench warrants and contempt convictions, despite the defense’s request for 24-hour home confinement.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 20.
