DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied a defense motion to suppress witnesses’ identification of a homicide defendant who they knew at a motion hearing on Feb. 13.
Christopher Tyler, 48, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Nolan Edwards at the 4100 block of Ames Street, NE, on July 7, 2023. Edwards sustained four gunshot wounds.
At the hearing, parties discussed a motion filed by Tyler’s attorneys, Kevann Gardner and Elizabeth White, to suppress Tyler’s identification.
The prosecutors called in the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective in the case to testify regarding their opposition to the motion. The detective testified about witnesses who identified Tyler as those who had relationships with him, either prior to or around the time of the homicide. The prosecutors argued that all the witnesses’ statements support identification of Tyler as the shooter.
The detective testified that five witnesses’ identified Tyler in photographs, surveillance footage, and social media images shown to them. According to the detective, these witnesses lived in the same apartment building as Tyler, had some sort of romantic relationship with him, or were his friends. The prosecutors claimed that the witnesses’ connections with Tyler strengthened their identification of him.
There was one witness, who the detective said referred to Tyler at first by a different name, “Henry,” but the witness later confirmed she was referring to Tyler.
Gardner challenged the credibility of the witnesses’ identifications. He argued that some of the witnesses only had a few interactions with Tyler which made their identification of him in photos unreliable.
According to Gardner, one witness that identified Tyler has a pending domestic violence case against him.
Gardner asked Judge Park to suppress the witnesses’ identification of Tyler.
Judge Park rejected the defense motion and stated that the identifications of Tyler were reliable and could be presented at trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 17.
