A murder victim’s friend said that losing him was “devastating” during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 3.
Christopher Tyler, 48, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, first-degree burglary while armed, and attempt to commit robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Nolan Edwards, 34, on July 7, 2023, on the 4100 block of Ames Street, NE. Edwards sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, back, arm, and leg.
A friend and neighbor of Edwards testified that she saw a man running from the direction of Edwards’ apartment immediately after hearing the shooting. Edwards’ friend told the prosecutor that she lived in the basement of the apartment building and her unit was positioned next to the stairs and back door.
She testified that she and Edwards were close friends who saw each other every day. Edwards was a homebody who would often leave his door unlocked because he felt so comfortable in the building, his friend explained. She said Edwards was “like the neighborhood watch” because he was always home.
Edwards’ friend said that on the day of the shooting, while sitting in her unit, she heard five-to-six gunshots. She told the jury that at first, she thought the sound was leftover fireworks from the fourth of July, but then realized they were gunshots because of the loud echoes and usual quietness of the building.
She texted Edwards to ask whether he knew what the loud sound was but got no response, she said. Then, she stated that she tried calling him but he didn’t answer the phone.
Edwards’ friend said that a few seconds after the shooting, she looked out of her door’s peephole and saw someone running towards the backdoor of the apartment complex, coming from somewhere upstairs. She said because of the angle of her door, she only saw the person’s back half and only saw him running for a second, but identified him as a black male wearing all black.
On cross-examination, Tyler’s attorney, Elizabeth White, pointed out that when Edwards’ friend testified in front of a grand jury, she said the man running had hair. Tyler is bald, White noted.
Edwards’ friend told White that she couldn’t “really remember” the details because the shooting happened in 2023. After Edwards’ death, his friend said she didn’t go back to work for a month and was on anxiety and depression medication.
“It was devastating” she said, leading her to black those few months out of her mind.
Tyler’s cousin, who lived on the third floor of the apartment building near Edwards’ unit, testified that Tyler visited him regularly. He said that he let Tyler stay in his apartment and leave his clothes there.
Tyler’s cousin testified that he lost his keys in November 2022, and did not get replacements until a few months prior to his testimony. Therefore, he would leave his apartment door unlocked, use a coat hanger to pick the lock of the back door, and sometimes the front door of the building was propped open.
In July 2023, Tyler’s cousin explained that he wasn’t usually in his apartment because there was no air conditioning. He said that he did not know who came to his apartment when he was not there, but it was possible that Tyler did.
Tyler’s cousin said that Tyler would come over with his girlfriend, who lived in the apartment complex across the street.
On cross-examination, Tyler’s other attorney, Kevann Gardner, asked Tyler’s cousin if his girlfriend was the only woman he brought over. He said no, Tyler brought multiple women to his apartment.
Another neighbor of Edwards testified that while on a work call, she heard loud noises that she thought were fireworks. After ending the call, she looked into the hallway and saw bloody footprints going downstairs. Additionally, the neighbor said she heard Edwards’ brother on the phone reporting the shooting.
The neighbor said that Edwards was a good neighbor, who she would see almost every day.
Another witness, Tyler’s friend, identified him as “Henry” during his testimony. He testified that his cousin was in a relationship with Tyler. The two of them would often stay at Tyler’s friend’s apartment in Southeast DC.
Tyler’s friend also corroborated that he had seen Tyler with multiple women, including one that lived across the street from the Ames Street apartment complex.
During cross examination, Tyler’s friend said he knew nothing about anyone shot and killed in July 2023.
The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Edwards’ body testified that Edwards’ cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide. She attributed this to the number of gunshot wounds, the location of the gunshot wounds, and the lack of stippling or soot on his skin or clothes.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 4.
