The prosecution called the husband of a homicide defendant’s lover along with several other witnesses in a case before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 4.
Christopher Tyler, 48, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, attempt to commit robbery while armed, and first-degree burglary while armed. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting that occurred in an apartment located on the 4000 block of Ames Street NE on July 7, 2023. Nolan Edwards, 34, sustained four fatal gunshot wounds.
The prosecution first called the husband of Tyler’s former lover. He testified to being the owner of the car his wife and Tyler were in shortly before the shooting.
The husband also testified about when he learned of the affair. He told the jury that he found evidence on her phone that she was “messing with another man.” The prosecution asked “Did you learn the other man’s name?” He told the jury, “Chris.”
Elizabeth White, Tyler’s attorney, asked the witness if he felt he had anything to do with the case. [I’m]“trying to figure out why I’m here,” he said, agreeing with White that he felt pressured.
Edwards’ downstairs neighbor and friend testified to seeing an old man and woman on multiple occasions trying to gain access to the apartment.
The neighbor also told the jury that on July 7 she was working from home in her room when she heard gunshots, a woman screaming, and a low rumbling sound. She said she called 911.
Later that day the neighbor called Edwards for more information, “It just rang and the voicemail was full.” “It never occurred to me it was him,” she said of the victim.
On cross examination, White asked the neighbor about the nature of her relationship with Edwards. She said he had asked her to refer people to him to buy drugs, but she never did.
Prosecutors called a Litigation Technology Specialist from the US Attorney’s Office to create a video compilation of surveillance footage surrounding the incident that the prosecutors played.
The video followed a dark SUV, which is presumed to be the husband’s vehicle, over multiple cameras. The SUV eventually parked and a figure emerged, went to a liquor store nearby and returned to the car.
The prosecution selected the videos and gave them to the specialist to make the compilation.
According to defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, there was footage from a nearby elementary school that could have been used in the compilation.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 5.
