What did Moore’s friend really see?

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 13, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

On the third day of a murder trial, defense counsel impeached the testimony of an eyewitness.

The friend of 32-year-old Tyrone Moore said she lived with the decedent and Harold Marshall’s sister on the 1600 block of F Street, NE. Marshall, 40, has been charged with first-degree murder while armed.

According to the friend, Moore and Marshall’s sister had been in a rocky and violent relationship for more than eight years.

In the early morning hours of March 22, 2015, the friend said Moore came home drunk and got into a fight with Marshall’s sister. The two exchanged words that allegedly woke Marshall, who was sleeping on the couch at the time.

The friend testified that the fight didn’t get physical until Marshall stepped in to break things up. According to the friend, Moore swung first.

The friend said she pulled Marshall away and Marshall’s sister pulled Moore into the back bedroom. Then, according to the friend, Marshall allegedly became enraged and said he was going to kill Moore.

The friend told the jury that she saw Marshall on top of Moore in the bedroom.

The friend also said she was “nervous” and “scared” and called 911 after seeing Marshall leave with a knife.

However, during cross examination, the defense said the friend’s testimony conflicted with statements she told a grand jury and detectives.

Although she testified that Moore threw the first punch, she told a detective she didn’t know who swung first. The defense insinuated she was covering for her friend and downplaying Moore’s aggression.

Additionally, the friend admitted she lied to the detective about being in the room during the stabbing. She previously said she pulled Marshall off of Moore during the stabbing, but told the jury that she wasn’t in the room and could only see their feet. She also lied about her name to the 911 operator and a detective.

The trial is expected to continue March 13.