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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 14, 2017
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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On the second day of a detention hearing for 28-year-old El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman made her argument in favor of the release of her client, though her efforts failed when the judge ruled in favor of the prosecution.
Picking up in her cross examination where she left off on Tuesday, Cadman asked Detective Sergeant Keith Batton multiple questions concerning the credibility of the evidence in this case.
According to police, Toure is responsible for entering 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel’s apartment on March 20 and stabbing her to death. Following the police’s narrative, Toure was seen driving Mehiel’s car and at multiple ATM machines using Mehiel’s bank card and credit card.
Cadman pointed out that the narrative suggests a robbery. However, there were items of value including a tablet and Macbook Pro in plain view in Mehiel’s apartment that went untouched.
The defense also noted there is a lack of tangible evidence placing her client at the scene of the crime. Toure’s DNA was not found in Meheil’s apartment or car and therefore Cadman said her client could not be linked to the murder.
During her line of questioning other possible suspects were mentioned and it came to light that Mehiel’s boyfriend was investigated.
According to Cadman, when police notified Mehiel’s boyfriend of her murder he was “nonchalant”. However, officers found that Mehiel’s boyfriend’s cell site location placed him nowhere near the crime scene so the investigation into him came to a hault.
The person who called in the tip to police about Toure’s alleged involvement was also a topic of discussion. According to Batton’s testimony, the witness lied to police on numerous occasions about when they allegedly came into contact with Toure, and the circumstances surrounding the conversation that Toure had explaining his alleged involvement in Meheil’s murder.
Overall, Cadman said the prosecution had a “weak case.” However, Judge Lynn Leibovitz disagreed.
In her ruling Leibovitz, found there was probable cause in this case and cause to hold Toure.
Leibovitz said the evidence was circumstantial, but consistent in that it portrayed someone who matched Toure’s description repeatedly through surveillance footage in the area of Mehiel’s house, in her car and at multiple ATM machines. Toure’s consistent work history was also factor, because after the alleged murder he no longer attended work, which Leibovitz said showed he no longer needed money.
Leibovitz ordered Toure held without bond based on the details of the case, the danger he presents to the community and his extensive criminal history which included multiple counts of burglary and assault in Tennessee and terrorist activity in Georgia.
Toure faces one count of first-degree murder while armed.
He is expected in court July 6 for a status hearing.