Defense Blames Sloppy Police Work for Defendant’s Arrest

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 17, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Defense counsel in a murder trial told the jury that accusations against her client are due to the police’s failure to investigate the crime properly. 

Paul Swann is charged with second-degree murder while armed for the death of Adam Barker on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2016.

Swann is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to court documents, Barker, 21, and Swann, 26, allegedly got into a verbal altercation moments before Swann and Traveous Brown began to shoot at Barker. Barker succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the back that also caused severe brain damage. Brown pled guilty to second-degree murder in June. He is awaiting sentencing. 

“Sloppy police work, a rush to judgment and failure to investigate is why we’re here today,” said Ieshaah Murphy, Swann’s attorney, during her opening statement.

Murphy told jurors there was a lack of reliable eyewitnesses, physical and forensic evidence. Apparently, bloody clothing including a black jacket and facemask, ten shell casings from a .9mm, .380 caliber and .22 caliber bullets did not provide conclusive DNA matches to Swann. 

The prosecution said surveillance at the time of the crime matches eyewitness testimony. According to the prosecution, cell phone messages and pictures show a relation between the defendant and the decedent.

Swann’s trial is scheduled to continue on July 17.