Judge Addresses Motion in Trial Readiness Hearing

By Chloe Wayne [former] - July 28, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan listened to motion arguments in a triple-homicide case. 

Rakeem Willis, 31, has been charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer for his alleged connection to the deaths of 26-year-old Sean Shuler, 26-year-old Javon Abney, and 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood. 

His co-defendant, Johnathan Winston, 33, has also been charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

On July 28, prosecutors filed a motion to exclude expert testimony, targeting one of the defense’s witnesses, a cell site data expert. According to prosecutors, there are approximately 100 calls included in the evidence, totaling 12 hours. The prosecution’s main objection was that no expert opinion report was supplied for the witness, which undermines their ability to prepare for the trial.

“I don’t know if holding a hearing on it will necessarily assist the court,” prosecutors said. 

“The prosecution’s so-called report is not a report,” defense counsel said. “All it does is plot points.”

Pushing back, prosecutors argued that a report must be served by any proponent or opponent of an issue who will offer expert opinion. The prosecutors asserted that they have a right to know how the defense’s expert testimony will differ from theirs. 

Prosecutors estimated that their trial case may take two to three weeks to present and will encompass roughly 40 witness testimonies. Within the group of witnesses, three experts are slated to take the stand, including a cell site data expert, a firearm examiner, and a medical examiner. 

Judge Ryan said he will make a ruling on the motion after reviewing the prosecution’s report.

Defense attorney Kevin Irving also filed a motion to sever Winston and Willis’ cases, which has not yet been ruled on either.

Defense counsel also mentioned that Winston’s brother is being held in a separate case, causing Winston to live in restrictive housing.

Judge Ryan recognized that the restrictive housing was unnecessary and disadvantaged Winston. 

According to court documents, the incident began on Jan. 26, 2019, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Pl. SE. Officers found Shuler, Abney, and Hagood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The three men were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Willis and Winton’s trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 10.