Defendant Charged in Homicide that Went Unsolved for 30-Years

By Zakiyia Ortiz [former] - November 17, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects | Victims |

During a Nov. 9 hearing, prosecutors brought a cold case homicide detective to the witness stand regarding a 1992 murder that didn’t have an arrest until 30 years later. 

Ron Wright, 47, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the brutal murder of Ricardo Burbano on the 100 block of Q Street, NW in March of 1992. According to court documents, Burbano’s body was found on the 900 block of Chillum Road in Hyattsville, Md. 

Wright became a suspect from a witness testifying to dropping Burbano off at a specific apartment on the 100 block of Q Street, NW. That was the last time the witness said he saw Burbano before he took a nap for approximately 30 minutes to an hour before calling him. He didn’t get an answer and decided to head back home.

At the time Wright was living there with his mother and brother. 

According to the detective, a search warrant was issued for the apartment located at the 100 block of Q Street, NW where detectives located a red carpet that matched fibers found on Burbano.

The carpet was lifted in 2002 where a red brownish stain was located. The stain tested positive for Burbano’s blood. 

Witnesses came forward after the murder because they were allegedly informed by Wright that he had participated in the murder.

When questioned ten years after the homicide, Wright gave a different story that didn’t align with his previous testimonies nor the witnesses. 

Other suspects were questioned like Wrights’ mother, stepfather, friend, and brother.  Wright’s brother was excluded because he was serving a 26-year sentence in prison for another homicide. 

According to court documents, the victim’s nose and mouth were covered with blood-soaked duck tape then his head was wrapped in a brown plastic bag. He had a bootlace and a necktie around his throat. His ankles were bound with a black shoelace. Three of his teeth were missing and his fingernail was also missing but found in his pocket with one-hundred dollars and a safe deposit box key. He suffered eleven blunt forced inflictions to his skull. He had two stab wounds to his chest and back. He was wrapped in an orange blanket that was bound together by plastic cords.

The prosecutor and the detective agreed that this case went cold after never making a match to a suspect after Wright gave DNA samples to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The detective said he strongly believed more than one person was involved in the murder. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rober Okun said that was enough evidence to prove probable cause.

“Due to Wright not having a criminal history besides the unlawful possession of marijuana in 2004, which doesn’t measure to today’s law. I will hold him on home confinement here in DC until further notice,” Judge Okun said.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17.