Judge Denies Motion Of Prejudice Concerning Witness And Homicide Defendant’s Release

By Zakiyia Ortiz [former] - December 8, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a Dec. 7 hearing, defense attorney Prescott Loveland raised concerns about a prosecutor acting with prejudice because she called a new detective to the witness stand after it was discovered that the deceptive, who was supposed to testify, was under investigation for another incident.

Morris Jones, 38, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Tiffany Wiggins on April 17 on the 3800 block of Minnesota Ave, NE. According to court documents, Jones is also known as Antonio Jones.

The prosecutor indicated that she found out about the investigation about an hour before the last hearing occurred on Nov. 22. She mentioned that the holiday pushed this hearing back by two weeks.

She also included that the new detective would testify on the behalf of the last detective because they are partners and she doesn’t know when the prior detective’s investigation will be uplifted.

“We knew he was going to testify for a long time and this is a part of the prejudice because the new detective doesn’t have the same information and now the old detective cannot testify in this case after sitting in on all witness testimonies. This is not just,” said Loveland 

“The prosecution did not act with prejudice given the statue says that the prosecutor has three days to resolve the issue but the holiday affected that time frame,” said DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

“I am denying the request for the release and the prosecutor was forced to call another detective instead.  Justice required a delay and the detective you are referencing notified the prosecution right before the hearing began about his ongoing investigation for an incident that occurred in September. A two week continuance was not inappropriate and it constitutes an extenuating circumstance,” Judge Okun continued.

The detective was shown videos of the suspect’s car which was a black Chevy Trial Blazer driving around before parking at a library.

The footage shows Jones and an unknown person standing outside the car before getting into the vehicle and driving around.

Later the prosecutor displayed footage of the car following a bronze Infiniti back and forth along Minnesota Avenue before stopping at a Shell gas station. The trailblazer pulled behind the Infiniti while it was at a pump and then shot at it before fleeing. 

 The detective identified another defendant. Norven Dickerson. The detective confirmed the location and footage of the area where the defendants were and where the murder occurred.

The prosecutor also displayed photos of three other shootings that were connected to the shell casings recovered on the scene.

“Detective is there any evidence connecting Jones to this case?” Loveland said.

The detective said Jones was connected to the case by his ex-wife’s speculation and the co-defendant’s reference. 

No ballistics and evidence have been connected to Jones regarding either of the shootings other than the footage showing  Jones getting out of the car in a neighborhood with the co-defendant, the detective said. 

The detective confirmed that surveillance footage of the shooting didn’t display who was in the trailblazer and the number of people in the car.

Four people were also suspected, including the co-defendant. However, the trailblazer was bought off Craiglist, according to a witnesses. 

Dickerson’s phone number connected him to all four shootings, and the car used to do it. Jones is not included. 

The car used in the other shootings was a grey Ford Taurus. According to phone records, the car belongs to Dickerson. 

The detective arrested Jones because of witnesses’ testimonies and footage of Jones and Dickerson being together a lot. 

Cross-examination was put on hold because Loveland had another matter to attend.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Dec. 8.