All Parties Ready For Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 12, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

During a trial readiness hearing Feb. 10, counsel discussed independent testing and finalized witness statements that could be used in trial. 

Robert Wilson Dean Jr, 61, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a screwdriver for allegdely stabbing Tamiya White, 38, on March 31, 2018, on the 1000 block of Mount Olivet Road., NE. 

Dean’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, told DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck that the defense will not independently test evidence for DNA.  

The defense also discussed a cellphone which was found and identified as Dean’s and information stored on Dean’s cellphone, which the prosecution intends to use in trial. 

Matthews told Judge Beck that the alleged stabbing occurred on March 31, 2018, but the cellphone had been taken from Dean on April 5, 2018, after an individual, who was allegedly related to White, shot him five times. The defense said that because the cellphone should not be used as evidence because it was taken from off the street on the day Dean was shot.

The prosecution said the electronic data collected from the phone would be used to establish a relationship between Dean and White, and other witnesses. 

Counsel also finalized witness statements that could be used in trial, including a phone call between the Metropolitan Police Department and White. The prosecution said the phone call shows White’s state of mind and fear towards Dean.

Judge Beck accepted all the witness statements, only barring sections which showed a history of threats. 

Both parties said they are ready for trial. 

Dean is scheduled for a motion hearing on Feb. 18. 

This article was written by Lea Gianasso.