DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in his brother’s homicide on Oct. 20.
Solaiman Richardson, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his brother, Allen Shropshire, 41, on July 18 on the 100 block of Fort Drive, NE.
The prosecution called the lead detective who testified that he had spoken to five witnesses, three of whom were Shropshire and Richardson’s family members, about the nature of their relationship and to the July shooting.
According to the detective, Richardson stated that he was going to turn himself in, but he did not.
The detective also said that police initially perceived Shropshire’s injuries as the result of a stabbing, until an autopsy was performed the next day and buckshot was found in his neck, revealing it was a shooting. A “silver dollar” sized hole was found in the bedroom door of the apartment upon further investigation which the detective found to be consistent with the size of a bullet from a shotgun, revealing that Shropshire had apparently been shot through the door.
In cross examination, the detective stated that officers did not initially indicate the hole in the door as being caused by a gunshot.
Richardson’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, suggested that Richardson was acting in self-defense. She stated that Richardson initially reached out to law enforcement asking if he could turn himself in, but the detective did not reply.
According to Cicurel, Richardson told law enforcement the address of the incident’s apartment, gave them a key, told them the body was inside, and indicated that officers should go to the apartment. The detective agreed to the account.
She explained that the relationship between Richardson and Shropshire had been strained according to statements from a witness and Richardson.
In Richardson’s version, Shropshire had attempted to attack him with knives and had a prior conviction for a stabbing. Richardson stated that he believed Shropshire had been plotting to kill him since 2007.
Shropshire’s daughter, who was on FaceTime with Shropshire during the incident, told the detective that the relationship between Richardson and Shropshire was “hot and cold” based on her own experiences with the two.
Cicurel also noted that when Richardson approached law enforcement after the incident, he had cuts on his hands. He told law enforcement that Shropshire attacked him with a silver knife that had a wooden handle. A knife matching this description was found in Shropshire’s hand, according to Cicurel.
Another witness claimed that knives, swords, and boxcutters in the home belonged to Shropshire. Richardson told officers Shropshire was a “knife guy.”
Richardson told officers that Shropshire was a heavy drinker and used PCP. The detective stated that the preliminary toxicology report done on Shropshire after the incident showed no signs of intoxication.
Other witnesses claimed Shropshire drank occasionally after work, with one claiming he used marijuana and that Shropshire was not drunk during the incident.
Cicurel mentioned that Richardson had two rules for Shropshire: that he not touch Richardson.. Cicurel argued that there were signs that Shropshire had abused Richardson both physically and sexually, though there was never a formal investigation despite police being informed.
As the defense questioned the detective about his past, Richardson began to cry openly in court. Cicurel asked for a break to give him some time to compose himself. After the break, Richardson still appeared visibly distressed as this line of questioning was continued.
Cicurel also noted that on July 18, one day after the incident, Richardson spoke with police but was released the same day. The detective stated that they didn’t arrest him because they did not believe they had enough evidence.
The prosecution argued that Richardson could not have been acting in self-defense, evidenced by the bullet hole through the door. The prosecutor said that Shropshire was behaving normally on the day of the incident, compared to Richardson’s “bizarre” but unspecified behavior in the weeks leading to the incident, according to one witness.
They claimed that no matter the history of abuse, Richardson didn’t act in self-defense.
Judge Park found probable cause for the charge of second-degree murder while armed, as some of Richardson’s statements were inconsistent along with the physical evidence in the case including the bullet damaged door.
The hearing was continued so that parties could make their arguments for release.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 22.
