DC Police Officer Testifies About Homicide Investigating During Preliminary Hearing

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A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective took the witness stand during a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

William Davenport is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Leonard Turner on May 14 on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE.

During the Nov. 5 hearing, the MPD detective was shown an image from video footage of the crime scene and identified Davenport and his mother emerging from a car.

The detective said he talked to Davenport’s mother and showed her the photos from the video footage. His mother identified herself and her son in the photos but refused to give the detective her son’s name.

When shown another photo of two men walking, the detective identified them as 27-year-old Turner and 29-year-old Davenport. He said Davenport appeared to be reaching into his waistband in the photo but could not tell what he was reaching for.

Earlier that day, Turner had robbed Davenport, the detective said. The detective called Davenport about the robbery, but he said he did not want to file a police report.

The detective said he prepared and submitted a warrant to obtain cell phone information from the defendant. He also said he went to the defendant’s house and found a gun in his car.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asked the detective if he had made any statements to the responding officers, who were wearing Body Worn Cameras. The detective said he had. Cadman requested the footage, but the prosecution said they have looked over the footage and the detective appears in it but does not speak.

The detective also said no shell casings found at the scene had DNA on them. He also said a witness described the shooter as having dreadlocks, which Davenport did not have at the time.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson scheduled proceedings to pick back up on Nov. 17.

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