Defendant in Anacostia Metro Station Murder Case Waives Right to DNA Testing

By Rebecca Connor [former] - July 14, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 14, Kirk Spencer waived his right to independently test evidence recovered at the crime scene for DNA. 

Spencer, 28, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 49-year-old Marcus Covington. Spencer allegedly shot and killed Covington in the Anacostia Metro Station on the 1000 block of Howard Road, SE on Feb. 23, 2021. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, there is surveillance footage of Spencer hugging and chatting with Covington briefly before allegedly shooting him at least three times at “near point-blank range” and then fleeing the station.

Several of Covington’s personal belongings and items of clothing were reportedly found at the scene, with MPD officers allegedly recovering further evidence at Spencer’s home, including an additional firearm that was not used in the shooting. 

The prosecution stated that they did not intend to test any of these items for DNA evidence.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein also accepted Spencer’s request to waive his right to have the evidence independently tested. Judge Epstein also noted that if the defendant decided that he did want the screening done at a later date, it might not be ready by his trial date. 

Spencer’s trial is set to begin before Judge Epstein in March of 2024.