Case Acquitted: Defendant Testifies She Killed Her Boyfriend in Self-Defense

By Jaclyn Sersland [former] - August 16, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Green was acquitted of murder on Aug. 24, 2023.

On Aug. 16, a defendant accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend during a domestic violence incident testified about the alleged abuse before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo. 

Tamika Green, 37, is charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for allegedly murdering her boyfriend on Feb. 20, 2020 in an apartment on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. 

Bryan Tate Jr., also known as BJ, 37, died from gunshot wounds sustained in his shoulder and hip. Defense attorneys say Green was acting in self-defense during an argument with Tate that turned physical. 

Green said the abuse started one to two years into the relationship and she testified about four instances when Tate was allegedly violent towards her. 

According to Green, there were no serious issues during the first year of their relationship, but Tate started getting more possessive and did not want her to work or drive as the relationship progressed. 

“BJ felt more comfortable with having me all to himself,” Green said. 

According to Green, the initial fight between her and Tate that took place late on Feb. 19, 2020 led to the alleged shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on Feb. 20, 2020. 

Green said she was babysitting her nephew at their apartment on Feb. 19, 2020, when Tate showed up drunk. Green said she was upset because Tate was supposed to take them to a restaurant. 

Green said the fight occurred the following day because Tate got angry that Green had called someone to take her and her nephew to the store to get ice cream. 

Green said Tate allegedly slammed her into the wall by her shoulders while her nephew was still in her arms. 

According to Green, the fight escalated after she called her nephew’s mother to come pick him up. 

She said her nephew was in another room when Tate allegedly grabbed her by her hair, dragged her outside of their bedroom, and slammed her into a closet door. 

Green said she couldn’t breathe when he allegedly started choking her. 

Green said she thought “This is it. I might not walk out of the apartment,” when he was allegedly choking her. 

According to Green, she grabbed a gun after she managed to get away. She said she shot him twice because he did not stop coming towards her. 

Prosecutors questioned her honesty by asking her questions about her interview with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives on Feb. 21, 2020 where she covered up Tate’s alleged homicide. 

Green said she lied to the detectives about not eating before Tate arrived home on Feb. 19, 2020, and being eight months pregnant at the time. 

Green told the jury she was scared to tell the detectives what really happened that night because Tate’s parents used to be police officers. However, she said she and Tate did not know the detectives interviewing her nor had she ever seen them before. 

The trial will resume on Aug. 17 as prosecutors continue questioning Green.