Defendant Waives DNA Testing Rights

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On Nov. 13. a non-fatal shooting defendant waived his rights to independently test DNA evidence recovered from a crime scene.

Isaiah Smith, 27, is charged with aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, four counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and tampering with physical evidence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on the 3500 block of 13th Street, SE on May 22, 2022.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department(MPD) officers responded to a shooting at an apartment building and found a woman unconscious, unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment. 

According to court documents, a witness who was in the apartment when the shooting took place alerted MPD that Smith was in the room with the victim and suddenly there was a loud bang. The witness went into the room and found the victim, however Smith was no longer there.

The prosecution said they tested DNA evidence from the scene of the crime, but did not elaborate on what the items were tested.

Smith is scheduled to appear in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on May 17, 2024, for a trial readiness hearing.