Defendant Waives Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence in Road Rage Homicide

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A homicide defendant waived his right to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Jan. 10.

George Sutton, 44, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the murder of John Coleman, 34, on May 1, 2023, on the 2000 block of M Street, NE.

According to court documents, Sutton was driving his car and Coleman was riding a bike when they met each other and got into a verbal altercation. Sutton allegedly shot Coleman three times in the knee, thigh and neck in an apparent road rage incident.

During the hearing, Sutton’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, alerted the court of his intent to waive his right to test the evidence, stating there was no DNA evidence recovered from the scene.

However, the prosecutor said there was DNA evidence recovered from the scene, but their testing came back inconclusive.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 11.