Defendant’s Phone Activity Examined During Murder Trial

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Prosecutors presented a homicide defendant’s internet searches from days leading up to a murder before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 2.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III, on Nov. 14, 2015, on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of the due administration of justice. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in persuading and intimidating a witness who gave their testimony in Burns’ original trial.

The prosecution recalled a special agent to the stand to testify about Burns’ phone activity leading up to the shooting.

According to the agent, days before the murder, Burns conducted web searches including, “Are you capable of killing your best friend?”, “What does it feel like to kill someone?”, and “what does the Bible say about killing?”

A couple of days later, the agent testified, Burns also conducted searches including, “How much is PCP and is it worth it?” and “Two men sentenced to prison for PCP ring.”

On the day of the murder, the agent testified, Burns conducted a search for a movie titled “Paid in Full,” which is about a group of friends who become involved in the drug trade.

“When I do what I’m going to do I’ll explain later. Just don’t think of me different,” he texted a family member right before the murder, according to the agent.

The prosecution has previously claimed that the evidence is relevant because Paid In Full is a movie in which a drug dealer kills his partner over a drug money related conflict. Burns is being accused of killing Osuchukwu over the profits of their shared drug deals.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 3.