Case Acquitted: Defense Attorneys Argue Self Defense in Domestic Murder Case

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

On Aug. 2, defense attorneys said a suspect acted in self-defense when she allegedly shot and killed her boyfriend during a domestic dispute.

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., 37, was shot three times in the shoulder and hip. He died from his injuries.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo oversaw the proceedings as both parties delivered opening arguments. Prosecutors presented text conversations, photographs, and other evidence to start off their case.

They said cellphone records presented throughout the trial will show that Green was growing disdainful of Tate throughout their seven-year relationship.

Prosecutors also said Green locked Tate inside the apartment after she left, then called 911 to report a burglary at the apartment in order to cover it up.

“She had the gun, she had the bullets, she had the motive, and then she tried to cover it up,” prosecutors said.

The defense counter-argued by highlighting the victim’s alleged history of domestic violence towards his former partners and that Green was only acting in self-defense.

Defense attorney Hannah Claudio stated that Tate’s death was “not a murder…[but] a woman protecting herself from a dangerous and violent man.”

Prosecutorial witnesses included an employee at the Office of Unified Communications (OUC), which receives 911 calls, and an employee at DC Water whose security camera footage was introduced into evidence.

A victim’s neighbor also testified about her recollections the night Tate died, and a close relative of Tate testified about Tate as a person.

The trial is set to continue Aug. 3.

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