Defense Challenges Testimony of Gun Expert in 2018 Homicide Case

By Hunter Krienke [former] - July 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 13, during a pre-trial motions hearing, defense attorneys for a murder defendant questioned the accuracy of a firearm expert’s testing methods.

Robert Green, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 43-year-old Andre Junior on the 1500 block of Park Road, NW, on March 15, 2018.

A defense motion was filed on June 20, to exclude firearm and tool mark evidence in Green’s trial expected to start on Feb. 12, 2024.

Gun experts are frequently used in trials to establish whether a particular weapon is linked to a shooting.

In court, defense attorney Mani Golzari cross-examined a prosecution expert in firearms and tool mark examination, raising concerns about the accuracy of his previous testimony. Golzari questioned the expert about the validity of his of tests since he can consider an inconclusive result as positive.

Defense attorneys also introduced studies showing methods in tool mark examination that appear to contradict the prosecution expert’s approach.

The expert was also questioned about not collecting measurements from cartridges for further testing in the interest of not prolonging the examination. 

Prosecutors rebutted the claim saying that additional tests weren’t necessary to get a valid result.

Following testimony of the firearms and tool mark expert, prosecutors brought forward a specialist in research decision-making to describe the process of firearm and tool mark examination.

Both experts will continue their testimony on July 14 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.