A defense attorney claimed the prosecution did not share evidence they were required to do in a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Micheal Ryan on June 4.
Richard Price, 27, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and five counts of obstruction of justice.
The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Danielle Hicks-Best, 28, on April 27, 2022 on the 300 block of 56th Street, NE. Hicks-Best sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and succumbed to her injuries on May 22, 2025.
Price’s charges also stem from his alleged involvement in another shooting on June 1, 2022, on the 300 block of 56th Street, NE. No injuries were reported but investigators recovered shell casings and firearms from the scene.
At the hearing, defense lawyers, Lisbeth Sapirstein and E. Paige White, said the prosecution was not sharing evidence that might be favorable to Price’s defense. In particular, that the prosecution failed to disclose that a key witness reportedly lied to police.
In response, the prosecutors said that wasn’t the case but would ensure everything relevant was turned over.
Judge Ryan then noted that the foundation of the prosecution’s case is rooted in “bad acts,” supported by allegedly incriminating text messages involving the defendant and damaging Instagram posts. The prosecution stated that its redacted disclosure of texts and social media posts did not constitute a violation of their requirement to share exculpatory evidence and expressed a willingness to turn over the material voluntarily.
The defense also raised issues with two witnesses who are neighbors and critical to the prosecution’s case. The defense highlighted that these same witnesses reportedly engaged in violence against one another.
The defense argued that the prosecutors should have disclosed this information, as it directly impacts the witnesses’ credibility.
Judge Ryan declined the defense’s request for a formal letter requiring prosecutors to turn over the evidence, finding it unnecessary at this stage.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 6.
