Defense Counsel Considers DNA Testing for Murder Cases

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

Donate Now

During a status hearing July 6, defense counsel for a murder defendant told a DC Superior Court judge that they are still considering if they would like to conduct DNA testing for two homicides. 

Judge Judith Bartnoff gave the defense until Terik McLeod’s next status hearing, which is scheduled on Aug. 10, to make the decision.

McLeod is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton and Carlton Fisher.

According to court documents, Drayton, 17, suffered a gunshot wound to the head on the 300 block of 26th Street, NE in 2004. Multiple witnesses told the police they saw McLeod, 32, fleeing the scene of the crime. Apparently, Fisher, who was facing felony charges at the time, told the police that McLeod confessed to shooting Drayton. 

Two years later, police found Fisher, 23,  suffering from six gunshot wounds on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE.