Defense Counsel Raises Concerns About DNA Testing

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On May 22, counsel discussed DNA testing for a murder trial that involves the death of an infant boy.

Brian J. Wooden is charged with felony murder of a victim who was especially vulnerable and first-degree cruelty to children for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son, Carter Sanders, on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE on May 16, 2018.

Wooden’s defense attorney, Marnitta L. King, raised concerns about the reproduction of DNA evidence that needs to be examined by the defense’s expert witness. King said the process is costly and time-consuming. She emphasized the importance of starting the reproduction process as soon as possible.

The process cannot be started until a $300 fee is paid, King said. She requested that DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee collaborate with her to find the best method to make this payment, but a definitive approach was not specified.

The prosecutor said there are 20 slides and that it was estimated to take a minimum of two months for every slide to be reproduced by the Office of the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia. Once reproduced, King said it would take between 30-60 days for her expert to properly analyze the slides. She expressed that her goal was to get the slides to her expert by August so they could be analyzed in time for the trial.

Counsel agreed that the trial should be scheduled in October. As of May 22, DC Courts lists a possible trial date on Oct. 21.

According to court documents, Carter’s mother reported that Wooden dropped her off at the Gallery Place Metro Station in Northwest DC and left to care for Carter. She also said, during a phone call between her and Wooden later that day, he abruptly ended the call and then called her back a few minutes later saying her son wasn’t breathing and that she should get home quickly.

Apparently, Wooden called 911 to report an “unconscious 1 year old.” When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the apartment, they found Carter unconscious and unresponsive. Carter was transported to the Children National Medical Center and was later pronounced dead. The autopsy revealed multiple blunt-force injuries that seemed non-accidental, according to a medical examiner.

Wooden is scheduled for another status hearing on July 23.