Defense Expresses Concern, Judge Reschedules Homicide Hearing

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A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a preliminary hearing in a homicide case in light of new GPS and facial recognition evidence. 

Darryl Finney, 62, was killed in a fire on May 13. D’Aundrey Scott, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death. 

After new evidence surfaced from Scott’s cell phone, the defense attorney told the judge that he was concerned with the evidence.

The attorney asked Judge Milton Lee to reschedule the hearing. Judge Lee agreed to do so. 

In addition, Judge Lee asked the prosecution to provide the GPS coordinate information to the defense by the end of the week. 

Around 12:36 a.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 900 block of H Street, NE for the report of a fire. According to court documents, officers used camera footage from the scene and observed the defendant producing “what appears to be a gas can” and igniting some paper in front of 910 H St. NE before fleeing on foot. Investigators could see a fire visible on the porch. 

Finney was immediately admitted to a local hospital. He died three days later.  

A new preliminary hearing date is scheduled for March 23. The hearing will determine if Scott’s case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.