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Beatriz Canals [former]
- October 14, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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During an Oct. 13 hearing, defense attorney Sean Sukumar filed a motion to preclude a medical examiner’s photographic evidence from the trial.
Malik Holston, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the shooting of 15-year-old Gerald Watson on the 2900 block of Knox Place SE on Dec. 13, 2018.
Sukumar filed a motion to preclude the medical examiner’s photographs of the victim’s autopsy. He stated that the 34 images, which show the victim’s 17 gunshot wounds, were to “purely [inflate] the passions of the jury.”
The prosecutor challenged the defense, saying the photos are relevant because they help prove that this was a premeditated and deliberate murder.
Sukumar said that the prosecution is “having the jury see photos that won’t necessarily help them understand the case.”
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt said she would not provide a ruling on this issue yet.
The next status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 18.
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