Case Acquitted: Defense Points to Lost Evidence in 2017 Murder Trial

By Jai Bajaj [former] - October 11, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case has been acquitted.

On Oct. 11, the defense continued its case in a murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun suggesting critical evidence could be missing.

Cedric Alexander, also known as Tony White, 52, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, two counts of possession during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside the home or place of business with a prior felony for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE on March 23, 2017. 

Sellano Simmons, Alexander’s defense attorney, motioned for an acquittal, arguing that the case should be dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The prosecution countered that multiple people have testified that Alexander confessed to killing someone.

Judge Okun denied the motion, and stated there was sufficient evidence for the jury to reach a verdict.

The defense recalled the lead detective in the case to discuss issues with body-worn camera footage.

Simmons said many of the videos taken by the responding officers were mislabeled and ultimately expired. The detective acknowledged it was his responsibility to change the label so the footage would be preserved, which he failed to do. 

The detective said there could be around 20 sets of body camera footage lost.

According to Simmons, the case was mishandled by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)  investigators and argued that someone else committed the murder.

Following the lead detective’s testimony, the defense planned to call two other MPD officers who failed to appear because of an issue with the defense subpoenas.

The parties will give closing statements Oct. 12.