Defense Questions Detective in Hearing for 2020 Homicide Case 

By Aubree Tomasetti [former] - October 25, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 24, a hearing for a 2020 fatal shooting continued with the resumption of a detective’s testimony before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

Deon Walters, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempt to commit robbery while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the Oct. 1, 2020 death of 42-year-old Arthur Daniels IV. The incident occurred on the 6000 block of 8th Street, NW.

During the proceeding, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective continued his testimony from Oct. 1 about the official report of what happened and who was involved.

According to the report, one witness saw two young boys hanging around the area prior to the incident. The report places the boys’ height at around five-feet-nine-inches. 

Defense attorney Sylvia Smith displayed a video clip of the detective interviewing the witness, in which the witness pointed to another detective for reference and said the boys were around six-feet tall.  

Smith alleged the detective had not written an accurate description of the witness’ statement. The detective testified another section of the video provided more elaboration, and Smith remarked the prosecutors could argue that later.

Smith maintained at the time of Walters’ arrest, there was no video footage of him involved in the incident, no witnesses brought up his name in relation to the shooting, and detectives had not found any weapons they believed to be involved. The detective agreed. 

Smith argued that before his arrest, Walters was not considered a suspect and the arrest warrants failed to mention him as one. 

During the redirect, prosecutors displayed a picture of a firearm sent through text message, alleging this could have been the gun used in the shooting. 

According to the police report, Daniels was attempting to purchase the pictured handgun from a phone number linked to Walters. 

The detective testified this was a possibility, as the gun is a Glock 23, which is a .40 caliber gun. In previous testimony, the detective revealed he had discovered multiple .40 caliber shell casings near the scene. 

The detective was not able to complete his testimony due to time constraints. 

As a result, outstanding motions will be ruled on at a later time. 

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 25 for a continuation of the motions hearing.