Defense questions detective’s homicide investigation procedures

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 10, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A detective in a 2014 homicide case was questioned April 9 by the defense about his investigation procedures.

The detective interviewed a friend of Vernon Hedrick, after Hedrick, who was 25 at the time, was arrested for the fatal Sept. 11, 2014 shooting of 26-year-old Titus Jackson that occurred on the 5200 block of Clay Street, NE.

According to the detective, three formal interviews were conducted and recorded, but the final interview was lost, which the defense indicated is a sign of malpractice.

Hedrick’s attorney, Mary Kennedy, noted the detective never mentioned any malfunction of technology during the last interview in his reports, which he previously said was standard practice.

Additionally, the prosecution presented videos captured on multiple cameras to the jury, allegedly showing Hedrick making a U-turn and fleeing the crime scene in a truck. The defense said because the turn wasn’t captured on camera, it is only an assumption.

Hedrick has been charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The trial is expected to resume on April 10.