Detective Finishes Testimony During Preliminary Hearing for Murder Case

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A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in a murder case, ruling that it has enough evidence to go to trial.

Bernard Matthews, 42, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Diamonte Green on Feb. 16 on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective continued their testimony on Nov. 16. He had previously begun testifying on Nov. 12, D.C. Witness previously reported. During the cross-examination, defense attorney Andrew Ain asked questions about inconsistency in witnesses’ statements and other potential suspects.

Ain brought up the issue of a cream-colored Cadillac a witness told police they saw the shooting suspect leave in. Surveillance video shows that the Cadillac did not arrive near the scene until many minutes after the shooting. The video also shows an individual, who the police believe to be the defendant, leaving the scene on foot.

Ain questioned the detective as to why another individual, who was exchanging threatening messages with Green hours before the shooting, was never investigated. The detective just said they were not looked into.

Judge Neal Kravitz found probable cause but noted that “probable cause is a very low standard”. Matthews has been on release in the High Intensity Supervision program since April.

Judge Kravitz set another hearing for Feb. 1.