A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective described how he collected surveillance evidence of a non-fatal shooting during a motion hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on June 20.
Demann Shelton, 32, is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from Shelton’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 9, 2020 on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to their right wrist.
According to court documents, Shelton’s defense attorneys, Emma Mlyniec and Emily Sufrin, filed a motion to dismiss the case because they alleged the prosecution failed to preserve key surveillance footage of the crime scene.
During the motion hearing, the prosecution called the MPD officer who oversaw the initial investigation to testify. Prosecutors confirmed with the detective that he followed all procedures while collecting the video evidence.
During cross-examination by Mlyniec and Sufrin, the detective admitted that other MPD officers gathered the CCTV footage and he did not review any video first-hand. The officer said he received most details of the case from other officers and struggled during questioning to recall where he learned certain information.
The detective justified not reviewing the video footage, and said there was “no arrest on-scene” and they did not identify a clear suspect.
The detective admitted that his memory was not clear because the incident happened almost five years ago.
Mlyniec and Sufrin suggested the lost camera footage would have been able to provide the evidence that could prove Shelton’s innocence. Due to time constraints, the defense did not finish questioning the detective and Judge Dayson did not rule on the motion.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for the officer to finish his testimony on June 26.
