Expert Witness Could Be Problematic, Prosecutors Say

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 1, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Prosecutors warned defense attorneys, during a trial readiness hearing July 31, about questions they might ask a potentially problematic expert witness in an upcoming murder trial.

The defendant, Sean Hurd, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Antonio Lee Bryant on the 3300 block of D Street, SE in 2015. The Washington Post reported that Hurd, 22, was wearing a GPS tracker as a result of a previous conviction for attempted robbery at the time of the incident. Data from the tracker placed Hurd at the scene. His trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 23.

The prosecution said the potential witness used to work as a forensic analyst in Atlanta, Ga. but was fired from his job due to poor performance. He did not have a good professional repertoire, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors cited an “unpleasant” incident that occurred when the witness came to testify at D.C. Superior Court, for an unrelated case, and ended up testifying that he had been fired from his job in Atlanta due to racial discrimination.

According to prosecutors, the witness said he had been fired “so they could put a black female in his place.” The witness is a white man.

Still, defense attorneys said they wanted to call the witness, claiming he had testified in trials and hearings all around the country. “He’s actually very knowledgeable about his field,” one of Hurd’s attorneys said.

The prosecution added that they were aware of an incident, when the witness was working as a crime analyst in Atlanta the witness shot himself when a gun he was examining discharged accidentally.

“We anticipate having a lot of fodder for cross examination,” said a prosecutor, explaining that there was plenty of material to question the witness about if he took the stand.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled continue on Aug. 16.