Expert Witness Links Bullet to Shooting Defendant’s Gun

By Jenna Lee - September 13, 2024
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

A firearm expert witness in a non-fatal shooting trial testified that spent casings at the scene closely matched the markings of a defendant’s gun in DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur’s court room on Sept. 12.

Jerry Tyree, 46, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged role in a Nov. 29, 2023, shooting on the 5900 block of Foote Street, NE. A transgender woman sustained grievous injuries to her penis and groin during the incident which may have resulted from a sex transaction gone wrong.

The firearm’s analyst testified that he examined a spent bullet, a spent casing from the crime scene, and the firearm recovered from Tyree upon his arrest. 

According to the witness, the bullet and the casing were the same caliber as Tyree’s gun and the markings on the bullet indicated it was more than likely fired by Tyree’s gun. He said the markings on the casing were inconclusive, so he could not determine if it also came from Tyree’s gun. 

Under cross examination, the witness said his conclusion were based on his expert judgment and not a computer program or vetted technology. He also said that he is paid by the prosecution. On redirect, the expert testified he’s not paid to give a specific conclusion nor does a fee affect his judgement.

Defense attorney Sara Kopecki also cross examined an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who testified on Wednesday about arresting Tyree. 

Kopecki asked the officer if he saw Tyree talking to another individual prior to making contact , and the officer said he thought he had but was not sure. She also asked him if they did any drug tests on the substances they collected at the scene that the officer said smelled like PCP. The officer said they did not test the substances because MPD does not test drugs in their liquid form. 

Parties are set to reconvene Sept. 16.