Expert Witnesses Connect Vehicle Evidence to Series of Shootings in Murder Trial

By Beatriz Canals [former] - October 7, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During an Oct. 6 homicide trial, the prosecution tried to connect vehicle evidence from separate shootings to three co-defendants. 

Derek Turner, 31, and co-defendant Ronnika Jennings, 44, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy in connection with the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE. Jennings is accused of sharing criminal intelligence with Turner while working as a clerk for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

The third co-defendant Duan Hill, 33, is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice. 

Turner is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Devin Hall on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

The defendants are also allegedly connected to a non-fatal shooting that caused damage to five vehicles on March 8, 2017, on South Capitol Street, SW. 

A forensic scientist at the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) said the department processed a Gray Toyota Camry linked to the shooting of Hall on Jan. 10, 2017. The prosecution presented images of the vehicle, including pictures of the bullet holes and bullet fragments found inside the car. 

The witness said fingerprints or unintentional marks caused by the friction ridges on a person’s skin were not found in the vehicle. 

The witness also identified a phone that was found while processing the car. 

A program manager for a company that provides engineering and defense services to the U.S. government testified about processing a handgun and a vehicle linked to the March 8, 2017 drive-by shooting. The witness said distinguishable prints could not be collected from handgun. 

However, the witness said two prints of value were found on the processed vehicle, one on the passenger’s vanity mirror and another on the driver’s vanity mirror. The witness said one of those fingerprints matched Turner’s former girlfriend. 

Turner’s defense attorney Michael Madden cross-examined this witness, asking about factors that can affect fingerprint examination, such as the texture of handguns, the mechanics of the trigger, and the weather. 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo set the trial to continue on Oct. 11.