Case Acquitted: Expert Witnesses Testify in 2020 Homicide Trial

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Green was acquitted of murder on Aug. 24, 2023.

On Aug. 3, before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo prosecutors called a crime scene technician and a firearms expert as witnesses in a 2020 homicide trial. 

Tamika Green, 37, is charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for allegedly murdering her 37-year-old boyfriend Bryan Tate Jr. on Feb. 20, 2020, on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. 

However, the defense argues that Green was acting in self-defense trying to escape a violent relationship. 

More than 80 photographs taken by the crime scene technician were presented in court, including images of the victim, bullet casings, bullet strike marks, and three cartridges found in a closet along with the defendant’s birth certificate and female clothing.

After pointing out similar strike marks on photos of the evidence, the firearms expert said the two bullets and two cartridge casings found at the scene were fired from the same firearm.

While the expert could not determine the specific gun that fired the cartridges, he found the markings to be consistent with nine-millimeter Luger caliber firearms using a database of General Rifling Characteristics.

The trial is set to resume on Aug. 4.