Experts Detail Case Evidence As Trial Arguments Continue

By Azziah Hunter [former] - October 27, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 26, a homicide trial resumed with two witnesses called in to testify regarding their role in the DNA extraction of evidence as well as the alleged weapon used.

On Aug. 10, 2017, Robert Moses, 23, and James Mayfield, 22, allegedly approached the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues, NE while armed with .40 and .45 caliber handguns. Both of the defendants allegedly fired over ten rounds at people standing on Saratoga Avenue. One of the bullets struck 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor in the head as she was driving, killing her. Three other bystanders were also struck and injured by stray bullets.

During the proceeding Wednesday, an expert witness continued his testimony about the weapon used in the homicide. He said he was able to determine the weapon used in the crime by conducting test fires.

He said he fired a gun into a water tank in order to retrieve the bullets. He then collected the bullets and compared them through a comparison microscope. Through this, he found that the bullets were consistent with the shell casings from the scene. 

Defense attorney Steven R Kiersh  argued that the expert cannot know for certain what gun was used unless he had the actual gun to compare the bullets.

He further stated that there are probably more firearms than people in the U.S. and there are many gun manufacturers. While this is correct, the witness said there are class and individual characteristics used to differentiate what bullets were fired from which guns. He said he uses intercomparisons to do so. 

A forensic scientist testified that he processed the 2001 gold Honda Accord on Aug. 14, 2017, and he was told it was used in a homicide case. This was the third vehicle from the case. He also said he told law enforcement everything he found, and they decided on the relevance of the findings. 

To begin processing the vehicle, the first step was taking photographs from every angle of the interior and exterior. He said he then swabbed for DNA from anything that can be touched such as the steering wheel, buttons, the armrest and the door handles.

The third step is a physical search of the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle a box of gloves, a pair of shorts, a jacket, two t-shirts, and a hoodie were recovered from the trunk of the vehicle.

There was also a red solo cup recovered from a cup holder that was swabbed for DNA and a hoodie in the pocket behind the passenger’s seat. The expert explained that everything is swabbed and processed one at a time to properly preserve the DNA from each item.  

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled the trial to continue on Oct. 27.