Forensic Scientist Describes Nature of Fatal Wound During Murder Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 3, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During trial on Jan. 30, the medical examiner that performed an autopsy on the victim said a shot to the back of the head was fatal.

Mason Binion, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on June 22, 2008, on the 600 block of Farragut St., NW. Binion is released on personal recognizance. 

The forensic scientist  evaluated what she established as the fatal gunshot wound, which was located on the victim’s head.

She said there was another shot graze on his finger. She established both wounds were inflicted within seconds of one-another, and that later the victims’ body was left face down for six to 12 hours. 

The second expert established that both bullets had come from the same gun. Binion’s defense attorney, Kristin McGough, questioned the fact that the expert conducted the tests manually, rather than using a machine, saying the expert’s analysis could not be accepted as reliable. 

McGough also questioned statements from co-conspirators. McGough said the statements were hearsay, expressing fears that the co-conspirators would give unfactual identifications which would incriminate the defense.  

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck told the parties to jointly come to a decision over which co-conspirators they would use during trial. 

Joshua Massaquoi, the man who reported Binion and others to authorities years after the murder, was scheduled to testify. However, because a juror got sick, his testimony has been delayed.

Massaquoi was initially Binion’s co-defendant but, because he agreed to cooperate, the case was severed.

Court is scheduled to continue on Feb. 3. 

This article was written by Lea Gianasso and Miriyam Judd