Government Shutdown Delays DNA Testing, Defense Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 23, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A public defender told a judge Jan. 22 that the government shutdown has delayed the defense’s order for DNA testing in a murder case.

Leonard Martino Smith is charged with second-degree murder while armed and a related weapons offense for allegedly stabbing 26-year-old Leonte Butler on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017.

Defense attorney Anthony Matthews said the order was delayed because of ramifications from the government shutdown on the Public Defender’s Service. He did not go into detail about what ramifications. Matthews said the defense planned to test DNA from a witness and Butler’s fingernail clippings. 

In December, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson continued Smith’s trial date, which was set for Jan. 22, to November because the defense said they wanted to independently test DNA evidence.

According to court documents, an eyewitness told police Smith was continuously teasing Butler about his speech impediment. Apparently, the witness saw Butler and Smith “playfully pushing” each other on South Capital Street. However, the interaction escalated and Smith pulled out a knife and stabbed Butler multiple times, the witness said.

Smith is scheduled for a status hearing on April 18.