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By
Isabelle Chiu [former]
, Katie Gallagher [former] - June 22, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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During a June 22 hearing, parties discussed pending DNA evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee.
Ravel Mills, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. He is charged in connection with the April 18, 2020, shooting of 28-year-old Toussaunt Tarquann Strong on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE.
The prosecution told Judge Lee the DNA results of a handgun were not yet available due to a miscommunication with Bode Technology, a forensic services organization.
According to court documents, the handgun was recovered in a separate incident on May 24, 2020. It was found through NIBIN, a national firearms database, in which the cartridge casings fired from the handgun matched cartridge casings found on the scene of Strong’s shooting.
The prosecution originally intended to have Bode Technology compare the DNA profile of the handgun to the known DNA profile from Mills’ saliva sample. However, due to the miscommunication, Bode Technology just received Mills’ saliva sample.
The prosecution expects to have the results by the end of July.
Mills’ defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the delay would not impact the scheduled January 2023 trial date.
Mills’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1, where parties will reconvene to discuss the status of the DNA analysis and address any motions.