The defense and prosecution disputed the credibility of a six-year-old boy who witnessed his father’s death in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 25.
Robert Baskerville, 33, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from Baskerville’s alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Darron Holmes on April 16, 2022 on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Holmes died from four gunshot wounds to his neck, wrist, butt, and ear.
For her alleged involvement in the same offense, Baskerville’s co-defendant, Tamera Brown, 30, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of threatening to kidnap or injure a person, and obstructing justice.
The co-defendants’ cases were severed and Brown’s trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 5.
In opening statements for Baskerville’s case, the prosecution detailed the events that they claim ended with Holmes “gunned down” in front of his two children.
Brown and Holmes were married from 2019 to 2022 and had two sons together, who were three- and six-years-old at the time of Holmes’ death. The prosecutor noted that, “divorces aren’t easy” and often result in “bitterness” between former spouses.
A visitation agreement indicated that Brown would receive the children on the weekends, said the prosecutor. However, for unclear reasons, the visitation was not implemented and Brown was upset.
The day of the incident, Brown tried to pick up her children from Holmes. The prosecutor said when Holmes did not let her, Brown banged on his door and demanded to see her sons. According to the prosecutor, in a phone call, Brown’s former mother-in-law attempted to resolve the situation peacefully.
In the call, the prosecutor alleged Brown threatened to harm or kill Holmes if she did not receive the children. Brown’s former mother-in-law will reportedly testify about the threats she overheard.
Based on a call from Brown’s former mother-in-law, officers responded to a report of domestic violence at Holmes’ residence. When officers arrived, Brown had left, but they spoke with Holmes, who the prosecution argued appeared calm in body-worn camera footage.
The prosecution explained that Brown went to Baskerville’s residence, who was her boyfriend at the time. Brown picked up Baskerville, who was armed, and they drove back to Holmes’ residence, the prosecution claimed.
When Baskerville and Brown arrived, Holmes brought the children downstairs and there was a violent altercation in which Holmes put his hands on Brown. The prosecution alleged that Baskerville then fired four shots at a close range and fled the scene with Brown and the two boys.
Holmes’ friend, who was in his apartment, mistook the gunfire for a gate slamming shut, prosecutors said. The friend then heard children crying, went downstairs, and found her close friend bleeding out on the sidewalk.
After the shooting, Brown went home, then to her father’s house, before her father drove the two of them to the police station. The prosecution asserted that body-worn camera footage will demonstrate that Brown was not bleeding and had no visible serious wounds when she arrived at the station.
The prosecution informed jurors that a forensic interviewer questioned both children after the incident. The now-10-year-old child will testify that “daddy attacked mommy” then “daddy got shot” by a “random guy,” prosecutors claimed. They elaborated that the child will report that the shooter looked like “two,” which they allege is Baskerville because his nickname is 200.
The prosecution asked jurors to find Baskerville guilty on all four counts.
Baskerville’s attorney, Christen Philips, asserted there was no plan to kill Holmes, her client was “nowhere near” the shooting, and is innocent.
According to Philips, Baskerville received a call from Brown the day of the incident in which she was crying. The two spent the day together until Holmes called Brown and told her to return for the kids because he changed his mind.
At Holmes’ residence, Baskerville stayed in the car that was parked on the other side of the building, Philips claimed. Baskerville heard screams, gunshots, and tears, Philips said, before Brown ran back to the car with her sons, and they drove away.
Later that day, Brown was alone with her children and family when Philips claimed, “decisions are made.”
The prosecution’s case rests “on the shoulders of a vulnerable child” who reported “what he was told to say to protect his mother,” Philips asserted.
Philips argued the evidence does not match the child’s story. For example, Philips said he will testify that the shooter stood far away and shot once. However, the evidence proves the shooter stood close and shot four times, Philips noted.
In addition, Philips emphasized that the only reliable adult witness, Holmes’ friend, will reportedly testify that she only witnessed Brown exit the car and that the driver remained in the car.
Philips claimed Brown fired the shots in self-defense. The evidence will show Brown’s DNA under Holmes’ fingernails and Holmes’ DNA on Brown’s glasses that he knocked off her face, Philips highlighted.
The trial is scheduled to resume on Aug. 26.
