Case Acquitted: Homicide Defendant Explains Why He Discharged His Firearm

By Aerial Lopez [former] - March 21, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

On March 20, the defendant in a homicide case testified for the second day in DC Superior Court, recounting the shooting that led to the death of former professional boxer, Aujee “Quick” Tyler. 

Kaevon Sutton, 21, 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 place of business in relation to the shooting of Aujee Tyler. Sutton allegedly shot Tyler, 22, after an altercation on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. 

During Monday’s trial, Sutton told the court that he saw an L-shaped bulge in Tyler’s pants the day of the incident, which he thought was a firearm. Sutton said Tyler allegedly told him he would “kill [his] little ass and take everything.” 

Sutton said that in that split second he was scared and didn’t want to lose his life, so he fired his gun. 

The defendant said he fled to a nearby apartment building where he knew he’d be safe. In a string of events, the defendant said he made his way to his brother’s home, warned his parents of possible retaliation, and was taken to hide in North Carolina.

When asked by defense attorney Jessica Willis why he fled to North Carolina, Sutton said, “I was 16, I was just doing what my father told me.”

After Sutton concluded his testimony, the defense called a neuropsychologist to testify. DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan accepted the defense’s motion to consider the doctor as an expert opinion witness, despite protest from the prosecution. 

This witness said that, when under extreme stress, a person’s behavior and ability to make decisions could be inhibited. With further explanation the doctor said logical parts of our brain are overcome by fear triggering a flight, fight, or freeze response.

Furthermore, the witness said that the more a person is exposed to traumatic triggers, the more they’re ‘primed,’ leading to quicker responses in similar situations. 

Jessica Willis, Sutton’s attorney, asked the witness if this type of fear could develop into an extreme response––like discharging a weapon sixteen times.

“The more fearful the situation, the more extreme the response – it is a continuum,” the witness said.  

Trial is set to resume March 21.