Case Acquitted: Homicide Defendant is ‘Actually Innocent,’ Defense Attorney Says

By Natalie Tarby [former] - October 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case was acquitted on Nov. 9, 2022.

This is the “scariest moment of my life as a defense attorney because he didn’t do it,” said Brian McDaniel during opening statements. 

Mike Bidgell, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the June 6, 2020, shooting death of 18-year-old Marquis Harrod on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. 

After the prosecutor laid out their case during opening arguments on Oct. 25, Mcdaniel appealed to the jury in his opening by moving chairs across the courtroom, giving them a visual representation of what happened on June 6, 2020. 

McDaniel mentioned a video of the shooting the prosecution had shown during their opening statements saying, “Thank god for the video.”

He went on to tell the jury the video shows Harrod approaching the defendant’s vehicle with a gun. McDaniel said the shooter was actually Bidgell’s brother who knew the victim.

“Even if he was the one who shot him, he would’ve been well within his right to do so,” saying the shooting was self-defense against the victim, who leaned into the window of the car with a gun. 

The prosecutor showed the jury body-worn camera footage from the Metropolitan Police Officer who was the first to arrive at the scene.

During cross-examination, McDaniel asked the officer if she knew who was responsible for the shooting. She replied that she did not know who was responsible. 

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled the trial to continue on Oct. 25.