Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Additional DNA Testing

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On April 12, a homicide defendant waived rights to additional testing of evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Antoine Tucker, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, attempted robbery while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Vernon Harrison on June 22, 2022, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

Tucker’s co-defendant, 30-year-old Nakia Pearson, is charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence, for allegedly assisting Tucker after the incident to remain unknown to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in connection to the murder.

Parties convened to discuss DNA testing on two shell casings that were recovered from a bus stop near the scene.

The prosecution discussed the casings tested and revealed that an insufficient amount of DNA was found to warrant more analysis. They stated that a cartridge found in Tucker’s car, sprite bottles, and various parts of the car had been swabbed for DNA, but not tested.

The defendant waived his right to additional testing, which the judge found to be “knowing and voluntary.”

Parties are set to reconvene on June 27.

Follow this case