Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Independent DNA Testing of Evidence

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On May 12, a murder suspect waived his right to independently test DNA evidence from a crime scene.

Howard Fritts, 56, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Charlie Miller on the 900 block of 9th Street, NW, on May 29, 2022.

Jacqueline Cadman, defense attorney for Fritts, told the judge the defense would not be going through with independent DNA testing.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt reminded the defendant that if he waived his rights now he couldn’t request to test evidence at a later date.

“This man in front of me is not the same man from months ago,” Judge Brandt said when discussing Fritts’ improvement in the community.

Cadman said Fritts had started his own business, and had named it based on a comment the judge had made at a previous hearing.

According to Cadman, Judge Brandt had told Fritts to bring his life back around like Frosty the Snowman. Because of this, Fritts named his home improvement company Frosty’s Home Improvement, and their motto is “Bringing Things Back to Life.”

Fritts will remain on release as he awaits trial or disposition.

Parties are expected back on Dec. 11.

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