Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Independent Testing

By Lexie Manning [former] , Yani Barrera [former] - October 13, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct.13, a defendant waived his right to independently test evidence for DNA recovered from a homicide case.

Christian Johnson, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed – an offense committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 25-year-old Lavonte McCould on Nov. 25 2021, on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. 

According to witnesses, McCloud and Johnson had a tense relationship in addition to a child with the same woman. Johnson is currently on release because the prosecution failed to file an indictment within the nine-month deadline.

The prosecution chose to have no DNA testing conducted. 

Defense counsel, Dominique Winters, informed the court that Johnson waives his right to independent DNA testing. Parties are expected back to court before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Jan. 12, 2024.