Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence

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Daquan Gray waived his right to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on June 11.

Gray, 22, 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 of his home or business for his alleged involvement in the murder of 15-year-old Jaylyn Wheeler, on the 3000 block of Randall Place, SE, on May 16, 2018.

According to the prosecution, the police found multiple items at the scene of the crime that were recovered as evidence, including a firearm, which was tested by the prosecution.

Items they did not test included a white tank top, black shirt, and red and black Tommy Hilfiger jacket that all contained blood. There was also a Gatorade bottle found at the scene that was not tested, according to the prosecution.

At the hearing, Gray’s defense attorneys, Dana Page and Hanna Perry, alerted the court that Gray decided to waive his right to have the items independently tested.

Judge Raffinan found that Gray voluntarily and knowingly waived his right.

Parties are slated to return Feb. 2.