Homicide Defendant Walks Out After Judge Finds Probable Cause

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On Feb. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause for first-degree murder while armed in a homicide case.

Deandre Miles, 28, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Davon Fuller on Oct. 16, 2023 at the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they located Fuller with gunshot wound injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

On Dec. 27, Miles turned himself into MPD’s Homicide Branch, where he was arrested. The hearing resumed with a recall of an MPD detective from the previous day. Miles’ defense attorney, Kevin Robertson, continued his cross examination about surveillance footage of the events leading up to the fatal shooting incident.

The detective conceded that Fuller could be seen as aggressive following the initial interaction with Miles at an electronics repair shop as Fuller allegedly entered by banging on the entrance and making threatening statements.

The prosecution countered with a report written by the detective allegedly detailing a statement made about Miles’ behavior. Through the report, the detective confirmed that Miles mentioned to the witness that he would “kill his dumba**”, referring to Fuller after the initial interaction.

The prosecution emphasized Miles’ demeanor as “baiting” Fuller into a confrontation after the initial interaction.

Afterwards, parties concluded their case.

The prosecution stressed the fatal shooting incident was not a case of self-defense and Miles was following and provoking Fuller in the interactions that followed the incident in the electronics shop..

According to a witness’ statement, during the final interaction at a Safeway, Fuller could be heard saying, “Stop following me,” and began to walk away when he was shot from behind by Miles.

Robertson followed by arguing that this was a case of self-defense and there’s no evidence that indicates Miles was following Fuller as Miles didn’t follow Fuller right after the initial interaction.

Robertson also highlighted that Miles did not use his firearm until Fuller rapidly approached him with a knife.

Upon hearing both parties, Judge Brandt concluded that this was not a case of self-defense and elaborated on describing the incident as “two adult men behaving badly” and “childish banter.”

While Judge Brandt explained her reasoning on why this was not a case of self-defense, Miles stormed out of the courtroom and did not return.

Judge Brandt acknowledged that despite Fuller’s “disgusting” and “insulting” behavior towards store employees prior to the incident, it did not warrant his death.

Judge Brandt ruled that there was probable cause for first-degree murder while armed, citing the location of Fuller’s injuries and and the video surveillance footage surrounding the incident.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

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