I ‘Never Searched’ Murder Defendant’s House, Technician Says

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During trial Nov. 19, a crime scene technician testified that a search of a murder defendant’s house was not conducted by him. Leonard Smith, 33 is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Leonte Butler, 26, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE in 2017. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Smith and two other individuals were seen on surveillance footage, covered in blood and changing clothes after the incident. Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, asked the technician if he found the suspected murder weapon, a knife, while doing the search. The technician answered that he did not conduct the search and was told everything to take picture of. Matthews also asked the technician about the bag the knife was found in and if it were a bag that could be potentially be used for carrying food items and utensils because of its apparent insulated lining. The trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 20.

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