Parties argued over the relevance of witness testimony from a homicide victim’s family before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on July 16.
Ravon Slye, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Andrea Bond, 30, that occurred on March 7, 2023, on the 1100 block of D Street, NE. Bond sustained one stab wound to her chest.
According to court documents, Slye and Bond were in a romantic relationship and had an infant together at the time of the murder.
Court documents alleged that the couple was repeatedly physically violent with each other, resulting in Slye’s reported four previous arrests for domestic violence offenses against Bond, and Bond’s two reported arrests for offenses against Slye.
The defense filed a motion on July 14 to exclude inadmissible hearsay, lay opinion testimony, and character evidence from Bond’s family.
Kevin Mosley, Slye’s attorney, contended that Bond’s family had “limited interactions” with Slye and “didn’t even know his name.” Slye reportedly stated that the pair had stayed at Bond’s family’s house for a few nights after they were evicted from a family housing program following an altercation.
Mosley further asserted that the family formed their negative opinions after Slye was charged with Bond’s murder.
The prosecution argued that Bond’s family’s “feelings” about Slye were relevant to their testimonies and the case as a whole.
“Bias is always relevant,” Judge Dayson said.
Judge Dayson concluded that the testimonies of Bond’s family were admissible, reminding Mosley that bias differed from character evidence and he could cross-examine their claims at trial.
Judge Dayson also denied a defense motion to suppress evidence acquired when police spoke to Slye at the scene and when he was brought in for questioning.
Judge Dayson found that Slye was not officially in custody when the evidence was gathered and that he was not pressured or coerced into providing any information. She ruled that the evidence was admissible in Slye’s trial.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 20 to begin the trial.
