Judge Decides to Move Forward in Murder Case Despite Only Having Circumstantial Evidence

By Christopher Sivak [former] - January 31, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found in a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31 that there was substantial probability that a jury could convict a defendant of murder.

Tyriq Williams, 31, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly murdering Terry Clark, 20, on Jan. 7 on the 1200 block of Half Street, SE. 

Judge Epstein said he found substantial probability for second-degree murder against Williams because there was no evidence of self-defense and no explanation for the calm demeanor Williams portrayed after the shooting. 

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case explained that there had been a single .09 millimeter casing found a few feet south of Clark’s body. 

The prosecution displayed surveillance footage from the Navy Yard Metro Station, which portrayed the moments leading up to the shooting and the incidents after the shooting. The footage shows Williams, a female, and Clark exiting an escalator. The detective said Williams and the female were together, but they did not appear to have any relationship to Clark.

The detective said there was no actual footage of the shooting, Clark falling down, or WIlliams possessing a firearm and that there are no eyewitnesses.

The detective also explained that a witness in the case, who did not see the shooting, was the only person to call 911. That witness could not identify a suspect. However, the witness did identify that the person standing next to Clark’s body was wearing a dark coat. According to the detective and surveillance footage, Williams had been wearing a tan coat. 

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley showed the detective numerous videos of Williams and the female leaving the train and what appears to be Clark rushing up to them and shouting something while motioning in the air. 

Mosley proceeds to show further footage where Clark exits the metro station, heading right, where Williams proceeds to follow for a few seconds then returns to the metro station. 

Mosley clarified with the detective that there had been no weapons or ammunition recovered at Williams’ residence and that there had been no forensic evidence connecting Williams to the crime. The detective agreed with Mosley on these instances. 

Mosley asked the detective if the woman seen with Williams could provide any further information. 

The detective explained that the woman did not mention seeing Williams with a firearm and did not see Williams shoot anybody.

The detective also described that the entrance wound was to the right eye of Clark, although the surveillance footage shows Williams behind Clark a little bit before the incident. 

The defense clarified with the detective that numerous pedestrians had walked past Clark on the ground and that it could not be confirmed if anything had been taken off his person. 

The prosecution requested that substantial probability be established. 

Mosley disagreed, explaining that Clark could have been the initial aggressor leaving Williams’ case to self defense. 

Mosley requested that Williams be released to home confinement being that he is 31 and has no prior criminal history and is a positive role model in the community. 

Judge Epstein denied the request and kept Williams in custody.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene for a felony status conference on March 24.