Judge Declares Mistrial After Hung Jury in 2020 Hit-And-Run Case

By Aubree Tomasetti [former] - October 15, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

On Oct. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defense attorneys’ request for a mistrial in a homicide case due to a hung jury. 

Eric Beasley, 32, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly committing a hit-and-run on 45-year-old David Farewell while he was riding his bicycle. The incident occurred on Sept. 4, 2020 on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE. 

After a six-day trial, jurors deliberated for three days, eventually sending multiple notes to the judge that they were deadlocked and could not come to consensus. 

During the trial, the defense and prosecuting attorneys called multiple witness testimonies and detailed evidence offering divergent views about whether Beasley purposely hit Farewell.

Through a series of 911 audio clips, crime scene images, gas station surveillance videos, and body-worn camera footage, prosecutors argued Beasley’s actions were done with a “consciousness of guilt,” as he fled the scene, disposed of evidence, and failed to call 911. 

A key piece of evidence prosecutors presented was surveillance footage of Beasley hitting Farewell with his vehicle. Prosecutors argued the incident wasn’t an accident, as they highlighted the sound of the car accelerating after Farewell had been hit. 

Prosecutors also displayed the extent of Farewell’s injuries, including lacerations, contusions, and fractured ribs, through autopsy images and a medical examiner’s testimony.

Closing their argument, prosecutors stated, “He wanted the guy dead and he did what he had to do to kill him.” 

In their arguments, Beasley’s defense attorneys, Madalyn Harvey and Patrick Nowak, utilized various photos, videos, and testimony of a Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) employee to allege the crime scene may have been contaminated.

Harvey and Nowak displayed police body-worn camera footage showing various people in the area before it was taped off, and a witness picking up an alleged piece of evidence before dropping it back to the ground.

During their cross-examination of Farewell’s girlfriend, the defense alluded to mental illness playing a role in her testimony and perception of events during the incident.  

Beasley also testified to the jury, expressing his remorse and stating he was concerned about an alleged altercation between Farewell and Farewell’s girlfriend. 

Beasley argued he didn’t mean to hit Farewell and stated, “I feel horrible, because the man lost his life.” 

Harvey and Nowak closed their arguments by stating, “The prosecutors have truly failed here to meet their burden of proof. There are so many reasons to doubt.” 

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 27 for a status hearing, where they’ll decide how to proceed.