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By
Ariana Rojas [former]
- January 27, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to preclude the prosecution from consuming possible DNA evidence.
Khamari Perkins is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The 21-year-old is accused of shooting Naseem Simpson,18, on March 15, 2020, on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW.
The prosecution had already tested swabs of evidence and is now seeking to retest evidence with an independent lab instead of using the Department of Forensic Sciences. However, the defense was concerned that the prosecution could consume the rest of the evidence if they retest it.
Although Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the defense’s motion during the Jan. 24 hearing, she did instruct the prosecution to preserve any remaining DNA extracted.
Parties are set to return to court on March 18 for a status hearing. They also have March 2 motions deadline with oppositions due by March 16.
Perkins’ trial is scheduled to take place in September. The prosecution anticipates needing three to five days to present their case while the defense anticipates needing one to two days.