Judge Denies Evidence Said to Identify Homicide Defendant

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On March 12, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the prosecution’s motion to admit evidence regarding identification of a homicide defendant.

Oscar Ramos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Alvarado on May 28, 2015, on Interstate 295 North at exit one, SW. The incident left another individual suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Ramos was indicted on Sept. 30, 2021, six years after the shooting occurred and arrested on April 20, 2022.

On Jan. 26, Ramos’ defense attorneys, Rachel McCoy and Camille Wagner, filed a motion to suppress out of court and in court identifications in relation to Ramos.

The hearing resumed with parties focusing on this motion.

The prosecution called a witness, a former FBI special agent, to testify. He explained his relationship with a witness who claimed to know Ramos and received information from the witness that Ramos was involved in the murder.

The agent stated he identified the witness to be a confidential informant for the FBI for about a year.

The agent was also involved in the coordination of Ramos’ arrest in connection to Alvarado’s murder, and was one of the two officers who interviewed Ramos following his arrest.

The prosecution presented body camera footage from a Montgomery County police officer present at the time of Ramos’ arrest. In court, the agent identified himself and Ramos in the footage.

The agent elaborated that he was responsible for making sure all those present at the scene of Ramos’ arrest left safely, and afterwards headed to where Ramos was being held to interview him.

During cross examination, Wagner asked about the informant’s agreement termination with the FBI.

According to the agent, he found out the informant was being investigated by another police department primarily regarding drugs.

Regarding Ramos’ arrest, the agent recalled that he expressed concerns about his immigration status and being judged because of his tattoos. He also mentioned that Ramos did not sign his Miranda document waiving his right to have a lawyer.

The prosecution explained that the transcript was for the agent to review and confirm the FBI’s identification information of Ramos.

The defense argued against this, citing the transcript was one sided and didn’t provide an opportunity for defense cross examination.

Judge Raffinan sided with the defense argument and denied the prosecution’s request to admit the transcript.

Parties are slated to return to follow up on pending motions on March 18.

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