Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Statements Given to Police

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 28, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts. 

During a murder defendant’s motion hearing Feb. 26, a judge denied a motion to suppress statements given by the defendant to an officer of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

Dewayne Shorter, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Daniel Parker on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Ave., SE, in 2017. 

Shorter’s defense attorney, Jon Norris, argued for suppression of statements given by Shorter to an arresting officer. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck denied the motion to suppress testimony from the officer. 

Judge Beck rescheduled the initial trial date due to ongoing DNA testing for the defense. The trial was originally scheduled to begin on March 2. 

A trial readiness hearing is now slated to occur on March 2. 

Opening statements are set to begin on March 3.