Judge Denies Murder Co-Defendants' Motion for Acquittal

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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied two defendants’ motions for judgment of acquittal on Sept. 4, arguing that the prosecution met the burden of proof.

Ky’lee Palmer, 25, and Aaron Adgerson, 21 are charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition, Palmer is charged with destruction of property worth $1,000 or more and tampering with physical evidence. All are alleged to be offenses committed during release.

The charges stem from Palmer and Adgerson’s alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that led to the death of 60-year-old Barron Goodwin on Feb. 12, 2020, inside a residence on the 800 block of 51st Street, SE.

Attorneys for Palmer and Adgerson filed oral motions for judgment of acquittals, arguing that the prosecutors had failed to meet their burden of proof. However, Judge Brandt denied it, stating that a reasonable jury could find both defendants guilty of all charges.

Prior to the oral motions, prosecutors called on a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, who testified he responded to the scene of a vehicle on fire on Feb 9, 2020, on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. He testified officers discovered the vehicle had been stolen based on its license plate and they collected spent bullet casings from the interior of the vehicle.

Prosecutors also called on an officer, who testified the lead detective for the homicide was unable to testify due to medical issues. Prosecutors argued his absence was not an attempt to be evasive, as the defense has previously argued.

A doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) also testified and stated that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was a homicide.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 9.

Judge Denies Murder Co-Defendants’ Motion for Acquittal