Judge Finds Probable Cause for Homicide Defendant Who Absconded from Hospital

By Maria Andrea Morales - April 11, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On April 11, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a homicide. 

Christopher Patrick Haynes, 31, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward, 33, on Aug. 12, 2023, on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. A second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Haynes allegedly fled the scene immediately, and was arrested the following month on Sept. 6 but escaped police custody from George Washington University Hospital where he was being treated for an injury and was subsequently rearrested.

At a previous hearing, asked the lead detective to walk through the events that occurred the evening of the shooting, as well as how the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the vehicle allegedly used by Haynes that evening.

The detective explained that the victims had gotten into a verbal and physical altercation with Haynes, who then drove away from the scene, returned minutes later, and got into another altercation, at which Haynes allegedly pulled a gun from his vehicle, making threats at the victims.

After leaving the scene a second time, the detective explained that Haynes allegedly parked his vehicle at a church around the corner from the crime scene, walked back, and opened fire on the victims.

The preliminary hearing was a continuation of one that occurred on March 22. 

In today’s hearing, Haynes’ defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, continued cross examining the detective. Lotze continued to ask questions about a white Dodge Durango, which was identified as the suspect vehicle in the incident. 

After the shooting, the Durango was left at an auto body shop and according to the detective, one of the witnesses of the shooting repaired the car. According to the detective, no firearm was recovered by the witness from the vehicle.

According to the detective, a witness told MPD they had no knowledge of any issues between Hayward and Haynes.   This same witness identified Haynes in a photo identification procedure. 

During her arguments, Lotze claimed no witness ever identified the shooter by Haynes’ name, but rather identified the shooter as Mack and Jeff. 

The prosecution explained that all identifications of the shooter stemmed from a photo array procedure that was conducted by MPD. They also stated that the surviving victim, who had been in the car with the defendant, also identified him. 

According to prosecutors, witnesses, who sold the Durango to Haynes months before the shooting, identified the vehicle and told MPD the buyer, which assisted MPD with the connection to the murder. 

After brief deliberation, Judge O’Keefe found probable cause for first-degree murder while armed, but claimed he has seen cases with stronger evidence than the prosecution presented.

Judge O’Keefe stated he based his ruling on the fact that “almost all of this crime was recorded on video,” multiple people had identified the defendant, and the person in the video looks strikingly like Haynes. 

He cited that it is clear that it was premeditated since the shooter walked away from an argument and then returned with the intention to kill both victims.

Following the probable cause finding, Lotze requested Haynes be released as he awaits further proceedings. She argued Haynes has extensive family support and is “not a threat to anyone who is not in a heated argument with him.” 

Ultimately, Judge O’Keefe denied release, deeming Haynes a danger to the community and adding that he was a flight risk because of previous instances of him running from police and law enforcement. 

Parties are slated to return July 26.