Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

By Alesar Harfoush [former] - March 30, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause connecting two defendants to the murder of Vernon Harrison,36. The ruling came during a preliminary hearing on March 29. 

Twenty-nine-year-old Antione Tucker is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Harrison on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on June 22, 2022.  

Nakia Pearson, 29, is charged with being an accessory after the fact for allegedly assisting Tucker after the shooting by driving him away from the scene and disposing of his gun.

According to the prosecution, Tucker was attempting to rob Harrison while he was standing at a bus stop. 

According to the lead detective in this case the getaway car belongs to Pearson. He said the car was later searched and items that belonged to Tucker were recovered including a social security card, ID, and credit card. 

According to the detective, a witness who spoke to both Tucker and Pearson said they told her how Pearson disposed of the gun. 

After being asked by defense attorney Pierce Suen, the detective added that the same witness previously received a substantial award in another homicide case that involved Pearson.

Defense attorneys said the evidence is weak and the court should not find probable cause.

However, the prosecution argued that they have more evidence that shows Tucker and Pearson at the location of the shooting when it happened.

Judge Epstein stated that there is enough evidence to connect both defendants to the murder. 

Suen requested that Tucker be released on GPS monitoring and home confinement.

Judge Epstein denied his request due to the safety of the community and Tucker’s criminal history. 

Pearson remains on release awaiting trial. 

A felony arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 25.