Judge Finds Probable Cause in Second-Degree Murder Case

By Nick Pallotto [former] - October 11, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

At an Oct 11 preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a homicide. 

Terrance Stoney, 30, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 43-year-old Donte Tiller on March 17 at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE.

A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified about surveillance footage he retrieved from a liquor store located at the 3200 block of Naylor Road and from interviews with Stoney.

The footage shows Tiller’s vehicle, a black Ford Crown Victoria, traveling toward Southern Avenue pursued by a gray Nissan Infiniti.

According to the detective, Tiller stopped at a red light while Infiniti vehicle proceeded toward Naylor Road, apparently with the front window down, an arm extending from the vehicle, then shots were fired.

In the MPD detective’s interviews with Stoney, he said he was driving a gray tow truck near Naylor Road and Southern Avenue at the time of the offense. 

From surveillance footage, prosecutors noted there was a gray tow truck that looked like it was heading toward Southern Avenue. 

Using cell phone data, the MPD detective testified that Stoney’s phone signal showed up in the vicinity of the offense.

Nikki Lotze, Stoney’s defense attorney, said that the cell site analysis is consistent with Stoney’s phone but the specific location is unknown. 

Following the detective’s testimony, the defense called a private investigator to confirm that Stoney was a driver for a towing company and he did work on March 17, according to the tow logs provided by his boss. One of his trips was from Temple Hills, MD, in the direction of the incident.

On the contrary, on May 1, Stoney’s boss told police that he works the day shift but wasn’t currently working on the day of the homicide, according to court documents.

Judge Demeo said “bad business practices” could’ve been at play with regard to the tow logs and Stoney’s whereabouts on the day of the shooting. She said the tow logs lacked detailed information.

Additionally, Stoney’s girlfriend told police on March 22 that she was the owner of the Infiniti involved in the shooting. She said that they live together and she bought the car for him, according to court documents.

In finding probable cause, Judge Demeo said the defendant and his employer were evasive in providing information.

Parties are expected back on Oct. 12 to discuss Stoney’s detention.