Judge finds Probable Cause in Shooting Case

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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan determined there was probable cause in a Feb. 1 preliminary hearing for a murder case.

Desmond Gaskin, 37, is being charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to allegedly shooting  William Frederick Whittington, Jr., 40. The shooting occurred on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE on July 19, 2022. 

Defense attorney Jason Tulley cross-examined a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective during the hearing. He also questioned an Investigative Specialist of the Public Defender Service about the building’s camera system in front of where the shooting occurred, phone records, self-defense, and the credibility of the witnesses to the crime.

Gaskin has multiple prior convictions, according to the DC Superior Court’s website. His convictions include possession with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

The next hearing was scheduled for Feb. 2.