DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found that the prosecution met the burden of proof for probable cause in charging an individual with a Union Station homicide in a hearing on Sept. 11.
Faizon Mason, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Wayne McDaniels on Feb. 10, at the parking garage of the 50 unit block Massachusetts Avenue, NE. McDaniels was pronounced dead on the scene with a gunshot wound to his back.
The prosecution called on the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective in the case to testify during the preliminary hearing. The officer allegedly identified Mason as the suspect through tips called in to the department and a family member’s identification through surveillance footage.
According to the prosecution, Mason was seen through security camera footage pulling his weapon and pursuing the victim through an outdoor, open air area of Union Station. The footage depicted the individual identified as Mason firing at McDaniels, who was fleeing.
The detective stated that no witness indicated there was “bad blood” between Mason and McDaniels, or that the two knew each other prior to the incident.
Defense attorney Destiny Fullwood-Singh cited the detective’s testimony that four other individuals on the scene were at Union Station with the intent to rob someone, though the target was unclear. Furthermore, through video surveillance Fullwood-Singh said that McDaniels and one other individual could be seen watching Mason and following him through Union Station.
Fullwood-Singh argued that there was no probable cause for second-degree murder because there was clear evidence Mason was acting in self-defense.
Surveillance footage showed the individual identified as McDaniels following the defendant into a bus waiting area, which had only one entrance and exit. The footage also depicted McDaniels brandishing his gun, which led to Mason pulling his own gun. Fullwood-Singh argued that Mason pulled and fired his own weapon to get away from the situation.
The prosecution argued that the basis for probable cause comes from Mason pursuing and firing recklessly at McDaniel as he fled. The prosecution insisted that Mason had intent to kill or gravely injure McDaniels because he shot him as he ran away.
Judge Edelman found that there was probable cause for second-degree murder. The alleged dentification of the defendant by a family member was allegedly valid to establish that Mason was the suspect. The judge also agreed with the prosecution that the location of the fatal wound on the victim and the firing recklessly in Union Station was not self-defense.
The defense asked for Mason to be released to 24 hour home confinement. Mason has had a steady job for five years, is attempting to re-enroll in high school, and is in both family and individual therapy. Fullwood-Singh said that holding him in detention is a “waste”.
The judge ruled in favor of the prosecution. Mason is to be held without bond before trial.
Judge Edelman cited that the incident was dangerous not just in the content of the shooting but the context of where it happened. Firing recklessly in Union Station around rush hour endangered not only the life of McDaniel but all those around Mason.
Parties are set to reconvene Dec. 12.
