Judge Finds Substantial Probability for Co-Defendants Charged with Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Dec. 10, a DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Niko Hall and Kyrie Wells are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of 25-year-old Anthony Lee on Sept. 26 on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. 

Judge Todd Edelman was able to find substantial probability based on the evidence provided, including surveillance footage from the street and stores near the crime scene.

Surveillance footage showed the defendants as the shooters. However, there were a total of four shooters, two of which have not been identified as the case is still under investigation. 

Hall, 29, was identified as the suspect wearing a red hoodie in the footage, which was consistent with an Instagram picture he had posted on his account earlier that day. 

“The two defendants who are in front of me look clearly like the people in the videos,” said Judge Edelman.

During cross-examination, the lead Metropolitan Police Department detective said that shell casings were not found at the scene after police canvassed the area. However, in one of the surveillance videos, two of the shooters are seen kneeling down and picking something up after the shooting. 

The detective said he believes the shooters were picking up the shell casings.

“The government alleges that the shooters fired multiple rounds,” said Wells’ defense attorney, Dorsey Jones. “Not one shell casing is found, it’s hard to believe that the shooters picked up every shell casing especially during night time.”

In the surveillance footage, the suspect that is allegedly Hall is shown clearly pointing a gun, however, the man identified as Wells, 18, isn’t seen holding a gun. 

While Judge Edelman said it was a closer call for Wells, he still believes that the evidence is strong and fairly overwhelming even though a gun is not seen in his hands in the footage. 

“Releasing these people will be like releasing lions to sheeps pastures,” said a family member of the victim. “I fear for my life and my children.”

Defense attorneys Jones and Maritta King asked for their clients to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) 

However, Judge Edelman denied the request. 

“Given the circumstances of this case, there is strong evidence of a violent armed homicide,” said Judge Edelman. “Both defendants came to the scene to a public place armed, they acted in concert with two other people both of whom are still in the community.” 

Judge Edelman scheduled Wells and Hall’s next hearing for Jan. 27.