Judge Grants Continuance for DNA Testing

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 5, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Editors Note: The defendant in this case has since been acquitted on all counts. 

During a trial readiness hearing Aug. 5, a judge granted the defense a continuance to conduct independent DNA testing.

Dewayne Shorter Jr., 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm, assault with the intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Daniel Parker on the 2000 block of Fairlawn Ave. SE in 2017.

D.C. Witness previously reported that, Shorter waived his right to conduct his own DNA testing.

During the hearing defense counsel, Jon Morris, said that Shorter had reconsidered his position and would like time to conduct testing, especially on shell casings and ballistics. A majority of the prosecution’s arguments would reference those items, according to the prosecution.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck granted the continuance and set a new trial readiness hearing and trial date to allow time for the results to return.

Shorter’s new trial readiness date is set on Jan. 31. A new trial date is set on March 2.