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By
Maggie Rhoads [former]
, Ben Dickson [former] - July 24, 2024
Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan issued a material witness warrant for a homicide defendant’s father who was supposed to testify on July 23, but failed to appear.
Keanan Turner, 35, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, attempted first-degree murder against a minor, arson, second-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, destruction of property of less than $1000 and tampering with physical evidence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ebony Wright, 31, and her mother, Wanda Wright, 48, on April 12, 2021, on the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE.
According to court documents, Turner is the father of Ebony’s child, who was an infant at the time of the shooting. The child survived the incident, as did Ebony’s sister, who was shot in the face.
The prosecutor says Turner urged Ebony to get an abortion when he learned she was pregnant and told her he didn’t want to be involved in the child’s life.
During the hearing, Turner’s father refused to show up to court to testify despite being subpoenaed by the prosecution. The prosecution said the witness had health issues preventing him from testifying.
The witness’ defense attorney, Frederick Iverson, also said the witness, who lives in Virginia, should not testify based on potential self-incrimination. According to Iverson, the witness believes if he testifies he may run the risk of being charged with involuntary manslaughter because he’s alleged to have provided Turner the gun used in the crime.
According to the prosecution detectives went to the witness’ house to assist him but he wasn’t there. The prosecution said one of the neighbors told officers they saw the witness pack up his truck late last night and leave.
So, Judge Raffinan granted the prosecution’s request to issue a material witness warrant.
At the hearing, a fingerprint expert revealed Ebony’s fingerprints were found on the scene, but was unable to identify any others.
The witness told the jury that, in general, gloves and fire can make fingerprints found on crime scenes virtually undetectable. Officers found a fire in the kitchen when they responded to the scene.
Another forensic scientist, said she found a box of plastic gloves in Turner’s car when it was turned in for processing. The prosecution said Turner allegedly wore the same style of gloves during the shooting.
A representative from Snapchat’s law enforcement operations testified that Turner and Ebony regularly communicated on the app, used to share self-destructing photos before the shooting incident, providing the jury with their usernames.
The witness showed data detailing correspondence between Turner and Ebony during the course of their relationship. He also said the data reveals either Turner or Ebony “unadded” or removed the other.
Parties are set to reconvene on July 24.