Judge Lifts Protective Order in Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 21, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

In preparation for a murder trial, a DC Superior Court judge granted defense counsel’s request to lift an order that protects the identity of the prosecution’s witnesses. The order is scheduled to be lifted on June 14.

Mario Alfaro is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the shooting of 22-year-old Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW on Nov. 8, 2017.

Alfaro’s defense attorney, James King, argued in favor of the ruling, saying the contact information of the witnesses was known and had already been discussed with Alfaro, 24, before the order was issued.

Even though the defendant already knows who the prosecution’s witnesses are, King said May 21 that he hasn’t disclosed any additional evidence to his client, including body worn camera footage, witness statements and grand jury testimony, since the order was issued.

King also told Judge Danya Dayson that there was no evidence that would indicate that removing the order would pose any danger to the witnesses.

The prosecution didn’t argue against the ruling.

According to DC Courts, Judge Dayson issued the protective order on Feb. 5.

Alfaro also waived his rights, under the Innocence Protection Act, to independently test DNA evidence. According to the prosecution, the evidence includes various articles of clothing, swabs of blood and swabs from handguns recovered on the scene of the crime.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows a man, who police say is Alfaro, enter the Lucky Corner Market on Georgia Avenue with an “angry demeanor,” and mouth something to Vilchez. The man can then be seen reaching for a gun, and, at the same time, Vilchez also pulls out a gun and shoots in the man’s direction. Vilchez collapsed in the threshold of the store.

Alfaro is scheduled for a status hearing on June 28.