Case Acquitted: Judge Limits Expert Testimony in a Murder Case

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Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

On Feb. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo partially granted a motion, filed by the prosecution, to allow a ShotSpotter expert to provide testimony, with limitations, in a homicide trial.

Tierra Posey, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Tia Carey on Jan. 6, 2020, on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

At the motion hearing, the prosecution argued that the witness, a representative for ShotSpotter, should be allowed to discuss triangulation technology, which is the timing and distance of the shots that were fired from a particular location.

Posey’s defense attorneys, Kevann Gardner and Quiana Harris, argued that if the witness was admitted, the specialist should only be able to testify on a scientific basis of what ShotSpotter is.

Judge Demeo ruled that the witness would be admitted with certain limitations to testify about ShotSpotter’s ability to pinpoint the source of gunfire but not extrapolate with their opinions.

Judge Demeo also allowed the prosecution to have the witness testify about security footage related to the incident.

Parties are slated to return on March 4.

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