Judge Postpones Hearing in Co-Defendant Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 30, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Defense attorneys in a co-defendant case said they needed more time to test DNA evidence during a status hearing on July 26.

Gabriel Brown, 30, and Antonio Upshaw, 30, are both charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the murder of 24-year-old Tyrone Johnson. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on March 10, 2017. Upshaw is also charged with robbery while armed with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said the July 26 hearing was supposed to be a status hearing where the defense would discuss the results of DNA testing and decide what further actions to take. 

However, the attorneys said they weren’t ready to conduct the hearing.

Brown’s attorney, Keven Irving, said he was waiting on additional evidence from the prosecution. He said until he gets the material, he can’t make a decision about whether he would test particular items. 

According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Johnson lying in an alley, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the hospital later that morning.

The hearing was rescheduled on Sept. 20.