Judge Resumes Drug Testing for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 21, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ordered a murder defendant to resume his weekly drug testing as a condition of his pretrial release.

Tylek Dunkins is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Amoni Richardson, who was killed on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, on Oct. 24, 2019. 

Dunkins, 18, must now be tested for a number of substances, including synthetic cannabinoids and marijuana. 

He tested positive for marijuana on four different occasions since Oct. 25 prior to the suspension of drug testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has not been tested since March 9.

Defense attorney Joseph Wong said his client was confused by the positive results, which were a result of second-hand smoking.

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said information about the levels of marijuana present in the defendant is not available.

Dunkins also had issues with reporting to the PSA via phone. He failed to report on June 6, 13, and 20. However, he has resumed contact since them.

On Oct. 24, 2019, Dunkins allegedly drove his vehicle into a woman he did not see at a high rate of speed. After the collision, he did not stop due to fear and uncertainty about what to do. In an interview with a detective, the defendant said he smoked marijuana and was driving towards a school when the incident occurred, according to court documents.