Case Acquitted: Judge Ruled On Multiple Motions in 2020 Homicide Case

By Sofia Marcus [former] - July 24, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Green was acquitted of murder on Aug. 24, 2023.

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ruled on multiple motions in a lengthy hearing for homicide defendant Tamika Green.

Green, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for her alleged involvement in the death of 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. The incident occurred on Feb. 20, 2020, on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. The incident was described as a domestic dispute.

According to court documents, Tate was shot three times – once on his left shoulder, once in the left hip area, and once in his left forearm – before succumbing to his injuries. 

Prior to the hearing, defense attorneys for Green filed motions to suppress certain evidence, including ammunition, digital data, and statements allegedly made by Green to police. Prosecutors filed their opposition to these motions.

Prosecutors plan to use information from Green’s phone, which includes tens of thousands of records.

The defense claimed that, without knowing what evidence prosecutors will pull from these phone records, their whole theory could be affected.

“Green will be adversely affected,” said the defense regarding the issue with the evidence.

Prosecutors brought upon a witness, a detective sergeant from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), for questioning regarding Green’s communications with detectives over the phone before they interviewed her.

According to the witness, Green had messaged detectives claiming that she did not feel safe and didn’t know who to trust. After many text messages from detectives asking to speak with her, Green requested a ride to the MPD Homicide Branch.

The witness asserted that Green did not appear intimidated, fearful, or uncomfortable during the ride to the station.

Prosecutors showed various clips of the interview between Green and the detectives. In one clip, Green can be heard saying she is there because she wants justice. In another clip, detectives briefly mentioned to Green that the ammunition in her purse was the same as the weapon used in Tate’s murder.

Prosecutors argued that they have a right to search any physical evidence and use Green’s statements given at the interview because she was there on her own accord.

“She was free to terminate the interview at any time,” said prosecutors. 

The defense argued that her responses were involuntary as detectives constantly conveyed that they needed to speak with her, leaving her with no choice but to comply.

“A reasonable person in [Green’s] position would feel like they didn’t have a right,” said the defense.

Regarding the use of the ammunition found in Green’s purse, the defense argued that there is no forensic evidence linking her to the murder weapon.

After considering both parties’ arguments, Judge Demeo denied the motions to suppress ammunition evidence and Green’s statements to MPD detectives. The court reserved its ruling on the phone matter.

“The [police] statement is admissible at trial,” Judge Demeo ruled.

Parties are expected to return on July 31 for a continued motions hearing.