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By
Ivanna Ceballos [former]
- December 11, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Traffic
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Victims
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A motion to suppress key statements in a traffic homicide case was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan during a hearing on Dec. 9, clearing the way for their use in court.
Spiro Stafilatos, 37, is charged with second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and fleeing from a law enforcement officer for his alleged involvement in a Dec. 30, 2022, hit-and-run incident. The collision occurred on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NW, and resulted in the death of 31-year-old Shuyu Sui and severe injury to another individual.
According to court documents, the defendant sped away from a traffic stop, ran a red light, and collided with another car. The impact caused his vehicle to spin into a crosswalk, where it allegedly struck Sui and the second victim.
The defense, led by attorney Brian McDaniel, argued that Stafilatos’ statements made to a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were in violation of Miranda rights against self-incrimination and were involuntary.
The prosecution contended that the statements were unsolicited and made of the defendant’s own volition.
The detective testified that Stafilatos recapitulated conversations without prompting and did not request an attorney during the interview. Additionally, body-worn camera footage showed the detective present during an ambulance ride during which the defendant spoke with EMTs.
Judge Raffinan found no evidence the detective conducted an interrogation, concluding that the defendant’s rights were not violated. The motion to suppress was denied.
Separately, the prosecution raised a request from a surviving victim to participate in future proceedings virtually. The matter is expected to be addressed during a status hearing on Dec. 12 before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, who will be taking over the case.