Case Acquitted: Judge Rules on Motions as Murder Case Moves Toward Trial Date

By Julia Yan [former] - October 11, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case was acquitted on Nov. 9, 2022.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan accepted the prosecution’s motion to admit prior bad acts in an upcoming trial, ruling evidence of a burning vehicle and cell-site information as central to the context of the homicide. 

Mike Bidgell, 26, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the shooting of Marquis Harrod on the 1000 block of Brentwood Road, NW. 

The Oct. 7 hearing addressed two pretrial motions, both of which were filed by the prosecution and opposed by the defense. 

The first motion discussed the admissibility of evidence found after the shooting, namely, a burned vehicle, allegedly the suspect’s getaway vehicle, and cell-site information that traces the defendant to the site of the burning vehicle.

Judge Raffinan said that since the evidence is closely intertwined with the case, the burning vehicle shows a consciousness of guilt by the defendant that completes the story of the crime. There is no danger of unfair prejudice, the motion is granted, she said. 

In the second motion, the prosecution requested to preclude a self-defense claim by the defense, stating that there is currently no evidentiary basis for such claim. 

Judge Raffinan denied the prosecution’s motion since Bidgell, represented by defense attorney Brian McDaniel, has not outlined what Bidgell’s defense will use nor is the defense required to disclose that information. 

On June 6, 2020, Bidgell parked in front of the 1000 block of Brentwood Road, NW and entered the location’s store. After making a purchase, the defendant returned to the driver side seat of the vehicle when he was approached by Harrod who the defendant allegedly shot three times before driving away.

The trial date is set for Oct. 18. 

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