Judge Rules to Exclude Witness Testimony in Lieu of Missing Evidence

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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ruled to exclude two witnesses’ testimonies in regards to missing evidence during a Feb. 13 hearing for a double homicide case.

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61 Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker has been held in the DC Jail since December of 2018 as he awaits trial.

Defense counsel Prescott Loveland and Kevann Gardner previously filed a motion to dismiss based on missing notes and body-worn camera footage from officers the night of the incident.

Judge Brandt instead ruled to exclude the witnesses captured on the missing footage.

In addition, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on this case was questioned on another motion filed by the defense concerning interviews the MPD had with Walker. The defense aimed to examine the level of suggestivity and self-incrimination that occurred during the interviews.

A final motion was heard regarding the photo identification of Walker by a witness and whether or not the circumstances surrounding the identification were suggestive.

Judge Brandt gave both parties in this matter multiple warnings in regards to the personal nature of arguments and unnecessary questioning.

She ended the hearing by addressing Walker directly, assuring him that the process is almost over. “You will get rulings from me tomorrow on all of these motions,” she stated before promptly exiting the courtroom.

The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14

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