Judge Sanctions Prosecution Before Murder Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Feb. 19, a DC Superior Court judge placed sanctions on the prosecution to prevent them from challenging a piece of evidence in a murder trial.

El Hadji Alpha Madiou Toure, also known as Elie Brown, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and first-degree sexual abuse, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in 2017. According to court documents, Mehiel died from multiple stab wounds that were consistent with torture.

Judge Juliet McKenna said she would allow the defense to admit homeless shelter records that place Toure away from the scene of the rape. The prosecution will not be allowed to challenge the shelter records during trial. 

The prosecution is prohibited from challenging the shelter documents because counsel did not hand over evidence of a rape that occurred weeks before Mehiel’s murder in 2017. 

Even though prosecutors said the evidence was not disclosed earlier because it was part of an ongoing investigation, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman said the rape and Mehiel’s murder had a lot of “striking” similarities.  Both victims were raped and had their bodies washed. Judge McKenna said the records would prevent jurors from assuming Toure committed both crimes.

Judge McKenna also denied multiple motions by the defense to suppress evidence from the jury during trial. 

Opening arguements are scheduled to begin on Feb. 25.