Case Acquitted: Judge Threatens to Ban Audience from Public Homicide Trial

By Aerial Lopez [former] , Alesar Harfoush [former] - March 9, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

On March 8, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan threatened to kick the audience out of the courtroom for influencing the integrity of the case.

Kaevon Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Aujee Tyler, 22. Tyler was shot multiple times on the 3500 block of Stanton Road SE on March 19, 2018. Despite all life-saving efforts, Tyler passed away at Washington Hospital Center later that day.

The left side of the courtroom, associated with the victim’s family, delivered audible reactions in response to a Deputy Medical Examiner’s testimony and the display of the autopsy photos of the victim. 

The photos showed detailed diagrams and photos of the gunshot wounds collected from the autopsy. 

After the court recessed for lunch, Judge Ryan informed the court that he had received a note from a juror. The note told the judge that she was uncomfortable with the moaning and groaning coming from the audience. 

Defense attorney Jessica Willis said that the audible contributions from the audience has the ability to compromise the integrity of these proceedings and that if this continues she will request the victim’s family not be allowed to attend the trial. 

“I’m not happy with this at all, and I’m going to deal with it,” Judge Ryan said to Willis’ concern.   “I’ve already said what I could say politely. I don’t want to hear a sound out of anybody in that audience. Their participation is their presence and that’s it.” 

Witness testimony is scheduled to continue on March 9.