Judge Weighs Admissibility of Evidence in a Homicide

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The admissibility of prosecution evidence was debated in a motions hearing for a shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 30.

Anthony Green, 39, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Terrence Akindo, 24, on July 30, 2023 on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE.

Sylvia Smith and Jessica Willis, Green’s attorneys, alleged that the prosecution mishandled a vehicle, which was critical evidence, by removing the car from police custody and moving it to a junk yard.

Additionally, the defense alleged that there are discrepancies with body-worn camera footage. One officer’s body-worn camera produced limited footage, and another officer’s camera was turned off with no explanation.

The defense requested an expedited timeline for the prosecution to respond.

The prosecution requested that additional evidence be ruled as admissible, including an alleged assault perpetuated by Green, where he choked an individual who was later a witness to the incident. There was also a money transaction gone wrong, where Green allegedly refused to pay for marijauna purchased from the victim in this case.

Judge Edelman ruled both were inadmissible, citing they were highly prejudicial and no direct evidentiary link to this case.

The prosecution presented that the firearm used in this case may have been involved in a shooting in Maryland two weeks prior to this incident occurring. The prosecution requested video evidence of that shooting be admissible.

Judge Edelman ruled the video evidence is admissible, but only on the grounds of possession of a firearm. The act of shooting in this video footage will not be shown.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 1.