The lead detective for a homicide case testified about evidence collected during the defendant’s trial before DC Superior Court Rainey Brandt on Dec. 8.
George Sutton, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old John Coleman in the 2000 block of M Street, NE, on May 1, 2023.
Prosecutors called the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on this case who stated that ten shell casings were recovered, one nine millimeter casing and the rest .45 caliber casings. He stated that the nine millimeter casing was not in the same area and looked weathered compared to the 45 caliber casings.
Additionally, the detective stated that a search warrant was executed for the defendant’s home in the presence of Sutton and his girlfriend in which an Infiniti M35 with tinted windows was recovered.
Eventually, the detective observed a 2006 light gold Infiniti M35. Noting that it was similar to another suspect vehicle, he detective reviweed more footage to see where the gold Infiniti came from and allegedly discovered a connection between the vehicle and Coleman.
Prosecutors played a clip of the interaction from surveillance footage facing 21st Street at 11:47 a. m. According to the detective, Coleman can be seen wearing a yellow vest. The footage appeared to show the Infiniti passing Coleman and Coleman throwing an object in the direction of the vehicle.
The prosecution continued to present surveillance footage tracking the Infiniti and Coleman on a bike. Between different clips, the detective pointed to locations on a map the prosecution presented where the surveillance cameras were located.
The prosecution also showed footage of an interview between two detectives, including the lead, and Sutton. Throughout the interview, Sutton was asked about the victim, his car, and the area. Sutton claimed to know Coleman, but not well, and confirmed the gold Infiniti was his car.
In the interview, Sutton claimed he knew about the shooting, but only because his family called him to make sure he was okay. He said he was not in the area and never heard gunshots. However, in other parts of the interview, he allegedly claimed to have been half a block away. The detectives showed him several pictures from surveillance cameras that showed his car circling the block near the incident. They also showed a person identified as Coleman throwing something.
Sutton also claimed he never returned to the neighborhood in some clips, but his car could be seen in the area in surveillance footage. When detectives asked Sutton if he returned home, he did not deny it. He repeatedly claimed nothing happened between him and Coleman and that he was not near the shooting. He said “Nobody knows who shot him” during the interview.
The detectives told Sutton “There’s a thousand cameras out there,” and that people claimed the shots came from Sutton’s car. Sutton continued to deny, and also assured no one else was in his car.
At the end of the interview, the detectives told Sutton he was not being charged for the incident, but he was later arrested under those charges.
The detective was unable to conclude his testimony due to time constraints.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Dec. 9.
