Medical Examiner Deems Victim’s Death Eight Years After Shooting a Homicide

By Rebecca Connor [former] , Ayoola Fadahunsi [former] - June 7, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On June 7, a medical examiner testified that a murder victim’s death occurred due to complications from gun injuries, eight years after he was shot. 

Victor Coley, 60, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Nov. 6, 2013 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Ave, NE, and left four individuals suffering from gunshot injuries.  

Coley, 60, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in 2013. He was found guilty on 13 counts in 2015, including assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. .

65-year-old Dennis Foster, who was shot twice in the back during the incident, died on Dec. 3, 2021. The prosecution alleges that Foster’s death is the result of injuries sustained from shots fired by the defendant, leading to the new charges. 

During the trial, the prosecution asked a DC medical examiner to determine the cause and manner of death before the jury. 

The medical examiner stated that Foster’s death was caused by complications from multiple gunshot wounds, and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

Before his passing, Foster suffered from a number of chronic conditions including paralysis of the lower half of his body, chronic ulcers, and an amputated left leg that resulted from non-healing infections. 

The defense then cross-examined the witness, asking questions about Foster’s underlying health conditions and drug use before the time of death. 

“Your conclusion is just that his body gave out, right?” said defense attorney Jesse Winograd, to which the witness replied, “Yes.”

A toxicology report from Foster’s autopsy indicated that he had elevated levels of sertraline, a drug most often used to regulate mood, in his system at the time of death. 

However, the medical examiner said that wasn’t an issue.

Transcribed testimony from a witness from Coley’s 2015 conviction in the case prior to the murder charges, identified Coley as the shooter at the scene.
Trial is set to resume before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on June 8.