MPD Officer Testifies During Preliminary Hearing for Murder Case

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A police officer testified before a DC Superior Court judge during a preliminary hearing to determine if the case against the man accused of fatally shooting Diamonte Green has enough evidence to go to trial.

Bernard Matthews, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Green on Feb. 16 on the 300 block of 33^rd Street, SE. Matthews is currently out on release in the High Intensity Supervision Program.

During the Nov. 12 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that Green was found lying on his back, having sustained approximately eight gunshot wounds. About 12 shell casings were found at the crime scene.

The prosecution showed the detective video footage from Feb. 16. The detective identified Matthews in the video based on his clothing, since Matthews was later apprehended wearing the same clothing. He also said in another video, Matthews’ face was shown on the camera.

Another video was shown of Matthews and a young man, identified as Matthews’ son, entering a nearby building. Throughout the video, Matthews and his son repeatedly enter and re-enter the building.

The detective said Matthews had received a text message from someone saying they were outside. Matthews and his son were seen exiting from the back of the building and entering a van. The detective said the shell casings from the crime scene matched a gun Matthews owns.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain asked the detective about the van that picked up the defendant and his son. The detective said a witness had identified the van but has yet to interview the driver and he currently does not know the relationship between Matthews and the driver.

The detective had found out Green and Matthews’ son were involved in a dispute, and had fought over Instagram direct messages.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the preliminary hearing to resume on Nov. 16.

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