Murder, Armed Robbery Defendant Waives Right to Test For DNA

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Jaime Macedo waived his right to independently test DNA evidence with the assistance of his attorney, Jessica Willis, at a court hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 16.

Macedo, 24, is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Maxwell Emerson, 25, on July 5, 2023. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, on the campus of Catholic University.

According to police documents, Emerson’s family told police they were visiting DC so Emerson, a teacher, could attend a program offered by the Library of Congress. The family member received a text from Emerson minutes before the shooting that read, “Help. Being robbed. At gun point.”

Arrest records state that surveillance camera footage showed Emerson walking from the Brookland CUA Metro Station to the scene of the shooting with his hands raised, while an individual identified as Macedo walked behind him. When the suspect tried to snatch something from Emerson, the footage showed Emerson tackling him.

According to court documents, Emerson died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Arrest documents report that the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) connected DNA from a ski mask found at the scene of the shooting to Macedo.

Parties in this case are next scheduled to meet on Aug. 1.