Murder Case Potentially Delayed as Defense Finalizes Expert Witness Notice

By Rachel Benck [former] - January 24, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant appeared before D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Jan. 24 to continue preparing for his trial, which is set to begin on April 3.

Khalid Claggett, 39, has been indicted on three charges, including first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm during release, in connection with allegedly shooting 30-year-old Isaac Aull Jr. on June 11, 2021, on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. 

Claggett’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, stated that the defense has a potential expert witness the prosecution has not yet been notified of.

Judge Raffinan has requested the defense file their expert witness notice by Feb. 10. After the prosecution has been notified, they may request to re-evaluate the trial date if needed based on the information provided by the notice.

On the day of the incident in question, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were dispatched to the location and found Aull with gunshot wounds sustained in his torso, back, and neck. He showed no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court documents, surveillance footage of the incident depicts Aull and another unknown subject firing weapons in the direction of a car Claggett was a passenger in. After these alleged shots, Claggett exited the vehicle and began running after Aull and the additional unknown subject with what the footage suggests is a handgun in his right hand. 

Dashcam footage from the time of the incident was obtained from a car that was stopped on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE. This footage depicted Aull crawling into the street, suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the leg, when Claggett ran up to him, weapon in hand.

The weapon appeared to malfunction, causing Claggett to back away from Aull until he fixed it. Claggett then returned to Aull, who was still moving, and fired what appeared to be eight shots in Aull’s direction. 

“A portion of those shots appeared to have been discharged as the defendant was standing over the decedent finishing him off.” according to court documents.

All parties are scheduled to appear for another status hearing on Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m.