Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Waives Right to Independent DNA Testing

By Isabelle Chiu [former] - July 28, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case was acquitted on Nov. 9, 2022.

A murder defendant told DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan he will not conduct any independent DNA testing on the biological materials recovered in his case. 

Mike Bidgell, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the shooting of 18-year-old Marquis Harrod on June 6, 2020, on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. 

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Harrod exiting a liquor store, approaching Bidgell’s vehicle, and talking to him. After a brief period of time, gunshots were fired and Harrod fell to the ground as Bidgell drove away. 

The prosecutor listed the biological materials that had been collected from the crime scene, including DNA from inside the vehicle and from bottle caps recovered at the scene. According to the prosecutor, none of the materials will be tested for DNA matches. 

After accepting Bidgell’s waiver of his right to conduct independent testing, Judge Raffinan confirmed with the parties that the case was on track for trial. 

The prosecutor told Judge Raffinan she expected the case to last one week. 

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel estimated the defense’s case to take one to two days. 

The trial is scheduled for Oct. 17. 

Bidgell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7 for parties to address outstanding motions.