Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Waives Rights to Independent DNA Testing of Bloodied Crime Scene Evidence

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Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo confirmed Oct. 14 that a homicide defendant understood the implications of her decision to waive her right to independent DNA testing.

Tierra Posey, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business in connection to the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Tia Carey on Jan. 6, 2020, on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

During the Friday hearing, the prosecution reviewed the crime scene evidence in question, namely, the victims clothing and jewelry and the defendant’s sweatshirt, both of which contain suspected blood.

The prosecution and Posey, who is represented by defense attorney Kevann Gardner, decided not to conduct DNA testing of the evidence.

Judge Demeo reminded the defendant that if DNA testing is not performed at this stage, then it cannot be requested later.

According to court documents, the victim and defendant engaged in a verbal altercation before turning physical upon a chance meeting at a Valero gas station. As witnesses on the scene attempted to pull the two away from each other, the defendant allegedly fired two shots at the victim.

The trial date is set for June 28, 2023, and the next hearing is set for Feb. 3, 2023.