Murder Defendant Wants to Conduct DNA Testing on Evidence

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing on Feb 21, a murder defendant said he wanted to conduct DNA testing on evidence.

John McRae, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. His co-defendant, 23-year-old Shaniah Davis, is charged with accessory after the fact. The defendants are charged in the shooting of 22-year-old Marty William McMillan on the 600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE in 2017.

McRae’s defense attorneys, Russell Hairston and Randy McDonald, said McRae wanted to conduct independent DNA testing but has not decided on which items to test. 

The defense also said they expect to have the list of items identified by the end of next week and will be turn the list over to the prosecutor. 

Davis said her defense attorneys, Mary Kennedy and Keron Morris, advised her of her right to conduct independent DNA testing on the evidence. She said she decided that further testing was not necessary.

The prosecutor made all parties aware that he conducted DNA testing on all items discovered and the results have been turned over to defense counsel. He also said that he has made a request to receive McRaes’s jail phone calls and will also turn the calls over after he reviews them.

D.C Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz asked the defense to complete DNA testing as soon as possible so that the trial date does not get pushed back.

A trial readiness hearing has been set for July 24. All expert notices are due on June 24 and motions are due by July 6.

Trial is set to begin on Sept 21.

This article was written by Naysha Carrasquillo.