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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- January 25, 2019
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said the defendant’s “pride and ego” killed a 16-year-old girl.
Saeve Evans is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related charges for his alleged role in the death of Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE in 2016. Evans, 32, is also charged with obstruction of justice.
The prosecution told a 16-member jury Jan. 24 that Evans was shot previously in connection to an unrelated feud. The prosecutor said that on the day of the murder, Evans was in a parking lot on I Street when a black car entered. Apparently, Evans believed the person driving the car was the person he had a feud with, but it wasn’t.
According to the prosecution, when the black car entered the lot Evans thought “not this time” and fired 16 shots at the car and ultimately struck McMillian, who was in the parking lot with a friend.
“Because of his actions Breyona McMillian is dead,” the prosecutor said.
However, the defense argued an individual in the black car opened fire and struck McMillian in the process. Defense attorney Stephany Reaves told the jury that her client was acting in self-defense when he pulled out a gun and opened fire.
“It’s reasonable to believe Evans thought if he didn’t defend his life he would lose it,” Reaves said.
While the prosecution refutes the notion that the black car held a shooter. Reaves said the black car had stolen license plates and was abandoned after the shooting.
Reaves also said the owner of the vehicle not only lied about the car’s whereabouts on the day of the murder, but also lied about phone calls she made following the shooting.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Jan. 28.