Murder Defendants Waive DNA Testing

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During a hearing, Dec. 11, two murder defendants waived their rights to DNA testing. Nyekemia Everett and Malik Hewitt are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, attempt to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged roles in the murder of 37-year-old Christopher Heard. According to a previous report, surveillance footage was used to identify Everett, 33, while a female witness identified Hewitt, 39. Both Everett and Hewitt waived their rights to test DNA evidence. The prosecutor told the court that he left some materials off that were available to be tested but that he told the defense a week before the hearing. He said that there were four pairs of pants that were available to be tested and that he had only tested one. He also said a sample that had been collected from a witness had not been tested. He also told the DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson that the plea deal is wired and that in order for a deal to be accepted both defendants have to accept it or one defendant had to agree to cooperate against the other. Everett’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, told Judge Dayson that Hewitt had been in plea negotiations while his client had not. A trial readiness hearing is scheduled to occur on Feb. 7, 2020.

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