Murder Prelim Cut Short by COVID Complications

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 11, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Feb. 11 preliminary hearing for a murder case after defense counsel was informed that a member of their team possibly has COVID-19. 

Kevin Goggins is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Yisa Jeffcoat on the 1600 block of W Street SE on Oct. 9, 2020.

During the hearing, defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective about his conversations with a former detective. Gardner said that the text conversation, where the former detective identifies Goggins , was never received by the prosecution or defense counsel. 

Gardner said he considers the identification of Goggins problematic and wants to see what the former detective said to the testifying detective when they identified the defendant.

Gardner said it is difficult for him to proceed without seeing those text messages, which he says are crucial to the case. 

Judge Danya Dayson told the testifying detective to look over the conversations regarding the case and ensure that they are submitted. 

The judge ended the hearing early after the defense learned about the COVID-19 situation in order to to ensure the safety of all of those present.

The defense counsel plans to have the detective finish his testimony when proceedings pick back up on Feb. 17.

Gardner said he plans on calling other witnesses, including the former detective, who both the prosecution and the defense have had a difficult time reaching. 

A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16 to discuss COVID-19 results.