Defendant in Anacostia Metro Station Murder Case Waives Right to DNA Testing

On July 14, Kirk Spencer waived his right to independently test evidence recovered at the crime scene for DNA.

Spencer, 28, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 49-year-old Marcus Covington. Spencer allegedly shot and killed Covington in the Anacostia Metro Station on the 1000 block of Howard Road, SE on Feb. 23, 2021.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, there is surveillance footage of Spencer hugging and chatting with Covington briefly before allegedly shooting him at least three times at “near point-blank range” and then fleeing the station.

Several of Covington’s personal belongings and items of clothing were reportedly found at the scene, with MPD officers allegedly recovering further evidence at Spencer’s home, including an additional firearm that was not used in the shooting.

The prosecution stated that they did not intend to test any of these items for DNA evidence.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein also accepted Spencer’s request to waive his right to have the evidence independently tested. Judge Epstein also noted that if the defendant decided that he did want the screening done at a later date, it might not be ready by his trial date.

Spencer’s trial is set to begin before Judge Epstein in March of 2024.

Document: Persons of Interest Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 4700 Block of Meade Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating persons of interest connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 5 on the 4700 block of Meade Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located nine shooting victims. Two of the victims were juveniles. All victims were transported to local hospitals for treatments of non-life-threatening injuries.

DOCUMENT: Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 2600 Block of Birney Place, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 10 on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Vehicle Sought in a Homicide Offense: 2200 Block of 6th Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect vehicle connected to a homicide that occurred on July 13 on the 2200 block of 6th Street, NW. The vehicle being sought is a white Nissan SUV, last seen bearing Maryland tags 5EW6340.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Rafael Adolfo Gomez.

Document: Homicide: 1700 Block of North Capitol Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 11 on the 1700 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a man down, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 12.

The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Elias Key.

Defense Challenges Testimony of Gun Expert in 2018 Homicide Case

On July 13, during a pre-trial motions hearing, defense attorneys for a murder defendant questioned the accuracy of a firearm expert’s testing methods.

Robert Green, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 43-year-old Andre Junior on the 1500 block of Park Road, NW, on March 15, 2018.

A defense motion was filed on June 20, to exclude firearm and tool mark evidence in Green’s trial expected to start on Feb. 12, 2024.

Gun experts are frequently used in trials to establish whether a particular weapon is linked to a shooting.

In court, defense attorney Mani Golzari cross-examined a prosecution expert in firearms and tool mark examination, raising concerns about the accuracy of his previous testimony. Golzari questioned the expert about the validity of his of tests since he can consider an inconclusive result as positive.

Defense attorneys also introduced studies showing methods in tool mark examination that appear to contradict the prosecution expert’s approach.

The expert was also questioned about not collecting measurements from cartridges for further testing in the interest of not prolonging the examination.

Prosecutors rebutted the claim saying that additional tests weren’t necessary to get a valid result.

Following testimony of the firearms and tool mark expert, prosecutors brought forward a specialist in research decision-making to describe the process of firearm and tool mark examination.

Both experts will continue their testimony on July 14 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Prosecution Won’t Test DNA; Defendant Waives Genetic Screening

In a July 12 hearing, a defendant charged in connection to a non-fatal shooting waived his right to DNA testing.

Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 30, 2022 on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. One individual was injured during the incident.

Prosecutors stated they are not planning to test the physical evidence in their possession.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun advised Johnson that if he foregoes genetic analysis, he will not be able to change his mind during the trial. In response, Johnson waived his rights to any further DNA testing.

Parties are expected back Dec. 15.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Reopened Shooting Case

On July 13, a defendant in a homicide case was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

William Brock, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, robbery while armed, among several other charges for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 68-year-old Nathaniel Martin on Nov. 15, 2021, on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE.

Brock was initially charged with second-degree murder but the case was dismissed in June with the possibility of its being reopened.

One of Brock’s defense attorneys, Aubrey Dillon, alerted the court Brock was pleading not guilty to all counts.

According to the defense, Brock may join the the growing number of defendants involved in a pending motion that argues juries have not been representative of the DC population, specifically that not enough African Americans serve on the panels.

Judge O’Keefe told the defendant that joining the motion may delay proceedings in this case but Brock asserted his right to a speedy trial.

Parties are expected to return on July 20 for a status hearing.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 1300 Block of New York Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 51-year-old Avon Burke with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 9 on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two adult male shooting victims. The individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 900 Block of Division Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 11 on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the scene and located an adult female shooting victim. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. While at the scene, officers were alerted that an adult male victim was at a local hospital receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 3300 Block of E Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 26-year-old Keyon Slaughter with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting of 38-year-old Dana Bailey that occurred on December 5, 2022, on the 3300 block of E Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea in Fatal Shooting

On July 12, a defendant accepted a plea deal in connection to a 2021 shooting.

Jamaarr Morgan, 23, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for his involvement in the shooting death of Jacques Benjamin Russ, 44, on Dec. 14, 2021 on the unit block of 61st Street, NE.

Prosecutors said Morgan caused Russ’ death by shooting him once in the head, and that his actions were voluntary and on purpose, not caused by an accident or self defense.

Prosecutors offered a deal that allowed Morgan to plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. He faces up to 30-years imprisonment.

Sentencing is scheduled to occur on Oct. 27.

Emotions Raw at Mass Shooting Trial

On July 11, there was emotional testimony during the second day of a double-homicide trial.

Jalen Browne, 21, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting on the 100 block of Q Street, NW, on July 25, 2021.

Out of the six victims at the scene, three were uninjured. However, Jovan Hill Jr, 22, and Tariq Riley, 19, suffered fatal wounds and later died at MedStar Hospital. A third victim, 22, suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back but survived.

Prosecutors called forth the injured victim and one of the individuals who was wasn’t hurt during the attack.

The wounded victim was asked to recount the events that took place on the day of the shooting and attempted to do so, but maintained he had a drug problem which impacted his memory.

“I be doing a lot of drugs, I be blacking out so you gotta help me out,” he told prosecutors on the stand.

The witness went so far as to say that he was high as he was testifying. He was able to confirm that he sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back but was able to get away.

Another prosecution witness recanted previous grand jury testimony despite being presented with portions of the transcript in court. The witness said, “That’s not what came out of my mouth.”

Family members of the victims were clearly distressed with the proceedings.

“[A lost life] is no joke. This is a sh*t show. This really can’t be real,” said one relative, after the jury was escorted out of the courtroom.

The trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun will continue on July 17.

Murder Defendant Claims Victim is Alive

On July 12, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe continued a preliminary hearing for Julius Worthy.

Worthy, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and stabbing Orlando Galloway, 36, on April 2 on the 200 Block of 14th Street, SE.

The hearing was continued so documents could be subpoenaed. Defense counsel asked for the victim’s death certificate and all statements supposedly made by Galloway involving this case.

The rationale is that Worthy disputes that Galloway died at the crime scene.

According to Prescott Loveland, Galloway’s defense attorney, Worthy believes that Galloway is alive, being housed in DC Jail, and that he recently had a physical altercation with him.

A screening for evidence in the case will precede the next hearing scheduled for July 18.

Judge Modifies Stay-Away Order for a Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

On July 12, D.C. Superior Court Judge Sean Staples accepted the prosecutor’s petition to modify a stay-away, no-contact order from March 30.

Tiaquana Chandler, 42, is charged with conspiracy, burglary while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and soliciting a violent crime, for her and her son’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on March 28 on the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE. The incident left an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds and cuts.

On July 5, Judge Staples conditionally released keeping her under house arrest.

During the hearing, the defense requested a four-hour pretrial accomodation for Chandler to have her hair braided for better presentability at trial, while wearing a GPS monitor to track her activities.

The prosecutor strongly opposed this “frivolous request,” by saying it would “make a mockery,” of Chandler’s house arrest. He was also concerned about Chandler’s potential interactions with others during this exception.

Judge Staples, however, dismissed the prosecution’s concerns and approved Chandler’s pretrial accommodation.

Then, the prosecutor requested an expansion of the current stay-away no-contact order, including two more witnesses, as well as an order for Chandler to stay away from the alleged victim’s apartment. Judge Staples granted that motion.

Parties will return to court on August 15 for another status hearing.

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