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Defense Attacks Credibility of Expert Gun Witness in Double Murder Trial

Whether a weapon introduced as evidence matches the gun used to kill two murder victims was hotly debated during an ongoing trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on May 8. 

Alphonso Walker, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61st Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker has been held in the DC Jail since December 2018. 

Prosecutors called a firearms consultant to make their case.  The forensics analyst explained how he test-fired a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol and compared the results to spent bullets and fragments collected after the crime.

The weapon identification is based on microscopic observations in the ballistic material called “class characteristics” and “random imperfections,” the expert said.  In other words, some things that all bullets have in common such as lines and grooves and how they’re subtly modified when a round is fired.

In a summary slide, the expert concluded the gun he examined “may have fired” the recovered fragments, and there is “strong support” for that conclusion.

Walker’s defense attorney Prescott Loveland pressed the witness about the certainty of his identification given that nine-millimeter ammunition is the world’s most popular type and bullets share common characteristics–something the witness acknowledged.

During earlier questioning by the prosecution, the ballistics expert used a series of split slides comparing his spent test bullets on one side to the shell casings and bullet fragment evidence on the other.  

During cross-examination, Loveland asked the expert to make repeat identifications of the images.  The expert admitted he misidentified one of the slides.  “People make mistakes,” said Loveland.

The witness said he’s made thousands of weapon identifications for law enforcement agencies including prosecutors in the DC Superior Court.

Meanwhile, a DC medical examiner testified that Brown died as a result of three gunshot wounds while Wilson was killed by a single bullet wound to the neck.  The jury viewed the autopsy photos.

Earlier in the day the trial was delayed because of an alternate juror’s concern that someone in the courtroom was sending non-verbal signals to Walker.  Judge Brandt said she was “flabbergasted” by the revelation and Walker’s defense team denied he had any part in the action.  However, Walker’s lawyers were concerned that the juror might have developed a bias against their client.  

After interviewing the juror, Judge Brandt moved him from the first alternate position to the last alternate position to resolve the issue.

The prosecution says it will conclude its case next week.  The trial is scheduled to continue on May 10..

Murder Suspect Fails to Show for Court Hearing

Dwayne Brooks, 25, failed to show up for a scheduled 9:30 a.m. felony status conference before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on May 9.  

Brooks is charged with first-degree felony murder in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Juwaan Henry on Aug. 25, 2022 on the 800 block of 7th Street, NW.

Brooks’ attorney, Megan Allburn, said her client was experiencing serious transportation issues and that he intended to appear.  He was just released from jail on May 6, said Allburn, and he’s been in constant contact with her ever since. 

Judge Raffinan said she would go ahead with the proceeding if Brooks arrived by 11 a.m.  Otherwise, she would issue a bench warrant for his arrest, a request already made by the prosecutor. 

According to court records, Brooks surrendered to authorities in Maryland on May 9 in response to the warrant and has been placed on GPS monitoring. 

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 12.

Judge Orders Rearrest of Assault Defendant Due to Probation Violations

On May 9, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered the rearrest of a man charged with assault with intent to kill following alleged probation violations. 

On March 1, Markeis Crandall, 19, was convicted of aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left two individuals injured. The incident occurred on Nov. 26, 2021, on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. 

According to Crandall’s probation officer, he has been violating his release conditions since January. He tested positive for fentanyl use, failed to show up for court-ordered anger management classes, and lied about working. He had previously failed to successfully complete a court ordered residential drug-treatment program. 

Prosecutors said they are worried about Crandall’s fentanyl use at such a young age, arguing the drug is dangerous and the consequences could make him a danger to the community.  

Sellano Simmons, Crandall’s defense attorney, argued the defendant has been experiencing various high-stress situations, and has taken accountability for his failures and shown up at anger-management classes. 

When prosecutors and probation officers requested the court arrest Crandall for his various violations, Simmons suggested Crandall be allowed to turn himself into the Re-Entry & Sanctions Center (RSC) for treatment. 

Judge Brandt alerted the parties that since this is a repeated issue, she couldn’t trust Crandall to turn himself in to receive the treatment he needs, and due to her schedule, she couldn’t take time now to decide if his probation should be revoked or if he should be allowed to have a second chance at receiving the treatment he need. 

Judge Brandt ordered that US Marshals take Crandall into custody, and hold him at DC Jail until his next hearing.

“Young man, I’m taking you off the streets to save your life. The only place you’re going to end up is six feet under with a grieving mother,” she said.  

Parties are expected back in court on May 26. 

Document: Homicide: 3500 Block of Hayes Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal assault that occurred on May 4, on the 3500 block of Hayes Street, NE.

The decedent’s information has not yet been released as MPD is trying to contact their next of kin.

Document: Homicide: 5600 Block of B Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred on May 4, on the 5600 block of B Street, SE.

MPD officers found 18-year-old Carlos Latney suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Latney succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Witness at Crime Scene Testifies in Double Homicide Case

As a double homicide trial continued before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, on May 3, an eyewitness testified about receiving an emotional phone call from inside the house where the killings took place. 

Alphonso Walker, 45, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Dalonte Wilson, 23, and Antone Brown, 44, near the 400 block of 61 Street, NE on April 25, 2018. Walker has been held in the DC Jail since December of 2018. 

The witness testified he was outside of the house in a car around the time a shooting occurred. However, he did not hear gunshots because he was playing loud music.

Later, he received a phone call from someone inside asking if he saw a man in a black sweatsuit leave the house.

The witness replied that a person matching that description had just walked by, and the prosecution alleges that was Alphonso Walker, the shooter.

The man inside the house told the witness he was hiding in the closet, and sounded panicky.

“I think that N*** just killed both of them (Wilson and Brown) in the living room,” he said.

The trial is slated to resume May 8.