Off-Duty Detective Testifies as Victim’s Friend in 2014 Homicide Case

By Sadie Herman [former] , Jai Bajaj [former] - November 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

On Nov. 9, more witness testimony, including a friend of the victim, was presented in a 2014 homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Marvin Lopez, 43, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Evelyn Arroyo on Dec. 24, 2014, at a restaurant on the 3900 block of 14th street, NW. 

To conclude their case, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who was friends with Arroyo. 

The witness was a part-time security guard at the restaurant where Arroyo was killed. The witness said he had been close friends with Arroyo for years and became emotional during testimony. He said Arroyo was a sweet woman who cared deeply for her daughter.

According to the detective, he didn’t know Arroyo’s ex-boyfriend personally, but had seen him various times when he would drop off and pick up Arroyo at the restaurant. In the courtroom, he identified Lopez as the boyfriend. 

The witness said he saw a Facebook post allegedly made by Lopez showing guns and bullets and the profile picture was a black rose. The witness said he saw the post around a week before Arroyo was murdered and was worried for Arroyo’s safety and told her that he could arrest Lopez, but she didn’t follow up.

The prosecution also called an (MPD) detective to testify about a search of Lopez’s apartment, the day after he allegedly shot Arroyo. 

According to the witness, he saw photos of Arroyo ripped into pieces scattered on a bed. Additionally, the witness explained he found a magazine called “The Complete Book of Guns’” and two expired passports that had belonged to Lopez. 

During cross-examination, Lopez’s defense attorney, Rachel McCoy, referenced a database that monitors people on release in the criminal system. According to McCoy, there were three adults and two juveniles in the database near the scene of the shooting the day it occurred.

McCoy also asked the witness if the car that was found in relation to this case was examined for DNA. The witness yes, but they could not make any conclusions based on the information they received.

The witness also explained the DNA would have to be compared with DNA from Lopez’s body. Due to Lopez’s disappearance after the shooting, the witness said they were unable to make any comparisons.

During redirect, the prosecution asked the witness to explain the meaning of the individuals from the database being “low hits”. The witness explained that “low hits” meant these individuals were too far away from the location of the crime to be considered suspects. 

The prosecution also called a witness who had been in the restaurant at the time of the shooting. 

According to the witness, he was a regular patron and knew Arroyo as a waitress. The witness then explained that, while Arroyo was walking towards the restaurant, he saw someone approach her, struggle with her, and then push her against a wall. The witness said he saw Arroyo trying to get away. 

According to the witness, he had previously seen the individual at the restaurant, with Arroyo, but was unable to identify him conclusively.

Closing arguments will be presented on Nov. 13.