Opening Statements, First Witnesses Testify in Shooting Case

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Parties delivered opening statements in a homicide before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park, on Jan. 22.

Ronald Wallace, 48, and DeAngelo Glover, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Tyrone Wright. Wallace is additionally charged with carrying a pistol outside of home or business. The incident occurred in an apartment complex on the 3700 Block of Hayes Street, NE, on Jan. 19, 2021.

During opening statements, the prosecution showed surveillance footage from cameras in the apartment complex to the jury. The prosecutor claimed that this case was an act of retaliation. Wallace allegedly believed that Wright was responsible for the death of Wallace’s brother, Marcus Wallace, in November 2020.

Furthermore, the prosecution alleged that Wallace shot Wright first, followed by Glover coming out from the apartment complex to fire more shots.

Camille Wagner, representing Wallace, claimed that the prosecution has “zero credible evidence” that Wallace was the shooter. Out of the witnesses only one was present during the shooting. This witness merely places Wallace at the scene, Wagner insisted.

Wagner further cited that an individual was charged in the murder of Marcus Wallace other than Wright, which undermines retaliation as a motive.

Christen Philips, representing Glover, stated that Glover had no idea that someone was about to shoot Wright, claiming that Glover remained in the apartment complex and only went out of the building once shots were fired to check on where he last saw family and friends.

Philips alleged that Glover came upon the shooter, firing several shots as the individual ran away.

The prosecution called an expert witness to review the use of ShotSpotter technology in this case. MPD utilizes this system to identify possible gunshots in the DC area. They played several audio recordings collected by ShotSpotter in the vicinity of the shooting for the witness to examine.

The trial will resume on Jan. 23.