The prosecution alerted parties of a possible confession from a homicide defendant caught on camera in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 2.
Royale McGlenn, 19, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Christopher Riles at the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW on May 17, 2025.
According to court documents, the shooting took place in a residential area. Two witnesses reported that they were with Riles when a man in all black clothing approached, shot Riles four times, and fled the scene.
Another witness, McGlenn’s relative, court documents state was interviewed by detectives and allegedly identified McGlenn as the figure depicted in the surveillance footage. The relative, who had known McGlenn since his birth, apparently did not want to talk about him, beginning to get teary eyed and referred to him as a “little boy” who gets on the relative’s nerves.
At McGlenn’s scheduled preliminary hearing, the parties prepared to present evidence and arguments on probable cause. Before the hearing began, however, the prosecution approached Carrie Welletz, McGlenn’s attorney, to discuss a private matter.
When the parties returned, the prosecution informed Judge Edelman that there was new evidence, investigative information vital to the case, that she shared with the defense. According to the prosecution, there was a potential confession from McGlenn caught on officers’ body-worn camera footage.
Welletz requested to delay the hearing to a later date so she could review the new evidence.
Judge Todd Edelman granted the request and parties are slated to reconvene on April 10.
