Parties Deliver Closing Arguments in Milk Crate Shooting Trial 

By Sam Chodorow [former] , Carmen Quinteros [former] - April 4, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On April 3, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld heard closing arguments in front of a jury for a non-fatal shooting inspired by a thrown milk crate.

Diandre Caesar, 29, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on June 28, 2022, on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE. No injuries were reported.

Previous testimony established that the issue was a milk crate that was thrown over a fence by the suspect, then thrown back by the victim.

As its last witness, the defense called Caesar’s employer and friend to the stand. 

According to the witness, Caesar has worked full-time at his company, Dream Auto Detail, for nine years. He declared they had a friendship three years prior to working together and referred to Caesar as having a peaceful reputation.  

During cross examination, the prosecution asked the witness if he was aware that Caesar had a job at the Salvation Army where the incident occurred. The witness responded he did not know about that job specifically, but was aware of other maintenance jobs.

According to the witness, he didn’t know Caesar carried a gun which was apparently visible in the dash camera footage shown to the court. 

During closing arguments, the prosecutors explained the seriousness of Caesar’s alleged actions, including his disregard for the lives of the victims, which included an infant. 

“He fired not one, not two, not three, but four shots,” said the prosecutor. “Once the gun is fired, there’s no telling where those bullets will end up.”

During their closing arguments, the defense claimed the victims were violent and hostile towards Caesar. According to the defense attorneys, both victims had knives, one being eight to nine inches long. 

They insisted no one saw Caesar with a gun, though there was testimony to the contrary.

Defense Attorney Joseph Fay reminded the jury that the victims had allegedly been at the crime scene to buy marijuana with their infant son.

Meanwhile, one of the victims reportedly has a criminal record, and that the other subject to two restraining orders.

The defense insisted there is insufficient evidence to prove Caesar is guilty, arguing that the weapon hasn’t been found, and that only shell casings were recovered. “You don’t know how long those shell casings have been there, or even what caliber they were.”

The case is in the hands of the jury.