The prosecution introduced technical evidence on several fronts in a fatal shooting in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 22.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder, 10 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.
These charges stem from Steele’s alleged involvement in four separate shootings, including the murder of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes and injury of another juvenile on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Steele’s accused of a separate shooting the same day with no reported injuries on the unit block of Channing Street, NE.
The other incidents Steele is accused of include a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Feb. 22, 2020, on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, and a non-fatal shooting that injured three on Feb. 24, 2020, on the 1700 block of 9th Street, NW.
Investigators testified about the execution of a search warrant and the processing of evidence related to the 2020 homicide case. An investigator from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) described assisting in a 6 a. m. search at Steele’s apartment on the 2000 Block of Douglas Street, NE, where officers allegedly recovered firearms, electronics, clothing, multiple phones, and ammunition.
He noted that the purpose of the early search was to maintain the element of surprise. The items were documented but not handled by him directly, and several images of the evidence were shown in court.
A crime scene officer with more than a decade of experience testified, explaining how bullet casings were photographed and numbered to track their original locations. Eight casings were found at the Channing Street scene, and he noted that while he couldn’t recall exactly when he arrived, other officers were already present. He admitted on cross-examination that it was possible the casings could have shifted due to movement at the scene.
Prosecutors also called on a weapons specialist who explained the bullet fragments recovered were too damaged to be definitively matched to a specific weapon but were consistent with the type of firearm believed used in he shootings.
The firearms specialist identified two weapons, a Glock 9mm and .40 caliber semiautomatic pistols, and explained to the jury how he would connect them to a crime. He stated that he typically test fires the weapons and collects the casing to compare it with casings collected at the scene.
The witness testified that the bullet casings recovered at the scene could not have come from the guns presented to the court.
Defense’s cross examination consisted of confirming that the casings recovered at the scene did not come from the firearms presented to the jury and that bullet casings can fly in unpredictable patterns once ejected from the gun.
The jury was dismissed an hour early so counsel could discuss objections the defense had to rap videos and photos of the defendant that were going to be used for identification by a future witness.
The prosecution planned to present a younger picture of Steele to the witness because it would have been closer in time to the shooting. The defense argued this photo was prejudicial to the defendant because it depicted him wearing an ankle monitor and smoking what appeared to be marijuana. Judge Brandt tabled the issue for further consideration.
The next exhibit was a rap video in which a person said to be the defendant can be seen dancing in the foreground. The prosecution stated it was relevant because it took place near the 3500 neighborhood and describes the group’s mourning of Tahlil Byrd, 19, whose murder is alleged to have started the beef that led to the shooting that killed Lukes.
The defense argued that the actions depicted in the video, including drug use and brandishing of firearms, were again prejudicial to Steele since he did not make the video himself.
The court ordered counsels to convene and determine whether the videos should be edited or used at all.
Trial is set to reconvene on Sept. 23.
