Prosecution Calls Final Witness in Murder Trial

By Bersabel Ephrem [former] - December 13, 2022
Court | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder trial continued into its sixth day with the prosecution calling its final witness, a firearms expert from Washington State. 

Jermaine Harris, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street NE, on Jan. 6, 2020.  

Four weapons were used, according to the firearms expert’s testimony. There were 29 cartridge casings from a 9mm firearm that were found on the scene of the shooting as well as 16 more cartridge casings from another 9mm firearm. 

Also on the scene, officers found casings from a .45 millimeter firearm and 14 casings from a .40mm firearm.

He said that no weapons were inspected in relation to this case but noted that assault rifles may make use of a 9mm shortened barrel.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s lead detective was also called by Harris’s defense attorney, Jonathan S. Zucker. The detective previously testified in the case, but Zucker brought him back to go over his testimony in more detail. 

Zucker asked the detective if any of those items found at the home were processed.

The investigator stated that on Feb. 13, 2020, he carried out a search warrant at the residence of one of the persons of interest and discovered three magazines for a 9mm pistol and one magazine for a .40mm firearm. 

“No,” the detective said, continuing that he took full responsibility for all evidence that was processed and not processed in the case.

The prosecutor said, during her cross-examination, that further items were processed, including a Sprite can that was discovered at the scene, and additional pieces of evidence were sent for testing. 

She added that the detective spent hours watching security tapes in addition to exhaustively searching cell phones, Instagram accounts, and other devices.

“Did you continue to investigate this case after Harris’s arrest,” the prosecutor asked. 

The detective responded in the affirmative.

The trial was set to resume on Dec. 13.