The prosecution argued that a witness called by the defense in a shooting case should be disregarded before DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones on June 30.
Isaias Castillo, 35, is charged with endangerment with a firearm in a public place for his alleged involvement in a shooting inside a residence on the 2600 block of 15th Street, NW on May 17.
During the hearing, Castillo’s mother testified that her home, the scene of the incident, had actually sustained bullet damage years prior to the night of May 17–specifically to the second floor, which first drew police attention, she says came in a February 2020 shooting. When asked if she heard gunshots during the incident, she said no.
In addition, she told the court that she was asked by police to collect bullet shell casings with gloves. She claimed to have gone into Castillo’s room, and found nothing. When the police obtained a search warrant on May 28, they allegedly found shell casings on the floor.
The prosecution labeled Castillo’s mother’s testimony as “self-serving.” They claimed that her testimony was inconsistent and made only to protect her son and get him “out of jail.”
Charles Allen, Castillo’s defense attorney, argued that Castillo’s mother’s testimony was creditable because it was corroborated by the police report that was the primary source of the prosecution’s argument. Allen called the prosecution’s attempt to discredit Castillo’s mother a “smoke screen.”
Judge Jones agreed that it was much more likely that the shells came from a recent event rather than from 2020.
A detective who wrote the police report claimed that he arrived on the scene after a 911 call in which three quick shots were reported. In another call, a witness claimed to have heard glass breaking.
The detective reported seeing bullet holes on the wall of Castillo’s house. He and another officer interviewed Castillo’s mother, and testified that no officer told her to collect evidence from the scene.
Castillo’s mother refused to let the police in before they produced a search warrant granted on May 28.
Inside the house, officers determined that a break in the window was due to a bullet shot from the inside to the outside based on the window’s being pushed outward and the allegedly discovery of bullet casings in the room. A small, black handgun was said to bre recovered from the scene.
The detective also spoke to Castillo who he said was sweating and incoherent. The conversation concluded when Castillo’s mother “pushed him” inside and away from the police.
Judge Jones ruled that there was enough evidence presented to determine probable cause, and ordered Castillo remain detained.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 20.
