Prosecution Completes DNA Testing in 2020 Homicide Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

The prosecution informed DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee Aug. 1 that DNA testing was complete, but the defense is still waiting on a completed case file to decide what independent testing to do.

Ravel Mills, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged connection to the shooting of 28-year-old Toussaunt Strong on April 18, 2020, on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE.

The prosecutor told Judge Lee he had reached out to Bode Technology, a forensic services company, and received the final DNA testing report, which completed the prosecution’s testing.

The parties, however, are still waiting for Bode Technology to upload the complete case file.

“I think there’s a chance the defense may want to do DNA testing,” said Mills’ defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman. “But we’ll need to see the full case file to determine the extent of what testing we’ll do.”

Cadman said she did not expect the delay to affect the trial date, which is set for Jan. 4, 2023.

Judge Lee scheduled an additional hearing on Sept. 14 for Cadman to confirm whether the defense would conduct DNA testing.

Follow this case