Prosecution Is Not Giving All of the Evidence, Says Murder Defendant’s Attorney

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 18, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Prior to a preliminary hearing, a defense attorney said the prosecution had not given all the evidence needed for a murder case.

Melvin Simmons is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a firearm for the shooting of 28-year-old Ronald Brown on the 3400 block of 18^th Street, SE on Aug. 22.

Simmons defense attorney, Ieshaah Murphy, told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that the prosecution had not turned over all of the evidence, including the full surveillance video and the multiple 9-1-1 calls made by residents in the area.

Murphy said that multiple people gave descriptions to police of who the shooter is. Those descriptions may or may not be accurate of Simmons, but she said she would need those calls to find out.

She also said that the surveillance footage was grainy and it was hard to identify people within the footage but that she would be happy to sign a protective order for it.

Murphy also said that it was hard for her to prepare for the preliminary hearing because she did not have access to the evidence. She also said the prosecution was using this evidence as part of the arrest warrant affidavit and therefore believed she deserved access.

The prosecution said they provided stills of the videos showing someone, who they believe is Simmons, walking around the area of the murder.

Judge Iscoe found that there was probable cause that Simmons committed the murder and also ordered the prosecution to turn over all evidence available to them, including the full surveillance footage and the 9-1-1 calls with the descriptions.

A felony status conference is scheduled to occur on Jan. 17, 2020.

Simmons is being held without bail.

Jaylin Hawkins wrote this article.