Prosecution Plans to Conduct DNA Testing in Homicide

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A prosecutor in a murder case gave the defense a list  of items that she plans to submit for DNA testing.

Jessie Taylor is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two gun offenses for his alleged role in the shooting death of 49-year-old Bernadette King on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE in 2018.

In response, Taylor’s defense attorney, Eugene Ohm, challenged the prosecution’s plans , requesting April 26 that the judge prevent the prosecution from submitting items for DNA testing. Ohm’s reasons for why he was challenging the testing were not discussed.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe denied the motion and gave the defense until the next hearing on July 19 to decide whether Taylor, 43, will submit items to be independently tested.

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution intended to test multiple items, including a box cutter, a taser, a cartridge casing, two cell phones and two keys.

According to court documents, Taylor and King were in a romantic relationship when police found her with a bullet wound in her apartment, which Taylor said only he and King had access to.

There was also record of domestic abuse in the relationship.