A physician who analyzes criminal cases opined that a homicide victim was strangled in testimony before DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee Jr. on June 8.
Juan Guerra, 34, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of his best friend, Peter Miller III, 32, on Oct. 6, 2021 on the 900 block of Maine Avenue, SW. The roommates were playing a game of dice before an altercation between the two ensued. Miller succumbed to his injuries at the George Washington University on Oct. 11, 2021.
The physician, called by the prosecution, highlighted details of photographs from Miller’s autopsy. “Everything was pointing to one conclusion, and that is that he was manually strangled,” he said.
His analysis was conducted by reviewing body-worn camera footage, emergency personal reports, other medical records, X-rays, photos of the scene, the official autopsy, findings from a forensic anthropologist who specializes in victim’s remains and CT- scans of the victim’s neck.
During cross-examination, the physician concluded that Miller’s death was intentional. “The reason he died is because he didn’t get enough oxygen to his brain during the strangulation,” said the doctor.
According to the physician, Miller sustained multiple injuries that correspond with strangulation by a hand or arm. The physician said Miller’s voice box was fractured and displaced due to pressure or squeezing . He also stated that Miller bled from both sides of the muscles in his neck.
The witness testified that anywhere between 62 seconds and two-and-a-half minutes of strangulation, death is inevitable. Miller was allegedly held in a choke hold for one minute minimum, possibly longer according to the physician.
Guerra’s attorney, Diana Yu, argued against strangulation. Yu pointed to petechiae hemorrhages or pinpoint spots caused by bleeding beneath the skin in both of Miller’s eyes. She stated, “There are many other causes of petechiae hemorrhages,” including forceful coughing, vomiting, sneezing, and laughter. Damage to the victim’s left eye could be attributed to strangulation or blows to the head said Yu who emphasized it is theoretically possible Miller could have fallen and hit his eye.
Yu stated, “You can not rule out blunt force trauma.” The physician responded, “No, I think I can.”
Although Miller sustained head injuries, the forensic physician believed they weren’t enough to render him unconscious. Miller suffered deep contusions, but his brain didn’t bruise, only the muscle on the outside did.
The physician examined “the totality of the evidence” before concluding manual strangulation, caused fatal asphyxiation.
The prosecutors also called upon a DNA analyst who reviewed evidence including swabs from firearms, and the crime scene. In addition, swabs were also taken from Miller’s nail clippings and a mouth swab from Guerra.
The results from the living room swab showed the DNA was more likely to originate from Miller than any other person in the vicinity. The bedroom swab was more likely connected to Guerra than from another source.
DNA tested from Miller’s right nail clippings contained a mixture of his own DNA and one foreign contributor.–possibly Guerra.
In the cross-examination, Yu emphasized that the DNA in Miller’s right nail clippings was 99 percent his. The foreign contributor added trace amounts.
The prosecution declined to redirect and rested their case.
The trial is set to resume June 9.
