Prosecutor Says Jail Instagram Messages Linked to Homicide Defendant

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A homicide defendant’s communications during jail calsl came under scrutiny during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 17.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on Nov 14, 2015 on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but were later overturned in 2020 due to a search that was beyond what was legally allowed.

Burns and co-defendant Tyre Allen, 24, are being charged with obstruction of justice by trying to influence/delay a witness or officer, conspiracy, and obstruction of the due administration of justice for their alleged involvement in intimidating a witness who had testified at Burns original trial in 2017.

As trial resumed, a witness, from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified he reviewed two Instagram accounts authorized by search warrants— one allegedly confirmed to belong to Burns — that was active a month after the murder took place.

Various posts were captioned with “#itallforyouO” under a short video made in New York City on Nov. 22, 2015, “Back at it again, #allforyoubro” under a picture behind the wheel of a car on Dec. 8, 2015, and “Its personal. #blood” with a post of two people, unidentified, posing in front of a car on Dec. 1,7 2015.

Another post was made on Dec 18, 2015 captioned “#takenotes” with a video of what appeared to be Burns getting out of a car and speaking to the camera.

Multiple jail calls from Sept. 2020 between Burns and Allen were played during the trial, which revealed the Instagram account belonged to Burns.

The prosecution also showed web history to the witness, who read aloud multiple searches regarding the keywords “Rico” and “Paid in Full,” which is a movie that prosecutors have previously claimed allegedly guided Burns in his actions in Osuchukwu’s murder. 

In the movie one of the characters, Rico, fatally shot another character, Mitch, due to a narcotics dispute. Prosecutors claimed Osuchukwu’s murder stemmed from a dispute with Burns about their alleged narcotics business. 

During cross-examination, Burns’ attorney, Jocelyn Wisner, asked the witness about other parts of the film that were not related to the shooting.

Wisner then asked the witness if he recalled Allen’s claiming that Burns told him about another man who was present during the incident in 2015.

The witness did not recall but was later shown a document which confirmed the claim made by Allen.

According to Allen, the man was in the bathroom of the residence where the incident occurred.

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 18.