Prosecutors Attempt to Link Messages to Shooting Suspect

By Jenna Gainsboro [former] - June 6, 2023
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On June 5, prosecutors continued their case in Joshua Hemphill’s trial in connection with a non-fatal shooting.

Hemphill, 33, is charged with 58 separate offenses involving a non-fatal shooting that took place on September 21, 2018, on the 2400 block of Wagner Place SE. The charges include assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, burglary, destruction of property, and threat to kidnap or injure. 

Of the two victims, one was uninjured while the other received gunshot wounds to the back of the left hand and the back of the head but survived.

The prosecution witnesses included a forensic scientist, an FBI agent, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, a firearms expert, and representatives from T-Mobile and Meta Inc. Those two companies allegedly had communications’ records between the defendant and one of the victims.

To build its argument, the prosecution introduced data, including text messages between an unknown number and one from one of the victim’s phones. 

The prosecution claimed that Hemphill used a third-party messaging app to change his phone number and contact one of the victims. These messages were allegedly harassing and contained threats. 

Defense counsel objected to these messages being admitted since they say there’s no evidence that Hemphill changed his phone number which meant it could not be authenticated.

After reviewing the data, it was determined that the victim identified the defendant by name in the text messages which led DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz to admit the messages into evidence with certain portions redacted.

The trial is set to continue on June 6.