A jury in DC Superior Court Justice Rainey Brandt’s courtroom heard opening statements and multiple witness testimonies on Sept. 3 in connection to a homicide case.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, 10 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in four shootings. One of the shootings was the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, at the 600 block of S St. NW on March 1, 2020. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident.
The other shootings Steele is alleged to have been involved in include a non-fatal shooting on March 1, 2020 at the unit block of Channing St, NE, and a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 22, 2020 at the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW. No individuals sustained injuries.
Additionally, Steele faces charges for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 24, 2020 at the 1700 block of Ninth Street, NW. Three individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
The prosecution began its opening statement with lyrics said to be rapped by the defendant in one of his songs. The prosecutor stated that the lyrics portray Steele’s desire for “revenge, retaliation, and retribution” for the murder of his friend Tahlil Byrd. Byrd was killed on the 600 block of S Street, NW on Sept. 29, 2019; the same block Lukes was also fatally shot.
According to the prosecution, Lukes was killed as a result of alleged beef between neighborhood crews.
The prosecution asserted that Steele showed deliberation in his alleged involvement in Lukes’ death. Additionally, the prosecution outlined that after Lukes was shot, Steele and his accomplices, who have all been convicted of the crimes already, drove to the unit block of Channing Street, NE and discharged seven shots. Shell casings were also left at this scene.
The prosecution also claimed that on Feb. 22, 2020 the defendant was involved in another shooting that resulted from a “senseless escalation of words.”
According to prosecutors, the shell casings being consistent across all three shootings reveal a “signature” of the defendant, meaning an action or behavior that a person completes after the crime for gratification.
The prosecution claimed cellphone data, GPS tracking, DNA, video surveillance, fingerprint matching, and ballistic evidence will help prove Steele’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Gemma Stevens, Steele’s attorney, countered that Steele is innocent. She claimed that the evidence provided to the jury would never explicitly show Steele discharging a firearm.
According to Stevens, cellphone data only applies to the location of a person’s device, not the individual themselves.
She argued that DNA evidence “has no expiration date” and can show up somewhere for many reasons other than a person’s direct presence. Stevens also noted that it’s not possible to determine if two shell casings came from the same firearm.
Stevens acknowledged the tragedy of Lukes’ death and asked the jurors to “evaluate everything against Mr. Steele fairly and justly.”
She implored the jury to remember that the defendant maintains innocence unless the jury unanimously decides he is guilty, and concluded by telling the jury the only appropriate verdict is “not guilty.”
Following opening statements the prosecution called Lukes’ mother.
She testified that Lukes was taken to Children’s National Hospital immediately following the shooting. When she arrived, she learned he had already passed away.
Prosecutors also called multiple Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers from the time of the incident.
One MPD officer’s testimony focused on the immediate response to the shooting. Body-worn camera footage was shown to the jury, depicting the officer encountering the presumably lifeless body of an individual, later identified as Lukes, sprawled on the ground. “They shot my man,” yelled one juvenile in the video.
The video depicted the officer immediately rendering aid to Lukes, while calling over the radio for other officers to apprehend the remaining three juveniles seen running away from the scene.
Another MPD officer testified to arriving on the scene to find other officers handcuffing the three juveniles a short distance away from where Lukes was found.
This officer’s body-worn camera footage was also shown, picturing the juveniles handcuffed and appearing to be in distress. The juveniles were “frantic, scared, and experiencing a trauma,” described the officer.
Cross examination from the defense focused on whether the juveniles described seeing anyone else in the area following the shooting. The officer answered that none of the three boys reported any other cars or people of note in the area.
The officer then testified that he left the scene, and followed the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) with Lukes to Children’s Hospital. Lukes’ clothes were retrieved and given to a crime scene technician.
An additional MPD officer described his encounter with the three apprehended juveniles.
The officer testified that he was familiar with the group from seeing them ride bikes and play in the area often, adding that he has never had a negative interaction with the group. “Just kids being kids,” the officer responded when the defense questioned him on his interactions with the juveniles.
The officer’s body-worn camera footage revealed that one of the other juveniles was also shot in the incident. He immediately began rendering aid to the juvenile.
The officer concluded his testimony by detailing his attempt to de-escalate the situation and calming all three juveniles. “The child started coming out of him,” stated the officer, describing the many questions the injured juvenile was asking while showing signs of fear.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 4.
