Relative Testifies Homicide Defendant Confessed to The Crime

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A homicide defendant’s relative testified that he heard one suspect in the case confess that he shot the victim in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on Oct. 4.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the Nov. 14, 2015, fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020. The court ruled that investigators had searched beyond what was legally allowed.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of justice for their alleged attempts to persuade a witness to redact testimony from Burns’ first trial.

According to the prosecution, Burns and Allen are cousins.

A witness, who testified he is Allen’s brother and Burns’ cousin, said he had spent time with Burns around the time of the incident, alleging that Burns told him he shot Osuchukwu less than a day after the killing.

The witness testified that Burns helped Osuchukwu deliver drugs, resulting in an argument because Osuchukwu did not “give him [Burns] his cut.”

A week before the shooting the witness said he spoke with Burns, asking Burns not to harm the victim and to talk to him before doing anything. The witness testified that Burns said he would speak with Osuchukwu.

The witness testified that, on Nov. 15, Burns told him he shot Osuchukwu after the victim charged at him. According to the witness, Burns also revealed that Osuchukwu had pleaded with him, saying, “Don’t do it!”

Describing Burns’ behavior after the shooting, the witness testified that Burns was “mentally messed up” in the days following, carrying a gun with him at all times.

The prosecution also called a detective who was with the homicide unit at the time of the incident.

The detective testified that on Nov. 19, he received an anonymous phone call on the department’s homicide line, during which a male voice alleged that Burns had shot Osuchukwu. The detective testified the phone call helped lead to Burns becoming a suspect.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 8.