Shooting Defendant Denied Release After Waiving Rights to DNA Testing

By Rebecca Connor [former] , Jenna Gainsboro [former] - May 30, 2023
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

At a status hearing on May 30, Tiaquana Chandler, 41, waived her right to independently DNA test items found at the scene of a crime.

The defendant has been charged with aggravated assault while armed and first-degree burglary. Chandler along with her child, a juvenile, were allegedly involved in the non-fatal shooting of a man on March 28 on the 3400 block of 13th Street SE.

The defendant waived her right to test evidence found at the scene at an independent lab which was her right under the Innocence Protection Act (IPA). The evidence included two ammunition cartridges, a jacket, and a ring. DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples accepted the waiver. 

Chandler’s defense attorney requested that she be released from the DC jail stating that scheduling conflicts primarily prevented her release. The defense proposed 24-hour home confinement with GPS tracking. 

Two witnesses who were allegedly present during the incident, said they’d been threatened if they reported it to the police. Due to the nature of the charges and concern for the safety of the witnesses, Judge Staples denied the defense’s request for release.

Chandler’s trial readiness hearing is set for July 7, with jury selection beginning on July 10.