Shooting Defendant Waives Right to DNA Testing

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A shooting defendant waived his right to independent DNA testing during a hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Dec. 3. 

Richard Price, 24, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and eight counts of obstruction of justice, for his alleged involvement in a shooting on June 1, 2022, on the 300 block of 56th Street, NE. 

During the proceeding, defense attorney Lisbeth Saperstein indicated that Price would not be seeking to do independent DNA testing of four items tested by the prosecution.

The prosecutor stated that the four items — two firearms, a magazine, and a cartridge casing — all had mixtures of DNA profiles with four or more contributors and no further conclusions could be drawn. The prosecutor said it was not the theory of their case that the defendant was in possession of the firearm that was recovered at the scene.

Parties are set to reconvene on June 13.