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By
Emily Nordberg
- February 4, 2025
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Trial began in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 3 for two co-defendants accused in a shooting.
Chantel Stewart, 33, and Daniel Cary, 30, are charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE on July 22, 2020. A gunshot wound to the back caused a collapsed lung for one individual at the scene.
In their opening statement, the prosecution mentioned cell phone records, collected fingerprints, witness identifications, security camera footage, and shell casings as evidence that will be brought before the court to prove the defendants’ involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
Stewart’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, provided some background into the relationship Stewart has with the victim, explaining that Stewart is the ex-partner of the victim’s sister’s ex-boyfriend and had previously lived with them. He also stated there was no physical evidence Stewart possessed the gun, gave the gun to the shooter, or had any prior knowledge of the shooting.
Winograd highlighted that Stewart warned the victim to “move he’s about to shoot you” prior to any shots being fired, contradicting the notion of Stewart’s intending to kill the victim.
Cary’s defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, argued Cary was not only not present, but there is no evidence linking Cary to the shooting. Thomas also raised concern about the accuracy of the prosecution’s witnesses who initially stated they could not see the shooter at the time of the incident.
The prosecution called two witnesses, including a close friend of the victim who was present during the crime and an analyst from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS).
The victim’s friend provided a detailed timeline of events surrounding the shooting. She testified that she was in the car with the victim when the shooting occurred, realized her friend had been shot, and took control of the vehicle, steering it into the entrance of United Medical Center (UMC) after the victim lost consciousness.
In an interview with police in the hospital immediately following the shooting, the witness was unable to identify the shooter by name but later picked Cary’s photo out of a lineup.
Thomas challenged the witness’ testimony by pointing out the inconsistency of initially telling detectives she couldn’t see the shooter, but nearly ten months later, testifying in front of the grand jury that she caught a glimpse. It was revealed she had discussed the shooting with the victim in the gap between her initial interview and her testimony.
Winograd focused on the moments leading up to the shooting and the warning issued by Stewart. The witness admitted she wasn’t paying attention until after the warning and acknowledged that without it, she may not have survived.
A crime scene witness, forensic scientist at processed a vehicle associated with the shooter, recovering nine latent fingerprints and paperwork allegedly addressed to the defendants inside.
During cross-examination, the witness confirmed her forensic analysis could not determine when the fingerprints were left, who had been inside the vehicle, or when the paperwork was put in the car.
Trial is set to resume Feb. 4.