Stabbing Defendant Waives Right to Independently Test DNA Evidence

By Alex Garcia Pecina - September 17, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

A stabbing defendant waived his rights to independently test DNA evidence recovered from a crime scene before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Sept. 13.

Jose Garcia Fuentes, 42, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 4400 block of 14th Street, NW, that occurred on April 24. An individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, an individual, later identified as Garcia Fuentes, was in a verbal and physical altercation with an individual while intoxicated, during which Garcia Fuentes is said to have stabbed the other individual.

During the hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Arthur they did not plan to conduct DNA testing on the evidence recovered at the scene, which included the knife allegedly used during the attack. 

Henry Escoto, Garcia Fuentes’ attorney, alerted the court they also do not plan to test the evidence, and the defendant waived his rights which cannot be reasserted at a later date.

Parties are slated to reconvene for trial on Sept. 24.