Stabbing Suspect’s Trial Delayed So Defense Can Test DNA Evidence

By Jeff Levine - October 15, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

The trial of a suspected killer in a brutal knife attack has been postponed until late next year because the defense wants to do its own testing of extensive DNA evidence in the case. 

In an Oct. 11 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge William Okun said he was “concerned about the delay,” but acknowledged the deferral was justified.

George Sydnor, 45, is charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed that was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, burglary while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, and one count of kidnapping while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that killed 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31, at a hotel on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a 911 call reporting screams coming from a hotel room in the district.

When they arrived, police found Syndor in the room, allegedly with blood on his hands and clothing and a woman on the ground near the door covered in blood apparently suffering from repeated stabbing injuries.  Police recovered half of a blood-stained broken knife in their search for evidence and Syndor was arrested at the scene.

Earlier a person identified as Syndor was seen on surveillance video arriving at the hotel on a red bicycle and making contact with the victim, according to court documents.  Shortly thereafter, the screams for help emanate from the hotel room. 

According to the autopsy report, Bautista was stabbed approximately 30 times, mostly in the back but also in her lungs and liver.  Additionally, the coroner said the victim endured a neck wound that punctured her spinal column, possibly paralyzing her. 

When he was taken into custody, Syndor had two outstanding arrest warrants for robbery, according to court records.

During the hearing the prosecutor said she’d supplied the defense with five reports of DNA evidence including tests on bodily fluid as well as evaluations of other genetic information that could be pertinent to the case. 

“We want to get the case off the ground this year,” she said. 

Jesse Winograd, Syndor’s attorney, said that his client was asserting his right to test DNA evidence in the case independent from the prosecution’s results.  Further that because the task was so complex he wants his own expert to review the reports before sending the material to a private lab.

Syndor “absolutely has the right to do this,” said Winograd, assuring the court that “there was no malfeasance by the government” regarding its handling of the evidence.

“The government has been very diligent,” agreed Judge Okun who said there might still be a chance of the trial starting this year. 

The planned trial date of Nov. 6 was canceled and reset for Oct. 27, 2025.