Testimony Continues in Homicide Trial

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DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan heard details of a shooting-related car accident as a four-year-old homicide case’s trial continued on March 26.

Deonte Patterson, 29, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and obstructing justice, with influence or delay of a witness or officer, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi, 32, on Aug. 23, 2021, on the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW.

An employee from the Department of Corrections (DoC) testified about communications from the DC Jail, stating that calls, videos, and text messages were recorded and monitored.

She said there is a multi-factor identification system for making calls, but DoC employees cannot know for sure if an inmate is using someone else’s pin to make calls. Her testimony will be used to introduce calls from the DC Jail.

Patterson’s defense attorney, Cheryl Stein, also argued that there was not a clear definition of premeditated murder in this case.

Judge Ryan adjourned court early, in order to give the defense time to go over exhibits and prepare for the next day of trial.

“You should spend the night obsessing over this case,” Judge Ryan told Stein.

Trial is slated to resume March 27.