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By
Madelyn Nall
- November 26, 2024
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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The jury trial for a shooting defendant ended with closing arguments in front of DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian on Nov. 22.
Nathaniel Daniel, 34, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in a gun free zone, unlawful possession of a firearm in a gun free zone, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm in a gun-free zone, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an April 2 incident on the 10 block of N Street, NW. No one was injured.
In their closing argument, the prosecution argued that Daniel and his friend had been hiding under the complaining witness’ stairs, and when she had asked Daniel and his friend to leave, he threatened her with a gun through a glass door. She pretended to call 911 in an attempt to make them leave, then actually called 911 identifying Daniel wearing a “Simpson’s hoodie.”
Daniel and his friend were later identified by the police walking down North Capitol Street NE, and when approached by the police, Daniel allegedlyran. The police then engaged in a foot pursuit of Daniel.
The prosecution argued that while he was running, Daniel stashed the gun in a black liquor store back and threw it away in a trash can. Body camera footage taken from Daniel’s flight path, they argued, shows him with the bag, then seconds later without it.
Defense attorney Emma Mlyniec painted a different picture of the event in her closing argument. She argued that the complaining witness lied about Daniel having a gun. Mlyniec argued that the witness didn’t like her neighborhood, and that when she was assaulted previously, the prosecution helped her find a new apartment.
She stated, was that there was no physical evidence tying Daniel to the gun. There were no DNA tests or fingerprint tests conducted by the prosecution on the gun or the bag that contained it. The gun was found in a generic and common liquor store bag, and the police opened it multiple times before finding the gun in their investigation, according to Mlyniec.
There is no evidence provided by the prosecution of what was in the bag Daniel was carrying. The prosecution, Mlyniec said, is asking for the jury to rely on one phone call.
“The [prosecution] took an incredible accusation and closed the case,” she stated.
Mlyniec argued that when the police approached Daniel, he was getting pizza, and didn’t want to talk to the police. They kept pursuing him, and that’s when Daniel ran.
“Daniel didn’t run until he was starting to be chased,” Mlyniec stated.
The parties will reconvene when the jury has reached a verdict.