Trial Date Vacated to Make Time for Forensic Testing in Fatal Shooting Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman vacated a trial slated to begin July 28 to make time for the defense to run forensic tests on item evidence, during a hearing on July 2.

Diamond Stevenson, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during crime of violence for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Gregory Wilkins on Feb. 4, 2023 at the 1100 block of Maryland Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, Stevenson placed a 9-1-1 call in the early morning of Feb. 4, 2023. Upon meeting officers at the scene, Stevenson was reported to be “emotional” and screaming, and at one point laying in front of the apartment door and blocking police entry. After officers breached the door of the apartment, Wilkins was found unconscious and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

In the hearing on July 2, Stevenson’s defense attorneys, Erica Arensman and Madalyn Harvey, explained that they will be running DNA tests on cartridge casings and the murder weapon. The prosecution stated that they have also tested these items. Arensman and Harvey explained that the forensic tests will not be done by the scheduled trial date.

Judge Edelman moved the trial date back to Dec. 7, 2026 to give time for the testing.

In a separate ruling, Judge Edelman amended Stevenson’s release conditions from phone check-ins with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) twice a month to reporting as directed because of her compliance with reporting requirements so far.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 14.