Trial Rescheduled Due to Evidence Contamination 

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At a trial readiness hearing,DC Superior Court Judge Andrea L Hertzfeld decided on Sept. 24 to reschedule a non-fatal shooting defendant’s trial after firearm evidence was contaminated in the DNA testing process.

Deon L Jenkins, 46, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license and allegedly firing shots at a car on the 1800 block of M Street NE on June 5, 2023. 

The trial was originally scheduled to begin on Oct. 1. In addition to the contamination issue, the prosecution also said results from DNA testing would not be available until October. 

For the trial, the prosecution plans to bring in 22 witnesses, including three DNA analysts and three firearm experts.

Judge Hertzfeld rescheduled the trial for Oct .22 to ensure all parties and witnesses could be present, and the DNA results would be ready.