Two of Three Homicide Co-Defendants Waive Right for DNA Testing

By Mia Kimm - March 10, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 8, two homicide co-defendants waived their right to independently test DNA evidence while the third asserted his option before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

Mark Fletcher III, 23, 22-year-old Malik Bynum, and 22-year-old Larry White are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Rosendo Miller, 21. The incident occurred on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE, on July 2, 2021. 

Fletcher’s defense attorneys, Thomas Healy and Gretchen Franklin, and White’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, told the court that their clients were prepared to waive their right to DNA testing. 

However, Pierce Suen, Bynum’s defense attorney, alerted the court Bynum decided to assert his right to test DNA evidence.

During the hearing, the prosecution said they had recovered two firearms from a nearby vehicle, cartridge casings, Miller’s clothing and clothing that allegedly belonged to the defendant from the scene. 

According to the prosecution, they had tested the evidence and shared the results with the parties. 

Judge Raffinan told Fletcher and White that they would not be able to test DNA evidence if they change their minds in the future. 

Parties are expected to return to court on June 14.