Victim Sends Rambling Texts in Final Minutes, Seconds Before His Murder

By Lily Engel [former] - August 1, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In a minute by minute account leading up to seconds before his death, a homicide defendant’s son testified before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on July 31 about provocative text messages he received from the victim.

Bernard Matthews, 44, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 22-year-old Diamonte Green. The incident occurred on Feb. 16, 2021, on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

The prosecution brought Matthews’ son to testify about text messages he received from Green on the day of the incident, as well as surveillance footage that allegedly lines up with Matthews being at his son’s apartment and walking to the spot the murder took place.

According to phone extraction records, Green had been texting the witness repeatedly on Feb. 16, 2021. The witness claimed he never met Green in person but that he knew it was Green texting him on Instagram. 

At 3:20 p.m., almost 30 minutes before Green’s death, Green texted the witness “I’m out here meet Ina back,” through Instagram. 

Viewing apartment surveillance video, the witness identified himself and his father heading towards the back of the building after the text was received. In the video, the witness agreed he was holding his phone but could not remember why he was heading out of the apartment. 

Another call was initiated by Green at 3:21:38 p.m. and ended at 3:22:08 p.m. The witness said that he does not recall any of the phone calls or whether or not he picked up. At this point, the witness again identified himself in surveillance footage heading to the stairs in the apartment building and bringing the phone closer to his mouth. 

Then, the witness testified, he walked up the stairs and into his apartment when he received another call at 3:22:15 p.m. and ended at 3:33:46 p.m.

A text from Green at 3:22:57 p.m. read “come on all the way is back just u slim just u”. Another call was initiated by Green at 3:23:01 and it ended at 3:23:12 p.m. At 3:23:12 p.m., the witness identified himself walking out of his apartment and to the back door with Matthews.

In the footage, they are seen going out to the backyard of the apartment building before Matthews walks to the left and off screen towards an alley.  

Green sent the witness another text at 3:24:33 p.m. saying “u ah butch” and the witness and Matthews are seen walking back inside the apartment. 

At 3:24:37 p. m. Green texted the witness “b**** u ah butch” and “b****.” At that time, surveillance footage depicted the witness talking with his mother with his phone in hand. 

Green texted  again at 3:24:46 p.m., “u is a b**** u on some Hot shi**, “as the witness is seen in the footage walking away from his mom and back up the stairs while looking down at his phone. 

At 3:25:27 p.m., footage shows the witness, his mother, and Matthews all walk back into their second floor apartment. Green texted the witness at 3:30:37 p.m., saying “Bring your a** to the back u telling your people that’s I’m out here b**** they ain’t leaving come your a** to the back.” 

However, during his testimony, the witness denied telling anyone about the messages. 

The witness testified Green continued to text him as he was in his apartment, with text messages including:

3:32:04 p.m. – “u ah bitch cuh. Ah bitch come all the way down here to call your bluff u a b**** I’m see u out here”

3:32:09 p.m. – “on your grandmova soul”

3:32:14 p.m. – “Ima see u”

3:32:24 p m. – “u ain’t safe bullets ain’t got no name slim”

3:32:42 p. m. – “on your grandmova u ain’t”

3:32:50 p.m. – “u scary hog u scary is shit”

3:34:06 p.m. – “Bet that leave me no tf leaving I’m ready”

After sending those messages, the witness said Green initiated a video call at 3:34:12 p.m. which ended  at 3:34:29 p.m., during which Matthews was seen in footage and identified by the witness as leaving the apartment, having changed out of his white shoes into black ones. 

When Green texts at 3:35:09 p.m. saying “come on slim come on”, Matthews is out the front door of the apartment building.

Moments later, the witness testified, Green texted him saying “u bluffin” and asking “wya [where you at] bruh.”

According to the witness, Green initiated five more calls in the span of six minutes. 

At 3:47:18 p.m., the witness initiated a call with Green which ended at 3:48:36 p.m. He claimed to not remember what was said or remember the reason for the call.

Green initiated the last call with the witness which started at 3:48:47 p.m. and ended at 3:48:56 p.m. This was the last contact between Green and the witness. Green’s estimated time of death was 3:49 p.m., according to the prosecution. 

The witness denied hearing shots on the other end of the call or knowing where Matthews was going. However, he testified that Matthews left his phone at his apartment, which is why he was waiting by the window for him to come back. 

Surveillance footage depicted the witness’ mother letting Matthews back into the apartment building at 3:51 p.m. 

A moment later, Matthews can allegedly be seen in the footage leaving the apartment building with a backpack. The witness said he did not communicate with his father the rest of that day. 

Marnitta King, Matthews’ defense attorney, argued that he could’ve left the apartment building for a smoke, which he was known to do in 2021. 

She also argued that Green “was essentially talking to himself” because the witness never texted back. However, prosecutors reiterated the fact that the witness called Green moments before his death.

The parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 1.