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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- December 14, 2018
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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On Dec. 13, a medical examiner contradicted a mother’s testimony about the night her son was killed.
Eric McDuffie is charged with first-degree murder and a related gun offense for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Antonio McCallister on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. McDuffie, 27, was initially tried in April; however, the jury was unable to make a unanimous decision.
McCallister’s mother previously told the jury that she saw McDuffie walking behind her son as she was approaching him. The mother said she held her son’s head as he fell to the ground. She said his last words were, “ I love you ma.”
However, a medical examiner from the Office of the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia said the victim had injuries to his face that were consistent with his face hitting the ground. Furthermore, the medical examiner said McCallister couldn’t have said anything after he was shot because his spinal cord was injured. Apparently, McCallister was shot once in the back of the head.
The defense previously noted that the mother was under the influence of alcohol and PCP, a mind-altering drug, on the night of the murder.
The defense also questioned if the mother was testifying in order to receive a reward. Apparently, she was diagnosed with manic depression and was also homeless.
“I’m testifying because I want justice,” the mother told the jury.
The defense is scheduled to begin their case on Dec. 17.