Witnesses Connect Co-Defendants in Series of Homicides

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During an Oct. 4 jury trial, the prosecution presented several critical pieces of evidence found in a homicide defendant’s call history that linked him to his co-defendant.

Derek Turner, 31, and co-defendant Ronnika Jennings, 44, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy in connection with the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE. Jennings is accused of sharing criminal information with Turner during her time working as a clerk for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The third co-defendant Duan Hill, 33, is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Turner is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Devin Hall on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

According to both parties, Jennings was a station clerk at the time of the murders and she accessed information regarding the investigation reports and sent multiple photocopies to Turner. The prosecution also showed her caller history between her and Turner with dates, times, and call durations.

The witness said Jennings wasn’t supposed to have access to the detective’s information, only the public, and internal access records.

According to court documents, the defendant was doing numerous runs on Turner using law enforcement information systems.

The prosecution identified 28 phone calls between the two after the defendant signed an electronic release form to the law enforcement agency. The prosecution also found a text she sent to Turner that said “he’s still good LMAO”

The prosecution also presented the jury with other pieces of evidence that linked Turner to violence during Tuesday’s proceedings.

A shot spotter specialist identified sounds of apparent gunshots pulled from shot spotters in the areas of shootings that occurred on Jan. 7, Feb.16, Feb. 17, Feb. 22, and March 1 of 2017.

The prosecution also showed the jury video footage displaying Turner and an associate of his in a car listening to music and displaying what appeared to be the back end of a gun. Turner then proceeded to end the video by saying “Fu** Y’all.”

One witness, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) homicide detective, was questioned about her work on a July 15, 2017, crime scene on 9th and Waller Streets in Southeast, DC. The detective said she was dispatched to the hospital regarding a male who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to one of his arms.

Upon arrival, she identified three individuals who were involved in the incident. A male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm, a female who had apparent scratches on her arm from dropping to the ground and getting cut by glass, and Turner, who had no apparent injuries.

Turner told the detective that he “ducked and didn’t see anything.”

The detective indicated that Turner seemed uncooperative and didn’t provide any information as to who he thought could have done the shooting. The case was never closed.

Turner’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, questioned the detective’s credibility by referring to her Internal Affairs Division (IAD) investigations from October to January of 2007. During that time, complaints were filed against her for secretly recording co-workers.

Another MPD detective said he responded to Trenton Park back in 2016 for an ongoing investigation where he then discovered the connection between Turner and Jennings.

A video also was displayed of Turner and others in Trenton Park in a rap video that drew a connection to one of the murders that took place a block behind the parking lot the video was filmed in. Turner was viewed in the video saying “y’all been looking for me anyways Bi*** A** Ni**as.”

The trial resumed on Oct. 6 before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo.

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