Witnesses Detail Inconclusive DNA, Phone Evidence In Homicide Trial

By Jenna Lee - September 4, 2024
Court | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DNA expert witness testified that all the DNA evidence in a homicide trial was inconclusive in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on Sept. 3. 

Ky’lee Palmer, 25, and Aaron Adgerson, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition, Palmer is charged with destruction of property worth $1,000 or more and tampering with physical evidence. All are alleged to be offenses committed during release. 

The charges stem from Palmer and Adgerson’s alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that led to the death of 60-year-old Barron Goodwin on Feb. 12, 2020, inside a residence on the 800 block of 51st Street, SE. 

Prosecutors called a DNA expert witness, who testified that their lab received DNA swabs from the exterior of a vehicle, two cigarillo packages, three cheek swabs from known individuals, and a known DNA profile of Palmer. 

Prosecutors previously presented evidence of a black Nissan, which they claimed Palmer stole on Feb. 9, 2020. In it, a witness from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) testified, they recovered the tested items, and were only able to partially swab the vehicle which was burned.

According to the DNA expert, none of the swabs were able to be compared with the known DNA profiles because the samples were not clear enough. 

The defense also cross-examined the FBI special agent regarding cell phone data in the area of the crime scene and the area where the car involved in the shooting had been burned. 

According to the witness, Palmer’s cell phone connected to cell towers around the area where the burned car was found. 

The witness said during cross examination by David Akulian, Palmer’s attorney, that one cannot know an individual’s exact location based on data from cell phone towers and that Palmer’s phone did not connect to any towers around the crime scene at the time of the homicide. 

He had previously testified that Sprint, who has since merged with T-Mobile, only enabled phones to connect to towers when they made a call, and there was a one hour gap around the time of the murder in which Palmer’s phone didn’t connect to towers.

The witness said in redirect that based on the location of phone calls made in succession, one could narrow down the area where Palmer’s phone was and that the movement was consistent with moving quickly down Southern Avenue in Southeastern DC.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 4.