Murder Defendant’s DNA Found on Crime Scene

By Melaney Lemaster [former] - July 6, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During an ongoing trial for a 27 year old charged with murder, several witnesses testified that items at the murder scene contained the defendant’s DNA.

Gilbert Della, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm during a violent crime and carrying a loaded handgun for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Ikeem Issac on Jan. 1, 2019, on the 4900 block of Frederick Avenue.  

A forensic biologist who analyzed the crime scene said she found Della’s DNA. During her testimony on July 5, she confirmed that Della was a major source of DNA on a cell phone and sweatshirt located on the crime scene.

The scientist confirmed that she swabbed parts of the street, a Minute Maid bottle, a sweatshirt, cell phone, and an area where blood was found. She also confirmed that she swabbed and collected samples that were requested by the officers. 

A Baltimore City detective, who pulled surveillance video footage of the incident, went through the process of how the video footage was collected and provided to the prosecution for evidence. 

Jonathan Kerr and Megan Lewis, defense counsel for Della, questioned why only six out of twelve cameras were used to pull footage of the incident. The defense also questioned the timestamp of the footage because the time stamp was one hour behind. 

According to a medical examiner, Issac’s death was due to multiple gunshot wounds. 

Della’s trial is scheduled to continue on July 6.