Retrial of Convicted Murderer Continues with DNA Analyst’s Testimony

By Hannah Sawickey [former] - July 15, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The retrial for convicted murderer, Anthony Clark Jr., who is now known as Malik Shakur, continued on July 14 as the prosecutor began calling witnesses to the stand before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John Nugent. 

Shakur’s new trial began on July 11 after the Maryland Special Court of Appeals granted him a new trial in April 2020 due to evidence that he had been wrongfully admitted. In his first trial, Shakur was found guilty by a jury for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during a violent crime in connection to an incident from 2016 that resulted in the death of 13-year-old Diandre Barnes. 

The prosecutor called three witnesses to testify about the DNA found on the handgun and backpack that tied Shakur to the scene. 

The first witness was an employee from the evidence management unit who detailed how the gun was recovered after he responded to a call for a search and seizure warrant. He testified that the gun, along with a few hoodies, phones, and a toothbrush were found in a backpack inside the suspects house. 

A DNA analyst testified that they Shakur matched samples collected on the handgun.

During cross-examination, Shakur’s counsel, Michael Cooper, asked the analyst if she would be able to identify which particular parts of the gun were swabbed, specifically if she could say the sample was taken from the trigger. The analyst could not say which sample was taken from which particular area of the gun but said forensics experts typically swab all contact areas. 

The fourth witness, who identified the defendant as the shooter, recounted the events that occurred on the day of the shooting saying she witnessed about four or five shots being fired by a man wearing a hoodie. The witness’ boyfriend, at the time, was injured by a gunshot wound to his side.

Shakur’s trial will continue on July 15.