What happened
Lawyers for the singer D4vd pushed LAPD lab staff about how evidence from his home was tested. The questioning took place on the third day of a hearing that will decide if he stands trial on murder and child-sex charges.
Prosecutors say traces of blood were found in his house and Tesla. Defense lawyers asked why certain items, like chainsaws in the garage, were not tested for DNA.
Who wins here
The defense gains leverage when testing choices leave gaps. If police did not test key items, defense lawyers can say someone else’s DNA might explain the traces found.
The police and prosecution also hold power through labs, reports, and data. Their choices on what to test shape what jurors will see if the case goes to trial.
How the play works
This is a contest over evidence control. Labs decide what to test and what not to test. Those choices change which facts reach court.
Defense lawyers use cross-examination to show those choices were selective. That can sow doubt about the prosecution’s story without proving anyone innocent.
Why it matters
Evidence testing is the link between crime scenes and courtroom truth. When testing is incomplete, the public gets a weaker picture of what happened.
That matters for victims, suspects, and public trust in police work. If testing is uneven, people can lose faith in investigations or fear wrongful outcomes.
What to watch next
The hearing is expected to wrap up early next week. Watch for rulings on whether the case goes to trial and for any lab reports the judge orders made public.
Also watch for whether prosecutors test more items now. If they do, that will show whether the gaps were an oversight or a judgment call.