On February 22, 2025, homeowners David and Patricia Morales left their residence at 742 Elm Street, Denver, at 6:30 PM for a dinner event, returning at 10:45 PM. Upon return, they discovered the rear sliding glass door had been forced open (pry marks on frame), and the home had been burglarized. Missing items: a 65" Samsung TV ($1,200), a MacBook Pro ($2,400), Patricia's jewelry box containing an estimated $8,000 in pieces (including a distinctive antique emerald ring), and approximately $500 in cash from a bedroom drawer. Denver PD Crime Scene Unit processed the scene on February 23. A Marlboro Red cigarette butt was found on the rear patio near the forced door. DNA from saliva on the cigarette matched Jamal Washington in the CODIS database (Washington's DNA is in CODIS from a 2020 misdemeanor theft conviction). Washington was arrested March 5, 2025. No stolen items have been recovered. Washington lives 1.3 miles from the Morales residence. He has a 2020 misdemeanor theft conviction and a 2019 trespassing charge (dismissed). He is charged with second-degree burglary (Class 4 felony, 2-6 years) under C.R.S. § 18-4-203.
DNA Analysis Report
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Lab Report. A Marlboro Red cigarette butt collected from the rear patio of 742 Elm Street (evidence tag #PR-2025-0891) yielded a DNA profile from saliva. The profile was run through CODIS and returned a match to Jamal Andre Washington (CODIS entry from 2020 conviction). The probability of a random match is approximately 1 in 1.2 trillion. The cigarette appeared fresh — not weathered or degraded — consistent with being deposited within 24-48 hours of collection. No other DNA profiles were obtained from the scene.
Crime Scene Report & Photos
Forced entry through rear sliding glass door — tool marks consistent with a pry bar or large flathead screwdriver on the aluminum frame. Interior: master bedroom dresser drawers pulled out and contents scattered, jewelry box missing from vanity, closet rifled through. Living room: TV mount empty (mounting bolts unscrewed), desk drawers open, laptop missing. Kitchen undisturbed. No fingerprints recovered from any surface (22 surfaces dusted). Shoe impressions on rear patio in soft soil: size 11 Nike athletic shoe pattern. Cigarette butt collected 3 feet from the forced door. Pry bar or tool not recovered at scene.
Ring Doorbell Camera Footage (Neighbor)
Security camera from 738 Elm Street (two houses east) captured footage of the rear alley at 8:47 PM on February 22. Shows a single individual in dark clothing (dark hoodie, dark pants) walking westbound through the alley toward 742 Elm. Individual is approximately 5'10"-6'0", medium build. Face is not visible due to hoodie and low camera angle combined with nighttime conditions. Individual is not carrying any visible items at this point. No footage captured of anyone leaving the area. Camera has a narrow field of view covering only a 30-foot section of alley. Washington is 5'11" and medium build.
Washington's Alibi & Phone Records
Washington states he was at Terrence Boyd's apartment (2.1 miles from crime scene) from approximately 5 PM to midnight on February 22. Boyd corroborates. However, Washington's cell phone records show his phone connected to a tower serving the Park Hill neighborhood (near 742 Elm) at 8:31 PM and 9:12 PM. The phone then reconnected to towers near Boyd's address at 9:48 PM. Washington claims he left his phone in his car and his car was parked at Boyd's — cell tower analysis expert notes tower coverage areas overlap significantly in urban Denver and placement is not precise to a specific address.
Defendant's Prior Record & Shoe Evidence
Washington's record: 2019 criminal trespass (dismissed), 2020 misdemeanor theft (shoplifting, convicted, 12 months probation completed). During execution of search warrant at Washington's apartment on March 5: no stolen property found. One pair of Nike Air Max shoes (size 11) seized — forensic comparison to patio shoe impressions: "consistent in size and general tread pattern but insufficient unique wear characteristics for positive identification." The Nike Air Max is among the top 5 best-selling shoes in America. Washington cooperated with the search and denied any involvement.
Detective Maria Sandoval (Prosecution)
Denver PD Property Crimes Unit, 11 years service, has investigated over 200 burglary cases
The DNA evidence places Washington at the exact point of forced entry. The cigarette was fresh — not weathered — deposited within the timeframe of the burglary. His cell phone pinged towers in the Park Hill area during the time of the crime, contradicting his alibi. He lives 1.3 miles away, has a prior theft conviction, wears the same size and brand of shoe that left prints at the scene, and smokes the exact brand of cigarette found at the point of entry. Each piece alone might be explainable, but together they form a compelling circumstantial case.
Terrence Boyd (Defense — Alibi Witness)
Washington's friend since high school, 27 years old, works as a delivery driver, has a 2021 marijuana distribution conviction (misdemeanor)
Jamal came over around 5 that day. We were watching the NBA game — Nuggets versus Lakers. He was at my place the whole time until maybe midnight, twelve-thirty. We were drinking beers, watching the game, playing PlayStation after. He never left. I remember because the game went to overtime and we were both hyped about it. His car was parked outside my place the whole time — I know because I went out for a smoke break during halftime and saw it.
Jamal Washington (Defense — Defendant)
26-year-old, works part-time at an auto body shop, lives alone in apartment 1.3 miles from crime scene, smokes Marlboro Reds
I was at Terrence's place all evening watching the game. I did not break into anyone's house. Yeah, I smoke Marlboro Reds — so do millions of people. I walk through that neighborhood sometimes because my cousin lives on Dahlia Street nearby. I could have dropped that cigarette any day that week walking through the alley as a shortcut. I didn't have my phone on me at Terrence's — it was in my car. I don't know why it pinged where it did, those tower things aren't exact. I have size 11 Nikes — they're the most common shoes in America. I did my time for the shoplifting thing three years ago and I've been clean since.
Residential Burglary — Denver, CO
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