The stabbing suspect’s trial is delayed so the defense can test DNA evidence

By Jeff Levine
– October 15, 2024
Daily Stories | murders | piercing | Suspicious | Victim |

The trial of a suspected murderer in a brutal knife attack has been postponed until the end of next year as the defense plans to conduct its own testing of extensive DNA evidence in the case.

In an Oct. 11 hearing, D.C. Supreme Court Justice William Okun said he was “concerned about the delay” but acknowledged the postponement was warranted.

George Sydnor, 45, is charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder with armed force that was particularly heinous, heinous or cruel. The crime was particularly heinous, heinous or cruel. The crime was committed while on release. Burglary with armed offense was particularly heinous, heinous or cruel Particularly heinous, heinous or cruel offense was committed while on parole for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that killed 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31 at a hotel on the 1600, were particularly heinous, atrocious or cruel crimes block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a 911 call and reported screaming coming from a hotel room in the district.

When they arrived, police found Syndor in the room, reportedly with blood on his hands and clothing, and a bloodied woman on the floor near the door, apparently suffering from repeated stab wounds. While searching for evidence, police found half of a bloodstained, broken knife and Syndor was arrested at the scene.

Previously, surveillance video showed a person identified as Syndor arriving at the hotel on a red bicycle and making contact with the victim, court documents show. Shortly afterwards, cries for help can be heard from the hotel room.

According to the autopsy report, Bautista was stabbed about 30 times, mostly in the back but also in the lungs and liver. Additionally, the coroner said the victim suffered a neck wound that pierced her spine and possibly paralyzed her.

When he was taken into custody, Syndor had two outstanding warrants for robbery, according to court records.

During the hearing, prosecutors said they provided the defense with five reports containing DNA evidence, including tests on body fluids and evaluations of other genetic information that could be relevant to the case.

“We want to get the case underway this year,” she said.

Jesse Winograd, Syndor’s attorney, said his client was asserting his right to test DNA evidence in the case regardless of the prosecution’s findings. Because the task was so complex, he also wants his own expert to review the reports before sending the material to a private laboratory.

Syndor has “absolutely the right to do this,” Winograd said, assuring the court that there was “no wrongdoing by the government” in its handling of the evidence.

“The government has been very diligent,” agreed Judge Okun, who said there may still be a chance the trial could begin this year.

The scheduled hearing date on November 6th was canceled and postponed to October 27th, 2025.