New Questions About Evidence In Suiter Case Cause Original Homicide Ruling To Stand

There are new, unresolved questions about the evidence in the Sean Suiter case, the 11 News I-Team has learned.

The new questions cause the original homicide ruling by the medical examiner to stand without change, the I-Team has learned.

The former Baltimore police detective suffered a fatal gunshot shot wound to the head a year ago in west Baltimore.

In concluding Suiter took his own life, the Independent Review Board cited the lack of evidence of a second person through DNA testing or fingerprints.

The I-Team has learned there is DNA evidence that could suggest a second person was involved. The DNA was found on Suiter's gun, according to a source familiar with the investigation, and it does not belong to Suiter. But it is not traceable and it has not been linked to a specific person.

The IRB seemed to acknowledge the DNA question in its report: "No traceable DNA was recovered from the weapon other than Detective Suiter's." That's different from saying no DNA at all, but the board did not disclose the presence of other DNA evidence.

READ THE BOARD'S REPORT HERE

The I-Team has learned that other questions concern video recorded the day of the shooting by a private security camera. The IRB concluded the video showed just an eight-second gap between Suiter entering a vacant lot and his partner reacting to the shots, which was too little time, in the board's view, for someone else to be involved and get away unseen.

But enhancements of the video suggest a longer timeline that could allow for a struggle to have occurred, the I-Team has learned.

Video from security camera

The medical examiner had been reviewing the case since the IRB's report was released to determine whether the initial homicide ruling should be changed. The I-Team has learned there will be no change in the ruling until questions about the evidence are resolved.

The Suiter case remains an open investigation by Baltimore police.