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A Prince George's County judge has ruled that state prosecutors will be allowed to use DNA tests and a defendant's statements to police as evidence in the manslaughter trials of two men accused of causing the deaths of eight people in an Accokeek street racing crash.

Darren Jamar Bullock, 23, and Tavon Jamarr Taylor, 20, both of Waldorf, were charged in July 2008 with eight counts of vehicular manslaughter after eight people were killed and eight others were injured the morning of Feb. 16, 2008.

Prince George's County police allege the two men were racing when Bullock's car plowed into a crowd of 200 spectators at the intersection of Route 210/Indian Head Highway and Pine Drive, near the Charles County border. Both Taylor and Bullock pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the hearing Monday before Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Whalen, defense attorneys challenged the scientific calculation used to determine speeds of vehicles believed to be driven by Taylor and Bullock the night of the accident, contending that the calculations Prince George's County officers used to determine speeds were not precise.

The defense also petitioned to suppress evidence relating to search warrants issued for Bullock's vehicle, evidence the state's prosecutor sought to introduce to the case.

The warrants included DNA evidence from blood found within a Ford Crown Victoria allegedly driven by Bullock as the vehicle plowed into the crowd. Bullock was injured during the crash, and police believe that blood taken from the vehicle's steering wheel would verify Bullock was driving at the time.

The judge denied motions to suppress evidence relating to the search warrants but deferred ruling on the speed calculations and whether the court will allow video evidence including security footage taken from the nearby Beretta gun factory, and animations depicting the scene of the accident until a factory representative can testify to legitimacy of the video on July 21. A ruling is expected by July 29.

Bullock's attorney, Janet Hart, also sought to suppress statements Bullock made to police the night of the accident in which he said he was driving the vehicle that crashed into the crowd because he made the statements without being read his Miranda rights.

"Mr. Bullock was deprived of his freedom of action [that night]," argued Hart.

Prosecutors countered, saying that Bullock had not been placed under arrest when he made the statements to authorities who were collecting witness statements at the scene of the accident.

"It's clear that the officer did not suspect [Bullock or Taylor] of committing any crimes," said Michael Pearson, the assistant state's attorney.

Taylor's case is scheduled to begin July 20, and Bullock's is scheduled for Sept. 14. Whalen will preside over the hearings.

E-mail Joshua Garner at jgarner@gazette.net.