A DC Superior Court judge accepted a request to appoint a new defense attorney for a felony defendant.
Raymond Furman was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill while armed in 2017. In 2018, he was indicted on charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, simple assault and obstruction of justice. He is currently being held at DC Jail.
The prosecution filed a motion to appoint new counsel for the defendant on Sept. 2.
Since the case opened, multiple defense attorneys have withdrawn. In 2019, Furman filed a motion for his case to be dismissed on the argument that his constitutional right to a speedy trial was violated, but the motion has yet to be heard due to changing lawyers and the delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judge Neal Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that new counsel was necessary before considering the motion for dismissal.
Judge Kravitz hopes to ascertain a new attorney by Furman’s next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 9.
