Murder Defendant Receives New Attorney

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 16, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant asked for a new attorney and questioned why his current attorney was not present, during a status hearing on March 13.

Jerome Alexander, 26, is charged with felony murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Richard Washington, 28, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on Dec. 19, 2019.

Alexander, who is currently being represented by Public Defender Service’s Madalyn Harvey, asked DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring why Harvey was not present in court.

“She hasn’t come to see me, and she hasn’t done her job,” said Alexander.

He said that he want a new attorney that was not Harvey or anyone who is part of her team.

Judge Josey-Herring explained to Alexander that the pubic defender service is a service that uses the same resources and therefore while Harvey may be removed from the case, he will likely see the same investigators and other resources used as before.

Judge Josey-Herring also said that Harvey was not available for court and therefore the judge accommodated her.

Judge Josey-Herring said she would assign Alexander a new attorney and schedule a status date so the new attorney could get caught up instead of rescheduling his preliminary hearing at this time.

A felony status is scheduled for March 17 which could be rescheduled due to COVID-19 and DC Courts potentially rescheduling cases.