During a status hearing on Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan allowed a defendant to seek new representation.
Tony Morgan, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly shooting Malik McCloud, 19, on Oct. 20, 2018, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE.
Judge Raffinan and defense attorneys Lisbeth Sapirstein and Wole O. Falodun had a lengthy bench discussion, which concerned an issue that Morgan wanted to address. The issue was not disclosed to the public.
Judge Raffinan informed the prosecutor that Morgan wanted new representation in his case and that could cause conflicts with the trial date set for July 3.
The prosecutor said she believed that if Morgan could find new lawyers by Friday’s hearing then, she feels, the current trial date should remain on schedule.
The parties are scheduled to return for a status hearing on Feb. 10.
