Defendant Rejects Two Plea Offers in 2021 Homicide Case

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On April 17, a defendant rejected two plea offers relating to a 2021 homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the murder of Dara Northern, 29, on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18, 2021.

According to court documents, Fall is alleged to have shot Northern as she was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle of one of her friends. A witness statement explained that the two “appeared to have just had an argument.”

According to court documents, another witness who lived with the two had stated that the argument had allegedly spawned from the defendant’s “paranoia because the decedent had gay friends.”

The witness had also identified Fall as the victim’s ex-boyfriend.

At a previous trial readiness hearing on April 8, Fall had requested a week to consider two plea offers that had been previously extended to him by the prosecution.

Both plea offers would have Fall plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed.

As part of the first plea offer, Fall would also plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm.In exchange, all other charges against Fall in this case as well as a separate case would be dismissed.

The second plea offer would also have Fall plead guilty to second-degree murder while are, resulting in 19 years of incarceration. In exchange, the prosecution would agree to dismiss additional charges, and remove the hate crime element being pursued in this case.

Fall’s defense attorney, Wole Falodun, indicated that Fall intends to maintain his current trial date of Nov. 18, thereby rejecting both plea offers.

In response, the prosecution stated that the plea offers had expired with Fall’s rejection. Parties discussed dates for a motion hearing.
Parties are expected to reconvene on Oct. 1 for a motions hearing, and Fallis expected back in court on April 24 for a separate case with DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.