A plea offer will remain open after back-and-forth negotiations led a homicide defendant to ask for new legal representation during a July 19 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.
Kyree Hairston, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 51-year-old David Coe on Feb. 4 on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
Through his defense attorney, Jason Clark, Hairston requested additional time to consider the plea deal offered by the prosecution.
“The plea offer won’t get any better than that,” a prosecutor replied.
The deal would require Hairston to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and receive a sentence in the higher range of the sentencing guidelines. In return, the prosecution wouldn’t indict on additional or greater charges.
“There is a reason I appointed you a lawyer,” Judge Epstein told Hairston when he asked what could be done about the offer.
Judge Epstein said he could not provide any legal advice to Hairston other than to use the attorney he was appointed.
When the prosecution refused to allow more time to negotiate the plea deal, Hairston asked for a new attorney. Judge Epstein granted the request.
The prosecution then said the plea offer would remain open during the transition of defense counsel.
Parties are set to reconvene Aug. 9.
