Murder Defendant May Not Want to Represent Himself

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A homicide defendant alerted the court that he may be reconsidering his request to represent himself before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Oct. 9.

Wonell Jones Jr., 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Audora Williams — his children’s mother — in an apartment building on the 2000 block of Knox Place, SE on July 19, 2022.

According to court documents, Jones allegedly shot Williams 52 times in the apartment while their children were home. One of the children went across the hall to the neighbors to call 911 when Jones fled the scene.

Carrie Weletz, the second defense attorney that had been appointed to Jones’ case, filed a motion to withdraw from the case after Jones was found competent to represent himself by a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report at a hearing on Aug. 29.

At the Oct. 9 hearing, Judge Raffinan granted Weletz’ request and she was dismissed. Steven Kiersh was appointed as Jones’ attorney and he informed the court that Jones was reconsidering his request to represent himself

Kiersh is the third attorney that has been appointed to Jones’ case and Judge Raffinan asked Jones to “make certain” that he works with Kiersh because he is an “experienced” attorney.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 20.