DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a murder defendant’s emergency motion for immediate release or to be transferred to a hospital during a hearing on June 20.
Tommy Whack, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Fasil Teklemariam, 53, that occurred on April 5, 2024, on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.
In addition, Tiffany Taylor-Gray, 22, and Audrey Miller, 20, have been charged in the crime.
Whack’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, claimed that Whack has found it difficult to shower, go for his physical therapy or visit his lawyer for a month due to the Department of Corrections (DOC) refusal to provide a him wheelchair.
An attorney for the DOC, said that medical staff found no clinical reason for a wheelchair
The prosecution also provided the court with pictures of Whack walking and playing basketball while in jail and called his condition is a “ruse.”
Whack told the court that he recently had a fall, which further exacerbated his condition.
“I understand I have committed a serious crime but I am also a human being,” said Whack.
The DOC rep told the judge he would contact parties regarding the defendant’s recent fall and perform another examination.
Whack’s family was present in the courtroom and his mother told the court she would buy a wheelchair for her son.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.
