D.C. Superior Court Judge Micheal Ryan declined to proceed with a plea disposition for a double homicide defendant during a July 3 status hearing.
Kevin Foster, 20, is charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The charges stem from his alleged involvement in two fatal shootings on March 7, 2023, on the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE, which claimed the lives of 23-year-old Dana Faulkner, and 15-year-old Abdul Fuller, who was shot and killed at the intersection of Mississippi Avenue and Wheeler Road, SE. There was one surviving victim from the shooting on the 2700 block of Bruce Place.
Foster appeared in court with his attorney, Matthew Davies. During the hearing, Judge Ryan was preparing to file a plea rejection from Foster, until Foster expressed dissatisfaction with his attorney’s representation. This prompted Judge Ryan to say he could not find that the defendant had knowingly and voluntarily rejected the prosecution’s offer.
The deal would have required Foster to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. In return, the prosecution would have dropped all remaining charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy, and parties would agree to a sentencing range of 12-to-18 years in prison.
Prosecutors tried to push the plea rejection, stating that Foster’s dissatisfaction was inconsequential since the plea offer would be taken back regardless. However, Judge Ryan stated that his priority was finding out the reason for Foster’s claims of insufficient counsel.
Foster has since requested a new attorney.
The case is scheduled for a status hearing on August 15.
