New Counsel Set to Argue for Murder Defendant

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A defense attorney appeared as retained counsel, or counsel a murder defendant already hired for legal matters, in a case regarding a structure fire that resulted in two deaths.

James Walker, 61, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Getachew Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW. Solomen and Kebede were transported to the area hospital with life threatening injuries on Aug. 18, 2019. Kebede succumbed to his injuries on the same day, and Solomen on Aug. 20, 2019.

On Feb. 18, Grandison Hill appeared as Walker’s retained counsel. Walker’s previous attorney, Kristin McGough, withdrew from the case.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck granted a motion for the prosecutor to join with another attorney. However, D.C. Witness is not able to confirm who the attorney was. There was no objection from the defense.

The prosecutor said all evidence would be turned over to the defense within the next 30 days. Hill requested more time to review the evidence and consider possible plea offers before the next hearing.

A status hearing is scheduled to occur on May 1.