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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- October 14, 2020
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A felony defendant who waived his right to counsel in September says he won’t accept an attorney advisor.
Anthony Braxton was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in November 2017. The following May, he was indicted on charges of aggravated assault while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, kidnapping, stalking, a Civil Protective Order (CPO) violation and threats to kidnap or injure a person.
Braxton, 40, is currently being held at the DC Jail.
During the Oct. 13 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz asked the defendant questions about the law, criminal court procedure, and the maximum penalties for his charges.
Braxton couldn’t answer most of Judge Kravitz’s questions, but did have a general understanding of criminal procedure. Judge Kravitz described the defendant’s knowledge of the criminal justice process as “basic.”
“Instincts do not always equal being correct,” said Judge Kravitz. “I think someone could coach you and, at another hearing, you could answer me correctly.”
After questioning the defendant, Judge Kravitz recommended that Braxton accept an attorney advisor. The attorney advisor would help Braxton with his pretrial investigations and with trial preparations.
“I’m not looking for an attorney’s advice,” Braxton responded. “When the attorneys relay the information I give them, they tend to take away from it and make it not sound so serious.”
Braxton refused to accept any advisement from attorney Jonathan Zucker, who was the fourth attorney appointed to help Braxton prepare for trial.
Braxton said he was not given access to the information he needs to prepare for trial because the DC Law Library is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Kravitz told Braxton that an attorney advisor could help him learn criminal procedures and prepare for trial.
Braxton continued to refuse any attorney’s advisement. “The bottom line is, I want to represent myself,” he said.
Judge Kravitz refused to proceed to trial before the defendant could answer the basic legal questions he asked at the beginning of the hearing. Judge Kravitz scheduled a new hearing on Dec. 8.
“I’m going to ask for the packet with details on the charges to be sent to the Jail for Mr. Braxton,” said Judge Kravitz. “Before I allow him to represent himself. I want him to have a basic understanding of the facts and procedure so the trial can proceed in an acceptable fashion.”
Braxton’s attorney, Jonathan Zucker, was dismissed.