Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

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During a Sept. 27 hearing, DC Superior Judge Raffinan Maribeth arraigned Ky’lee Palmer on six counts connected to a murder in 2020.

The 23-year-old defendant was indicted on first-degree murder while armed, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and destruction of property $1,000 or more on July 27. 

During the hearing, Palmer’s new defense attorney, David Akulian, requested a nominal bond for the defendant. The judge agreed and set a cash bond for $500. Akulian replaced Palmer’s former attorney, Sellano Simmons.

The defendant’s charges stem from an incident on Feb. 12, 2020, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 800 block of 51st Street SE. Upon arrival, officers found 60-year-old Barron Goodwin inside a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.