Co-Defendants appointed new attorney in Robinson Pal murder case

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 26, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The two defendants in the 2016 stabbing death of Robinson Pal have a new public defender, who is asking for more time to prepare for their previously scheduled July 2018 trial.

Co-defendants Devonte Johnson, 27, and Antonio Byrd, 35, face second degree murder charges for a stabbing at the Barcode nightclub on January 31, 2016.

The attorney requested additional time to review the case material, and said that she “hope[ed] in the next few months can make it through files.”

According to documents, a security guard at Barcode allegedly saw Pal and Byrd fighting, and allegedly heard Byrd tell Pal that he was “going to kill [him].” Pal was stabbed in the chest and fell to the floor.

A second victim was found just outside the nightclub suffering from a stab wound to the back.

Johnson and Byrd are both charged with second-degree murder while armed, and are being held without bond.

A status hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.