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By
Ayda Atici [former]
- February 22, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Traffic
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Victims
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On Feb. 22, a homicide defendant pleaded not guilty during arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Nakita Walker, 43, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, one count of fleeing a law enforcement officer, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, for her alleged involvement in the deaths of Mohamed Kamara, 42, Jonathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22, on March 15, 2023 on Rock Creek Parkway near the intersection of 26th Street and P Streets, NW.
Walker allegedly crashed into the vehicle occupied by the three victims while drunk.
According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer allegedly found alcohol and marijuana in Walker’s vehicle at a traffic stop prior to the accident. Walker then allegedly pulled away, accelerating to an estimated 100 miles-per-hour speed.
Walker’s attorney, Albert Amissah, informed the court that she was pleading not guilty to all charges for the arraignment, and was rejecting the prosecution’s plea offer of three counts of involuntary manslaughter.
However, when Judge Okun asked her whether she understood the terms of the plea agreement she was rejecting, Walker stated that she had “never heard about 30 years,” regarding the maximum sentence she could face for pleading guilty. She added that her lawyer had only told her she could serve four years.
Despite this, she told the court “It’s fine” and indicated that she would still like to reject the offer.
In light of her confusion, Judge Okun stated that he would give Walker more time to discuss the plea agreement with her attorney. If at the next hearing, they still have not reached an agreement, the parties will set a trial date.
Parties are slated to return on Feb. 29.