Defense Attorney Represents Client in Homicide Case for the Final Time 

By Aerial Lopez [former] - February 28, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a Feb. 28 status hearing the defense attorney in a homicide case requested a new attorney to cover the case indefinitely. 

The incident occurred July 18, 2021, on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW around 1 a.m. Idrissa Fall, 36, was arrested on second-degree murder while armed charges for allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend, Dara Northern, 29, in the head. The two had been broken up for five days but were still living together at the time of the incident. 

On Nov. 9, 2022 Fall was indicted on first-degree murder premeditated while armed in a bias-related hate crime, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction.

At Tuesday’s status hearing, defense attorney Ronald B. Resetarits informed DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt that he would be resigning from the case. Resetarits said he will begin a new position with The Public Defender Service’s parole division. 

Judge Brandt said she was saddened to see Resetarits leave but assured him that his time and reputation in her courtroom was much appreciated. 

After Brandt made sure that Fall understood what this transition meant for his case, she asked him if he was okay with being assigned a new attorney. Fall nodded in agreement.

The prosecution on the case found no issue with the appointment of a new defense attorney and said “this is not a lengthy or complex case, it’s straight forward.” In reference to the case’s ‘simplicity,’ the prosecution requested that Brandt consider moving up the trial date. 

The trial date was originally set to begin on May 6, 2024.

After a short deliberation and referral to the court’s case schedule, Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecution’s request. 

Resetarits informed the court that he would pass this determination along to whichever attorney is next in line. 

All legal parties will negotiate a new trial date once a new attorney is assigned.  

The next status hearing is set for March 31.