Defense Files Motion to Recuse Judge in Fatal Car Crash Case

By Cameron Horne - November 1, 2024
Daily Stories | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

Albert Amissah, on behalf of his client, filed a motion to recuse DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun from a fatal car crash case during an Oct. 31 hearing, stating the defendant believed Judge Okun was biased against her.

Nakita Walker, 44, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, fleeing a law enforcement officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a March 15, 2023 car accident resulting in the deaths of Mohamed Kamara, 43, Jonathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22, on Rock Creek Parkway.

According to court documents, Walker’s blood-alcohol level was twice the limit during the incident. 

During the hearing, Amissah claimed that the reasoning for requesting recusal was that Walker felt Judge Okun was biased against her based on his denial of release conditions in a previous hearing

In response, Judge Okun first cited that a motion to recuse a judge requires a certification of good faith, and a written affidavit to be filed, neither of which was done in this case. 

Judge Okun continued, stating that even though failure to file those documents was grounds to deny the motion, he would still deny the motion pursuant to the idea that recusal required bias to extend past the courtroom, which Judge Okun could confidently state it did not.

Following Judge Okun’s ruling, Walker asked for new counsel in the case. The prosecution opposed the idea, stating Walker has previously received new counsel, current counsel was specifically who Walker had asked for, and that the second trial date in this case is only three weeks away. “Cases rarely get better with time,” prosecutors claimed.

Judge Okun followed up the prosecution’s stance, stating that if new counsel were appointed in this case, it would not be tried until the end of 2026, advising Walker that she would be held at least through that date. Judge Okun added that he believed Walker’s issue to be with herself, not her attorneys.

Walker spoke with Amissah and Destiny Fullwood-Singh, Walker’s second attorney,  at length before they were able to report Walker decided to remain with current counsel at this juncture.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 7