Defense lawyer in Nuru Frenche murder may recuse himself due to conflict of interest

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 28, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The two men police say killed 23-year-old Nuru Frenche appeared in court Tuesday as their lawyers discussed the nature of evidence in their case.

According to charging documents, in April 2016 Nathaniel Taylor, 23, and 21-year-old Anthony Blackmone intended to rob a person, and during the botched robbery fatally shot Frenche.

Police were called to 4900 block of Just St., NE, the scene of the crime, and found Frenche suffering from gunshot wounds. Frenche succumbed to his injures at a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Blackmone and Taylor’s defense team made a motion to retain evidence from the prosecution relating to the car in which Frenche and the intended target of the robbery arrived on the scene.

In turn, the prosecution said they would resolve the issue outside of court and proceeded to enter DNA evidence into discovery.

The possibility of defense lawyer Kevin Mosley stepping down as Taylor’s lawyer was also a topic of discussion.

After stating that he may have a conflict of interest, Mosely and the prosecution team approached the bench and addressed Judge Lynn Leibovitz directly.

Upon his return to the defense table, Mosley said he would come to a decision about his stance in this case and notify the judge before Taylor’s detention hearing.

Taylor and Blackmone are both being held without bond as they face a charge of first-degree murder, and an additional nine other charges.

Taylor is expected in court April 21 for a detention hearing.

Blackmone will be presented in court January 8, 2018 for the start of his trial.