Double Homicide Defendant Asks to Represent Himself

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After a shooting and stabbing homicide defendant was deemed competent to stand trial on July 19, he requested that DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo let him represent himself.

Matthew Walker, 25, is charged on Jan. 8 with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence among other charges for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of David Remen, 32, on Feb. 14, 2019 on the 1700 Hamlin Street, NE. One other individual sustained severe injuries in the attack.

Walker is also charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Jamal Green-Lee to death on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NE on April 29, 2019. Green-Lee died on Nov. 4, 2020, due to his injuries.

In court, Judge Demeo reviewed a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) stating that Walker is competent to proceed in court.

Tensions were high between Walker and his defense attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, as Walker attempted to provide Judge Demeo with a folder of documents, which LoGerfo stated he needed to review before he could provide them to the court.

“I have a lot of problems with this attorney” and “I want to represent myself,” Walker told Judge Demeo.

Judge Demeo said she would address Walker’s request to defend himself at the next hearing.

Parties are slated to meet Aug. 26.