An individual convicted of first-degree murder, alaready on his second defense attorney, said he plans to request a new trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Nov. 7.
Deonte Patterson, 29, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi on Aug. 23, 2021, on the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW.
A jury found Patterson guilty of all three charges on March 27, and Patterson was originally set for sentencing in May. However, Patterson was appointed a new defense attorney, Destiny Fullwood-Singh before sentencing.
Judge Ryan noted that Patterson was given a new attorney following “many colorful claims of ineffective assistance of counsel” about his first attorney, Cheryl Stein.
At the hearing, Fullwood-Singh stated that she had already filed a motion to set a new trial date, and requested another hearing to discuss Patterson’s case before sentencing.
The prosecution argued that Patterson should be sentenced first, and that the defense’s argument for setting a new trial date was unclear. Judge Ryan, however, disagreed, and believed that the defense’s argument was clear and wished for both parties to provide arguments.
Parties are slated to convene April 24.
