Homicide Defendant Granted New Counsel in Five-Year-Old Case

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DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted two defense attorneys’ request to withdraw from a homicide case, further delaying the proceeding, which was slated to begin on Jan. 22, during a Jan. 30 hearing.

Ernest Cleveland, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Edward Pearson, 39, on November 26, 2020 on the 2900 block of Connecticut Ave, NW.

The defendant’s trial was scheduled to commence on Jan. 22, however, his prior defense attorneys, Madelyn Harvey and Victoria Clark, filed a motion to withdraw as Cleveland’s counsel due to a conflict of interest. Judge Kravitz then appointed Attorney Nathaniel Mensah on Jan. 23 and Attorney Elliot Rosenwald on Jan. 29 as new counsel for Cleveland.

Judge Kravitz urged both parties to select a trial date during the felony status conference because there have been several delays. The lawyers alerted Judge Kravitz the earliest they could try the case was in the fall, but were unable to finalize dates due to scheduling issues.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for another status hearing on Feb. 25.