A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson during an Oct. 3 arraignment hearing.
Kenneth Coleman, 39, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated, robbery while armed, felony murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jireh Martinez on the 1300 block of Valley Place, SE, on Nov. 13, 2023.
Coleman is charged with co-defendant Isaac Pinkney, 34, who is charged with first degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, and felony murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the Nov. 13, 2023 fatal shooting. Pinkney was not present at the Oct. 3 hearing.
According to court documents, Martinez died from a gunshot wound to his head after being found unconscious on the street.
After all charges were read to Coleman during the hearing, he affirmed his not guilty plea. The parties will continue to prepare for a jury trial that will be scheduled during a Jan. 9 hearing.
In preparation for trial, defense attorney Kevin Mosley asked the court to transfer Coleman to the DC Jail from Northern Neck Regional Jail in Virginia. Mosley told the court that Coleman needs medical attention because he is suffering from an ailment on his leg and that communication with his client has been hindered by his current location.
Judge Dayson placed a 1325a hold on Coleman, meaning that he will be transferred into her jurisdiction of DC for pretrial matters.
Mosley also announced to the court that he will be petitioning for a severance of the defendants at the next hearing, which will separate Coleman from his co-defendant in the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 9.
