Homicide Defendant Set to Enter Plea, Delayed by Quarantine

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An attorney said Sept. 15 that the defense was prepared to accept a guilty plea, but that quarantine at the DC Jail prevented the defendant from appearing.

Klein Andrew Lawrence, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the murder of 34-year-old Vanessa Brooks-Williams on July 10, 2021, on the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SW.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo said that Lawrence could not appear before the court due to his unit in the DC Jail being put under quarantine because of COVID-19.

Defense attorney David Richter told Judge Demeo that he and Lawrence have reached an agreement with the prosecution.

“We’ve filled out plea paperwork, and I was expecting [Lawrence] to take a disposition today,” Richter said.

Noting that quarantines are extended because of COVID-19, Judge Demeo scheduled the next hearing for a week after the expected quarantine end date, Sept. 24.

On July 21, 2021, police were alerted of Lawrence’s location, and a car chase ensued before Lawrence was arrested. Due to injuries sustained during the arrest, Lawrence was hospitalized and could not appear in court until Sept. 28, 2021.

Judge Demeo set a hearing for Sept. 30.