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By
Leah Meyer
, Raina Bonifacio - February 7, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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The trial of a homicide defendant charged in two burn deaths linked to multiple fire code violations in his building continued on Feb. 6 before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman.
James Walker, 66, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in a fire that caused the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Aug. 18, 2019.
“It felt like my skin was on fire,” a responding officer testified recalling how difficult it was to breach locked doors of the residence prior to firefighters arriving on scene.
Another officer testified that while the fire was raging in the building, Walker seemed frantic. Body-worn camera footage was shown of Walker saying to the witness “that’s my property, I have the key,” although the witness did not recall seeing a key in Walker’s hand.
The footage showed the witness telling Walker to stop trying to go near the door, all while firefighters were using a saw to get it open. The witness testified that it was dangerous for Walker to be close to where the firefighters were working due to large amounts of smoke.
The witness also stated that Walker seemed “concerned with the people inside.”
The deputy fire chief at the time of the incident also testified, further confirming for the jury that Walker was not licensed to have rental tenants in the property.
Prosecutors also called on the forensic pathologist from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who performed the autopsies on Kebede and Solomen. The doctor testified that they both suffered from heat and inhalation injuries.
The witness stated that 20 percent of Kebede’s body was covered in first, second, and third-degree burns, and Solomen had first and second-degree burns on 50 percent of his body. They both had blunt force trauma to their backs and left hips, possibly from banging their bodies against a door in an attempt to escape, according to the doctor.
Prosecutors called an employee of the Department of Buildings (DoB) who is in charge of construction inspections. The witness had written a report based on his observations of the property’s interior and exterior. He said there were no smoke alarms, ventilation, sprinkler systems and exit signs in most of the building.
He explained walls are meant to act as barriers that prevent the spread of fire, but one room had a wall that was too short to reach the ceiling.
During cross-examination, Walker’s defense attorney, Elliot Queen, questioned the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ (DCRA) attempts to previously inspect the property based on complaints. The witness testified they were unable to inspect the property before the fire because they did not have access to enter. He confirmed they did not contact the owner after these efforts, meaning Walker was not formally informed of the violations.
The prosecution established with the city employee that the owner of the property is responsible nonetheless for the safety codes, even if they were not contacted.
Prosecutors then called on a resident of the property. She explained the various keys needed to open doors throughout the building, such as one right before the stairwell.
The witness further shared Kebede was previously homeless and was going through a rough time. Other residents, who were part of his church community, allowed him to stay in the building. She was informed they eventually ran out of money and Kebede had to move to the basement.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 11.