Judge Continues Hearing for Homicide Case Defense Counsel Time to Withdraw

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 8, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a status hearing to give defense counsel time to contact the case judge about his motion to withdraw. 

In February 2020, a jury found 34-year-old Mason Binion guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 21 year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW on June 22, 2008. 

Binion is being held at DC Jail as he waits to be sentenced. He was scheduled for a remote sentencing in October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Binion did not consent to be sentenced via video-conference, and he has the legal right to be sentenced in person.

A new sentencing date has not been scheduled yet.

During the March 8 proceedings, defense attorney Kevin Irving told Judge Robert Okun about the motion to withdraw, which he filed last month.

Judge Okun decided to continue the hearing to April 8 to give Irving time to contact the case judge, Judge Ronna Beck, about the motion. 

According to the motion, Binion requested that Irving withdraw and refused to speak to him further.

Binion’s former co-defendant, Victor Carvajal was also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the homicide but his case was dismissed the day before opening statements.

Joshua Massaquoi, another person charged in the case, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol during a crime of violence and accessory to second-degree murder. 

He is currently released under home confinement. He has a hearing scheduled for April 29.

Sasha Ridenour wrote this article.