Judge Denies Defendant’s Motion for New Counsel, Co-Defendant Refuses to Attend Court

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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied a homicide defendant’s request for a new attorney in a 2018 case, as his co-defendant refused to go to court.

Mark Price, 29, and Antonio Murchison, 31, are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and seven counts of criminal gang affiliation. They are charged for their alleged involvement in the mass-shooting that killed 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018 on the 5300 block of 53rd Street, NE. The incident left four other individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Price is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, threat to kidnap or injure a person, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and first-degree burglary while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on July 30, 2018 at the 1500 block of 19th Street, NE.

According to a US Marshal, Murchison refused to get off the bus transporting him from the jail to the courthouse on May 3, leading to his presence being waived by his attorney, Michael Bruckheim.

However, Bruckheim made it clear they were ready to proceed, especially if Murchison’s failure to appear was a personal decision and not a medical emergency.

Parties were slated to hear testimony from two detectives regarding statements made by Murchison, in an attempt to exclude them from the upcoming trial on June 10.

On May 2, Megan Allburn, Price’s defense attorney, filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, after Price asked her to do so.

However, Judge Okun denied the motion, with the prosecution’s support, stating that the case has been ongoing for six years, Allburn has “done everything an attorney should be doing for their client,” and withdrawing would impose an unfair penalty on his co-defendant.

The evidentiary hearing was rescheduled to June 6.

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