Case Dismissed: Judge Denies Defense Request to Move Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 11, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Editor’s note: The case against Kenneil Cole was dismissed on Feb. 1, 2023.

On Jan. 11, a D.C. Superior Court judge denied the defense’s request to move a murder defendant to a facility closer to the District. The defendant is being held six hours away at a facility in Virginia.

Kenneil Cole is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 24-year-old Keon Delonte Wallace in an apartment on the 2400 block of Skyland Place, SE in June 2018. Apparently, the two men were roommates.

During the hearing, Cole’s defense attorney, James King, said that Cole’s current distance from the District presents a sixth amendment issue not only because of the travel but because during the last visit he was unable to see his client. According to King, the facility personnel said he was not allowed to see Cole anymore.

King didn’t explain the rationale behind the facility’s decision.

Judge Craig Iscoe denied the request, saying he would issue an order to the facility that would permit individuals from the Public Defender Service to visit Cole.

According to court documents, on the night of the murder, Cole and Wallace argued about Wallace leaving their apartment. Cole, who was 24 years old at the time of the murder, told police Wallace pulled out a semi-automatic .40mm pistol during the argument. Apparently, Cole tried to get the gun away from Wallace and ultimately shot him 12 times. During his arraignment, Cole claimed he acted in self-defense.

Cole is scheduled for a felony status conference on March 29, when the prosecution says they expect a grand jury indictment.