Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Request for Counsel Change

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 6, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A murder defendent said Sept. 6 his defense attorney was not giving him effective counsel. However, a judge disagreed.

Chad Everette Hawthorne is charged with the first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 35-year-old Antonio Bassett on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Ave., SE on May 22, 2017.

On Sept. 6, after speaking wit the 36-year-old defendant and his attorney about the issues at the bench, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet Mckenna ruled that Kiersh and the investigator followed through on all of their duties.

She said Kiersh had kept Hawthorne fully informed.

Apparently, Hawthorne had concerns that his lawyer was not trying to locate witnesses. Hawthorne filed for ineffective assistance of counsel on Aug 8. He sent a letter containing his concerns with his attorney, Steven Kiersh, to the judge.  

Judge Mckenna said she looked at the investigative voucher and was informed by Kiersh about the actions the investigator had taken to find witnesses. 

Kiersh will remain Hawthorne’s defense attorney moving forward. 

Hawthorne is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Sept. 20.