DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman presided over an ascertainment of counsel hearing for 20-year– old homicide defendant Dallas McKinney, who had reportedly been refusing visits from his lawyer in jail. l and communications from his defense counsel
McKinney is charged with first degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of ten-year old Arianna Davis on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE, on May 14, 2023.
According to court documents, Davis was in a vehicle with her family as they drove past a shootout when a stray bullet struck her. She was taken to a hospital where she died on May 17.
At McKinney’s hearing, defense attorneys Rebecca Desta, Joseph Fay, and Edward Gain requested a second investigation into their client’s case and that matter is pending.
Judge Edelman acknowledged a “communications breakdown” between McKinney and his defense team. According to the records, McKinney refused visits in jail and communications from his legal counsel making it more difficult for his case to proceed.
His next court appearance, an ascertainment of council, will be on Feb 21 at 11am.
