Judge Rules Murder Defendant Can’t Represent Himself in Trial

By Cameron Horne - October 8, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo denied a murder defendant’s request to represent himself in an Oct. 4 hearing. Walker asked to replace his current counsel, Stephen LoGerfo, due to communication issues.

Matthew Walker, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Jamal Green-Lee on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NE on April 29, 2019. Green-Lee died on Nov. 4, 2020, due to his injuries.

Walker was also found guilty in a non-jury trial of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device for his involvement in the fatal shooting of David Remen, 32, on Feb. 14, 2019, on the 1700 block Hamlin Street, NE.

One other individual sustained severe injuries in the attack. 

During the hearing, Judge Demeo questioned Walker’s ability to represent himself probing his understanding of trial procedure. 

During questioning Walker made it clear that his intentions were to trade information on both of his cases for a global plea offer from the prosecution. He said the information was written down on a document he didn’t bring to court.

The prosecution made it clear, however, that while they were interested in the information, no plea offer was on the table.

Walker did not want LoGerfo to see this document before he could hand it to the prosecution, citing the conflict as part of their communication issues.

Judge Demeo concluded Walker would not be able to represent himself effectively stating that the “basic tasks of performing the functions of representing himself are not there.”

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Oct. 16, when Walker will allow LoGerfo to review the document.