Lawyer Convicted For Fatal Fire and Building Violations

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A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom convicted an individual charged in connection to a fatal fire at a violation-ridden rental property following a multi-week long trial, during a hearing on Feb. 20.

James Walker, 66, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder for his involvement in a fire that caused the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Aug. 18, 2019.

Walker was also convicted of 26 building violations, which included failure to obtain a proper certificate of occupancy, eight counts of failure to install a smoke alarm, three counts of failure to provide emergency escape and rescue opening, five counts of unlawful means of egress, two counts of failure to provide ventilation, two counts of unlawful room width, two counts of unlawful room height, unlawful fire partition, failure to provide automatic sprinkler system, unlawful electrical system.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors provided evidence that the fire, for which a cause was never determined, could have been prevented had Walker gone through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to acquire the correct certificate of occupancy.

Prosecutors argued that had he done so, DCRA would have not provided him with a certificate until he fixed the violations.

Walker testified he used to be a lawyer, and focused on the criminal justice for juveniles, childcare and neglect, and landlord-tenant court, but has not practiced law since this case began.

Once the conviction was announced, Judge Edelman ordered the US Marshals to take Walker, who had been on release since Jan. 15, 2020, into custody pending sentencing.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 2.