DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson appointed conflict counsel in a shooting case after the defendant wanted to withdraw his guilty plea at sentencing on Sept. 4.
On Jan. 22, Jaylaun Brown, 23, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his involvement in a mass shooting that injured seven people on Jan. 21, 2023 on the 1400 block of 9th Street, NW.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of three years of imprisonment.
On Aug. 15, after multiple continuations of the sentencing requested by the defense, Judge Dayson imposed a three year sentence and denied the request for Brown to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.
However, Judge Dayson also granted the defense’s request to delay the finalization of the sentence until Sept. 4 in order for Brown to go over all case material with his attorneys.
During the Sept. 4 hearing, Terrence Austin, Brown’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to file a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Austin alerted Judge Dayson it is unclear if part of the reason Brown plans to withdraw it is due to ineffective representation by counsel.
Judge Dayson appointed Destiny-Fullwood Singh as a conflict counsel, who will determine if his withdrawal of the plea is due to Austin and Theodore Shaw, Brown’s other attorney, not being effective.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 11.
