Murder Defendant Receives New Public Defender

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The defendant charged in 36-year-old Jimmy Beynum’s murder wrote a letter to the judge assigned to his case asking for a new attorney. 

Taylor Emanuel, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with a shooting that killed Beynum on Jan. 23, 2020. 

“Mr. Taylor, you sent me a letter, and you sent it by federal express. I don’t want you to think you have to go through all that expense to write me something,” DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee told the defendant during a March 15 hearing.

 In the letter, Emanuel asks for his public defender, Russell Hairston, to be replaced with Brandi Harden.

“You and Mrs. Harden will hopefully develop a working relationship,” Judge Lee said.

Another hearing is scheduled for April 4 but Judge Lee said this may be pushed off in order to give Hardi enough time to review the case.