Murder Defendant Upset with Counsel

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 4, 2021
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A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial after a defendant expressed dissatisfaction with his counsel.

Thirty-two year-old Mohamed Goodwin is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of  Devonte Wilson. On Dec. 3, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Wilson, 25, in a vehicle on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW, suffering from a gunshot wound. He died from his injuries the next day.

During the Feb. 2 proceedings, Goodwin said he was dissatisfied with his communication with his defense attorney, Lee Smith, since he had not come to meet with him in person at the DC Jail.

Judge Danya Dayson said that COVID-19 restrictions have hindered visitation protocol, and she does not believe this was a counsel error.  

Judge Dayson offered Goodwin a few options for how he could proceed with the hearing.

However, Smith requested a continuance to address the concerns Goodwin had with his legal services.

Judge Dayson set a status hearing for Feb. 10 to allow time to determine if new counsel should be appointed, or if a new preliminary hearing date should be scheduled.

Vanessa Sousa and Vallen Anderson wrote this article.