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D.C. Witness Staff
- September 24, 2019
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During an ascertainment of counsel hearing Sept. 23, a murder defendant waived any potential conflicts of interest that his new attorney may have.
Saeed Woodall is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE in 2016. Apparently, Woodall’s sister had a child with Farrar.
Michael Madden, Woodall’s new defense counsel, said he has a potential conflict of interest with representing Woodall, 25. Madden said he represented a possible co-defendant in the case, Christopher Proctor, from February of 2016 to May of 2016.
Madden did not explain why he believes Proctor may be a potential co-defendant, since Proctor pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a separate case in June of 2018. Proctor, 29, is not currently a co-defendant in the case.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said that since the potential conflict was a minor one, he would permit Woodall to waive it if he was confident in Madden. Woodall agreed to waive any potential conflicts of interest.
Madden was appointed to represent the defendant after Elizabeth Weller, Woodall’s previous counselor, withdrew from the case earlier this month.
Woodall previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in May, according to court documents. He filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on Sept. 4. Weller withdrew from the case on Sept. 10.
Weller said there could be an appearance of conflict if she represented the defendant any further. Weller did not specify what she meant by her statement.
This is the second time Woodall has been appointed new counsel, according to DC Courts.
Madden requested two weeks to review the case and to speak with his client about the plea Woodall is withdrawing from. It is not clear if the prosecution has withdrawn the offer.
Woodall is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 11
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