Murder Defendant Withdraws Guilty Plea, Receives New Counsel

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During a status hearing on Sept. 10, a murder defendant withdrew his guilty plea and asked for new counsel.

Saeed Woodall pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in May. He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Deonta Farrar, 32, on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE in 2016.

According to court documents, Woodall, 26, had been trying to withdraw his plea on May 4. He was able to successfully file a motion to withdraw on Sept. 4, four months later.

Woodall’s defense counsel, Elizabeth Weller, also withdrew from the case, saying there could be an appearance of conflict if she represented the defendant any further. Weller did not specify what she meant by her statement.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepted Woodall’s change of plea and appointed Michael Madden as his new defense counsel. Madden was not present at the hearing.

This is the second time Woodall has been appointed new counsel, according to DC Courts.

An ascertainment of counsel hearing is scheduled on Sept. 23 to verify if Madden can represent Woodall.

Woodall is being held without bail.