Murder suspect requests new attorney

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 7, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The second man charged in connection with the death of 31-year-old Melvin Williams is requesting a new lawyer.

In a letter written to Judge Zoe Bush, murder suspect Tyrale Johnson requested a new lawyer to represent him in court because he is not “pleased” with the one currently assigned to him.

Bush told Johnson if his current attorney does not represent him his trial will get “delayed.”

In court on Thursday, the attorney representing another suspect in the case, Derrick Carter, said she does not “oppose” Johnson’s request, but “just opposes” a trial delay.

She said her client has been held since 2015 and would prefer to move forward as quickly as possible.

Details of the letter were not disclosed to other parties. Bush asked Johnson to write another letter to her that does not include “inaccuracies.”

Trial date scheduled for July 14 is still on the calendar for now. Johnson is being held without bail and expected back in court on April 14.