Public Defender Snafu Postpones Hearing in Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 18, 2023
Daily Stories | Uncategorized |

A hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein was delayed on May 18 because the DC public defender’s office failed to provide a new attorney for a murder suspect.

Joshua Franklin, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 27-year-old Andrew Session  on Jan. 21, 2021 on the 4400 block of 3rd Street, SE.  According to court documents, a witness at the scene heard an argument followed by the sound of about ten gunshots. 

The courtroom problem started when Franklin’s current attorney, Steven Oglivie, said he would be unable to continue with the case.  However, Ogilvie assured Judge Epstein that someone was on the way. 

But, the prosecutor said the public defender’s office was “frantically” trying to find out who’s assigned as a replacement. 

Unimpressed, Judge Epstein called the situation “a complete waste of time.”  He rescheduled the 9:15 a.m. hearing until 12:30 p.m.  However, by the appointed hour there was still no replacement for Ogilvie and Aubrey Dillon was assigned as a stand-in attorney.

Dillon promised that within two-to -three weeks, the public defender’s office would come up with someone to represent Franklin.  

The prosecutor said it was important to be notified about the new attorney since there was a “massive amount” of evidence to consider in the case.

Judge Epstein set the next hearing for June 2 at 10:30 a.m.