DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted a shooting defendant more time to review new evidence before deciding if he wants to withdraw his guilty plea, during a hearing on Jan. 17.
On Sept. 5, 2024, Damari McLaughlin, 18, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on March 18, 2023, on the 1000 block of Valley Avenue, SE. A victim suffered life-threatening injuries from multiple gunshot wounds.
During the hearing, McLaughlin’s attorney, Janai Reed, said he may withdraw his plea, based on new evidence in the form of surveillance footage that was not provided when he accepted an unspecified plea agreement.
As a result, McLaughlin is seeking a new attorney to take over his case. He also mentioned in court that his grandmother would retain counsel for him in future proceedings.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 7.
