BLOOMSBURG — A man accused of killing a Williamsport teen more than 20 years ago requested a new lawyer in Columbia County Court recently.

Brian G. Quinn, 44, of Woodbury, New Jersey, and formerly of Williamsport, is arguing that attorney Kelly Lenahan of Clarks Summit is “not qualified” because she has never handled a murder case, Bloomsburg-based newspaper the Press-Enterprise reported.

Quinn also alleges that Lenahan refuses to respond to his calls and letters and will not answer if he faces a death

sentence, according to the Press-Enterprise.

Prosecutors have not filed notice to seek the death penalty against Quinn if he is convicted at trial.

Lenahan, in defending her legal experience and practice, says she has steered defenses in major drug cases, as well as in civil litigation, according to the Press-Enterprise. She did request the court consider appointing a co-counsel or second lawyer to the defense.

President Judge Gary E. Norton did not immediately rule on Quinn’s request.

Quinn is accused of killing Shamar Washington, 17, whose body was discovered by hunters near Buckhorn in January 2001. Quinn was taken into custody in New Jersey by U.S. Marshals in March 2022 on a murder warrant and formally arraigned on murder charges.

The crime was allegedly over a drug deal gone wrong in Newberry more than 20 years ago. According to the Press-Enterprise, a witness testified that Quinn described shooting and beating the victim when he and another man showed up without money to pay for $200 worth of drugs from the teenager.