Local Digest

THE DISTRICT

Men found guilty

A D.C. Superior Court jury found two District men guilty Thursday of the 2007 robbery and slaying of a Clinton man.

Denardo Hopkins, 20, of Northeast Washington and Steven Harrison, 20, of Southeast Washington were found guilty of first-degree felony murder while armed, along with other charges, in the Dec. 3, 2007, robbery and shooting death of Michol Brown, 24, in the 3900 block of South Capitol Street SE.

Hopkins and Harrison are scheduled to be sentenced May 5.

-- Keith L. Alexander

People's counsel pick

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) on Thursday named Brenda K. Pennington, assistant people's counsel and senior telecommunications attorney, to replace longtime people's counsel Elizabeth Noel on an interim basis.

Utility advocates had rallied around Noel, who they said was most qualified for the job as utility companies look to increase rates.

The D.C. Council recently rejected another Fenty nominee, Vicky Beasley, a private lawyer who had no expertise in utility law.

Noel's term expired Wednesday. Pennington can serve as interim counsel for up to 180 days.