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By
Sofia Marcus [former]
, Hunter Odom [former] - August 4, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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On Aug. 4, non-fatal shooting defendant Michael Dukes was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment on three charges.
Dukes, 25, pled guilty at a hearing in May to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on March 24, 2022, on the 1400 block of Brentwood Road, NE.
According to court documents, Dukes was standing in front of a 7-11 with co-defendant Rickeis Watkins, 22, when they heard apparent gunshots. Both defendants say they were targeted by gunfire. After a few moments, Dukes and Watkins allegedly began firing back using an assault rifle. Watkins and one other person sustained non-life-threatening injuries and there were no victims found at the scene.
Prosecutors asked DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein to consider a 28 month sentence for the two firearm charges and a 19 month sentence for the attempted assault with a dangerous weapon charge.
Surveillance footage of the incident was shown and witness impact statements were read by prosecutors. One witness, on behalf of their family, wrote that gun violence “increases the sense that you are less safe all of the time.”
Prosecutors asked the court to deny the Youth Rehabilitation Act in this case, which gives judges the latitude to impose lighter sentences.
Jamison Koehler, Dukes’ defense attorney, argued that although Dukes shot back at his attackers, “Let’s not forget that, in this case, he started as a victim.”
Koehler pointed out the friends, family members, and mentors of Dukes that were present in the courtroom. One family member began crying as Dukes was sentenced.
Dukes was given a chance to address the court. “I need to change my life and I know it… I am committed to taking advantage of every program the court sees fit.”
Judge Epstein determined that the Youth Rehabilitation Act would be inappropriate for this case. He sentenced Dukes to a total of 15 months for all three charges, with three years of supervised release to follow. He will also be required to register as a gun offender.
Watkins will be sentenced separately in November pending a current trial in Maryland.