Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

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On Feb. 2, a homicide defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Clarence McKnight, 22, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Brandon Lewis on Dec. 1, 2023. The incident occurred on the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

During the hearing, McKnight’s defense attorney, Joseph McCoy, stated that McKnight intended to enter into a plea deal with the prosecution.

The agreement required McKnight to plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter unarmed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The parties agreed to a sentencing range of six-to-12 years, with charges running concurrently.

Judge Epstein accepted the plea as McKnight “knowingly and voluntarily” entered into it.

Parties are slated to return Apr. 12 for sentencing.