Judge Sentences Murder Defendant to 24 Years, Victim’s Family Wanted More

By Carmen Quinteros [former] - May 17, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A homicide victim’s brother told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo , “It should be a life for a life,” before a homicide defendant was sentenced to 24 years of incarceration. 

DaJuan Bell, 45, was originally charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, obstruction of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict in connection to a shooting that claimed the life of 34-year-old Davon Childs on Dec. 10, 2021, on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NE.

Another individual reportedly lost his eye during the incident, which occurred after a dispute over the ownership of a shared apartment.

On March 1, Bell accepted an offer that required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and aggravated assault while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

On May 17, Childs’ older brother delivered a victim impact statement, in which he told Bell, “You crushed me, man.”

“You should never see the light of day again, it should be a life for a life,” he added. 

Judge Demeo intervened and told Childs’ brother to only direct comments to her.

He apologized and concluded by saying, “He took my heartbeat away.”

According to the prosecution, Bell was high when the incident occurred he be that he be sentenced at the high end of the guidelines. 

“I don’t think Bell is a bad person, he just did a bad thing,” the prosecutor added. She also recognized Bell had just buried his child prior to the shooting. 

Michael Bruckheim, Bell’s defense attorney, stated “How do you apologize for taking a life?”

“He knows that what he did was wrong and is going to take away a lot of his years,” he added.

Bell apologized to the victims and their families.

“I’m sorry to my family, I was inconsiderate, selfish frankly,” said Bell. 

Judge Demeo stated Bell was taking a significant step by taking accountability. She also acknowledged that Childs’ family did not agree on the sentencing guidelines outlined in the plea agreement and asked the court for a higher sentence. 

However, she ruled that the guidelines offered “a fair and appropriate sentence.”

Bell was sentenced to 24 years for the charge of second-degree murder while armed and 12 years for the charge of aggravated assault while armed, which will be served concurrently. 

Upon release, he will serve five years of supervised release, will be required to register as a gun offender in DC, and will pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF). 

No further dates were set.