Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 135 Months

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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a homicide defendant to 135 months of incarceration, as agreed upon through a plea deal, on June 21.

Anthony Lewis, 25, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Cameron Clemons. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Otis Place, NW, on May 18, 2022.

Clemons died of fungal pneumonia on June 4, 2022, as a result of the gunshot wound.

On Jan. 18, Lewis accepted a deal which required him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

During the hearing, prosecutors and Lewis’ defense attorney, Julie Swaney, requested Judge Okun accept the agreement they had reached, stating 11 years and three months of incarceration was sufficient for Lewis based on his criminal history and the nature and circumstances of the event.

The prosecution read a short statement from Clemons’ mom, in which she told the court, “I look forward to death as a result of this nightmare,” stating the loss of her son had been too much to handle.

Likewise, Clemons’ grandmother stated that Lewis, “would never understand what it’s like to birth your baby and watch your child die.” She added Lewis is unaware of the “devastation and destruction” he imposed on their family and community.

According to the prosecution, Clemons was a by-stander in a shootout that occurred between Lewis and a group of individuals at the location, and was merely “caught in the crossfire.”

The prosecution told Judge Okun that, of the 40 shots fired during the incident, 10 were fired by Lewis. However, she commended him for taking responsibility and admitting to overreacting in the situation.

“His fear did not justify his actions,” said the prosecutor, stating that Lewis, who was on probation for a prior gun conviction at the time of the incident, believed to be in danger as he conversed with a group of individuals.

“He didn’t learn his lesson,” stated the prosecutor, insisting that, although he got rid of the murder weapon, there was a firearm in his grandmother’s house at the time of his arrest.

They requested he not be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which seals a young defendant’s conviction when and if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.

However, Swaney asked Judge Okun to grant the sentence under the YRA, stating he has no felony convictions, and “really did want to take responsibility” for his actions.

According to Swaney, the conversation with the group stemmed from a prior negative interaction between an individual in the group and Lewis’ sister. “He acted in an attempt to protect his sister,” Swaney claimed.

“He is still developing,” Swaney said regarding the YRA, adding that everyone who knows Lewis “see[s] a lot of potential in him.”

She argued it would be beneficial, for Lewis and the community, if he is sentenced under the YRA to ensure he has a better chance of employment and life. “YRA [sentence] is not something you just get, you earn it,” claimed Swaney, arguing Lewis had put in the effort and work to earn a sentence under it.

“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Lewis told Judge Okun, adding “what happened to [Clemons] is very unfortunate.”

“An innocent person lost his life,” insisted Judge Okun, adding that Clemons was merely a bystander in the incident. However, he stated, he agreed “a sentencing at the middle of the range is appropriate,” and would approve the parties’ proposed sentence.

Lewis was sentenced to 135 months of incarceration, and was ordered to register as a gun offender, and participate in anger management, mental health and substance abuse assessments and treatment.

“This is a very serious offense,” Judge Okun said, adding “but I see some real potential in you… I hope you can turn things around.”

No further dates were set.