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By
Adriana Marroquin
- December 18, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Two homicide defendants told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun they are considering a plea deal extended by prosecutors during a Dec. 16 hearing.
Ashton Inabinet, 17, and Na’eem Butler, 21, are charged with second degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Diamonte Lewis on Oct. 21, 2023 on the 900 block of U Street, NW.
During the hearing, Kevann Gardner, Butler’s attorney, requested Judge Okun give the defendants additional time to decide on the plea deal, stating Butler deserves a chance to speak with his new attorney, as Gardner prepares to leave the Public Defender Services (PDS).
According to the prosecution, the wired plea deal, which requires both defendants to accept it in order to be valid, would require Inabinet and Butler to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.
Through the deal, parties would agree to the voluntary sentencing guidelines, which puts both defendants at a range of 90-to-180 months of incarceration.
The prosecution agreed to allow the defendants to continue considering the plea deal, stating Butler and Inabinet should not be penalized due to Gardner’s departure.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 31.