A homicide defendant, also charged in connection to a non-fatal stabbing at the DC Jail, accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 13.
Reginald Steele, 25, is currently awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy and four shootings related to a criminal gang, including the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Another juvenile sustained injuries after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. Steele is facing a total of 37 counts related to the crime.
Steele was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution, for his involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on July 3, 2021.
During the hearing, Megan Allburn, Steele’s attorney, alerted Judge Brandt of his intent to accept a plea deal for the jail stabbing. According to Allburn, the agreement required Steele to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for a dismissal of carrying a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution.
According to the prosecution, had the jail stabbing gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Steele stabbed a fellow inmate multiple times with a shank, with intent to cause death or serious injury.
Allburn requested that sentencing be held off until the homicide case goes to trial, due to the impact it would have on Steele’s criminal history score. According to the defense, Steele is in Group A, but the current charges would move him to Group C, which could result in a much longer sentence for the homicide case.
The prosecution however, objected to the request stating they do not believe the homicide will go to trial until 2026. Judge Brandt argued that case should take priority due to how long it has been since the murder.
She ordered both parties to reconvene on Feb. 24 to schedule a trial date for the homicide.
Sentencing for the stabbing is set to take place on May 16.
