A homicide defendant was sentenced to 11 years with five years of supervised release by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on July 2, with the the shooting victim’s mother present for the hearing.
On April 4, Antwain Ulmer, 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Charles Sullivan, 30, on July 9, 2023, on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of ten-to-16 years of imprisonment.
The prosecution believed that there was a motive and aggravating circumstances behind the attack and requested Ulmer receive 16 years in prison for the incident, while his defense attorney, Frances D’Antuono argued that Ulmer acted in fear and suggested 10 years as appropriate punishment.
Sullivan’s mother gave a victim impact statement demanding justice for her son, and to see Ulmer get the maximum time in prison. “He needs to be sent where the big boys are,” she stated.
She also wanted to raise awareness about the need to break the cycle of violence, which, according to her, starts early in life.
“This is not a joke. This is not a game,” Sullivan insisted.
Ulmer also spoke at the sentencing apologizing to the victim’s mother.
“I’m sorry, I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. I know you can’t get him back and I wish things could have gone differently,” he said.
Judge Kravitz explained that due to Ulmer’s age as well as his willingness to participate in court programs that he will be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which provides an opportunity for youth to have their conviction sealed after the defendant satisfies the conditions of the sentence.
“There’s real humanity there behind his shyness,” Judge Kravitz explained. “He shares the same dreams and hopes as people his age.”
Therefore, Judge Kravitz decided to sentence Ulmer to 132 months and five years of supervised release for voluntary manslaughter while armed, and 18 months and three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentences will run concurrently, and the two years Ulmer has already spent incarcerated also counts toward the sentence.
No further dates have been set.
