A homicide defendant was sentenced to 228 months of incarceration before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 1.
On May 5, Andre Clark, 34, pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Leonard Taylor Jr. on Oct. 20, 2024, on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 180-to-240 months of incarceration.
Several victim impact statements were delivered by Taylor’s family members during the sentencing.
Taylor’s mother stated that since her son’s death, “[her] world has come crashing down.” Her family dynamic has completely changed, and she said she began blaming herself and Taylor’s father for their son’s death. She stated she often feels angry and helpless, which has caused her to experience frequent panic attacks.
“I feel all this because someone decided to play God and take my son from me,” she cried. She also recounted that Taylor completed rehab in August 2024 and was on a path she was proud of.
Taylor’s sister, standing alongside their brother for support, stated, “Losing my brother is like a burning rage. I can’t sleep at night. It’s not fair, it’s really not.”
The prosecution stated that, rather than attempting to speak more eloquently about Taylor, they would focus on the actions of the defendant. They emphasized that the shooting occurred on a residential street in broad daylight, and Taylor was shot in the back, suggesting he was fleeing from Clark at the time.
Prosecutors also said Clark proceeded to cut his hair and then hid in Baltimore after the shooting. They referenced his extensive criminal history, which includes robberies and assault.
Defense attorney Thomas Key stated that while his client regrets his actions, and Clark believed Taylor was reaching for a gun and never intended to shoot or kill him. Key acknowledged this was not a strong self-defense claim but explained that Clark had a troubled childhood. He learned at a young age that the man he thought was his father was not, and that he was also sexually assaulted as a child.
Clark apologized to the victim’s family, the court, and his own family.
Ultimately, Judge Edelman sentenced Clark to 228 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Edelman noted that, given the fact the crime occurred in broad daylight, the nature of the shooting could have warranted a first-degree murder charge. He also cited Clark’s long criminal history, including firearms offenses, as influencing his decision. However, the judge acknowledged that Clark accepted responsibility early and took a guilty plea.
Parties are not set to reconvene.
