A homicide defendant pleaded guilty four days before his trial was scheduled to begin before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 21.
Walter Jenkins, 36, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or place of business.
The charges stem from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 52-year-old David Williams on Nov. 14, 2021 on the 2000 block of Bruce Place, SE. A second surviving victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their legs.
Parties were scheduled to return to court on Aug. 25 to begin the jury trial, however, they reconvened early regarding Jenkins decision to plead guilty.
Jenkins’ attorney, Dominique Winters, informed Judge Brandt that Jenkins accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors. The deal required Jenkins to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges.
Prior to Jenkins’ acceptance, he rejected plea deals from prosecutors twice. Both prior offers required him to plead guilty to the same charges. However, previous deals had an agreed upon sentence range of 16-to-23 years of incarceration. Prosecutors did not stipulate a sentence range in the deal Jenkins accepted.
Judge Brant ensured Jenkins understood he could be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years for second-degree murder and 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon.
Prosecutors said at trial, they would have proven that Williams was in a romantic relationship with Jenkins’ sister and acted violently towards her. The day of the incident, Williams was in a car with two other individuals, when Jenkins fired over 20 shots through his backpack as he walked around the front of the car. Jenkins agreed to the facts proffered by prosecutors.
Judge Brant found a factual basis and accepted Jenkins’ guilty plea as knowing and voluntary.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.
