A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Sept. 5.
Antoine Turner, 32, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Demeitri Anderson on the 4500 block of Dix Street, NE, on Nov. 29, 2020.
According to court documents, Freeman died from 13 gunshot wounds to his head, face and body.
Prior to the hearing, the prosecution and defense reached an agreement. It required that Turner plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for all additional weapon possession charges be dismissed. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 20-to-26 years of imprisonment.
The plea deal requires the prosecution to also drop all charges related to a stabbing case in 2024. Turner must register as a gun offender in the District.
The prosecution noted an objection from Anderson’s loved ones, who were present in the courtroom. They would like to see Turner serve the 40 year maximum sentence outlined in the second-degree murder statute.
Judge Ryan accepted the attorneys’ plea agreement, binding him to the 20-to-26 year sentence instead of a maximum of 40 year sentence.
Turner agreed to the facts presented by the prosecutor that justify his guilty plea.
“The defendant approached the victim, Demeitri Anderson, from behind and shot him repeatedly in the back of the head and body,” the prosecution said.
“As the officer approached Turner, the officer observed him with an orange hood over his head and with a gun in his hand as he ran directly in front of the officer’s car. The defendant threw the handgun to the street then got into the red Nissan and fled the scene.”
Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 7 for sentencing.
