A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal after resolving questions about sentencing in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Nov. 14.
Sequon Price, 30, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that wounded one individual at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Alabama Avenue, SE, on July 15.
During the hearing, Judge Kravitz asked about the plea offer to Price, which would have him plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted possession with the intent to distribute. In exchange, the prosecution would agree not to seek an indictment against the defendant.
When asked about the status of the plea, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey noted that she wanted to amend the offer before Price accepted it. She explained that, according to the prosecution, the current language in the plea offer would prevent Price from requesting to reduce his sentence in a motion. Harvey said that Price was not willing to accept the plea deal if he could not file a post-conviction motion to reduce his sentence.
Judge Kravitz told the defense that “no objective reader” of the plea agreement would think the defendant was waiving his right to motion for a reduced sentence, and that any argument to the contrary by the prosecution was “not a credible argument.”
The prosecution stated that the plea offer would not prevent the motion and requested that she call her supervisor to clarify the language confusion, explaining that she and her supervisors may have misunderstood Harvey’s initial email regarding the motion.
When parties returned, the prosecution explained that there had been “several miscommunications,” and that Price accepting the plea offer would not prevent him from a sentence reduction motion.
Price accepted the plea offer, saying that he “had reacted without thinking” when he stabbed the victim, and that it was no excuse.
On Price’s behalf, Harvey asked if he could be released on GPS monitoring before his sentencing hearing, noting that he had “taken responsibility” by pleading guilty early, and had a “minimal record.”
The prosecution opposed his release, noting the nature of the offense and the significance of the victim’s injuries, as they had been stabbed in the face.
Judge Kravitz ordered that Price continue to be held.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 6.
