A defendant with 14 previous convictions, including a stabbing, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for what prosecutors say was the ambush murder of a teenager. In setting the term during a Dec. 19 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said the evidence in the case leaned heavily toward punishment, rather than rehabilitation.
“I sentence people for specific things they’ve done that harm the community,” said Judge Ryan.
Maurice Corbin, 47, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Daquan Gardner on April 30, 2024 on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE.
Corbin pleaded guilty in October to one count of second-degree murder while armed with a sentencing range of 20-to-24 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss an indictment on the remaining counts.
Without the plea deal, the DC sentencing guidelines set the punishment range for someone with Corbin’s record at between 14-to-46 years, said Judge Ryan.
Gardner’s mother in an impact statement demanded the maximum sentence for her son’s loss. “Daquan was a beautiful soul,” she said.
“You laugh and brag about what you did to my son. No mother should have to feel this pain,” she said.
In calling for the 24 year sentence, the prosecutor outlined the details of what she described as a “horrific” crime. Much of what transpired was captured on surveillance video which shows a person said to be Corbin leaving his apartment, calmly walking across the street to a store front where the victim was seated in his car. Corbin appears to open the passenger door and fire seven shots into the victim’s head.
A possible motive for the killing was that Corbin had gotten into an earlier altercation with Gardner, who fired shots at Corbin.
“The murder seems to be revenge for that shooting,” said the prosecutor, acknowledging that the victim was “no angel.”
Still, the prosecutor said it’s extraordinary that Corbin reportedly said, “he would do it again,” if he had to save his life or others, and that he was out of control with seeming disregard for the consequences. “The cowardice of this conduct cannot be overstated,” said the prosecutor, noting the crime was committed while Corbin was on probation for a stabbing in Maryland.
From defense attorney Julie Swaney’s perspective this was a tragedy with multiple dimensions. She said Corbin struggled with “battling personalities.”
Swaney described Corbin as “kind and polite,” and that he can be “extremely humble and loving,” when he is not struggling with inner demons.
Swaney said Crobin was on his own as a teenager and had only his adult sister to rely on. Further, his judgement was impacted by narcotics, particularly PCP which is known to trigger violent outbursts.
Even so, Swaney said Corbin’s fiancée was in the courtroom. “People are here for him,” said Swaney. She asked Judge Ryan to impose a 20 year sentence.
For his part, Corbin accepted responsibility, telling the court, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”
Judge Ryan split the range, sending Corbin to jail for 22 years with a recommendation that he be sent to a facility where he could get mental health and substance abuse treatment.
He will also face five years of supervised release and must register as a gun offender as well as pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
Given Corbin’s age, he could be facing a life sentence.
“It’s a sad state of affairs in my mind that the only thing we can do is send you away to try and figure out what happened,” said Judge Ryan.
