DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a homicide defendant to 35 years of imprisonment on Jan. 9
Jajuan Gripper, 23, was convicted by a jury of conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Rynell Bradford on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE on Dec. 20, 2022.
Family members remembered Bradford as a loving father, son, brother and friend “who was deeply loved.”
“I will never be able to unsee my brother lying in his blood,” one of Bradford’s sisters said. “That image plays in my mind over and over again.”
Mentioning Bradford’s five kids, one of whom was four-months-old when Bradford was gunned down, she stated they “wake up to a life without their father, forever.”
“My brother deserved to live. Our family deserves justice,” she cried.
Another of Bradford’s sisters reminisced on their close bond, stating they supported each other through everything – with the sisters being dressed as cheerleaders while Bradford played football in their childhood.
“I do not know what closure looks like for us as a family,” she said, adding her goal is to embody his goofy, happy spirit.
“A person that can do this is a person who has a lack of care and humanity,” she said about Gripper, highlighting his “unfathomable” attitude throughout the case. “He acts like it’s an inconvenience.”
“It is not appropriate or fair for anybody to play games with someone’s life,” the sister stated.
The prosecution requested he be sentenced to 40 years, highlighting the seriousness of the crime. They stated Gripper and two friends gunned Bradford down in the middle of the street as Bradford’s fiancee watched from the window of their apartment.
“It doesn’t get more serious than a premeditated murder,” the prosecutor insisted.
He argued there was an extraordinary cost from the murder. “That cost is not just a life. It’s a cost to five children, a family, and a community. It’s permanent and generational.”
Wole Falodun, Gripper’s defense attorney, asked Judge Ryan for a sentence that “holds him accountable, but rehabilitates him and takes his age and mental health into consideration,” requesting 30 years.
Falodun argued Gripper “has made efforts to change the trajectory of his life,” while he’s been incarcerated. According to Falodun, Gripper got his high school diploma at the DC Jail.
He encouraged Judge Ryan to sentence Gripper to a “not hopeless” sentence, urging him to sentence him based on him as a whole, “not just his worst day.”
“The killing was absolutely unwarranted,” Judge Ryan said, reminding the parties that Bradford was shot and killed as he ran away.
“The harm that’s been done in this case… is a very significant harm. [Bradford] did nothing to warrant that,” Judge Ryan noted.
Judge Ryan imposed a concurrent sentence of 35 years for murder, 84 months for conspiracy and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and 24 months for carrying a pistol without a license.
“You should reflect on what those very sincere people had to say,” Judge Ryan told Gripper about Bradford’s family. He highlighted Gripper’s opportunity to succeed, adding “you need to do so.”
Parties agreed to delay the order that would have Gripper transferred to the Bureau of Prisons (BoP) until May in order for him to finish the Georgetown University Program at the DC Jail.
