DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a defendant to seven years imprisonment on Jan. 23, after he pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, while the victim’s family argued he should be charged for murder.
On Nov. 12, 2025, Keshawn Lavender, 24, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in a mass shooting that killed 32-year-old Matthew Miller at an apartment on the 200 block of M Street, SW on Sept. 5, 2023.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of seven years.
“Seven years is not enough,” Miller’s mother said.
While the prosecutor acknowledged this was not what Miller’s family wanted, they said the plea was necessary to assure a conviction.
“The [prosecution] has to divorce that from the reality of what’s going to happen at a trial,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor said manslaughter was an accurate charge because Lavender and his co-defendants, Deandre Sams, 30, and Raymond Mathis, 39, went to the apartment intending to steal marijuana, not kill anyone.
“If you went there to purchase marijuana, why carry guns?” Miller’s mother asked.
Lavender’s attorney, Kevin Irving, presented Judge Edelman with letters describing his progress and activities while in jail.
“People come to you everyday saying they’re gonna change,” Lavender said to Judge Edelman. “I want to show you I’m gonna change.”
Lavender, who was shot in the arm during the altercation, apologized to Miller’s family.
“My actions were wrong and selfish,” Lavender said. “I know the victim’s family will never be in a forgiving mood.”
“You’re a career criminal,” Miller’s mother said. “I wish y’all were dead.”
Judge Edelman acknowledged that this was not the ideal sentencing for Miller’s family, but called it a “half-a-loaf the government is willing to take.” He approved the plea, imposed the seven year sentence, and said he will recommend Lavender be placed in a prison near the home of his one-year-old son, who Lavender said he has never met in person.
“They can go visit you,” Miller’s mother said of Lavender’s family. “I visit my son at a cemetery.”
“My sentence in this case or these cases is unlikely to heal any of the scars,” Judge Edelman said.
No further dates were set.
