A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Jan. 21.
Romel Sawyer, 39, was charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed and armed robbery for his involvement in a robbery-turned-stabbing that injured one individual on Aug. 1, 2025 on the 6600 block of Georgia Avenue, NW .
During the hearing, Sawyers’ defense attorney, Kevin Roberston, alerted the court of Sawyer’s intent to accept a deal, which required him to plead guilty to his charges in exchange for the prosecution not seeking a more punitive indictment. Through the deal, the prosecution agreed to limit their sentencing request to the bottom of the guidelines, and will not oppose concurrent sentences.
According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would’ve proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Sawyer took a knife and stabbed the victim in the back, while demanding the victim’s backpack.
Sawyer threatened the victim, stating “I’ma kill you, give me the bag.” After the attack, Sawyer and another individual walked away with the victim’s backpack, which contained cash, a cellphone, and identification documents. The prosecutor claimed that Sawyer acted voluntarily with intent and not in self-defense.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 26.
