A murder defendant rejected a plea deal from prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan at a hearing on Feb. 5.
Robert Carpenter, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting of 43-year-old Tremaine Nicholson on May 7, 2024 on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE. Nicholson sustained five shots.
Aillayh Carter, 29, is also charged with two counts of obstructing justice for her alleged involvement in helping Carpenter cover-up the murder.
Carpenter’s attorney, Christen Romero Philips, told Judge Ryan that her client wished to reject a plea agreement the parties had previously discussed. The plea deal would have required Carpenter to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. In exchange, prosecutors would dismiss the remaining charges and parties agreed to a sentence between nine-and-a-half-to-12 years in prison.
Judge Ryan ensured Carpenter spoke with his attorneys before rejecting the plea deal.
Philips said she planned to file a motion to sever the co-defendants. The prosecution said that since the trial is scheduled for March 12, the defense acted in an untimely manner not filing the motion already. Judge Ryan allowed Philips until the end of business hours on Feb. 6 to file a severance motion.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 17.
