A non-fatal shooting defendant entered into a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz during a status hearing Feb. 10.
Demarco Bates, 28, was originally charged with four counts of assault with intent to kill, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, two counts of destruction of property less than $1,000, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance for his involvement in an April 10, 2024 non-fatal shooting on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. Two victims were injured during the shooting.
At the hearing, Bates’ attorney, Alvin Thomas, said his client accepted a deal from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges against Bates.
As part of the deal, parties also agreed to a sentence between seven-and-eight years of imprisonment, subject to Judge Kravitz’s approval at sentencing.
According to the prosecution, if the case had gone to trial, they would have proven that Bates, through transferred intent, assaulted two victims, though not the intended targets, with a dangerous weapon after firing 12 rounds towards a white sedan at the scene. Prosecutors said they would have tied Bates to the crime with DNA and ballistic evidence.
Judge Kravitz ordered a pre-sentencing investigation report and Bates will remain in custody until his sentencing.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 10 for sentencing.
