Two homicide co-defendants accepted plea deals extended by the prosecution on Feb. 9 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.
Justin Borum, 36 and Jerome Dukes, 35 were originally charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for their involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jayvon Jones. The incident occurred on Feb. 21, 2023 on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE. Two additional individuals sustained injuries.
The defendants accepted an offer extended by the prosecution, which required them to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of 108 months of imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Borum and Dukes caused the death of Jones, and acted in conscious disregard for his well being, and not in self-defense.
Parties are slated to reconvene April 17.
