A non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Feb. 20.
Kenneth Johnson, 32, and Vance McIlwain, 33, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, endangerment with a firearm in a public place, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Johnson is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year.
These charges stem from Johnson and McIlwain’s alleged involvement in an assault that injured one victim on Nov. 8, 2024 on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.
Johnson was present at the hearing alongside his attorney, Matthew Davies. McIlwain was not, but his attorney, Lisabeth Sapirstein, appeared on his behalf.
The prosecution said they previously extended a plea offer to the defendants that would require them to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, the prosecution would dismiss all other charges in this case and cap their sentencing request to eight years of imprisonment.
Johnson told the court he rejected the plea offer. Judge Park confirmed that Johnson talked to his lawyer about the decision and rejected the plea voluntarily.
Johnson and McIlwain’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2026.
After Johnson rejected the plea offer, Judge Park asked if he was satisfied with the help his lawyer has provided him thus far and Johnson responded “no.”
After speaking with Johnson and Davies under the husher, Judge Park announced that Johnson had requested new counsel but determined that the matter would require a longer conversation. Additionally, Johnson’s rejection of the plea deal would have to be restated after the issue of counsel is resolved, noted Judge Park.
On behalf of McIlwain, Sapirstein said that her client wanted to resolve the case prior to trial.
Judge Park told Johnson that he might not grant his request to change counsel because it would be unfair to delay McIlwain’s trial.
Parties for both defendants are slated to reconvene on March 6.
