DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz delayed sentencing for a homicide defendant so that he could finish high school at the DC Jail in a hearing on March 6.
On April 24, 2025, Caleb Padilla, 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Damion Hill on Dec. 30, 2024 on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE.
According to court records, Padilla is in school at the DC Jail, which allows his sentencing to be delayed following the plea agreement.
At the hearing, Padilla’s defense attorney, Molly Bunke, as well as a special education attorney from the Public Defender Service (PDS), Nakisha Winston, reported that Padilla was doing well in school and is set to graduate in July, although an exact date was not confirmed.
Upon suggestion from the prosecution, Judge Kravitz set another hearing on Padilla’s progress in school before they proceed with sentencing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 22.
