A defendant accepted a plea deal for a fatal shooting that killed a mother before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 16.
Dion Lee, 26, was initially charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Pamela Thomas on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE, on Feb. 9, 2022. Thomas sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Rashod Dunbar, 26, is charged with accessory after the fact to assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the same homicide.
According to court documents, Thomas was in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle with her seven-year-old son on their way to a birthday party when a stray bullet struck Thomas in the back of the head.
During the hearing, Lee pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed as part of a plea agreement, which holds a maximum penalty of 70 years in prison.
The parties agreed to 19-to-21 years in prison as part of the agreement. Judge Park will accept or reject this recommendation during sentencing, and should he reject it, Lee may rescind his guilty plea.
After finding Lee understood he waived his rights including to a trial Judge Park accepted his guilty plea, pending his evaluation of the sentence agreement.
The prosecution stated if the case went to trial, they would be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the incident, Lee fired five rounds at a male target, one of which shot through the back window of a vehicle and struck Thomas.
Carrie Weletz, Dunbar’s attorney, requested Judge Park modify Dunbar’s release conditions because he has been compliant. According to court records, Dunbar was previously subject to GPS monitoring and a curfew, which the new conditions would remove.
Judge Park said he expects to grant Weletz’s request but wants to consult the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) before ruling. He said Dunbar had issues with drug testing in December 2023, so that condition will remain regardless.
Lee’s sentencing is scheduled for June 26. Parties for Dunbar are slated to reconvene on July 1.
