A defendant accused of stabbing someone in the back at a restaurant rejected a plea deal from the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on March 23.
Shelton Elder, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that left a victim hospitalized on Dec. 17, 2025, on the 1000 block of Vermont Avenue, NW.
According to court documents, Elder and the victim reportedly fought after Edler allegedly took a table from a group of girls at a restaurant and the victim told him to move. Elder allegedly pulled out a knife and later stabbed the victim in the back. The victim was hospitalized with a compromised lung.
During the hearing, the prosecution offered a plea deal in which Elder would plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and in exchange, prosecutors would not seek an indictment with additional charges.
Elder’s attorney, Peter Odom, rejected the plea offer on behalf of his client and asserted his right to a jury trial.
Parties are set to reconvene on June 8.
