DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz delayed sentencing for a stabbing defendant on May 1 to allow his attorney time to request a sentence allowed under the plea agreement.
Christopher Moore, 32, pleaded guilty on March 5 to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing on March 1, 2024 on the 1900 block of I Street, NE. The victim sustained life-threatening lacerations that required treatment at a hospital.
At Moore’s scheduled sentencing, Judge Kravitz noted the victim reportedly killed Moore’s father.
Judge Kravitz explained that Moore’s recommended sentence based on the guidelines and his criminal history score was 48-to-120 months for aggravated assault and 18-to-60 months for assault with a dangerous weapon.
The prosecution requested Moore serve a total of 102 months in prison, 84 months for aggravated assault and 18 months for assault with a dangerous weapon. Judge Kravitz said the request from Moore’s attorney, Sellano Simmons, was unclear.
Simmons said, “We’re asking that Moore not serve another day in jail.”
Judge Kravitz said he could sentence Moore as requested, but Simmons did not have the authority to ask for the outcome. As part of the plea deal, the parties agreed to not seek an upward or downward decision outside of Moore’s guideline range.
“The court still has discretion and I’ll leave it at that,” said Simmons, but acknowledged Judge Kravitz was correct about the plea deal requirements.
Judge Kravitz granted the prosecutor’s request to strike Simmons’ request from the record.
As a result, Judge Kravitz delayed sentencing to allow Simmons to file a request that’s permissible under the agreement.
Moore’s new sentencing date is scheduled for June 26.
