DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a homicide defendant to 10-and-a-half years in prison after emotional impact statements from the victim’s family on May 15.
Khalid Claggett, 42, was convicted by a jury on Feb. 24 of voluntary manslaughter while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. All charges face an aggravating factor of being committed while Claggett was on release for a prior offense.
The conviction stemmed from Claggett’s involvement in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Isaac Aull on June 11, 2021, on the 1600 block of Franklin Street, NE. Aull sustained eight gunshot wounds.
At Claggett’s sentencing, Aull’s mother said “that moment shattered me.” She elaborated, “Watching my son call out for help…is something that will live in my mind for the rest of my life.”
“Issac was chased, hunted down, and killed,” asserted his mother and argued Claggett’s actions did not reflect his self-defense claim. “Life should matter,” said Aull’s mother, and asked Judge Kravitz to impose the maximum sentence in the name of accountability and justice.
“Ten days before my birthday, I was 12, and my father was gunned down in broad daylight,” said Aull’s son. “I’ve been lost for words ever since,” he said, and continued that the loss “took a piece of who I was becoming.”
Claggett should “spend life in jail, he shouldn’t get out,” concluded Aull’s son.
In a letter, Aull’s cousin said he was “a light taken too soon,” that “family gatherings are quieter, birthdays are incomplete,” and Aull’s loss is a pain his family carries every day. “We ask for justice not out of hatred, but because his life deserves dignity,” wrote Aull’s cousin.
The prosecution requested a total sentence of 21-and-one-third years in prison, which Judge Kravitz noted was towards the top of the guidelines range. The prosecutor acknowledged that Aull shooting at Claggett in the Walgreens parking lot that day was not right, but argued Claggett responded with “vigilante justice” when “the remedy is supposed to be acting within the law.”
The prosecutor elaborated that after Aull fired shots, Claggett returned fire, left the scene, and returned with a new gun and different appearance to “conceal his identity.” In addition, the prosecutor noted Claggett “had an opportunity to walk away, to let Aull live,” because video footage and witnesses reported that his gun jammed before he fixed it and fired more shots while Aull was unarmed on the ground.
Claggett declined to accept responsibility prior to sentencing, including his testimony in the trial, asserted prosecutors, and said “that level of selfishness should be concerning.” The prosecutor argued Claggett’s statements were entirely about himself.
The prosecutor also noted Claggett’s two prior felony convictions, multiple revocations of release, repeated possession of firearms, and that he was on release for two separate matters when the shooting occurred.
Howard McEachern, Claggett’s attorney, requested a seven year prison sentence and asked Judge Kravitz to rely on mitigation factors for the below-guidelines sentence. “Claggett’s life was put in danger in this case,” said McEachern.
The conflict between Claggett and Aull did not start in the Walgreens parking lot, but was “a culmination” of events, said McEachern. Prior to that day, McEachern emphasized, Claggett did not respond to their conflict in a way that jeopardized Aull’s life. McEachern acknowledged “certainly different decisions could have been made” by Claggett, but the incident happened in a blur.
In regard to Claggett’s testimony, McEachern said there was no forum to express remorse because he was explaining his actions and the reasoning behind them.
McEachern said during almost five years of incarceration he’s learned Claggett is a “thoughtful, measured, caring individual, and a loving father.” Claggett wants to better himself and prepare for reintegration into society, said McEachern.
Claggett apologized to Aull’s family and said “I know I’ve been a tremendous source of the grief you’ve felt.” To Judge Kravitz, Claggett said, “I would like to ask for leniency.” He concluded, “my emotions got the best of me.”
Judge Kravitz said “the pain experienced by Aull’s mother and son is profound,” and demonstrated the real world impact of violent crimes. “It’s a pain that no one should have to live through” and “a terrible loss for Aull and his family,” said the judge.
The defense request for a downward departure from the guidelines was “unpersuasive and unavailing,” said Judge Kravitz. The jury already considered the mitigating factor in their verdict since Claggett was originally charged with first-degree murder.
Judge Kravitz did acknowledge Claggett’s demonstration of his capacity to address his needs and make a better life for himself upon release.
Judge Kravitz sentenced Claggett to nine-and-a-half years for manslaughter, five years for possession during a crime of violence, and one-and-a-half years for unlawful possession, all to run concurrently, followed by five years of supervised release. In addition, Claggett will serve an extra year in prison for committing the offenses during release. Upon release, Claggett will be required to register as a gun offender in DC.
No further dates were set.
