A fatal stabbing defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan during a hearing on June 15.
Vanessa Bonaparte, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, threat to kidnap or injure a person, destruction of property more than $1,000 and tampering with physical evidence for her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd on June 22, 2024, on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Boyd sustained two stab wounds to the chest.
The prosecution extended an offer for Bonaparte to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and have the remaining charges in the indictment dismissed. They also agreed to request a sentence within the voluntary guidelines. Based on the severity of the offense and criminal history score, voluntary manslaughter typically carries a five-to-10 year sentence.
Bonaparte said she understood the plea deal but chose to reject it, moving forward towards a jury trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 6 ahead of the trial scheduled to begin on July 20.
