DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a defendant to eight years in prison for a 2024 shooting at a hearing on July 24.
Derrick Gladden, 55, was convicted on March 11 for aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his involvement in a shooting at the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE on April 15, 2024. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
At Gladden’s sentencing, the prosecution noted his “strikingly dangerous violent criminal history.” They said Gladden’s two most serious offenses include convictions for manslaughterand the sexual assault of a 12-year-old in 1996.
The prosecution also emphasized that if it were not for a new life saving treatment used by DC Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which was not available just one month before, the victim would reportedly have died. They also added that witnesses of the shooting said it was “out of the blue” without explanation or justification.
Lastly, the prosecution asked Judge Brandt to run the sentence for the aggravated assault and the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence to be charged consecutively. They also argued that Gladden’s claim of the victim brandishing a knife was a lie. “Nobody saw a knife because there was no knife,” said the prosecutor.
Gladden’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, disputed the prosecution’s claims. Thomas said that the sexual assault victim was not a minor, and that the prosecution’s claim that the EMS treatment saved the victim’s life was speculation. According to Thomas, a witness testified about the victim possessing a knife in the days surrounding the shooting.
Gladden’s father-in-law spoke on behalf of about 12 family members who were present that day to support him. The father-in-law said that he would not have let Gladden marry his daughter if he thought he was a bad man.
Gladen also spoke, explaining his work to improve himself while in jail and reiterating that his actions resulted from a knife being pulled on him. He also spoke about his family and said “I wanna be a part of their lives but I can’t do that from jail.”
Judge Brandt noted “Mr. Gladden has a very lengthy and sordid criminal history.” “That’s a statement of fact,” said Judge Brandt.
In addition Judge Brandt said “there is one video that speaks volumes to the court.” After shooting the victim whom he considered a friend, “Mr Gladden calmly leaves,” emphasized Judge Brandt. Gladden walked past the EMS workers and continued on with his day. “That’s cold, that’s straight up cold natured,” concluded the judge.
Judge Brandt also said that there are many homicide defendants who receive less than the 240 months sentence the prosecution asked for Gladden to serve. In addition, the jury acquitted Gladden of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Judge Brandt sentenced Gladden to eight total years in prison. Five years for aggravated assault, five years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and six months for unlawful possession of ammunition, to be served concurrently.
Additionally, Gladden will serve three consecutive years for unlawful possession of a firearm.
After his prison sentence, Gladden will be on supervised release for five years and must register as a gun offender in DC.
No further dates were set.
