A homicide defendant said he is considering a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Sept. 21.
Mercury Ford, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and carrying a pistol without license outside of a home or business, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Tequila Parker on May 27, 2025 at the 2300 block of Pitts Place, SE.
According to court documents, Parker died from two gunshot wounds to her back and thigh, which was captured on surveillance cameras.
At the hearing, Ford’s attorney, Ylandrea Drummond, said her client is considering the prosecution’s plea offer, which would require him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed. In exchange, the prosecution would agree to a sentence between 12-and-24 years in prison and dismiss all other charges.
Drummond said that issues with receiving evidence from prosecutors slowed Ford’s decision on whether he will accept or reject the plea deal. The prosecutor revoked the plea for the record, but said they planned to reintroduce the deal at the next hearing.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 19, 2027.
