Defendant Resolves 5 Cases with Plea Deal

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 27, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A prosecutor dismissed a defendant’s felony case, in which she was charged with breaking out of prison, in exchange for pleading guilty in four misdemeanor cases. 

Erika Sellars pleaded guilty to simple assault, destruction of property, possession of PCP and a bail violation.

Judge Julie Becker sentenced her to serve 30 days for each of the first three charges. The sentences will run concurrently.  

For the bail violation charge, Sellars was sentenced to 110 days, all of which were suspended, plus nine months of unsupervised probation. This sentence will run consecutive to probation from the other three charges.

Sellars, 33, has already spent over 100 days in jail. She will receive credit for time served.

The prosecution did not want the defendant to serve more time than she already has and was concerned about her mental health. Sellars had previously been evaluated by doctors at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. 

The prosecutor said Sellars would not be a good candidate for probation due to her recent prison break and was concerned that strict probation would only set her up for failure. 

Defense attorney Andrew Ain agreed with the prosecution that strict probation would not benefit his client. However, he argued that Sellars has recently demonstrated the ability to stay out of trouble.

After Sellars escaped the halfway house, she remained within the law for six months. While Ain acknowledged that breaching the halfway house was illegal, she still demonstrated the ability to act as a law-abiding citizen during those six months. 

Ain recommended unsupervised probation. The prosecutor agreed it would be the best course of action; however, he expressed concern regarding Sellars’ mental health and possible drug problems. 

Judge Becker noted that while Sellars should have mental health and drug treatment, the options provided by the court would not suit her needs.

She imposed a sentence to where Sellars would not serve any more time unless she violated the conditions of her probation in the bail violation case, which include complying with a stay-away order from two victims.

Sellars must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund for each of the four charges.

Sellars admitted to spitting in a minor’s face as well as breaking the driver’s side mirror off of a car and jamming it into the car door of another victim’s car. She also admitted to possessing of PCP. 

The prosecution dismissed the charges of disorderly conduct and possession of an open container of alcohol that she picked up in two of the cases.

The prosecutor read two of the victim’s impact statements. The first victim hoped justice would be done and the second hoped Sellars would get the help that she needs. 

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.