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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- November 2, 2020
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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On Nov. 2, two defendants entered a plea of guilty before Judge Rainey Brandt for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
Weslee Wilkinson, 18, and Azion Johnson, 20, were originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting three people attending a cook-out on May 29 at the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE. Johnson was previously charged with carrying a pistol without a license as well.
The prosecution offered a plea deal that included lesser charges on the condition that both defendants must accept it.
Defense attorneys, Julie Swaney and Sellano Simmons, requested that their clients be released from DC Jail before sentencing.
Swaney said that Wilkinson has not attended high school for the past four months and asked that her client be placed on home confinement so he can continue his education.
“While I can appreciate these two young men stood up and did the adult thing by confessing their criminality, they both possessed guns during a shootout,” said Judge Brandt.
The request was denied despite the defendants’ limited criminal history. Both Wilkinson and Johnson will return to DC Jail to await their sentencing date.
“I know hearing that you will continue to be detained crushed your spirit a little,”said Judge Brandt. “But I need you to push through that and remain strong.”
Their sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16 on Judge Brandt’s request that it take place before the holidays.
Sierra Robbins wrote this story.