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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 22, 2019
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to 30 years in prison for “executing” two men in Northeast DC.
In August of 2018, Matthew Moore, Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed for his role in the deaths of 22-year-old Ronnell Tye Reaves and 23-year-old Kevin Kennedy on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE in July of 2018.
According to DC Courts, Moore, 34, tried to rescind his guilty plea in January but the court denied his request. Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge Danya Dayson said Moore had the right to appeal her ruling on withdrawing his guilty plea.
“This coward took someone so dear to my family,” Reaves’ sister told the judge.
Amid tears, various members of Reave’s family spoke about his dreams and the happiness he brought to their lives. Apparently, Reaves is the youngest of eight children.
“You left a hole in my heart that even time will not fill,” Reaves’ mother wrote in an impact statement that was read by one of his sisters.
Reaves family said he was a recording artist who was hoping to make it big. According to Kennedy’s mother, Reaves and Kennedy were best friends and had the same passion for music.
The mother said Kennedy lived for 18 months on a ventilator and feeding tube before succumbing to his injuries. She said Reaves was like a son to her and losing both of them pains her deeply.
She said Kennedy didn’t have his father in his life and because of that, he was trying to be the best father possible to his own son. She said Kennedy was his son’s “Superman.”
Both families requested Moore be given the maximum sentence, 36 years. Both families also said Moore has shown no remorse for his actions.
The prosecution also requested the maximum sentence, noting that Moore had been arrested 21 times over the course of 17 years, citing a robbery conviction when he was 16 years old.
“I am deeply remorseful and I’m very sorry,” Moore said, addressing both families.
Moore said Reaves and Kennedy were drug dealers and that’s how the men met. He also said he worked with them in the music studio.
Moore’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, said his client believed his life was being threatened and that the victims were armed.
According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, Moore was driving with the victims and parked on 14th Place NE. Moore and Reaves got out of the car and walked to a nearby alleyway and Kennedy stayed in the car. Reaves returned to the car and got into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later Moore opened the passenger door, leaned in and fired four shots — two at Reaves and two at Kennedy.
Following his release from prison, Moore is expected to serve five years on supervised release. He will also be required to register as a gun offender.