Judge Sentences Defendant to 11.5 Years for Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 26, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Nearly eight years after stabbing his neighbor to death over a lawnmower, a murder defendant was sentenced April 25 to 11.5 years in prison.

In January,William Hunt pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for stabbing 48-year-old George White on the 400 block of Newcomb Street, SE in 2011.

Along with his Hunt’s sentence, DC Superior Court Judge Lopez also recommended that he serve that time at a medical facility. Hunt, 63, has several health issues, including a precancerous condition and joint disease, that will require treatment while he’s incarcerated. 

“I wish I could take it all back,” Hunt said addressing the court.

Defense attorney Amy Phillips, said Hunt was “deeply remorseful” for his actions and accepted full responsibility for killing White. Phillips said Hunt said he wanted to “pay his debt to society” and return home to his daughter and granddaughter, who were present in the courtroom during sentencing.  

The prosecutor said that Hunt committed a “heinous” crime against his neighbor, who considered him a friend. Apparently, Hunt stabbed White more than 60 times.

According to DC Courts, Hunt was arrested in 2014 and was later deemed incompetent to stand trial in 2015. D.C. Witness previously reported that Hunt was found competent on Jan. 28. During the sentencing, Phillips said Hunt still requires mental health care.

Court documents state White confronted Hunt, who was mowing his lawn, after he was woken up by the sound of a lawnmower. After the argument ended, Hunt entered White’s residence and repeatedly stabbed him.

Following his sentence, Hunt is expected to serve five years on supervised release.