Victim’s Friend Calls Murder Defendant A ‘Bonafide Thug’

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 20, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a sentencing on Aug. 20, a close friend   of the victim said the defendant was a “bonafide thug.”

Tywan Porter, 26, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for shooting 39-year-old Alexander Mosby in May of 2018 on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

During the close friend’s impact statement, she blamed low income housing for “harboring thugs” like Porter.

“The defendant did this premeditatedly and for that I hope the courts give him the maximum penalty,” she said.

Mosby’s wife and mother said how hardworking and community oriented he was.

“I’m still in disbelief that my husband is not here,” Mosby’s wife told the judge. “It is hard every day but I think of how great of a person Alex was.”

“I’ll always remember how much of a dreamer Alexander was,” his mother said. “He had so many ideas to start his businesses and he achieved almost all of them.”

The prosecution suggested that Porter receive 10 years and a significant amount of community service once released. The prosecutor said the prison term and service would be fair because Mosby was so involved in the community.

The defense suggested eight years because Porter had no prior criminal record.

The defense said Porter worked for the DC Public School System as a cafeteria manager and was a single father.

Porter apologized to the victims family but also to his family, who were present in the courtroom.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said that Porter’s decisions were what led to the murder. Judge Edelman said he believed the suggested sentence range was appropriate for him to rule within.

Judge Edelman agreed with the prosecutions suggestion and sentenced Porter to 10 years in prison with and additional 5 years of supervised release.

He said that he could not order community service, but he did recommend that Porter complete 200 hours upon release.