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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- August 23, 2019
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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During a status hearing Aug. 23, a man pleaded guilty to murder.
Astriane Horton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and obstruction of justice for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Deon “Face” Coleman on the 4700 block of Brandywine Street, SW in 2008.
The plea agreement carries a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss the obstruction of justice charges.
According to the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, Horton could have faced between 30 and 60 years had he been convicted of first-degree murder while armed.
According to court documents, Horton, 37, killed Coleman over a missing gun. Horton said he kept a gun at his grandmother’s house, which was only known to Horton and a mutual friend. When the gun went missing, Horton said he believed Coleman had stolen it.
Horton said he was looking for Coleman and found him on Brandywine Street, SW, which was where Coleman lived.
On June 19, 2008, Horton went to Coleman’s house and confronted him in the street about the missing gun, the documents said. After appearing to end things on good terms, the two men exchanged more words.
Horton then reached through the driver side of the vehicle, where Coleman was sitting and punched him in the face. Horton then pulled out a gun and fired it four times.
The bullets fatally struck Coleman in the face, neck, back and forearm.
The prosecution said that while Horton was being held at DC Jail, he called two witnesses and asked them to testify in his favor. Horton was subsequently charged with two counts of obstruction of justice.
DC Superior Judge Dana Dayson accepted Horton’s guilty plea.
A sentencing is scheduled on Nov 1.