Judge Sentences Murder Defendent to 8.5 Years in Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 6, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A murder defendent was sentenced Sept. 6 to 8.5 years in prision and five years on supervised release for killing a man in 2016.

Hakeem Jamal Burroughs  pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for shooting Jarell Walker who on the 3700 block of Hayes St., NE on June 2, 2016. Walker died on June 6. Burroughs was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed, possision of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed and unlawful possesion of firearm with a prior conviction. 

“The defendant got an incredibly generous plea offer because of a no snitch policy,” the prosecution said. Apparently, the other men involved in the case would not testify against Borroughs. 

As part of his plea deal Burroughs gun possession and assault charges were dropped. 

The prosecutor said two armed men got in an argument with Walker. While the victim was walking away, Burroughs shot him in the back three times.

“We don’t think eight and a half years is enough, but we will agree to it,” the prosecution said. 

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet Mckenna said Burroughs, 24, “has a tremendous amount of potential.” Judge McKenna said she hopes he “will come back with a commitment to making the community better.”

Defense attorney, Dominique Winters, referred to Burroughs as “ one of my favorite clients, a sweetheart.” She said he expressed an interest in keeping in contact with her after the trial was over. 

The defense asked Judge Mckenna to suggest Borroughs be placed in Allenwood Prison, located in Pennsylvania, in order to be closer to his family. 

The prosecutor said the victim’s grandmother found the sentencing “too stressful to come”. Family members for both the victim and Burroughs did not attend the sentencing.