Murder Defendant Receives 20-Year Sentence

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 11, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A murder case finally closed two years after a jury found a defendant guilty of killing a woman in Southeast, DC.

Delonte Javon Wynn was found guilty of first-degree murder while armed on June 26, 2017, for murdering 46-year-old Darlene Marie Bryant on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE on May 13, 2015.

During a sentencing hearing on Sept. 10, Wynn accepted a 20-year plea deal from the prosecution for second-degree murder while armed. The case has remained open since Wynn filed for a new trial after the jury’s verdict in 2017, according to DC Courts.

Wynn’s defense attorney, Gretchen Franklin, asked DC Superior Court Judge Zoe Bush to give Wynn a 14-year sentence because of all the good acts Wynn has done since he has been incarcerated. 

“He is not the person he was when he killed,” Franklin said.

Judge Bush said a 20-year sentence was appropriate, considering the crime as well as the work Wynn has done while incarcerated. 

Apparently, Wynn has helped the Metropolitan Police Department with more than ten criminal cases since he has been in jail, including homicides, cold cases and drug cases.

Wynn also completed several classes, including life skills, computer classes, drug classes, finance classes and was a lead speaker for a family course. 

“There is no justification for what I did,” Wynn told the victim’s family. “If I could trade places with her I would. I’m deeply sorry that I did what I did.”

Wynn said he stabbed Bryant because she stole some of his belongings. He said he was very upset because he always had Bryant’s back in bad situations.

The victim’s family opted not to speak. 

Wynn will receive credit for time served, according to DC Courts.