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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- August 17, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A murder defendant accepted a plea deal that downgraded his charges from first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence to second-degree murder while armed.
Bikila “Ethy” Kejella allegedly shot Eric Garrett in the 2300 block of 11th Street, NW in 2016.
On Aug. 15, Kejella pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed.
According to a proffer of facts, Kejella, 19, approached a group of individuals who were in a courtyard near a parking lot on 11th Street in search of a cigarette. As Garrett, 23, walked from the courtyard to the parking lot, Kejella approached him. Kejella shot Garrett multiple times in the head and neck.
A motive has not been established at this time.
Per the terms of the plea, the prosecution dropped Kejella’s first-degree murder and gun possession charges. According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Kejella could face between 14 and 19 years in prison.
Kejella’s sentencing hearing is scheduled on Jan. 11, 2019.