Homicide Defendant Enters Guilty Plea for Lower Charge

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On Oct. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee accepted a defendant’s decision to accept a plea agreement from the prosecution in regard to a 2016 homicide case.

Xavier Hamilton, 30, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting of 39-year-old Ivy Tonnet Smith.

According to court documents, on March 6, 2016, the Metropolitan Police Department was called to the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Ivy Smith was an innocent bystander struck by gunfire at the local bus stop. Smith was transported to Washington Hospital Center where she later was pronounced dead. Another individual was found suffering from a gunshot wound at a nearby beauty supply store.

Hamilton waived his rights as he entered a guilty plea of voluntary manslaughter while armed. Hamilton is slated to serve eight years in prison and three years of supervised probation.

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16.