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By
Joseph Wolf
- December 3, 2024
Daily Stories
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Shooting
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Suspects
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A shooting defendant initially rejected a plea deal and was denied release pending a bond review before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Dec. 2.
Dayquan Henderson, 22, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and endangerment with a firearm. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 300 block of Anacostia Road, SE on May 11. No one sustained any injuries.
According to court documents, Henderson allegedly fired shots from an apartment balcony and into a courtyard. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers recovered spent shell casings and one bullet in the apartment.
During the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer to Henderson. The agreement would require him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and endangerment with a firearm. In return, the prosecution would drop all of the remaining charges.
The plea offer was rejected by Henderson and his defense counsel, Daniel Kovler, told the judge that a counter offer was also rejected.
The counteroffer would require that Henderson plead guilty to the same charges, but in addition, be sentenced under 11 (c)(1)(c), which is a plea agreement in which the prosecution and defense attorney agree on a sentence. In this case, he would be sentenced to 72 months of incarceration and some time in probation and supervised release.
Henderson admitted he was confused by the terms, so the prosecution announced that they would reopen the plea agreement for consideration for two weeks.
After that, the parties discussed a bond review motion from Kovler requesting that Judge Pipe release Henderson based on security footage of the incident.
Kovler argued that police never found bullets near the location Henderson allegedly used for the shooting which would imply that he shot in the air. According to Kovler, people shoot in the air to serve as a warning, rather than a threat of violence.
He also called the credibility of the complainant into question in that she is charged with endangerment, following an incident involving a pepper spray assault.
The prosecutor requested a continuance so that she could familiarize herself with the case, and consider the bond motion. Judge Pipe granted the continuance. Meanwhile, Henderson is held without bond.
Parties are expected to reconvene on Dec. 4.